Food (10)

Food will surely be a major part of your European experience. Making the most of this experience may require familiarization with the native landscape. Take recommendation for guide books, friends, site guides, hotel conoseiur or front desk staff. Unfortunately, all the aforementioned recommenders most often guide you to the heart of tourist food areas. As an evolving traveler we want to bypass these locations when possible, so we can experience authentic food of the destination. If you have a gift of gab, you can get recommendations for eating from locals. This may take into areas where English is not as widely used, so your survival language skills may come in hand.

On arrivals, travelers need to make preparation for the stay. The first task is to determine the location of the nearest grocery store were locals shop. Your hotel desk can direct you to this location. You will want to stock up traveler staples that you would surely pay a premium for if you purchase on the run.

• Bottle water
  
• Snacks Batteries
  
• Fruit
  
• Toiletries
  
• Alcohol
  

Eating out in Europe is an experience beyond the food. The city streets are littered with cafes, restaurants, street vendors. Take your time to experience all it has to offer. You should probably plan around your budget.

Cafes - provide a social experience for local and tourist alike. Eating here in tourist areas provide limited fair. Some offer formula menus that cater to tourist. This make exploring less of an Restaurants Street side Americana If you have a sensitive stomach, don't forget your digestive aids. I can assure that will eventually run into a dish that will disrupt things.

Note: Tipping is not held in the same regard as in the US. In most European countries tipping is not required or even suggested. Tipping is reserved only for extraordinary service if even acceptable, but not at US percentages. Ten percent would be reasonable.

Security (9)

Your saftey should be your top priority when traveling internationally. Your safty plan should include well

Utilize some type of money and identification holder that can be worn on you. There are several style that can be worn as belts, over shoulder wallets or packs. It is an added benefit if it can be concealed under your clothing.

Make photo copies of vital documents including passport, drivers license, VISA and leave at hotel, preferably in a safe. Also make a contact list that includes: Banks, Credit Card Companies, Insurance, Doctor, Lawyer, and Pharmacy. Store this list on your and on paper companies that remain at your hotel.

Be informed about saftey at every level of your travel.
Country: Visit http://www.kevincoffee.com/airlines/suggested_sites.htm
City and Local: Discuss with hotel repsresentative your plans in visiting local areas. Ask specifically for places of safty concern and what are the particular threats.

Have regular intervals to checkin, specific meeting places and times
If traveling alone update someone at home as to your daily plans, by email, text or phone. Also establish contact interval.

(8) Media and Communications

Travelers have no choice but to embrace the digitial age inwhich we are living. Bits and bytes are impacting travel just as much as any other part of our lives. The successful mastery of the tools, technologies and techniques of the savvy digital travel can substantially enhance your travel experience.

The tools of the digital traveler are evloving at a rapid pace. New technology quickly becomes old and convergence conintuely blurs the lines between tools. This means selecting the right tools and utilizing them effectively may require some updating your sphere of technology knowledge and understanding.

There are loads electronic and gadgets that you can possibly add to your digital travel bag. Most may already possess, so we can guide you to maximize the potential of your travel technology. Most technology gadgets discussed here perform or aid in your use of media and communications.

Tools of the trade:
Cell phones
Digital Camera
Video
GPS
Battery Recharger
Digital Music Player
Voice Recorder
Headphones
Computer

Media



Communications


Media

(7) Speaking the language

American tourist are notorious their arogant assumption that the rest of the world speaks English. As wanna-be traverlers we can never be accussed of the rude American, because we always minimally master survival language skills of our distination country.

Survival language skills
Courtesies
Direction and transportation
Purchase transaction
Food - indentifying and ordering. Foods you are alergic too.

Determine amount of English spoken in your destination city. See chart below. This can vary greatly from country to country. Mandatory that you are able to ask, "Do you speak English". Outside of the major cities the English speaking rate substantially decreases. Try these options if you definately have to speak in English.

Young people
Hotel desk personel
Attraction host and tour guides
Resteraunt Host and Wait staff
Police

Even in English speaking countries it is important to know dailectic differences in words

(6) Money Changers

You will have ample opportunities to spend money during your Europeon travels. Unfortunately, you can loose money as your purchases are translated from U.S. dollars to foriegn dollars. Your spending plan needs to include a strategy to minimize fees related to credit purchases and acquiring foriegn currency.

Your credit card my be the best option to make purchases above nominal amounts.

• Insurance
• Automatically exchanged a current market rate
• Itemmized purchases

Debit cards provide the best cash access option. If your card has a VISA option, you can "kill two birds with one stone." Having your credit and cash card in one.

Your local airport provide your best option for your start up foriegn currency.

Other cash options:

• Money Exchange Kiosk
• Banks
• Cashiers Checks
• Hotels

Addtional Tips

• Don't carry too much cash
• Carry 3 cards, credit and debit on you and a credit card safely stored at your hotel
• Monitor your cards closely during and after return - make sure you have contact information for your bank and credit card companies.