We know – summer vacation is time for fun, not time for scrimping and saving like you did all semest

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If you re lucky enough to be flying abroad during summer vacay (or are maybe planning for study abroad this fall), let this be your travel guide when trekking through Europe. I ve spent quite a bit of time doing just this, so I have plenty seattle downtown hotels of tips to share.
seattle downtown hotels We know – summer vacation is time for fun, not time for scrimping and saving like you did all semester. But if you're hitting a few hotspots in Europe this summer, you should keep track of your spending .
Before you leave, plan out your money for every day of your trip – for food, gifts, transport, and everything else – and then add an extra 10-15% for emergencies . It might seem like a lot, but you'll be happy to have the cushion of cash when you need a late night taxi or you decide to splurge a bit on crepes for the group in Paris.
Keep cash in several places , like in a hotel safe and with you. That way if you're pick-pocketed, you'll still have back up. ATMs around Europe are also usable if you find yourself in an emergency cash situation.
It sounds like common sense, but safety is key when traveling through Europe – even if you're in a group! The most important seattle downtown hotels thing is to be aware of your surroundings, but there are specific things seattle downtown hotels to look out for to make sure you travel seattle downtown hotels back home safe with good memories (and all your belongings!)
First and foremost, if you're of legal age to drink, be cautious and smart . Don't overdo it, and be vigilant – stay together in a group, get a taxi back to your hotel or hostel, and always buy your own drinks. Stick together and look out for one another – that way, everyone has a good (and safe!) time.
Pick-pocketing is very common in Europe. To avoid falling victim to scams and stealing, do not give anyone money, keep expensive items out of sight, don't wear expensive jewelry and never leave your bag unattended . It's basic advice, but it's important – and saves you a lot of trouble.
Just in case anything does go wrong, make a note of where your country's seattle downtown hotels embassy is in every city you're visiting – they'll help with lost passports and other theft. Also make sure your family back home has copies of your itinerary, credit card numbers, and any other important seattle downtown hotels info in case you need it.
Famous food items are often cheaper seattle downtown hotels at market stalls than in restaurants, so if you're craving a bratwurst in Berlin or a curry in London, check out the local areas for food markets . You should also see if there are festivals or local events going on – they're great places to get cheap meals and cool souvenirs.
Also, knowing what to wear is a tough decision, but you can almost never go wrong by wearing smart casual in European cities . Locals can spot a tourist a mile away by their sweatpants seattle downtown hotels and flip-flops – fine for the plane, but not great for the street. And if you need to accessorize but are avoiding showing off expensive or nice jewelry, stock up on costume rings and necklaces before you go.
And finally, it doesn t hurt to learn a few basic phrases – like please, thank you, hello, and goodbye – when traveling to a new country. Even if your accent is a little off, they'll appreciate your effort.
If you're staying in a budget hotel or a hostel, definitely bring travel-sized toiletries seattle downtown hotels with you. A lot of money-saving places don't offer these in rooms, so make sure you ve got shampoo, seattle downtown hotels soap, conditioner, and toothpaste at hand.
Bring along a few other essentials, too: an extra memory card for your camera, a small lock for your backpack, an address list to send postcards seattle downtown hotels back home, a thick sweater or windbreaker, good quality walking shoes, and don't forget an umbrella ! For a seriously in-depth packing checklist, try Rick Steves printable list .
Or, all the things you really want to see. Don't exhaust yourself with trying to pack in every landmark, museum, seattle downtown hotels or activity – just enjoy the ones that excite you the most, and you'll seattle downtown hotels have a great time. Remember – don't spend your whole trip behind a camera. Some things are better as memories!
A nice list but I feel a couple of specifics have been forgotten. One, most countries in Europe seattle downtown hotels do NOT tip at restaurants as waiters and waitresses are payed a full and legit salary seattle downtown hotels (unlike here) tipping is an easy way for an onlooker to pin you as the helpless lamb that is the American tourist. seattle downtown hotels Two, if you are in France (Paris seattle downtown hotels specifically) a. never say merci beaucoup it is overly formal textbook French, use merci and b. never, and I mean NEVER wear sneakers in Paris if you re a woman. And three, get an ISID (International Student ID Card) as many museums offer discounts to students if you have one. =)
A great list! I m a big believer in saving seattle downtown hotels money by shopping for food at the local market. I also think you should leave room in your budget for a nice dinner or more expensive seattle downtown hotels activity like skydiving it ll be worth the money as long as you planned for it.
