Great Falls tribune., 1921-05-16

s AZ for svitssrland and France, an
experienced traveller, recently return-
cd, says that these countries oIIer
satisfactory accommo modations in tne
first class hotels, and with the franc
at little over eight cents instead o.
nineteen, the American has distinct
advantage. He thinks, however, tnsI
il ID not possible to expect TO save
money even here. The first class no.
tells have been renovated and are as s
good % they ever were. But when IL
comes to the pensions. or boardlns
houses, the situation is different from
in the old days. Before the war It
was possible to obtain room ana ex-
icellent meals at Z Swiss pension Tor
as low as one dollar Z day. Now the
rate is higher, and the food is very
different. Butter and meat are scarce.
still rampant IN these small hostelrles,
just as it is In private homes.
Italy Is looked to by many Of the
tourists as the place where the Amer
icaH eagles will scream the loudest.
And this is no doubt true. Passenger
rates have increased over 200 per
cent and the hotel and restaurant
prices are 200 and 800 per cent high
er. But the Ira has decreased 40
per- cent, 20 that 1t ID worth only five
cents against It's standard value OF
nineteen cents.
y. tiospitahls Italy.
Italy ID said to be in good shape to
receive visitors. Hotels have been
done over and many supplied with the
American luxuries Of modern heating
plants and bathing facilities.
Ia general, the traveller may expect
to find that while travel ip Europe il
cheaper than travel in this country,
It 10 every bit ~ expensive as staying
1t home. Everywhere the tourist goes,
there are unexpected demands for
money. Taxes are as prevalent there
90 hare. The luxury tax is even ex-
tended in some places to take in meals
on trains and In restaurants. While
in Germany, 4 foreigner is regarded as
= source Of taxation merely because he
Is foreigner. His meals are higher,
and he is taxed wherever he goes as an
exotic, unnecessary being.
Except for the Rhineland and other
parts in allied control. Germany is not
an easy country now for the tourist TO
visit. In fact, all Of the central Euro
pean countries offer more difficulties
in the way OF passports and vises and
they are not recognized for the tourist
trade as western Europe is.
Belgium, France and Italy have pull
ed themselves together for visitors
more rapidly than it was thought pos
sible they copld. Much Of the railroad
tracking wrecked during the war has
been rebuilt, and trains have been rem
ovated. The battlefieids have been
made easily accessible by trains and
bus lines, and inns and hotels have
sprung up all along the routes. Souve.
Mrs, post cards. everything that tho
tourist used to want is again on sale.
Bargains in these things are scarcely
10 be expected. The tourist everywhere
is always legitimate prey for the ma
tives. Last year the French dealers
and inn-keepers put up their prices so
needlessly that the French government
sent out a notice-"Don't treat the
tourists as some Of you treated the
American soldiers" In justice, how
ever, it should be said that there have
been tourists who did not hesitate to
pass off cigar coupons for American
paper monty on unsuspecting peasants.
Before the war American sightseers
were spending SITE, 100000 in Europe
every year. The loss of this has made
a large hole in the pockets Of trades
people and guidts, who depended on the
tourists. for their living. Now, they
expect q return of the old reckless
spending. And they will probably not
hope in vain. The tourists are COM
ing.