FINAL TRAVEL TIPS

TIP ONE

Europe has a whole new banking system and it's not all that friendly to Americans. European credit and debit cards all contain a chip, a little security addition not currently employed by American banks. This means that your card may not work in many places throughout Europe.  Before you go check with your bank or CC company to see if they can provide a card with this chip.

TIP TWO

If you do find a place that will take your credit card (and we eventually found most would when push came to shove) you'll need to know its pin. We knew our pins for our debit cards but not for our credit cards. Big mistake. Know your pins!

TIP THREE

Some places no longer accept cash. I have no explanation for this. Beats me but don't be surprised if in Amsterdam you go to pay for your groceries and they say sorry we don't take cash.
















TIP FOUR

Not all Eastern European countries are cheap. Prague was one of the most expensive cities we traveled to this trip. Our six-course meal (which we actually really loved despite the miniscule portions) was a hundred dollars per person without drinks.

TIP FIVE

August is tourist season for all of Europe and most of the rest of the world. If you're going to go in August expect huge crowds especially in the big cities.





TIP SIX

If you need to travel in August stick to the smaller towns most of which are just as beautiful with museums, churches and attractions that are just as or even more attractive than their larger counterparts and far less crowded.

TIP SEVEN

Never count on the weather being what you think it should be. We had hundred degree temperatures in Northern Prague and fifty degree rain and fog in Portugal.


















TIP EIGHT

Be aware that many airlines on the European side will weigh not only your checked bags but your carry-ons as well. You may find yourself with all your unmentionables spread out on the airport floor as you try to repack your bags to meet the weight requirements.

TIP NINE

Look for local B&Bs in the smaller towns. The B&B we stayed at in Dordrecht that had a kitchen but no breakfast, cost us less than 600 Euros for two weeks.


















TIP TEN

Tipping has no specific rules in Europe that I could decipher. In the United States you can pretty much stick with 20%. In Europe who knows? Rely on hotel staff to tell you what is expected as an appropriate tip in the country you are staying in. They'll be your best guides.














TIP ELEVEN

Try and find one thing, one moment worthy of a splurge. Ours turned out to be one of our best memories.









TIP TWELVE

Don't forget to snap a few a photos. As the days pass by and your holiday becomes farther and farther removed a thumb flick through the photos on your phone can make you laugh and smile while you say, "Remember this".