Travel Tips

[Khamûl]

I will soon be taking a trip to Jolly Old England, France, and Switzerland. I was wondering if there is anything in particular that any of you think I should know before I go.

[Starr Polish]

Pack light, pack light, pack light. When I went to Spain for twelve days I took very few clothes, and no jeans, and just handwashed them when they got dirty. My suitcase was extremely light (which was handy when my hotel room was on the third floor and I didn't want to wait twenty minutes to ride an extremely rickety elevator) and I had plenty of room for my souveneirs. Also, find out what is usually worn in the areas you're going to if you don't want to stick out as a tourist. I wore skirts and somewhat nice clothes while in Spain and was actually told by some of the guides that I could have easily blended in, had my Spanish been better .

[Janny]

Originally posted by Khamûl
I will soon be taking a trip to Jolly Old England, France, and Switzerland. I was wondering if there is anything in particular that any of you think I should know before I go.

Cool! Thanks for honouring England as jolly and old, and leaving the French with nothing
Which part of England were you planning to frequent?

[mithrand1r]

Originally posted by Khamûl
I will soon be taking a trip to Jolly Old England, France, and Switzerland. I was wondering if there is anything in particular that any of you think I should know before I go.

I agree with what Starr Polish said.

It would not hurt to leave an itinerary with your family or a close friend plus a way to get in contact with you, just in case. You may consider doing the same with your embassy (but this may be a bit over the top IMO).

A good travel book can help you make the best use of your time traveling.

An small emergency kit may be a good idea as well. Put any medications that you may need. If you do take any medicine (Rx or not) keep it in the containers that they originally came in from the pharmacy or store. The may help you in case you get questions from the authorities about what you are carrying.

Have a photocopy of your important papers (ie passport, credit card, anything else you consider important) to make it easier to report missing and/or replace, just in case.

Make sure your shots are up to date if necessary.

Do not forget the sun block/tan, hat and any other necessary clothes.

Brush up on some key phrases to speak with the natives. Even if you cannot speak the language well, I think people will be more willing to help you if you make an effort to speak to them in their own language.

I do not know if there are any websites on this, but it is good to know the value of any merchandise you plan on buying. Doesn't make much sense to buy a leather bag in France for 200€ when you could buy the same bag at home for less money.

[Twista]

MAN. Why you not going to Scotland??

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by Twista
MAN. Why you not going to Scotland??

Don't worry Twista - my parents had gone to Scotland. They liked it. They had gone to Edinburgh, I'm not sure where else though. I would like to see Scotland some day as well as Wales and Ireland.

[Valandil]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
...I would like to see Scotland some day as well as Wales and Ireland.

uh-oh... hoping to plant the seeds of rebellion? Start an uprising?

[Mercutio]

If you want to blend in on the continent, DON'T wear sneakers, baseball caps, t-shirts, or blue jeans.

But that can be hard for a lot of Americans.

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by Mercutio
If you want to blend in on the continent, DON'T wear sneakers, baseball caps, t-shirts, or blue jeans.

But that can be hard for a lot of Americans.

Why should we do that? When people come here - we don't expect them to fit in and dress our way.

[Mercutio]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
Why should we do that? When people come here - we don't expect them to fit in and dress our way.

So that you aren't labeled as the "ugly American." That's why. You should respect other people, whether or not you expect the same of them. You are a guest in their country. You want to be culturally sensitive.

[Valandil]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
Why should we do that? When people come here - we don't expect them to fit in and dress our way.

Probably just a matter of personal preference. Some, when visiting another country, don't mind 'just being themselves' - and don't care that everyone can tell they're American. Others would just as soon try to pass for a native if possible and not draw attention to themselves, for whatever reason.

I'd probably fall into the latter category myself, though I might just be fooling myself if I tried. Especially if I was in China or something.

[Beruthiel's cat]

Please, JD. Let's not turn a straightforward thread into a political forum...

Khamul wants to know if anyone has suggestions on how to make his travels go more smoothly and easily. That's all.

My suggestion is "comfortable shoes." If that means sneakers, fine, but remember, you may be asked to remove them at airport security.

I have a nice pair of leather slip-on loafers that are very comfortable and easy to get on and off.

[Mercutio]

I would suggest you buy the book by Rick Steves entitled "Europe Through the Back Door." Its a wonderful introduction to European travel, every possible aspect of it. You might want to try buying an older edition (you can never trust the newest edition to have times, etc., correct anyway; always call first) for a few dollars on half.com. After a new edition comes out, the prices on the old ones drop dramatically.

[mithrand1r]

Originally posted by Mercutio
So that you aren't labeled as the "ugly American." That's why. You should respect other people, whether or not you expect the same of them. You are a guest in their country. You want to be culturally sensitive.

I generally dress so that I am comfortable.

This usually means blue jeans and sneakers. The other depends on the situation.

Usually I find that poor actions tend to be more offensive to other people than ones choice of clothing. (unless said clothing is also in poor taste.)

I think in Europe that Jeans are becoming more and more common today. I least this is my observation from traveling in Greece and Cyprus.

I will say that I try to dress and act appropriately if I am aware of any cultural taboos agaisnt certain articles of clothing and/or actions.

[Earniel]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
Why should we do that? When people come here - we don't expect them to fit in and dress our way.

When I went to Barcelona a few years back we were warned not to behave too much as tourists since you'd run more risk of having your bag snatched or being ripped off by the taxi drivers. Of course with our absolutely lack of any knowlegde regarding Spanish we stood out rather well.

Originally posted by mithrand1r
I think in Europe that Jeans are becoming more and more common today. I least this is my observation from traveling in Greece and Cyprus.

Jeans are very common here to my knowledge.

It's usually the baseball cap and the chewing gum that gives you yanks away.

[Twista]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
Don't worry Twista - my parents had gone to Scotland. They liked it. They had gone to Edinburgh, I'm not sure where else though.

Really? I live 5 minutes out the center of Edinburgh. Do you know where they stayed?

Just curious lol, just shows its a small world ( Edinburgh really isnt a very big place ).

[BeardofPants]

Yeah, and the baseball slogans on the shirts. I know that a few people from the US have come over here, and pretended they were from Canada. Dunno if that'd work for you though, Khamul.

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by Beruthiel's cat
Please, JD. Let's not turn a straightforward thread into a political forum...

I'm not - i'm asking a quesiton - an honest question. What is wrong with being ones self? The way Bop said it - "don't mind 'just being themselves' - and don't care that everyone can tell they're American" - I would like to know what is wrong with people knowing that one is from America? I would not go over to another country and wear anything other than what I wear here. I would be myself - the same way I expect people coming here would be.

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Yeah, and the baseball slogans on the shirts. I know that a few people from the US have come over here, and pretended they were from Canada. Dunno if that'd work for you though, Khamul.

Then they're not real Americans if they would turn their back on their country and pretend to be from somewhere else. I'd make sure I wore my NJ and American flag shirts. If people don't like me for being American - without bothering to talk to me - then I know they are prejudice. Shows more poorly on them than it does on me.

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by Twista
Really? I live 5 minutes out the center of Edinburgh. Do you know where they stayed?

Just curious lol, just shows its a small world ( Edinburgh really isnt a very big place ).

Sadly I don't remember - not even sure if my father would remember now. The only place I got to go in Britain was England - I wish I got to go more places. It was cool though with the pubs and stuff. I would like to go into the Moors of Scotland.