What to expect when traveling to Europe

Hey guys! I've been wanting to do a travel blog for a few days now and am finally getting around to it! I went to Europe last year, in May 2018, and went on a Cosmos tour with my mom.  It was a dream. We went to France, Luxembourg, Germany, a town in Austria, Switzerland, and part of Italy. When I was 11 years old I also went on a different tour with my parents throughout Italy and Sicily. Some people prefer going on their own in Europe and not having a set schedule, but for us it was perfect. I'll go more into what our tour was like, if you're deciding on whether you should take a guided tour throughout Europe on a different blog post.
Anyways, if you live in the United States and it's your first time there is a LOT to know about traveling to Europe, what to expect, what to bring, and more. Here are some of my tips on how you can be prepared. And if you're debating on going to Europe... oh my gosh, freaking DO IT. Seriously. You become so much more open to different cultures, history and really it's life-changing and that's the only way I can explain it.


(FYI: the picture at the top was taken in Lucerne, Switzerland. This was honestly my favorite city we visited on this trip and I may do an entire blog post on why to visit)

• Europe uses different outlets. Buy a compatible power adapter! And converter if needed! This one is very important and I literally did not remember at all from the last time I went. Did I even have a phone when I was eleven? I don't think so. But yes, look into this! The plugs are totally different and your charger won't fit into them. The volts are also different in Europe. In America, devices are designed for 110/120V and many other countries are 220/240V. Beware that your hair straighter or curler may not work so be sure you also have a converter (it literally converts the voltage). Most hair appliances, since they use heat, won't work with just an adapter, you also have to have a converter. If you don't and you plug in your straighter or curler, it can get fried! My mom had a really old adapter that didn't work with my straighter, so I had to buy one in France for cheap, only 5 euros.. it worked great for my phone but when I plugged my straighter into it, it started to shut off/on so I freaked out and unplugged it. I ended up just blow drying my hair instead, oh well. I've linked this picture down here to an adapter/converter that should work with hair appliances as well as your phone!

• Be aware of pick-pocketers. This does happen so do not, I repeat, do not for the love of God leave your cell phone or money in your back pockets, lol. Also, don't wear a backpack. It may seem convenient but think of how easy it would be for someone in back of your to just unzip a pocket, especially in a crowded area. This is mainly for major cities though, so like Paris and Rome. I never had anything happen to me, I kept my over-the-shoulder purse with the opening on the inside of my body. Also, refrain from bringing large purses.

• Exchange a certain amount of money for Euros before leaving for your trip. I did this at my bank weeks prior. Be mindful that it can take a week or two. So I would do this a month before your trip. Also, not all European countries use Euros.. for example; the Swiss use francs and the UK use pounds. Of course, if you don't exchange money beforehand there are plenty of ATMs that will except your credit card. I just don't like doing this because I like to budget, so I try not to spend more than the amount of cash I bring. I think I took out $550. I did use my card a few times near the end, but barely. (You also don't want leftover euros when the trip is over so don't bring too much cash)

• There are plently of ATMs in Europe that can exchange your dollars for euros. Like mentioned in the above point, there are plently of ATMs in Europe and they accept almost every type of card. Look for places that don't charge a commission/fee.

• Dollars and euros are valued differently. Right now 1 euro equals 1.12 dollars. 

• Don't forget to check the expiration date on your passport! Definitely important. It can take weeks for you to get a new passport so check months before your trip to be safe. Estimated time for a passport to get processed is 6-8 weeks!

• Don't carry a large amount of money on you at one time. You never know what can happen. I didn't keep more than 60 bucks on me at a time really, depending on how much dinner out may cost. I kept the rest of my cash in our hotel room in a safe (if they had one). 

• Most people in Europe speak English. But definitely brush up on the country's language that you'll be visiting. Most Europeans are friendly, so be courteous and at least brush up a month or so before leaving on your trip on the language(s) of the country you'll be visiting. I honestly just think it's so ignorant to go to a different country and not know squat about their language. I've been in a restaurant and have heard Americans rudely get annoyed at a waiter because he couldn't understand what they were saying. Like, really? I jotted down some simple phrases for each country I was in so I know beforehand. Maybe even carry around a pocket-sized book! Nothing wrong with that. This Rick Steves one is awesome. Highly recommend. 

