So you've done it-bought your tickets for a vacation in ' Europe ' and eager to see the sights- or you've at least decided that " Europe " is your next destination!
From east to west, Europe is a mixture of cultures, languages, heritage, architecture and customs all across the continent. the dissolution of border checks within the EU means that travel in Europe has never been easier, more affordable or more convenient!
Here are top 15 trips for traveling at " Europe " to the fullest!
- Visit on Off Season -
Europe can be a mess in peak-travel season, with crowds and queues
lining up in Paris and London, and even smaller hamlets like Avignon and
Verona. Avoid the months of June, July and August if you’d rather not
fight large lines and crowds to see the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel.
Plus,
summertime is when Europeans themselves head elsewhere for vacation, so
my suggestion to get a real feel on what locals are like in your
destination, visit cusp-season- early spring or in the fall!
- Shop at Family Businesses -
Head off the beaten track of Eiffel Towers and Galeries Lafayettes to check out the smaller businesses, the family-run patisserie or the mom and pop gelato place on the corner.
Head off the beaten track of Eiffel Towers and Galeries Lafayettes to check out the smaller businesses, the family-run patisserie or the mom and pop gelato place on the corner.
You're
here to meet and mingle with locals, so you might as well support local
businesses and while you're add it, you can even try a ' Bonjour ' or '
Ciao ' with them.
Restaurants and shop off the main roads tend to be cheaper anyways!
Helpful
Tip: Restaurant with picture on the menu tend to carer towards a
tourist crowd, which means their prices are marked up as well. Learn
some food phrases in your destination's language, or carry a translator
so you don't need the pictures anyways! \
- Learn the Laocal Language -
Practice a few phrases before you arrive and use them with locals if you feel comfortable. In most cases, they'll appreciate a tourist trying to speak the local tongue.
Try listening to a few podcasts to get the right pronunciation, or spend some time with a language program like Rosetta Stone leading up to your trip.
Greeting and Thanks can you go a long way-and don't forget to learn the world for toilet!
- Stay Longer in One Place -
It always feels more rewarding to stay in one place for a week or two
rather than city-hopping every few days. Not only does that mean less
packing and unpacking, you have the chance to get to know a
neighborhood, find a favorite cafe, and even make a few friendships by
sticking it out in one place.
- Do as the Locals Do -
You don’t want to be that tourist standing out from the crowd with
bad manners or loud exclamations, so observe what the locals do and
follow suit.
For example, don’t wear tank tops in conservative
Orthodox churches, or lower your tone—most Europeans speak at a softer
tone than Americans. Just be aware of your surroundings, and research
local etiquette for your destination if you’re not sure what to expect.
- Be Aware of Afternoon Closures -
A quick tip—Europeans value their lunch breaks, and midday meals
often extend over hours. So you may find a ticket office or post is
closed from noon until 2pm.
Take the late lunch into account when
you plan your day itinerary. And guess what—it’s a perfect chance to
indulge in a long lunch yourself. When in Rome!
- Stray From the Beaten Path -
By all means, see the Eiffel Tower and ride a gondola in Venice—sometimes the beaten path can be its own fun experience.
But
for the most part, you can see and do so much more if you stay off of
it. Ask locals at the bar for their recommendations of where to eat and
drink, or read online. It’s locals who really know their city—the best
place to have a picnic, the best view of gargoyles, the best place to
catch the underground music scene.
- Stay Central and Walk Everywhere -
It may seem logical to spend the night in a cheap hotel in the
suburbs, but trust me it’s not always worth it. When you take into
account the transportation to and from the city, or the hassle of trying
to find a restaurant in a residential area— sleeping far from downtown
can be a real pain.
Instead, splurge a bit and book a moderate
place in or near the city center. You’ll be able to reach the main
sights and find cafes and restaurants with no trouble at all. Plus,
you’ll see more of the city if you’re walking around rather than taking
the metro or a bus.
- Stay in a Smaller City -
On the other hand- large cities like Rome, Paris, London, Amsterdam
can all be overrun with tourists making it difficult to blend in, and
meet and speak with locals.
Choose a smaller town with its own
city center, and one that doesn’t get as many tourists, but are still
just a short train ride away from the main hubs: Girona near Barcelona,
Bologna near Florence.
These cities are usually quieter and run at
a slower pace, allowing you to enjoy yourself with less pressure. You
will also find there are more accommodations in the form of apartment
rentals and homestay available farther from the city center!
- Talk to People -
Don’t be shy—yes, you’re on your own but there’s no better way to
meet locals and like-minded travelers than striking up a conversation.
Street
vendors, shopkeepers, bar patrons, even people staying at your
hostel—smile and be open to people. You may end up meeting some lifelong
friends!
- Travel to Countries Not on the Europe -
To save a few pennies, hit the countries that still retain their own currency.
Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, Romania, Poland and Hungary are all fascinating
European countries with their own unique story to tell, and tend to be
less costly than their Western European neighbors.
- Use Budget Airlines -
Budget airlines are destiny’s gift for the mindful traveler. Europe has
dozens of cheap airlines that fly from city to city at minimal cost. You
can fly from Dublin to Warsaw, or Barcelona to Amsterdam for under
$100, and usually cheaper then train tickets depending on the distance.
- Travel by Train -
Travel by Train at ' Europe ' love their trains and for a good reason.
Traveling by trains is often more spacious, comfortable, and easier than
air travel depending on your end destination..... Keep in mi that many
trains are more expensive than air travel in ' Europe ' but the comfort makes all the different. To make trains travel even easier, download a rail planner app where you can track schedules and buy tickets.
- City Walking Tour -
In popular towns, there are tours and excursions galore! I’ve taken tours with Walks of Italy, as well as Walks of Turke, and the guides are so knowledgeable and personable- it is a great introduction to local culture.
Most
hostels offer free walking tours, and they are often run and
facilitated by university students, and can be a fun introduction to
your new host city.
They’ll inspire you with local anecdotes,
history lessons and you can return the favor by tipping them in exchange
for their lively service.
' Europe ' ... The best city in my dream that I wanna go :)
The plan that I love the most ... I hope one day !! yes .. it's one day I can visit at the country ..
And I want to walk on the street that have a lot of beautiful house , people in here and I can say ' hello ' to them :D
Yeah ! and I will make my dream come true :*