One tip he mentioned is to avoid much of the crowds is to use Google Maps to find restaurants off the beaten path. “Don’t eat at the restaurants with pictures of all the food along the major tourist streets”, he said. He added you’ll likely find better local food, and potentially pay less.
He also mentioned that as he bounced between countries in Europe, he took advantage of his Priority Pass membership with The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required). “Don’t spend money in airports when you can eat and drink for free at most major airports across Europe, cocktails included,” he said.
Visa Laws Will Be Changing in 2025
Americans can visit Schengen countries for up to 90 days without a travel visa. Those countries are: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Starting mid-2025, you will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) authorization. You can apply for this clearance online. As of now, the cost is €7 (~$8) for each application. The fee applies only to those between 18 and 70 years old.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be visiting Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Iceland, and Spain over the next few months. Living on the East Coast, it makes for a simple hop over the pond.
This isn’t a story to scare or guilt you away from traveling to Europe, but it’s equally important to know that when you’re traveling, it’s someone else’s home. The spending and activities you do in that city impact the local economy and the well-being of those residents.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
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Publish date : 2024-06-26 19:03:37
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