You Must have a Passport for international travel. You also have to make sure that it does not expire within six months or you will be denied traveling. Please look into this now, Do not wait!

Before you travel:

Photocopy your Passport (the page with your photo and the last page with the barcode) and leave a copy at home with a family member not traveling with you. Also keep another copy in your carry on luggage not in the same bag as your original passport. 

If your passport is lost or stolen, that photocopy it will expedite the process of getting another passport.

If you need a U.S Passport or need to Renew, click the link below.

When is the best time to book international flights? Most suggest booking 6-8 months in advance. However, there are many factors that can lead to an increase (or decrease) in the price of an airline ticket. Peak travel times and if your nearest airport does not have many direct flights to Barcelona or back from Venice, those flights will sell out quicker. In this case, I would look into purchasing your airfare 8-10 months in advance.

Where to start: 

You can start with google flight search, from there you will be able to view all your flight options. Once you find the option you like I suggest you book your flight directly with the airline and not with a random search engine.

If you have travel reward points definitely look into the redemption process to book your travel, this also applies to hotels, Use Those Points!

Airport Codes:

BCN - Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport  (Barcelona, Spain) 

VCE - Venice Marco Polo Airport (Venice, Italy)  

ETIAS (European Travel Information And Authorization System)

Description

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is a planned electronic authorisation system of the European Union for visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen Area, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.

Expected implementation: May 2025

New requirements to travel to Europe: The rules of travel to most European countries have changed. Starting in mid-2025, some 1.4 billion people from over 60 visa-exempt countries are required to have a travel authorization to enter 30 European countries for a short stay. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorization.

With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.

I'm always asked if Travel Insurance is necessary and I say Yes!

Travel insurance is often an overlooked investment until the unforeseen happens. It’s designed to give travelers peace of mind and financial protection against the risks of travel. Many travelers decline purchasing travel insurance because they think it will be costly, it really doesn’t have to be expensive and purchasing it adds an extra layer of protection and security. 

Your credit card may offer built-in travel protection

You may have a Credit Card in your wallet that offers travel insurance. Travel insurance is a common benefit for credit cards that often comes at no additional cost to the cardholder, It can also be extremely easy to take advantage of it—the key is knowing what coverage you have so you don’t waste money on additional coverage you don’t need. To ensure you reap the travel insurance benefits your card offers, you must charge the trip expenses on your card. You can usually find more information on your credit card’s website or call to have this benefit explained.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance can vary, but policies generally provide coverage for three things: protection for your financial expenses, protection for your well-being and protection for your personal belongings.

When shopping for a policy, look for these benefits:

• Trip cancellation coverage
• Trip delay coverage
• Trip interruption coverage
• Medical expenses and emergency-evacuation benefits
• Baggage loss

Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance can be useful in many scenarios, from a medical emergency forcing you to cut your trip short to a tropical storm ravaging your destination. If you’ve spent a lot of non-refundable money on your trip, you could be at a loss if something goes awry.

There are several scenarios where travel insurance could be worth it, including if:

•  You’re traveling internationally where your US-based health insurance won’t apply
•  You’ve spent a lot on prepaid, non-refundable expenses
•  You’re traveling to a remote area
•  Your flight involves multiple connections or destinations 

For those who have spent a good amount of money on their trip, getting trip insurance generally makes sense whether that’s through a separate policy or through a credit card you booked the trip with.

Who do I prefer for travel insurance?

Allianz Travel Insurance

As a world leader in travel protection, they help more than 70 million people answer the call of adventure with confidence every year. 

Click the link below for a free quote:

Currency Exchange: The best place to obtain foreign currency is your local bank. Visit your bank at least two weeks before your trip to place an order to exchange your currency. You may even be able to do this right from your online banking app so make sure to look into this in advance. Currency exchanges at the airport and random locations around different countries will not give you the best exchange rate.

ATM Cash Withdrawal (must have a 4 digit pin): When you’re traveling out of the country and going to withdraw cash (always withdraw in the local currency), fees can hit you from every direction: from your bank, the ATM, even currency commissions. Please ask your bank about international fees and which other foreign banks they have relationships with so you're not surprised later. 

