Page 23 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  21

process applies on returning to insured before you leave home. sea food shacks, regional rest-
your home country with goods Keep valuables well concealed, aurants, and Michelin-starred
acquired in Europe. especially in crowds. fine dining. For the best of each
country, look out for entries
Insurance and Medical designated as DK Choices. Each
Value Added Tax Treatment
of these has one or more
In the EU, all goods and services Travel insurance is essential to exceptional features, such as a
(except certain items, such as cover any loss or damage to your stunning location, a compelling
food and children’s clothes) are possessions and for unexpected history, or a special ambience.
subject to a Value Added Tax, medical treatment. Many credit
known as VAT in the UK, which is cards offer some insurance if you Conversion Chart
included in most prices. If you purchase your flights or vacation
are not a European Union citizen, package with them, so check this Officially, the metric system is
you may get a refund of this tax. before buying a separate policy. If used throughout Europe, but in
Britain imperial measures are
The easiest way to do this is to possible, buy one which pays for also used. British pints and
shop where you see the “Euro medical treatment on the spot, gallons are 20 percent larger
Free Tax” sign, although the rather than a policy which re- than US measures.
stores that offer this service may imburses you later. Most general
be expensive or sell only luxury policies do not cover potentially Imperial to Metric
goods. After showing your dangerous activities, such as 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
passport to the shop assistant climbing, skiing, or scuba diving – 1 foot = 30 centimeters
and completing a form, the VAT these cost extra. 1 mile = 1.6 kilometers
will be deducted from your bill. 1 ounce = 28 grams
In certain countries you need Recommended Hotels 1 pound = 454 grams
to keep your receipts and VAT 1 US pint = 0.47 liter
forms and present them at the and Restaurants 1 UK pint = 0.55 liter
Tax Refund desk with your The hotel and restaurant options 1 US gallon = 3.8 liters
unopened purchases when you in this guide have been selected 1 UK gallon = 4.6 liters
leave the country. These forms across a wide range of prices and
are processed and a refund will locations. Hotels have been Metric to Imperial
1 millimeter = 0.04 inch
be sent to your home address. chosen for their excellent 1 centimeter = 0.4 inch
facilities and good value, and vary 1 meter = 3 feet 3 inches
from five-star luxury retreats to
Travel Safety Advice 1 kilometer = 0.6 mile
boutique hotels, humble B&Bs, 1 gram = 0.035 ounce
Visitors can get up-to-date safety and historic lodgings. The 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
information from the Foreign selected restaurants adhere to a 1 liter = 2.1 US pints
and Commonwealth Office in criterion of great food and atmo- 1 liter = 1.76 UK pints
the UK, the State Department in sphere. These include no- frills
the US and the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade in The Climate of Europe
Australia.
As a continent that ranges south from the Arctic Circle to just north
Personal Security of the tropics, Europe experiences a diversity of climates, yet because
Europe is one of the safest places it is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream, its climate is, overall, much
more temperate than other areas at the same latitudes. The Practical
to travel, but you should always Information section for each country contains a panel, like the one
take safety mea sures. If you are below, giving details of average temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine
traveling alone, it is best to avoid for each season of the year.
deserted and poorly lit buildings
and back streets. If you should
be a victim of crime, report it ROME
immediately to the police. Pick- Average daily maximum temperature
pockets are common through-
out Europe, but certain crimes °C/ºF 29/84
are worse in certain countries – 19/68 22/72
specific infor mation is given in 18/64 Average daily minimum temperature
the Practical Information section 9/48 13/55 12/54
of each country chapter. 4/40
The safest way of carrying 6 10 7 5 Average daily hours of sunshine
money is in the form of traveler’s hrs hrs hrs hrs
checks (see p22), which allow 51 21 95 87
you to keep your cash to a mm mm mm mm
minimum. Never leave your month Apr Jul Oct Jan Average monthly rainfall
belongings unattended, and
make sure they are adequately

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