• Be conscious of gratuity at restaurants. Sometimes in Europe, the gratuity or tip at a restaurant is already added to your bill, but not always so be mindful and double check. If it's added, an extra tip is optional. If you're not sure, you can always ask. Also, depending on what country you're in, it can be different. Some countries, tips aren't expected at all. While in America, you should leave a 20% tip, in Europe, servers are payed well so it's usually a 5%-10% tip. (Side note: We had the most AWESOME waiter in France, whose name was also Sam, who actually wanted to take a selfie with us. I kept it of course. Actually, let me just leave it right here, lmao. I was only in France for two days and everyone always says how French people are rude, I honestly have no idea what they mean by that. Everyone was so nice! Especially this guy, haha)
  

• Ordering water at a restaurant isn't always free. This may seem like a shock to most, but it's true. But at least you're not getting gross tap water. So if you're not sure, and you're really thirsty and you keep pounding glasses of water, just ask. Most likely if they bring you water in a fancy jug, it costs money. Also, sometimes bread isn't free either.

• You may have to pay to use a bathroom. Before leaving your hotel or hostel, definitely be sure to use the bathroom. Most stores and restaurants do not want you using their bathrooms unless you are buying something from them. There are some public restrooms so try to keep an eye out for them.

• Get international data on your phone. This is a must of course, if you want to use your phone. Set this up weeks prior; your phone service can automatically set it up so it starts on your first day in Europe. 

• The sun doesn't go down until really late! I must have totally forgotten this the first time I was in Europe, but our first night there, which was in Paris, the sun did not go down until 10:00pm (Or somewhere around that time)! It was insane to me, haha. I mean here, it gets dark by 8:00pm, so that was definitely different. Of course, it depends on the country as well. My mom and I went outside our hotel to see the lights go on the Eiffel Tower and I couldn't believe it was still light outside.

• Be prepared for a lot of walking. Plan accordingly and wear comfy shoes. I brought my Nikes, Converse, and Madden Girl sandals (Birkenstock looking shoes, except like half the price but just as good) and I was set. There will definitely be different types of terrain you'll need to walk on like cobblestone streets and incredibly uphill alleyways. 

• If you get sick, go to a local pharmacy! So I had the unfortunate event of getting a terrible stomach virus in the middle of our trip. To say the least, it was honestly brutal. But I'm so thankful it only lasted really two whole days. But I literally had gone to the toilet eight times the first day, no lie. So, our tour guide (who was literally amazing and genuinely cared about my well-being) suggested while we were in Austria for a few hours to stop by a local pharmacy. Neither of us had any idea about this. I'm not sure if it's all over Europe that it's like this, but we went inside and went up to the counter, told the pharmacist my symptoms, and she just gave me medicine right on the spot that she said should work. How awesome is that? SO much easier than going to a doctor. Why don't we have this in the U.S.?? Plus, it's not really something you can do when you're on a group tour. I was so thankful.

• Be very, very careful with germs on your airplane. I say this because of what happened to me during my trip, I would not wish that upon anyone. I don't think I have ever felt so sick in my life. I'm not sure how I contracted this bug, but I think it had to have been while I was on the plane. No one else on our tour got sick. And it took about four days to kick in. Also, I did take my contacts in/out on the plane to sleep, I'm pretty sure I used hand sanitizer before taking them out, but this honestly could have been what got me sick (Always try to use warm water and soap). You have to be so, so careful. I've never read any studies about germs on planes, but I can only imagine how many there are.

• Try to get tickets for events or museums beforehand. Especially if you go during peak seasons, like summertime! My mom had been to France one time before and she told me when she tried to wait in line for tickets to the Louvre it was so packed they couldn't get in or it would have taken an hour(s). Lucky for us, we didn't get tickets beforehand the second time (oops) but we went during the beginning of May, right before summer started so we probably only waited 20 minutes in line.

• Try not to plan a trip to Europe during the summer. June and September are supposed to be the best months to go. The weather is nice and it's not so crowded/expensive.

• If you're planning on going to a church on a certain day, dress accordingly. Most churches don't allow you to go inside if you're wearing shorts and a shirt without sleeves. So keep this in mind!

• Be polite. Always say "hello" and "goodbye" when entering stores. Of course, hello and goodbye in the appropriate language. Europeans are typically very polite people. This is typical for them so always try to be courteous. 

• In major cities, there is so much useful and easy transportation. Although, I would definitely double and even, triple check before boarding a train or something. Maybe even ask a local. I would just personally freak out if I was lost in a different country. This is also part of the reason why we decided to take a tour. They transport you basically everywhere, besides the city/town they drop you off at. Although, we did take the train to go back to our hotel the first night in Paris and it was seriously so easy.

That's about all the tips I have on what to expect when traveling to Europe. Remember, never stop exploring. :)

Here's a picture of me exploring the Louvre. 

Have a great day lovely people, and if you're thinking of going to Europe... just do it!

Lots of love, Sammi