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Global Travel Planning
15 Essential Europe Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
Doug and Tracey share their top tips for first-time visitors to Europe, drawing from over 50 years of combined travel experience across the continent in various seasons, budgets, and travel styles.
• Consider timing your visit carefully – avoid Southern Europe in July/August due to extreme heat and crowds
• Choose fewer destinations and explore them more deeply, rather than rushing through multiple countries
• Look into transportation options that suit your travel style – trains offer comfortable and scenic journeys
• Book ahead for popular attractions to avoid disappointment and long queues
• Take a food tour early in your trip to learn about local customs and discover hidden gems
• Pack light but smart – consider the reality of cobblestone streets and hotels without lifts
• Prepare for local weather conditions with appropriate clothing and accessories
• Plan your money strategy with multiple cards and minimal cash in most European countries
• Stay connected with an eSIM and download WhatsApp for communication with hotels and tour guides
• Be vigilant about scams and pickpockets, especially in major tourist destinations
• Learn a few basic phrases in local languages as a sign of respect
• Research accommodation carefully, looking for your must-have amenities
• Embrace cultural differences in opening hours, dining times, and local customs
• Consider the different electrical outlets and bring appropriate adapters
Always purchase comprehensive travel insurance – if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Show notes - Episode 57
🎧 Listen to next
- Episode #6: Discovering Switzerland with Swiss travel expert Carolyn Schönafinger
- Episode #26: Discovering Authentic Norway: Scenic Routes, Local Culture, and Year-Round Adventures
- Episode #37 - Tips for first time visitors to France
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In this week's episode 57 of the Global Travel Planning Podcast, doug and I share our top 10 tips for first-time visitors to Europe practical advice based on over 50 years of travel experience. And, of course, don't miss our top tip at the very end of the podcast. Hi and welcome to the Global Travel Planning Podcast. I'm your host, tracey Collins, who, with my expert guests, will take you on a weekly journey to destinations around the globe, providing travel inspiration, itinerary ideas, practical tips and more to help you plan your next travel adventure. Hi and welcome to episode 57 of the Global Travel Planning Podcast. This week, doug and I are here to share our top 15 tips for first-time visitors to Europe. We are asked a lot about our travels and we have travelled extensively throughout Europe.
Speaker 2:We really have over many years, Over many, many years.
Speaker 1:I am in my late 50s, doug's 23. You wishes Not quite 23, but anyway. So we've spent a lot of time exploring Europe. We have travelled for short times like weekends. We've travelled for weeks at a time. I've actually lived in a couple of European countries. I lived in France and I lived in Switzerland and obviously we both lived in the UK and you spent some time in.
Speaker 2:Norway A few months in Norway, yes.
Speaker 1:So, as well as actually kind of travelling, we have actually lived in some of the countries too. I think what's also worth saying is that we've tried all methods of travel. So we've flown, we've driven, we've taken the train, which is obviously our preferred method of travel. Cable we've taken the train, which is obviously our preferred method of travel.
Speaker 2:Cable car, boats yeah, we've tried everything. I think we've got on his skateboard. Uh, yeah, no, I don't think.
Speaker 1:I think that's. I can't imagine me on a skateboard. Um yeah, so we've taken long and short trips. Like I say, obviously, when we lived in the uk a lot went through school holidays, so sometimes we go weekends. If we could, or'd go for weeks away, obviously chasing the sunshine most definitely but saying that we did also spend some time traveling over winter quite often as well.
Speaker 1:My birthday is in winter as well, so yeah, yeah, and we've kind of done it on all budgets as well. We've done it kind of trying to be on a tight budget. We've done it where we've splurged a bit more as well. Um, and also, as I say, different times of year, different events it's a different travel experience yeah, so I think there's very few countries left in Europe now that we actually haven't visited or passed through at the very least yeah, so I think we're probably I'd like to actually get the last couple like we've got, I don't think, bulgaria and Romania and or not, yeah, so there's a few that we still need
Speaker 1:to do. But so if you are planning wherever you, you are in the world. So if you're in the States, or if you're in Australia, or if you're in Singapore, or if you're in South America, or if you're in South Africa, wherever in the world and you're planning a trip to Europe, these are our top tips to you, based on multiple years of experience.
Speaker 1:Okay, so I've got 15. So I will number each one, give you what the tip is. I will number each one, give you what the tip is, and then we'll just have a short chat about that. So first thing to do is choose your time, and carefully and we say this as well about when we talk about the UK and the UK travel planning podcast as well.
Speaker 1:Think about when. Obviously you may have to do it around when you have your holidays, like spring break, or when your kids are off school or when you have your holidays. But if you can and have some flexibility, think very carefully about when you're going to visit. Obviously summer long days, that's right, yeah.
Speaker 2:And winter you've got short days. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1:But I guess the disadvantage in the summer, particularly in Southern Europe, is that it is now becoming incredibly hot, too hot for me to travel in. We were in Seville in March and they were saying that really from the end of April it would start getting incredibly hot. Now we like the heat, so it's not, but we find that it can be just so draining when you try to travel.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it can be sensible with the sun as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. Well, I remember taking my niece in to italy in august and rome and stand the palatine hill and it was 40 something degrees it was not fun, so think very carefully. So I honestly would recommend, if you can, to avoid visiting um, particularly july and august southern, southern europe, whether it's italy, greece, spain, portugal, and also that's when a lot of Europeans are on holiday as well, so it will be much busier, more crowds, whereas if you can try and go in spring and autumn, which we just did, yeah that's right.
