Travel Tips and Tricks

           

Travel Tips and Tricks 

A few tips and tricks that I've picked up through my time in Europe

          So I know I haven’t really kept up with my travel blog as much as I had planned, but this space was meant to share experiences and situations that inspired me and that I hoped would inspire you. As the end of the semester approaches (only 7 more days!!!), I decided to write this blog with a list of some practical tips and tricks about traveling in Europe for those with a disability and without.

• As I have said in the past, my number one tip for travelers is plan to travel with those you trust and you know will have your back. (See blog #1)

• Restore your faith in humanity (See blog #2)

• Know thyself and act accordingly. (See blog #3)

• Recognize that there are many obvious signs we are Americans.
• For example, Americans are often very loud and rambunctious. Be aware of this in public places, such as restaurants and public transportation.  

• If you look like you are lost, people will take advantage of the situation, do not let them. Always have some sense of direction and even if you don’t, act like you do.

• Learn common sayings in the native language of the place you are traveling (Hello, goodbye, bathroom, elevator, thank you, excuse me).
• The natives will respect you more for trying to communicate and for recognizing and respecting their culture.

• Learn the exchange rate of currency and how to use the various currencies in each country.

• Always keep valuables on you, especially when using public transportation or in large crowds.
• If you use a purse, keep it towards the front of your person. If you use a backpack, it may be beneficial to invest in a luggage lock and/or a slit proof backpack.

• Always travel in groups of three or four and always be open to accepting some more. Traveling in a group of four to five is beneficial to everyone. There are more people to split costs and traveling in a group is generally safer then traveling alone or in pairs.

• When planning a trip, keep in mind the location of hostels and the costs of transportation.

• Use websites such as Airbnb. Sometimes it is cheaper for a large group to rent an apartment rather then booking a hotel room. They are often nicer and bigger and there is usually a full kitchen. We did this in Spain and it worked out wonderfully. It helps to read the reviews to decide which hostel is the best choice.

• Sometimes it can be cheaper to rent a car if you are planning to travel to several places over a short period of time, rather then taking public transportation. 
• If you choose to go this route, beware of tolls. Some places have several tolls of varying costs and they can add up quickly. 

• The grocery store is your best friend. Don’t feel like you have to eat out every night. Sometimes it can be fun (and cheaper) to make your own meals.

• Always travel with a deck of cards. They are fun to play and easy to transport. You never know when you will have extra time on the train, on the bus, in the airport, or just some downtime in the evening to play a few games.

There is so much more to traveling then these simple tips, but these are just a few things I have learned in my semester abroad and I hope they will serve you well! Good luck on your travels!