<p>My first trip to Europe in a few weeks with S2 (who is 14). Two week stay. What do I wear? (I figure S2 is pretty safe with his usual stuff as he’s not a baggy pants kid and he’ll be playing a fair amount of soccer anyway.) I prefer to blend in if possible, or at least not stand out too badly as the ugly American. Any tips on cell phone arrangements? We’ll be with a semi organized group with Northern Croatia as our “base”. Very close to Northern Italy, Austria and Southern Germany. No plans for World Cup games other than to enjoy the excitement of being in the vicinity. Thanks for any tips or suggestions…wardrobe, sights, basic European travel stuff for a newbie.</p>
<p>How wonderful for you. I went to Italy for a couple weeks with boys 13 and 17.<br>
Hire a private guide to tour a great art museum or tour a great place at least once. Best money we ever spent. Most guides book a few families or tour buses a day and they pass stringent exams and speak more than one language fluently. I arranged one to meet us at a great museum once on the internet and she was magnificent. My 13 year old was rather lost with historical timelines…so make sure to get them to watch a DVD or to review a timeline of history before you go.
Buy used books on Ebay now on artists you will see…otherwise the hour is sometimes “lost” to being overwhelmed. There is tons of reading time on planes.</p>
<p>let your son plan a day…that makes him invested in how to logistically do the work to max out a good day. </p>
<p>don’t wear sleeveless in Italian churches and cathedrals…there are “bare shoulder” patrols everywhere making you borrow their shawls before entry or ejecting those with bare bellies or shoulders. solve this by tying a sweater or shawl around you waist till needed. short shorts are also sort of out…dress in a way that shows a bit of respect for church settings where you will see endless art.</p>
<p>don’t count on airconditioning or screens in windows, so pack linen or breathable fabrics and things that can be thrown on when things cool down.
don’t expect an ironing board in your room. So best to forget about it unless you can afford to have things sent out.</p>
<p>we spent a fortune on bottled water at restaurants-- is much cheaper if you buy a six pack in drug stores when you can to carry around all day.</p>
<p>Don’t carry a pocketbook that looks like a bookbag…they won’t let you wear it most places. I have one that transfers from bookbag to shoulder purse easily. </p>
<p>Unless you are a talented photographer…don’t take blurry pictures of the sights…buy a book instead. </p>
<p>Try to find out where the natives eat and don’t go to any tourist traps for meals ever. </p>
<p>Beds sometimes only have duvets and not the typical sheet arrangements…more like sleeping bag style. </p>
<p>A gelato a day keeps everyone happy</p>
<p>some antibiotics that are prescription only here are over the counter there…amazing…and cheap</p>
<p>glaring white tennis shoes are not a fashion statement in Italy (shoes matter) but the Big Whites and fanny packs brand you a bit as tourists…not that you will fool anyone really but instead, invest in a little pocket thing for your money under your shirt or attached to a belt and tucked in. Do not leave a passport in your room…unless you have a safe. Use a VISA for most things and get small bills of local money.
