The Sacred Legacy of the Balkans, May 12-26, 2012. Spiritual and artistic journey through frescoed churches and monasteries of Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia.

ITINERARY

Please note that the first three days in the current program is an optional prequel to the main program. For prices and other details please see below.

Day 1. Saturday, May 12, 2012.

Meals: Dinner.

Arrival to Sophia, Bulgaria. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2. Sunday, May 13, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

Today we will start with the exploration of the Bulgarian capital.   Our first stop will be the Archaeological excavations to learn about the history of the city and to visit one of the oldest structures in Sophia – St. George’s Rotunda. From here we will proceed to St. Sophia church, built in the 6th century. This church is considered to be one of the oldest in the country. As part of the walking tour of the centre we will also visit the huge neo-Byzantine Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky with a nice icon museum in its underground vault. We’ll visit St. Nedelya church, also neo-Byzantine, rebuilt in the 19th century on the spot of a much earlier church. In the afternoon we will visit several historical places in Sophia’s suburbs: the Boyana Church, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famed for its medieval frescoes that date from the 11^th to 15^th centuries. Next stop will be the monastery of St. George in Kremikovtsi. The original monastery was sacked and destroyed by the Ottomans in the 14th century, but in 1493 it was rebuilt, and surviving frescoes date back to that time.

Day 3. Monday, May 14, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

After early breakfast we will leave Sophia on our way toward the Macedonian Border. Our first stop along the way will be Zemen Monastery, a functioning Monastery of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church that is famed for its katholicon (main church of the monastery) that dates back to the 11^th century. Some of the frescoes date back to the founding of the monastery; others date from the 13^th century and are a bit better preserved. Upon crossing the Macedonian border we will stop at St. Joakim Osogovo Monastery, one of the important spiritual centres of Macedonia. Little remains here from the founding age, but we will be able to trace the history of the monastic site through all of the eight centuries of its existence. Later murals in the main part of the church of the Monastery may be not be executed with the greatest artistic merit, but are worth seeing nevertheless. After the Monastery we will stop for a lunch in Ethno village, and after some refreshment will continue to Lesnovo Monastery, yet another Medieval foundation, with church and frescoes that date back to mid-14th century. From here we will proceed to Skopje for dinner and overnight.

Please note: this is the “Day 1” for people who will join us at Skopje. We will all join together as a group in the evening at the hotel for supper, and from then on will travel all together. For those arriving at Skopje: meal plan this day includes dinner only.

Day 4. Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

During our first day in the Macedonian capital we will explore several important monuments in the city and its outskirts. Of greatest interest are the churches of Sveti Spas, with an amazing carved iconostas from the early 19th century, and the modern Cathedral of St. Kliment Ohridski (St. Clement of Ohrid) built in a rather unique style. Not far from the Cathedral there is an Icon Museum with a very interesting collection of Balkan icons. After Lunch we will visit three Medieval “jewels” – Markov Monastery, the Monastery of St. Nikita, and the church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Kucevishte Village. Markov Monastery dates to the 14th century and its beautiful frescoes that survive from that period are of great importance to Byzantine Art as they contain many unique themes. St. Nikita Monastery is older than Markov Monastery, but as the original place was destroyed, it was restored in the 14th century by the Serbian King Milutin. The church itself is rather small, but contains many unique frescoes of the highest artistic quality. Last stop for the day will be the church of the Presentation of the Holy Virgin, also known as St. Savior’s church. It also dates from the mid-14^th century, and likely was built and frescoed before 1348. For overnight we will return to our hotel in Skopje.

