Europe offers many unique holiday experiences. From enjoying the glittering Eiffel Tower at night, navigating the canals of Venice, to getting lost in the narrow streets of the old city of Dubrovnik.
However, all those enjoyable adventures could turn into prolonged stress due to common mistakes often made by novice travelers visiting Europe for the first time, leading to wasted time and even draining larger funds.
Therefore, making proper considerations is a must for you as travelers, especially for those planning to travel to Europe. By making the right considerations, you can travel comfortably and capture the best moments without any particular disturbances.
Why Consider the Right Destination Before Traveling?
There are several aspects that influence your happiness while traveling, and if your choices are wrong, everything can turn into a disaster, even though you are on vacation—ironic, isn’t it? Here are some reasons why you should consider it:
Finances
Having easy access to your money, having enough funds, and having the right currency are also important considerations when visiting a new country.
A holiday in Europe certainly requires significant expenses, so it’s important to budget accordingly. Consider the costs of plane tickets, accommodation, food, transportation, and activities during the holiday. Not only that, you should also research what currency is used in your holiday destination.
If traveling to Europe, the Euro will be the safest option, but there are actually many European countries that do not use this currency. Popular European tourist destinations like Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland have their own currencies, and the Euro does not have a high value there.
Timing
The timing you choose to visit Europe will greatly impact your European trip. If possible, avoid traveling to Europe during the high season. High season means holiday season. Therefore, it is best to visit Europe during the low season to avoid crowds at some tourist destinations. So you can enjoy your vacation comfortably.
Moreover, for families with babies, vacationing during the high season is definitely very uncomfortable and challenging, especially when bringing the family along because you have to keep the children within your reach.
Language
Europe is home to more than 200 languages, and there are 24 official languages in the region. In fact, English is actually a minority language in some areas of Europe.
In certain countries like Italy and Norway, communication can be a problem for tourists because it is not always easy to find locals who speak English. It is advisable to know some basic terms that you need to know to do things like getting directions or ordering at a restaurant.
As an alternative, prepare translation apps that can be used anytime. You may be able to download Google Translate or other easy-to-use translation apps.
Tips to Get the Best Experience in Europe
Here are some tips to help you capture beautiful moments in Europe.
Spend Time Outdoors
Several famous countries in Europe are not only comfortable for strolling but Europeans themselves often enjoy spending time outdoors, such as having coffee in open-air cafes, lounging in parks while soaking up the sun (during the summer).
So, instead of just staying cooped up in a hotel room or lingering in shopping centers, venture out to enjoy the scenery while interacting with the local community.
City Cards
In an effort to make tourist activities more convenient, several cities in Europe provide special cards that tourists can utilize. By purchasing the iamsterdam City Card, The Paris Pass, Barcelona Card, Berlin Welcome Card, and city cards in other cities, you gain access to all modes of transportation (bus, metro, train), free tickets to museums/art galleries/historical buildings/other attractions, skip-the-line privileges when visiting tourist spots, discounts at various restaurants and shops, as well as free maps with lists of interesting destinations.
In case you are still not familiar with this card, City cards are like special passes you can buy when you visit certain cities in Europe. These cards make it easier and cheaper for tourists to have fun. With a city card, you get free or discounted access to buses, trains, and other transportation. You also get free entry to museums, art galleries, and cool places to visit. Plus, you can skip the long lines at popular tourist spots.
These cards also give you discounts at restaurants and shops, so you can save money while exploring. They often come with maps and lists of interesting places to see, making it simpler to plan your adventures. Overall, city cards make traveling around European cities more convenient and enjoyable for tourists.
Internet Connection
One of the most important things while traveling in Europe is a reliable internet connection. Internet connectivity greatly assists you in finding delicious food, hidden gems, favorite tourist destinations, hotels that fit your budget, and helps translate foreign languages.
If your internet connection cannot be relied upon, it will make your journey more difficult. There are many options you can use, such as buying a local SIM card or renting a modem through widely used services. Usually, renting a modem is more efficient and practical because the international modems provided by these services typically cover 140+ countries including all countries in Europe. So, there’s no need to worry about switching countries while in Europe.
Well, those were some things to consider and some tips for you if you’re planning to travel in Europe. Additionally, don’t forget to bring your own snacks from home.
You shouldn’t underestimate stomach matters. While traveling around Europe, you’ll encounter foods with different characteristics in every city/country. If you’re someone who finds it difficult to adapt to new foods, bringing your favorite snacks is a worthwhile option to consider.
Dried foods, or snacks from your hometown are essential to bring along with you in case cannot adapt easily with the food option there. Food complements like chili paste, chili sauce, ketchup, or chili flakes are also essential to bring along.
Conclusion
Europe indeed offers beauty that would be a shame to enjoy in a short time. However, the longer you spend there, the more budget you’ll need to allocate, including hotel rental costs.
Some travelers who have vacationed there recommend that 10 days is the most suitable duration to enjoy Europe with all its charms. Not too short, but also not too long.
Well, that’s it for this discussion. Don’t forget to prepare everything including itinerary, schedule, clothing, and even the smallest things before going to Europe. Make sure to create beautiful memories without disturbances with thorough preparation before traveling! Have a great vacation!