Pack for Baltic cool weather

This morning I spoke to one of the Civitan staff members in Tallinn, Estonia involved in set up for the convention.  Everything is on scheduel for the convention but he did express concern that most of our delegates will be surprised at how much cooler it is than they expect.  It was 4:45 pm Estonia time when we spoke and although it was sunny, the temperature was 50 Degrees.  Locals all wear jackets.   

Best of convention Blogs.

Top ten things to do before you go....

(If you are registered for the convention,  keep the June 14 email from Mary Luck handy.  Its a trove of information and includs a copy of the convention program.)

1.  Don't forget to pack an adaptor so you can charge your phone, laptop or tablet. No need for a converter just an adaptor. Details see Blog 4/13/2012
2.  Make a copy of your passport (just picture page) drivers license and credit card(s) and keep a copy in a suitcase and somewhere besides where you keep your passport and credit cards.  If lost its easier to get them replaced or canceled.  Any US embassy will replace a passport in a few hours.  I know from first hand experience. Details see Blog 1/9/2012
3.  Call the credit/debit card bank toll free number on the back of the card and follow the instructions about letting them know your travel dates and destinations.  Not to do so risks having your card not work since it will appear to be used out of your normal routine.  Its simple to do and will save you the anguish not having a card that works.  Details see Blog 4/27/2012
4.  Your cell phone/ smart phone will work fine BUT you need to be sure you have let your carrier activate it for international use.  It will save you lots in fees and charges to get it activated.   With ATT it brings the cost of use to .99 per minute from over $2.00 without international activation.
5.  If you have a smart phone... TURN off you DATA PLAN when you leave the US and don't turn it on till you return.  You have a contract plan for the US but in Europe they don't recognize it and can really hammer you with some outrageous charges.  You can still use WI-FI if its available and don't need your data plan on to use either WI-FI or use it to make a call or text. 
6.  To stay in touch back home use SKYPE on your smart phone or laptop.  Its just pennies to call phones back home and free if you call a PC anywhere.  Skype was invented in Estonia.  It is easy to use and even has a video feature so you can show the folks back home all the cool things you are seeing.  Tallinn has free WI-FI through town and in our convention hotels.  How cool is that? Detail see Blog 3/8/2012
7.  The weather in Estonia will be cooler than back home unless there's an unexpected heat spell in the next few weeks.  It should be pleasant ranging from highs in the low 70's to lows in the high 40's.  Certainly not muggy and a pleasant contrast to Alabama in July.
8.  Do not over pack.  European airlines generally limit checked bags to 20Kg (44 lbs) and 16 lbs for carry on.  Some are pretty strict about weight limits and will charge for excess weight and may not allow a second bag checked.  The smaller "discount" carriers may have cheap fares but then can really sock it to you with the overweight baggage fees.  Be careful.  Best to not try to match shoes with every outfit.  All the main functions at the convention are casual.  Coat and tie at the final banquet is appropriate but no need to bring more formal outfits. Details see Blog 5/4/2012 and 5/24/2012
9. Texting is an inexpensive way to stay in touch.  I pay .15 cents per text traveling abroad with ATT and that is with or without a plan in Europe.  Texting will be a great way to stay up with your friends at the convention.  You can become a texting teen fool and impress your kids when you get home. Details see Blog 3/15/2012
10.  Get money at a local ATM up arrival in Europe.  It will be in Euros and you'll get as favorable an exchange rate as you would going to any bank without waiting in line.  Carry some US cash in smaller denominations.  The dollar is still the premier world's currency and works for tips (don't over tip) and to barter at local street markets.  Also carry Euro change to tip public restroom attendants.  Details see Blog 6/6/2012

Dont get lost in translation

Don't know much about algebra, don't know much about the French I took.....

Today there is no excuse for not trying at least.  The language guides, English-other language dictionaries and phrase books are too readily available.  Well you certainly have an excuse if you come from North America.  The rest of the world is learning English so you might say "why bother"?  With some of the inexpensive or free tools available today you really should make the effort. You never know when you'll meet the cab driver who doesn't understand you or the waiter who thinks you said you want pickles on your cake.   

Here's a really cool web link from Google:  http://translate.google.com/ and there's also a phone app too.   With your smart phone you say what you want in English (or your language) and pick the language to translate in.  You can hear the translation and play it to your cab driver in her language or show her the screen writing.  You will see what you said in English on your screen so you should be fairly confident it translated it right.  These online translation programs are getting better all the time. 

Here's a post script to the last blog on guides:

 The Kindle Store on Amazon has inexpensive travel books ($1.99) from top sights for Tallinn and any other cities or countries you may have on your travel list.  They are short and easy to read covering the main sites in the location. 