Day 5. Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

Today we will embark on the full day excursion to Kosovo. Recently the province was ravaged by an ethnic conflict; today the situation in most parts of Kosovo is calm, but a few remaining Serbian enclaves and historical sites are under the protection of the international military forces known as KFOR. Hopefully, situation will remain calm, but please note that in case of even the slightest political disturbance in Kosovo we will remain in Macedonia and will offer an alternative plan of sightseeing. In Kosovo we are planning to visit three ecclesiastical centers renowned throughout the world: Gracanica Monastery, Visoki Dechani Monastery, and Pec Patriarchate Medieval Complex; all three are UNESCO World heritage sites. Gracanica Monastery architecturally and artistically is perhaps the most delicate and unique of them all, dating back to the 14th century. The frescoes in the main church are exquisite representations of Paleologan Art and perhaps the highest artistic achievement in any of King Milutin’s Foundations. Visoki Decani Monastery was established in the early 14th century by King Urosh, who was later buried in the monastery, and it has the largest medieval church anywhere in the Balkans, with the most extensive interior cycles of frescoes. In the twenty major cycles on the walls of the church, there are over a thousand compositions and several thousand portraits of the highest artistic quality. Historically, Pec patriarchate is the location of the enthronements of the Serbian Patriarchs, and their mausoleum as well. It was founded under Saintly Savva back in the 13th century and was greatly expanded in several stages though the centuries. Several churches on the territory of the medieval complex are decorated with frescoes that date back to the 13th to 16th centuries. We will return to Skopje for overnight.

Day 6. Thursday, May 17, 2012

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

The first visit of the day will be to St. Panteleimon in Gorno Nerezi, near Skopje. This Monastery was constructed in 1164 and is famous for its spectacular Komnenous-era frescoes. The church was repainted in subsequent ages on several occasions, but in in the 1920’s original frescoes were discovered and restored. The Church of St. George in the village of Staro Nagoricane near Kumanovo was originally built in the second half of the 11th century, but expanded and renovated early in the 14th century under the Serbian King Stephan Milutin. The frescoes of the interior come to us from the same period. Just before Lunch we will stop at the Monastery of St. Andrew, located in the spectacular Matka gorge near Skopje. The small monastery katholikon was decorated with frescoes by the renowned iconographer Metropolite Jovan in 1389. From here we will get on the highway and transfer to the ancient city of Ohrid. On the way we will stop to see the church of St. Spas (Savior’s church) in the village of Leskoes, built in 1426, and the Church of All Saints in the village of Lesani, built and decorated with frescoes in the middle of the 15th century. For overnight we will arrive to Ohrid.

Day 7. Friday, May 18, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Today we will spend exploring the city of Ohrid, nicknamed “Slavic Jerusalem” in the days of old. The first stop in our exploration will be the church known as Bogorodica Perevlepta (originally dedicated to the Mother of God), built at the very end of the 13th century and famed for its most beautiful frescoes. Near it, there are the smaller churches of St. Demetrius and Mali Vrachi (“Small” doctors), both dating to the 14 century, and church of SS. Constantine and Helen that dates back to 1477. The icon gallery of Ohrid is rather small, but due to the importance of the icons it is considered one of the best collections in the World. After the Museum we will visit the Cathedral Church of St. Sophia, the largest and one of the oldest in the area, adorned with frescoes from 11th to 14 centuries. St. Clement's monastery "St. Panteleimon" is perhaps the oldest recorded Slavic structure, although only the ruins remain of the original Monastery. Centuries ago, this center of learning played an incredibly important role in education of the recently converted Slavs. The current building is a new replica of an ancient church, but the remains of the ancient complex can be seen in the archeological excavations. The church of St. John in Kaneo enjoys a picturesque setting right above Lake Ohrid, with surviving frescoes from the early 15th century. Our last stop for the day will be the cave church of St. Erasmus, located a little bit outside the city. Researchers say that it was one of the first caves in the area that was converted into the church, perhaps from prior use as a monastic cell. Based on the artistic analysis of the surviving frescoes we know that the church was established here sometime in the course of the 12th century. For overnight we will remain in Ohrid.

Day 8. Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Prior to our departure from Ohrid we will stop to see St. Nicholas and Bogorodica Bolnicka churches in the city center. “Bolnicka” refers to the medieval hospital quarter of the city where these 14th century churches are located. On our way to the Monastery of St. Naum we will stop to see the cave churches of St. Stephen and Bogorodica Pestanska, both with extensively frescoed interiors. It is not know for sure when the churches were constructed, but based on the artistic styles it seems that both monuments date back to the 14th century. St. Naum’s Monastery was founded early in the 10th century but hardly anything remains from that period. The frescoes that we can see today were done “only” in 1806. Still, St. Naum’s Monastery remains an incredibly important place in Slavic history and literacy. After crossing the mountain pass we will come to the little “off the beaten path” village of Kurbinovo to see the church of the former Monastery of St. George. The holy site was built, frescoed and consecrated some time at the very end of the 12th century. Our last stop of the day will be at SS. Peter and Paul monastery near village of Zrze. The monastery is built on the foundations of a Paleo-Christian basilica. Actually, there are several churches and chapels that cluster under the same roof, with a variety of architecture styles and frescoes dating from the 14th to 16 centuries. For dinner and overnight we will arrive at the town of Prilep.

