Are you planning a last minute trip to Europe? Or have you fully prepped and already scheduled your entire journey? Either way, you don’t want to miss out on these next five tips!
- Get a Prepaid SIM card
A pre-paid sim card is a necessity for solo and group traveling! In fact, some of the other tips I share in this article rely on a solid data internet connection. Europe has a great telecommunications infrastructure, however, setting up an account within Europe is difficult for foreigners without a permanent address and unnecessary for vacationers. Preloaded SIM cards such as the Orange Travel Sim are a breeze to set up and are highly affordable. Just remember to bring a SIM ejector pin and replace your SIM card with the Orange SIM and you’re ready to go! Although I suggest that you swap while on the airplane to ensure you don’t accidentally activate your preloaded SIM early as most have a limited use time.
- Leave your passport at the hotel
This one is simple – don’t bring your passport or any other critical documents out of your hotel room (unless you are certain it is required). Losing your phone, wallet, or ID in another country is devastating but nothing compares to the one scenario you never want to be in: stuck in another country with no passport. Make sure to take photos of your cards, identification, and passport before you head out on any adventures. Leave your passport at the hotel so that even in the worst-case scenario, you’ll still be able to fly back home. To protect yourself from pickpockets and misplacing your valuables – opt for a front-facing bag. A small shoulder bag or cross-chest zipper pouch are more secure options compared to a conventional backpack or open pocket. Furthermore, having a dedicated spot in your bag for each item can help you avoid losing track of valuables.
- Check for busyness and prepare for everything to go wrong
When planning for activities and tickets to attractions, make sure to do research ahead of time to optimize timing and commutes. Some factors that are important include the busyness of the attraction and what detour options there are along the route. For example, cruise ships usually drop off tourists mid-day and you want to avoid this crowd if possible. Your experience at a museum/location/monument can be vastly different based on how crowded the attraction is. Prepare for everything to go wrong – tour guides can cancel anytime and transportation can delay your arrival time. By making contingency plans and expecting everything to go wrong, you’re less likely to let surprises stress you out.
- Take advantage of free walking tours
I recommend you download and familiarize yourself with a phone app called “GuruWalk”. This app connects you with local tour guides offering free walking tours of the city you’re in. Personally, I’ve had great experiences on these free walking tours. The guides I’ve listened to in Rome were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and passionate about their work. If you do end up enjoying your experience – please leave a good tip for your guide since they don’t receive any compensation for their time other than tips!
- Technology is your ultimate travel companion
Long gone are the days of the stereotypical tourist walking down the streets of a European country with their face buried in a map, unable to ask for directions or suggestions. Technology is truly the ultimate travel companion – if you know where to look that is. First off, you’ll need to have read and followed my advice in tip #1 because a data connection is required. A fan favourite, Google Maps, goes far beyond a new-age navigation system. Take advantage of Google’s translated restaurant and attraction reviews for local insights. If you get lost getting to your destination, you scan your surroundings and get live directions using Google’s AR streetview navigation. Language barriers can be scaled with the help of Google Translate’s camera translation feature. Simply point your camera at foreign text to have it translated into a more familiar language right in front of your eyes. Furthermore, Google’s transcribe translation feature helps you communicate with locals in a pinch and clear up misunderstandings. Lastly, I recommend using the Uber app for times when you need a car ride. Uber allows more transparency into the ride fee and, in my opinion, they offer more security and quicker service than taxis.
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