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| Aperitivo hour in L'Aquila, Italy |
Heading to Europe soon? Expect a few changes, the most significant being higher prices due to the sinking value of the U.S. dollar.
As for anti-American sentiment directed towards travelers, it's always been an overblown myth in my opinion. Nothing in the three weeks my husband and I spent recently in Malta and Southern and Central Italy changed that.
Yes, we were questioned about "What on earth is going on the United States," but the tone was more curious than critical. Many people in many countries are not fond of their own leaders or their policies, so empathy carries the day.
So, what's new?
*Thanks to the war in Iran and Donald Trump's economic policies, one euro is now worth $1.16, meaning when you look at the price of a 150-euro hotel room, the cost to you is $174 compared to $166 this time last year when the exchange rate was $1.11.
Minimize your costs by using a a no-fee credit card and, NEVER allow a merchant to convert a charge to U.S. dollars on the spot, a so-called convenience which comes with a fee.
Watch for hidden fees charged by foreign ATMs
When it comes to cash (rarely needed these days), a foreign ATM will often ask if you want to accept or decline an exchange rate. If you accept, the ATM locks in a conversion rate on the spot that comes with hidden markups and fees, sometimes up to 15 percent. If given a "Yes" or "No" prompt, press "No" to decline the offered exchange rate. By declining the conversion, your home bank processes the transaction at the standard, much fairer daily exchange rate.
*Prepare for delays upon entering and leaving EU countries using new electronic entry and exit systems (EES) that have replaced manual passport stamps with facial recognition and finger print scans.
Machines for finger print and facial recognition scans
If you are traveling this summer, you are in luck because the EU has temporarily authorized airports to pause both to head off long lines and technical glitches.
When our flight from Rome to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport arrived late, we were diverted to a "short connection" exit line to catch our flight back to the U.S. All that was required was an electronic passport check.
Entering the EU via Amsterdam was a bit more of a hassle because electronic reader machines weren't working. Incoming passengers with redirected to long lines for manual checks by agents.
Tap and pay machines on buses in Rome
*Paying for public transport in many countries has become easier. We were pleased to find that the subways and buses in Rome and the ferries in Malta have converted to the credit card or phone Tap and Pay system. This was much easier than having to buy and load and use a Navigo pass in Paris with different fares for buses and the Metro.
*Some businesses in Italy are moving away from long afternoon closures (typically 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.), but many still retain the custom, especially in the south where closing times can extend until 4 or 4 :30 p.m. Keep this in mind if you are renting a car. The Hertz rental office in Foggia closed at noon for a lunch break and didn't reopen until 3 p.m. Our rental agreement didn't mention this. We arrived by train from Bari a few minutes before noon, just in time for the agent to process our paperwork before he pulled down the metal door and left for lunch.
*Italy's customs around what and when to eat are changing as younger bar and restaurant owners bend the rules. Cafes along Bari's main pedestrian street leading to the train station cater to foreign travelers with morning offerings of avocado toast with eggs and smoked salmon while continuing to cater to Italians who prefer espresso shots and pastries.
Limoncello spritz
If you skipped lunch and find yourself hungry before 7 p.m., the traditional opening time for Italian restaurants, adopt the local custom of stopping for an aperitivo (usually an Aperol Spritz) in the late afternoon which is almost always is accompanied by free snacks. Popular these days with foreign travelers is a Limoncello spritz, made with a high-proof sweet lemon liqueur. Aperol is low-proof (around 11 percent), the reason why most Italians prefer it as a before-dinner drink.
*Try out some itinerary planning using ChatGPT or another A-I tool, but beware of using restaurant and hotel recommendations without first cross-checking reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor. Same goes for public transport schedules. That said, I found ChatGPT handy for a quick overview of getting from here to there in certain places along with timing considerations, suggested walking tours and the highlights of what to see or do.
*We travel independently rather than on organized tours, so I value third-party booking sites such as Get Your Guide and Viator for day trips and short excursions. They can be convenient for booking entry to historical sites or museums rather than toggling through foreign websites. Payment is by credit card and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance.
We used Airbnb to book a three-hour food tour of the capital city of Valletta in Malta and the website Freetour.com to book a morning walking tour around the city of Birgu. Some "Freetour" excursions are no longer free, but the cost is minimal - 20 euro or so per person - which replaces the normally expected tip.
Lunch in Valletta in Malta where steps take the place of streets
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