Your iPhone Abroad

All my IT friends will probably laugh at this blog post, but someone needed to show me how to do this after I received $600 phone bill for data roaming and I didn't even touch my phone while it was getting crazy charges.

I promised many friends that I will post this step-by-step how to: So this is the screen when you go into your SETTINGS on your iPhone.

You will click into GENERAL and you'll get into this screen:

And then you'll click into Cellular

and then you want to turn off your cellular data to make it look like this:

You can get phone calls normally, but will abvoid international roaming data charges. My global data charges cost $20.48 per 1MB. You can get onto WIFI anywhere - and then you can use my favorite free app - VIBER. Looks like this:

Viber will let you make phone calls and send text messages to anyone that has Viber installed, so it's really easy to stay in touch with people at home or your fellow travellers.

Good luck and Happy Travels!

Cruise down Romantic Rhine

This one was planned for a long time, as I wanted to offer a brand new ship Avalon Artistry II - known as the suite ship. Year built is 2013!

We will be cruising down the river Rhine visiting Switzerland, France, Germany and Netherlands in a luxury brand new ship that offers such amenities as Internet corner, complimentary Wi-Fi access, fitness center, Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, shade system, whirlpool & game area: Open-air bistro. Non-smoking interior, Elevator, Outside Viewing Deck, Headsets for all guided shore excursions with Certified Local Guide, English-speaking crew, Cruise Director, Onboard lectures, activities & nightly entertainment, Room service available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages, Hair salon, Onboard movie nights, Optional biking excursions in Amsterdam, Alternate dining experience with local specialties & lighter fare in the Panorama Bistro, Avalon Choice cruising experience, Behind-the-scenes ship tour, Choice of excursions, Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options, Local maps, Culture & Cruise onboard experiences, Expanded "on-demand" in-room entertainment.

Zürich to Amsterdam   November 3 - 10, 2013 

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1 Zürich, Basel - Embarkation (Dinner)

Arrive in Zürich, Switzerland. Transfer to Basel (Embarkation)

Flights into Zürich must arrive before 3 pm. Your river cruise vessel is docked on the Rhine River in Basel, where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception at 6 pm.

Day 2 Strasbourg, France (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Strasbourg, France

Situated on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is influenced by the culture of both countries and is the capital of the Alsace region. It is the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. A Certified Local Guide shows you the noteworthy sights: the GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, the lovely LA PETITE FRANCE district, Place Kléber, and Place Gutenberg with the statue of the inventor of the printing press. Strasbourg is also home to the Kronenbourg Brewery. An optional excursion into the Alsace wine region is available.

Day 3 Excursion to Heidelberg, Germany (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Excursion to Heidelberg, Germany

Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town, of Student Prince fame, a world-famous love musical. Take pictures of the ruins of the imposing Heidelberg Castle, built of red sandstone and towering above the city, and enjoy free time to explore.

Day 4 Mainz–Rüdesheim (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Mainz–Rüdesheim

Situated on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the mouth of the Main River, Mainz is Germany’s largest and most important wine market. The Old Town has many interesting shops, tea rooms, and restaurants, and a fountain on the Schillerplatz is decorated with scenes of the famous carnival held here every year. Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, was born here and you’ll visit the GUTENBERG MUSEUM. Leave Mainz in the late morning; during lunch, sail to Rüdesheim. This pretty little town is the perfect example of a Rhine Valley wine town. SIEGFRIED’S MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM is a real surprise! Enjoy a SPECIAL TREAT, then there’s free time to explore the Drosselgasse and pick up some souvenirs.

Day 5 Rhine Gorge–Koblenz (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Rhine Gorge–Koblenz

Downstream from Rüdesheim is the dramatic RHINE GORGE, the most beautiful stretch of river and dotted every mile with castles. Pass the legendary rock of the Lorelei, where sweet songs of local beauties lured enchanted sailors to their doom. Situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, 2,000-year-old Koblenz is the cultural and business center of the Middle Rhine region. 

Day 6 Cologne (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Cologne

Cologne is the capital of the Rhineland and one of Germany’s largest cities. The soaring twin steeples of Cologne’s magnificent gothic cathedral—which took more than 600 years to build—dominate the river skyline. The Germano-Roman Museum next to the cathedral is a must for history buffs! The Old Town abounds with taverns, cafés, and shops. The favorite local beer here is Kölsch. 

Day 7 Amsterdam, Holland (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Amsterdam, Holland

Holland’s capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambience. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

Day 8 Amsterdam - Disembarkation  (Breakfast)

Amsterdam (Disembarkation)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. There are optional add-ons for post cruise and pre cruise hotels.

PRICING INFORMATION - 

Save $500 off the prices below when you book this cruise with Cosmopolitan Travels!

~ Cruise rates from $2,249 $1,749 - if you book with us per person based on double occupancy (CAT E) -   

                         

category E - 172 sq.ft.

~ Additional Charges for Cabin Upgrades from CAT E are Listed Below

$149 per person CAT D

$799 per person CAT B

$849 per person CAT A

$999 per person CAT P

category A,B,P 200 sq.ft.

