I cannot believe that I am just now hearing about this… really. Lived in Germany for 3+ years with no clue. So, if you are as clueless as I was, listen up! There are some amazing places out there that are affordable for military families! Great, huh? Check it out!
It’s called The Armed Forces Vacation Club and it’s through the Services division/MWR. You can find hotels, etc., virtually all over the world at exceptional rates.
Have heard it’s “hit or miss,” but when you hit, it’s amazing.
US Personnel,
Today the U.S. Department of State released a Travel Alert for Germany.
This is not to be considered a travel restriction but scrutiny should be
applied for those who have planned travel in Germany. Please ensure the
Department of State travel alert is disseminated to the lowest level.
Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Thu Sep 24 08:01:26 2009.
Germany
September 23, 2009
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens that Al Qaeda has threatened it
will conduct terrorist attacks in Germany immediately prior to and following
the federal elections on September 27. This Travel Alert expires on
November 11, 2009.
Al Qaeda recently released a video specifically warning Germany of attacks.
German authorities are taking the threat seriously and have taken measures
to enhance the level of security throughout the country.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to maintain good security
practices at all times, and to maintain a heightened situational awareness
and a low profile. Americans are advised to monitor news reports and
consider the level of security present when visiting public places or
choosing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues.
We encourage U.S. citizens to read the Department of State’s current
Worldwide Caution
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html>. It provides
additional information on potential threats to U.S. citizens overseas, along
with advice on how to reduce your vulnerability to such threats. Additional
general information on residing and traveling abroad, including the latest
Country Specific Information
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1123.html> for Germany,
may be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website
<http://travel.state.gov/index.html>.
Contact information for the U.S. Embassy in Berlin and U.S. Consulates in
Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Munich, and Leipzig may be found on the U.S.
Diplomatic Mission to Germany’s website
<http://germany.usembassy.gov/acs/index.html>. All U.S. citizens traveling
to or living in Germany are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy through
the State Department’s travel registration website
<https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/>.
Travelers may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by
calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or outside the United
States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
So there’s been a bit of a buzz lately about what kind of passport you should have and when or if active duty members even always need them… here’s the latest. Keep in mind, this is pretty basic stuff. You are living overseas and you’re traveling around. You can’t expect police and border folks in all the far reaches of your travels to recognize your orders or any other ID you have. Passports are always a good idea.
From an official notification:
“The Foreign Clearance Guide has been changed again to read ” A passport is required to enter France.” This is a change from the previous change last week where it stated a “Tourist passport is required.” Active duty military must now have a passport to conduct leisure travel in France and the UK, they will no longer accept military ID and orders. Tourists passports are not required, but as always are highly recommended.
B. LEAVE REQUIREMENTS
1. Passport required.
2. Visa not required for stays of less than 90 days in a six (6)-month period. A visa is required for stays of 90 days or more in a six (6)-month period. The 90 days begin when entering any of the following countries, which are parties to the Schengen Agreement: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
a. Anyone intending to stay more than 90 days in France must obtain the appropriate visa issued by one of the French Embassy or Consulates prior to departure for France. This also applies to anyone considering marriage in France.
3. Non-US citizens and dual nationals with non-US passports.
a. Passport and visa requirements may vary for non-US citizens and for dual nationals traveling on non-US passports. Such travelers should check with a French embassy or consulate to determine what credentials they require for entry.
4. Personnel Clearances required for leave travel: None.
5. Requirements to register with the US Embassy: None.”
Why Fly Space A?
Space A Web Resources:
Reader Advice:
Wow! This was just passed along to me. And what timing! With Christmas just around the corner, this will come in handy!
This service at shipitapo.com allows you to shop anywhere online and ship to your APO when the company will not ship to an APO . There is a small fee attached each time you mail it but its cheaper and faster than mailing it to your family back home and then having them send it to you! Register and they will give you a shipitapo address which you will then use for any company that will not ship to your APO. The handling costs are pretty clear cut and reasonable especially when you take into account the cost savings you will find when you are able to really “shop around” on the internet!
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