June 4, 2025 • 45 mins
Doug and Tracey share their top tips for first-time visitors to Europe, drawing from over 50 years of combined travel experience across the continent in various seasons, budgets, and travel styles.
• Consider timing your visit carefully – avoid Southern Europe in July/August due to extreme heat and crowds
• Choose fewer destinations and explore them more deeply, rather than rushing through multiple countries
• Look into transportation options that suit your travel style – trains offer comfortable and scenic journeys
• Book ahead for popular attractions to avoid disappointment and long queues
• Take a food tour early in your trip to learn about local customs and discover hidden gems
• Pack light but smart – consider the reality of cobblestone streets and hotels without lifts
• Prepare for local weather conditions with appropriate clothing and accessories
• Plan your money strategy with multiple cards and minimal cash in most European countries
• Stay connected with an eSIM and download WhatsApp for communication with hotels and tour guides
• Be vigilant about scams and pickpockets, especially in major tourist destinations
• Learn a few basic phrases in local languages as a sign of respect
• Research accommodation carefully, looking for your must-have amenities
• Embrace cultural differences in opening hours, dining times, and local customs
• Consider the different electrical outlets and bring appropriate adapters
Always purchase comprehensive travel insurance – if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Show notes - Episode 57
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
In this week's episode 57 of the Global Travel
Planning Podcast, doug and Ishare our top 10 tips for
first-time visitors to Europepractical advice based on over
50 years of travel experience.
And, of course, don't miss ourtop tip at the very end of the
podcast.
Hi and welcome to the GlobalTravel Planning Podcast.
I'm your host, tracey Collins,who, with my expert guests, will
(00:23):
take you on a weekly journey todestinations around the globe,
providing travel inspiration,itinerary ideas, practical tips
and more to help you plan yournext travel adventure.
Hi and welcome to episode 57 ofthe Global Travel Planning
(00:46):
Podcast.
This week, doug and I are hereto share our top 15 tips for
first-time visitors to Europe.
We are asked a lot about ourtravels and we have travelled
extensively throughout Europe.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
We really have over many years, Over many, many
years.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
I am in my late 50s, doug's 23.
You wishes Not quite 23, butanyway.
So we've spent a lot of timeexploring Europe.
We have travelled for shorttimes like weekends.
We've travelled for weeks at atime.
I've actually lived in a coupleof European countries.
I lived in France and I livedin Switzerland and obviously we
(01:24):
both lived in the UK and youspent some time in.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Norway A few months in Norway, yes.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So, as well as actually kind of travelling, we
have actually lived in some ofthe countries too.
I think what's also worthsaying is that we've tried all
methods of travel.
So we've flown, we've driven,we've taken the train, which is
obviously our preferred methodof travel.
Cable we've taken the train,which is obviously our preferred
(01:49):
method of travel.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Cable car, boats yeah , we've tried everything.
I think we've got on hisskateboard.
Uh, yeah, no, I don't think.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I think that's.
I can't imagine me on askateboard.
Um yeah, so we've taken longand short trips.
Like I say, obviously, when welived in the uk a lot went
through school holidays, sosometimes we go weekends.
If we could, or'd go for weeksaway, obviously chasing the
sunshine most definitely butsaying that we did also spend
some time traveling over winterquite often as well.
My birthday is in winter as well, so yeah, yeah, and we've kind
(02:13):
of done it on all budgets aswell.
We've done it kind of trying tobe on a tight budget.
We've done it where we'vesplurged a bit more as well.
Um, and also, as I say,different times of year,
different events it's adifferent travel experience yeah
, so I think there's very fewcountries left in Europe now
that we actually haven't visitedor passed through at the very
least yeah, so I think we'reprobably I'd like to actually
(02:35):
get the last couple like we'vegot, I don't think, bulgaria and
Romania and or not, yeah, sothere's a few that we still need
to do.
But so if you are planningwherever you, you are in the
world.
So if you're in the States, orif you're in Australia, or if
you're in Singapore, or ifyou're in South America, or if
you're in South Africa, whereverin the world and you're
planning a trip to Europe, theseare our top tips to you, based
(02:55):
on multiple years of experience.
Okay, so I've got 15.
So I will number each one, giveyou what the tip is.
I will number each one, giveyou what the tip is, and then
we'll just have a short chatabout that.
So first thing to do is chooseyour time, and carefully and we
say this as well about when wetalk about the UK and the UK
travel planning podcast as well.
Think about when.
Obviously you may have to do itaround when you have your
(03:17):
holidays, like spring break, orwhen your kids are off school or
when you have your holidays.
But if you can and have someflexibility, think very
carefully about when you'regoing to visit.
Obviously summer long days,that's right, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
And winter you've got short days.
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
But I guess the disadvantage in the summer,
particularly in Southern Europe,is that it is now becoming
incredibly hot, too hot for meto travel in.
We were in Seville in March andthey were saying that really
from the end of April it wouldstart getting incredibly hot.
Now we like the heat, so it'snot, but we find that it can be
(03:57):
just so draining when you try totravel.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Yeah, it can be sensible with the sun as well.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Yeah, absolutely.
Well, I remember taking myniece in to italy in august and
rome and stand the palatine hilland it was 40 something degrees
it was not fun, so think verycarefully.
So I honestly would recommend,if you can, to avoid visiting um
, particularly july and augustsouthern, southern europe,
whether it's italy, greece,spain, portugal, and also that's
(04:23):
when a lot of Europeans are onholiday as well, so it will be
much busier, more crowds,whereas if you can try and go in
spring and autumn, which wejust did, yeah that's right.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
I mean, if you really have to travel during those
times, I would look at maybe notgoing to the most well-known
tourist centres.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Look to sort of broaden your horizons to other
towns and cities in a country.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, to avoid the amount of people, that's true,
to sort of broaden your horizonsto you know all the towns and
cities in a country.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
Yeah, yeah, to avoid, like, the amount of people that
are going to be there, becauseit is becoming a considerable
problem now in europe that somany of the popular destinations
for example, paris, rome youjust have to think, you know
they just become crazy, crazybusy um another thing I've
mentioned is winter.
We've just did the christmasmarkets and loved it.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, we absolutely loved it.
I mean, obviously, winter,autumn, winter travel appeals to
a lot of people in the firstplace.
You know that is theirpreferred season to travel, so
you know it's not like a secondoption.
You know summer is the bestoption because it really isn't
for everybody no, and I kind ofsay that isn't.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
I would say, if you can avoid it, don't go in the
summer.
Look at spring and autumn andif you, you know, even winter.
If you want to go for thechristmas market, it's perfect.
Um, I would say january,february are probably the
bleakest months in europe, butif you're a skier, yeah, great
time to go and then you're not abig fan of crowds.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Uh, you know, january , february yes, you might be a
bit.
You've got to be a little bitmore flexible with your travel
plans because it can be impactedby the weather good trains,
roads, etc.
And some not.
Everywhere is open.
Yeah, you know some places willclose for those months before
we open again for summer season,but those factors don't always
impact everybody and it dependson what you want from your
(06:02):
holiday.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah, true, but I think I guess the really good
time it goes probably May andthen September.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Those are really good months, generally Spring and
autumn are pretty good in Europe.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Obviously another disadvantage, I guess sometimes
at peak time, is that there canoften be strikes.
So air traffic control.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
We've found that, haven't we?
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (06:21):
trains, bag of chandeliers, things like that.
So just those are things tothink about.
Also, I will quickly put inthere as well think about if
there's going to be a majorevent in the country or a
destination you'll go to, forexample, bastille Day or
Oktoberfest.
Those will affect availability.
So if you're planning to go,know that it's going to be
(06:41):
potentially busier and we oftenget asked that when people visit
London and the London Marathonis on- yeah, that's right.
Or treatment of the collar, sothose sort of things.
So do your research.
Obviously, we have got on ourwebsite first-time guides to
multiple countries.
So if you're planning a visitto Italy or Greece or Spain or
Portugal, do check out thosefirst-time guides as well,
(07:03):
because that gives you a lot ofthe essential information.
Talk to the experts.
Yeah, absolutely like us.
Okay.
So that's point number one.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Good point.
That is yeah, it is yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Now, point number two is don't try to do it all and I
think this is one that wesometimes fail, because we do
try to do too much but reallytry to do fewer destinations and
enjoy them more deeply.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Well, totally understand, you know.
The instinct, if you like, forall of us is you know you've got
a short trip.
Well, try and pack in as muchas you possibly can.
We've been guilty of thatourselves in the past.
But, you've got to take it backa little bit and say you know,
if you busted it on the firstday and you're exhausted, you're
not going to enjoy the secondday no, that's it, and I guess I
(07:46):
suppose for us as well, thoughpart of the trip for us is the
actual travel.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
So if we're doing train travel, we may do quite a
lot of train um journeys in it,but for that, for us, that is
part of the actual vacation theholiday, the trip the experience
, the experience stations andtrains.
but I think and I know, there'sa lot of coach tours that go
around Europe and you spend oneday in Paris, one day in Rome,
one day in Florence, and they'revery fast and you probably
(08:13):
spend a lot of time on the coach.
So again, but if that's whatyou want to do, and it's your
first trip to Europe and youreally want to go and see eight
countries or whatever, thenthat's probably the way to do it
.
We're a little bit more on theslower travel.
Yeah, um, we just spent, uh whatsix weeks in in france and
(08:34):
spain and portugal, yeah, andthen we went over to turkey and
that was nice, that was gave usplenty of time to really kind of
but what we do is, if we gotone particular busy day, whether
it's something we've organizedourself or we've been on a tour-
we generally try and make thefollowing day a little bit
slower, yeah, so not only youroverall itinerary when you're
thinking about how manydestinations you want to go to,
(08:55):
but when you're actuallyplanning, your itinerary is how
much you want to do.
So, for example, you're inLondon for four days and you
want to do some day trips out.
Perhaps you want to do some daytrips out, but perhaps you want
to go to windsor, you want togo to bath, you want to go to
stonehenge um, you could end upusing all of those days going
out on tours.
Or maybe your best bet is tothink, okay, what do I want to
do in london?
And then maybe having one ortwo day tours out and not trying
(09:18):
to do too much again, so thatyou're not spending the whole
day on a coach.
Um, unless you take a privatetour, then obviously you can
cater that to yourself but yeah,not just the uk, in europe as
well.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
If you've got a specific interest in a certain
area on the tour, might notspend enough time in that one
place, but if that's your, youknow you've got a short length
of time.
You want to whistle stopseveral places, a tour is
perfect for you yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Well, we've just, we've just done a couple of
tours.
We'd actually did a tour ofmorocco okay, not europe, but
again, that gave us a taste ofmorocco and we know what we'd
like to it's the first time tothat country, so yeah it's a
great introduction so they coulddo that.
but if you are planningindependently again um sort of
think carefully about.
We often will get requestswhere people would like they've
got three weeks that they'regoing to spend in the UK.
(10:04):
They want to go to England,scotland, wales, northern
Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Well, in three weeks you're notgoing to do that.
I mean, well, you could.
You could basically spend acouple of days in each country,
but it'd be crazy, so it's justtoo much.
