Thanks all, checked our VISA and no notification required.
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I was once in Grand Cayman, and had my phone turned off bc I didn’t want to pay the daily fee every day. I went to a liquor store and they declined my card. Apparently they sent something to my phone asking if it was me, but I didn’t know that since my phone was turned off. This was probably a decade or longer ago, and fortunately I had other cards with me. I can’t remember if I had to get a new card, or if it just didn’t work until I reported that yes I was on vacation.
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We each have a debit card attached to a Capital One account that we ONLY use for travel. We place a certain amount of cash in each account prior to the trip.
This way we are using a checking account that is not linked to any of our everyday accounts.
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Looks like I will be going with my adult daughter to Universal to see all the new Harry Potter stuff (we are both fans).
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We use a debit card from our bank to get cash when we arrive. Make sure you pick a ATM that is affiliated with a bank. There are money changers who have ATM that have high fees and not a great exchange rate. My credit card company says I don’t need to notify but my bank debit I do tell them.
On our last two Europe trips we used Apple Pay almost everywhere. All the restaurants and the taxis had a tap machine. We did have cash to tip for guides.
As for luggage, I always try to pack light but I always fail.
Adding- always select pay in local currency in stores, restaurants and at the ATM.
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My D and SIL found out on our trip to France that their new Capital One debit card was on the Discover CC network. This was a fairly recent change & they couldn’t figure out why none of the ATMs worked for them. Their old card was on the Mastercard network, I believe. They found the only ATM in town that took Discover & were ok.
Discover recently merged with (I think) Capital One or maybe Bank of America.
Another tip when you get cash is to choose the smallest denomination the machine offers. Many machines give you the option to choose your bill size. Depending on what you want the cash for you can try to customize your withdrawal.
We have ATT for our cell service. I use the international flat rate daily charge on one of our phones.
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Husband called bank to confirm MC debit card will work internationally and to advise them of our trip. It will just come out of our checking account. We’ll be in enough big cities to find bank ATM’s. So between that and our VISA, looks like we’re good!
We also have AT&T cell service and luckily our entire trip fits within one billing period. So it will be a max of $120 for first line, and $60 for second line.
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Anywhere where the bulk of activities are weather-dependent (and that relies on seasonal labor) will have an off-season , and at least for some, you wouldn’t go there then because so much will be closed. Thinking of places like Cape Cod or their equivalent in Europe. Many Caribbean resorts shut down during hurricane season. But you’re right that “off season” is less so than it used to be.
There are plenty of places that have different activities in different seasons – many areas known for winter sports are lovely in summer, and spring and fall can have their charms.
Places where lots of people live year round can be great – and cheaper – in their less popular tourist season, and you’ll have full access to everything. Paris in January, for example.
We attended niece’s wedding at top of mountain in summer. The reception was fortunately lower down. I’m glad it wasn’t in colder weather but at least one guest got altitude sickness and he and his spouse had to decline at last minute.
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Had a good chuckle this morning. We are docked in Melbourne and friends are meeting us here. They sent a photo of being stuck in their “rush hour traffic”.
I sent her our frequent rush hour traffic:
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The friends we are meeting here today who live outside of Melbourne we met on a cruise 10 years ago! We are so excited to see them! We have also had a lovely time with our current cruise friends and met many lovely people. What a delight.
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Everything has been great, but weather is interfering with some of our upcoming plans. So Sydney may be literally a bit of a wash. We had a great time getting some Australian Open swag today and watching some practice (I think) games on a jumbo screen in a plaza. Some friends actually got to see Roger Federer practice in the stadium!
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My family often go on a beach vacation down in the Caribbeans a week before xmas and the rate is often 50% off. The week after New Year’s is also inexpensive.
Europe is less crowded in the spring and late autumn. I think the weather is usually better. I am going to Puglia late April.
I know someone who regularly go down to NJ shore the week after Labor day, and the weather is still nice and most people are gone.
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I read an article today that people are discovering that medical tourism, which used to be limited to plastic surgery and maybe dentistry, works for many other things. Someone discovered that the trip to Croatia or Albania and LASIK surgery was cheaper than getting it done in the US. As health plans evolve (largely for the worse) and co-pays get higher, this may become more prevalent.
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Medical tourism to Tijuana is very big in San Diego.
I just did a trial pack and weigh and was very happy to see that the big suitcase came in at about 35 lb with about 90% stuff packed (other than some toiletries and misc) so should not be an issue staying under 44 lbs.
Also tested the backpack with most stuff and it came under 11 lb so again should not be an issue staying under 15lb.
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I know someone who went to Turkey for LASIK and tied it into a regular tourism trip. Excellent outcome. For years, women have traveled abroad for IVF. It’s not surprising, especially for treatments that are not covered by insurance, that this is a viable and attractive option.
Graham Platner who is currently running in the Maine democratic primary for senator he and his wife are pursuing IVF in Norway as it’s cheaper
There’s an influencer I follow who documented her IVF journey in Italy. It was unsuccessful , she went back to the US for another course of treatment. It was successful, she’s currently pregnant. 
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And adding…most everything is still open with far less crowds and off season pricing. We go the full week after Labor Day that starts the Saturday after Labor Day. It’s a really nice time to be at the Jersey Shore! Shhh. Don’t tell too many people😉
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