Hoteliers do ask to hold your passports while they are checked.</p>
<p>I bought walking shoes in a different hue of color for long days on uneven streets…sandals, too.<br>
bring enough money to buy Birkenstocks…and even Mephistos…incredibly cheap there. About sixty dollars a pair for what would be well over 100 or more here.</p>
<p>A small bottle of hand sanitizer, some kleenex, some baby wipes, a bar of soap (not every hotel/B&B provides it) - better a small backpack than a fanny pack. Earplugs for the plane and if your room happens to face the street. </p>
<p>If you wish to pack light, get some acetate basic pieces - you can hand wash it and it dries quickly, does not wrinkle. Soft polyester tees and wicking polyester underwear, same thing, ditto a few pairs of polyester socks. A lightweight attractive polyester jacket (or in the summer, a vest - doubles as a pack pad for the airplane). Really comfortable walking shoes. Try to minimize the number of shoes (heavy). If you’re gone for two weeks, you’ll probably want to do some laundry rather than lug around a huge suitcase, so research where the public laundries are in your locations before you go.</p>
<p>Bring all necessary medications and put them in the purse or backpack - I usually take things like pepto-bismol tablets, decongestants, antibiotics (get a prescription, just in case), linament (all that walking), and sleeping pills - to force recovery from jet lag if needed. Lots of vitamin C and A to ward off colds. I have a bad back so I also take a few heat patches if needed.</p>
<p>A small buckwheat pillow is wonderful - you can use it for your neck in the plane and as a neck support to supplement the often questionable pillows you may find. If you are used to a pillow-top mattress, bring an inflatable full-length camping pad or a tightly-rolled egg crate underpad. I have found that even at 4-star hotels, you rarely find comfortable mattresses (they tend to be old, hard, and have zero padding). I’ve often had to sleep on top of the comforter to get any rest. </p>
<p>Research EVERYTHING online first in terms of airports, buses, trains, etc. - prebook when you get discounts or if it is for an attraction, event, or exhibit that might be sold out. Print out maps of the major areas that interest you and bring them. Plan chillin’ time - outdoor cafes, gentle strolls. </p>
<p>Make sure your digital camera has a hefty memory card, 512MB or 1GB - check ebay for great prices.</p>
<p>Consider renting a cell phone over there so you can stay in touch with your son and fellow travelers. Can be inexpensive and well worth it.</p>
<p>AS you will be looking slightly bewildered, it is impossible to avoid looking like a tourist. Don’t drive yourself mad over it!</p>
<p>However, if you guess that Americans are immediately identifiable by the American uniform–you ware correct.</p>
<p>If you want to try to blend in…</p>
<p>Do not wear tennis shoes of any sort. Do you have a pair of ‘styly’ casual shoes that you can walk in for a few hours? I like Stuart Weiztman’s…</p>
<p>Do not wear khaki pants or things with American logos branded on the front. Avoid utilitarian clothing such as cargo pants, safari shirts etc.</p>
<p>Do not wear matching jackets. It’s amazing how many Americans do this.</p>
<p>Buy a super styly pair of sunglasses! </p>
<p>Put on your lippy. (Lipstick)</p>
<p>Plan to buy something styly at each stop–even if it something small. I treasure the clothing I bought from stops around the world.</p>
<p>Finally, and most importantly, lower your voice. We are so loud as a people. Even my dainty American mum sounds like a truck driver and stops the other shoppers dead in their tracks when she calls out to me in a foreign grocery store.</p>
<p>I buy most of my travel clothes at Chicos. I always wear stuff that doesn’t wrinkle and can be washed out and dried overnight. (By the way, washing stuff out in shampoo works great.)</p>
<p>Really - you can’t pack light enough. Buy about 3 things you like, throw them in a 22" roller suitcase and hit the road. Have a GREAT time and drink lots of wine!</p>
<p>Black pants. Nice tops, sleeveless is fine. Buy a scarf you like from one of the many stores that sell them, you can put it over your shoulders in churches, and it provides protective camouflage–it’s not American!</p>
<p>My daughter always points out that Americans have a neon sign over their heads with an arrow and the word “American”—and the best you can do is keep it turned off!</p>
<p>Remember that throughout Europe, it is polite to greet the proprietor when you enter the store (Buon Giorno! Bon Jour!) and say thank you when you leave.</p>
<p>I wear running shoes even though that’s supposedly the kiss of death to Europeans—and have ever since I noticed that the nuns in all the Catholic churches in Europe wear them too.</p>
<p>dmd77 pretty much summed it up, but here’s a website on dressing for Italy:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.beginningwithi.com/italy/travel/dressing.htm[/url]”>http://www.beginningwithi.com/italy/travel/dressing.htm</a></p>
