Travelers Q&A
Your old visa can still be useful on trips
Q: I am a U. S. citizen. I received a visa to visit Brazil in late 2006 for a trip that I took in 2007.My passport has since expired and I now have a new passport. I still have my old passport with the visa that is valid until late 2011. Can I use the visa in my old passport and bring both passports when I visit Brazil in January 2010?
I have sent three e-mails to the Embassy of Brazil and received no response. I have followed up with a letter to the Brazilian ambassador and received no response.
A: Normally, when your passport expires but your visa doesn’t, you can still travel with the old visa. Just bring your old passport along, in case any questions are raised at the border.
You might have more luck with this e-mail address: consular@consbrasdc.org . Here are two other helpful sites: The embassy Web site, www.brasilemb.org ; and the State Department’s Web site on Brazil, which contains useful information about visas: www.travel.state.gov/travel/ cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html •••
Q: In mid-November, my brother and I (I’m 71 and a widow) are going to Egypt for three weeks—Cairo, Luxor, Nile River cruise plus Aman and Petra and wonder about what clothing to pack. How chilly will it get in the evening? Also, what is considered appropriate attire for women because of local ethnic and religious customs? Are slacks OK? Sleeveless blouses? Sandals? In brief, what is a no-no?
A: Egypt definitely cools down in November. Expect it to be warm, but not too hot, during the day. It will cool down at night. Luxor will probably be warmer than Cairo. As for attire, I would go with conservative clothing. Pants are OK, but make sure they are not too tight. Long sleeve, loose-fitting cotton or linen shirts are the way to go. Take a jacket, because the evenings will be cool. Also, don’t forget to take a head-scarf with you. You don’t have to wear it on the street, but women cannot enter mosques without a scarf. And wear comfortable shoes; you will be walking a lot.
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Q: Just got back from my first visit to Vegas—I was there for an event—and I hated it.
So my question is, what am I missing? Is there a way to have fun there if you are not a person who also enjoys lighting your cigarettes with $100 bills? I’d love to go to a show, but at $70 for the cheap seats . . . OK, maybe I could afford to go to one and be entertained for a few hours, but then what?
A: You don’t have to gamble to appreciate the spectacle. There are many free activities, such as CBS Television City at the MGM(you get to play critic for TV shows). Check out Vegas. com for cheap ideas. The shopping and dining are also top-level. And there are many natural venues nearby, such as Red Rock Canyon and the Spring Preserve. Basically, you have to go with a sense of humor, and laugh at all of the money that you still have in your wallet.
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Q: We are interested in renting an apartment in Stockholm for one or two weeks next spring or summer. What is the best way to go about it? As a backup, do you know of good, moderately priced hotels there?
A: You can find listings for rentals at www.homeaway.com and www.vrbo.com . Both have good reputations. One travel-writer friend who spends summers in Sweden and Norway suggests trying www.holiday-velvet.com/stockholm , which has a handful of apartments starting at $128 a night. While I have no personal recommendations for hotels, I have heard great things about Destination Stockholm ( www.destination-stockholm.com ). It has an “a la carte hotel package” with incredible discounted rates on quality hotels, for as low as $58 a night during the offseason. You also can find budget-friendly hotels listed at www.hotelrooms.com . (search for Budget hotels, Europe and Stockholm). If you want expert assistance, consider consulting a travel agent. The American Society of Travel Agents has a link for finding agents on its Web site.
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Q: I reserved a hotel in Liverpool for the night before we took a ferry to Isle of Man and for the night of our return. Our plans changed, so when I checked in, I canceled the second night. I confirmed this the next day at checkout. A month later, I discovered a charge for the second night on my credit card. The hotel claims I never canceled the second night and my credit card company says its my word against theirs. Is there anything more I can do?
A: I contacted the hotel on your behalf, but the owner insists the second night was never canceled. So, the credit card company was essentially your last line of defense.
Unfortunately, your situation is a reminder to all travelers that verbal cancellations are not always good enough. First, be sure you know what the hotel’s cancellation policy is. If you meet the policy conditions, ask for a confirmation number when calling to cancel. If possible, request an e-mail confirmation. When canceling in person, ask the staff member to print a confirmation receipt.
As added insurance, notify your credit card company that all or part of your hotel reservation was canceled so it does not accept a charge for that portion.
* The Euro is the currency for Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Greece and Finland.
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