So you have to kind of thinkvery carefully about you know
what is important for you andjust don't do it all, because
(10:25):
you'll be tired and then youwon't appreciate it.
Now the number three point isto consider how you'll get
around.
So we prefer trains.
Most definitely prefer trainsBecause it's just a wonderful
part of the journey, great wayto get around more
environmentally friendly.
To do that, there are buses andbudget flights that you can
take in across Europe as well.
(10:52):
I mean, we took we've takenplenty of flights this this last
trip over with some of them themore the budget-friendly
airlines.
But if you're going to do a lotof train travel, for example,
research the different railpasses, but do also compare how
much it'll cost to go point topoint.
But some of the the rail passesin europe are excellent.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
They really are.
Yes, you've got to shop aroundand also consider what that is,
how much you're carrying aroundwith you as well, because you
might, it's our budget airlines.
Yes, the price of the ticket isbudget, but if you're taking
more luggage, those costs canboost up, and so the same with
some of the the bus transfers tocoach companies.
You know there is a luggagepolicy, yeah, and so you know
(11:28):
you, you've got to do yourhomework.
Yeah, it's one of those.
Don't just go, that's cheap,I'll book it.
And then, yeah, becauseactually it can add up.
We did take coach.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
We took a coach from seville to lisbon we did um, so
taking some coach journeys thislast trip as well.
I will just mention, becausethere's a lot about just taking
carry-on only.
Now it depends which countryyou're coming from.
So if you're coming fromAustralia, we have a very strict
allowance for carry-on.
But I know other countries likethe United States have a very
(11:57):
generous carry-on allowance youwill find in Europe.
It is not generous, it isstrict, and they are strict.
It's seven kilograms and theyhave a specific size of bag.
So I'd be very, very careful,I'd really think about this If
you're going to be travelingaround Europe for a month, if
you can really genuinely do thatwith carry-on only at 7
(12:18):
kilograms, because honestly, Idefinitely can't that would be a
challenge.
So you have to really thinkabout that.
So we'll talk about packing ina bit, but I do get a bit
frustrated by this constant kindof obsession and push towards
carry-ons.
Only Great if you can do it,great if you are flying from the
States and back again and youcan have a generous allowance,
(12:38):
but if you're gonna be takingany of those budget flights, in
Europe you're gonna find thatmuch stricter and not just
airlines as well.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
If you're using, even on trains, only carry what you
can safely lift on and offtrains and on above luggage
racks and everything else.
Um, yes, you might be able toget on the airline, but you've
got to consider coach travel aswell yeah, and train travel is.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
It's very, it's actually vital.
And I know, when I took myniece niece for her 21st
birthday around Italy, I wasvery strict with her about her
baggage that she could pick hersmall suitcase up and actually
put it on above her head so thatshe could A watch, keep an eye
on the trains, because there'sissues with luggage going
missing.
But also that she wasresponsible for it.
(13:20):
And, believe me, we've gotpodcasts, we've done previous
podcasts about this.
But there's nothing where youjust start off on your trip and
you think, okay, I've got 23kilograms, it'll be absolutely
fine, you will buy things as yougo along, yeah for sure.
And then, believe me, 23kilograms is not fun.
It is not fun to start trailingaround trying to lift them on
trains or even trying on some ofthe planes.
(13:41):
It was just a nightmare.
So I know, because we've justcome back after nine months and
we obviously had more luggageand it makes life so much more
stressful and so much moredifficult.
So really think about that.
So when we're talking aboutgetting around, we're talking
about trains, we're talkingabout coaches, we're talking
about planes, but I want to talkabout driving.
So I'm not a massive fan ofdriving on the right-hand side
(14:05):
because it's just something Ifind really difficult, really
stressful.
So I tend to leave that to Dougif we're travelling in France
or any other European.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Or anywhere else that matter.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yeah, right, but any other European country?
Now, if you think about it,there's a few things to consider
.
If you're planning to drive inItaly, or planning to drive in
France or the UK, so UK is goingto be an opposite side of the
road than you're used to.
If you're coming from theUnited States or from Canada,
for example, australia mucheasier because we drive on the
left in Australia, but there arestill differences in local
(14:37):
driving laws.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
yeah, so, yeah, this is tip number four, driving.
But you've got to know therules and it's worth doing that
little bit of homework beforeyou leave, because driving
conditions are different inevery country.
You may be used to driving two,three, four plus hours.
Uh, for example, if you'redriving in the uk, that's a lot
of different driving experienceto what it may be in australia.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
And we say that a lot actuallybecause we know, because we
spend a lot of time in Australiaand we will do a 10-hour
driving day and not really thinkmuch of it, because we'll share
that driving In the UK Notstraight off Do take breaks?
Yeah, we do take breaks.
We'll share two hours each, butin the UK it's so much more
stressful, it's difficult.
You've got so much more tocontend with and also, you know,
(15:24):
if you're not used toroundabouts, for example, that's
that can be stressful.
So we recommend whichevercountry you're planning to drive
in in europe so, whether that'sthe uk, whether that's republic
of ireland, whether that isitaly, so you know you're used
to driving on the right handside potentially.
Um, there are fantasticresources that we recommend and
(15:46):
that is tripiamo.
I will put a link to tripiamoin the show notes.
Please use our affiliate link,because that helps support us.
Um, we've actually had johnfrom tripiamo on the podcast on
a couple of occasions and I willalso link to those episodes.
Their resources are excellentand will prepare you to drive in
(16:07):
France, in Italy, in Spain, inthe Republic of Ireland, in the
United Kingdom, and we've hadsome fantastic reviews back.
So, honestly, they're notexpensive but to us they're
absolutely invaluable.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Yeah, I mean we've looked to hire cars in places in
different countries because, asmuch as we love trains, they
don't go absolutely everywhere.
That's true.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
It gives you more freedom when you've got a car.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Most definitely.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
One little tip.
I will say that if you areplanning to hire a car, this is
really important actually isthat some countries, for example
the UK, you'll find lessautomatics.
There's far more manuals.
So if you're used to stickshift, you need to.
If you're not used to stickshift, I should say then you
really need to stress that youwant an automatic air, and it
will cost you more, and thereare less of them.
(16:52):
So just be aware that you willneed to book.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Particularly for someone on travel when there's
greater demand for high cars.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
But also I mean you can do a mix because, honestly,
trains are a great way to getaround.
But if you want to say, I wasin Puglia in November In.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Italy.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
In Italy.
Yes, and I met up with Shelley.
So you know, ladies who travel,we do those podcasts every
month and Shelley drove.
So that was great.
She had a hire car and shedrove around, so it meant that
we could go to a lot of placeswe would not have been able to
go to by train because there'sno trains there to cover it,
except for the major cities.
Right Number five prioritizewhat matters to you.
(17:30):
So when you're creating youritinerary around your interests,
consider what those are.
So is it?
Oh, do you like castles?
Are you interested in food?
Do you want to go to beaches?
And we say that we have anitinerary planning challenge,
actually on the UK website UKtravel planning website and and
that's one of the things we'llsay what are your, what are your
interests, and then what areyour must do's around those
(17:54):
interests and what do you liketo do's, and then you can
develop your itinerary aroundthat yeah, and that becomes more
important when the larger thetravel group you know there's
one or two people or solo travelit's easier to contend with if
you know you push for time,unlimited holiday time.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
But the greater the party the more difficult is to
cater for everybody in, you know, in that group but that's also,
I think, one.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
What you can do is then you have different on
certain days.
Part of the party can go offand do their thing and the other
party can go and do anotherthing.
For example, I met um susan hisusan last uh november in london
with the kids and we went toart museum um, but the rest of
the family went on a on a pubtour.
So you know you can do that andactually when we travel, this
(18:39):
is an issue because you loveyou've got train museums I can't
go through york without goingto the train.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
You go.
Any train museums.
Wherever we go, there's a ifthere's a train museum.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
You have to go.
I do, but I don't particularlyhave a cute.
I'll go and have a quick look,but I don't.
I'm not.
You know I'm not as interestedyou, but I like to go to see art
, so I might go to an art museum.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That you're not interested in, exactly.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I think as well, if you've got children traveling
with kids, it's worth askingthem what they want to do.
Yeah, and then I think that's agreat way to start.
And also it's aboutprioritizing what matters to you
.
Just because somewhere he'sfamous and kind of considered a
must-do doesn't make itnecessarily a must-do for you.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
You know I I mean this isn't in europe again, but
we've just been to sri lanka anddoug climbed sigiriya and I.
I went, had a look at it, butthere's no way I was climbing it
, um, and I know that's one ofthose things behind you should
climb I like the challenge, yeah, um you know, and so also I was
aware of my limitations.
It was very hot, but you knowyou, you don't have to try and
fit in everything that you know,tick everything off.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
That's right.
And in Madrid I went out to theBernabeu Real Madrid football
ground.
You had no interest at all infootball.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
No, no, not at all.
Number six again, is right bookahead for popular attractions.
Really, we can't stress thisenough because if you are going
in a popular, busy, high peakseason time of year, you are
going to struggle to get intosome of those and you will be
disappointed.
(20:09):
So popular attractions likeColosseum, eiffel Tower, sagrada
Familia.
They get busy so you need toconsider about booking ahead so
that you have your slot.
You have your tour.
Again, another thing that Iwill say is do you want to spend
your trip standing in a greatbig line?
You don't want to queue up forfour hours to go to Westminster?
(20:30):
Because I don't.
I would rather have my skip theline ticket, go straight in, do
my tour.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
So I love tours that also have skip the line, because
to me, it's worth that moneybecause know you spend a lot to
go on a trip.
Do you really want to stand inthe line?
Yeah, and if you're bookingwell in advance and it's
sometimes too soon beforetickets are released is do your
research and know when thosetickets are going to be on sale
yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
We do actually have a guide for london for
particularly, say, you know whenwe'd recommend that you book
some things, and I know in ourarticles as well that, writing
for different destinationsEurope, we will point out when
the best time is to considerbooking some of these places.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
So the next one is a try, a food tour.
This is one area weparticularly enjoy, don't we?
Speaker 1 (21:12):
yeah.
So point seven yeah, take afood tour, and take a food tour
early in your trip.
This is a great way to learngreat local customs, discover
hidden gems and sample someauthentic foods.
Now we look for small groupoptions and we love devour tours
.
So we take devour tours, foodtours, wherever we've been in.
(21:34):
How many places have I had?
Taken a food tour with them now.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
So many.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Paris, seville, madrid, london, barcelona, have
I had taken a food tour withthem.
Now, so many paris, seville,madrid, london, barcelona, um,
and and we took the food to lastgen, berlin, um, and you know,
and if you do it early on inyour tour as well, like italy,
I've taken some paris, oh my god, there's so many, um, if, if
you do it early in your tour,you will find the guide will
kind of not only make somerecommendations about where to
(22:01):
eat, which is great, and dishesyou've not heard of.
Yeah, or not, even when youthink about trying.
It's a fantastic way andactually we've met so many
people on these food tours whohave said exactly the same thing
.
