Traveling overseas! Help!?

Question

I just need some basic advice about traveling overseas. A few friends and myself are going to Europe for two weeks this summer. We are making stops in England, France, Germany and Switzerland (if that's how you spell it!) but I would love to have some simple tips about how to get around, communication (because I've heard that some French people get angry if you don't speak French, however i don't know if this is actually true) and maybe ever sites I need to see (Outside of the basics like the Effiel Tower and whatnot...of course we will see those things! :-D)

Also, what are the legal age limits in the countries for things like going to bars and drinking, you know that whole deal. :-D

Thanks so much in advance!

Answer 1

1. I suggest you get a copy of the DK guide for each of the countries you're going to visit. They're excellent, colorful, and have all the tips you're looking for in their reference sections in the back. You can find them at a good chain bookstore, or on Amazon.com. They're a lot better than Frommer's, in my opinion. The DK guides have the legal drinking ages for the different countries, as well as survival tips, regional foods, and cool things to see.

2. If you have a pda like a palm pilot or pocket pc, there is translation software you can download from the 'net which will be invaluable. We went to northern Italy in 2000 for a business/vacation trip. I had downloaded a shareware English/Italian, Italian/English dictionary into my pda. In retrospect, I should have gotten German/English, English/German too because translating the menus would have been easier. You can get them for French/English also.

3. It is true that some French speakers (especially in Paris) are arrogant about their language, even if you attempt to speak French. Better to speak English. Even if you do understand French, almost all European schoolchildren have taken many years of English and most speak several languages.

This is not true for the majority of French speakers outside of Paris. Any attempt to communicate in the local language is appreciated, humilitating as it is to be talking as a child would to them! Being polite and respectful goes a long way towards improving the image of the "ugly American".

4. Please consider getting the Eurorail pass before you go. You can only purchase it BEFORE you leave the USA, and it is a huge savings for travelling around Europe. Also, get your passport NOW... it can take up to 6 weeks from when you apply.

5. Pack VERY lightly. Set out what you think you should take, then elminate half of it. The week before you go, take out another half. Bring along silk or nylon underwear, and lightweight clothing you can handwash and line dry overnight as it's very difficult to find laundromats. Jeans are awful to dry in hotel or hostel rooms. Your shampoo can double as a detergent. Get a good haircut before travelling, so styling is easy. Pack a scarf and lightweight, long pants as you cannot enter churches in Europe in shorts, tank tops or sometimes without head covering.

Answer 2

It really helps to speak French in France bc many of the ppl speak little or no English. It is also just plain good manners to speak the language of the country you are visiting. French will also be spoken in Belgium and in some parts of Switzerland (Geneva and Lausaunne). If you try to speak the language, you will find that some of the local ppl will be nice and give you the answer in English. Some hints (there are lots): Don't overpack. Bring just enough clothes so that you will have room for souvenirs. In many/most European train stations and airports, there are NO porters available (at any price). Be alert and do not wander around drunk. Crime in Europe does exist so be alert. Carry traveler's checks and NOT too much cash. US coins are useless in Europe so just bring paper $. When you visit a city, take a brief bus tour (most have tours in English) and then you can decide what you really want to see in detail. Limit the number of cities you visit during your trip-- riding on buses and trains loses its charm when you spend your whole trip on them. Have a great time!!!!

Answer 3

You'll have a great time! Here are a few things to know. Buy a eurail pass online BEFORE you get there! Youcan't get them there unless its changed in the last few years. Get a 6-10 days of travel pass in one month period of time. Frenchpeople do not get angry if you don't speak French, They get angry if you assume they speak English. Learn a couple of the greetings and common questions like bonjour, au revoir, merci, etc before you go. In Paris go o Sac re Coeur (spelling is wrong) for a dinner. It is a beautiful former mosque that now has many restraunts at the top of a hill overlooking the entire city (go in the evening). Interlocked Switzerland is a fun place with lots of younger travelers to meet. You have to hit the museums in Paris and London. In germany, I liked Munich the most, if you get there, find Mike's Bike Tours, its worth every penny. Have fun.

Answer 4

Switzerland: Of course you should visit the mountains plus some medieval villages or town centres. There are several lakes as well offering great sceneries and sports activities.

The age limit is 18 for everything (giving the full rights US persons only would get at 21), only for drinking beer and ordinary wine it's 16.

Answer 5

1939 was when WW2 started in Europe. There probably was not a whole lot of traveling being done then. If they traveled at all it would have been by boat (ocean liner). Because the Germans were mining the coastlines it wasn't a very good idea to be traveling that way either.