Speaker 2:I mean, if you really have to travel during those times, I would look at maybe not going to the most well-known tourist centres.
Speaker 1:Look to sort of broaden your horizons to other towns and cities in a country.
Speaker 2:Yeah, to avoid the amount of people, that's true, to sort of broaden your horizons to you know all the towns and cities in a country.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, to avoid, like, the amount of people that are going to be there, because it is becoming a considerable problem now in europe that so many of the popular destinations for example, paris, rome you just have to think, you know they just become crazy, crazy busy um another thing I've mentioned is winter. We've just did the christmas markets and loved it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we absolutely loved it. I mean, obviously, winter, autumn, winter travel appeals to a lot of people in the first place. You know that is their preferred season to travel, so you know it's not like a second option. You know summer is the best option because it really isn't for everybody no, and I kind of say that isn't.
Speaker 1:I would say, if you can avoid it, don't go in the summer. Look at spring and autumn and if you, you know, even winter. If you want to go for the christmas market, it's perfect. Um, I would say january, february are probably the bleakest months in europe, but if you're a skier, yeah, great time to go and then you're not a big fan of crowds.
Speaker 2:Uh, you know, january, february yes, you might be a bit. You've got to be a little bit more flexible with your travel plans because it can be impacted by the weather good trains, roads, etc. And some not. Everywhere is open. Yeah, you know some places will close for those months before we open again for summer season, but those factors don't always impact everybody and it depends on what you want from your holiday.
Speaker 1:Yeah, true, but I think I guess the really good time it goes probably May and then September.
Speaker 2:Those are really good months, generally Spring and autumn are pretty good in Europe.
Speaker 1:Obviously another disadvantage, I guess sometimes at peak time, is that there can often be strikes. So air traffic control.
Speaker 2:We've found that, haven't we? Yeah?
Speaker 1:trains, bag of chandeliers, things like that. So just those are things to think about. Also, I will quickly put in there as well think about if there's going to be a major event in the country or a destination you'll go to, for example, bastille Day or Oktoberfest. Those will affect availability. So if you're planning to go, know that it's going to be potentially busier and we often get asked that when people visit London and the London Marathon is on- yeah, that's right.
Speaker 1:Or treatment of the collar, so those sort of things. So do your research. Obviously, we have got on our website first-time guides to multiple countries. So if you're planning a visit to Italy or Greece or Spain or Portugal, do check out those first-time guides as well, because that gives you a lot of the essential information. Talk to the experts. Yeah, absolutely like us. Okay. So that's point number one.
Speaker 2:Good point. That is yeah, it is yeah.
Speaker 1:Now, point number two is don't try to do it all and I think this is one that we sometimes fail, because we do try to do too much but really try to do fewer destinations and enjoy them more deeply.
Speaker 2:Well, totally understand, you know. The instinct, if you like, for all of us is you know you've got a short trip. Well, try and pack in as much as you possibly can. We've been guilty of that ourselves in the past. But, you've got to take it back a little bit and say you know, if you busted it on the first day and you're exhausted, you're not going to enjoy the second day no, that's it, and I guess I suppose for us as well, though part of the trip for us is the actual travel.
Speaker 1:So if we're doing train travel, we may do quite a lot of train um journeys in it, but for that, for us, that is part of the actual vacation the holiday, the trip the experience, the experience stations and trains.
Speaker 1:but I think and I know, there's a lot of coach tours that go around Europe and you spend one day in Paris, one day in Rome, one day in Florence, and they're very fast and you probably spend a lot of time on the coach. So again, but if that's what you want to do, and it's your first trip to Europe and you really want to go and see eight countries or whatever, then that's probably the way to do it. We're a little bit more on the slower travel.
Speaker 1:Yeah, um, we just spent, uh what six weeks in in france and spain and portugal, yeah, and then we went over to turkey and that was nice, that was gave us plenty of time to really kind of but what we do is, if we got one particular busy day, whether it's something we've organized ourself or we've been on a tour- we generally try and make the following day a little bit slower, yeah, so not only your overall itinerary when you're thinking about how many destinations you want to go to, but when you're actually planning, your itinerary is how much you want to do.
Speaker 1:So, for example, you're in London for four days and you want to do some day trips out. Perhaps you want to do some day trips out, but perhaps you want to go to windsor, you want to go to bath, you want to go to stonehenge um, you could end up using all of those days going out on tours. Or maybe your best bet is to think, okay, what do I want to do in london? And then maybe having one or two day tours out and not trying to do too much again, so that you're not spending the whole day on a coach. Um, unless you take a private tour, then obviously you can cater that to yourself but yeah, not just the uk, in europe as well.
Speaker 2:If you've got a specific interest in a certain area on the tour, might not spend enough time in that one place, but if that's your, you know you've got a short length of time. You want to whistle stop several places, a tour is perfect for you yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Well, we've just, we've just done a couple of tours. We'd actually did a tour of morocco okay, not europe, but again, that gave us a taste of morocco and we know what we'd like to it's the first time to that country, so yeah it's a great introduction so they could do that.
