Europe Strikes Disrupt Travel

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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If you’re heading to Europe in the next few days, be aware that massive strikes in dozens of countries are causing turmoil for travelers. Hundreds of flights have been canceled. Many train schedules have been affected. And some cruise lines are even changing itineraries to avoid calling in European ports.

According to AFP, “British Airways and Easyjet were among the airlines which cancelled or rescheduled services to Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon and Thessalonaki in Greece owing to a general strike organized by the European Trade Union Confederation.”

The strikes, which have been called by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), are against the austerity budgets that most European countries are taking to ward off another financial collapse. Although these grand strike plans often fizzle, the most likely disruptions will be in Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, with some sympathy reactions spreading as far as Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Scandinavia, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

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