~ Port Charges per person: $126

~ Optional travel insurance available

~ Airfare available on request for an addtional price and deposit

~ Pre & Post stays available upon request

ALWYAS INCLUDED: Complimentary beer, wines, and soft drinks at dinner; complimentary soft drinks with

lunch; Full breakfast with sparkling wine.

It is our pleasure to present this river cruise to you at an amazing value. Please contact us for more information dc@cosmopolitantravels.com 800-303-7901

Let's Eat!

I just got back from Maui and I kept track of what we ate and how much it costs. I have to preface this post by saying I didn't really go crazy with cocktail/wine ordering and we are really not big desert people, it was a quick trip, so it's kind of a guideline.

I have been staying a lot in luxury all-inclusives a lot lately, so I needed a bit of reality check what happens when you have to pay for all your drinks and meals. We all know Hawaii is expensive - but are we talking what I call "Tahiti Money" (I call Tahiti money anything that is hitting a $1000/day mark), or is it still more affordable than French Polynesia?

So here we go: 1st when we got to the hotel we had a fridge but nothing in it so we had to run over and buy some waters/sodas:

FRIDGE $33.14

Then after a long day of travel - we needed some cocktails and juice

COCKTAILS $44.27

Then my daughter and I went to dinner, my husband stayed in - had my daugters leftovers, one of the cocktails and chips from the airplane. 

DINNER $66.25

My dinner was an appretizer, I enclosed a menu - great food Mala Wailea - where investors are Alice Cooper and Steven Tyler with lots of celebrity guests. 

In the morning we got a breakfast buffet - $28.95 per adult $13.95 kids - we just got charged Marriot Rewards price 2 adults no kid charge.

BREAKFAST $61.98

My husband gets annoyed sometimes when I take food photos, so not everything is pictured. 

Then lunch - sandwiches and a couple of cocktails.

LUNCH $95.00

And after an afternoon full of activities we decided to have sme cocktails and chips.

COCKTAILS $36.16

And then we went out to dinner. My husband and I shared an appetizer and we didn't order desert, my daughter's meal came with ice cream.

DINNER $200.00

 I have to note this dish was excellent - well worth the $42.00 price tag. Seared sashimi in sauce of shitake mushrooms ginger black and white sesame, chives and yukon gold mash. Yum!

And then there was breakfast he next morning - I stayed at the hotel and my husband and daughter went to the Haleakala volcano for the sunrise - they had snacks I packed for the drive there and then breakfast buffet later then me, altogether 3 buffets and a $6 chmapagne.

BREAKFAST $92.93

And then there was cocktails and lunch. As we were both doing other things - I was working by the pool, my husband and daughter were sleeping I had a pool lunch and they had room service. Altogether 

LUNCH $112.63

After our respective lunches, we went from the south of Maui (Wailea) to the west side Kaanapali, and had a beach day and dinner at Royal Lahaina. Sorry for the pizza and steak 1/2 eaten - they were hungry. No appetizers no deserts my dish was a 1/2 portion.

DINNER $100.00

with tip

And the next morning 3 buffets (my husband didn't let me take his food photos)

BREAKFAST $87.83

Lunch was great - poolside at the cabana. There is a $25 charge for a private cabana,but I left a $25 cash tip on it - so it evens out.

LUNCH $117.13

And then the mandatory Luau. Kids eat free, and we had an internet reservation $30 discount. I personally wasn't crazy about the food, we went there for the show. But my husband and daughter gorged themselves on brownies and cakes. We left $20 in tips so I'm counting $234.57 instead of $214.57 that says on the ticket.

DINNER $234.57

And the following was our last breakfast - I had a breakfast with our daughter and my husband had room service eggs benedict. There was a $5 cash tip for the room service.

BREAKFAST $85.61

We were supposed to arrive lunchtime the 1st day because I wanted complete meal days, but our flight was cancelled, so 1 lunch less.  But I ended up doing the average cost anyway

I averaged breakfast at $82.08.

I averaged our lunches to $108.43. 

I averaged dinner at $147.70 

Fridge and cocktails  $48.17

$7.96 I averaged daily cost of water/soda for a fride and $40.21 for cocktails

Even though the 1st dinner was just appetizer and kids' dinner - we never ordered desert or appetizers so I figured the kid's cost would about even out for 2 adults ordering for a daily average.

So the average estimated daily food cost in Hawaii for 2 people is $386.36. 

That's my math, it may not apply to everyone, but its a good ballpark.

Oh, let's not forget a mandatory resort fee of $35/day and a self parking fee of $20/day, so let's add $55 to the $386.36 to make the FINAL DAILY FIGURE $441.36

I'm not saying it's not worth it - I believe in letting yourself go and enjoying your free time to the fullest, the fact that some things cost more than at home is just the nature of Hawaii, but I certainly know some people that are on a budget and will order a drink less or no appetizer and no desert to save a few bucks. 

My whole point of writing this article is for those people who want to enjoy themselves on vacation to be aware what things cost and to be prepared and not have their hard earned vacation ruined.

Happy Travels!