There is some great advice in this article, although I do agree with Elin that European countries vary immensely. Turkey is nothing like France etc. A little pet peeve though as a Brit, why do Americans use the UK and England interchangeably. The UK is comprised of four separate countries England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales under one Sovereign state. England is just one part of the UK or Great Britain, in the same way that New York is one of the 50 states which make up the United States.
I m going to completely disagree with Leigh. Definitely seattle downtown hotels tip at restaurants, as a waitress who works in Europe, it s upsetting that people think you should do otherwise, most waitresses here get minimum wage too. It doesn t make you a helpless lamb; it makes you someone who appreciated the service you got, unless obviously you thought the service was bad, in which case, don t.
Wear sneakers if you want to. No-one cares. It s not clothing that marks you as a tourist, most people who live here don t dress up to go to the shop. What ll mark you as a tourist will be the fact you re taking pictures of everything seattle downtown hotels and speaking in a different language or accent, because that s what tourists do.
Oh, and about the tipping; seattle downtown hotels it really does vary from country to country. For example, if you tip in Italy, they see it as an insult but feel free to tip in Austria, Germany and so on but it is also fine if you don t tip at all.
I never quite understood the big deal about being perceived as a tourist. I traveled around Europe and America and no one cares that you are tourist, and no one tries to make extra money off of you (at least in my case), or whatever other reasons you might have for blending in. People are generally pretty nice and helpful, and, unless they are clearly in a rush, they will always try to help you find your way around or whatever other touristy concerns you may have.
I usually tip about the same both in Europe and America, although seattle downtown hotels I don t understand the reason behind seattle downtown hotels waiters in America only getting tips and no actual salary. Not sure why I am responsible for paying their salary in a way. Oh well.
I would say that you should be as careful as you would be in ANY large/capital city with your valuables. And it s definitely true about learning a bit of the local language; people definitely appreciate the effort even if your accent s all wrong!
The tipping thing well, that seems to be a minefield wherever you go! In the UK, we generally tip if you think the service was good, and you don t tip if it wasn t. Some people tip taxi drivers and hairdressers, but not bar staff.
Firstly, if you are a young person travelling in Europe, you are probably seattle downtown hotels over 18. Know that you can drink wine and beer from age 16 in most European countries, and stronger drinks from 18. None of this 21 nonsense. But you are also expected to drink responsibly, even more so as a female!!! seattle downtown hotels (rights vs. obligations!) Although this doesn t always hold in the UK, it s never attractive to see girls any more than merry ! Remember, in Europe, if you re drinking alcohol in a group, seattle downtown hotels you may be called on for some particularly philosophical discussions, more so the further south you travel LOL! You ll need to keep your head.
Food is definitely NOT cheaper at festivals there s a premium for someone having hauled it there! Cheapest is to discover what local supermarkets sell or go to the smallest cafés/bistrots, rather than restaurants. In the UK it isn t always easy to find the local specialities cafés rather than restaurants, maybe. Food in pubs is generally good, in carveries generally cheap, but not that typical. And for heaven s sake, don t eat fish and chips in a restaurant it s authentic to get a paper-wrapped takeaway and eat outdoors, in a park or on a cold, windy beach!!
Tipping IS very variable. Unless the service is really careless or unfriendly (which is rare), seattle downtown hotels I at least round the final sum up a little in a café or restaurant, and in a really good restaurant with professional service I will often leave 5-10%. It also sometimes depends on the currency, but I have never experienced tips being refused!! Some countries include them in the bill, others seattle downtown hotels don t be informed
Americans have a reputation for being overgenerous, overloud, overbearing and generally larger-than-life, so if you just try to be quiet, polite, flexible and interested, you should be able to improve this reputation ;o English is usually fine, and attempts to speak a strangled version of the local language not always appreciated, in my experience seattle downtown hotels embarrassing seattle downtown hotels when the local doesn t even understand what you are trying to say, often the case :o We also know all about life in the US, so don t expect us to be as ignorant