The chip-and-PIN system is already in wide use in the British Isles, Scandinavia, France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. The rest of Western Europe is making the switch this year. Even our close friend Canada will convert by 2015. So far, U.S. banks have not committed to any conversion. Automated machines in Europe may take your U.S. credit card if you know the PIN number. Make a point to ask your bank for the number before you depart.

If your U.S. card is rejected, there’s usually a solution. Cash still works and you can get it from any ATM, which has no problem accepting magnetic-strip debit cards. Of course, you can just stock up on foreign currency before you go.

Fortunately, automated payment machines at parking garages and tollbooths often have a cash option. At train stations, you can buy your ticket with euros, rather than charging it at a ticket machine. If the gas station has an attendant, he may be able to take swipe your credit card and have you sign the receipt – the old-fashioned American way.

At most hotels, restaurants and shops U.S. magnetic-strip cards can still be used in the new chip-and-PIN card processors, but that will likely change in the very near future. Then those venues will stop accepting the old-style cards.

There are other reasons that European merchants prefer cash. Some less-than-scrupulous owners prefer cash in order to under report income to reduce their tax payments. For others, the very high commissions charged by credit-card companies cut deep into the small profits of mom-and-pop businesses like boutique hotels and restaurants and souvenir shops. For these reasons, you might get a discount for paying with cash or be charged a fee for using your credit card. Some just don’t accept credit cards at all.

So it pays you to give up the plastic and change to an all-cash regimen when going to Europe.

A Mediterranean cruise doesn’t have to mean the Riviera coasts. There are fascinating places to visit along the African shore to the south. Smaller ports often have less tourist traffic and serve up new and exotic experiences. Ships may visit Tunisia and Morocco, as well as Corsica, Sardinia, and Malta. Western Mediterranean voyages can include Turkey, Rhodes, Crete, Cyprus, and Egypt

Northern Europe has its own attractions. Cruising the Baltic Sea on a Baltic capitals cruise lets you visit such ports-of-call as Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Estonia; Stockholm, Gdansk, Copenhagen, and Oslo. A Norwegian fjords cruise is a perfect way to see those spectacular fjords. It can be a thrifty alternative for food and lodging in often pricey Scandinavia.

When you think about voyaging in Europe, don’t forget the United Kingdom and Ireland. These islands aren’t of the sun and surf variety, but the cultural experience and shore excursions are fascinating.

Usually, mainstream lines stick to the most popular destinations. More exotic sailings may be offered by the premium and luxury lines. Smaller ships can often visit less common ports than mega-liners, being able to navigate shallower waters and dock at smaller piers.

So get started! Bring your sense of exploration and adventure to your travel agent and find a cruise that everyone hasn’t already done. One that scratches your particular itch.

It’s a scene played out all over Europe as the holidays approach: The air is cold, the sky is bright and snow crunches underfoot as crowds make their way through rows of little wooden structures that look like storybook houses with sloping roofs and rustic trim, each one offering some treasure that’s beautiful, fun or delicious.

Chatter, laughter and music waft through the air, mixing with the smells of gingerbread, grilled meats and cookies as shoppers browse among the carved toys, small musical instruments, ornaments, handcrafted clothing, homemade soap, candles and hand-blown glass.

Millions of people — both locals and visitors — attend annual Christmas markets in cities all over Europe each year.

Budapest
The Budapest Christmas market at Vorosmarty Square is a lovely location that offers a giant Christmas tree, nativity scenes and a unique Advent calendar that opens up in the windows of the historic Gerbeaud confectionary. The merchandise is quite good. Sellers are judged by experts representing craftsmen and folk artists, and only those of high skill are allowed to set up shop. But quality doesn’t come cheap. You could pay hundreds of dollars for a nativity set, $40 to $60 for a woman’s hand-styled woven hat or less for small trinkets.

Food is also top notch. One favorite is the chimney cake, a delicacy once made by wrapping dough around actual chimney pipes. Now the dough is wrapped around something that looks like a large, slightly V-shaped rolling pin. It’s sprinkled with sugar or slathered in butter or honey, cooked on hot coals, then twisted off the pin, wrapped in paper and devoured by appreciative customers.

Salzburg
Salzburg, Austria, offers a different look for its market. The city, located at the foot of the Alps, is Mozart’s hometown and his image appears all over — including on Mozart chocolates. “The Sound of Music” was filmed here and there are movie-themed tours available.

