| Travelling to Europe can be a wonderful and | | | | will take you less time to travel from destination |
| life-changing experience, but many people don't | | | | to destination - saving on travel time will give you |
| enjoy it the way they could and should because | | | | more time to do other things. |
| of the little annoyances that pop up during the | | | | 4. Rent a car or go by train? Both options have |
| trip. | | | | pros and cons, so it's worth thinking which is |
| Here are a few tips to ensure you can make the | | | | suitable for you. |
| most of your travel through Europe: | | | | Renting a car can give you freedom that a train |
| 1. Instead of taking a taxi to your hotel it might | | | | can't: for example in France there are a lot of |
| be a lot better to share an airport shuttle with a | | | | vineyards that offer free wine tasting or dairy |
| few other travellers. Airport taxis are usually | | | | farms with free cheese tastings. Just pop out of |
| more expensive and some unscrupulous drivers | | | | the car and enjoy! |
| will take side routes or even mess with the | | | | On the other hand, trains are best when you are |
| meter just to get more money out of your | | | | short on time and money - unlike the United |
| pocket. | | | | States, train fares are cheaper here and the |
| With an airport shuttle you save money and you | | | | distances are not that great. Also, if you stick to |
| don't have to worry about directions or finding | | | | major cities you'll most likely get there faster than |
| the hotel; plus, you can get picked up again at the | | | | in a car. If you plan on visiting smaller towns or |
| end of your stay and dropped off at the airport. | | | | even villages chances are that a train runs |
| 2. Take your time when travelling! Some people | | | | through there, so going by rail is always a good |
| go on vacation doing a speed tour of every city | | | | choice! |
| and location they can think of, and this really is | | | | 5. Gas Prices - if renting a car you should also be |
| not the way to travel anywhere. Travelling this | | | | aware of the higher gas prices in Europe. While |
| way will only exhaust you and you won't get to | | | | the average price per gallon in the United States |
| enjoy each city the way you should. | | | | is hovering around $2.50 in Europe you won't find |
| Remember this: it's good to plan ahead but don't | | | | it cheaper than $4 per gallon, and that's at best. |
| stick to it if you feel that you haven't spent | | | | Some European countries have it at around $7 |
| enough time somewhere. It's better to go back | | | | per gallon. |
| another time and pick up where you left off than | | | | That train ride sounds better and better, huh? |
| to go home tired and disappointed with the | | | | 6. Bring batteries and power adapters - if you're |
| experience. | | | | from Asia or the United States be sure to bring |
| 3. Are you sure you have enough time to visit all | | | | batteries and power adapters for every electronic |
| the places you want? Make sure that you | | | | device that you have with you. |
| reserve 2 or 3 days for each location and half a | | | | Although you can find them in Europe too, they |
| day or a full day for travelling from one place to | | | | are cheaper in your country and you wouldn't |
| another. | | | | want your camcorder dying on you when you |
| Given this reasoning for a 10 day trip you should | | | | really need it! |
| plan to visit 3 or 4 places at the most, and a 15 | | | | Keep these tips in mind and your trip to Europe |
| day trip would be suitable for 6 destinations. | | | | will be the best one in your life! |
| It is also helpful if you plan ahead for a route that | | | | |