Prepare For A Smooth, Enjoyable European Trip

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 468
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Now is a great time to review cheap travel options for visiting Europe, including cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, cheap auto rentals, and cheap vacation packages. A little preparation in advance of your departure will go a long way towards you having a great trip.

The following are steps recommended by Rick Steves, a writer of European travel guidebooks, which will help you avoid problems while traveling overseas:

• Check your passport to confirm you have at least one year remaining prior to its expiration. Certain countries deny entry if your passport will expire within three to six months of the date of your return on your ticket.

• Remember that it is easier to replace the loss of the original of valuable documents if you have made copies. Make two sets of photocopies of your passport and railpass or car rental voucher. Pack one copy and leave the other home with a trusted friend or family member. Alternatively consider emailing scanned copies to yourself that can be accessed via the Internet while you are traveling.

• Before leaving for overseas contact your bank and credit ...
... card companies to let them know when and which countries you will be visiting. Otherwise you are likely to find these companies decline your foreign transactions. Make certain to inquire about fees for international transactions.

• Purchase airline tickets for travel within Europe sooner than later since the cheapest seats typically sell out quickly. If you will be renting a car, be aware that select countries, including Austria, Greece, Italy and Spain require an International Driving Permit in addition to your U.S. issued driver’s license.

• Make certain that your medical situation is current before departing. If you have not had a physical within the 12 months, consider getting a checkup. Make certain you bring a sufficient amount of any prescription drugs with you that you are currently taking, as well as copies of your prescriptions that can be refilled at a European pharmacy if necessary. Contact your health insurance company to see if it will cover you while abroad and then determine if you should buy special medical insurance for your trip.

• Look into trip cancellation and interruption travel insurance. Whether such coverage is ultimately worth it depends of such factors as your health, how much of your trip is prepaid, the refundability of your airline ticket, and what coverage you will have overseas without purchasing additional insurance.

• If you want to use your American cell phone in Europe, look into plans that cover international calling, text, and/or data, and determine the cost of voice and data roaming fees. If you will have a mobile device on your trip, download software before you depart that may prove useful such as translators, maps, transit schedules, e-books, Internet calling apps and free audio tours.

• Make hotel reservation well in advance of your trip, particularly when traveling during peak season, major holidays, or popular festivals. You can avoid long lines at popular tourist sites, such as the Eiffel Tower and Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, by making advance reservations online.
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