<p>I just want to point out that it’s only Americans who seem to worry about people identifying them and their country when abroad. Europeans certainly do not care (and wear their national football shirt with pride). </p>
<p>I second what cheers says - speak quietly! In the summer in Oxford I hear VERY loud American voices everywhere. It annoys the Brits because they think they are being shouted at and ordered around. So bear in mind you could be interpreted in the wrong way.</p>
<p>Shoes as described above are a very good US identifer. Young people do wear sneakers (“trainers” as they are called in the UK) but over 30s wearing bright white ones, that’s an American abroad. Actually bright white clothing in general. Also baseball caps on anyone over 20.</p>
<p>But really don’t worry. Who cares if everyone knows you’re a tourist?</p>
<p>Cupcake’s point about “everyone knowing you’re a tourist” is an interesting one. When my husband and I were in northern Italy last year, being American was a plus–most tourist to that area at that time of year (late May) were German. We found many Italians were anxious to tell us about their small section of Italy. (This was not true in Venice, although on the back streets in Florence it was true.)</p>
<p>We also found that in Italy the “house wine” (vino della casa–blanco (white) or rossa (red) was usually excellent. The proprietors pride themselves on making arrangements with the vineyard themselves, so the house wine is a source of pride, not just profit. In addition, ordering the house wine seemed to indicate that we weren’t in a rush, because we’d see other tourists getting served in a hurry and sent off, while we’d get a leisurely meal with friendly service and suggestions from the waiter. Incidentally, asking them what they recommended got us some wonderful meals.</p>
<p>Congrats to you! </p>
<p>Clothes: Plan on layering. S is in Germany now, and the weather has been surprisingly (for him) cold. Think short- and long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, light jackets, etc. When I travel, I pick a couple of basic colors and take along pieces that match and coordinate and can be switched around to make different outfits and can be dressed up or down. I never wear things with logos, “message” T-shirts, etc.) The most important item, bar none: Shoes comfortable for walking, already broken in.</p>
<p>Packing: Leave your valuable jewelry at home. ALL of it. For bling, go faux. Bring enough underwear and footwear for a clean change x the number of days you’ll be gone. Then add 2-3 more. Bring along a large plastic bag to put dirty clothes in as you go so they don’t get mixed up with clean. Expandable suitcases are a tourist’s best friend, but try to charge purchases and just have the store mail home anything heavy or bulky (like a cuckoo clock or artwork) if you plan on doing much shopping. After you finish packing, immediately unpack as much as you can before you go. You really won’t need half as much as you think you will.</p>
<p>Tourist stuff: Everyplace in Europe has little guidebooks to countries and attractions. We only take pictures of ourselves and friends we meet while traveling. For everything else, we buy postcards and guidebooks. Their photos are better than anything we would take anyway, and there’s way more info in them to savor later than you can get while you’re there. Buy picture guidebooks for every city, cathedral, museum, and palace you visit. If you must take “touristy” pictures, as a rule don’t try to take flash pictures inside historic locations. More often than not, it’s prohibited. And they DO mean prohibited. If you’re planning on calling home, buy international phone calling cards in the country you’re in. They’re usually available at the local tobacconist shops, and they’re cheap. </p>
<p>Languages: Buy a pocket dictionary for the languages of the countries you’ll be in. If you’re exploring on your own, you can always point to words or phrases in the book to communicate with the locals, and they can reciprocate. At least learn to say “please” in every local language. People the world over appreciate the value of that powerful word.</p>
<p>Time change: After you land, plan on staying up that day. Don’t give in to the temptation to crash immediately. You’ll have a wonderful night’s sleep if you give yourself an easy day in your first country and just go with their schedule.</p>
<p>Sightseeing: A tour is wonderful for a first-timer. They have probably scheduled blocks of free time for you, so take advantage of it to just walk around and experience everyday life as it comes. </p>
<p>Food: Eat in local eateries, and eat what the locals eat. The daily special is often written on chalkboards outside cafes and restaurants. Water doesn’t automatically come free with a meal as in America. Neither do our typical condiments and seasonings like salt, pepper, catsup, etc.</p>
