18 Things To Know Before Visiting Europe
Europe is an incredibly beautiful continent. In fact, out of the top ten most visited countries in the world, Europe has about six countries in it. It seems like everyone wants to visits Europe for one reason or the other; tourism, education, excursions, and vacations. Europe is filled with lots of activities to engage in; from visiting the exotic places like Rome and Italy, to the pretty much quiet places like, Lisbon and Santorini. There is always something exciting to do in Europe.
However, you want to make sure you have an hitch free trip or journey. You definitely don’t want to have any form of hassles in an entirely new place. Because of this, you need to be knowledgeable about certain factors before visiting Europe. Some of them include;
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Currency
Irrespective of where you’re traveling to, ensure you charge your credit card in your local currency. A lot of travelers are quite naïve when it comes to money matters, so they choose their local currency. This can cause a huge processing fee due to the exchange rate. To avoid this, always charge in local currency.
Credit Card Policy
Not all countries in Europe accept credit cards, hence you have to take enough cash with you just to avoid sticky situations. The reason for this is due to the high tax policies.
Uniqueness of All Cities
Europe is so diverse in a lot of ways. London is a city known for its regular hustle and bustle, while Berlin is a cool city. When traveling around Europe, add a little variety to the places you would visit. You’ll be able to discover and explore more.
Means of Transport
In some places in the world, public transport is meant only for the masses and for people in the lower or middle class. However, it is really not the same in Europe, as almost every one uses public transport, irrespective of their social class. Public transport in Europe is affordable, fast, and effective.
Visa Policy
A unique thing about Europe is the freedom of movement between countries. Despite this, it is very much advisable that you travel with your passport or means of identification as you navigate through country borders.
Budget Wisely
Before traveling anywhere in Europe, draw up a budget so you won’t overspend. Even if you would overspend, it shouldn’t be a significant amount that would make you go broke for months.
Travel Costs
In Europe, travel costs varies significantly. The prices depend on the time of year you plan to travel. The best way to save money is to book you tickets out of season. If you do that, you’ll get yourself a decent deal on both flight and accommodation.
Try Learning The Language
Europe is home to people of diverse culture and languages, hence learning basic words like “please”, “sorry” and “thank you” can help you during your stay. It’ll also prevent you from playing charade games when you’re trying to be courteous.
Phone/Internet Usage
Before traveling, you need to figure out how to move from country to country and still use your phone. Wifi is available almost everywhere in Europe. However, you might be charged a little fee for roaming.
Safety
For every traveller, safety should not be taken lightly. As safe as Europe is, ensure you check local information you can rely on before travelling. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Wear Comfortable Footwear During The Trip
Traveling to Europe may be a bit tricky. You might have to walk for long periods, so it’s important to take appropriate with you so you won’t end up with a swollen feet.
Royalty
Although the most popular royals in Europe are the Royal Family in England, other European countries have their respective royal families as well. The magnificent castles like the ones in Denmark would definitely take your breath away.
Difference In Pricing
Even though most European countries use the Euro, the prices vary, depending on the city you find yourself in. A cup of coffee in Paris might cost more than the same cup of Coffee in Ireland. This is due to the difference in economies.
Take Finger-foods Along
Take high protein and low sugar snacks. Protein bars and nuts would do you just fine. Take them along because you never know if you might get stuck in the airport where all shops are closed and you’re extremely hungry. You could also snack on them while on the trip.
Visit Unpopular Spots
The continent has so many beautiful places you might overlook. Don’t visit just the popular spots. Check out some areas you think might be overlooked and catch a glimpse of their culture and lifestyle.
Pack Light
Sometimes, you might not go to places where there are elevators, so carrying your luggage around might be stressful. In essence, [easyazon_link identifier=”B00R280UQM” locale=”US” tag=”traveking-20″]pack[/easyazon_link] only what you need and save yourself a lot of stress.
Eat On A Budget
In Europe, picnics are the way to go, especially if you’re traveling on a tight budget. Rather than do fine dining that might be expensive, head to the grocery and buy yourself bread, cheese, and cheap wine. You can eat it as you go on enjoying the city sights.
Jetlag and Siesta
If you’re lucky to arrive Europe in the early afternoon, you might meet up with the siesta time. Yes, shops, eateries and some services actually close for a few hours. With that, you can take time out to relax.
So, there you have it! These are the top things you must know before visiting Europe. Ensure you keep everything under check before leaving for the amazing continent.
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