They land in a new place orthey arrive and the first thing
they do is they do a walk-intour they do a food tour there
they do a walking tour, they doa food tour.
There was a lad from Japan whenwe were in Barcelona, yeah, and
he said just the same thing yeah, and I mean, your food tour is
(22:23):
a walking tour as well, so youget to see a lot of the place
and learn the history, because alot of food tours aren't just
about the food, they're alsoabout the culture.
So you'll learn about theculture, you'll learn about the
food history and history anddon't be put off if you've got
food allergies or preferences,because usually they do ask you.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
They do ask you at the start of the tour.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You introduce yourself and they'll ask that
question, or when you fill thatin, when you actually book it.
Anyway they'll ask you what ifyou've got anything?
So they will organize that.
So don't be put off.
And also, doug doesn't drink,but it's not had an impact on
you, has it?
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Not at all.
Again, always ask at the startof the tour does everybody drink
alcohol?
Does anybody not drink alcohol?
Speaker 1 (23:00):
And I'm never the only one, and no, I've never won
, so you don't feel like youmiss out.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
No, not at all.
In fact, probably the opposite,because at times you become
more of a focal point andthey'll say to you you know, do
you want to try a local softdrink?
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
And you go yeah, okay , I'll try that.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
And whenever they're doing the cheers, I'm holding up
a glass of coke and well, thatsuits me, because it'd be wine
to us without having to if we'redoing driving and the plus side
is as well.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
When it's a food and drink to like the one we did in
paris, the food is absolutelyexceptional.
You know that's worth going onalone absolutely so.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
I would highly recommend, uh, food tours with
devour.
We've done a lot with devour.
I will put a link to devourfood tours in the show notes, so
do go check them out.
And again, we do mention thetours that we've taken in the
different various destinationarticles.
Um, no, no worry.
Kind of going back again to thepacking thing pack light but
(23:57):
pack smart.
So you really you've got to bethinking about, like, if you're
going to Venice, do you want tobe trying to get across to your
hotel with a massive, great bigsuitcase?
No, you don't.
And we've seen this.
I have seen, I don't know somepeople sit now suitcases that
are bigger than them trying toget on a Vaparoto in in Venice,
not for all, over cobbledstreets.
(24:20):
Also, a lot of some of thehotels don't have lifts.
So do you want to be carrying,you know, your luggage up to the
fifth floor, third floor,whatever?
Um, and some of these you know,small, uh, small little hotels
or b&b's in some of the europeancities.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
I would not want to do that at all I've already
mentioned about big luggage ontrains.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Yes, yes, so just pack smart.
No, um, packing cubes, reallycompression packing cubes.
I've been a bit of a gamechanger.
It's amazing how much it canfit in.
Again, it's you've got toconsider weight allowances, but
you know, think about a capsulewardrobe.
Think about what you want totake.
So I always have a pair ofsandals and a pair of
comfortable trainers.
(24:59):
Um, I try to mix and match whatI take.
So I always have a pair ofsandals and a pair of
comfortable trainers.
Um, I try to mix and match whatI take.
So I think very much of havingplain colors.
I've got a very I've got a lotof bright colored, plain tops
that will go with everything.
Again, with trousers, I likecrop trousers in winter.
I've got more, um, I wearthermal tights and sort of black
leggings and they work reallywell.
It's just considering exactlyhow you're going to pack and and
(25:21):
you know what you're going totake.
So I want to talk about this.
Actually, I did an episoderecently with Melissa and
Shelley all about packing, andShelley actually has done a
video of her packing hersuitcase well, which I will
share in the show notes andworth having a look at, because
she travels all the time forsolo traveler um all over the
(25:42):
world and she has got it downpat.
She really has um.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
So I think that's really essential to to listen to
yeah, I mean the correlationbetween the weight of your
luggage and the season you'retraveling.
Yes, it is obvious.
But also all add on to that isif you're traveling to one or
two countries, you know youdon't always need to be taking
lots of bottle things with you.
I mean, obviously ladies havedifferent things to the men that
(26:06):
carry, but buy stuff in thecountry you're visiting.
You don't have to be taking bigbottles of things.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
No, absolutely I don't tend to.
I've got maybe to take a littlebit of shampoo with me.
I don't know what purpleshampoo from blonde hair, but,
um, you know it depends.
But I think um think verycarefully about what you're
taking with you.
And, as I say, we've got video.
I have got a video of mypacking, I've got a video of
shelly's packing.
So have a look at those videosas well and have a listen to
(26:33):
that podcast and light layers.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
Yeah, layers are the, layers are always the absolute
key, um.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
So number nine is prepare for the weather.
So again, be um, check, checkthe week before you go,
especially if you go to somecountries where uk particularly
because where the weather canchange on a dime so it can.
It's so unpredictable so you doneed to check now.
Oh, I always have a light rainjacket with me all the time.
(26:58):
It's a little one that packs up, very small.
I carry that with me, literally.
That goes wherever I go.
That goes with me.
If you go to somewhere likeSouthern Europe, it can get
incredibly hot.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Incredibly hot yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
So you need to think again about you know, hat
sunglasses, sun cream.
You know, prepare for….
Speaker 2 (27:18):
A water bottle as well.
Yeah, get yourself a waterbottle, so prepare exactly with
what the expectations are ofwhat the weather's going to be.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
And again, flip side, winter takes some hand warmers
yeah, oh, they're a game changer, they have been an absolute
game changer for us, because, Imean, we were in Sweden, we were
in Poland, we were in Finlandover winter.
It was cold, a lot of snow andhand warmers my goodness, they
are brilliant.
So we always take hand warmers.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
We do indeed.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
So that's a good one, but do the research the week
before and you might have toadjust your packing.
Number 10, plan your moneystrategy Now.
So this is an interesting one,because we get asked this all
the time cash versus cards Now.
So this is an interesting one,because we get asked this all
the time cash versus cards Now.
How much cash have we used inEurope recently?
In?
Europe yeah that's what we'retalking about.
Europe Very little.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Very little, very little, very little yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
The only places we've recently used cash have been in
Morocco and Sri Lanka reallythose two destinations.
That's it.
Most of the other places wehave used cards.
We use contactless.
That's how we're paid for mostthings.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
When you're visiting multiple countries, it's
difficult to take cash for everycountry.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Yeah, it is I mean we do use a multi-currency card
which we use, which has gotcurrency in multiple
destinations.
We use that.
We can withdraw cash from that.
We find that if we do need itthen we take it out separate
cards.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
We've got different accounts.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Yes, so one thing what we'll will do is we've got
separate account is that we'llkeep less on his card and he
will use his card to withdrawcash, just in case um there's
any issue, so that my card doesnot isn't get, isn't used in atm
at all yeah, we also carry withus at least two credit cards um
(29:05):
each, so that's a backupstrategy as well.
Um, as I say, cash, no, not somuch.
I know a lot of people likecash.
So if you're planning,obviously, tips, then you know,
withdraw some cash, withdraw itonce you get into the various,
the country that you're going to.
And also I will say please beaware of what currency the
(29:25):
country you're going to ineurope uses, because not every
country in europe uses the euro,correct?
Yeah, um, and so you reallyneed to know what the currency
is.
So, for example, sweden doesn'tuse a euro, poland doesn't use
a euro, hungary Can't remember.
Doesn't use Euro.
So a number of countries France, yes, euro.
(29:48):
Italy, yes, euro.
Greece Euro.
Portugal Euro, spain Euro.
However, uk, not.
We have a pound, so you need tobe aware of which countries
have what.
And then, if you want to have alittle bit of cash, just
withdraw that from an ATM.
That's the best way to do it,that's what we always recommend,
that's what we do, so that'swhat we the best way to do it,
that's what we always recommend.
(30:08):
That's wrong.
That's what we do, so that'swhat we recommend with travel
water.
So that's what we do.
Um, number 11 stay connectedwith uh, uh, sim or e-sim.
Now, I would say more than e7these days.
Yeah, I'd say so.
Um, we have, we both havee-sims.
We do um, I've got a few e-simson my phone.
You just have to make sure thatyour phone is unlocked.
We use Auralo.
(30:29):
I'm going to try a few otherdifferent eSIMs, just for a bit
of variety, because I have heardother people using different
ones.
We have had no problem withAuralo.
I've got an Asia SIM, I've gota Europe SIM, I've got a UK SIM.
I've got a few different eSIMson my phone and they're pretty
easy to set up?
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Yeah, how many countries have you used them?
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Oh, I think we've just been to 17 countries and
had no problems actuallyconnecting, I think the only
place we did have problem, andagain it wasn't.
Europe was in Sri Lanka, whereit wasn't so great the reception
, but in Europe it's generallypretty good.
Obviously, you're going to needit for all your apps and your
different tools and stayingconnected.
I will just mention, in Europeas well, that a lot of tour
(31:16):
companies, a lot of hotels, willuse WhatsApp, true, so make
sure you've got WhatsApp on yourphone.
I think that's because thatwe've used for a lot.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Yeah for hotel notifications.
What time you're expected toarrive?
Speaker 1 (31:25):
all that sort of thing.
Yeah for hotel notifications.
What?
Speaker 2 (31:27):
time you expect to arrive, all that sort of thing.
Yeah, you can use that for tourguides or for access codes.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Yeah, or tours, when we've met up with tour guides
and things like that.
So that is useful to haveNumber 12.
Watch out for scams andpickpockets.
I hate to include it, but wehave to.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Yeah, I mean, it's a part of the modern world,
unfortunately, and it's not onecountry specific we're going to
focus on, because unfortunatelyyou get them everywhere.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
Yeah, all the major cities in Europe, I would say,
is an issue.
London is becoming morechallenging now when it comes to
phones in snatch, so be verycareful.
You know there are places likeParis.
There's Barcelona, rome arewell known for pickpockets.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Organized.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Very organized.
So you have to be very, verycareful, and I know some people,
when I talk about this, puttheir eyes to heaven, go
whatever, and then usuallypeople tell me that oh no, we've
heard these horror stories andwe'll be fine.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
But actually and I think what it is is, once you're
on holiday, you sort of takeyour foot off the gas a little
bit and you're very conscious inyour everyday life, but all of
a sudden, when you're traveling,you sort of relax a bit, I
don't know, and take your eyeoff the game a little.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Yeah, absolutely.
So what do I do?
I use a crossbody bag, alwaysuse a crossbody bag.
We always keep our valuablesand leave them in the safe at
the hotel.
We don't go out with them.
I know some countries you'vegot to have your passport with
you, but you can take aphotocopy with you.
Be careful of people asking forsignatures or trying to
(32:59):
distract you.
Look for scams like the onwestminster bridge at the minute
with the the three ball scam.
I don't know the cups that theydo, it's all.
While you're watching, there'speople going around probably
trying to pickpocket, you know,but it's, it's all a scam it is.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
Be careful, particularly big train stations
where you're watching departureboards and you're trying to find
your way around.
A little tip we always give topeople when we do itinerary
consults is if there's two ofyou travel, one of you only look
for information, the one kickyour eye on all your belongings.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Yeah, absolutely oh.
