Travel: Don't leave VAT money behind on European trip

Thanks to a strong U.S. dollar, international travelers can find some bargain prices this summer especially for shoppers looking for merchandise in Asia, Europe and Canada.

International visitors to Europe can get an added bonus in the form of a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund; however, more than $50 million a year is left behind by Americans.

The VAT is a consumption tax that's built into the price of merchandise in most European countries. The VAT ranges from 6.1 percent to 24.2 percent depending on the country you are visiting.

Getting a VAT refund is easy. All you have to do is stop at a VAT refund location at the airport or customs office and present your qualifying purchase receipts. The refund can be mailed or credited to a credit or debit card. The check or credit will take a few weeks to appear.

In some cases, at stores participating in the Global Refund program, shoppers will receive a check at the time of purchase, and customs officials endorse the check when you leave the country. If you are traveling in European Union countries, you can wait to get checks endorsed at the last airport of departure.

Packing for a cruise

Airlines have started to limit the number of bags passengers can take at no additional charge and limit the bags passengers can carry on board. For the most part, passengers can check one or two suitcases at no additional charge, and carry on no more than two bags. Check with the specific airline for its baggage rules. Carry-ons on all planes must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. However, keep in mind that some airlines have tighter size limitations than others.

For passengers on seven-night cruises or longer, baggage restrictions may mean you'll need to pack lighter than usual.

When packing, be sure to put your essentials, such as medication, toothbrush, glasses, etc., in your carry-on bag along with one change of clothes. In the unlikely event your luggage is lost or misrouted, you'll have what you need until your luggage catches up with you at the next port.

Canada's National Parks

Western Canada offers three spectacular national parks that are featured on more than a dozen independent and escorted tours. With the U.S. dollar at an all-time high in Canada, visiting our neighbor's parks has never been less expensive.

Banff, Jasper and Kootenay national parks create what's known as the "Golden Triangle," an area of thousands of square miles of pristine wilderness.

Canada's national parks are home to mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers, and hundreds of animals including bears, moose, elk, mountain goats and bald eagles.

Visitors can enjoy guided hikes, rafting and canoeing, horseback riding and narrated drives in special motor coaches that travel across the ice fields.

Additionally, you may want to consider combining a tour of Canada's National Parks with a cruise of Alaska. Ask your travel agent for details.

(Marvin McDaniel, CTC, is president of Carlson Wagonlit Travel/Carlson Travel Network.)