Salzburg’s Christmas market, located along the streets of the historic part of town, can get very crowded, but it’s a fun kind of hustle and bustle that includes street musicians, guided tour groups, and formal choral presentations. Painted tins, homemade soaps and snow globes are mixed in with the usual crafted items.

Bratislava
The main Christmas markets in Bratislava, Slovakia, are located in beautiful public squares around the city. You’ll find handmade pottery and wooden decorations often in the design of fish. That’s because carp is a traditional dish during Slovak Christmastime. Food and drinks served at the markets include tasty potato crepes with jam and poppy seeds and a honey wine similar to mead.

Passau
Germany is famous for its many markets, including those in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Dresden and Nuremberg. But markets in small towns like pretty Passau also have charm. Glühwein, a traditional hot spiced wine drink is perfect for warming up cold hands and bellies. In many places, it’s served with an extra shot of rum. Some are sold in a souvenir mug.

The Passau market isn’t as large as some others but it isn’t as crowded, either. It’s in a beautiful historic setting near St. Stephen’s Cathedral, known for its enormous pipe organ and holiday concerts. There is a mixture of items for sale many handmade, such as the carved wooden “smokers” — incense holders designed to look like little men smoking pipes.

In terms of trip-planning to see Europe’s holiday markets, most open in late or mid-November, a month or more ahead of Christmas. Some tour operators offer organized trips to markets in several different places; they include transportation, hotels and some meals. You can also find European river cruises offering excursions to Christmas markets. If you’re traveling independently, remember that hotels near markets may fill up quickly at holiday time.

A few other tips:

Don’t expect bargains. These markets are about tradition, camaraderie, family and the holiday spirit, and well-crafted handmade goods don’t come cheap.

Not all countries in Europe use the euro. Those using their own currencies may accept euros as payment but you’ll probably get change back in the local money. And don’t count on using credit cards — market vendors are often cash-only.

Go with the flow. Stroll through these little wonderlands. Pick up some unique gifts. Sample the local cuisine. And don’t forget the glühwein!

Thousands of passengers face more disruption at the start of a week of school holidays in Britain.
Seven days of walkouts cost BA 43 million pounds ($62 million) in March. The union has scheduled a third wave of strikes on June 5, days before the start of the World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa.

The stoppages come at a difficult time for BA, which last week reported a second straight year of record losses and is battling a global economic downturn and industry-wide recession. Continued industrial action, coupled with further disruption to flights in April caused by ash from an Icelandic volcano, could scupper BA’s chances of avoiding a third year of losses.

On Saturday, Unite repeated an offer to suspend the walkouts if the airline restored travel perks stripped from striking crew. The issue of travel allowances is a major sticking point in the conflict. Both sides also disagree on the impact of the strikes so far.

Despite the new strike BA said it will increase flights because more crew were returning to work than had been expected. It said it would up its longhaul service at London’s Heathrow airport to more than 70 percent of flights, from 60 percent this week. It also said it aims to increase shorthaul flights at Heathrow to 55 percent of flights from 50 percent and operate a full schedule from London’s Gatwick and City airports.

BA, which flies around 90,000 passengers a day, said about a quarter of its passengers would be affected by the strikes, but that they could claim a full refund, rebook or reroute their journey.

Pilot’s Union Strike in Germany

As result of the call for industrial action by the Pilot’s Union for the dates of

22-25 February 2010 , LH expects some irregularities to the flight operation.

Details are not known at this point.

Lufthansa offers the following to the passengers who are currently booked on Lufthansa flights on the dates of 22-25 February 2010 .

Tickets have to be issued before 18^th February 2010.

► One Rebooking free of Charge

Last day of travel for the new itinerary will be 31^st March 2010, or per original fare rule, whichever is longer.

Waive all change penalties; minimum/maximum stay and advanced purchase to be ignored.

Non-changeable fares are permitted to change under this waiver.

All other conditions of the original fare must be observed including booking class, routing and flight carrier restrictions.

► PROCEEDING :

§ Endorsement entries: Tickets must be annotated „Pilots Strike Feb_1” .

§ VKA entries: VKA shall reflect the reason "Pilots Strike Feb_1"

§ Further Publications: This policy can also be found under GGAIRLHIRREG and https://eteaming.ebase.dlh.de/community/ecc/goodwill_policies .