only for my family!

We have decided to use Willamette Travel to book our flights to and from Germany.  Since there are three groups of us coming from three different regions of the US and since we are flying to Frankfurt and home from Berlin, we thought having someone else tackle this nightmare would be nice so we at least all arrive in the same year.

So, I need asap from all of you:

1)  PASSPORT NUMBER
2)  PASSPORT EXPIRATION DATE
3)  FULL NAME ON YOUR PASSPORT AND FYI... IF THE NAME YOU GIVE ME ENDS UP BEING DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE ON YOUR PASSPORT AND YOU ARE DETAINED BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO WHAT I ASKED FOR, WELL THEN... I DON'T WHAT HAPPENS BUT I THINK IT COULD BE BAD!
4)  I NEED YOUR EXACT BIRTH DATES

AND FOR YOU PARENTS OF MINORS...

1)  OUR TRAVEL AGENT WILL EMAIL ME A LINK TO AN ON LINE SITE THAT WILL CONNECT US TO A LETTER THAT I WILL THEN FORWARD TO YOU... DONNA AND DENISE, THAT WILL NEED TO BE NOTARIZED ASAP FOR Q AND DREW BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER 18.

2)  AND PLEASE MAKE SURE EVERYONE INCLUDING THE NON MINORS HAVE THEIR MEDICAL INFO/INS CARDS, ETC.

Now about money!

If you cannot or do not wish to get a Capitol One credit card, please find out if there is a "Travel X" in your area.  They have a great exchange rate for euros and they also have a debit card that you can add cash to and use like a credit card.  You may refill it as needed with a phone call while in Germany.  I would suggest that you not bring very much in cash/euros as the debit card works everywhere.  But, you must spend at least ten euros or more to use the debit card.  And, since we've been to Europe, that should be no problem even for just a latte'.  Now remember, we are paying for your airfare, your hotel and your meals.  You will be responsible for any souveniers, alcohol and bail if that becomes necessary.

Another FYI:  If you choose to use another credit card besides Capitol One, please be sure of one thing...  with some credit cards, every time you use it out of the US, there is a percentage that is charged to your card along with your purchases.  Not sure why but it's at least 1.5% to 2.5% or more in some cases.  Capitol One does not charge you to use your card outside the US.

In the worst case scenario, we can use our credit card for your incidentals, etc. and we won't charge you any %.  

Also... I have a Germany map and we got a driving/train map today so we can sit at Christmas and sort of get some ideas of what you all want to do.  I almost forgot... we are purchasing train passes for everyone too so we won't have to buy a ticket every time we get on a train.  The trains will take us from village to village and we will try and not rent a car because that would be very expensive.

Thanks for choosing "Let's go to freakin Germany!" trip planners.  We hope you enjoy the ride...  AL WEED IS ZANE