Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Europe! This post is really for those of you thinking about taking your first Europe trip and wondering what to expect when you travel around Europe9. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when visiting Europe.
Love #1: European Destinations & Sights
There are so many cool European destinations and landmarks to check out. Whether it’s the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, Westminster Abbey, Oktoberfest, the Berlin Wall, or any one of hundreds of castles, touring Europe is like walking through history books. It’s such a cool experience to see something in person that you’ve read about or seen on TV.
Hate #1: Accessibility in Europe
If you have any challenges with mobility, it can be difficult to travel around Europe. This applies to wheelchairs, strollers or even if you just have difficulty navigating stairs or uneven surfaces. While the United States has strict ADA regulations, that’s not the case in Europe. Castles and historic buildings may not have any elevators, and many hotels involve narrow staircases as well. It’s not impossible to visit Europe with mobility challenges, it just requires a bit more research before you go.
Love #2: Public Transportation in Europe
Public transportation in Europe is amazing. You really don’t need to rent a car if you don’t want to. There are buses and trains that go to some of the smallest towns you can imagine, which makes it really easy to travel around Europe. There are even several low-cost carriers that often have airfares that are cheaper than a train ticket. Between low-cost airfares, trains and buses, you can easily travel around Europe.
Hate #2: Cash is King
In the US, we are used to paying for everything with credit cards. In many European countries, cash is still king. Hotels and many restaurants will accept credit cards, but this will depend on where you are. The smaller the town, or the smaller businesses, will not take credit cards, so you always want to make sure you have some local currency on hand. This means you also need to have your PIN number so you can get cash out from an ATM.
Travel Money Tips: Exchanging Money Abroad
Love #3: Wide Use of English
Many Americans are self-conscious about not speaking the local language when traveling. It’s always good to learn a few key phrases of the local language, but so many people around the world speak English. As a traveler, you will rarely have an issue finding English speakers in Europe. Most younger Europeans have learned English in school, and anyone working in the tourism industry will know basic English.
Hate #3: Toilets in Europe
Yes, this is a totally American thing to complain about, but some of the toilets in Europe are less than desirable. In some places, the “bathroom” is actually just a hole in the ground. In many places, there is a lack of facilities at all, and when you do find a public restroom, there may not be any toilet paper, so always carry a bit of your own. At the other end of the spectrum, there are pay toilets. You’ll see these a lot in train stations in places like Germany and Switzerland. You need coins to enter the bathroom, but these are usually much cleaner and nicer to use than the free ones.
Love #4: Tasting the “Real” Europe
You may have your favorite Italian or French restaurant back home, but traveling to Europe means getting to experience authentic local cuisine. You get to find out what schnitzel is really supposed to taste like, or why German beer really is that much better in Germany. You will have a whole new appreciation for the diversity of European cuisines.
Hate #4: European Beds
After a day of exploring a new city, you’ll be ready to crash and get a good nights’ sleep, but the beds in Europe tend to suck. Most of the time a “double” bed is just two twins pushed together, so there’s always a crack in the middle. If you’re on your honeymoon or planning a romantic getaway, beware of the beds that split apart!
Love #5: European People
Everywhere you go in Europe, you will meet friendly locals who are excited that you’ve chosen their city or country to visit. This is especially true if you visit some more off the beaten path places in Europe. There’s a national pride amongst Europeans, and they love sharing their history and their culture with travelers.
Hate #5: Service in Europe
Americans are used to over-attentive service in the United States because servers are not paid minimum wage and they rely on tips for their income. That’s not the case in Europe, so they don’t go out of their way to attend to your needs. Don’t think of it as bad service, it’s just how things are in Europe. Many of the cultures in Europe are also much more reserved than Americans, so they don’t like to be bothered constantly by a server during the meal.
Visiting a new country, or traveling abroad for the first time can be scary. That’s why I like to give both sides of travel, not just the positives. We love Europe, so the “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit Europe. Want more tips for planning a European vacation? Check out these other blog posts: