Customs Examinations are among the few drawbacks to the pleasures of a Continental tour. Luggage is not examined on entering Switzerland, but, on leaving, examinations take place on the frontiers, unless luggage be registered through, say to Paris. On leaving Switzerland, via Bâle, and the Baden Railway passengers' luggage is examined at the Bâle railway station by the German Custom officials, and may be then registered to any part of Germany without fear of further inspection. Language.-English is now spoken at all first-class hotels, and interpreters are to be found at all principal railway stations. "Loth's Conversational Guide" will be found to be a very useful companion on a Continental tour, as it contains a selection of the most common phrases in English, French, German, and Italian. Passports are at present unnecessary for political purposes, but are often found useful in establishing identification, claiming letters, etc., at Poste Restantes, gaining admission to Museums, etc., etc. They can be obtained through any of the offices of Thomas Cook and Son. Smoking Carriages are attached to all trains. The bye-laws of most of the foreign companies are similar to the English with respect to smoking, and gentlemen desiring to smoke should always seek a smoker's compartment, as the odour of tobacco, which will cling to a carriage for days, is very nauseous, and often even injurious to certain temperaments. Time Tables.-On another page will be found an announcement of "Cook's Continental Time Tables, and Tourist's Handbook," published at is. ; post-free, Is. 2d. "Messrs. Cook and Son, the well-known conductors of Continental excursions, have published a very serviceable handbook and time table for Continental tourists, not the least remarkable feature of which is its cheapness. The bulk of the work is occupied with time tables of the railways in the various countries of Europe which are patronised by tourists, and they may be taken as thoroughly reliable. The volume is also embellished with beautifully executed sectional maps, in which every place of attraction is distinctly marked."-Journal of Commerce. The official time tables of the Railway Companies should be consulted upon every available opportunity, as alterations are constantly taking place over some part or other of the Continental Railway system; and, though such alterations are carefully watched, it is impossible for any general time table to guarantee complete accuracy. Cook's Tourist's Guide to Holland, Belgium, and the Rhine. In preparation. Cook's Tourist's Guide to Italy. Price Is. 6d. ; by Post, Is. 8d. Letters from the Sea and from Foreign DESCRIPTIVE OF A TOUR ROUND THE WORLD. With Programme of Annual Tours around the World, &c.; and Price 3s. 6d. ; by Post, 3s. 1od. Help-book for Travellers to the East, INCLUDING EGYPT, PALESTINE, TURKEY, GREECE, and ITALY. By the Rev. JABEZ BURNS, D.D., LL.D. With Tourist Arrangements by THOMAS COOK, and specially designed Maps by KEITH JOHNSTON. Sold at Cook's Tourist Offices, price 7s. 6d., 343 pages, 8vo. On Holy Ground; Or, SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE LAND OF PROMISE By EDWIN HODDER. This Book describes, in the most graphic and interesting manner the routes through Palestine comprehended in the Programmes of Messrs. Cook & Son, by one of the most genial of Eastern Travellers. The incidents of Camp Life are most faithfully depicted. LONDON: THOMAS COOK & SON, AND HODDER & STOUGHTON. Sold also at all Cook's Tourist Offices. This work is arranged upon an entirely new plan, and contains the Time Tables of the principal Continental Railway, Steamboat, and Diligence Companies, combined with much Information required by every Traveller; and includes EIGHT SECTIONAL MAPS, SPECIALLY ENGRAVED. Full Directions as to Passports, Foreign Currency, &c. The whole specially compiled and arranged under the personal supervision of THOMAS COOK & SON. THOMAS COOK AND SON, Tourist and Excursion Managers. CHIEF OFFICE-LUDGATE CIRCUS, LONDON. AMERICAN FIRM-COOK, SON & JENKINS, AND T 261, BROADWAY, NEW YORK, WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON. |