Travel> How to Check a Euro Note

Image: Euro Note
Image courtesy: flickr

Text by: Tanya Munshi

In an endless list of Europe travel, as a tourist you need to be extra careful while handling currency. In all the excitement of visiting a new place, you wouldn’t want any misadventure to ruin your trip - especially when it comes to handling foreign currency.There are several security features to identify an authentic Euro note from a fake one.
Here are some easy and handy tips to help you figure out the note you’ve been given is a genuine one.

Watermark: Every denomination is printed on a unique watermarked paper. You can see this by holding the note against the light.

Bar code: When you hold a Euro note against the light you will notice metallic bars to the right of the watermark.

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Security thread: If you hold a Euro note against against the light, you will notice a black thread in the middle of the note. This thread shows the denomination of the note, with ‘Euro’ written on it.

Variable color ink: For €50 and higher, on the reverse of these notes, look for a variable color that appears on the lower right hand corner. If you look at the color from varying angles, it will change color between purple and green.

Holographic band: On the front side of the Euro notes from €5, €10 and €20, you will find an embedded holographic band on the right hand corner. Every note has a unique holographic band. For example, in a €10 note, the band will have denominations of €10 like this – “€10 €10 €10…” For currency notes of €50 and above, this band is imprinted with a holographic symbol.

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Registration: Hold a Euro note facing you. Notice that on the upper left hand corner in the front, has the note denomination printed incompletely. Whereas, this denomination appears complete on the reverse, right hand corner of the note. When you hold the note against the light, you can see the entire denomination clearly on the left side. More so, a genuine note will have a perfect alignment between the front (left) and the rear (right). A counterfeit note on the other hand, may not display a perfect alignment.

Travel> 10 Tips to Get the Best out of Eurailing

Image: Making the most out of your Europe
Image by: Believe Kevin

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Before selecting your Eurail passes and chalking out your travel plan, it is helpful to know where all your passes are applicable and what benefits can you avail from them. Also a few important points if kept in mind can help you make the most of your Europe trip.

1. Eurail Pass: A Eurail pass will cover border cities, even if they are not mentioned on the pass.

2. Eurail FlexiPass: You can extend a Eurail Flexipass and go for a few short trips, by shelling out a little extra from your pocket.

3. Eurail Night Trains: Night trains are useful as it saves money on hostels and while you’re asleep, the train speeds you to the next destination. When you wake up, you have already reached a new destination early in the morning, that gives you the entire day to explore.

4. Timing: Ideally, you should board a night train after 7:00 pm to save on valuable travel days and some money. It’s only when you arrive at a new destination that the day of reaching is accounted for. This way, you save a travel day.

5. Sleeper and Couchettes: Sleeper and couchettes are far cheaper than a regular hostel room.

6. Costing and Reservations: You spend about $USD80-90 per person per reservation in private sleepers and $USD25-35 per person in couchettes. Reservations are as easy as dropping by at any train station ticket window and getting it done. Reservations are a must for all overnight train journeys.

7. Documents and Daypack: Keep all your important documents – passports, railpass, and traveler’s checks in your money belt. You can make your daypack your pillow.

8. Be aware: Be aware of your surroundings, especially commotions of groups of kids or people. At times, commotions can crafted be by pickpockets to divert your attention.

9. Lockers: Main train stations are equipped with lockers. This is a great way of leaving your bags in safe custody that allows you to travel light in a new city.

10. Food and Water: Carry your own food and water while traveling by rail. This will help you save some extra dough.

Published in Eurailing.com, on June 10, 2007
Link: http://www.eurailing.com/category/Eurailing-across-Europe/10-Tips-to-Get-the-Best-out-of-Eurailing/

Travel> Student Travel Discount Cards

Text by: Tanya Munshi
One of your main concerns for a Europe trip is the budget. After all, there are so many places that your friends and you may want to see, eat and shop. Definitely a Eurail pass is a solution, but what about other expenses such as sight seeing, food and shopping? This is where youth discount travel cards come to your rescue.

You could start by researching online for a student travel discount card, or ask a friend who had been on a Europe trip earlier.

Ideally, a student travel discount card should offer you discounts on your hostel accommodation, travel, entertainment and food. Student discount cards are offered to students who are 26 years or below, and in some cases even 22 years and below.

Here is a list of cards that can come in handy for your trip -
· International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
· International Youth Travel Card (IYTC)
· International Student Exchange Card (ISE)
· Hostel Discount Cards

Websites –
http://www.statravels.com/
http://www.travelcuts.com/
http://www.isecard.com/

Tip – Carry your school ID to earn discounts for your international trip.