And another scam that I'veheard of recently as well is
that if you're sitting on yourown with your luggage, there may
be some sort of altercation.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Organised.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
And basically somebody might get pushed over
and fall to the floor and thenthe other people run off and
leave them.
If you go to help them andleave your luggage, you'll come
back and your luggage will begone.
Yeah, they'll be distracted.
help them, leave your luggageyou'll come back and your
luggage will be gone.
Yeah, so don't.
Those are distractions, um, andthat they're out to to take
your stuff, and I hate to say it, but you've got to be careful.
(33:59):
Um, I have had an attemptedpickpocket attempt in paris with
my backpack.
I had my cross body bag,everything in it, so it wasn't
wasn't a problem.
I was surrounded on the Paris.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Metro.
We got separated, didn't we?
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (34:07):
so I could not move while the gang went through my
backpack.
Now it was a pickpocket-proofbackpack, but I hadn't secured
it because it just had myclothes in it.
It still went through it and Icould not move.
So I really would just be.
I don't want to scare you,absolutely not, but I just would
be, just pay some attention.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Be savvy.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Be savvy with stuff like that.
I have also just released a UKTravel Panel podcast all about
staying safe in London, so docheck that out and I'll put that
in the show notes.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Particularly, if you know best to watch, let's say,
teenagers with things in theirback pockets.
But it's not just teenagers.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
No, oh yeah, we've seen this so often.
That's a good one to mention,actually, because quite often
you know if your teenager mightbe used to putting his wallet or
his mobile phone in his backpocket, that will get stolen.
Go on the Paris metro andyou're going to get offered.
You won't have that phone inyour back pocket, so be careful,
be aware.
(35:04):
Number 13, learn a few localphrases.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
This is a nice one.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
Yeah, so try and learn some basic greetings,
please.
Thank you, and your locallanguage honestly, can go a long
way and obviously justrespectful.
Really, I have to say you arereally good at this.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
Melissa's excellent at this.
I'm very good when I'm therebecause I have little aptitude
for languages.
After I've left the country, Iseem to forget most it you do,
but I think it's a.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
We'll remember it before you go back.
Yeah, just need to practice itif you've got those words.
And again are, we've got alittle tip sheets with each of
our destination guides on thetip sheet.
We've got some words to it.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
I think you did right .
It goes a long way with yourshots and just please thank you
it is nice.
It is nice that people see youmake an effort.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
I don't assume everybody speaks English.
Even in Europe, where you mightthink, oh well, everybody
speaks English.
Well, no, there's obviouslymultiple languages.
But I remember years ago when Iwas in Switzerland meeting
another I was an au pair at thetime meeting another au pair and
she was Swiss German and shedidn't speak English.
So I didn't speak Swiss German,but I spoke French.
We both spoke French, so weconversed in French.
(36:10):
So sometimes having the abilityto have a few phrases, it's
just great.
And also I would recommend aswell the Google Translator.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Oh my goodness, that is amazing, that is amazing.
Speaker 1 (36:24):
I love the visual thing where you can put it on
and it will tell you what it is.
We've used that so much.
But yeah, just so, justlearning a few local phrases and
you know a great way to do thisis to watch some tv series or
films on netflix and have someof it in the language.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Just obviously this is past the basics, but if you
want to do a bit of practice,that's great to do it, this
language podcast I did, for Ivisited wales, believe it or not
.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
Um, I wanted to learn a few.
Visited Wales, believe it ornot.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
I wanted to learn a few words and, believe it or not
, the Welsh is one of the few Ido actually remember yeah, all
right, come on then so BoradarNostal Dielch well, there you go
.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
They're Welsh there.
Yeah, right, number 14, right.
Consider when you're bookinglocal accommodation.
So understand the differenttypes of local accommodation in
the place that you're going to.
For example, we have bed andbreakfast in the uk which are
great, um, so there aredifferent types.
Obviously, you've got yourhotels, your boutique hotels,
your airbnbs, and in europethere are different types of
(37:20):
accommodation that you can book.
So just check, check before youbook.
If there are certain thingsthat is important to you for
example, if you want a lift,elevator, you want
air-conditioned, you want a 24hour reception you can filter.
We booked through bookingcom.
You can filter so that you canget stuff that will.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
So you can say these are the essentials yeah, and
also important when you do yourresearch, accommodation is if
you need it close by totransport links as well.
Yes, yes.
And how you're going to get toand from, particularly if you've
got an early start for tours orleaving or airports is to know
how you're going to get there.
So, yes, choose youraccommodation.
For everything you've just saidbut, also if you need a shop
(38:01):
nearby, if you need transportnearby.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
Yes, that's true, and also before I book I also check
.
I usually book with freecancellation.
That's important to us.
It is cost you slightly more,but it's just peace of mind.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
Yeah, and meals as well.
Do you need meals included?
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Oh, okay, yeah, breakfast, yeah, that sort of
thing.
So you can filter by that.
And also, I always checkreviews before I book anything.
I don't book anything that'sgot less than an eight on
Bookingcom because that's whowe've been using for years.
So that's what I do.
But just if you know, if somethings are important to you,
like you know having a lift oryou know air conditioning, if
(38:39):
you're going to be in Rome inAugust, I don't think I want to
stay somewhere that didn't haveair conditioning.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
I mean, we've come across things like it's
important that the bathroom ison the same level.
There's no steps from thebedroom up or down.
We've come across that beforehaven't we?
Speaker 1 (38:56):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Well, we stayed in a hotelhouse where we had to climb up
the steps, didn't?
Speaker 2 (38:59):
we yeah, and that's it If that's very important to
you.
Speaker 1 (39:02):
Yeah, then check all of.
So just understand theaccommodation that you're
booking and what it has and whatit doesn't have.
Now, number 15 is embrace thedifferences, because it is going
to be different.
You know we're British, but yougo to France, you go to Germany
, they're all different.
They're all very differentcultures with very different
(39:22):
traditions, with very differentexpectations.
For example, when shops closeor, um, when dinner might start,
for example, dinner, I mean.
When I was in greece a coupleyears ago, I couldn't get over
the fact that they're waiting at10 pm at night.
That was crazy late for me.
That was crazy late, um, butyou just have to adjust to it,
because that's what in the uk,the obsession with sunday lunch.
(39:44):
Oh yeah, I'll find that in othercountries, yeah exactly, um,
some places you might go to,well, there'll be nothing open
on a sunday.
Everything will be shut.
Yeah, um, and I know actuallyquite a lot of australians have
said to us they find it reallydifficult with just the fact
that they go to places likelondon or any of it and things
don't start till 10 in themorning, so nothing's open it.
(40:05):
So, because in australia thingsare quite early, there's an
expectation if you get up at,you know, 8 or 7.30, you're
going to go and everything.
No, it's not opening.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
But the flip side is, you know, here things close
early.
Yes, yes.
End of the day.
Speaker 1 (40:17):
So it's just having that awareness that things are
going to be different andthere'll be some things that
will be frustrating and you go.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Oh my Well a lot of us are set in our ways and you
know, sometimes you go onholiday or vacation and you
think, well, I'm going to do allthis, I'm going to do all that,
and then there's little things.
You think I like that littlebit of consistency, like I am
with my meal times.
I'm a bit more set in my waysand you're always pushing me
away from my comfort zone.
Speaker 1 (40:42):
I think that's important.
I think that particularly youknow, if you're listening to
this podcast now and this willbe your first trip to europe and
you're gonna, wherever you'regonna go in europe, it's going
to be different.
They're going to be so much andwe get so much about washcloth,
so much about air, so muchabout what are the other things
that come our top sheets.
There's so many differences.
(41:03):
We actually have a whole thingon differences between like us
versus uk on the uk website.
We've done a podcast on that.
There are going to be somethings that will be so different
and so alien.
Some things you'll love saying,some things you won't.
Well, I just say, embrace it tryand smile with it yes, just
lean into it and the differentyou know and you'll come away
and go, wow, and that's thewhole point is, don't be
troubled to find out why I?
(41:23):
Travel around, how other peoplelive in the world.
I want to know, becauseeverybody doesn't live the same
way that we do and have the sameexperiences, Mostly like food
for me.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
I like different things Well you like food.
Speaker 1 (41:32):
I like people on the thing.
For me, I just want to know howpeople I've always wanted to
know how people live their livesaround the world and you know,
it's amazing just how differentwe're all living on the same
planet, different your lives canbe.
And the amazing thing aboutEurope is it doesn't take you
very long to go from one countryto another country to another
country, and they're alldifferent, yeah, language, food,
(41:53):
culture, everything.
So you know, just just enjoy it.
So I think I think that's it.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
We've given you 15 there's one thing we've not
covered and I'm just going tosay just be aware of your
electrical devices, thedifferent plugs, sockets, just
do your research as to whatcountry has what time yeah,
that's good, that's.
Speaker 1 (42:14):
And yeah, for when you're packing, you need to make
sure, and so we've got amulti-adapter that we can reuse.
Yes, um, but I was going to end, because we always end with the
one, the one tip that you giveanybody planning a trip to
europe for the first time andI'm not going to say so, we've
talked about 15 and you've kindof thrown in yours.
My one is to make sure you havetravel insurance.
Please, please, please, makesure that you have comprehensive
(42:37):
travel insurance, whoever yougo with, because you just, you
just never know what is aroundthe corner, expect the
unexpected yeah, exactly so it'ssomething that we do stress.
Please, please, please.
I never travel anywhere.
We don't travel anywherewithout travel insurance.
So make sure you know we say ifyou can't afford travel
insurance, you can't afford totravel because you just don't
(42:59):
know what's wrong.
Harsh, but true it is harsh, buttrue, and it's something that
we talked about I know MelissaShelley and myself have talked
about.
I know melissa shelly andmyself have talked about that as
well.
So we will stress please,please, please, make sure that
you have and it's not just aboutcancellations, it's not just
about your cancellation, yourflight, cancellation of your
tour or your hotel.
It's about making sure that, ifsomething happens to you
(43:20):
medically, that you are coveredand you can get home and you can
get home.
So we'll say that um reallyimportant to make sure that you
have got that cover, whoever yougo with.
Anyway, I think that's it forthis episode.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
I think so.
Speaker 1 (43:33):
Yeah, so that's episode I've forgotten.
Now it's episode 57 of theGlobal Travel Plan.
You can find the show notes atglobaltravelplancom.
Forward slash episode 57.
Leave us a message on SpeakPipe.
We are loving these messagesthat you are leaving us.
Leave us a message on speakpipe.
We are loving these messagesthat you are leaving us.
Leave us a message on speakpipeif you've got any tip that you
(43:54):
think that we've missed out oranything that um you have found
particularly useful or resonateswith you in this episode or any
other episode that we have um,because we love to hear from you
, um, and also go over and joinour global travel planning um
facebook group.
Please come and say hello,hello and um and join, and we'll
look forward to seeing youthere and helping you plan um
(44:16):
and chatting about your travelsaround europe and around the
globe.
Most definitely yes, okay well,that leaves me to say until next
week from myself and dog happyglobal travel.
Speaker 2 (44:24):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (44:29):
Thank you for joining us on this episode of the
Global Travel Planning Podcast.