Lastly, make sure you go to an actual bank's ATM  when withdrawing money. If you have a daily limit withdraw $25 under that leaving more than enough for the exchange rate/value.  

Avoid "independent" ATMs, such as Travelex, Euronet, Your Cash, Cardpoint, and Cashzone. These have high fees, can be less secure, and may trick users with "dynamic currency conversion." Note that these "independent" ATMs are often found next to bank ATMs in the hope that travelers will be too confused to notice the difference. Their machines may even have signs that scream "Free Cash Withdrawals" — don't believe it. 

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) lets you choose whether you want to make foreign payments in USD or local currency when paying for something abroad.

You should always choose to pay in local currency. Choosing DCC can result in higher exchange rate fees – and the merchant may add a markup to your payment, too.

Steer clear from DCC to avoid hefty currency conversion charges when withdrawing money in Europe.

 Do Not use a random ATM you see on the side of the street and always choose the local currency, same goes for making purchases.

Credit Cards: Yes, I will say the same thing again ;) Check to see if your credit cards have foreign transaction fees, most don't but always check! Use a major credit card for making purchases and keep debit cards only for withdrawing money. Also minimize what you carry in your wallet! You will not need your Sam's or Costco cards, leave those at home. Bring credit cards that you will actually use, leave the rest behind. Always pay in the local currency and keep all receipts!

What is a value-added tax (VAT)?

A value-added tax (VAT) is very similar to a traditional sales tax, in that the consumer pays it at the point of purchase. It’s typically a percentage of the price of the product, but standard VATs range greatly among nations.

How to get a VAT refund

Visitors to countries with VAT still have to pay it, but they can qualify for a refund on certain items. (The European Commission defines a visitor as “any person who permanently or habitually lives in a country outside the EU.”)

It’s a fairly complicated process and it’s easy to miss a step, be told incorrect information or just have your request rejected for no discernable reason. So be sure you want to put in the effort.

First, ensure your items are eligible: They must be new and unused or unworn. The idea is that the goods are for “export,” not for use on your trip. And there is typically a minimum amount you have to spend in a store to qualify — as of November 2023, the minimum in the EU is 175 Euros. So it’s usually high-ticket items, like jewelry or fine clothing, that qualify for a VAT refund, not a paperback novel or suntan lotion.

There are also a number of goods and services that are not eligible for refunds, including hotel rooms and meals.

It’s also important to confirm the store you’re patronizing participates in a VAT refund program. Some don’t and others have very specific requirements. VAT policies may vary within a country.

Let the shop know you’re interested in a VAT refund. You’ll need to provide proof of your “visitor” status—usually your passport, though you may have to show your airline ticket, as well—and fill out some paperwork. Many stores have relationships with refund companies such as Global Blue or Planet, which can streamline the process. Note that refund services typically extract a 4 percent fee, but you're paying for the convenience of receiving your money in cash immediately or credited to your card. 

Shipping your purchases home directly from the retailer is another way to avoid paying VAT, but the added cost may outweigh any savings.

You can try to get your VAT refund through the mail but the process takes much longer and can be unreliable. Most people submit their requests at the airport on their way home. You’ll have to present your documents to a customs agent, whose stamp is required as “proof of export.” There could be a substantial wait, so be sure to get to the airport early. And you may have to present the items, so don’t pack them away in your checked luggage. 

The good news is that larger airports have currency exchanges or branches of refund companies that will give you your money, minus a fee. It may come in local tender or as a charge back on your credit card. 

While you may have to jump through hoops to qualify for your VAT refund, a credit card with no foreign transaction fees can save you from more financial hassles while traveling.

Bottom line

A value-added tax can catch some travelers off guard and getting a VAT refund takes patience and persistence. But if you’re eyeing a big-ticket purchase while traveling, it can be worth the effort. So make sure you learn the proper procedures and keep track of your paperwork.

European Commission - Taxation and Customs Union

Global Blue

Planet