10 Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in EUROPE | Things to Know Before You Visit Europe
Summary
TLDRThis video script offers valuable tips for travelers heading to Europe, highlighting common mistakes to avoid. It emphasizes the importance of efficient cash withdrawal, learning basic local phrases, utilizing public transportation, and not overstuffing itineraries. The speaker advises respecting local customs, tipping appropriately, and embracing local experiences. The video also dispels the myth of Europeans being rude towards tourists, encouraging travelers to approach with humility and openness.
Takeaways
- π° Avoid using airport currency exchange for better cost efficiency.
- π¦ Use ATMs at local banks in your destination country to withdraw cash and consider banks with no international fees.
- π³ Be cautious with Dynamic Currency Conversion and opt for local currency transactions.
- π£οΈ Learn basic phrases of the local language for a smoother and more immersive experience.
- π Embrace public transportation as it is efficient, economical, and offers an authentic travel experience.
- πΊ Plan your itinerary with a focus on quality over quantity to truly experience each destination.
- π Research and book tickets and reservations in advance to avoid missing out on popular attractions.
- π Expect and embrace cultural differences such as meal times, tipping customs, and local etiquette.
- 𧳠Pack appropriately and consider the type of experiences you want to have during your trip.
- π¨βπ« Leverage local guides for unique and authentic experiences that go beyond typical tourist activities.
Q & A
What is the first major mistake to avoid when getting cash in Europe?
-Avoid using the currency exchange at the airport upon arrival, as they often charge high fees. Instead, withdraw money from an ATM at a bank in the destination country.
How can one minimize ATM fees while traveling in Europe?
-Make large withdrawals to reduce the number of transactions and consider opening an account with a bank that offers zero international ATM fees, such as Charles Schwab Bank.
Why is it important to use a bank ATM rather than a Euronet ATM?
-Euronet ATMs are often a scam with higher fees. It's better to use a bank ATM for security and better exchange rates.
What are some basic phrases to learn when visiting a foreign country?
-Essential phrases include 'Hello', 'Goodbye', 'Please', 'Excuse me', and 'Where is the toilet?'. Learning these can improve communication and interactions with locals.
How can language learning apps like Duolingo and Pimsleur help travelers?
-These apps aid in learning basic phrases and pronunciation, focusing on listening and speaking skills which are crucial for real-life conversations during travel.
Why is it beneficial to use public transportation in Europe?
-Public transportation in Europe is comprehensive, efficient, and cost-effective. It allows travelers to experience the local way of life and can be more economical and convenient than renting a car or using taxis.
What is a common mistake travelers make with their itinerary?
-Overstuffing the itinerary by trying to visit too many places in a short time can lead to a rushed and unsatisfying experience. Focusing on fewer areas for longer periods can lead to a deeper and more enriching travel experience.
Why is it important to research and plan ahead when traveling to Europe?
-Many popular tourist attractions require advance ticket purchases which can sell out quickly. Planning ahead also helps with logistics, timing, and avoiding long queues at popular sites.
What should travelers expect in terms of differences when visiting Europe?
-Travelers should expect differences in customs, meal times, tipping practices, and even the availability of free refills and public restrooms. Being prepared for these differences can prevent disappointment and cultural misunderstandings.
How can trying local cuisine enhance the travel experience in Europe?
-Exploring local food offers a unique insight into the culture and enhances the overall travel experience. It's an opportunity to embrace the local way of life and enjoy the diversity of flavors.
What is the importance of respecting local customs and etiquette while traveling?
-Respecting local customs and etiquette shows respect for the host culture and can lead to more positive interactions with locals. It also enriches the travel experience by providing a deeper understanding of the place visited.
Why should travelers engage with local guides and experiences?
-Local guides can provide authentic experiences and insights that are not accessible to independent travelers. Engaging with them allows for a more immersive and memorable travel experience.
What is a common packing mistake made by travelers?
-Travelers often bring the wrong type of luggage or pack inappropriate items for their trip. It's important to research what to pack based on the destination's climate, culture, and activities planned.