For more details and links toeverything we discussed today,
check out the show notes atglobaltravelplanningcom.
Remember if you enjoyed theshow, please consider leaving us
a review on your favoritepodcast app, because your
feedback helps us reach moretravel enthusiasts, just like
you.
Anyway, that leaves me to say,as always happy global travel
(44:52):
planning.
In this week's episode 57 of the Global Travel
Planning Podcast, doug and Ishare our top 10 tips for
first-time visitors to Europepractical advice based on over
50 years of travel experience.
And, of course, don't miss ourtop tip at the very end of the
podcast.
Hi and welcome to the GlobalTravel Planning Podcast.
I'm your host, tracey Collins,who, with my expert guests, will
(00:23):
take you on a weekly journey todestinations around the globe,
providing travel inspiration,itinerary ideas, practical tips
and more to help you plan yournext travel adventure.
Hi and welcome to episode 57 ofthe Global Travel Planning
(00:46):
Podcast.
This week, doug and I are hereto share our top 15 tips for
first-time visitors to Europe.
We are asked a lot about ourtravels and we have travelled
extensively throughout Europe.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
We really have over many years, Over many, many
years.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
I am in my late 50s, doug's 23.
You wishes Not quite 23, butanyway.
So we've spent a lot of timeexploring Europe.
We have travelled for shorttimes like weekends.
We've travelled for weeks at atime.
I've actually lived in a coupleof European countries.
I lived in France and I livedin Switzerland and obviously we
(01:24):
both lived in the UK and youspent some time in.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Norway A few months in Norway, yes.
Speaker 1 (01:28):
So, as well as actually kind of travelling, we
have actually lived in some ofthe countries too.
I think what's also worthsaying is that we've tried all
methods of travel.
So we've flown, we've driven,we've taken the train, which is
obviously our preferred methodof travel.
Cable we've taken the train,which is obviously our preferred
(01:49):
method of travel.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Cable car, boats yeah , we've tried everything.
I think we've got on hisskateboard.
Uh, yeah, no, I don't think.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
I think that's.
I can't imagine me on askateboard.
Um yeah, so we've taken longand short trips.
Like I say, obviously, when welived in the uk a lot went
through school holidays, sosometimes we go weekends.
If we could, or'd go for weeksaway, obviously chasing the
sunshine most definitely butsaying that we did also spend
some time traveling over winterquite often as well.
My birthday is in winter as well, so yeah, yeah, and we've kind
(02:13):
of done it on all budgets aswell.
We've done it kind of trying tobe on a tight budget.
We've done it where we'vesplurged a bit more as well.
Um, and also, as I say,different times of year,
different events it's adifferent travel experience yeah
, so I think there's very fewcountries left in Europe now
that we actually haven't visitedor passed through at the very
least yeah, so I think we'reprobably I'd like to actually
(02:35):
get the last couple like we'vegot, I don't think, bulgaria and
Romania and or not, yeah, sothere's a few that we still need
to do.
But so if you are planningwherever you, you are in the
world.
So if you're in the States, orif you're in Australia, or if
you're in Singapore, or ifyou're in South America, or if
you're in South Africa, whereverin the world and you're
planning a trip to Europe, theseare our top tips to you, based
(02:55):
on multiple years of experience.
Okay, so I've got 15.
So I will number each one, giveyou what the tip is.
I will number each one, giveyou what the tip is, and then
we'll just have a short chatabout that.
So first thing to do is chooseyour time, and carefully and we
say this as well about when wetalk about the UK and the UK
travel planning podcast as well.
Think about when.
Obviously you may have to do itaround when you have your
(03:17):
holidays, like spring break, orwhen your kids are off school or
when you have your holidays.
But if you can and have someflexibility, think very
carefully about when you'regoing to visit.
Obviously summer long days,that's right, yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
And winter you've got short days.
Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
But I guess the disadvantage in the summer,
particularly in Southern Europe,is that it is now becoming
incredibly hot, too hot for meto travel in.
We were in Seville in March andthey were saying that really
from the end of April it wouldstart getting incredibly hot.
Now we like the heat, so it'snot, but we find that it can be
(03:57):
just so draining when you try totravel.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Yeah, it can be sensible with the sun as well.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
Yeah, absolutely.
Well, I remember taking myniece in to italy in august and
rome and stand the palatine hilland it was 40 something degrees
it was not fun, so think verycarefully.
So I honestly would recommend,if you can, to avoid visiting um
, particularly july and augustsouthern, southern europe,
whether it's italy, greece,spain, portugal, and also that's
(04:23):
when a lot of Europeans are onholiday as well, so it will be
much busier, more crowds,whereas if you can try and go in
spring and autumn, which wejust did, yeah that's right.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
I mean, if you really have to travel during those
times, I would look at maybe notgoing to the most well-known
tourist centres.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Look to sort of broaden your horizons to other
towns and cities in a country.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, to avoid the amount of people, that's true,
to sort of broaden your horizonsto you know all the towns and
cities in a country.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
Yeah, yeah, to avoid, like, the amount of people that
are going to be there, becauseit is becoming a considerable
problem now in europe that somany of the popular destinations
for example, paris, rome youjust have to think, you know
they just become crazy, crazybusy um another thing I've
mentioned is winter.
We've just did the christmasmarkets and loved it.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Yeah, we absolutely loved it.
I mean, obviously, winter,autumn, winter travel appeals to
a lot of people in the firstplace.
You know that is theirpreferred season to travel, so
you know it's not like a secondoption.
You know summer is the bestoption because it really isn't
for everybody no, and I kind ofsay that isn't.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
I would say, if you can avoid it, don't go in the
summer.
Look at spring and autumn andif you, you know, even winter.
If you want to go for thechristmas market, it's perfect.
Um, I would say january,february are probably the
bleakest months in europe, butif you're a skier, yeah, great
time to go and then you're not abig fan of crowds.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Uh, you know, january , february yes, you might be a
bit.
You've got to be a little bitmore flexible with your travel
plans because it can be impactedby the weather good trains,
roads, etc.
And some not.
Everywhere is open.
Yeah, you know some places willclose for those months before
we open again for summer season,but those factors don't always
impact everybody and it dependson what you want from your
(06:02):
holiday.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Yeah, true, but I think I guess the really good
time it goes probably May andthen September.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Those are really good months, generally Spring and
autumn are pretty good in Europe.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Obviously another disadvantage, I guess sometimes
at peak time, is that there canoften be strikes.
So air traffic control.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
We've found that, haven't we?
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (06:21):
trains, bag of chandeliers, things like that.
So just those are things tothink about.
Also, I will quickly put inthere as well think about if
there's going to be a majorevent in the country or a
destination you'll go to, forexample, bastille Day or
Oktoberfest.
Those will affect availability.
So if you're planning to go,know that it's going to be
(06:41):
potentially busier and we oftenget asked that when people visit
London and the London Marathonis on- yeah, that's right.
Or treatment of the collar, sothose sort of things.
So do your research.
Obviously, we have got on ourwebsite first-time guides to
multiple countries.
So if you're planning a visitto Italy or Greece or Spain or
Portugal, do check out thosefirst-time guides as well,
(07:03):
because that gives you a lot ofthe essential information.
Talk to the experts.
Yeah, absolutely like us.
Okay.
So that's point number one.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Good point.
That is yeah, it is yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
Now, point number two is don't try to do it all and I
think this is one that wesometimes fail, because we do
try to do too much but reallytry to do fewer destinations and
enjoy them more deeply.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Well, totally understand, you know.
The instinct, if you like, forall of us is you know you've got
a short trip.
Well, try and pack in as muchas you possibly can.
We've been guilty of thatourselves in the past.
But, you've got to take it backa little bit and say you know,
if you busted it on the firstday and you're exhausted, you're
not going to enjoy the secondday no, that's it, and I guess I
(07:46):
suppose for us as well, thoughpart of the trip for us is the
actual travel.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
So if we're doing train travel, we may do quite a
lot of train um journeys in it,but for that, for us, that is
part of the actual vacation theholiday, the trip the experience
, the experience stations andtrains.
but I think and I know, there'sa lot of coach tours that go
around Europe and you spend oneday in Paris, one day in Rome,
one day in Florence, and they'revery fast and you probably
(08:13):
spend a lot of time on the coach.
So again, but if that's whatyou want to do, and it's your
first trip to Europe and youreally want to go and see eight
countries or whatever, thenthat's probably the way to do it
.
We're a little bit more on theslower travel.
Yeah, um, we just spent, uh whatsix weeks in in france and
(08:34):
spain and portugal, yeah, andthen we went over to turkey and
that was nice, that was gave usplenty of time to really kind of
but what we do is, if we gotone particular busy day, whether
it's something we've organizedourself or we've been on a tour-
we generally try and make thefollowing day a little bit
slower, yeah, so not only youroverall itinerary when you're
thinking about how manydestinations you want to go to,
(08:55):
but when you're actuallyplanning, your itinerary is how
much you want to do.
So, for example, you're inLondon for four days and you
want to do some day trips out.
Perhaps you want to do some daytrips out, but perhaps you want
to go to windsor, you want togo to bath, you want to go to
stonehenge um, you could end upusing all of those days going
out on tours.
Or maybe your best bet is tothink, okay, what do I want to
do in london?
And then maybe having one ortwo day tours out and not trying
(09:18):
to do too much again, so thatyou're not spending the whole
day on a coach.
Um, unless you take a privatetour, then obviously you can
cater that to yourself but yeah,not just the uk, in europe as
well.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
If you've got a specific interest in a certain
area on the tour, might notspend enough time in that one
place, but if that's your, youknow you've got a short length
of time.
You want to whistle stopseveral places, a tour is
perfect for you yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Well, we've just, we've just done a couple of
tours.
We'd actually did a tour ofmorocco okay, not europe, but
again, that gave us a taste ofmorocco and we know what we'd
like to it's the first time tothat country, so yeah it's a
great introduction so they coulddo that.
but if you are planningindependently again um sort of
think carefully about.
We often will get requestswhere people would like they've
got three weeks that they'regoing to spend in the UK.
(10:04):
They want to go to England,scotland, wales, northern
Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Well, in three weeks you're notgoing to do that.
I mean, well, you could.
You could basically spend acouple of days in each country,
but it'd be crazy, so it's justtoo much.
So you have to kind of thinkvery carefully about you know
what is important for you andjust don't do it all, because
(10:25):
you'll be tired and then youwon't appreciate it.
Now the number three point isto consider how you'll get
around.
So we prefer trains.
Most definitely prefer trainsBecause it's just a wonderful
part of the journey, great wayto get around more
environmentally friendly.
To do that, there are buses andbudget flights that you can
take in across Europe as well.
(10:52):
I mean, we took we've takenplenty of flights this this last
trip over with some of them themore the budget-friendly
airlines.
But if you're going to do a lotof train travel, for example,
research the different railpasses, but do also compare how
much it'll cost to go point topoint.
But some of the the rail passesin europe are excellent.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
They really are.
Yes, you've got to shop aroundand also consider what that is,
how much you're carrying aroundwith you as well, because you
might, it's our budget airlines.