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Guides can maximize the experience

  History, foreign languages and geography may not have been your favorite subjects in school but when you are paying to visit a place, studying about it ahead of time can be loads of fun.  I think you soon realize you were not bad at these subjects.... they just were not relevant to you at the time.  Now they are.  Here are some tips to help you for the convention in Estonia and for some side trips   along the way.

 Next week tune in for cool easy to use language translation tools.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Estonia/Harjumaa/Tallinn-411828/TravelGuide-Tallinn.html  This is a very comprehensive guide to Tallinn including what to see, what to do, night life and fun things most tourists never hear about. 

http://wikitravel.org/en/Tallinn.  This is another very comprehensive web site about Tallinn including weather, history, politics, music and culture.... lots to learn if that is your thing.

http://www.ijourneys.com/  Using your IPod or MP3 this is a great way to hear what you are seeing.  Download the city you will be visiting and follow the audio guide.

Rick Steves has loads of material including audio walking tours of many European cities and sites.  http://www.ricksteves.com/

Others including The Lonely Planet and Aurtur Frommer have guides with audio podcasts of walking tours of monuments and popular European destinations like Paris, Florence, London and Amsterdam.  I understand there is also now a walking tour of Stockholm cafes and clubs frequented by the characters from the popular Stig Larson series, "Girl with the Dragon Tatoo".

There is something for every interest online these days but you might start at your local book store or library.  Amazon is also a great source of travel guides even used ones for the budget minded who may just want to tear out the pages you need and ditch the rest along.  Libraries also have a travel section with guides that you can check out for up to 3 weeks.  They also have video guides of many popular destinations.

Know before you go

This is where Boom Hilda works now

His and Hers

Know before you go.......to the rest room that is. Public restrooms are not so public in Europe. Oh, they exist but you need to take advantage of every one you encounter as it may be your last for that outing. Unlike what we are accustomed to in North America, downtown public toilets or WC's are generally only found in restaurants or cafes and for patrons only.  It's really not as bad as it sounds.  European WC's are clean and the things you hope to find in a public restroom are generally available such as soap, paper, and  door locks that work.  Many public restrooms will also have an attendant seated at a table outside the restrooms with a tip jar.  You get the idea.  It doesn't seem right to have to pay to go but then it will be in a clean facility.  And here are some tips for you:  Carry change.  The Euro has many of the same coins we do and are also called "cents." I think a tip of about .50 cents is on the generous side but .20 may be on the miserly side.  Another tip is to carry some "wet and dry" towelettes.  They are very handy and you can buy a box of 24individually wrapped ones at Walmart before you go.

You wont be happy so find another one



Bidet on right is not same as toilet on left

Last call before the window closes

You’re in luck if you haven’t booked your air ticket to the convention yet.  Air fares are coming down.  If you have booked…don’t despair you’ll still save in ways you had not expected.  The Euro has now dropped to its lowest level to the US dollar since July 2010 now trading at 1.24 US to 1 Euro.  At that rate the Sokos convention hotel in Tallinn is just $90 per night including breakfast and no taxes.  WOW…That beats the local Irondale, Alabama Holiday Inn Express by over $10 when you count the local sales tax.  A strengthening dollar helps in so many other ways too.  A restaurant meal and a cup of coffee or  a taxi ride are getting cheaper every day.



1 Euro= 1.24 US

Although air fares to Europe in early July are getting incrementally better you may have to be resourceful to find the good ones and be flexible in your travel dates. Earlier today I plugged in some rough dates on http://www.kayak.com using the “my dates are flexible” option and started with July 1 returning July 7^th and got $1080 from Atlanta  to Tallinn leaving July 1 but returning July 10th.  The added night at an airport http://www.parksleepfly.com motel to park your car in Atlanta adds about $85.  If you can drive back and forth to a bigger international hub rather than spending the night then its only about $50 to park at a hotel for up to 2 weeks and use their shuttle.  Birmingham to Tallinn was a few $$ hundred more than from Atlanta but Birmingham to Helsinki was $1180 comparable to Atlanta to Helsinki at around $1160.  From Chicago and JFK rates to Tallinn were just under $1000 but then you need to drive or fly to these gateway cities. 

Remember, on Kayak, posted prices include all taxes and fees (except luggage).  The point is, reasonable fares are available if you are flexible and can travel a few days before or after the convention.  The strengthening US dollar and the declining oil prices should continue to keep downward pressure on the air fares for our booking window of the next 10 days or so.  It’s really a myth that you need to have your international ticket secured a month or more in advance.  If the plane isn’t sold out, the airlines will keep discounting till it is.  And once it’s sold out there are always  other planes and other time slots from other nearby cities that are all vying for the same customer.   

Also, the room block for our convention hotel is quickly filling up.  If you have waited to book your trip,  your patience may have paid off on airfare but we want to be sure you are able to be with us in the one of the two adjacent convention hotels. http://www.civitan.org/convention