Outlines
π Avoiding Common Travel Mistakes in Europe
This paragraph discusses the importance of avoiding common mistakes when traveling to Europe, such as using airport currency exchange, not learning the local language, and overstuffing the itinerary. The speaker, Nick, shares his experiences and offers practical advice on how to save money, adapt to local customs, and make the trip more enjoyable. He emphasizes the value of using ATMs at banks instead of airport exchanges, learning basic phrases in the local language, and planning itineraries that focus on quality over quantity.
π Embracing Public Transportation and Local Customs
The second paragraph highlights the benefits of using public transportation in Europe, which is efficient and cost-effective. It also touches on the importance of not overstuffing the itinerary and instead focusing on a few key areas or regions. The speaker shares his personal experiences and suggests that travelers should plan their trips around specific regions or topics for a more fulfilling experience. Additionally, the paragraph addresses the common mistake of not having a game plan, emphasizing the need for research and advance planning to avoid disappointment at popular tourist sites and restaurants.
π Adapting to Differences and Exploring Local Cuisine
This paragraph emphasizes the importance of being prepared for differences when traveling to Europe, such as paying for water refills and bathrooms, and adjusting expectations. The speaker encourages travelers to be adventurous with local cuisine and to embrace the unique aspects of the culture. He also discusses the significance of understanding and respecting local customs and etiquette, including meal times and tipping practices. The paragraph dispels the myth that Europeans are rude towards Americans and instead highlights the value of approaching travel with an open mind and humility.
π Packing Smart and Leveraging Local Experiences
The final paragraph focuses on the common mistake of packing inappropriately for the trip and not utilizing local guides and experiences. The speaker shares his fond memories of engaging in authentic local experiences, which were enhanced by the guidance of local hosts or experts. He suggests using platforms like Airbnb Experiences or Viator to find guides and recommends asking for personal recommendations to enrich the travel experience. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to pack smartly and to be open to learning from the locals to make the trip more memorable and meaningful.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Currency Exchange
π‘Dynamic Currency Conversion
π‘Language Learning
π‘Public Transportation
π‘Itinerary Planning
π‘Local Customs and Etiquette
π‘Local Guides and Experiences
π‘Travel Mistakes
π‘Cultural Differences
π‘Travel Tips
π‘Packaging Essentials
Highlights
Avoid using currency exchange at the airport due to high fees.
Use ATMs at banks in the destination country to withdraw cash.
Consider opening an account with a bank that offers zero international ATM fees, like Charles Schwab Bank.
Do not use Euronet ATMs as they are often scams.
Avoid dynamic currency conversion when withdrawing cash.
Always choose the local currency when paying at restaurants to avoid extra fees.
Learn basic phrases of the language in the country you're visiting to improve your experience.
Use language learning apps like Duolingo or Pimsleur method for language preparation.
Download Google Translate and the language of the country you're visiting for offline use.
Public transportation in Europe is efficient and cost-effective; consider using it over renting a car.
Avoid overstuffing your itinerary; focus on fewer places for a more enriching experience.
Plan your trip at the region level rather than the country level for a more focused experience.
Have a game plan but also leave room for spontaneity during your trip.
Research logistics and timing for tourist sites as many require advance ticket purchases.
Expect differences in customs and practices; be open to new experiences.
Try local cuisine and embrace the unique differences in food and culture.
Research local customs and etiquette, including meal times and tipping practices.
Europeans are not rude towards tourists; be respectful and considerate as a guest.
Leverage local guides for unique and authentic experiences.
Choose the right bag and pack appropriately for your trip to avoid common packing mistakes.
