Wander Words

After having an tremendous experience traveling through Europe, I have a few tips I’d like share with the world about how to have a more successful trip.

1.) Plan ahead:
Planning ahead can save you tons of money and headaches. You can find affordable places to stay, decide on the things that you really want to see, figure out your means of transportation, and aquaint yourself with the appropriate cultures and languages.

2.) Learn some of the language:
Knowing a little of the local language will go a long way. People will be very excited that you are putting forth the effort to appreciate their culture. Even if you can’t carry on very deep discussions, there will be very few issues that you can’t solve with a smile, broken french/german/etc., and pantomime (actually, most people you run into on the beaten path speak some level of English, so you’ll be fine).

3.) Get off the beaten path:
The most memorable experiences on my European travels have been from getting off the normal tourist path: going to some remote Roman ruins, seeing a Scottish folk band in a pub in Aberfeldy, eating lunch at a authentic Italian eatery in the back alleys of Florence, and making friends at church services around Europe. Just take in the culture. Go to concerts and sporting events (do what you do for fun in the U.S., but in Europe).

4.) Learn some of the history:
If you do a little reading and a little research before you go to Europe, your sightseeing can be so much more meaningful. Don’t just go to sights because you think you should; you’ll fly through the sites wondering why they are so special. See the things that interest you or things you want to learn more about.

5.) If you are smart, you don’t have to spend a fortune:
Shop at grocery stores and bakeries while you are in Europe especially for lunch and breakfast (you will save a ton, and the food is great). Also, plan ahead on your lodging and transportation: stay with people you know, find hostels or B&B’s, buy tickets well in advance. With a little research, you can find cheap hostels that are not flea bags too.

I must say I highly recommend all of Rick Steves’: Travel Guides, Videos, Phrase Books, and Maps. My ideas about traveling align exactly with Rick’s. He promotes traveling light, frugally, and “through the back door”. Go to his site.

I enjoyed my European travels very much, and I can’t wait to go to Europe again “through the back door”.

Jim Moser wrote this on October 27th, 2005 and filed it under Travel, Travel Guides, Travel Tips |