For many travelers, there’s nothing quite like a traditional European vacation. With thousands of years of history, culture, art, and civilization, the continent possesses endless wonders. However, traveling to Europe also presents several challenges, a few of which may seem prohibitive to the unpracticed. With a bit of research and some pre-trip preparation, however, traveling to Europe can be everything you’d hoped for: easy, safe, and fun.
Royal Holiday members hoping to enjoy a European vacation already have several advantages, including access to reasonably priced lodgings. Everyone, however, will do well to shop around for cheaper flights. As more and more flight routes between the United States and Europe open up, airline options are becoming increasingly affordable. When traveling to Europe, consider taking advantage of the cheap travel deals between European countries in order to see more of the continent. Before boarding the plane, however, you’ll want to be sure to finish business at home. Check to make sure your passport isn’t about to expire, and advise credit card companies and banks of your travel itinerary if you plan to use your cards abroad. You should also make copies of the passport and other important documents, and leave a few of these copies at home with friends who can fax them to you in an emergency.
Once you arrive, try to avoid jet lag by spending most of the daytime outdoors and in the sunshine and by acclimating yourself to the local schedule as soon as possible. Ideally, you will have already learned a bit of the local language. Words like “hello” or “excuse me” will be helpful, as will phrases like “Sorry, I don’t speak your language.” Whenever possible, you will want to talk with locals, most of whom will be happy to exchange some pleasantries or point you in the right direction. The key to enjoying a European vacation is simply remembering that you’re in a foreign locale, where things operate differently than they do back home. Embrace these differences. They are, after all, the whole point of traveling to Europe!