Transcripts
in this video I'm going to share 10 big
mistakes you want to be sure to avoid on
your trip to Europe mistakes that will
cost you money waste your time and even
make you look rude without you even
knowing it
hey guys Nick here from away together my
wife Ali and I have traveled extensively
throughout Europe and we've had the joy
of introducing several other travelers
to Europe and European culture and I've
noticed some commonalities along the way
in terms of questions and mistakes being
made so the purpose of this video is to
help you avoid those mistakes and
hopefully give you some useful tips
along the way so noteworthy things we're
going to talk about are money
Transportation how to design an
itinerary and a few other blunders that
you want to avoid now just a quick note
before we get started this is not meant
as a harsh criticism of tourists or of
Americans in general it's all in the
spirit of Love okay but don't at me when
we get to points six seven and eight
you'll see what I mean the first big
mistake revolves around how to get cash
for your trip to Europe you definitely
don't want to use the currency exchange
at the airport when you arrive at your
destination they charge crazy fees and
it's going to cost you big time what I
always tell people people to do and what
I always personally do myself is go to a
bank in my destination country and use
their ATM now depending on where you
Bank back home there is probably still
going to be a small ATM fee associated
with using that bank's ATM and I try to
circumvent this in two ways the first
way is by making a large withdrawal I
tend to maybe only make one to two
withdrawals from an ATM per trip if it's
a 10 day to two week type trip to Europe
the second way you could circumvent this
is by opening an account with a bank
that offers a checking account with zero
dollar International ATM fees Charles
Schwab Bank is one example of these now
this is super important not all ATMs are
created equal use an ATM at a bank do
not use one of those euronet ATMs those
things are a complete scam if you're
ever stuck without options and a Euro
net ATM is your only the option okay go
ahead I've had to do that before but do
not I repeat do not use Dynamic currency
conversion when you're making your
withdrawal you will have the option to
choose between leaving it in the
currency of your destination country
versus withdrawing it in your home
currency and that may seem like really
nice but there are massive massive fees
associated with it I repeat this is a
complete scam and another Pro money tip
when you pay for a meal in a restaurant
if they do accept card they may ask you
if you want to pay in dollars or Euros
or whatever the local currency is always
just choose the local currency the same
kind of thing is going on there and you
will end up usually paying more if you
ask to pay in your currency the next big
mistake I see people make when they
travel to Europe is not trying to learn
at least a little bit of the language
learning at least a few basic phrases of
the country or countries you'll be
visiting can make life a lot easier
you'd be surprised how much learning
just a handful of phrases can improve
your confidence speed things up for you
and increase your street cred with
locals some great basic phrases to learn
in any country that you're going to
visit Hello Goodbye please excuse me
toilet is a great word to know how to
order your favorite beverage one that I
find that comes up a lot actually is how
to ask for the check in a restaurant the
reason why that's kind of shocking you
know in the USA a lot of times
somebody's bringing you your check and
kind of shoeing you out of the
restaurant in Europe man they're like
you actually have to beg to get the
check so knowing how to ask for the
check in the local language can be very
helpful there are tons of ways to dip
your toe in the water with learning the
language Duolingo Babel probably my
favorite and the method that's worked
best for me is the Pimsleur method which
I think it was really effective because
it revolved around hearing and speaking
rather than reading and writing which
makes sense right on your trip you're
probably not going to do a whole lot of
writing in the local language you'll
most likely be doing a little bit of
listening and speaking one thing I loved
about the pimsler method which by the
way isn't a sponsor or anything I just
found it really useful is the first
thing they taught me how to say was I
don't understand Italian
and how to ask if the other person knew
English
I found that even knowing those phrases
and how to pronounce them correctly
helped me so much the thing is many
Europeans are multilingual and a lot of
them especially in more popular
destinations speak at least some English
thank you imperialism I guess but
it's still very helpful
to it
you're gonna
learn it's fun it adds to the adventure
one last tip about language make sure to
download Google Translate before your
trip and it's super helpful to download
the language of the country that you're
visiting before you leave that way if
you're ever without signal or whatever
you've got it pre-baked in your app and
man that app is loaded with a bunch of
useful features a tremendous mistake
when visiting Europe is ignoring public
transportation Europe has an amazing
comprehensive and generally efficient
Transportation network with trains buses
trams metros that can get you around
pretty quickly and cheaply opting for
