For years, I flew from point A to point B without even thinking about the cities in which I had layovers. In Europe, I had stopovers in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and more, and I never really thought about the fact that these cities’ magnificent sights and cultures lay just outside the airport walls. Then …
My husband, Bill, and I had never hired a private tour guide before our recent trip to Italy. In the past, we read our guidebooks, consulted the internet, and reviewed EuropeUpClose.com to see what our writers had to say. We then did our own thing. We have also been part of large group tours, but this experience showed us the value …
Of course you may not really care what others think about how you look and/or act when you are traveling abroad, but to a certain extent, blending in and not acting like a typical tourist can make your trip a much safer, more pleasant experience. Whether you travel independently, or with a group tour, these …
Most European cities are as safe as any major city in the US, but tourists can be a target for petty crime like pick-pocketing and rarely more violent crimes like mugging. There’s no fool-proof way to avoid being the victim of a crime, but you can reduce your risk by staying alert and heeding the …
Budget travel is not just for students; there are lots of ways to travel in Europe on a budget without staying in a dorm or hostel. Here are just a few ways to stay free on your next Europe vacation. Free Home-Stays One of the newest ideas is called Couch-Surfing. As stated on their website, “Couch …
Taking the Overnight Train in Europe If you’re planning a packed itinerary in Europe, one of the best ways to maximize your time and save money is by taking an overnight train. Why waste six or more daylight hours traveling between cities when you can pass the time blissfully asleep? Most overnight trains cost about …
Easy Conversion of Celsius to Fahrenheit When traveling to Europe, you will notice that all the temperatures are stated in Celsius. Since Americans are accustomed to the Fahrenheit system, Celsius is quite a mystery to most of us. But, I have found an easy way to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit that is not scientifically accurate, …