Yes, the price of the ticket isbudget, but if you're taking
more luggage, those costs canboost up, and so the same with
some of the the bus transfers tocoach companies.
You know there is a luggagepolicy, yeah, and so you know
(11:28):
you, you've got to do yourhomework.
Yeah, it's one of those.
Don't just go, that's cheap,I'll book it.
And then, yeah, becauseactually it can add up.
We did take coach.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
We took a coach from seville to lisbon we did um, so
taking some coach journeys thislast trip as well.
I will just mention, becausethere's a lot about just taking
carry-on only.
Now it depends which countryyou're coming from.
So if you're coming fromAustralia, we have a very strict
allowance for carry-on.
But I know other countries likethe United States have a very
(11:57):
generous carry-on allowance youwill find in Europe.
It is not generous, it isstrict, and they are strict.
It's seven kilograms and theyhave a specific size of bag.
So I'd be very, very careful,I'd really think about this If
you're going to be travelingaround Europe for a month, if
you can really genuinely do thatwith carry-on only at 7
(12:18):
kilograms, because honestly, Idefinitely can't that would be a
challenge.
So you have to really thinkabout that.
So we'll talk about packing ina bit, but I do get a bit
frustrated by this constant kindof obsession and push towards
carry-ons.
Only Great if you can do it,great if you are flying from the
States and back again and youcan have a generous allowance,
(12:38):
but if you're gonna be takingany of those budget flights, in
Europe you're gonna find thatmuch stricter and not just
airlines as well.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
If you're using, even on trains, only carry what you
can safely lift on and offtrains and on above luggage
racks and everything else.
Um, yes, you might be able toget on the airline, but you've
got to consider coach travel aswell yeah, and train travel is.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
It's very, it's actually vital.
And I know, when I took myniece niece for her 21st
birthday around Italy, I wasvery strict with her about her
baggage that she could pick hersmall suitcase up and actually
put it on above her head so thatshe could A watch, keep an eye
on the trains, because there'sissues with luggage going
missing.
But also that she wasresponsible for it.
(13:20):
And, believe me, we've gotpodcasts, we've done previous
podcasts about this.
But there's nothing where youjust start off on your trip and
you think, okay, I've got 23kilograms, it'll be absolutely
fine, you will buy things as yougo along, yeah for sure.
And then, believe me, 23kilograms is not fun.
It is not fun to start trailingaround trying to lift them on
trains or even trying on some ofthe planes.
(13:41):
It was just a nightmare.
So I know, because we've justcome back after nine months and
we obviously had more luggageand it makes life so much more
stressful and so much moredifficult.
So really think about that.
So when we're talking aboutgetting around, we're talking
about trains, we're talkingabout coaches, we're talking
about planes, but I want to talkabout driving.
So I'm not a massive fan ofdriving on the right-hand side
(14:05):
because it's just something Ifind really difficult, really
stressful.
So I tend to leave that to Dougif we're travelling in France
or any other European.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Or anywhere else that matter.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Yeah, right, but any other European country?
Now, if you think about it,there's a few things to consider
.
If you're planning to drive inItaly, or planning to drive in
France or the UK, so UK is goingto be an opposite side of the
road than you're used to.
If you're coming from theUnited States or from Canada,
for example, australia mucheasier because we drive on the
left in Australia, but there arestill differences in local
(14:37):
driving laws.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
yeah, so, yeah, this is tip number four, driving.
But you've got to know therules and it's worth doing that
little bit of homework beforeyou leave, because driving
conditions are different inevery country.
You may be used to driving two,three, four plus hours.
Uh, for example, if you'redriving in the uk, that's a lot
of different driving experienceto what it may be in australia.
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
And we say that a lot actuallybecause we know, because we
spend a lot of time in Australiaand we will do a 10-hour
driving day and not really thinkmuch of it, because we'll share
that driving In the UK Notstraight off Do take breaks?
Yeah, we do take breaks.
We'll share two hours each, butin the UK it's so much more
stressful, it's difficult.
You've got so much more tocontend with and also, you know,
(15:24):
if you're not used toroundabouts, for example, that's
that can be stressful.
So we recommend whichevercountry you're planning to drive
in in europe so, whether that'sthe uk, whether that's republic
of ireland, whether that isitaly, so you know you're used
to driving on the right handside potentially.
Um, there are fantasticresources that we recommend and
(15:46):
that is tripiamo.
I will put a link to tripiamoin the show notes.
Please use our affiliate link,because that helps support us.
Um, we've actually had johnfrom tripiamo on the podcast on
a couple of occasions and I willalso link to those episodes.
Their resources are excellentand will prepare you to drive in
(16:07):
France, in Italy, in Spain, inthe Republic of Ireland, in the
United Kingdom, and we've hadsome fantastic reviews back.
So, honestly, they're notexpensive but to us they're
absolutely invaluable.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Yeah, I mean we've looked to hire cars in places in
different countries because, asmuch as we love trains, they
don't go absolutely everywhere.
That's true.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
It gives you more freedom when you've got a car.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Most definitely.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
One little tip.
I will say that if you areplanning to hire a car, this is
really important actually isthat some countries, for example
the UK, you'll find lessautomatics.
There's far more manuals.
So if you're used to stickshift, you need to.
If you're not used to stickshift, I should say then you
really need to stress that youwant an automatic air, and it
will cost you more, and thereare less of them.
(16:52):
So just be aware that you willneed to book.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Particularly for someone on travel when there's
greater demand for high cars.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
But also I mean you can do a mix because, honestly,
trains are a great way to getaround.
But if you want to say, I wasin Puglia in November In.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Italy.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
In Italy.
Yes, and I met up with Shelley.
So you know, ladies who travel,we do those podcasts every
month and Shelley drove.
So that was great.
She had a hire car and shedrove around, so it meant that
we could go to a lot of placeswe would not have been able to
go to by train because there'sno trains there to cover it,
except for the major cities.
Right Number five prioritizewhat matters to you.
(17:30):
So when you're creating youritinerary around your interests,
consider what those are.
So is it?
Oh, do you like castles?
Are you interested in food?
Do you want to go to beaches?
And we say that we have anitinerary planning challenge,
actually on the UK website UKtravel planning website and and
that's one of the things we'llsay what are your, what are your
interests, and then what areyour must do's around those
(17:54):
interests and what do you liketo do's, and then you can
develop your itinerary aroundthat yeah, and that becomes more
important when the larger thetravel group you know there's
one or two people or solo travelit's easier to contend with if
you know you push for time,unlimited holiday time.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
But the greater the party the more difficult is to
cater for everybody in, you know, in that group but that's also,
I think, one.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
What you can do is then you have different on
certain days.
Part of the party can go offand do their thing and the other
party can go and do anotherthing.
For example, I met um susan hisusan last uh november in london
with the kids and we went toart museum um, but the rest of
the family went on a on a pubtour.
So you know you can do that andactually when we travel, this
(18:39):
is an issue because you loveyou've got train museums I can't
go through york without goingto the train.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
You go.
Any train museums.
Wherever we go, there's a ifthere's a train museum.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
You have to go.
I do, but I don't particularlyhave a cute.
I'll go and have a quick look,but I don't.
I'm not.
You know I'm not as interestedyou, but I like to go to see art
, so I might go to an art museum.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
That you're not interested in, exactly.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I think as well, if you've got children traveling
with kids, it's worth askingthem what they want to do.
Yeah, and then I think that's agreat way to start.
And also it's aboutprioritizing what matters to you
.
Just because somewhere he'sfamous and kind of considered a
must-do doesn't make itnecessarily a must-do for you.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
You know I I mean this isn't in europe again, but
we've just been to sri lanka anddoug climbed sigiriya and I.
I went, had a look at it, butthere's no way I was climbing it
, um, and I know that's one ofthose things behind you should
climb I like the challenge, yeah, um you know, and so also I was
aware of my limitations.
It was very hot, but you knowyou, you don't have to try and
fit in everything that you know,tick everything off.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
That's right.
And in Madrid I went out to theBernabeu Real Madrid football
ground.
You had no interest at all infootball.
Speaker 1 (19:49):
No, no, not at all.
Number six again, is right bookahead for popular attractions.
Really, we can't stress thisenough because if you are going
in a popular, busy, high peakseason time of year, you are
going to struggle to get intosome of those and you will be
disappointed.
(20:09):
So popular attractions likeColosseum, eiffel Tower, sagrada
Familia.
They get busy so you need toconsider about booking ahead so
that you have your slot.
You have your tour.
Again, another thing that Iwill say is do you want to spend
your trip standing in a greatbig line?
You don't want to queue up forfour hours to go to Westminster?
(20:30):
Because I don't.
I would rather have my skip theline ticket, go straight in, do
my tour.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
So I love tours that also have skip the line, because
to me, it's worth that moneybecause know you spend a lot to
go on a trip.
Do you really want to stand inthe line?
Yeah, and if you're bookingwell in advance and it's
sometimes too soon beforetickets are released is do your
research and know when thosetickets are going to be on sale
yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
We do actually have a guide for london for
particularly, say, you know whenwe'd recommend that you book
some things, and I know in ourarticles as well that, writing
for different destinationsEurope, we will point out when
the best time is to considerbooking some of these places.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
So the next one is a try, a food tour.
This is one area weparticularly enjoy, don't we?
Speaker 1 (21:12):
yeah.
So point seven yeah, take afood tour, and take a food tour
early in your trip.
This is a great way to learngreat local customs, discover
hidden gems and sample someauthentic foods.
Now we look for small groupoptions and we love devour tours
.
So we take devour tours, foodtours, wherever we've been in.
(21:34):
How many places have I had?
Taken a food tour with them now.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
So many.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Paris, seville, madrid, london, barcelona, have
I had taken a food tour withthem.
Now, so many paris, seville,madrid, london, barcelona, um,
and and we took the food to lastgen, berlin, um, and you know,
and if you do it early on inyour tour as well, like italy,
I've taken some paris, oh my god, there's so many, um, if, if
you do it early in your tour,you will find the guide will
kind of not only make somerecommendations about where to
(22:01):
eat, which is great, and dishesyou've not heard of.
Yeah, or not, even when youthink about trying.
It's a fantastic way andactually we've met so many
people on these food tours whohave said exactly the same thing
.
They land in a new place orthey arrive and the first thing
they do is they do a walk-intour they do a food tour there
they do a walking tour, they doa food tour.
There was a lad from Japan whenwe were in Barcelona, yeah, and
he said just the same thing yeah, and I mean, your food tour is
(22:23):
a walking tour as well, so youget to see a lot of the place
and learn the history, because alot of food tours aren't just
about the food, they're alsoabout the culture.
So you'll learn about theculture, you'll learn about the
food history and history anddon't be put off if you've got
food allergies or preferences,because usually they do ask you.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
They do ask you at the start of the tour.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
You introduce yourself and they'll ask that
question, or when you fill thatin, when you actually book it.
Anyway they'll ask you what ifyou've got anything?
So they will organize that.
So don't be put off.
And also, doug doesn't drink,but it's not had an impact on
you, has it?
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Not at all.