<p>Money: Every major airport in Europe has an ATM. We always hit it as soon as we land to get the equivalent of a couple of hundred dollars in the local money. Buying foreign currency before you go from your bank will cost you more. Stick with ATMs exclusively overseas to get local currencies; you’ll get the best exchange rate by far. Tip: It’s very rare to find a restroom without a charge; often, there’s an attendant to tip, too. Carry some American dollars. I would think those might come in handy in Croatia.</p>
<p>Northern Italy, Austria, Southern Germany: Salzburg, Austria. If you can, spend two days there. Even then, you’ll only scratch the surface. Try the wine cellar restaurant near St. Peter’s. It’s been there since the time of Charlemagne, and they have a Mozart performance with dinner every night. If you have time for a day trip, go to the salt mines, the lake district of Mondsee, Berchtesgarden (Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest”), or Hellbrunn Palace (it’s only open in summer). Bolzano, Italy. Home of the “Ice Man” museum. Quaint town but little English spoken there. Southern Germany: Munich, definitely. At the very least, see the Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz. And drink some beer! Also, Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the scenery. Skip Neuschwanstein (it’ll be overrun with tourists and a long wait to get in) and go to Linderhof, Mad Ludwig’s “other” castle. It’s a gem.</p>
<p>About the “ugly American” bit. You’re not going to Kansas, so don’t expect the accommodations to be what you’d find in Topeka. If you’re unhappy with something, keep it to yourself (unless it’s life-threatening). Go with the local flow. You’ll be glad you did. Enjoy!</p>
<p>I second Cupcake’s thoughts - I don’t mind being taken for a tourist, and I don’t mind encountering tourists here in the US either. In DC, which swarms with tourists from the Cherry Blossom Festival on through September, I’m patient about giving directions and assistance when asked, and I appreciate the same overseas.</p>
<p>Where I think you would want to minimize your American identity would be in the Middle East, Greece, Turkey or other countries that are, or border on, nations unfriendly to the US. That’s just prudent - better to be taken for a European, or a Canadian.</p>
<p>Americans definitely are louder and less restrained in their speech. When I was touring the Rhine valley castles a few years back, the Germans and French tourists were very, very quiet - didn’t ask questions of the tour guide, didn’t thank the tour guides warmly, didn’t seem to discuss the tour among themselves when leaving. The only people who seemed enthusiastic were the Italians (expressively talking and waving their hands) and the Americans. But the impression it left in my mind was “repressed.” It made me feel like I had to whisper all the time. I suppressed the desire to tell them “Hang loose, dudes! Have some fun!” </p>
<p>Maybe Boomers are worse in this respect, thinking everyone is or should be friendly and that nationality shouldn’t be any barrier? Five to one, baby, one to five, power to the people, give peace a chance, smile on your brother everybody get together right now - ya think?</p>
<p>The two best things that I always keep packed with me when travelling to Europe as a tourist are safari pants that have zip off legs to become shorts – great when you’re going to be out all day with cool mornings, warm afternoons and cool evenings – and for women, a longish skirt with a stretchy elastic waistband that you can slip on over your shorts/pants when you inevitably want to go into a church to see the artwork, sculpture, etc. and then take off again and throw into a small bag. Like one previous poster said, since you will likely be entering plenty of churches during your visit, I would leave the tank tops and sleeveless tops at home – short sleeves are fine.</p>
<p>I have to disagree with Americans being universally loud. If you believe that you have never had the misfortune of being in a Paris bistro with tourist Brits, or on a bus crowded with a German tour group (disagreeing about everything), or the good fortune of being at an Italian family gathering in Rome trattoria…In fact I can’t think of anytime when we were in Italy that I thought people were quiet! Oh my gosh - quite the opposite (it was great actually). In my limited experience, yes, the French and the Irish are reserved.</p>
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<p>The reverse can also be true. Acetamenophen (Tylenol) is a presciption drug in many European countries.</p>
<p>Americans are louder because when they speak, (me included), they tend to use more nasal passage and less diaphragm than the rest of the world. The rest of the world tends to speak with more breath than Americans. Therefore, without meaning to, Americans can be unbelievably loud. My mother in a foreign grocery, for example. Fellow Americans wouldn’t find her loud in the least, but her voice stands out in a foreign country. I have lowered my voice consdierably since living overseas for the past four plus years.</p>