Day 9. Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

In the morning we will visit the church of St. Nicholas in Prilep. The frescoes here are from the end of the 13th century and very different in style from other contemporary frescoes in other Macedonian churches of the period. Next stop will be St. Archangel Monastery near Prilep, which commands a spectacular setting. Early foundations date back to at least 10th century, but most things that can be seen today are dated to renovations of the 12th and then 19th century. In the main church of the monastery some frescoes from the 13th century survive. From Prilep we will have a lengthy transfer to the Serbian border, and on the way we will make a stop at the Archaeological Park of Stobi, capital of Ancient Macedonia Secunda. Stobi Archaeological Park has some of the best preserved ancient Roman Ruins in Macedonia, and of particular interest to us are the ruins of the Christian Basilica and Baptistery with their extensive and beautiful mosaics. For an overnight stay we will arrive at the Serbian city of Nis.

Day 10. Monday, May 21, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

After a transfer from Nis, we will explore one of the most important Serbian ecclesiastical centers – the Monastery of Sopocani. The Monastery was built by King Urosh in 1265 and soon afterwards the main church of the Monastery, which was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was frescoed. Despite the fact that for centuries the monastery was desecrated and remained exposed to the elements, a very significant portion of the frescoes have survived till the present day and can been be seen in the renewed monastery. Not far from Sopocani, there is another important royal foundation from the 13th century, the Monastery of St. George, nicknamed “St. George’s Pillars or Towers” or Djurdjevi Stupovi in Serbian (although some dispute such translation) due to the presence of the two Romanesque towers that flanked the building. Most of the surviving frescoes have been removed from the ruins of the complex, but this spectacular place, now also a revived Monastery, once again become a renown religious center and popular destination for all lovers of history, art and architecture. Just down the hill from Djurdjevi Stupovi, there is the oldest church in all of Serbia dedicated to SS. Apostles Peter and Paul. It is one of the most important attractions in the area. Our last visit for the day will be to the Monastery of Crna Reka (“Black River”). It requires a hike through a spectacularly beautiful mountain pass to reach the monastic cave complex and the church of the Archangel Michael with surviving Sacred Art in the interior. For overnight we will transfer to the nearby town of Novi Pazar.

Day 11. Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

Stara Pavlica (“Old” Pavlica) Monastery was established some time at the end of 11th - early 12th century. Little remains from the monastic complex, but some fragments of the surviving frescoes give an idea about the splendour and glory of the original interior decoration of the church. Nova Pavlica (“New” Pavlica) Monastery dates back to the second half of the 14th century, and is in a much better state of preservation. Unlike its older counterpart that is mainly preserved as an important architectural ruin, the newer complex is a vibrant monastic community. Gradac Monastery is an endowment of Helen of Anjou, wife of the Serbian King Urosh I. The Monastery is built in the tradition of Rashka architectural style. Today the church is beautifully restored, and visitors can see the remaining frescoes of the 13th century. Studenica Monastery, the largest of all Serbian Monasteries, was established in the 12th century. Its main church combines well the features of the Romanesque West and Byzantine East. The beautiful marble churches of the Monastery contain some of the best preserved and most beautiful frescoes from the 12th and 14th centuries. This afternoon we will have a lengthy transfer to the Convent of Milesheva, where we will have supper and stay for overnight.

