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

Prices and Reservations
Prices and Reservations Since all you are paying for in a hostel is a bed and the use of common facilities, they can be very cheap - I've paid as little as USD 6. In major cities, however, they can cost quite a bit - USD 28 was the most I've...

Taxis
Taxis For some reason, a large percentage of taxi drivers everywhere, with the notable exception of London, are scheming, lying crooks who see impoverished travelers as little more than walking piggy banks to be emptied as quickly as possible. This is particularly true in France, Italy, Greece, and especially in Prague,...

Extra Money, you say?
Extra Money, you say? Not everyone is on the strictest of budgets. For those fortunate few of you who are not, realize that your extra money can go pretty far in Europe. If I had, say, USD 1000 to add to my "realistic budget," my first priority would be to...

Boats and Ferries
Boats and Ferries If you are planning on taking a boat to Europe, have your butler return this book for a refund, as you don't need my advice on saving money.While in Europe, however, there are numerous ferries, lake steamers, and riverboats for those in the mood to set sail, many...

Personal Stereo
Personal Stereo Only you know whether a personal stereo is essential for you. If it is, be careful where you use it - people wearing headphones are generally less aware of their surroundings, and thieves know this. The right music, though, can be a sure cure for homesickness. Whistle A whistle is essential...

Tourist Offices on the Web
Tourist Offices on the Web Most European countries are scaling back on expensive tourist offices abroad, and putting more and more content on the Web. Below are the official websites for a number of European tourist authorities. If your destination of choice is not listed below, try ®www.visiteu.rope.com, which has links...

Four Fantasy Islands
Four Fantasy Islands 1. The Lofotens, Norway. Way, way, way, up north by the Arctic Circle, off the coast of Norway, are the Lofotens, a magical land ot twenty-hour days, wild blueberries, and fresh cod in the Unfortunately it's a rain-soaked, freezing nightmare of fog and cold in the winter. However,...

Rain Gear
Rain Gear Gore-Tex rules here, if you can afford the stuff. My favorite traveling companion is a 'tex jacket that has a separate liner that can be zipped in or out, depending on the temperature. Get a jacket with a removable hood if you can. Unless you are traveling in winter,...

Kids and Snatch Thieves
Kids and Snatch Thieves I have heard more first-hand stories of robbery by gangs of kids, often gypsies, than any other type of crime. The tactic is simple: five or six small children run up to you, shouting and waving newspapers or pieces of cardboard. As they swarm around and distract...

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...

Trains
Trains For most people budgeting their way around Europe, there is a simple answer to the transport question: buy a train pass in some form, or just some train tickets, and hit the tracks. There are good reasons for this: European trains are generally fast, convenient, reliable, and they seem to...

Package Deals
Package Deals One option that many overlook are package deals, often because they are associated with tours and itineraries that might dictate where you stay and for how long. Most travel agents and airlines can, however, put together flexible deals which can be cheaper than organizing things when you arrive, especially...

Packing your Backpack
Packing your Backpack How you pack and wear a backpack is almost as important to your comfort as how much goes in it. Ideally, you want the smallest possible pack that conforms to your body shape as much as possible. This will keep the weight on the waist belt and off...

Choosing a Rail Pass
Choosing a Rail Pass When deciding which pass is right for you, the two questions you need to answer are (1) where do you want to go, and (2) how definite are your plans? Someone with definite plans has it easy. They can look at where they want to go and...

Mooching off Friends
Mooching off Friends Now here is the ideal accommodation if you can find it. Trading addresses and invitations is very common among travelers in Europe, and it may be worth changing your plans to accept an invitation. You will probably end up well off the tourist trail and get a glimpse...

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