I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[fbb]

It’s Florence and should be avoided at all costs, esp on a large plane. BA is only able to land there a few days a week and when they can’t they re-route to Pisa and bus passengers to Florence. But I was super unlucky and after the worst ever attempted landing in a storm (in Pisa) and we had to land in Rome. We sat on the tarmac in Rome for several hours unable to leave the plane. It was a horrible experience and one that I won’t ever repeat. Bologna is a much better airport from what the staff at my hotel related to me. I’m leaving from Bologna in the fall and will be able to report back.

To offer a counterpoint, I have flown into and out of Florence a couple dozen times on KLM and several on Air France and never had an issue. The tram from the airport to the city center is extraordinarily cheap and convenient.

Bologna is a slightly better airport, but then you’re in Bologna.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Hi I have a couple questions regarding those experienced with using Euros. Putting final
touches for upcoming trip. Last time we were on a Europe trip 10 years ago I ended up with too
many euros left over and had a friend buy them.

Now for a 10 day cruise and 3 land days how much should I get? Doing 6 guided tours. So do we tip them and how much? Same with taxis. Plan to use a Visa with no foreign transaction fees for meals. Have a
coworker who just got back and she said she tipped 2 or 3 euros MAX for meals and tours/taxis. That seems
rather low. Thank you for your help!

*starting in Barcelona and ending in Rome

The tipping culture in Europe isn't the same as North America. However I have found that tour guides tend to expect tips from North American customers. I'd tip per person in your group, for a private group. If you're on a small group tour don't feel obligated to tip unless you were very pleased with the tour. I always tip, but most people, at least from what I've seen, tend to walk away and not tip.

Some restaurants in parts of Europe will add a 10% service fee, so check the bill before you tip. If it has already been added, you don't need to tip. Some people will round up the bill to the nearest dollar, but I usually leave a good tip, especially if the service was good (which is important to me as a solo traveler).

Most taxis take payment by card and again, don't feel obligated to tip. I will usually round up to the nearest dollar and add a few dollars in coins from my pocket, depending on how much the ride cost. I almost always take public transit when I'm in Europe, so tend to be generous when I tip taxis because it's usually due to bad weather or when I'm especially exhausted.