Get the Facts Before You Travel to Western Europe

When traveling throughout Europe you will be able to experience all of the beautiful seasons. As for most of Europe the weather is the same as in the United States, the cold and snow in the winter months and hot and rainy in the summer. Europe is a beautiful place to visit and a Chance to visit could be one of a lifetime. Listed below are a few facts to help you to prepare for your journey.

Important documents

If you don't already have a passport, please do so early. Make sure that you have all of your proper identification before you leave the states. Before your trip, you should make photocopies of all of your documents in case
they're lost or stolen.

European Customs

When you make purchases for various items the sales tax is already included in the price and this also includes food. When it comes to dining out it is not customary to leave a tip and be careful when it comes to drugs and alcohol. The drinking age there is under 18 years old, but people tend to drink on a more social level, like with dinner. There are very strict laws against public intoxication and open containers and even though you are able to smoke marijuana in some to the cafes in Amsterdam it is not legal to carry it around.

Safety

Everywhere that you go, you should always be aware of your surroundings, especially in a foreign country. Although you will be visiting the country, it is important that you do not stand out as a tourist. There is no need to wear American t-shirts or have a camera around your neck. Make sure that you're comfortable and try to blend in instead of standing out. Always pay close attention to your luggage and always know where you're going. Another helpful tip is to grab a few business cards from the hotel that you will be staying at, so if you get lost you can have a taxi bring you back to the correct hotel.

Languages

Of course when you go to a new place, you should learn how to speak the language. In all of Europe the popular languages are German, French, Spanish, and Italian. Books, video and audio in these languages can be found at your local library or a book store.

Money

When it comes to traveling in the U.S. many of us like to have a lot of cash on hand. Recently in Europe the U.S. dollar has weakened against the euro and the currency rates change constantly. To avoid being taken advantage of I would suggest that you take a little cash and a Visa or Master card debit or credit card. Try to avoid taking cards such as Discover, American Express and Diners Club because they are not widely accepted.

You can obtain cash from the ATM in which they are called bancomats or caisses automatiques in Europe. To avoid some of the bank fees, foreign cash can be ordered through your local bank at least a month before your trip. Also note that some merchants will not except debit cards, for instance some rental car companies, so therefore take at least one credit card.

Before you leave the states, please check all of the expiration dates on your credit cards and make sure that you have all of your correct pin numbers. Check out the foreign exchange column in any large news paper such as the Wall Street Journal. Write down the exchange rates for each country that you will be traveling through. This will give you a general idea on the exchange rate that's available to the general public in that area.

Business Hours

In Europe most businesses are open Monday through Friday and that includes most of the shops. Business hours are generally from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Internet Service

If you need to conduct business while you're in Europe, all of the hotels will have free wireless. You can also find wireless at the many coffee houses and Internet cafes.

Before you travel abroad make sure that you research the area in which you will be staying, traveling through Europe will surely be a very memorable experience and maybe a trip of a lifetime. Be Safe and Enjoy!