Excellent cell and data coverage exists throughout the island. We recommend using a phone that has a local SIM card installed with a pre-paid Internet and calling plan. This is the cheapest way to stay online - rather then using roaming data. Sim cards are sold at local convenience stores - or at the airport in Athens. Greek phones are operated by Organismos Tilepikoinonion Ellados. If you follow some simple steps when using a Greek telephone … [Read more...]
Paros, Greece – Lodging
The following are some hotels in Parikia, the largest city on Paros. Keep in mind you will see lots of hotel owners trying to lure you to their particular hotel as soon as you step off of the ferry. If you try to get lodging through them, make sure you bargain. I prefer to stay in or near Parikia over Naoussa because it is a larger city, there is more going on in town, and you are more centrally located for reaching other parts of the … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Calling
SIM Cards Prior to sim cards, phone cards were what locals and travelers purchased to make phone calls both in and outside of the country. These days sim cards can be purchased at any "tabacs" store, or most supermarches (super markets). The "tabac" is a store that sells a variety of things such as newspapers, cigarettes, books, gum, and phone cards. They are a very common store in towns. Old French phone cards are now collectibles. Many … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Equipment Rental
Several companies and stores in Chamonix rent ice climbing, glacier climbing, mountain climbing and paragliding equipment. Most of the mountaineering stores in Chamonix are open in the morning till about noon and then close until mid/late afternoon and then open untill about 7 or 8pm. There are many stores in Chamonix that rent ski equipment. Expect to pay about 80-100 euro a day for ski rental equipment including the boots. Several sport … [Read more...]
Chamonix, France – Hotels & Lodging
There are several nice places to stay in Chamonix. I was in Chamonix in the middle of July and had no problem finding a hotel at the last minute. All the locals I spoke with agree that July and August are the busiest months for the summer season. The following hotels and hostels are listed as basic references for where to stay in Chamonix, covering a wide range of budgets. If you have stayed at a hotel in Chamonix not listed on this page, … [Read more...]
Europe – Restaurants
I ate at restaurants which ranged from luxurious to basic, to eating food from the street vendors. As with prices for other items and services, the prices of food at restaurants generally becomes more expensive moving from the south to the north. The exception to this was food in eastern Europe, which was a bit cheaper than the rest of Europe. Most restaurants charge for every little item. The only thing I don't think I was charged for was for … [Read more...]
Europe – Transportation
Finding one's way around a foreign city in the time of pre-Internet was a challenging situation at best taking significant time to avoid getting lost (which invariably happened anyway). One had printed maps that one had to determine their location on before being able to route a course to a desired destination. Not always easy without a digital blue dot to guide you. And road signs were often missing further causing complications. Later some … [Read more...]
Europe – Money
The Euro was introduced on January 1, 2002. 14 billion Euro banknotes and 55 billion coins were initially introduced to more than 300 million people in 12 countries of the European Union. 12 countries who initially converted were: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands Spain and Portugal, & Monaco. For a list of the Euro conversion rates (for the participating countries old … [Read more...]
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