Speaker 1:but if you are planning independently again um sort of think carefully about. We often will get requests where people would like they've got three weeks that they're going to spend in the UK. They want to go to England, scotland, wales, northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. Well, in three weeks you're not going to do that. I mean, well, you could. You could basically spend a couple of days in each country, but it'd be crazy, so it's just too much. So you have to kind of think very carefully about you know what is important for you and just don't do it all, because you'll be tired and then you won't appreciate it. Now the number three point is to consider how you'll get around. So we prefer trains.
Speaker 1:Most definitely prefer trains Because it's just a wonderful part of the journey, great way to get around more environmentally friendly. To do that, there are buses and budget flights that you can take in across Europe as well. I mean, we took we've taken plenty of flights this this last trip over with some of them the more the budget-friendly airlines. But if you're going to do a lot of train travel, for example, research the different rail passes, but do also compare how much it'll cost to go point to point. But some of the the rail passes in europe are excellent.
Speaker 2:They really are. Yes, you've got to shop around and also consider what that is, how much you're carrying around with you as well, because you might, it's our budget airlines. Yes, the price of the ticket is budget, but if you're taking more luggage, those costs can boost up, and so the same with some of the the bus transfers to coach companies. You know there is a luggage policy, yeah, and so you know you, you've got to do your homework. Yeah, it's one of those. Don't just go, that's cheap, I'll book it. And then, yeah, because actually it can add up. We did take coach.
Speaker 1:We took a coach from seville to lisbon we did um, so taking some coach journeys this last trip as well. I will just mention, because there's a lot about just taking carry-on only. Now it depends which country you're coming from. So if you're coming from Australia, we have a very strict allowance for carry-on. But I know other countries like the United States have a very generous carry-on allowance you will find in Europe. It is not generous, it is strict, and they are strict. It's seven kilograms and they have a specific size of bag. So I'd be very, very careful, I'd really think about this If you're going to be traveling around Europe for a month, if you can really genuinely do that with carry-on only at 7 kilograms, because honestly, I definitely can't that would be a challenge.
Speaker 1:So you have to really think about that. So we'll talk about packing in a bit, but I do get a bit frustrated by this constant kind of obsession and push towards carry-ons. Only Great if you can do it, great if you are flying from the States and back again and you can have a generous allowance, but if you're gonna be taking any of those budget flights, in Europe you're gonna find that much stricter and not just airlines as well.
Speaker 2:If you're using, even on trains, only carry what you can safely lift on and off trains and on above luggage racks and everything else. Um, yes, you might be able to get on the airline, but you've got to consider coach travel as well yeah, and train travel is.
Speaker 1:It's very, it's actually vital. And I know, when I took my niece niece for her 21st birthday around Italy, I was very strict with her about her baggage that she could pick her small suitcase up and actually put it on above her head so that she could A watch, keep an eye on the trains, because there's issues with luggage going missing. But also that she was responsible for it. And, believe me, we've got podcasts, we've done previous podcasts about this. But there's nothing where you just start off on your trip and you think, okay, I've got 23 kilograms, it'll be absolutely fine, you will buy things as you go along, yeah for sure.
Speaker 1:And then, believe me, 23 kilograms is not fun. It is not fun to start trailing around trying to lift them on trains or even trying on some of the planes. It was just a nightmare. So I know, because we've just come back after nine months and we obviously had more luggage and it makes life so much more stressful and so much more difficult. So really think about that. So when we're talking about getting around, we're talking about trains, we're talking about coaches, we're talking about planes, but I want to talk about driving. So I'm not a massive fan of driving on the right-hand side because it's just something I find really difficult, really stressful. So I tend to leave that to Doug if we're travelling in France or any other European.
Speaker 2:Or anywhere else that matter.
Speaker 1:Yeah, right, but any other European country? Now, if you think about it, there's a few things to consider. If you're planning to drive in Italy, or planning to drive in France or the UK, so UK is going to be an opposite side of the road than you're used to. If you're coming from the United States or from Canada, for example, australia much easier because we drive on the left in Australia, but there are still differences in local driving laws.
Speaker 2:yeah, so, yeah, this is tip number four, driving. But you've got to know the rules and it's worth doing that little bit of homework before you leave, because driving conditions are different in every country. You may be used to driving two, three, four plus hours. Uh, for example, if you're driving in the uk, that's a lot of different driving experience to what it may be in australia.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. And we say that a lot actually because we know, because we spend a lot of time in Australia and we will do a 10-hour driving day and not really think much of it, because we'll share that driving In the UK Not straight off Do take breaks?
Speaker 1:Yeah, we do take breaks. We'll share two hours each, but in the UK it's so much more stressful, it's difficult. You've got so much more to contend with and also, you know, if you're not used to roundabouts, for example, that's that can be stressful. So we recommend whichever country you're planning to drive in in europe so, whether that's the uk, whether that's republic of ireland, whether that is italy, so you know you're used to driving on the right hand side potentially. Um, there are fantastic resources that we recommend and that is tripiamo. I will put a link to tripiamo in the show notes. Please use our affiliate link, because that helps support us. Um, we've actually had john from tripiamo on the podcast on a couple of occasions and I will also link to those episodes. Their resources are excellent and will prepare you to drive in France, in Italy, in Spain, in the Republic of Ireland, in the United Kingdom, and we've had some fantastic reviews back. So, honestly, they're not expensive but to us they're absolutely invaluable.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean we've looked to hire cars in places in different countries because, as much as we love trains, they don't go absolutely everywhere. That's true.