<p>Having lived in a town which was inundated with 35,000 Brits travelling with a rugby tour, I agree that Brits can be loud–when they are quite drunk or in a pub. Otherwise, they are much much quieter than Americans. Much.</p>
<p>The Irish are also reserved–outside of the pub. Put them in a pub with a bit of drink and some insturments and stand back for the fun!</p>
<p>Italian Americans are famous for their boisterous behavior but in all the years I have travelled to Italy, north and south, I have never seen Italians approach that volume or melodrama–unless they are thronging the streets to protest a political point or trying to flag the barrista in a crowded espresso bar. </p>
<p>Many travellers besides Americans wish to blend in with the natives as much as possible. That’s a natural instinct for many travellers. Think of the Germans and their ubiquitous black socks and shorts from a few years back. Eventually they gave those up, ;). </p>
<p>As for tennis shoes or ‘trainers’ in Europe, they tend to be styly Pumas or Diesels or versions thereof. They are NOT chunky running shoes.</p>
<p>Tip: First time travellers to older European cities would be at an advantage if they brought ‘Street-Wise’ city maps with them. They are only $12 at most US bookstores. LIfe savers.</p>
<p>Wow, I’m feeling much better. Thanks for all the tips. Personally, I’m just more comfortable ANYWHERE if I can reduce my chances of sticking out like the proverbial sore thumb (even at the grocery store, so you can imagine how daunting Europe must seem to someone like me).</p>
<p>Packing light is easy, it’s part of our family motto whenever we travel anywhere. Laying is our way of life, we live near Seattle where it’s a year round necessity. No bare shoulders in church. No white tennis shoes-now that’s hard for me, but glad to oblige if it will help keep me at least a bit under the radar. I can walk forever in my one pair of Mephistos and will look forward to buying another pair “over there”. I haven’t done so to date since the things are so darned expensive around here! I do like to pick up useful “sourvenirs”. Lippy…sigh, okay, I can do that. </p>
<p>I fear my dated wrap around Oakleys won’t classify as stylin’ sunglasses but I can’t bring myself to buy any of those oversized plastic things that my daughter is so fond of but probably scream “AMERICAN” (I’ll check out the web to see what seems to be fashionable in Europe…might require another purchase once we get there). VISA, my old, dear friend. I’ll do a bit more research on cell phones (mine is supposed to be usable in Europe if I get if “turned on correctly” and have the right sim card) but I might prefer NOT to hear from DH, S1 and D left behind. They are pathetic when on their own. My poor plants!</p>
<p>Well, my check list goes on and on, thanks to you all. I will feel much better prepared, informed and “dressed” for European success.</p>
<p>Grazie!
Hvala!
Danke!</p>
<p>One more thing I do in foreign countries is that I always learn in advance how to ask “Do you speak English?” in the local language. If they they say yes then they can answer your other questions; if they answer no you can move on to the next person.</p>
<p>It always seems to me to be presumptuous bordering on downright rude for Americans to walk up to people in other countries and begin speaking English to them and expect them to understand.</p>
<p>Also, in France, it’s bad manners to fail to greet the person before you begin asking questions. You should always begin with “bon jour” (or “bon soir” in the evening) before you ask your first question.</p>
<p>H was in Paris on business and a cab driver stopped the car and put him out because he couldn’t speak French!</p>
<p>He shouldn’t feel bad, Tookie. As soon as I open my mouth in French, I get asked if I’m German. I often take that as a (not so subtle?) hint to launch into an explanation that no, I’m American, please forgive me, my French is not good, isn’t it a beautiful day, and BTW do you speak English or Spanish? :)</p>
<p>I have found, as a rule, that the French in more rural parts of the country and smaller cities are much more forgiving of my (rusty) French than Parisians. Courtesy rules always apply, as coureur mentioned.</p>
<p>par-lay voo an-GLAY?</p>
<p>Juh swee des-o-lay, may mon Fran-SAY nay pa bone. Pweezh par-lay an-GLAY? (*I’m sorry, but my French is not so good. May I speak English?" *) Say this in a slightly nasal way in a movie-French accent and you’ll get a friendly response. If yes is the answer, then everything is cool. If non, then back to square one. But I’ve found that this is a great ice-breaker.</p>
<p>For sunglasses that look like the latest designer ones:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.imposterwear.com/[/url]”>http://www.imposterwear.com/</a></p>