Europe is one of the most popular places to visit. There are so many amazing cultures and places that you can get it. Regardless of where you are traveling from, you are sure to enjoy everything that Europe has to offer.
A great place to start is Spain and Portugal. When you travel to these countries you will be putting a lot of money into your trip, so you want to make sure you are getting your money’s worth. Here is everything you should know to make the most out of your European vacation.
1. Have An Itinerary
There are so many amazing things that you can do when you are visiting Portugal and Spain. You can run will the bulls in Spain or visit the old, historic buildings in Portugal. These buildings will make you feel as if you are traveling back in time. They have been so well preserved that you will be able to experience some of the most amazing architecture the world has ever seen. If you aren’t into running with the bulls or touring these historic buildings, you may be into enjoying an all inclusive cruise.
There are a lot of different options that you can choose from. The ideal time on a cruise would be any time between the months of May and October. However, the summer months are a popular time to visit this area, so you should take that into consideration. Planning ahead and knowing what you want to do while you are visiting the area will save a lot of time and headaches in the long run. Make sure you take the time to plan where you want to go and buy tickets ahead of time. This will keep you from spending hours in lines at museums and galleries.
2. Be Laidback
While having an itinerary is important, it is also important that you don’t spend your whole trip stressing to stay on schedule. You shouldn’t try to jam your schedule full of activities because you will end up rushing from place to place and not actually be able to fully enjoy them. A vacation is supposed to be relaxing, the last thing you want to do is spend it stressing because you overextended yourself.
So make sure you are allocating time in your itinerary to explore the places that you are visiting. You may want to stop in a local restaurant or shop, but you can’t do that if you are on a strict time frame. Whether you choose to have a few hours every day, or just spend one day completely unplanned, it is important that you take some time to just walk around and explore. You never know what you will find and this time may end up being the most memorable.
3. Travel In The Off-Season
Depending on what your job is, traveling in the off-season may be very easy or it could pose a bit of a challenge. You don’t want to lose your job just to travel in the off-season. However, if you have a job that lets you choose vacation time or you work for yourself, you should try to take your trip during the off-season. That way you won’t have to be dealing with a bunch of crowds. You will also get to see how the locals live and they will probably be more inclined to talk to you since they don’t have a bunch of strangers invading their home. The summer months are when most tourists visit but if you can wait until September and October, you will be able to avoid the crowds but still have nice weather.
4. Make A Budget
Regardless of where you are traveling, whether it be local or international, it is important that you have a budget that you can follow. There will be a difference in currency when you travel to a different country, so make sure you account for that when you are creating your budget. It is always better to overestimate how much money you will need as well. So take the time and see how much a typical meal costs and other things you may need. Remember, airports always mark the price way up on everything so you should make sure to put that in your budget.
5. Stay In One Place Longer
People who travel to Europe tend to try to hit as many countries as they can. This might be fun for some people, however, it isn’t the best way to get the most out of your trip. You should try to spend at least three or four days in a single area. That way you can experience everything and not leave feeling disappointed. To keep track of your time, you should change the time on your phone into a 24-hour clock. This is going to ensure that you are getting to all of your engagements on time.
6. Get Out Of The City
A lot of people end up going to popular cities like Madrid or Lisbon. These cities are amazing and do offer a ton of different things for people to do, whether they are local to the area or tourists.
However, you won’t get to experience like you would if you experience smaller cities. Most cities are pretty similar, they have large buildings and are designed pretty similarly, regardless of where they are in the world. To experience more of the local culture, head to smaller, more local towns. The people will probably be friendlier and you will get a much more authentic experience. Plus, you will be supporting the local economy, not just the million-dollar businesses that take over larger cities.
7. Take The Train
When you go to another country on vacation, you aren’t taking a vehicle with you for transportation. You can get cabs and buses, but they are not ideal for getting to see massive amounts of the country.
If you are looking for the best way to see the landscape of Europe, you should book a train ticket. Trains are a great way to see a lot of different things in a short amount of time. They are also a lot more comfortable than cars and buses. A lot of people prefer to use them if they are traveling for an extended period of time throughout Europe. The tickets are very affordable and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the views.
8. Be Prepared For Late Dinners
It is a common practice in Europe to eat dinner much later than people do in the United States or other parts of the world. To ensure that you are able to get the most out of your trip, you need to be prepared to stay up late just to enjoy some local food. You should expect to be eating dinner anywhere from 9 pm to 11 pm. It is important that you are expecting this so you don’t end up missing out on fun evenings because you want to go to bed early.
9. Learn Some Of The Language
You don’t need to speak the local language fluently, but you will be surprised at how much it will help you. When it comes to asking for directions or recommendations, if you can even just say “excuse me” or “hello” the locals will be much more inclined to help you.
They will be able to tell you are actually trying to speak with them and you aren’t just a tourist that is looking for a nice Instagram picture. If you are able to speak Spanish and English, you should be able to communicate with almost anyone if the world so it is definitely something you should consider learning before you start traveling.
10. Practice Local Manners
Every country has a different etiquette that they follow, something that may be polite in one country, may be considered rude in another. It is important that you do your research on what is considered acceptable in the part of the country you will be staying in.
For example, in the south of Spain, it is acceptable to arrive up to an hour and a half late. While in the north of Spain you should arrive no later than 15 minutes. You should always make sure that you are dressed to impress and avoid close contact as much as possible. The majority of Spanish people do like to embrace and give kisses, but only with people that they are close with.
So, if you are meeting someone for the first time, just introduce yourself with a simple handshake and follow their lead. It is also important to know that in Spain, men are expected to pick up the bill for meals and dinner is eaten much later than you may be used to. It is also important that you speak in a calm, quieter tone of voice and be sure you aren’t saying anything that could be mistaken for rude or judgemental. People all across Europe are very proud and also speak at a much lower gentler tone than the rest of the world.
11. Be Aware Of Afternoon Closures
Since it is a common practice to eat dinner so late, it is also pretty common for local shops and restaurants to close down between 2 pm and 4 pm. This will allow them to get reset and ready to take on the late dinner shifts. However, the places that are most frequented by tourists have worked it out so they are opened during this time.
12. Dress For Comfort And Walk Everywhere You Can
When you are on vacation you want to be able to experience everything possible. The easiest way to do that is by walking. So, be sure you bring comfortable shoes and clothes that will keep you comfortable depending on what the weather is at the time. You should also be sure that you are wearing sunscreen, nothing is worse than getting sunburned on the first day of vacation and then being miserable for the rest of your trip.
13. Don’t Be Afraid To Talk With Others
Traveling is all about experiencing different cultures and meeting other people. You can’t do this if you are just walking around with your nose facing the group. Make sure you are walking with your head up and smiling at strangers. They might even approach you first. Even if you are an introvert, you should make it a point to talk to as many people as you are able to.
You never know who you are going to meet and what you will learn from them. They might be able to give you amazing dinner recommendations or tell you about places that only the local people know about. When you are talking to the locals, make sure you are talking in a normal tone and don’t act loud or boisterous. This can be perceived as rude and make them not want to share their stories with you.