Speaker 1:It gives you more freedom when you've got a car.
Speaker 2:Most definitely.
Speaker 1:One little tip. I will say that if you are planning to hire a car, this is really important actually is that some countries, for example the UK, you'll find less automatics. There's far more manuals. So if you're used to stick shift, you need to. If you're not used to stick shift, I should say then you really need to stress that you want an automatic air, and it will cost you more, and there are less of them. So just be aware that you will need to book.
Speaker 2:Particularly for someone on travel when there's greater demand for high cars.
Speaker 1:But also I mean you can do a mix because, honestly, trains are a great way to get around. But if you want to say, I was in Puglia in November In.
Speaker 2:Italy.
Speaker 1:In Italy. Yes, and I met up with Shelley. So you know, ladies who travel, we do those podcasts every month and Shelley drove. So that was great. She had a hire car and she drove around, so it meant that we could go to a lot of places we would not have been able to go to by train because there's no trains there to cover it, except for the major cities.
Speaker 1:Right Number five prioritize what matters to you. So when you're creating your itinerary around your interests, consider what those are. So is it? Oh, do you like castles? Are you interested in food? Do you want to go to beaches? And we say that we have an itinerary planning challenge, actually on the UK website UK travel planning website and and that's one of the things we'll say what are your, what are your interests, and then what are your must do's around those interests and what do you like to do's, and then you can develop your itinerary around that yeah, and that becomes more important when the larger the travel group you know there's one or two people or solo travel it's easier to contend with if you know you push for time, unlimited holiday time.
Speaker 2:But the greater the party the more difficult is to cater for everybody in, you know, in that group but that's also, I think, one.
Speaker 1:What you can do is then you have different on certain days. Part of the party can go off and do their thing and the other party can go and do another thing. For example, I met um susan hi susan last uh november in london with the kids and we went to art museum um, but the rest of the family went on a on a pub tour. So you know you can do that and actually when we travel, this is an issue because you love you've got train museums I can't go through york without going to the train.
Speaker 2:You go. Any train museums. Wherever we go, there's a if there's a train museum.
Speaker 1:You have to go. I do, but I don't particularly have a cute. I'll go and have a quick look, but I don't. I'm not. You know I'm not as interested you, but I like to go to see art, so I might go to an art museum.
Speaker 2:That you're not interested in, exactly.
Speaker 1:I think as well, if you've got children traveling with kids, it's worth asking them what they want to do. Yeah, and then I think that's a great way to start. And also it's about prioritizing what matters to you. Just because somewhere he's famous and kind of considered a must-do doesn't make it necessarily a must-do for you.
Speaker 2:That's right.
Speaker 1:You know I I mean this isn't in europe again, but we've just been to sri lanka and doug climbed sigiriya and I. I went, had a look at it, but there's no way I was climbing it, um, and I know that's one of those things behind you should climb I like the challenge, yeah, um you know, and so also I was aware of my limitations. It was very hot, but you know you, you don't have to try and fit in everything that you know, tick everything off.
Speaker 2:That's right. And in Madrid I went out to the Bernabeu Real Madrid football ground. You had no interest at all in football.
Speaker 1:No, no, not at all. Number six again, is right book ahead for popular attractions. Really, we can't stress this enough because if you are going in a popular, busy, high peak season time of year, you are going to struggle to get into some of those and you will be disappointed.
Speaker 1:So popular attractions like Colosseum, eiffel Tower, sagrada Familia. They get busy so you need to consider about booking ahead so that you have your slot. You have your tour. Again, another thing that I will say is do you want to spend your trip standing in a great big line? You don't want to queue up for four hours to go to Westminster? Because I don't. I would rather have my skip the line ticket, go straight in, do my tour.
Speaker 2:So I love tours that also have skip the line, because to me, it's worth that money because know you spend a lot to go on a trip. Do you really want to stand in the line? Yeah, and if you're booking well in advance and it's sometimes too soon before tickets are released is do your research and know when those tickets are going to be on sale yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1:We do actually have a guide for london for particularly, say, you know when we'd recommend that you book some things, and I know in our articles as well that, writing for different destinations Europe, we will point out when the best time is to consider booking some of these places.
Speaker 2:So the next one is a try, a food tour. This is one area we particularly enjoy, don't we?
Speaker 1:yeah. So point seven yeah, take a food tour, and take a food tour early in your trip. This is a great way to learn great local customs, discover hidden gems and sample some authentic foods. Now we look for small group options and we love devour tours. So we take devour tours, food tours, wherever we've been in. How many places have I had? Taken a food tour with them now.
Speaker 2:So many.
Speaker 1:Paris, seville, madrid, london, barcelona, have I had taken a food tour with them. Now, so many paris, seville, madrid, london, barcelona, um, and and we took the food to last gen, berlin, um, and you know, and if you do it early on in your tour as well, like italy, I've taken some paris, oh my god, there's so many, um, if, if you do it early in your tour, you will find the guide will kind of not only make some recommendations about where to eat, which is great, and dishes you've not heard of.
