Advice for a first time traveller?
Jul 16th, 2013, 07:52 AM
#42
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What a tour teaches you is to never go on a tour again. ;-)
If you insist on a tour then look for alternatives. Contiki aren't the only tour company that caters to young people. For example the tour you link from Contiki covers 8 countries in 12 days. That's 1.5 days per country on average. Here is an alternative that covers 12 countries in 24 days. That's 2 days per country on average. Still far too much in too little time but at least it's a bit slower and actually has a couple of places where you spend several days.
http://www.gadventures.com/trips/eur...sed/EELL/2013/
I'm not suggesting that specific tour, it's just an example. What I AM suggesting is looking for something slower.
If you insist on a tour then look for alternatives. Contiki aren't the only tour company that caters to young people. For example the tour you link from Contiki covers 8 countries in 12 days. That's 1.5 days per country on average. Here is an alternative that covers 12 countries in 24 days. That's 2 days per country on average. Still far too much in too little time but at least it's a bit slower and actually has a couple of places where you spend several days.
http://www.gadventures.com/trips/eur...sed/EELL/2013/
I'm not suggesting that specific tour, it's just an example. What I AM suggesting is looking for something slower.
Jul 17th, 2013, 12:24 AM
#43
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It is a good idea for U.S. travellers to get informed about contacts with embassies and consulates in the countries they are planning to visit.
This can provide a small help since it does not require internet connection for data access:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/us-embassy/id600867238
This can provide a small help since it does not require internet connection for data access:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/us-embassy/id600867238
Jul 17th, 2013, 05:25 AM
#44
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>>
Would it help if you joined a handful of day tours or even 2-3 day tour groups? There are quite a few groups (viator is the one that comes to mind but there are many others) that offer day trips or short trips for a couple days. That might help give you someone you can ask questions of in a country without tying you to a specific tour group for a long time.
Unlike many here I actually like tour groups, they meet certain needs. A tour group enabled me to get around the UK in a very short time and see quite a bit, one enabled me to see Egypt safely even though I was traveling as a solo young woman. Even though I like tour groups for some things, I think you'll be happier on your own and maybe mix in some day tours as you go.
You'll be fine with English, just learn how to say please, thank you, excuse me and how much in the local language for every country you choose to visit. If you take an international smartphone you can pick up SIM cards as you go and have easy access to internet and you can use apps for translators for anything that you can't manage with charades and a smile. Use the phone or a tablet/netbook to book your next lodgings and train tickets as you go. That also gives you easy access to post things here, on tripadvisor, on thorntree, etc as you to go ask for advice or to look up things to do in the next city/country.
Figure out a loose idea of what you'd like to see/do and post it here on the Europe forum for ideas on possible changes. Posters will help you look out for possible problems/issues and will help suggest things to do along the way.
Would it help if you joined a handful of day tours or even 2-3 day tour groups? There are quite a few groups (viator is the one that comes to mind but there are many others) that offer day trips or short trips for a couple days. That might help give you someone you can ask questions of in a country without tying you to a specific tour group for a long time.
Unlike many here I actually like tour groups, they meet certain needs. A tour group enabled me to get around the UK in a very short time and see quite a bit, one enabled me to see Egypt safely even though I was traveling as a solo young woman. Even though I like tour groups for some things, I think you'll be happier on your own and maybe mix in some day tours as you go.
You'll be fine with English, just learn how to say please, thank you, excuse me and how much in the local language for every country you choose to visit. If you take an international smartphone you can pick up SIM cards as you go and have easy access to internet and you can use apps for translators for anything that you can't manage with charades and a smile. Use the phone or a tablet/netbook to book your next lodgings and train tickets as you go. That also gives you easy access to post things here, on tripadvisor, on thorntree, etc as you to go ask for advice or to look up things to do in the next city/country.
Figure out a loose idea of what you'd like to see/do and post it here on the Europe forum for ideas on possible changes. Posters will help you look out for possible problems/issues and will help suggest things to do along the way.
Jul 18th, 2013, 08:42 AM
#45
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Europe's great, so much history, particularly love Amsterdam
http://www.lifedaily.com/5-things-yo...-in-amsterdam/
http://www.lifedaily.com/5-things-yo...-in-amsterdam/
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