Rebecca MacFarlane
Travelling to a place such as Europe that is so different than what you are used to can be daunting, and it always helps to have some tips from someone who has been before you to get you started. So without further ado, here are 13 tips I believe will be helpful for all of the would-be Globe Trotters out there.
1. If you visit in winter, it’s cold. Very cold. Prepare by bringing Thermal underwear, thermal socks, gloves, scarves a thick coat and something to cover your head and ears. Indoor areas are heated, so you will only really feel the bite when walking outside, but so long as you are prepared you will be A-Okay. Waterproof shoes and boots are also a good idea, especially for playing in the snow.
2. Pack some vitamins and medicines for colds and flu, in case you catch something while there. I had a mild cold the first few days in Paris, but some sinuclear without codeine had me feeling like a million dollars once again.
3. Bring a safe travel bag for the daytime with space for your money, cards and camera. Pick-pocketing can unfortunately be an issue in certain places, especially Paris, so make sure your stuff is secure at all times. We never personally had any issues with crime of any sort and felt 100% safe at all times, but it’s always best to be cautious. Rather safe than sorry, right?
4. Make sure you budget spending money for each day and be prepared beforehand. Both for meals and keepsakes. I googled restaurants to eat at in each area as well as their menu and prices before even leaving South Africa, so I had a good idea of what I would spend for dinners and lunches. Know the exchange rate and whether it varies from place to place- know what currencies you will be using and make sure you have converted them.
5. Ask about tipping when eating out. Some places in Europe expect you to tip, while other places do not accept tips at all and will get confused as to why you are trying to pay extra for your bill. Just ask your waiter, explain you are a tourist and are unsure, and they will understand and be happy to guide you.
6. DON’T forget your bank card in the card machine at the shop. It’s easier to do than you might think. In Europe, you generally don’t give your card over to the cashier like you do here in SA. You insert it into the machine yourself, which is out of their view. Once you have taken your stuff, make sure you have removed your card from the machine before walking out. This exact scenario happened to us on our way from Switzerland to Austria. We arrived in the little Town of Vaduz, Lichtenstein for lunch, and were in a flat panic when we realized we had misplaced our cash card, that had literally all of our money on it. (Maybe don’t put all of your eggs in one basket??) It was Christmas Eve, and I was in tears. In Europe. We panicked for a good hour. Only by a miracle did it find its way back to us through the efforts of a good Samaritan.
7. Make sure you have a ticket for every train you get on. Some trains don’t require you to swipe a ticket just to get into the station and you can walk right onto them without even realizing you’re doing something wrong. Conductors walk up and down the carts once the train has begun moving, and if you do not have a ticket for them, you pay a very hefty fine. The fine for not having a ticket can be up to 30 Euros, which they will expect you to pay on the spot. We witnessed this happening. So make sure you buy your ticket before stepping onto the train.
8. Public bathrooms are not free- keep small change to pay for the loo. It’s usually around 50c to 1 Euro. There are free bathrooms here and there, and some restaurants may allow you to use theirs.
9. Don’t buy supplies such as bottled water/snacks at the tourist traps. They are ridiculously overpriced. Find the smaller shops mostly used by locals and buy them there. We paid 6 Euros for a small bottle of water at a roadside cart, only to discover they were going for 2 Euros at a small, out of the way grocery store.
10. Learn a few words of the language. Just a simple greeting and a thank you will get you a long way. The people really appreciate your effort and it shows you are respectful of them and their country. Most people in Europe speak basic English, so will be happy to converse with you in English. We never ran into any serious language barriers, and “Bonjour. Parlez-Vous Anglais? Merci” or another language equivalent sorted us right out. It’s always good to be polite. Most times, shop keepers and others are extremely friendly and will be very excited to hear that you come all the way from Sunny South Africa.
11. Get a map of the area that shows the underground Metro routes, and figure out which way you need to be heading at least a night before heading there in order to save time and trouble. The Metro isn’t too hard to use, and once you have done it twice, you will feel like an absolute pro.
12. Don’t panic if you happen to get lost. In fact, most people get a little lost at some point. We found the people to be extremely friendly and approachable, especially the staff at the stations, and they will be more than happy to help. They are used to Tourists. Even if you happen to make a mistake and get off at the wrong station, or, take the wrong train, it still isn’t the end of the world. There will be plenty of people around to guide you back in the right direction. Most importantly- don’t panic. Besides, getting lost on holiday can make for some of the best experiences, and a funny tale to tell later.
13. Finally, just enjoy yourself. Try not to overthink everything, or else your trip will pass you by and before you know it, it will be over, and you will have missed it because you were too busy stressing over every tiny detail. Once you have the basics prepared, just continue on and enjoy all of the amazing sights, sounds and tastes Europe has to offer. I promise you- you will not be disappointed.
