The Michigan Daily-Saturday Page 8-Saturday, April 14, 1979-The Michigan Daily From Stonehenge to the Iron Curtain: Prepare in advi And, of course, ternational Center, in back of the but with careful Michigan Union. At the International have to spend Center, there are people who know London, Paris, Dublin, Madrid,. Rome, Vienna, Munich, War- saw-Europe. Making the decision to spend a summer across the Atlantic Ocean"is easy. Who could resist the- temptation to bum through the Con- tinent, letting yourself float with the wind? The key to a first-rate European vacation is turned before -you ever board the airplane. You'll when you get there.. you'll need money,l planning you won't megabucks. There's sultant in our own b -doesn't charge comn need a passport, places to will need to know what stay, and to expect a travel con- 5ackyard, and it nission-the In- 0 0 Deciding what to pack can be the most important decision you'll make for your excursion abroad. Any experienced traveler will tell you to only bring the essentials. Leave your impressive duds at home and save them for the States. Your next hardest decision is deciding what's totally necessary. But, first you'll have to obtain some lightweight luggage. You don't want to schlep heavy bags everywhere you go. Find the lightest, sturdiest model and grab it. Then sit down and make a short list of what to take. Jeans and a sweater are Ab- solutely necessary. Of course, your list must include a few changes of undies and socks. And for all the walking you'll be doing, a sturdy, comfortable pair of shoes is another must. For cooler weather, a jacket and a change of t-shirts will come in handy, too. You might want to pack a lightweight, dressy outfit for those occasional formal evenings. Also highly recommended-are a bar of soap, washcloth, laundry bags, a sleeping bag, umbrella, needle and thread, and a camera. Add to or subtract from the list according to your needs, but be sure to select durable clothes. With the imagination, you can have a nifty wardrobe and a light load to carry. The V whil cards fanc twoin $8-$1r hoste V at in tatioi tress tainn Carr, lost, trav( dolla andt tern chec V your feren Expr will I used chec sona reco over Co nn moni $260 $1,20 Total * - " * - 0 I"" e. , a . . Forms and regulations-the international red tape is easier to cut through if you start early. You'll need a passport, and possibly visas, an International Student I.D. card. PASSPORT Passport applications are available at the International Center. You'll need official photographs of yourself. Pic- tures cost roughly $6 at a local studio or at the University Photo Services in room 542 LSA Building. You'll also need proof of U.S. citizenship-a previous U.S. passport, naturalization papers, or a copy of your birth certificate, identification such as a driver's license, a $10 check or money order made out to U.S. Passport Office, and $4 for local processing. Then, take this collection to the County Clerk's office or the Main Post Office. It'll be two to four weeks before you'll get the passport. VISAS If you're planning to only Western Europe fo than three- months, ski section. If you're staying1 than three months, or p cross the Iron Curtain, bi to apply for a visa. Befo leave, you must conta consulate or embassy country you plan to visi visa application. It is fas apply in person, so if you to travel in more than one how to plan a European vacation. Here are some tips from the people at the International Center: try that requires a visa, get the U visit first one before starting your r less trip. The others can be obtained p this overseas. longer alan to INTERNATIONAL I.D. CARD ie sure The International Student re you I.D. Card is your second most ct the important piece of red tape, of the besides a passport. This card t for a entitles you to discounts and test to benefits. For $3, get it from the u want International Center in one e coun- day. I Daily photos by Maureen O'Malley| most enticing aspect of traveling through Europe e you're still in college is the price. With discount s, youth hostel cards, and a willingness to avoid y hotels and restaurants, Europe can be travelled in months for around $2,000. At the least, plan to spend 0 a day, camping, hitchhiking, and staying in youth els. For $15-$20, you can stay in student hostels, eat expensive restaurants, and use public transpor- n. For the elite, $25-$30 a day will get you soft mat- es in nice hotels, better restaurants, and enter- ment. But in any case, take a $100 emergency fund. y only a small amount of cash, because once it's it's lost for good. Take Karl Malden's advice, carry eler's checks. Ann Arbor banks sell them in U.S. irs, Swiss francs, English pounds, German marks, Canadian dollars, for a one per cent charge. The In- ational Center recommends purchasing traveler's ks in U.S. dollars, unless you're spending most of time in a single country. Although it makes no dif- nce which brand of checks you choose, American ress is the most popular, because its many offices hold mail for customers. Some credit cards can be world-wide, and some permit you to cash personal ks, or obtain $50 cash at the overseas offices. Per- l checks, cashier's checks, and money orders aren't immended, unless you plan to open a bank account seas. st breakdowns for the cheapest way to go for two ths: $350, standby air fare; $600, living expenses; land transportation. Average/high: $500, air fare; 00, living expenses; $390, land transportation., ls: $1,210 for the thrifty, $2,090 for the big spenders. 0 0 0 0 "C O 0 u u c Again, consider your monetary sup- ply. Hotels can cost a bundle, so you may want to consider the following alternatives: STUDENT HOSTELS Usually located in big cities and university towns, student hostels offer inexpensive lodging for young people. Prices range from $5-$15 in Northern Europe to $2.50-$5 in-Southern Europe. While the price includes breakfast, other meals also may be available. These hostels provide bed linens and showers. Student hostels are often dormitory rooms, or converted flats or hotels. There are one-to-four persons in one room. Student hostels are listed in a booklet of the same name, for which you'll fork over $1. The hostels are jammed during tl good idea to call ft YOUTH In comparison youth hostels ar rural- and metro can be quite inexl ten, you get v Youth hostels but without coe ages generally ra rules, in accord chaic setting, ma be in by 10:00 p.n usually included, are occasionall hostels also do not so be prepared. To stay in a yo buy an $11 Youth f " V Qa C; r" .,. C i 4 S . V REQUIRED ( ) Passport ( ) Visas-permission to enter a country. U.S. citizens staying in Western Europe usually don't need one ( ) Vaccinations-required only for Asian, African, and Latin American countries ( ) Money-cash, travelers checks, credit cards STRONGLY RECOMMENDED ( ) International Student Identity Card- to be elibile for discounts and benefits ( ) Insurance ( ) Guidebooks ( ) Background reading-learn something about the country you plan to visit ( ) Language CONSIDER ( ) International Youth Hostel Card-to be eligible for low-cost accommodations ( ) Railpass ( ) International Driver's License ( ) Hotel reservations ( ) Arrangements for on-go tation ( ) Health precautions-presc cinations, medicine ( ) Arrangements for mail TIME NEEDED Passport: 2-4 weeks (or longe through July) International Student I.D. and pass'es: 24 hours Charters: Approximately 1-45 departure . Railpasses: 3-10 days after re port ( ) Luggage-Two checked bags totaling no more than 106 inches in length, width, and girth i i -. .