Europe is a beautiful, magical place. The history, the culture, the prosecco. It’s just so beautiful! Every time I go I feel like Alice in Wonderland. Traveling truly is my happy place, my therapy and my passion. So here are a couple tips that I’ve learned through my travels.
It’s going to cost you up to two Euros to use the toilet in public. If you’re in a restaurant or cafe, it’ll be free but anywhere else it’s going to cost you. In the US it’s restroom, in Europe it’s toilet or WC (water closet). Keep that in mind especially if you go someplace that’s less touristy where the language barrier will prove to be a little more tricky.
Wear shoes with good soles. One minute you’re walking on a cement sidewalk and the next minute you’re walking on a smooth cobblestone. I learned this the hard way when my pregnant sister-in-law had to help me walk across a bridge in Venice. I almost wiped out countless times. Sandals are not always Europe’s friend.
Don’t waste your first or last day because you have your luggage. Sometimes storing your luggage at a hotel doesn’t make sense logistically, you don’t want to waste 30 minutes to the hotel and back just to grab your luggage. A lot of cities in Europe now have “Bag Deposits” where you can store your suitcases while you go travel. It’ll usually cost $8-10 Euros per bag but it was totally worth it when I wasn’t hauling my suitcase around Venice.
Buy bottled water in the location, not in your hotel or ship. Hotel or cruise water is going to cost you around $8 euros. Most European countries will have convenient stores or small cafes where you can buy a water MUCH cheaper. I know it’s just a matter of saving a couple euros, but if you’re like me and drink a TON of water it really adds up. It’s temping to buy water as you’re leaving the ship for ease, but when you’re docking right in a city you’ll have plenty of opportunities.
The closer you get to the “tourist spot” the more expensive the food and shopping. I really wanted a specific purse when I was in Venice and the closer I got to St. Mark’s Basilica the more expensive the purse became. A lot of the shops will have the same merchandise, which is why you can sometimes barter. Once you find it in a couple stores, find the best price, attempt to barter, and then buy it don’t wait.
If you want an authentic restaurant, look for a place that’s attached to a house. The best restaurants I’ve been to are the ones that look like they started in Momma’s kitchen and expanded from there. When you see one, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Don’t get caught in touristy zones. If you’re on a beach and close to a strip of resorts or hotels, the restaurants around or attached tend to be Americanized or not as authentic. We almost fell into this in Korfu but thankfully decided to walk a little further and found an authentic restaurant. And yes, you guessed it – it was in someone’s house!
Get to know the culture. If you’ve never been to a particular country, do some research before you go. Understand the cultural norms and people. For example, the first time I went to Greece I was really caught off guard how the store employees followed me around the store like I was a naked shoplifter. But that’s just how they protect their merchandise. Once I realized it wasn’t just me, I relaxed a little. Another time I was working in London and I was trying to tell a client (while giving him a spray tan) that he could take off his pants and get sprayed in his boxers, however pants in England means underwear and I was telling him to get naked. Awkward. If you ask where is the restroom in Europe, they’re going to look at you like the crazy American you are.
Know when to take your passport and when to lock it up. Always put your passport in a locked safe when it’s not being used. Keep in mind there are a few times you need it. Certain cruise ships require it to be shown when you stop at each location. Also if you’re going to make a larger purchase, you’re going to need it at the store. If you do make that large purchase, when you go to the airport you can get the international tax reimbursed to you. Just keep in mind, if you have an early flight the office might not be open so you’ll need to find one of the local offices that will return the tax to you.
Download translation and currency converter apps. Google Translate is a great one because it translates verbal and also written words. When you open the app and put it over a sign, or menu it will show it translated on your phone. Also, it’s good to know the currency conversion especially in situations you can barter. There are plenty of places you can exchange your currency; most airports have a station, once you arrive to your destination they’ll be offices or you can just use an ATM. Exchange more money than you think you’ll need because every time you withdrawal or exchange you’re going to get a fee.
Alright humans, I hope that helped! If you have any more questions, let me know! I’d also love to hear where you’re going next! PS I became a novice photographer on my trip. I’m pretty proud of these guys. The header image is in Venice, Italy. The below images are Dubrovnik, Santorini (x2), Israel and Mykonos.
Coming soon, the best luggage I’ve found. Spoiler alert, it’s Away Luggage.
