Spending Money Europe
Mar 21st, 2014, 05:59 AM
#41
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Good point about the adaptors - some European countries use two pin, others three pin, and then within that some use round pin others use square, so you can see the possibilities you could encounter. Best to buy a universal adaptor which will accommodate everything. I bought one in an airport duty-free shop while waiting to board a flight. Don't rely that the hotel will have what you need. I've been in countless hotel receptions who pulled out a box of stuff but inevitably didn't have what I needed.
Also make sure that your gadgets can accommodate different voltages as you'll run into that too. Most instruments have build in voltage adaptors but just be sure. You don't want to burn anything out. I blew my battery charger several years ago in Russia at the start of a trip due to some mis-information given to me.
For me, electronica (cameras x2, laptop, electric shaver, battery charger, batteries, tripod, phone, etc.) and all the cables and other bits and pieces that you needed to run them, including the adaptors, were a hassle for me on long trips. First I learned to be organised and pack what I could small in zip-lock bags so I could find them easily and they could fit in hidden spaces like packed shoes. Then I learned to do away with some things and double-up on others, or just buy stuff en route as I needed them, which also lessened the weight of my luggage. You'll learn as you go.
Also photocopy your passport and e-mail the copy to yourself so you can retrieve it safely if you ever need to.
Try to be as light as you can, pack away as much as you can, and don't have too much stuff on you. As we all know, and you soon will if you don't already, you can without a lot more than you think ! Which also reminds me, put on your street smarts and don't help strangers help you off-load your stuff unwittingly (and I'll leave it at that
)
Looking forward to your trip report.
Also make sure that your gadgets can accommodate different voltages as you'll run into that too. Most instruments have build in voltage adaptors but just be sure. You don't want to burn anything out. I blew my battery charger several years ago in Russia at the start of a trip due to some mis-information given to me.
For me, electronica (cameras x2, laptop, electric shaver, battery charger, batteries, tripod, phone, etc.) and all the cables and other bits and pieces that you needed to run them, including the adaptors, were a hassle for me on long trips. First I learned to be organised and pack what I could small in zip-lock bags so I could find them easily and they could fit in hidden spaces like packed shoes. Then I learned to do away with some things and double-up on others, or just buy stuff en route as I needed them, which also lessened the weight of my luggage. You'll learn as you go.
Also photocopy your passport and e-mail the copy to yourself so you can retrieve it safely if you ever need to.
Try to be as light as you can, pack away as much as you can, and don't have too much stuff on you. As we all know, and you soon will if you don't already, you can without a lot more than you think ! Which also reminds me, put on your street smarts and don't help strangers help you off-load your stuff unwittingly (and I'll leave it at that
)Looking forward to your trip report.
Mar 21st, 2014, 10:47 AM
#42
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I would expound on what Mathieu said.
Copy front and back of credit cards or cash card you are taking, as well as your passport. Attach them to a draft email...but do not send that email! There is no chance of some thief intercepting it. You are the only one w access to the draft email and you can access it from anywhere you have internet access.
Copy front and back of credit cards or cash card you are taking, as well as your passport. Attach them to a draft email...but do not send that email! There is no chance of some thief intercepting it. You are the only one w access to the draft email and you can access it from anywhere you have internet access.
Mar 21st, 2014, 11:22 AM
#43
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A couple of things you need to watch for - some already noted:
Soft drinks are VERY expensive. Get used to carrying a fairly large bottle of water and keep refilling at your hostel or whatever. Do NOT expect a lot of ice anywhere.
Be VERY careful in any pub, cafe or bar. Stick to student places and stick to basic wine or beer, which are usually affordable. Stay away from hard liquor or mixed drinks - which tend to be very expensive. And don;t go near anyplace that has touts pulling you in - or menus in multiple languages.
My younger DD and 2 friends spent almost 6 weeks touring summer before last and near the end of their trip they encountered 2 young american women who were out of money - as in out of money - and had 3 more days before their plane let. They had no money for hostel or food or anything. (Aparently they hadn't been keeping track and felt they were traveling on a budget - but eventually figured out they were spending a fortune on fou fou drinks - they wouldn;t drink bee - at $15 or more each - and shopping. My DD and friend got them a hotel room for the night and bought them dinner - but only after getting a promise from the parents of one that they would be repaid. (And yes, after getting home they never heard from the young women - but the parents did repay them.) And the 2 young women had the parents put $2K in one of the checking accounts - so they SHOP before they left.
Better to have money left at the end than run short - although the OP sounds MUCH more sensible than the spoiled sillys my DD and her friends ran into.
Soft drinks are VERY expensive. Get used to carrying a fairly large bottle of water and keep refilling at your hostel or whatever. Do NOT expect a lot of ice anywhere.
Be VERY careful in any pub, cafe or bar. Stick to student places and stick to basic wine or beer, which are usually affordable. Stay away from hard liquor or mixed drinks - which tend to be very expensive. And don;t go near anyplace that has touts pulling you in - or menus in multiple languages.
My younger DD and 2 friends spent almost 6 weeks touring summer before last and near the end of their trip they encountered 2 young american women who were out of money - as in out of money - and had 3 more days before their plane let. They had no money for hostel or food or anything. (Aparently they hadn't been keeping track and felt they were traveling on a budget - but eventually figured out they were spending a fortune on fou fou drinks - they wouldn;t drink bee - at $15 or more each - and shopping. My DD and friend got them a hotel room for the night and bought them dinner - but only after getting a promise from the parents of one that they would be repaid. (And yes, after getting home they never heard from the young women - but the parents did repay them.) And the 2 young women had the parents put $2K in one of the checking accounts - so they SHOP before they left.
Better to have money left at the end than run short - although the OP sounds MUCH more sensible than the spoiled sillys my DD and her friends ran into.
