ShareThisBy KAYLA WEBLEY
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
I recently spent five months living and traveling in Europe. As my friends gear up for summer trips, these are some of their most common questions.
How long to stay?
For most places, I suggest three nights. You can stay longer, but I would not advise staying less than two nights _ the traveling just gets too hectic.
Going from place to place generally takes a whole day. Even if your flight or train ride is short, travel days take a bit more energy than other days, and you won't feel like doing much sightseeing when you first arrive. Don't plan to do much else on travel days. If you end up doing something, then it's a bonus. You could spend a week in some places _ like Barcelona, Spain _ but a week in other places, such as a beach resort out of season, could be too long.
Train travel
The best part of a train ride is the view. It's a way to see the countryside even if you are only visiting cities. Trains are a great way to relax and regroup, and meet people with interesting stories.
Trains make travel without a firm itinerary easy, because you don't have to book them weeks in advance, like you normally do with airlines. But foreign trains can be tough to figure out. Make sure that you've got the right train before getting on. Trains often change platforms, and announcements aren't made in English. Always validate your ticket in countries that require it. Most do. Otherwise, you could be stuck with a large charge. Sometimes you will get a ticket, but no seat assignment. Always request a seat when booking. If there aren't any left, you can usually find an empty seat for at least part of the ride.
Backpack vs. suitcase
If you are planning to hike or camp, go with the backpack. But if you plan to go city to city, hotel to hotel, you have options. Sometimes it's helpful to be able to put everything you own on your back _ like when you have to navigate long staircases in metro stations, for example. Many bags with wheels are also equipped with backpack straps. But remember: If you plan to carry it on your back a lot, the wheels add weight. Be sure to get a pack that evenly distributes the weight and is well-made _ it's worth the extra money. My bag broke while I was in Greece, and, with my limited knowledge of Greek, it was an aggravating process to get it fixed.
Packing
Try to avoid leaving for Europe with a full suitcase. Even if you don't plan to buy anything (trust me, you will), you don't want to travel with a full bag. You will be packing and re-packing often. You don't want to have to sit on a hard-to-close piece of luggage and pray that you can zip it shut every time you head to a new destination. You can repeat clothes in every city and no one will be the wiser. Many hotels and hostels have laundry services, or know where the closest laundry is.
Be sure to pack ...
A fold-up bag for your dirty clothes so you don't have to haul your whole pack to the laundry. Converters and outlet adaptors for electronic devices. All your chargers for electronics, such as your camera and iPod. Flip-flops, a must for hostel showers.
Money exchange
Before you go, change some dollars into euros. Call ahead to order them from a bank, which might not have them on hand. It is much easier to have euros ready to use when you arrive (especially after the long flight). You will be jet-lagged and will not want to use your brain any more than absolutely necessary. And you will avoid the hefty charges from the airport money exchanges. Check with your bank to see how much it charges to use an ATM. The cards can be a great way to get cash on the go, but can cost a lot in transaction fees.
Passports
Your passport will become your most important travel companion. If you lose everything else but still have your passport, you will be fine. Before you go, make photocopies of your passport, driver's license and credit cards. Take copies with you, keeping them separate from the originals. Leave some copies at home with someone who can fax them to you if you have a problem. The photocopies won't take the place of your passport, but they can help you get a new one more quickly.
Pickpockets
Exercise the same precautions you would in any major American city. Carry a bag that zips. Hold on to your purse by the zipper. Don't carry anything in the pouches on your backpack that are easy to get into without your knowing. Be extra careful on public transportation. Most important: Always be aware. The only people I know who had things stolen were careless and not holding onto their belongings.
Helpful resources
Train knowledge (especially to and from the UK): http://www.seat61.com/
Eurail passes: http://www.eurail.com/
Advice from travel guru Rick Steves: http://ricksteves.com/
Lonely Planet books
Especially "Europe on a Shoestring": http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
To book hostels: http://www.hostelbookers.com
For travel advisories and government cautions: http://travel.state.gov