Speaker 1:Yeah, or not, even when you think about trying. It's a fantastic way and actually we've met so many people on these food tours who have said exactly the same thing. They land in a new place or they arrive and the first thing they do is they do a walk-in tour they do a food tour there they do a walking tour, they do a food tour.
Speaker 1:There was a lad from Japan when we were in Barcelona, yeah, and he said just the same thing yeah, and I mean, your food tour is a walking tour as well, so you get to see a lot of the place and learn the history, because a lot of food tours aren't just about the food, they're also about the culture. So you'll learn about the culture, you'll learn about the food history and history and don't be put off if you've got food allergies or preferences, because usually they do ask you.
Speaker 2:They do ask you at the start of the tour.
Speaker 1:You introduce yourself and they'll ask that question, or when you fill that in, when you actually book it. Anyway they'll ask you what if you've got anything? So they will organize that. So don't be put off. And also, doug doesn't drink, but it's not had an impact on you, has it?
Speaker 2:Not at all. Again, always ask at the start of the tour does everybody drink alcohol? Does anybody not drink alcohol?
Speaker 1:And I'm never the only one, and no, I've never won, so you don't feel like you miss out.
Speaker 2:No, not at all. In fact, probably the opposite, because at times you become more of a focal point and they'll say to you you know, do you want to try a local soft drink?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And you go yeah, okay, I'll try that.
Speaker 1:And whenever they're doing the cheers, I'm holding up a glass of coke and well, that suits me, because it'd be wine to us without having to if we're doing driving and the plus side is as well.
Speaker 2:When it's a food and drink to like the one we did in paris, the food is absolutely exceptional. You know that's worth going on alone absolutely so.
Speaker 1:I would highly recommend, uh, food tours with devour. We've done a lot with devour. I will put a link to devour food tours in the show notes, so do go check them out. And again, we do mention the tours that we've taken in the different various destination articles. Um, no, no worry. Kind of going back again to the packing thing pack light but pack smart. So you really you've got to be thinking about, like, if you're going to Venice, do you want to be trying to get across to your hotel with a massive, great big suitcase? No, you don't. And we've seen this. I have seen, I don't know some people sit now suitcases that are bigger than them trying to get on a Vaparoto in in Venice, not for all, over cobbled streets. Also, a lot of some of the hotels don't have lifts. So do you want to be carrying, you know, your luggage up to the fifth floor, third floor, whatever? Um, and some of these you know, small, uh, small little hotels or b&b's in some of the european cities.
Speaker 2:I would not want to do that at all I've already mentioned about big luggage on trains.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, so just pack smart. No, um, packing cubes, really compression packing cubes. I've been a bit of a game changer. It's amazing how much it can fit in.
Speaker 1:Again, it's you've got to consider weight allowances, but you know, think about a capsule wardrobe. Think about what you want to take. So I always have a pair of sandals and a pair of comfortable trainers. Um, I try to mix and match what I take. So I always have a pair of sandals and a pair of comfortable trainers. Um, I try to mix and match what I take. So I think very much of having plain colors. I've got a very I've got a lot of bright colored, plain tops that will go with everything.
Speaker 1:Again, with trousers, I like crop trousers in winter. I've got more, um, I wear thermal tights and sort of black leggings and they work really well. It's just considering exactly how you're going to pack and and you know what you're going to take. So I want to talk about this. Actually, I did an episode recently with Melissa and Shelley all about packing, and Shelley actually has done a video of her packing her suitcase well, which I will share in the show notes and worth having a look at, because she travels all the time for solo traveler um all over the world and she has got it down pat. She really has um.
Speaker 2:So I think that's really essential to to listen to yeah, I mean the correlation between the weight of your luggage and the season you're traveling. Yes, it is obvious. But also all add on to that is if you're traveling to one or two countries, you know you don't always need to be taking lots of bottle things with you. I mean, obviously ladies have different things to the men that carry, but buy stuff in the country you're visiting. You don't have to be taking big bottles of things.
Speaker 1:No, absolutely I don't tend to. I've got maybe to take a little bit of shampoo with me. I don't know what purple shampoo from blonde hair, but, um, you know it depends. But I think um think very carefully about what you're taking with you. And, as I say, we've got video. I have got a video of my packing, I've got a video of shelly's packing. So have a look at those videos as well and have a listen to that podcast and light layers.
Speaker 2:Yeah, layers are the, layers are always the absolute key, um.
Speaker 1:So number nine is prepare for the weather. So again, be um, check, check the week before you go, especially if you go to some countries where uk particularly because where the weather can change on a dime so it can. It's so unpredictable so you do need to check now. Oh, I always have a light rain jacket with me all the time. It's a little one that packs up, very small. I carry that with me, literally. That goes wherever I go. That goes with me. If you go to somewhere like Southern Europe, it can get incredibly hot.
Speaker 2:Incredibly hot yeah.
Speaker 1:So you need to think again about you know, hat sunglasses, sun cream. You know, prepare for….
Speaker 2:A water bottle as well. Yeah, get yourself a water bottle, so prepare exactly with what the expectations are of what the weather's going to be.
Speaker 1:And again, flip side, winter takes some hand warmers yeah, oh, they're a game changer, they have been an absolute game changer for us, because, I mean, we were in Sweden, we were in Poland, we were in Finland over winter. It was cold, a lot of snow and hand warmers my goodness, they are brilliant. So we always take hand warmers.
