First Time in Europe : Everything You Need to know before you Goto Europe

Swiss Army knife
Swiss Army knife Even if you're not camping, you should bring a Swiss Army knife, but you don't need to go for the giant versions that include the chain saw and the frying pan. The bottle opener is handy (twist-offs are less common in Europe), as are scissors. Remember, these will...

Calling Home from Europe
Calling Home from Europe In most of Western Europe you will be able to phone directly home in seconds. In Eastern Europe, some phone systems are more modern than others, and you may need to use an operator, or a direct phone service, if you can't say "please reverse the charges"...

Sleeping pad
Sleeping pad Campers should bring a thick sleeping pad, as much for insulation as for padding. A self-inflating type will be welcome in the mountains or in cold areas. If your pad of choice inflates in any way, bring a patch kit. Stove The "Gaz" butane/propane stove is the king of the European...

Driving
Driving A car is best for getting to out-of-the-way towns the train doesn't go to and for seeing the truly rural parts of a country. Towns and villages without train stations, at least those some distance from big cities and the highways, are bound to be quieter, more traditional, and see...

Rail Passes
Rail Passes If you plan on getting around a lot, especially to major cities, you've probably made the right decision in choosing a train pass. The next step,picking the right pass, may seem confusing, but with a little time you should be able to pick a pass that suits your trip....

Food and Drink
Food and Drink Food and drink, especially if you drink alcohol, are probably the all-time European budget-busting champions, with food taking overall honors by a nose. Whenever possible, buy food in stores, head for the nearest park, and chow down. This can lead to a somewhat dull diet of bread, yogurt,...

Seven Must See Works of Art
Seven "Must See" Works of Art 1. The Mona Lisa (the Louvre, Paris) 2. The Venus de Milo (the Louvre) 3. The Winged Victory of Samothrace (the Louvre) 4. The Sistine Chapel (Vatican Museum, Rome) 5. Michelangelo's Pieta (St Peter's, Rome) 6. Michelangelo's David (the Accademia, Florence) 7. Botticelli's Birth...

Earplugs
Earplugs Earplugs can be a sanity-saver for light sleepers in crowded hostels. The soft, yellow, foamy type work well (try at a pharmacy), and you can sometimes get these free on your flight over the Atlantic. Try out your earplugs before leaving, because they can take some getting used to, and...

Other Accommodations
Other Accommodations Other accommodations are as varied as the imagination: YMCAs, YWCAs, monasteries and convents in Italy (not much partying there), private homes - whatever turns up if you look beyond the guidebook. Even though you will probably be hosteling a lot, I do recommend trying out other options; you may...

National Tourist Offices
National Tourist Offices The old-style tourist office (one that was full of glossy brochures and friendly people who were happy to help prospective travelers) is about as rare today as a flying hippo. Rather than spend money up front in order to help tourists, most European countries are shutting down their...

Working Abroad
Working Abroad Here's a hot tip: there is one country where working to earn money for a European trip is better than any other. There are no language problems, no problems with taxes or laws, and the wages are relatively high. On top of that, prospective European travelers are welcomed wholeheartedly...

Symphonies and the Ballet
Symphonies and the Ballet Ninety percent of what I wrote above about opera applies to symphony and ballet performances as well, except that tickets will be marginally cheaper than those for opera. By the way, don't just look for these sorts of performances in the obvious places. I've seen great ballets...

Channel Crossings
Channel Crossings The English Channel is crisscrossed by hundreds of ferries, hover-ctaft, jetfoils, and other craft, and there are dozens of ways to get from England to the rest of Europe. The shortest crossing, not surprisingly is at the closest point between France and England (Dover t0 Calais) and some Eurailers...

What to see
What to see The following are my totally subjective opinions on what I've seen in Europe. I haven't been everywhere, or even come close, but I have seen quite a bit. In every case, no matter where you go, I can give you one piece of advice that will be worth...

Travel Agents
Travel Agents Travel agents connect those who have some form of "travel product," such as an airline seat, a hotel room or a space on a tour, with the potential buyer. A travel agent is a resource that you should at least consider; they can provide you with far more information...

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