BEFORE I LEFT ON VACATION

1)I Made sure our passports were current. I always put a reminder in my calendar 9 months before it expires to update it.

2)I called and checked which credit cards had no foreign transaction fees.

I put travel notices on the credit cards without foreign transaction fees and only used those cards. Everything else stayed home.

Link to no foreign transaction fee credit cards, https://www.cardratings.com/bestcards/no-foreign-transaction-fee.php?

3)Set up a family discussion in What’s app. Free texting, audio and video phone calls provided you have WiFi.

4)I registered with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans. Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. I will link to the STEP Program. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/step.html

5)Pack an extension cord & an International Travel Plug Adapter. Conversion plugs for electricity.

SAUNORCH Universal International Travel Power Adapter W/High Speed 2.4A USB, 3.0A Type-C Wall Charger, European Adapter, Worldwide AC Outlet Plugs Adapters for Europe, UK, US, AU, Asia-Black

6)I updated Google Translate & iTranslate on my phone

7)I updated Wi-Fi Map. Gives free WiFi wherever I am in the world.

8)Made sure the default credit cards on Uber were no foreign transaction credit cards. Lyft as of this date (July 2023)doesn’t work in Europe.

9)Turning off cellular data in Facetime and using only WiFi.

The good news is that you don’t have to stop using FaceTime. Have WiFi, you have Facetime.

ABOUT FINLAND

Finland’s currency is in Euros . I don't buy Euros in advance. Why? Most banks charge terrible inflated rates to convert dollars to Euros, so those Euros will be overpriced. I get Euros after I land. TRUTH IS DIDN’T NEED EUROS IN FINLAND. CAN USE CREDIT CARD FOR EVERYTHING. I usually check where I can get Euros at either the airport or near the hotel.

Currency Converter link for converting Euros to US Dollars

https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=EUR&To=USD

WE RECOMMEND

Walking the cobblestone streets-I’m a huge fan of Old Town in Europe.

Central Market or Market Square- Next to the Presidential Palace.It is an outdoor market selling food, coffee, fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts, Finnish souvenirs from local artists.

Old Market Hall- Indoor market of merchants -bakers, delis, cafés, cheese shops, butchers, chocolatiers and liquor shops.

Helsinki by boat -about an hour hhttps://www.stromma.com/en-fi/helsinki/sightseeing/combination-tours/bus-boat/

Esplanade Park-Green space right in the middle of the city where tourists and Helsinki residents come to picnics, relax and listen to music.

Senate Square

Flying over Helsinki/Finland-22 Euros. https://flyingcinematour.com/

TOTAL FOR FINLAND $3058 2 People, 7 days, Housing, food, entertainment.

General Travel stuff

I travel only with Carry on & a backpack. Carry on is usually 2/3rds full.

Rick Steves, travel guide for 30 years recommends the same thing. He recommends bringing a collapsible vinyl duffle bag that you can bring stuff back in. Maybe only pay for a bag on the return trip. If going a long distance like 7 hours or more, most airlines will include a checked bag for free. Wash clothes on the 6th or 7th day. I check which hotels have laundry or is there a laundry near my hotel before booking.

WE WELCOME THESE NEW COUNTRIES NOW FOLLOWING DADS DAUGHTERS DOLLARS-Poland, Republic of Lithuania and Switzerland.