This summer, I took my first international flight to Europe, and it will certainly not be my last. In addition, this was also my first time flying by myself. I am a timid Taurus who has a big fear of change; therefore, the idea of being outside of my comfort zone was giving me anxiety for weeks. I am here to tell you that this experience was worth every penny and every ounce of anxiety. I want to share with you all of the cultural shocks I experienced to prepare you for when you take your first trip to Europe. I cannot speak for all countries, but my observations relate to most European countries. Here is what you need to know!
When You Go Out to Eat at a Restaurant
In America, we love when some restaurants bring you bread before your meal. However, at European restaurants, the bread is not to be consumed until after your meal, when you dip it into your leftover sauce. After you finish your meal, you have to ask for your check in order for it to be delivered to you. In Europe, having dinner and splitting a bottle of wine is a big social scene that can last for hours, so just because you finished your meal, that does not mean that you are ready for the check.
Don’t like wine? No problem. Casually sipping on concentrated spirits and liqueurs such as Limoncello, Amaretto, and Tsipouro are extremely common social drinks. Not feeling so daring? Make it a cocktail! Don’t worry, you don’t have to drink alcohol just because you’re in Europe. But beware, ordering water at a restaurant is not free. Plus, having ice in your drink is not normal, unless it is a cocktail. Want iced coffee? The more modern the country is, the more likely you are to find iced coffee, but most European countries do not have iced coffee. You will only find iced coffee at touristy and Americanized restaurants. However, I would suggest going to the non-touristy locations for better-tasting food that is not overpriced.
When Walking Around
Most European cities are extremely walkable, and here are some things I did to benefit me while walking around. If you are traveling to Europe in the summer, have a bottle of water on you at all times. It is insanely hot and humid, and you will feel dehydrated from all of the walking. I usually just carried it in my hands because I had a small bag on me at all times.
My favorite way to keep my valuables safe was to carry them in my Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag. I would always keep my passport in this bag and never leave it inside the hotel when I left. In my bag, I also always had cash, a portable charger, chapstick, lip gloss, and gum. To avoid being in the sun for long periods of time while waiting in line for an event, museum, or destination spot, I would suggest buying tickets for the event ahead of time online. Most of the time, they are cheaper, and you can get right inside at the time you scheduled it for.
Before You Travel
Something that I wish I did before leaving the country was to make sure that all of my debit and credit cards have the tap feature. In addition, I wish I had saved my debit and credit cards in my Apple wallet. The easiest way to pay in Europe is to quickly tap your card or phone, and I could sense the frustration of the cashier whenever I needed to insert my card.
Make sure that all of your cards work internationally, as some countries do not accept Discover or American Express cards. Plus, see if they have any excessive fees before traveling. Make sure you have more than one card in your possession or downloaded to your apple wallet just in case they get stolen or lost. Additionally, I wish I had also scanned all of my documents beforehand for these reasons as well. Lastly, I would recommend setting up an international phone plan or purchasing a sim card for the country you are visiting. However, if you do not want to do so, forget to, or cannot afford it, downloading maps on Google Maps of the cities and towns that you are visiting will allow you to access them and find transit options without service or wifi.
Do not let my safety advice alarm you, as I did not have anything happen to me that was scary, threatening, lost, or stolen; just be extra cautious, careful, and prepared. Be excited, and allow yourself to try new things. Step outside of your comfort zone and indulge yourself in all of the culture. Savor every moment, take a million pictures, and safe travels queen!
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