European Vacations

Be Prepared for a World of Experiences on European Vacations

Traveling around Europe provides an excellent opportunity to see, taste, touch, hear and smell a number of different cultures without having to go very far all, however, a European vacation can not only be expensive, but also a little bit overwhelming, especially for an inexperienced. Make a plan for your European vacation complete with all the elements you’ll need not only to survive, but also to have an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

Passports and Tickets

Get a passport or make sure your current one is up to date. Passports are also required of children, even in infancy, so be sure to check into the requirements for obtaining or renewing one. Don’t wait until the last minute to take care of passports and visas as there may be delays in processing that could prevent you from leaving the country for your vacation.

For whatever countries you choose to visit in Europe, educate yourself on some of the more frequently used words you may need such as bathroom, taxi, hospital, hotel, police, food and help. It will help you greatly to be able to at least communicate on the most rudimentary levels in the event that you are lost and in need of assistance. Also study up on politeness customs such as how to express thanks.

Buy airfare well enough in advance that you don’t end up having to pay last-minute prices, which tend to sky rockets. Make hotel reservations. Unless you are planning to stay in a hostel, you will need to have a hotel reservation, especially if traveling during the busier times of the year, such as around the holidays.

Transportation

Buy good walking shoes and break them in. Most people in Europe choose to walk from place to place and you’ll need shoes that you can feel comfortable wearing everyday for long periods of time.

The alternative means of transportation is to take a car or train, although most people prefer to use the train. A Euro Rail pass is a train ticket that will allow you to travel between countries by train using only one ticket. These work best for trips that will have an overnight stay, where you’ll ride the train during the night time hours. This will save money on overall travel costs as well as on hotels.

If you choose to use a car, make sure that you have an International Driver’s License. This will grant you permission to drive in almost every European country without a problem. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the driving rules and customs of each country before driving or else risk getting in trouble with the police for even a simple infraction.

Insurance and Money

Traveler’s Insurance may be a good idea to purchase before taking a major trip such as a European vacation. Sometimes a person’s health, car or homeowner’s insurance will cover a traveler in the event of an accident or emergency, however, this is not always the case and travelers should check with their insurance companies before leaving to know whether or not they are responsible for their own insurance coverage.