Day 12. Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

Milesheva is world renowned for the composition, The Holy Myrrhbearing women by the tomb of Christ; more precisely for the depiction of the “White” angel pointing out the empty tomb, bringing the good news to the Myrrhbearers. The monastery was established by Serbian ruler Vladislav in 1230 and its frescoes, executed at the same time, are considered by art historians to be the best in all of Europe of that time. The “White” Church in Karan village was built about a hundred years later than the Monastery in Milesheva by the family of the local nobleman on the site of an ancient Roman settlement. Both – church and frescoes – are very nice examples of the Rashka ecclesiastical tradition. The Church of St. Achilles (saintly Bishop from Greece, participant of the first Ecumenical Council) is another vivid mix in tradition of the 13th century Rashka School, where the Romanesque exterior nicely combines with the Byzantine interior. From among the frescoes, one of the better known is that of the Archangel Gabriel, nicknamed “the Blue Angel” as if opposite or in addition to the White Angel of Milesheva. It will take another transfer to reach another famous Serbian Monastery, at Zhicha. It is easily recognizable for its main church, painted a fiery red color. Zhicha Monastery was built by the first Serbian King II Nemanjić, who was crowned here, and by his brother St. Savva, the greatest Serbian Saint and first Archbishop of the Serbian Church. The monastery also incorporates elements of the Romanesque and Byzantine styles, and was frescoed by some outstanding iconographer, likely from Constantinople itself. For supper and overnight we will arrive at Kalenic Monastery.

Day 13. Thursday, May 24, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

Kalenic Monastery, where we spent the night, was built early in the 15th century. The katholicon of the monastery looks very delicate, done in a very artistic Morava style. Surviving frescoes in the interior are of incredible spiritual edification and aesthetic beauty. Ljubostina Monastery is a bit older than Kalenic monastery. The church here shares the same features of the Morava architectural style. However, most of the frescoes were destroyed during the fire and following pillage of the monastery that was done by the Ottoman Army as a reprisal for the Serbian rebellion against Turkish dominance. Our next stop will be at the Manasija Monastery, a fortified establishment of the Serbian Despot Stefan Lazarevic. The nicely restored church set amidst the ruins of the mighty fortifications has some very nice frescoes of the period, done, according to the surviving historical records, by “the most skilful artists of the time”. Ravanica Monastery is the last Medieval Ecclesiastical monument on our tour program. It was built by the famous Prince Lazar, hero of the Kosovo Battle in the 1370’s. The frescoes inside were done a bit later, at some point toward the end of the 14th century. For dinner and overnight we will arrive at the capital of Serbia – Belgrade.

Day 14. Friday, May 25, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.

The last day of our “Sacred Legacy of the Balkans” tour will be dedicated to the exploration of Belgrade. We will visit the historical Kalemgdan fortress, originally built as a pre-Roman Celtic fortification, and expanded greatly through the millennia of its existence. We will visit St. Mark’s Church that has served as the Cathedral for the Serbian patriarch for several decades now. On the outside it recognizably follows the architectural outline of the Gracanica Monastery. Also, we will visit one of the largest Orthodox Cathedrals in the World, that of St. Savvas, built with the splendid lavishness of Neo-Byzantine style.  It is not quite finished on the inside, but this is compensated for by a visit to a much smaller neighbouring church adorned with modern murals splendidly executed in a traditional style. We also will visit the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with a collection of important ecclesiastical treasures and icons. For dinner and overnight we will remain in Belgrade.

Day 15. Saturday, May 26, 2012.

Meals: Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Departure back home.

Special notes:

Space in the group is limited; if you consider joining we encourage you to sign up early.

Please note that days are going to be long and filled with sightseeing. As we will be visiting several monuments daily, the cumulative amount of walking and standing may be much greater than you are used to at home. Some of the sites are located far off the beaten path, amidst the fields or on hills, and for those good sturdy shoes with good support may be necessary. Although most of the monuments are accessible without much walking, there are some like the Monastery at Crna Reka that takes a hike up the mountain to get to. We will try to accommodate you the best way possible and to make your journey as comfortable as possible, but in certain areas there is only so much in way of convenience that could be provided. Most of the Sacred Art that we are going to see is located in functioning churches and monasteries, thus modest dress through the trip is expected, and head covering and skirts/dresses most likely will be needed; definitely not shorts or sleeveless outfits for men or women. Many of the sites that we are going to visit are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and all of them are in the National Registries of unique monuments of the greatest cultural and historical value. Due to this, special rules for visits do apply. Thus, certain monuments may be not accessible due to the unfavourable weather conditions (such as rain, as dampness is devastating to fragile ancient frescoes) or if a building is closed for restoration. In every case we’ll do our best to see everything on the itinerary, but some unforeseen circumstances are possible. Interior photography is permitted in some places and strictly prohibited in others. We are working with the officials of the Serbian and Macedonian churches and governmental officials in order to obtain photography permits. However, the certainty of permits in most instances will not be known until the tour will actually start.  As our exploration tour promises to be an overwhelming visual presentation of Sacred Art, we kindly encourage everyone to come prepared, and try to read up and search the Internet in preparation for the trip. Many informational links will be provided for your convenience.

