Europe Travel 101 – Before you take that first trip to Europe |
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| Here’s a printable checklist for things an independent traveler needs to do before heading off to that European destination. Keep in mind that all the planning has been done for you. This Europe Hockey trip has been completed over 20 times with no incidents. |
Like most planning guides, this is a tool meant to simply remind you what you need to do when to make the standard vacation go as smoothly as possible. Unless otherwise noted, most of the planning tasks can be done earlier than recommended. The complete annotated list with tips and hints can be found here. A printable checklist is available here.
What You Need to Do
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6 months before leaving
6 months before you go
Choose Your Destination!
Travel Planning | How I Travel Europe | Destination Guide | Europe and Fading Traditions: Go Soon! | Weather – Climate – When to GoStart Learning a bit of Language
Languages for the TouristPurchase Guidebooks – Europe, by country, or regional
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3-4 months before leaving
3-4 months before you go
Start Checking Airfares
Finding Bargain AirfaresApply for a Passport if you don’t already have one
Passport LinksShoes and Walking – Buy and Break in your walking shoes!
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6 weeks – 2 months before
6 weeks to 2 months before you go
Reserve Lodging – Hotel
Accommodation Links | Footloose Travel | Hotel Star Ratings | How I Travel in EuropeChoose your Transportation in Europe – Car or Train?
Train or Car? | Rent or Lease? | Driving in Europe Links | Transportation Links | European Train Travel LinksRail Pass
Do you need one? Here are some tips:- Trains in the south-Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece–are pretty cheap. If you’re going to one or several of these places you might find that a pass isn’t necessary. Just go to the station and buy a ticket.
- EurRail passes offer great savings if you plan right. For a saver pass you’ll need to plan to take several long trips so that you can spend the travel days mostly on the train. Save money by going overnight; you’ll save on hotel costs and make maximum use of your pass.
- Check the types of passes available carefully, to use them to an advantage, you may have to juggle some travel plans.
Lease or Rent your Car and get an International Driver’s License at Your Auto Club
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1 month before leaving
1 Month before you go
Travel or Health Insurance
Insurance LinksTake Stock of Your LuggageTop Carry-On Luggage | Packing Tips
Need a Camera? Buy and Learn to Use It
Before you buy a digital camera for travel | Top Compact Digital Cameras for Travel | Top Semi-pro Cameras for Travel | Olympus D40 Review
Using Film? Purchase a Lead-Lined Bag to keep it from Fogging.
Rent a Cell Phone if you need Telephone Service in Europe
Cell Phone Rental CompaniesPrepare to get Email at cybercafes in Europe
Staying Connected | Cybercafe LinksMoney Matters – ATM’s are the way to go – Traveler’s Checks for Back-up.
Money Matters | ATM FinderDocument Security – Do you have a money belt or something to conceal your valuables under your clothing?
Top Travel Accessories | Clip-on Security WalletVoltage and Plugs – are you bringing appliances that need convertors or plug adapters?
European Electricity and the Connected TouristDo you need road maps?
Michelin Maps (compare prices)Keeping in Touch – Have you considered transporting addresses or data, or doing audio or video recording?
The Travel Writer’s ToolkitCheck the Department of State website for Travel Dangers
Department of State Travel Warnings -
right before leaving
Last minute
Oops, Forgot the Passport. Help!
Passport Expediting CompaniesMake Copies of your valuable documents and give them to someone you trust.
Final Check – Passport, tickets, car rental agreements, hotel reservation receipts, credit cards, medications (and prescriptions, if required), addresses/password information and an open mind with a sense of wonder.