OMGGG You Are Going to Europe! Read This First!

I am so happy for you! Going to Europe is going to be the best thing ever. I remember when I first went, I made so many silly mistakes and spent way too much money. I don’t want that for you! I saw this really cool list of things local tour guides want you to know, and I added all my own best tips too. This is like your secret cheat code to having the best trip ever without looking like a total newbie. Get ready, because we are going to make sure your Instagram looks amazing and your tummy stays full of the best food!

1. Stop Trying to See Every Single Country

The biggest mistake people make is trying to visit 5 countries in 10 days. You will spend your whole trip on a train or a plane! That is so boring. Instead, pick two spots and really get to know them. If you go to Rome, stay there for at least 4 or 5 days. Go to the Trastevere neighborhood. It is across the river and has the best vibes. You should order the Cacio e Pepe at a place called Da Enzo. It’s just pasta with cheese and black pepper, but it tastes like magic. It costs about $14. For the best photo, stand on the Ponte Sisto bridge right at sunset. The light hits the water and makes everything look gold! Budget about $60 a day for food and fun in Rome.

2. Don’t Eat Right Next to the Big Landmarks

I know the cafes right next to the Colosseum or the Eiffel Tower look cool, but the food is usually bad and super expensive. They know tourists will pay anything! Walk at least 10 minutes away from the big stuff. Look for a menu that is only in the local language. If there are pictures of the food on a big sign outside, run away! In Paris, walk away from the Louvre and find a small “Boulangerie.” Order a Jambon-Beurre (ham and butter sandwich) for $7. It’s way better than a $25 soggy pizza near a monument. You can take your sandwich to a park and have a picnic for way less money!

3. You Have to Carry Some Cash

In the USA, we use cards for everything. But in Europe, lots of small shops and cafes only want cash. If you want a quick espresso or a $3 gelato, you need coins! Also, some public bathrooms cost money. You might have to pay $1 just to pee! I always keep about $30 in local cash in my pocket just in case. When you are in Florence, use your cash to buy a leather keychain from a street market for $10. It’s a great souvenir! Don’t use the big ATM machines at the airport because they charge way too much. Find a bank ATM in the city for the best rates.

4. Don’t Wait for the Bill at Restaurants

In Europe, waiters think it is rude to rush you. They want you to sit and talk for hours! They will never bring the bill to your table unless you ask for it. If you sit there waiting for an hour, they just think you are having a great time. To get the check, just catch the waiter’s eye and pretend like you are writing in the air with a pen. Or say “The check, please” in their language. In Italy, you say “Il conto, per favore.” It makes you look like a pro! Expect a nice dinner to take about 2 hours and cost around $35 per person including a drink.

5. Validate Your Train Tickets!

This is a huge one! In places like Italy or Germany, just buying a train ticket isn’t enough. Before you get on the train, you have to find a little machine on the platform (it’s usually yellow or green) and stick your ticket in to get a time stamp. This is called “validating.” If you don’t do it, the ticket guy on the train will give you a big fine, like $50 or $100, even if you have a ticket! It is a total bummer to lose that much money for no reason. Always look for the machine! A local train ticket usually costs around $15 between nearby cities.

6. Get Away from the Huge Cities

Everyone goes to London, Paris, and Rome. They are great, but the small towns are where the real fun is! Take a bus or a train to a tiny village. If you are in Portugal, go to Sintra. It looks like a fairy tale with colorful castles! It costs about $12 for the train from Lisbon. For the best photo, stand on the wall of the Moorish Castle. You can see the whole ocean! If you are in Italy, go to Lucca. You can rent a bike for $10 and ride it all the way around the top of the old city walls. It’s so much more relaxing than fighting the crowds in the big cities.

7. Stop Tipping Like an American

In Europe, waiters actually get paid a good salary. You don’t need to leave 20%! If the service was really good, just round up. If your lunch was $18, just leave $20. If you are at a fancy dinner and the bill is $92, leave $100. That’s plenty! They don’t expect more, and you can save that extra money for more snacks later. Also, check the bill for something called a “Coperto” in Italy—that’s a small fee for the bread and the table cloth, usually $2 or $3. If you see that, you definitely don’t need to tip extra.

8. Dress Right for Churches

You are going to see so many beautiful churches, but they have rules! You can’t go in with bare shoulders or short shorts. If you are wearing a tank top, they might tell you to leave. I always keep a light scarf in my bag that I can wrap around my shoulders. You can buy a pretty one for $5 at a local shop. Also, wear comfy shoes! Europe has lots of old bumpy streets called cobblestones. High heels are a nightmare. Wear cute sneakers instead. Your feet will thank me after walking 20,000 steps! A good pair of walking shoes is worth every penny of the $80 you spend on them.

9. Learn a Few Local Words

You don’t have to be fluent, but saying “Hello” and “Thank you” in the local language goes a long way. In France, it is super important to say “Bonjour” as soon as you walk into a shop. If you don’t, the shopkeeper might be mean to you because they think you are rude! In Spain, say “Gracias” for everything. It shows you are trying! Most people speak some English, but they love it when you try their language first. It makes people way more likely to help you find the best hidden spots. A coffee will cost you $2, but the smile you get for saying “Please” in their language is free!

10. Stop Over-packing Your Bag

Trust me, you do not want to drag a 50-pound suitcase up three flights of stairs in an old hotel with no elevator. Most old buildings in Europe don’t have elevators! Only bring what fits in a small carry-on bag. You can do laundry there for about $10 at a local “Lavanderia.” It’s much easier to move around with a light bag. Plus, you’ll have room to bring back cool souvenirs like local chocolate or a cute shirt. Most of the time, you’ll just wear your favorite two outfits anyway! Spend that extra $50 you would have paid for a checked bag on a nice bottle of wine instead.

Cost Comparison: Budget vs. Balling Out

Here is a quick look at what you might spend each day depending on how you want to travel. I usually like to be somewhere in the middle!

I am so pumped for you to see all these amazing places! Europe is going to change your life. Just remember to breathe, take lots of photos, and eat all the bread you can find. If you want more tips or want to see photos from my last trip, come join our group! We talk about travel all day and it is so much fun. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL

Have the best time ever! Love you!