Speaker 2:We do indeed.
Speaker 1:So that's a good one, but do the research the week before and you might have to adjust your packing. Number 10, plan your money strategy Now. So this is an interesting one, because we get asked this all the time cash versus cards Now. So this is an interesting one, because we get asked this all the time cash versus cards Now. How much cash have we used in Europe recently? In? Europe yeah that's what we're talking about. Europe Very little.
Speaker 2:Very little, very little, very little yeah.
Speaker 1:The only places we've recently used cash have been in Morocco and Sri Lanka really those two destinations. That's it. Most of the other places we have used cards. We use contactless. That's how we're paid for most things.
Speaker 2:When you're visiting multiple countries, it's difficult to take cash for every country.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it is I mean we do use a multi-currency card which we use, which has got currency in multiple destinations. We use that. We can withdraw cash from that. We find that if we do need it then we take it out separate cards.
Speaker 2:We've got different accounts.
Speaker 1:Yes, so one thing what we'll will do is we've got separate account is that we'll keep less on his card and he will use his card to withdraw cash, just in case um there's any issue, so that my card does not isn't get, isn't used in atm at all yeah, we also carry with us at least two credit cards um each, so that's a backup strategy as well.
Speaker 1:Um, as I say, cash, no, not so much. I know a lot of people like cash. So if you're planning, obviously, tips, then you know, withdraw some cash, withdraw it once you get into the various, the country that you're going to. And also I will say please be aware of what currency the country you're going to in europe uses, because not every country in europe uses the euro, correct? Yeah, um, and so you really need to know what the currency is. So, for example, sweden doesn't use a euro, poland doesn't use a euro, hungary Can't remember.
Speaker 1:Doesn't use Euro. So a number of countries France, yes, euro. Italy, yes, euro. Greece Euro. Portugal Euro, spain Euro. However, uk, not. We have a pound, so you need to be aware of which countries have what. And then, if you want to have a little bit of cash, just withdraw that from an ATM. That's the best way to do it, that's what we always recommend, that's what we do, so that's what we the best way to do it, that's what we always recommend. That's wrong. That's what we do, so that's what we recommend with travel water. So that's what we do. Um, number 11 stay connected with uh, uh, sim or e-sim. Now, I would say more than e7 these days. Yeah, I'd say so. Um, we have, we both have e-sims.
Speaker 1:We do um, I've got a few e-sims on my phone. You just have to make sure that your phone is unlocked. We use Auralo. I'm going to try a few other different eSIMs, just for a bit of variety, because I have heard other people using different ones. We have had no problem with Auralo. I've got an Asia SIM, I've got a Europe SIM, I've got a UK SIM. I've got a few different eSIMs on my phone and they're pretty easy to set up?
Speaker 2:Yeah, how many countries have you used them?
Speaker 1:Oh, I think we've just been to 17 countries and had no problems actually connecting, I think the only place we did have problem, and again it wasn't.
Speaker 1:Europe was in Sri Lanka, where it wasn't so great the reception, but in Europe it's generally pretty good. Obviously, you're going to need it for all your apps and your different tools and staying connected. I will just mention, in Europe as well, that a lot of tour companies, a lot of hotels, will use WhatsApp, true, so make sure you've got WhatsApp on your phone. I think that's because that we've used for a lot.
Speaker 2:Yeah for hotel notifications. What time you're expected to arrive?
Speaker 1:all that sort of thing. Yeah for hotel notifications. What?
Speaker 2:time you expect to arrive, all that sort of thing. Yeah, you can use that for tour guides or for access codes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, or tours, when we've met up with tour guides and things like that. So that is useful to have Number 12. Watch out for scams and pickpockets. I hate to include it, but we have to.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, it's a part of the modern world, unfortunately, and it's not one country specific we're going to focus on, because unfortunately you get them everywhere.
Speaker 1:Yeah, all the major cities in Europe, I would say, is an issue. London is becoming more challenging now when it comes to phones in snatch, so be very careful. You know there are places like Paris. There's Barcelona, rome are well known for pickpockets.
Speaker 2:Organized.
Speaker 1:Very organized. So you have to be very, very careful, and I know some people, when I talk about this, put their eyes to heaven, go whatever, and then usually people tell me that oh no, we've heard these horror stories and we'll be fine.
Speaker 2:But actually and I think what it is is, once you're on holiday, you sort of take your foot off the gas a little bit and you're very conscious in your everyday life, but all of a sudden, when you're traveling, you sort of relax a bit, I don't know, and take your eye off the game a little.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. So what do I do? I use a crossbody bag, always use a crossbody bag. We always keep our valuables and leave them in the safe at the hotel. We don't go out with them. I know some countries you've got to have your passport with you, but you can take a photocopy with you. Be careful of people asking for signatures or trying to distract you. Look for scams like the on westminster bridge at the minute with the the three ball scam.
Speaker 1:I don't know the cups that they do, it's all. While you're watching, there's people going around probably trying to pickpocket, you know, but it's, it's all a scam it is.
