As summer vacations are approaching, it gets everyone into thinking what travel destination to pick this year. There are so many beautiful places in the U.S. to visit. However, if you were to choose to travel out of your home country, Europe has plenty of amazing spots worth seeing, especially in summertime.
If you have made up your mind to go to Europe this year, perhaps, using some useful travel tips would enhance the pleasure and excitement of your vacation.
Limit your phone costs
You probably have lots of friends and relatives you would like to visit in Europe. If this is the case, you’d better watch out for your phone bill. It might cost you a huge amount of money, unless you play wise and get a good data plan for Europe that suits your budget.
Look for the right applications
Make sure to update your iPhone and iPad with some travel-friendly apps you could use on your Europe trip. Whether it is about booking hotels or lodgings and engaging in ecxiting tours, you can take a good advatage of some apps made for travelers like Booking.com, Travelocity and Skyscanner. Rick Steves Audio Europe is a free app, especially designed to meet travelers’ basic needs. Check your weather app and set it up to show data for the exact European destination you are about to visit. Or, you can install a new app that shows time zone and weather only in Europe. Map apps are a must, too. Aim for the most detailed ones that include subway maps. MetrO, for example, is a pretty good app for travelers. It contains routes and public transportation lines in over 400 countries around the world, and it is free. Maps and navigation apps can help you find whatever place you are searching. Download a map of your route. Note that GPS signal works even when you are offline and it can track your location on the map at any time. Thus, you don't have to worry about losing Internet connection at some point.
When you go to a foreign country it is always good to speak at least one international language, like English. But even if you do have fluent English skills, it won't hurt to download some translation apps. You can always use Google Translate. It may not give the perfect translation, but it is free, it recognizes a number of languages and you can speak into the microphone and get immediate translation. Additionally, there are phrase book apps that can be very helpful to travelers but most of them require a fee.
Manage payments
When it comes to making payments in Europe, you will probably need to follow some old-fashioned traditions as opposed to the U.S. Keep this in mind, especially when the aim of your trip is meeting with old friends living in Southern Europe. Be sure you never run out of cash. Keep some money in your pocket in case of emergency. Most payments in Europe go via Maestro cards so you are likely to get extra charged when using American Express, for example.
Travel by train is cheaper and more exciting
Train travelling offers lots of advantages (unless you have a better option). If you make the right deal, it won't cost you that much. Besides, a train trip will give you far better view on various picturesque places in Europe. Plus, train travelling offers excellent sleeper system that will make you feel comfortable in many ways. However, beware of thieves! This will be the main thing to keep you vigilant all the time. Think of some kind of foolproof system to lock your suitcase so no one except you could take it.
Beware of pickpocketing and thieves
Pickpocketing is the biggest potential problem you could face while exploring Europe.
What can you do to protect your possessions:
- Wear ordinary clothes that don't look expensive.
- Try not to show off with high-tech equipment, including cameras, iPads or jewellery.
- Keep the most valuable belongings with yourself. Don't leave them in bags.
- Avoid leaving tech devices, wallets and purses on coffee tables or cahirs far from you.
- Buy yourself a moneybelt where to keep all personal stuff like documents, payment cards and cash. Hide the moneybelt under your clothes.
- Stay alert and look out for scam artists. They usually go in pairs. While one is trying to get your attention, the other will grab your bag, steal your camera, phone or jewellery. Some thieves use children, too. Some might act as if they are tourists who got lost and ask you for directions. Trust no one.
Enjoy your trip!