Again, always ask at the startof the tour does everybody drink
alcohol?
Does anybody not drink alcohol?
Speaker 1 (23:00):
And I'm never the only one, and no, I've never won
, so you don't feel like youmiss out.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
No, not at all.
In fact, probably the opposite,because at times you become
more of a focal point andthey'll say to you you know, do
you want to try a local softdrink?
Speaker 1 (23:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
And you go yeah, okay , I'll try that.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
And whenever they're doing the cheers, I'm holding up
a glass of coke and well, thatsuits me, because it'd be wine
to us without having to if we'redoing driving and the plus side
is as well.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
When it's a food and drink to like the one we did in
paris, the food is absolutelyexceptional.
You know that's worth going onalone absolutely so.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
I would highly recommend, uh, food tours with
devour.
We've done a lot with devour.
I will put a link to devourfood tours in the show notes, so
do go check them out.
And again, we do mention thetours that we've taken in the
different various destinationarticles.
Um, no, no worry.
Kind of going back again to thepacking thing pack light but
(23:57):
pack smart.
So you really you've got to bethinking about, like, if you're
going to Venice, do you want tobe trying to get across to your
hotel with a massive, great bigsuitcase?
No, you don't.
And we've seen this.
I have seen, I don't know somepeople sit now suitcases that
are bigger than them trying toget on a Vaparoto in in Venice,
not for all, over cobbledstreets.
(24:20):
Also, a lot of some of thehotels don't have lifts.
So do you want to be carrying,you know, your luggage up to the
fifth floor, third floor,whatever?
Um, and some of these you know,small, uh, small little hotels
or b&b's in some of the europeancities.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
I would not want to do that at all I've already
mentioned about big luggage ontrains.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Yes, yes, so just pack smart.
No, um, packing cubes, reallycompression packing cubes.
I've been a bit of a gamechanger.
It's amazing how much it canfit in.
Again, it's you've got toconsider weight allowances, but
you know, think about a capsulewardrobe.
Think about what you want totake.
So I always have a pair ofsandals and a pair of
comfortable trainers.
(24:59):
Um, I try to mix and match whatI take.
So I always have a pair ofsandals and a pair of
comfortable trainers.
Um, I try to mix and match whatI take.
So I think very much of havingplain colors.
I've got a very I've got a lotof bright colored, plain tops
that will go with everything.
Again, with trousers, I likecrop trousers in winter.
I've got more, um, I wearthermal tights and sort of black
leggings and they work reallywell.
It's just considering exactlyhow you're going to pack and and
(25:21):
you know what you're going totake.
So I want to talk about this.
Actually, I did an episoderecently with Melissa and
Shelley all about packing, andShelley actually has done a
video of her packing hersuitcase well, which I will
share in the show notes andworth having a look at, because
she travels all the time forsolo traveler um all over the
(25:42):
world and she has got it downpat.
She really has um.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
So I think that's really essential to to listen to
yeah, I mean the correlationbetween the weight of your
luggage and the season you'retraveling.
Yes, it is obvious.
But also all add on to that isif you're traveling to one or
two countries, you know youdon't always need to be taking
lots of bottle things with you.
I mean, obviously ladies havedifferent things to the men that
(26:06):
carry, but buy stuff in thecountry you're visiting.
You don't have to be taking bigbottles of things.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
No, absolutely I don't tend to.
I've got maybe to take a littlebit of shampoo with me.
I don't know what purpleshampoo from blonde hair, but,
um, you know it depends.
But I think um think verycarefully about what you're
taking with you.
And, as I say, we've got video.
I have got a video of mypacking, I've got a video of
shelly's packing.
So have a look at those videosas well and have a listen to
(26:33):
that podcast and light layers.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
Yeah, layers are the, layers are always the absolute
key, um.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
So number nine is prepare for the weather.
So again, be um, check, checkthe week before you go,
especially if you go to somecountries where uk particularly
because where the weather canchange on a dime so it can.
It's so unpredictable so you doneed to check now.
Oh, I always have a light rainjacket with me all the time.
(26:58):
It's a little one that packs up, very small.
I carry that with me, literally.
That goes wherever I go.
That goes with me.
If you go to somewhere likeSouthern Europe, it can get
incredibly hot.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Incredibly hot yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
So you need to think again about you know, hat
sunglasses, sun cream.
You know, prepare for….
Speaker 2 (27:18):
A water bottle as well.
Yeah, get yourself a waterbottle, so prepare exactly with
what the expectations are ofwhat the weather's going to be.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
And again, flip side, winter takes some hand warmers
yeah, oh, they're a game changer, they have been an absolute
game changer for us, because, Imean, we were in Sweden, we were
in Poland, we were in Finlandover winter.
It was cold, a lot of snow andhand warmers my goodness, they
are brilliant.
So we always take hand warmers.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
We do indeed.
Speaker 1 (27:47):
So that's a good one, but do the research the week
before and you might have toadjust your packing.
Number 10, plan your moneystrategy Now.
So this is an interesting one,because we get asked this all
the time cash versus cards Now.
So this is an interesting one,because we get asked this all
the time cash versus cards Now.
How much cash have we used inEurope recently?
In?
Europe yeah that's what we'retalking about.
Europe Very little.
Speaker 2 (28:08):
Very little, very little, very little yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
The only places we've recently used cash have been in
Morocco and Sri Lanka reallythose two destinations.
That's it.
Most of the other places wehave used cards.
We use contactless.
That's how we're paid for mostthings.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
When you're visiting multiple countries, it's
difficult to take cash for everycountry.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Yeah, it is I mean we do use a multi-currency card
which we use, which has gotcurrency in multiple
destinations.
We use that.
We can withdraw cash from that.
We find that if we do need itthen we take it out separate
cards.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
We've got different accounts.
Speaker 1 (28:44):
Yes, so one thing what we'll will do is we've got
separate account is that we'llkeep less on his card and he
will use his card to withdrawcash, just in case um there's
any issue, so that my card doesnot isn't get, isn't used in atm
at all yeah, we also carry withus at least two credit cards um
(29:05):
each, so that's a backupstrategy as well.
Um, as I say, cash, no, not somuch.
I know a lot of people likecash.
So if you're planning,obviously, tips, then you know,
withdraw some cash, withdraw itonce you get into the various,
the country that you're going to.
And also I will say please beaware of what currency the
(29:25):
country you're going to ineurope uses, because not every
country in europe uses the euro,correct?
Yeah, um, and so you reallyneed to know what the currency
is.
So, for example, sweden doesn'tuse a euro, poland doesn't use
a euro, hungary Can't remember.
Doesn't use Euro.
So a number of countries France, yes, euro.
(29:48):
Italy, yes, euro.
Greece Euro.
Portugal Euro, spain Euro.
However, uk, not.
We have a pound, so you need tobe aware of which countries
have what.
And then, if you want to have alittle bit of cash, just
withdraw that from an ATM.
That's the best way to do it,that's what we always recommend,
that's what we do, so that'swhat we the best way to do it,
that's what we always recommend.
(30:08):
That's wrong.
That's what we do, so that'swhat we recommend with travel
water.
So that's what we do.
Um, number 11 stay connectedwith uh, uh, sim or e-sim.
Now, I would say more than e7these days.
Yeah, I'd say so.
Um, we have, we both havee-sims.
We do um, I've got a few e-simson my phone.
You just have to make sure thatyour phone is unlocked.
We use Auralo.
(30:29):
I'm going to try a few otherdifferent eSIMs, just for a bit
of variety, because I have heardother people using different
ones.
We have had no problem withAuralo.
I've got an Asia SIM, I've gota Europe SIM, I've got a UK SIM.
I've got a few different eSIMson my phone and they're pretty
easy to set up?
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Yeah, how many countries have you used them?
Speaker 1 (30:52):
Oh, I think we've just been to 17 countries and
had no problems actuallyconnecting, I think the only
place we did have problem, andagain it wasn't.
Europe was in Sri Lanka, whereit wasn't so great the reception
, but in Europe it's generallypretty good.
Obviously, you're going to needit for all your apps and your
different tools and stayingconnected.
I will just mention, in Europeas well, that a lot of tour
(31:16):
companies, a lot of hotels, willuse WhatsApp, true, so make
sure you've got WhatsApp on yourphone.
I think that's because thatwe've used for a lot.
Speaker 2 (31:24):
Yeah for hotel notifications.
What time you're expected toarrive?
Speaker 1 (31:25):
all that sort of thing.
Yeah for hotel notifications.
What?
Speaker 2 (31:27):
time you expect to arrive, all that sort of thing.
Yeah, you can use that for tourguides or for access codes.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Yeah, or tours, when we've met up with tour guides
and things like that.
So that is useful to haveNumber 12.
Watch out for scams andpickpockets.
I hate to include it, but wehave to.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Yeah, I mean, it's a part of the modern world,
unfortunately, and it's not onecountry specific we're going to
focus on, because unfortunatelyyou get them everywhere.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
Yeah, all the major cities in Europe, I would say,
is an issue.
London is becoming morechallenging now when it comes to
phones in snatch, so be verycareful.
You know there are places likeParis.
There's Barcelona, rome arewell known for pickpockets.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Organized.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
Very organized.
So you have to be very, verycareful, and I know some people,
when I talk about this, puttheir eyes to heaven, go
whatever, and then usuallypeople tell me that oh no, we've
heard these horror stories andwe'll be fine.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
But actually and I think what it is is, once you're
on holiday, you sort of takeyour foot off the gas a little
bit and you're very conscious inyour everyday life, but all of
a sudden, when you're traveling,you sort of relax a bit, I
don't know, and take your eyeoff the game a little.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Yeah, absolutely.
So what do I do?
I use a crossbody bag, alwaysuse a crossbody bag.
We always keep our valuablesand leave them in the safe at
the hotel.
We don't go out with them.
I know some countries you'vegot to have your passport with
you, but you can take aphotocopy with you.
Be careful of people asking forsignatures or trying to
(32:59):
distract you.
Look for scams like the onwestminster bridge at the minute
with the the three ball scam.
I don't know the cups that theydo, it's all.
While you're watching, there'speople going around probably
trying to pickpocket, you know,but it's, it's all a scam it is.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
Be careful, particularly big train stations
where you're watching departureboards and you're trying to find
your way around.
A little tip we always give topeople when we do itinerary
consults is if there's two ofyou travel, one of you only look
for information, the one kickyour eye on all your belongings.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Yeah, absolutely oh.
And another scam that I'veheard of recently as well is
that if you're sitting on yourown with your luggage, there may
be some sort of altercation.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Organised.
Speaker 1 (33:37):
And basically somebody might get pushed over
and fall to the floor and thenthe other people run off and
leave them.
If you go to help them andleave your luggage, you'll come
back and your luggage will begone.
Yeah, they'll be distracted.
help them, leave your luggageyou'll come back and your
luggage will be gone.
Yeah, so don't.
Those are distractions, um, andthat they're out to to take
your stuff, and I hate to say it, but you've got to be careful.
(33:59):
Um, I have had an attemptedpickpocket attempt in paris with
my backpack.
