will Americans need visas to visit Europe?

Have you seen this headline? Is it anything to worry about?

EU Parliament Urges Visas for US Citizens Visiting Europe

The backstory. There is an ongoing dispute between the European Union (EU) and the United States over the requirement that citizens of Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, and Cypress obtain visas before visiting the United States. US citizens have the right to visit any EU country without obtaining visas, and the EU is understandably concerned over the lack of reciprocity.

So the EU Parliament made a symbolic gesture to make its point. A simple "show of hands" was taken on a motion to urge the EU develop a new regulation requiring Americans to obtain visas before visiting any EU nation.

The facts of the matter. No such regulation has been formally proposed. Once approved, it would have to be approved by the European Union countries, a process that could take years. And it is not in the interests of countries like Italy, France, or Spain to take such a step, as Europe receives much economic benefit from American tourism.

My guess is that there's nothing to worry about. Of course, I would also have guessed that Britain would have voted "no" on Brexit and that the US would have elected Hillary Clinton ... but the smart money says that this is only a negotiating ploy.

Bottom line: this is a great time to visit Europe as the exchange rate is highly favorable. 100€ = $105.45. I remember when it was 140 dollars to the euro.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

luxury travel bargains for europeans

Amazing luxury travel bargains are available to residents of Europe and the United Kingdom. It's hardly news that the US Dollar has fallen on hard times. That 100 Euro bill pictured above is worth $140. While bad news for Americans, this is an opportune time for European and British citizens to visit the United States.

Here are some luxury travel ideas for visitors to the United States (based on rates currently available for the dates indicated). All of these rates, when booked through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant, come with a complimentary breakfast and an upgrade on arrival if available. I've put together the following itinerary, taking advantage of low weekend rates in major cities and low mid-week rates in Las Vegas!

New York. $399 for a Deluxe City View Room at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, Nov. 18-21. See New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty from your hotel. Visit the great museums of New York. Windowshop on Madison Avenue. Explore Chinatown.

Las Vegas. $135.15 for a Junior Suite at The Signature at MGM Grand, Nov. 21-23. The Signature is an amazing new all-suite property, completely non-smoking, connecting by a moving walkway to MGM Grand and its casino, fabulous restaurants, and the entertainment possibilities of America's "adult Disneyland."

Scottsdale, Arizona. $211 for a Fairmont room at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Nov. 23-26. You'll be upgraded at the time of booking to a Deluxe room, if available. Enjoy the fabulous shopping of Scottsdale. Play golf in the mild desert climate. Take a Day Trip to the Grand Canyon.

Washington, D.C. $395 for a Deluxe city view room at the Mandarin Oriental Washington, Nov. 26-29. Explore this beautiful city and its monuments. Visit the Smithsonian (at a time of year when the museums will be uncrowded) and the US Capitol. Even enjoy the cultural opportunities at the Kennedy Center.

The total cost of hotel rooms for this 12 day, 11 night tour of the United States, staying exclusively in 5 star luxury hotels, is $3285.30 before tax (with breakfast included every morning). That's only 2347 EUR (or 1635 GPB).

Virtuoso luxury travel consultant (search in Google)


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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