Quo Galeon

Meeting New People and Seeing New Places

These tips are based on my last 8 weeks of traveling in Europe/Africa:

1. Buy/pre-order as many museum/attraction tickets online as you can.
2. Ask the taxi fare before taking off in a taxi, especially if it?s late at night or coming from an airport.
3. Charge your camera batteries every night.
4. If you have a Eurail pass and need to make reservation make them in Europe. It?s a lot less expensive.
5. If you?re climbing a few hundred steps up a tower, monument, etc. go only a clear, sunny day.
6. Learn at least Hello, Thank you, and Goodbye in the foreign language of the countries you are visiting.
7. Turn your cell phones off inside churches, museums, etc. If it rings and you must take the call, do it outside!
8. If there?s a running commentary (live or recorded), be polite and be quiet.
9. Dress appropriately and be respectful in churches.
10. If you?re traveling with children, don?t let them disrupt others around you. If they cry or throw a tantrum, take them outside.
11. If you have a complaint, do it reasonably without yelling and cursing.
12. Regarding pictures:
a. If there are signs saying ?No pictures?, don?t take pictures! There?s a reason for the signs. Do you really, really need that picture of Mona Lisa to prove you?ve seen it?
b. Learn how to use your camera before the trip. If there are signs saying ?No flash?, make sure you know how to use the camera without it.
c. If you see a couple or family with one person taking pictures of the other(s), offer to take a picture of both/all of them. Maybe they?ll reciprocate.
13. Check local holidays. Since many museums and stores will be closed, you?ll need to have other plans for the day. (Most stores throughout much of Europe are closed on Sunday.)
14. Don?t try to do too much. Leave some open time to just explore.
15. You?re on vacation so relax and have a good time!