Europe Favorite Tips by Maryimelda Top 5 Page for this destination

Avoid whistle stops

Favorite thing: There are many travellers who, like me, think that this might be their one and only chance to see Europe so they are determined to squeeze as much into each day as possible. This is a huge mistake folks. Don't be tempted to just "tick boxes" so you can say you've been there. I have learnt well since I first began travelling regularly to Europe in 2002, to pick out the places I REALLY want to see and to put others on the back burner in the hope that there will be another trip.'Believe me there is nothing worse than spending a few hours or one night in a fascinating town or city and then finding out when you get home all of the things you didn't see. It is also super tiring packing up every day and lugging your baggage around on a daily basis.

I also learnt not to book trains, flights etc too early in the morning unless it is absolutely necessary and there is no other option. When I have a really early start, I find that I do not sleep at all because I am afraid that I won't wake up in time and that the early morning wake up call won't come. I have now made it my very strict travel policy not to board a train before 9am at least. That way I have plenty of time to wake up, finish my packing and have a leisurely breakfast before the train goes.

Be proud to be a tourist in Europe

Favorite thing: Why do so many people on this forum have such a low regard for "tourists"? Are these people so naive that they don't realise that anyone who travels anywhere in the world for the purpose of seeing the sights is a tourist? Or do they really consider themselves to be so bloody special that they don't rate as "tourists"? It never ceases to amaze me how many people subscribe to VT (Virtual TOURIST) and yet consider themselves to be somehow made of better stuff than the "tourists". The way I see it, we are all toursits, like it or not. I for one am perfectly content in the role and very grateful that I have had the good fortune to be able to see a little of this wonderful world of ours. Consequently, you can call me what you like, I'll still keep travelling for as long as I am able. I do understand that there are some who simply don't like the queues or the inflated prices etc. that popular tourist destinations are full of, but I can't for the life of me, understand the attitude that tourists are the lowest of the low. I especially have to smile when VTers write wonderful tips and travel pages for the purpose of enticing others to go to a particular place, but at the same time warn against the many tourists they will find there!!!!! "Go early or stay late to avoid the tourists!" I would prefer to have them say "to avoid the crowds", that I could readily accept, but I can't accept the fact that "tourist" to some is a dirty word.

Be proud to be a tourist in Europe. There are millions of people the world over who would give their eye teeth to be able to join the hoardes of tourists there.

Never be without one.

Favorite thing: When travelling in Europe it is more than a little wise to always carry some 50 eurocent coins for the public toilets. In many railway stations, the toilets are unmanned and your coin works as a key to get you in. There are other methods of entry as well and also even when the facilities are manned, it is usually about 50 eurocents to gain entry. Just a few spare coins in your pockets will always come in handy and will be no burden to carry.

Avoid exorbitant phone bills

Favorite thing: Most of us like to travel with a mobile phone of course, but that doesn' t mean we have to use it every time we call home. All over Europe there are Internet Cafes which offer cheap International phone calls. And I mean cheap! The phones are usually in private booths and I have yet to pay more than 1 Euro for a ten minute call from France or Germany to Australia.
This is far better than coming home to a $AUD500 bill. You can also enjoy your call a lot more when you know it is not costing you a lot of money. Have a good long chat and pay for it with your spare change. It's the only way to go.