Travel Europe articles
European travel guide articles from TravelSavvy
Once you're there you can follow a few simple steps to get the most out of your short break in Europe. Eat a good breakfast, learn a bit of the lingo and stay safe.
On arrival remember you are on holiday and there is no need to rush. As soon as the plane stops you will see people clawing at luggage racks in a bid to get off first, only to get stuck in a queue for the door.
Stay in you seat and let the crowd clear. You can gather yur things in comfort and stroll to the luggage carousel where you will find those same people waiting for their suitcases to arrive. Again, find a seat and let the crowd clear before collecting your cases. Tell yourself it's time to take things easy - this is a holiday after all.
This happens after planes have passed through time zones, usually after trips of four hours or more. The body clock is thrown out of synch, especially when flying east when you are shortening the day rather than lengthening it.
Symptoms can include insomnia and irritability. European destinations are not much of a problem but to ease the effects of any jet lag you should go to bed earlier a couple of days, especially before travelling east and avoid heavy meals before you fly. It is also a good idea to stand up as much as you can on the plane and to drink plenty of water when in flight, but not tea or coffee.
No, we don't mean you need to take a foreign language course before you go on holiday but it is always worth learning a few phrases to help you get along when you get there.
No more than a dozen phrases - thank you, please, excuse me, good morning - are just a few that will help you make friends and get help when you need it. Foreigners will always appreciate you taking the trouble to speak the local lingo. Learn some of the important signs too - railway station, bus stop, toilets, stop, no entry, chemist etc.
It is amazing how many people arrive in a foreign city and just assume they will know their way around, despite not knowing the language or how the local transport system works. Even locals can have trouble getting places in a large city, so it is essential to get a good map.
A good map can also be a money and time saver since it will keep you from going around in circles. Finding your way easily to and from the hotel will make the holiday more pleasant and less costly. It's also a good idea to get a map printed in the local lingo. You may not understand it at first but all the street names will appear the same on the map as they do in the street.
One of the first things to do is to check out the local tourist office. They are sure to have cheap or even free maps and guides that will help you get the best from your stay. Just about as important as details on opening times for museums and other attractions will be advice on when to go to miss the crowds They will also have advice on getting the best discounts on the area's attractions, especially two for one deals, cheaper admission times and reduced admission days and so on.
It is important to eat a healthy and hearty breakfast every day while travelling. Many hotels include a daily breakfast in their room rate so always take advantage of the perk. You will need energy for walking around and seeing the sights and it stop the need to splash out on expensive and unhealthy snacks. Always eat where the local people do. Ask the staff at your hotel for recommendations of restaurants. Eating dinner or lunch in ethnic neighbourhoods is another way to sample the local cuisine and culture while saving money.
Travel like the locals do. One of the cheapest ways to see the local sights is to travel with the locals - on buses, metros, trams and trains. Public transport in most European cities is clean and efficient. And it's a great, and inexpensive way to get around.
Copyright © SavvyNetworks 2006 - 2010, Cheshire, UK. All rights reserved.