public transport is often more
economical and convenient and it also
gives you the authentic experience of
traveling like a local speaking as an
American I think there are many cases
where we're just used to renting a car
or having to get a taxi or an Uber it's
just the default but in Europe there
could only be some cases where that's
your best option in fact in many cases
it's going to be the worst option in
cities parking is really hard to come by
and it's ridiculously expensive in a lot
of cases a train is going to be a pretty
affordable way to get around not always
a bus very cheap way to get around and
look there are definitely cases where
the car is gonna be your best option you
want to take this side trip or this day
trip but my advice is just don't go in
assuming that if you want to go
somewhere you have to have a car and in
those cases where you want the car for
the day trip consider only renting it
for the day that you need it and not
your entire trip to Europe a big mistake
to avoid when traveling to Europe is
overstuffing your itinerary it can be
really tempting when you first visit
Europe to try to go everywhere and see
everything but it's just a recipe for
disaster my very first trip to Europe I
visited like 9 or 10 countries trees in
32 days which is an average of like
three days per country and in some
countries I visited more than one city
which is even less time let me ask you
would you try to visit all 50 U.S states
in 50 days like other than for the
achievement of doing that no probably
not why because you wouldn't actually be
seeing those places you'd be seeing the
inside of your car or a plane and the
same is true I find when people visit
Europe they want to spend one day or
maybe two days per City move quickly
between all the major sites and they
really just don't leave enough time to
B now I understand we've all got limited
vacation time most likely and I'm all
about maximizing my time when I'm on a
trip however I do believe that you'll
have a deeper richer and more fulfilling
experience generally if you slow down
and as Rick Steve says assume you'll
come back nowadays when I plan a
European itinerary for myself or for
someone else I actually don't tend to
even plan at the country level I tend to
plan at the region level for example a
Northern Italy trip or a Bavaria trip I
find that when you can Center your trip
around a region or maybe a topic it can
just give you such a more fulfilling
experience and as you close in the
parameters you can really just get so
much more out of it the same approach
can be said when you're on the ground in
the cities that you're visiting avoid
making minute by minute itineraries that
can and every tour and every Museum and
focus on the essentials and the areas of
high interest to you now the flip side
of all of this is not having a game plan
at all and that's actually a mistake I
see all too commonly as well I know
people who have literally spent
thousands of dollars on plane tickets
and lodging only to go to a new
destination and sit in a bar and drink
all day long like you literally could
have stayed in your hometown to do that
now maybe you do actually have
intentions to go out and see something
but you haven't researched the logistics
or the timing of how or when to do those
things many of the major tourist sites
in Europe sell tickets in advance and
many of them sell out weeks or even
months in advance so it's best to do
your research way ahead of time and
don't assume you'll be able to just show
up and walk in I like to try and get
those skip the line tickets in advance
in anyways because I don't really like
standing in line in that same vein it's
also always worth it to research and try
to get reservations for any of the
restaurants that you might care about
dining at and in a lot of cases that
doesn't have to happen way way in
advance like we always like to ask our
host if we're staying in an Airbnb where
they would recommend so a lot of times
it's like the day we arrive in a new
city we try to make a reservation for a
place for dinner later that week our
personal philosophy here at away
together is striking a balance between
seeing those important cultural and
historical sites and leaving plenty of
room for freestyling and hey if you're
getting value out of this please hit
that like button so YouTube will know to
suggest it to other Travelers like you
another big mistake I see when people
visit Europe especially for the first
time is not expecting things to be
different I don't mean knowing every
little thing that will be different I
mean not expecting that some things will
be different for example you're usually
going to have to pay for water refills
free refills not really a thing ice is a
possibility but you're usually going to
have to ask for it if you're from the
USA this one's going to feel really
weird to you but you're gonna have to
pay for bathrooms a lot of times am I
telling you that I love all of these
things no not necessarily but I am
trying to save you some heartache I've
been around people who were visiting
Europe for the first time who I feel
were kind of expecting to find America
in Europe well I don't know if you know
how expectations work but in my opinion
it's on them that they didn't have a
good time another unfortunate way I've
seen this play out is when people don't
get at least a little bit adventurous
with the local Cuisine and then they
subsist on a diet of like McDonald's and
