I'm going to Europe at the end of this month, any advice?

Question

I'm just looking for some advice about traveling: what to take, how to take it, carry on luggage, what to expect, how the French view Americans, good manners, etc. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

I would recommend that you pack nice clothes as Europeans tend to be more fashionable than Americans. Try not to pack too many pairs of jeans as they tend to be heavy. If you want to be casual, pack khaki pants. Be sure to pack warm clothes (sweaters, jackets) as well as spring clothes. Don't worry about packing too much because shopping is fabulous in France and Italy. For your carry on luggage, pack an outfit and your toiletries in case they lose your luggage and need to find it.

I love being in France. I found that the French were nice and civil with me. If you speak French, try and use it as much as possible. They would appreciate that very much as you're in their country. When you enter a shop, always greet the owner with "bonjour." It's better to be formal rather than informal in France. Whenever you select fruit at the supermarket or fruit stand, wear the plastic gloves that are provided. I never sensed any hostilities toward Americans from the French.

Italians are more casual and can be tempermental, but they are usually friendly. The same rules apply throughout Europe really. Greet Italians with "buon giorno."

Most Europeans, especially the younger people speak multiple languages including English. Keep in mind that the euro is worth more than the dollar and so is the pound. The Brits tend to be formal too. I would definitely recommend seeing London.

Other places that I would recommend are Paris, Rome, Florence, and Athens. If you're interested in a preview of the coming attractions, visit my photo page at http://flickr.com/photos/triminh. Let me know if you have any more questions and bon voyage!

Answer 2

Bring only what you need daily. Forget about the rest.
Otherwise you put yourself into trouble during transit (airports or hotels or during packing)

Hand carry luggage - your importance documents and camera contact numbers address.