travel advice

[tmh88]

Hi everyone,

This weekend I'm leaving for a trip to London, Barcelona, Ibiza, Paris, Zurich and Amsterdam. Since I'm going to be gone for nearly 3 weeks I'm trying to be as prepared as I possibly can be. Yes, I have a passport and all other travel accomidations in order. I've never gone on a trip this long and I've never been to Europe either. I'm sure many of you have gone to Europe (or the otherway around for your Europeans), so I'm just asking for your advice on what things that you wish you had brought with you, or things that you wish you did while you were there. Thanks, just trying to prevent any future aggrivation or unnecessary spending, although I'm sure it will happen anyway.

[Snarkasm]

Check your electronics - if they support 100-240V, don't bother buying power converters, just get an adapter to correct your plugs. Your laptops and USB chargers frequently accept 240V, for example.

Lots of places in Europe aren't terribly interested in credit, though the cities you're visiting might be more accommodating. Pull a decent amount of cash out of your first destination - ATMs work with your cards over here, and it's cheaper than suffering the exchange rate.

Bear in mind that things are generally more expensive and plan accordingly. Work out ahead of time exactly how much you can afford to pull from your bank account in euros and do not surpass that. If you get into a situation where you're pondering whether the amount of dollars you have will cover the amount of euros you're considering spending, you're in a good position to be in trouble. This is another good reason to carry cash - though if you're less comfortable with it while traveling, nobody can fault you. Might consider getting one of those Amex or Visa cards that you can use as a debit card everywhere if you need to.

Get two or three copies of your passport - leave one at home or with a friend, keep one in a safe place with you (your bag in the hotel, etc), and keep your actual passport separate from that (I keep mine on me). If somebody steals one of them or you get majorly screwed in some way, your passport is your ticket to an embassy and back home.

Watch your souvenir purchases - get too much and it either doesn't all fit into your bag (so you have to buy a new one) or you go overweight and get suckered on airline overages.

Walk around when you're on the plane to relieve restlessness, cramping, or other leg or back ailments. Sleep if you can - and Dramamine (the motion sickness drug) works wonders to help people get a short nap in. If you're flying into Heathrow, it won't be too long of a trip - Chicago to Amsterdam is 7 hours, Chicago to Heathrow is probably around 5.5; shorter if you're going through New York or somesuch.

Be careful with your duty-free purchases while on the plane, particularly if you're not stopping in your first destination overseas (i.e. connecting to a different flight). You have to go through Customs in your first stop in Europe, traditionally, so if you buy a big bottle of liquor or cologne on the plane, you can't go through Customs and get back on the plane thanks to the 3oz rule. If you have access to your checked baggage in the interim, you can check it, though.

Have your purchase/souvenir cost estimates and locations visited ready to fill out on the customs/immigration form when you get back Stateside - that has to get reviewed, and even though it's always slow, it's a little faster if you can have that filled out and ready before you even get to the line.

Don't bring back food or organics if you want to avoid a hassle.

Other than that, have fun. That sounds like a nice long trip - you should be busy. It's a little rainy out today (in the Netherlands), but it's been beautifully temperate weather lately. The people are good, the food is fantastic, and the architecture and culture is a nice change from the normal.

- IC's new resident Dutchy

[tmh88]

We're going to NY on Friday and flying to London on Sunday and then off to the other places from there. I'm very excited, this is the first time I'll have been out of the country.

When you said get a few copys of your passport, do you mean just use a copier and make them myself or actually apply for more? 3 days for getting another passport is not possible so I'm assuming you meant to just copy them myself.

[kryyst]

Just photocopy the header pages. It's not legit, but the numbers and Proof of ID goes a long way to helping, should your real one get stollen/lost when abroad.

[Snarkasm]

Yep, just make color copies of the relevant pages. I don't even think the government will let you get multiple passports.

[Koreish]

You've probably heard this but be cautious of people trying to sell you stuff on the streets or take your photo. Most of them are good people but I saw several tourists get pick-pocketed or swindled when I went on my trip. Paris for whatever reason was especially bad.

I also don't really recommend going and seeing the "sights" for a couple of reasons. First you'll see a lot of the aforementioned con artists. Secondly the lines/crowds will kill most of your day. Thirdly I felt there was a lot more culture to be found if I wondered the streets admiring the architecture, tasting the food, and rummaging through the shops. Finally they're kind of overrated. Also most of those tourists spots will be under renovation.

Carry travelers checks with you, most hotels will gladly honor those for you. They're safer than carrying cash or credit with you as well.

Try not to do much the day after you land, you will probably still be suffering jet lag and you won't be used to the time difference. Relax around your hotel or walk the streets but don't feel like you have to see everything otherwise you'll wear yourself out.

[tmh88]

Hey guys, I finally had a minute to sit down and get on the internet. I've been in Paris for the past 2 days and will be leaving tomorrow, heading towards Zurich. Not sure how long I'll be there but after that I'm heading to Barcelona.

I went to NYC for the first time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and it was by far my favorite city I've ever been to....and that's my opinion after having been to London and Paris. Paris is very beautiful, but definitely not some place I could spend more than a few days in...same goes for London. I'm really looking forward to Barcelona, I've heard incredible things. Anyway, just thought I'd give an update. I'll check in if I have wifi at the next hotel.