Special note on accommodations: we tried to choose the most convenient and functional hotels possible, according to their cleanliness, functionality and overall rating. In some instances, such as monastic guest houses, those are the only places available. However, while we strive to guarantee that the level of convenience, amenities and safety will be certainly met, the places where we will be staying may be different from the quality of the hotels that you are used to, while travelling through the rest of Europe or the US.

Important: the itinerary may be adjusted to satisfy the interests of the group to the best extent possible; i.e. services, rest, additional time spent in the places where the most important collections of ecclesiastical art are housed. Accessibility of some of the monuments is also subject to weather conditions and restoration works as ancient frescoes are very fragile and need special climate control regime.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR:

Price does include:

•           Accommodations in good tourist class hotels or monastic guest houses along the way. All rooms will are with private amenities and most with a/c units.

•           Most of the meals: two or three meals daily, as noted in the itinerary (25 meals in total, 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 8 dinners)

•           Private bus transportation whenever required

•           All admissions to the scheduled museums*.

•           Donations to monasteries, churches and icon studios

•           Professional tour guides at all of the tour places

•           English speaking guide/escort during the entire tour

* Some museum churches containing fragile ancient frescoes may be closed if the weather will be too damp. We’ll try to do our absolute best to visit those places anyway, but we hope for your understanding if such visits won’t be possible.

Price does not include:

•           Personal health/accident insurance (all participants are strongly encouraged to obtain one before the trip)

•           Airfare tickets

•           Private/airport transfers, additional (optional) tours and tickets to unscheduled show/concerts or museums.

•           Some newly introduced fees that may occur in certain places (monasteries or churches)

•           Drinks with meals

•           Tips to bus drivers and tour guides (Minimal suggested amount per person is $2 per day for bus drivers and $2-3 for local tour guides. Your generosity will be always greatly appreciated)

•           Anything that is not mentioned specifically in the itinerary

Financial arrangements:

The current cost of the trip is (per person in double accommodations):

2450 USD in a group of 20+

2300 USD in a group of 25+

2200 USD in a group of 30+

Single Supplement: 500 USD

The price might change due to the constantly changing prices and taxes and fluctuating exchange rate of US Dollar and Euro (calculation is given based on the rate of USD 1,4 to a Euro). Our hope is that the price of the tour will remain essentially the same. In any case you'll be informed right away of any possible financial changes or adjustments.

The price of optional extension in Bulgaria

(per person in double accommodations) :

295 USD in a group of 20+

275 USD in a group of 25+

260 USD in a group of 30+

Single Supplement: 85 USD

Price includes:

• Accommodations

• Entry tickets and donations

•           Meals as per itinerary

•           Private bus transportation whenever required

•           A guide for the full day in Sophia and escort from Sophia to the Macedonian Border

All payments should be made by check to: Palomnik, LLC. Any returned checks are subject to $20 fee.

We would request $500.00 deposit at the time of signing up for the trip. Deposit is non-refundable. The entire amount is requested 60 days prior to the departure (March 12, 2012). The deadline for signing up for the tour is March 15, 2012. If signing on or after March 12, 2012, the entire amount is due at the time of signing for the trip.

In the unlikely event of cancellation, the charges in addition to the full amount of the deposit are*:

•           25% of the tour cost, 60 to 30 days prior to the departure

•           50% of the tour cost, 30 to 15 days prior to the departure

•           100% of the tour cost 14 days prior to the departure

All the cancellations must be in writing and sent directly to coordinator – Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky (at: 53 Baxter Street, Binghamton, NY 13905) and must be received for reimbursement by the dates shown in the cancellation schedule.

Passport and Visa:

The US citizens do not need visa in order to travel to Bulgaria, Macedonia or Serbia. However, you do need passport that will be valid though year 2012.

Rules on the road:

 

•           It is strongly suggested for a traveler to obtain insurance covering medical needs and coverage regarding personal property;

•           in case of medical or any other emergency, all possible assistance will be provided by the hosting agency, however, be aware that all medical and other emergency needs will be sole financial responsibility of the traveler;

•           act in a manner consistent with the surrounding environment;

•           make arrangement to have sufficient funds to cover personal needs and unexpected happenings.

The places that we will be visiting may not have the same amenities that one is accustomed to. Medical facilities in most areas are limited. Because of the difference in language and customs, it is expected that the traveler will follow the directions of the Tour Director at all times.

The Director reserves the right to restrict a person’s participation in the group’s activities, including exclusion from the group, when, in the opinion of the Director, such action is appropriate.

Please note: The coordinator of the trip Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky does not hold any legal responsibilities concerning any of the arrangements. He plays solely the role of an agent-coordinator.

SOME TRAVEL TIPS BY AN EXPERIENCED TRAVELER:

LUGGAGE — it is recommended to pack as compactly as possible. Take only as many pieces of luggage as you can manage yourself. There will be several times on the trip, especially going through customs, when a luggage cart may not be available.

MEDICATION — Bring whatever medications (including medicines for colds, sore throats, nausea and diarrhea) that you think you may need. While most medicines are available in the larger cities, the quality may be questionable and you need a doctor's prescription for antibiotics.

BE SURE TO BRING - an alarm clock; alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wet wipes (to clean your hands while touring and for those emergency trips to the restroom); your own toilet paper, if you chafe easily; Kleenex; film/memory cards and extra batteries for your camera; comfortable shoes (do not start the trip with new shoes). Europeans often don't have the smaller wash cloths that we are used to when bathing. Bring your own, if you won't feel clean without using one. Bug/mosquito repellant is recommended. You are most likely going to use it at night in the provincial towns. An electric outlet adapter is necessary if you plan to use any electric gadgets from non-European countries.  We are going to visit a lot of churches and monasteries. While the dress code is getting looser, especially in larger cities, I want to encourage all to show moderation and respect. Orthodox prefer women to wear head-coverings in churches, even if it is something symbolic. Skirts are also necessary, especially at the monasteries. People in shorts and open shouldered outfits will not be allowed in the monasteries and churches.

FOOD - is excellent, although calorie content is obviously not a major concern. Generally dairy products are only available at breakfast, and sugar substitutes and powdered creamer are not provided - so bring your own if you must use these. In case you would like to buy something in a store, use caution, check the expiration dates and don't buy anything that is easily spoiled. Avoid buying anything from the street vendors.

WATER – to be on a safe side, it is recommended to use bottle water for drinking and brushing of you teeth, at least outside major cities. Bottled water is not expensive and is widely available.

SECURITY - Don't keep all of your cash in one place, and carry important documents (like your passport and visa) with you in a hidden pocket or secure bag. You don't want to be in a foreign land without money or travel documents. Expensive jewelry and fancy are best left at home.

CURRENCY – Euro cash is widely used in European countries, although Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia have its own national currencies. There are more and more places that accept credit cards as well (mostly Visa or MasterCard, no Discover or American Express). The easiest way to obtain cash is to use the ATM machine. For ATMs use your debit card because you won’t be charged any interest on cash withdrawals. On your credit card purchase or with your debit card cash withdrawal you get the best exchange rate of the day. It is a good idea to let your bank or credit company (the one that you’ll be using a card of) know that you are traveling overseas. Without such a notice some companies may “freeze” your account to prevent foreign card fraud. If you still feel more comfortable with cash, there are numerous currency exchanges at the hotels, banks, stores - even in the smaller towns. Travelers’ checks are largely useless, unless you have a real emergency. There are just a few places where you can cash them, and most often those places are very inconveniently located. If you need money for an everyday use, I would warn you not to rely on travelers checks as an easy access to cash or widely accepted form of payment.

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