Handy Hints

Thank goodness for ATM's! My first prolonged stay in Europe was in 1981. I was a student, and arrived packing a wad of traveler's checks. (And not a very thick wad, at that). Every time I needed cash, I was subject to fees, spreads, and sometimes a not too friendly exchange rate. ATM's are easily found all over Europe and give you an excellent rate of exchange. If you can find an account (such as an Asset Management Account at a discount broker) where ATM service fee's are waived, then you have low cost access to cash anytime, anywhere.

Even with low cost funds, keep in mind that every time you convert your money, a fee is deducted. With that in mind, try to estimate closely the amount of cash you will need in each country. With the Euro, this is no longer such a concern. Know ahead of time which countries still use their native currency. Unlike here, fewer hotels and restaurants except credit cards, but ATM's can be found within easy walking distance in average size cities. When in doubt, take less out. Our left over pocket change went towards buying last minute, duty free, chocolates at the airport.

To keep up on currency exchange rates follow this link to a currency calculator.

Hotel Tips

Although we rarely stay in hotels, I have discovered that there is a situation where they can be quite handy. Since we normally arrive in Europe on a Saturday, and we arrive into a rather large city, I have begun booking our first night at business class hotels. Why? Because weekend rates at these hotels are 50 to 70% less then they are Monday through Friday. Not only are these hotels very comfortable (a nice luxury after a long flight) but they usually offer free shuttle from the airport (another nice convenience when you're still a bit blurry eyed). The breakfast buffets at these business hotels (included in the cost of the stay) are also quite amazing. It makes getting over jet lag a bit easier.

In Frankfurt, we stayed at the Queens Hotel, which is a four star hotel. You will need to take a tram into the city (about 15 minutes), but there is a convenient tram stop about a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Even though they are heavily discounted during the weekend, they will still run you around $100.00 USD. I've decided it's a worth while splurge since the rest of our lodging usually ends up in the $45 - $55 range.

Packing Tips

You'll find plenty of information in both travel books and at travel websites to assist you in packing. In a nutshell, the less you can pack the more enjoyable your trip will be. My personal preference is a smallish travel bag with wheels and an adjustable handle, if traveling by car. For train travel a backpack may allow you to be a bit more maneuverable while navigating through crowded train stations.

Below is a list of handy items to pack that you may not find on a typical suggestion list.

Small notebook (keep track of where photos are taken, and travel journal, etc) Small calculator (for quick currency conversion) Travel umbrella (or buy one there, they're cheap...and yes, it will rain) Swiss army knife (one with a corkscrew will come in handy if traveling about wine country) Set of plastic flatware for picnics (I grab some from Wendy's before the trip...they seem to have the sturdiest) Set of collapsible drinking cups Ziplock bags (excellent for keeping currency separate and good for packing souvenir postcards, brochures, etc) Small bar of soap or small bottle of liquid laundry detergent (good for doing quick hand washables in the bathroom sink)

Groceries

If you have kitchen facilities, grocery shopping can be a great way to save money. It's also a lot of fun. Produce in Europe tends to stay more local, so if you're lucky enough to have a produce market nearby you'll be amazed at how fresh and delicious their fruits and veggies are. Even the lettuce (which tends to be rather flavorless here) is tasty! I suspect that produce there is picked when it's ripe, and not weeks in advance to compensate for travel and warehouse redistribution.

Even if you don't have a kitchen, you'll find a big price difference in buying soda's, snacks, bottled waters, etc from a grocery store vs. a street vendor. Many Americans walk through European cities never even spotting a grocery store. Why? Well, here's the trick. The larger groceries are all located in the basements of the larger department stores. Some of them even have a sandwich service at their deli counter, or a to-go salad bar. I love the convenience, the cost, and it does help if you're trying to grab a healthier meal now and then!

I should also add that most of the department stores have excellent cafeterias. Dining at a cafeteria can save you half of what you might spend at a nearby restaurant. Most of these cafeterias are located on the top floor, provide you with a lovely view of the city, and offer an impressive variety of food. You'll usually find an extensive salad bar (priced by weight), and a kitchen/grill area where food is prepared as you order it. (It's a handy system if you don't speak the language, as you have an opportunity to point to what you'd like....but please smile and manage a "thank-you" in their language). You'll find wine and beer, along with soft drinks and coffee. The desert section is just as impressive as any pastry shop you'd find in the area as well.