I had my cross body bag,everything in it, so it wasn't
wasn't a problem.
I was surrounded on the Paris.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Metro.
We got separated, didn't we?
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (34:07):
so I could not move while the gang went through my
backpack.
Now it was a pickpocket-proofbackpack, but I hadn't secured
it because it just had myclothes in it.
It still went through it and Icould not move.
So I really would just be.
I don't want to scare you,absolutely not, but I just would
be, just pay some attention.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
Be savvy.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Be savvy with stuff like that.
I have also just released a UKTravel Panel podcast all about
staying safe in London, so docheck that out and I'll put that
in the show notes.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Particularly, if you know best to watch, let's say,
teenagers with things in theirback pockets.
But it's not just teenagers.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
No, oh yeah, we've seen this so often.
That's a good one to mention,actually, because quite often
you know if your teenager mightbe used to putting his wallet or
his mobile phone in his backpocket, that will get stolen.
Go on the Paris metro andyou're going to get offered.
You won't have that phone inyour back pocket, so be careful,
be aware.
(35:04):
Number 13, learn a few localphrases.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
This is a nice one.
Speaker 1 (35:07):
Yeah, so try and learn some basic greetings,
please.
Thank you, and your locallanguage honestly, can go a long
way and obviously justrespectful.
Really, I have to say you arereally good at this.
Speaker 2 (35:19):
Melissa's excellent at this.
I'm very good when I'm therebecause I have little aptitude
for languages.
After I've left the country, Iseem to forget most it you do,
but I think it's a.
Speaker 1 (35:29):
We'll remember it before you go back.
Yeah, just need to practice itif you've got those words.
And again are, we've got alittle tip sheets with each of
our destination guides on thetip sheet.
We've got some words to it.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
I think you did right .
It goes a long way with yourshots and just please thank you
it is nice.
It is nice that people see youmake an effort.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
I don't assume everybody speaks English.
Even in Europe, where you mightthink, oh well, everybody
speaks English.
Well, no, there's obviouslymultiple languages.
But I remember years ago when Iwas in Switzerland meeting
another I was an au pair at thetime meeting another au pair and
she was Swiss German and shedidn't speak English.
So I didn't speak Swiss German,but I spoke French.
We both spoke French, so weconversed in French.
(36:10):
So sometimes having the abilityto have a few phrases, it's
just great.
And also I would recommend aswell the Google Translator.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Oh my goodness, that is amazing, that is amazing.
Speaker 1 (36:24):
I love the visual thing where you can put it on
and it will tell you what it is.
We've used that so much.
But yeah, just so, justlearning a few local phrases and
you know a great way to do thisis to watch some tv series or
films on netflix and have someof it in the language.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
Just obviously this is past the basics, but if you
want to do a bit of practice,that's great to do it, this
language podcast I did, for Ivisited wales, believe it or not
.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
Um, I wanted to learn a few.
Visited Wales, believe it ornot.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
I wanted to learn a few words and, believe it or not
, the Welsh is one of the few Ido actually remember yeah, all
right, come on then so BoradarNostal Dielch well, there you go
.
Speaker 1 (36:59):
They're Welsh there.
Yeah, right, number 14, right.
Consider when you're bookinglocal accommodation.
So understand the differenttypes of local accommodation in
the place that you're going to.
For example, we have bed andbreakfast in the uk which are
great, um, so there aredifferent types.
Obviously, you've got yourhotels, your boutique hotels,
your airbnbs, and in europethere are different types of
(37:20):
accommodation that you can book.
So just check, check before youbook.
If there are certain thingsthat is important to you for
example, if you want a lift,elevator, you want
air-conditioned, you want a 24hour reception you can filter.
We booked through bookingcom.
You can filter so that you canget stuff that will.
Speaker 2 (37:38):
So you can say these are the essentials yeah, and
also important when you do yourresearch, accommodation is if
you need it close by totransport links as well.
Yes, yes.
And how you're going to get toand from, particularly if you've
got an early start for tours orleaving or airports is to know
how you're going to get there.
So, yes, choose youraccommodation.
For everything you've just saidbut, also if you need a shop
(38:01):
nearby, if you need transportnearby.
Speaker 1 (38:03):
Yes, that's true, and also before I book I also check
.
I usually book with freecancellation.
That's important to us.
It is cost you slightly more,but it's just peace of mind.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
Yeah, and meals as well.
Do you need meals included?
Speaker 1 (38:16):
Oh, okay, yeah, breakfast, yeah, that sort of
thing.
So you can filter by that.
And also, I always checkreviews before I book anything.
I don't book anything that'sgot less than an eight on
Bookingcom because that's whowe've been using for years.
So that's what I do.
But just if you know, if somethings are important to you,
like you know having a lift oryou know air conditioning, if
(38:39):
you're going to be in Rome inAugust, I don't think I want to
stay somewhere that didn't haveair conditioning.
Speaker 2 (38:46):
I mean, we've come across things like it's
important that the bathroom ison the same level.
There's no steps from thebedroom up or down.
We've come across that beforehaven't we?
Speaker 1 (38:56):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Well, we stayed in a hotelhouse where we had to climb up
the steps, didn't?
Speaker 2 (38:59):
we yeah, and that's it If that's very important to
you.
Speaker 1 (39:02):
Yeah, then check all of.
So just understand theaccommodation that you're
booking and what it has and whatit doesn't have.
Now, number 15 is embrace thedifferences, because it is going
to be different.
You know we're British, but yougo to France, you go to Germany
, they're all different.
They're all very differentcultures with very different
(39:22):
traditions, with very differentexpectations.
For example, when shops closeor, um, when dinner might start,
for example, dinner, I mean.
When I was in greece a coupleyears ago, I couldn't get over
the fact that they're waiting at10 pm at night.
That was crazy late for me.
That was crazy late, um, butyou just have to adjust to it,
because that's what in the uk,the obsession with sunday lunch.
(39:44):
Oh yeah, I'll find that in othercountries, yeah exactly, um,
some places you might go to,well, there'll be nothing open
on a sunday.
Everything will be shut.
Yeah, um, and I know actuallyquite a lot of australians have
said to us they find it reallydifficult with just the fact
that they go to places likelondon or any of it and things
don't start till 10 in themorning, so nothing's open it.
(40:05):
So, because in australia thingsare quite early, there's an
expectation if you get up at,you know, 8 or 7.30, you're
going to go and everything.
No, it's not opening.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
But the flip side is, you know, here things close
early.
Yes, yes.
End of the day.
Speaker 1 (40:17):
So it's just having that awareness that things are
going to be different andthere'll be some things that
will be frustrating and you go.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Oh my Well a lot of us are set in our ways and you
know, sometimes you go onholiday or vacation and you
think, well, I'm going to do allthis, I'm going to do all that,
and then there's little things.
You think I like that littlebit of consistency, like I am
with my meal times.
I'm a bit more set in my waysand you're always pushing me
away from my comfort zone.
Speaker 1 (40:42):
I think that's important.
I think that particularly youknow, if you're listening to
this podcast now and this willbe your first trip to europe and
you're gonna, wherever you'regonna go in europe, it's going
to be different.
They're going to be so much andwe get so much about washcloth,
so much about air, so muchabout what are the other things
that come our top sheets.
There's so many differences.
(41:03):
We actually have a whole thingon differences between like us
versus uk on the uk website.
We've done a podcast on that.
There are going to be somethings that will be so different
and so alien.
Some things you'll love saying,some things you won't.
Well, I just say, embrace it tryand smile with it yes, just
lean into it and the differentyou know and you'll come away
and go, wow, and that's thewhole point is, don't be
troubled to find out why I?
(41:23):
Travel around, how other peoplelive in the world.
I want to know, becauseeverybody doesn't live the same
way that we do and have the sameexperiences, Mostly like food
for me.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
I like different things Well you like food.
Speaker 1 (41:32):
I like people on the thing.
For me, I just want to know howpeople I've always wanted to
know how people live their livesaround the world and you know,
it's amazing just how differentwe're all living on the same
planet, different your lives canbe.
And the amazing thing aboutEurope is it doesn't take you
very long to go from one countryto another country to another
country, and they're alldifferent, yeah, language, food,
(41:53):
culture, everything.
So you know, just just enjoy it.
So I think I think that's it.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
We've given you 15 there's one thing we've not
covered and I'm just going tosay just be aware of your
electrical devices, thedifferent plugs, sockets, just
do your research as to whatcountry has what time yeah,
that's good, that's.
Speaker 1 (42:14):
And yeah, for when you're packing, you need to make
sure, and so we've got amulti-adapter that we can reuse.
Yes, um, but I was going to end, because we always end with the
one, the one tip that you giveanybody planning a trip to
europe for the first time andI'm not going to say so, we've
talked about 15 and you've kindof thrown in yours.
My one is to make sure you havetravel insurance.
Please, please, please, makesure that you have comprehensive
(42:37):
travel insurance, whoever yougo with, because you just, you
just never know what is aroundthe corner, expect the
unexpected yeah, exactly so it'ssomething that we do stress.
Please, please, please.
I never travel anywhere.
We don't travel anywherewithout travel insurance.
So make sure you know we say ifyou can't afford travel
insurance, you can't afford totravel because you just don't
(42:59):
know what's wrong.
Harsh, but true it is harsh, buttrue, and it's something that
we talked about I know MelissaShelley and myself have talked
about.
I know melissa shelly andmyself have talked about that as
well.
So we will stress please,please, please, make sure that
you have and it's not just aboutcancellations, it's not just
about your cancellation, yourflight, cancellation of your
tour or your hotel.
It's about making sure that, ifsomething happens to you
(43:20):
medically, that you are coveredand you can get home and you can
get home.
So we'll say that um reallyimportant to make sure that you
have got that cover, whoever yougo with.
Anyway, I think that's it forthis episode.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
I think so.
Speaker 1 (43:33):
Yeah, so that's episode I've forgotten.
Now it's episode 57 of theGlobal Travel Plan.
You can find the show notes atglobaltravelplancom.
Forward slash episode 57.
Leave us a message on SpeakPipe.
We are loving these messagesthat you are leaving us.
Leave us a message on speakpipe.
We are loving these messagesthat you are leaving us.
Leave us a message on speakpipeif you've got any tip that you
(43:54):
think that we've missed out oranything that um you have found
particularly useful or resonateswith you in this episode or any
other episode that we have um,because we love to hear from you
, um, and also go over and joinour global travel planning um
facebook group.
Please come and say hello,hello and um and join, and we'll
look forward to seeing youthere and helping you plan um
(44:16):
and chatting about your travelsaround europe and around the
globe.
Most definitely yes, okay well,that leaves me to say until next
week from myself and dog happyglobal travel.
Speaker 2 (44:24):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (44:29):
Thank you for joining us on this episode of the
Global Travel Planning Podcast.
For more details and links toeverything we discussed today,
check out the show notes atglobaltravelplanningcom.
Remember if you enjoyed theshow, please consider leaving us
a review on your favoritepodcast app, because your
feedback helps us reach moretravel enthusiasts, just like
you.
Anyway, that leaves me to say,as always happy global travel
(44:52):
planning.
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