Keep your Valuables Close to you & HiddenRick Steves trips come with a store credit that can be spent at their online shop. I would highly recommend picking up one of his nifty money belt, meant to hold items on your body underneath your clothes, if you don't already have one. I found them to be fairly comfortable. I often kept my money and my passport on me while traveling. Beware, the items inside did get a little moist and bendy on hot days!
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Also, keep your bags in sight and secure. In Rome, Italy one of our companions had their map pickpocketed while on the bus. They did not even know until they got off the bus. Pickpockets are very good at what they do and they can be found all across Europe. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your day bag where you can see it and secure.
Don't forget to bring your Rick Steves book as well! The phrase book is also quite important to keep handy. It is a misconception that all Europeans speak English. Many do speak English as well as other languages, however there are also many who do not speak English or understand a minimal amount. Therefore it is helpful to know a few keywords in order to get your needs across.
Don't forget to bring your Rick Steves book as well! The phrase book is also quite important to keep handy. It is a misconception that all Europeans speak English. Many do speak English as well as other languages, however there are also many who do not speak English or understand a minimal amount. Therefore it is helpful to know a few keywords in order to get your needs across.
Always Carry Change With YouAlways be sure to keep some change on you at all times. In most public places expect to pay to use the restroom. This fee can range from 0.20-1 euro. There are few places that we encountered that did not require a fee, but these are few and far between. So as a rule of thumb try to keep some change with you wherever you go. In some stops, primarily highway stops, you can use the tickets you get from the restroom in the store above, so be sure to grab those on your way through. Don't avoid using the restroom due to the fee. This was something that we had tried in Amsterdam, however we ended up paying to use a restroom later anyhow.
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We have a saying on our trip: Go when you can, not when you must!
However, don't ask an Italian to make change, especially if you are breaking down, say 50 euros. Italians in general don't like to make change. At a shop in Venice we were trying to purchase a food item for lunch and all we had at the time was a 50 euro bill. The lady at the register nearly refused to make change for us.
However, don't ask an Italian to make change, especially if you are breaking down, say 50 euros. Italians in general don't like to make change. At a shop in Venice we were trying to purchase a food item for lunch and all we had at the time was a 50 euro bill. The lady at the register nearly refused to make change for us.
Just Because the Cheese is Holey Doesn't Mean it is Swiss!We found this one out the hard way. On our first full day in Europe we found ourselves at a Sunday market in Haarlem, Netherlands. At this market there was a cheese stand. We had our eyes on one cheese that had holes in it. We asked the stall owner if it was "Swiss cheese" to which he firmly replied, "No, it is Dutch cheese!" Try and be aware of little details like this, especially when trying to get along with someone from another culture. Cheese, in particular, is a big deal for the Dutch!
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Pack light, Pack light, Pack light!My sister, having just spent a semester in Venice, Italy, had a couple of bags she toted across Europe. My luggage bag also was larger. We managed fine but did have concerns about weight at the end of the trip when we were heading home. I could have easily packed much more lightly. I plan to in the future. However, sometimes it is just a lesson you need to learn on your own.
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Best Laid Plans of the Thrifty Man (or Woman)When planning for this trip we had anticipated washing our clothes in the sink of our room, or buying bread and meat and cheese to make sandwiches for the day. Many places in Europe have signs posted asking you not to clean your clothes in your room and to not "picnic", as they call it, in the room.
Also, just because the hotel states that the room has a "mini fridge" don't count on it. Throughout our entire stay we had one fridge in our room and it was locked. Always eat a hearty breakfast! Breakfast is always included with the rooms Rick Steves provides on the tours. Eat up! It may be a while until lunch. |