Speaker 2:Be careful, particularly big train stations where you're watching departure boards and you're trying to find your way around. A little tip we always give to people when we do itinerary consults is if there's two of you travel, one of you only look for information, the one kick your eye on all your belongings.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely oh. And another scam that I've heard of recently as well is that if you're sitting on your own with your luggage, there may be some sort of altercation.
Speaker 2:Organised.
Speaker 1:And basically somebody might get pushed over and fall to the floor and then the other people run off and leave them. If you go to help them and leave your luggage, you'll come back and your luggage will be gone. Yeah, they'll be distracted.
Speaker 1:help them, leave your luggage you'll come back and your luggage will be gone. Yeah, so don't. Those are distractions, um, and that they're out to to take your stuff, and I hate to say it, but you've got to be careful. Um, I have had an attempted pickpocket attempt in paris with my backpack. I had my cross body bag, everything in it, so it wasn't wasn't a problem. I was surrounded on the Paris.
Speaker 2:Metro. We got separated, didn't we? Yeah?
Speaker 1:so I could not move while the gang went through my backpack. Now it was a pickpocket-proof backpack, but I hadn't secured it because it just had my clothes in it. It still went through it and I could not move. So I really would just be. I don't want to scare you, absolutely not, but I just would be, just pay some attention.
Speaker 2:Be savvy.
Speaker 1:Be savvy with stuff like that. I have also just released a UK Travel Panel podcast all about staying safe in London, so do check that out and I'll put that in the show notes.
Speaker 2:Particularly, if you know best to watch, let's say, teenagers with things in their back pockets. But it's not just teenagers.
Speaker 1:No, oh yeah, we've seen this so often. That's a good one to mention, actually, because quite often you know if your teenager might be used to putting his wallet or his mobile phone in his back pocket, that will get stolen. Go on the Paris metro and you're going to get offered. You won't have that phone in your back pocket, so be careful, be aware. Number 13, learn a few local phrases.
Speaker 2:This is a nice one.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so try and learn some basic greetings, please. Thank you, and your local language honestly, can go a long way and obviously just respectful. Really, I have to say you are really good at this.
Speaker 2:Melissa's excellent at this. I'm very good when I'm there because I have little aptitude for languages. After I've left the country, I seem to forget most it you do, but I think it's a.
Speaker 1:We'll remember it before you go back. Yeah, just need to practice it if you've got those words. And again are, we've got a little tip sheets with each of our destination guides on the tip sheet. We've got some words to it.
Speaker 2:I think you did right. It goes a long way with your shots and just please thank you it is nice. It is nice that people see you make an effort.
Speaker 1:I don't assume everybody speaks English. Even in Europe, where you might think, oh well, everybody speaks English. Well, no, there's obviously multiple languages. But I remember years ago when I was in Switzerland meeting another I was an au pair at the time meeting another au pair and she was Swiss German and she didn't speak English. So I didn't speak Swiss German, but I spoke French. We both spoke French, so we conversed in French. So sometimes having the ability to have a few phrases, it's just great. And also I would recommend as well the Google Translator.
Speaker 2:Oh my goodness, that is amazing, that is amazing.
Speaker 1:I love the visual thing where you can put it on and it will tell you what it is. We've used that so much. But yeah, just so, just learning a few local phrases and you know a great way to do this is to watch some tv series or films on netflix and have some of it in the language.
Speaker 2:Just obviously this is past the basics, but if you want to do a bit of practice, that's great to do it, this language podcast I did, for I visited wales, believe it or not.
Speaker 1:Um, I wanted to learn a few. Visited Wales, believe it or not.
Speaker 2:I wanted to learn a few words and, believe it or not, the Welsh is one of the few I do actually remember yeah, all right, come on then so Boradar Nostal Dielch well, there you go.
Speaker 1:They're Welsh there. Yeah, right, number 14, right. Consider when you're booking local accommodation. So understand the different types of local accommodation in the place that you're going to. For example, we have bed and breakfast in the uk which are great, um, so there are different types. Obviously, you've got your hotels, your boutique hotels, your airbnbs, and in europe there are different types of accommodation that you can book. So just check, check before you book. If there are certain things that is important to you for example, if you want a lift, elevator, you want air-conditioned, you want a 24 hour reception you can filter. We booked through bookingcom. You can filter so that you can get stuff that will.
Speaker 2:So you can say these are the essentials yeah, and also important when you do your research, accommodation is if you need it close by to transport links as well. Yes, yes. And how you're going to get to and from, particularly if you've got an early start for tours or leaving or airports is to know how you're going to get there. So, yes, choose your accommodation. For everything you've just said but, also if you need a shop nearby, if you need transport nearby.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's true, and also before I book I also check. I usually book with free cancellation. That's important to us. It is cost you slightly more, but it's just peace of mind.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and meals as well. Do you need meals included?
Speaker 1:Oh, okay, yeah, breakfast, yeah, that sort of thing. So you can filter by that. And also, I always check reviews before I book anything. I don't book anything that's got less than an eight on Bookingcom because that's who we've been using for years. So that's what I do. But just if you know, if some things are important to you, like you know having a lift or you know air conditioning, if you're going to be in Rome in August, I don't think I want to stay somewhere that didn't have air conditioning.
Speaker 2:I mean, we've come across things like it's important that the bathroom is on the same level. There's no steps from the bedroom up or down. We've come across that before haven't we?
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, we stayed in a hotel house where we had to climb up the steps, didn't?