Starbucks and Hard Rock Cafe I think
part of travel at least European travel
right because we're not just going and
staying at a beach resort in Florida
make an effort to try the local food and
embrace the unique differences even if
you don't love all the nuances and
idiosyncrasies think of it like a game
even a trip to the grocery store in a
new country can be exhilarating and fun
in my opinion your trip and your life is
too short to get been out of shape over
minor things a big mistake Travelers
make when visiting Europe is not taking
time to research the local customs and
etiquette a great example of this is
meal times in Spain if you're trying to
eat lunch at noon you're probably going
to be eating alone lunch is at 2PM
dinner is going to be starting around
like nine tipping is a perfect example
of this in many table service
restaurants across Europe tipping is
much more modest than what you might be
used to usually wait staff is much more
fairly compensated so tipping is more of
a nice gesture than it is a necessary
piece of their economic survival or it
can commonly be an easy way to settle
the build you're just rounding up but
this varies highly depending on country
and sometimes even in the distinct
region so be sure to do your research
oftentimes the service charge will
actually be built into your bill and
it'll even say this on the menu or the
receipt now in more touristy areas and
restaurants sometimes it will say in
English tip not included when in fact
the service is already built in we've
even had the waiter kind of cajole us
about tip in those situations before in
other countries like Iceland zero tip is
expected you might even get weird looks
if you leave a tip and in other places
it seemed rude to leave just a single
Euro like it would be better to leave no
tip at all or to Euro but leaving one is
like a slap in the face somehow I hope I
have it thoroughly confused you about
tipping the point here was to show you a
bunch of examples not explain how
tipping in Europe works the point is to
do your research and to try to respect
the local way of doing things you're a
guest here another huge mistake I see is
assuming that Europeans are rude or that
they don't like you this is completely
false as a U.S traveler I would say one
of the top five questions I am always
asked by people who live here is if
people were nice to us while we were
gone like there's this prevailing belief
that the entire world just hates America
and I'm not saying that we don't have
enemies but there's this common fear
that American Travelers are just
despised this couldn't be further from
the truth in my experience traveling
Europe the truth is what Europeans don't
like is tourists who are loud rude and
disrespectful if you're a European
watching this I would love to hear your
thoughts in the comments below but in my
experience we have never met someone
that was rude or mean to us simply
because of our nationality abroad that
said when you travel to Europe you
should act like you're a guest in
someone else's country be kind smile be
humble if there is one virtue to
cultivate as a traveler and maybe life
in general it's humility leave your
arrogance at home part of being a
traveler is saying hey maybe my way of
life isn't the only way and I find that
when you carry humility with you the
people that you encounter are much more
likely to treat you with respect and
kindness and Hospitality a big mistake I
see Travelers make when they visit
Europe is not leveraging local guides
and experiences some of my Fondest
Memories from all of my European
Adventures come down to authentic local
experiences I couldn't have otherwise
had without an experienced guide or
teacher from seeing how
Parmigiano-Reggiano is made in Italy to
paragliding in Innsbruck Austria to
learning to make pierogi in Krakow
Poland to creating authentic ceramic
Pottery outside Florence in montelupo
fiorentino these are unique and
memorable experiences that I will truly
never forget and I think there's more
multiple cool things at play here first
of all you get to meet a real local
person and get to know them and kind of
understand their way of life and second
you get to break out of the monotony of
only seeing things with your eyes you
get to actually experience it and be a
part of it yourself there's lots of
great ways to find guides I usually use
Airbnb experiences or Viator just be
careful to read the reviews I would not
be the first person to do an experience
if it's got zero reviews there are scams
out there and make sure to ask your
guide or your host questions things like
where they like to eat or even to take a
look at your itinerary and see maybe
what else you should do or what you
could skip I find that these folks
really do want to help that's why
they're in the hospitality business in
the first place a lot of times the final
mistake is bringing the wrong bag and
packing the wrong stuff and in this
video I share my exact recommendations
on mistakes you should avoid and what to
bring with you instead thanks so much
for watching see you next time
Browse More Related Video
Unspoken RULES of Japan - What I wish I Knew Before Coming
1-Year in Thailand πΉπβ¦Here are 18 Tips for When Traveling or Living Here | 2024 |
MISTAKES Tourists ALWAYS make in Istanbul
Never Do These Things in Foreign Countries
Honest Prague Guide: The Only Video You Need to Watch
DON'T DO These 13 Things in Finland
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)