10 Things I Learned while Traveling in Europe
1. Choose the right luggage.
Since my trip was only one week long, I was able to use a travel backpack so I wouldn’t have to worry about checking a bag before each flight. Be warned that American aircraft cabins can often be larger than those overseas, meaning that a bag can quickly go from being a carry-on to checked. Make sure to research the size of carry-on allowed on any airlines you use. As you choose your luggage, keep in mind that pickpockets are rampant, and unaware tourists provide easy pickings. You’ll want something sturdy that hopefully comes with a couple locks as an added deterrent.
2. Leave extra room when packing for souvenirs.
Once I’d decided on the type of luggage to use, I made sure to only pack enough items so that I had remaining room left over for anything I wanted to bring back with me. It can be easy to be so preoccupied with the necessities that you neglect this step! Another thing to research was what souvenirs would be allowed through customs, as many countries do not permit certain items to pass through the border, such as meats, fruits, and plants.
3. Bring a travel adapter.
An important item to remember is a travel adapter. This enabled me to recharge my phone through the wall outlet with different prong locations compared to my American power cord, and a built-in surge protector ensured the differing electric current wouldn’t damage my devices.
4. Plan ahead by using Google Trips.
Once I’d squared away all the items I would be packing, it was time to actually sit and plan my travels! Google Trips proved invaluable for this. It’s a free app that assists you in scheduling locations to visit, opening and closing times of certain sites, travel time to and from said locations, best travel options and routes, and so much more. In addition, since it syncs with Gmail, any flight changes I experienced were automatically loaded onto the app and adjusted. Find Google Trips HERE.
5. Research travel routes ahead of time (while you still have reliable service).
This was HUGE to discover, especially after finding out how few locations offered cell service to tourists. Using Google Trips, I was able to download a map of a city to my phone, including public transportation information. This meant that even after exploring a site and wandering away from my starting point, I was able to safely and efficiently locate a subway or bus stop or main road, and make it to my next destination without worrying about the language barriers.
6. Don’t count on most people understanding English.
It can be easy to take for granted just how many people understand your native language in your native land. If possible, arm yourself with a few key phrases in case of emergency. In addition, I noticed that greeting someone politely in their own native language made them more receptive to me, as they saw I was making an effort to be courteous.
7. Schedule down-time each day.
Traveling is hard work, and it can be tempting to just go, go, go until you simply collapse at the end of each day. I did the same my first couple of days on my trip, and noticed that I wasn’t able to fully enjoy myself due to exhaustion. Especially if where you’re going is experiencing summer, that heat can affect you faster than you’d realize. Taking just a 30-minute cafe break each afternoon refreshed me enough to take on the rest of the day.
8. Ask locals where to eat.
Speaking of cafes, locals know the best spots! Tourist traps are near famous sites, ultra-pricey and often not nearly as high of quality as local eateries. Asking locals for advice gave them a chance to gush about places they love, and me a chance to experience the best that city had to offer.
9. Take pictures, but be sure to enjoy the moment.
In this day and age of social media, it’s understandable to want to take pictures of everything you see so your friends or followers can experience it with you. I’ve been known to absolutely destroy my battery power in attempts to find that perfect picture angle. Pictures are great, but so is enjoying the moment. Take a few, but then be sure to enjoy the sight before you move on to the next spot.
10. Most importantly, BE FLEXIBLE.
Traveling doesn’t always go according to plan, and that’s ok. You might not hit everything on your list that you had so carefully planned. Don’t stress! Breathe, realize that this is all part of your adventure, and think how it will make for a great story when you return home. With that being said, planning ahead does enable you to experience more, which I realized after missing an entire day from being stuck in a foreign airport due to a cancelled flight. I took stock of my situation, adjusted my plan, and had the experience of a lifetime.
This very basic list could go on for pages with advice and hacks for your own trip to Europe, but what’s most important is that you figure out what works best for you and your ideal adventure. I know now a few things more than I did before boarding that first flight, and my hope is that I have helped you in your preparations or offered you insight into what you should consider. Now go out and explore that big, beautiful world! Keep travelin’, mermaids.
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