Speaker 2:we yeah, and that's it If that's very important to you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, then check all of. So just understand the accommodation that you're booking and what it has and what it doesn't have. Now, number 15 is embrace the differences, because it is going to be different. You know we're British, but you go to France, you go to Germany, they're all different. They're all very different cultures with very different traditions, with very different expectations. For example, when shops close or, um, when dinner might start, for example, dinner, I mean. When I was in greece a couple years ago, I couldn't get over the fact that they're waiting at 10 pm at night. That was crazy late for me. That was crazy late, um, but you just have to adjust to it, because that's what in the uk, the obsession with sunday lunch.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I'll find that in other countries, yeah exactly, um, some places you might go to, well, there'll be nothing open on a sunday. Everything will be shut. Yeah, um, and I know actually quite a lot of australians have said to us they find it really difficult with just the fact that they go to places like london or any of it and things don't start till 10 in the morning, so nothing's open it. So, because in australia things are quite early, there's an expectation if you get up at, you know, 8 or 7.30, you're going to go and everything. No, it's not opening.
Speaker 2:But the flip side is, you know, here things close early. Yes, yes. End of the day.
Speaker 1:So it's just having that awareness that things are going to be different and there'll be some things that will be frustrating and you go.
Speaker 2:Oh my Well a lot of us are set in our ways and you know, sometimes you go on holiday or vacation and you think, well, I'm going to do all this, I'm going to do all that, and then there's little things. You think I like that little bit of consistency, like I am with my meal times. I'm a bit more set in my ways and you're always pushing me away from my comfort zone.
Speaker 1:I think that's important. I think that particularly you know, if you're listening to this podcast now and this will be your first trip to europe and you're gonna, wherever you're gonna go in europe, it's going to be different. They're going to be so much and we get so much about washcloth, so much about air, so much about what are the other things that come our top sheets. There's so many differences. We actually have a whole thing on differences between like us versus uk on the uk website. We've done a podcast on that. There are going to be some things that will be so different and so alien. Some things you'll love saying, some things you won't.
Speaker 1:Well, I just say, embrace it try and smile with it yes, just lean into it and the different you know and you'll come away and go, wow, and that's the whole point is, don't be troubled to find out why I? Travel around, how other people live in the world. I want to know, because everybody doesn't live the same way that we do and have the same experiences, Mostly like food for me.
Speaker 2:I like different things Well you like food.
Speaker 1:I like people on the thing. For me, I just want to know how people I've always wanted to know how people live their lives around the world and you know, it's amazing just how different we're all living on the same planet, different your lives can be. And the amazing thing about Europe is it doesn't take you very long to go from one country to another country to another country, and they're all different, yeah, language, food, culture, everything. So you know, just just enjoy it. So I think I think that's it.
Speaker 2:We've given you 15 there's one thing we've not covered and I'm just going to say just be aware of your electrical devices, the different plugs, sockets, just do your research as to what country has what time yeah, that's good, that's.
Speaker 1:And yeah, for when you're packing, you need to make sure, and so we've got a multi-adapter that we can reuse. Yes, um, but I was going to end, because we always end with the one, the one tip that you give anybody planning a trip to europe for the first time and I'm not going to say so, we've talked about 15 and you've kind of thrown in yours. My one is to make sure you have travel insurance. Please, please, please, make sure that you have comprehensive travel insurance, whoever you go with, because you just, you just never know what is around the corner, expect the unexpected yeah, exactly so it's something that we do stress.
Speaker 1:Please, please, please. I never travel anywhere. We don't travel anywhere without travel insurance. So make sure you know we say if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel because you just don't know what's wrong.
Speaker 1:Harsh, but true it is harsh, but true, and it's something that we talked about I know Melissa Shelley and myself have talked about. I know melissa shelly and myself have talked about that as well. So we will stress please, please, please, make sure that you have and it's not just about cancellations, it's not just about your cancellation, your flight, cancellation of your tour or your hotel. It's about making sure that, if something happens to you medically, that you are covered and you can get home and you can get home. So we'll say that um really important to make sure that you have got that cover, whoever you go with. Anyway, I think that's it for this episode.
Speaker 2:I think so.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so that's episode I've forgotten. Now it's episode 57 of the Global Travel Plan. You can find the show notes at globaltravelplancom. Forward slash episode 57. Leave us a message on SpeakPipe. We are loving these messages that you are leaving us. Leave us a message on speakpipe. We are loving these messages that you are leaving us. Leave us a message on speakpipe if you've got any tip that you think that we've missed out or anything that um you have found particularly useful or resonates with you in this episode or any other episode that we have um, because we love to hear from you, um, and also go over and join our global travel planning um facebook group. Please come and say hello, hello and um and join, and we'll look forward to seeing you there and helping you plan um and chatting about your travels around europe and around the globe.
Speaker 1:Most definitely yes, okay well, that leaves me to say until next week from myself and dog happy global travel.
Speaker 2:There you go.
Speaker 1:Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Global Travel Planning Podcast. For more details and links to everything we discussed today, check out the show notes at globaltravelplanningcom. Remember if you enjoyed the show, please consider leaving us a review on your favorite podcast app, because your feedback helps us reach more travel enthusiasts, just like you. Anyway, that leaves me to say, as always happy global travel planning.