8 Secrets to Having a FANTASTIC First Trip to Europe

A trip to Europe is so exciting! It’s your chance to experience other cultures, immerse yourself in ancient history and taste delicious, exotic foods.

However, Americans can face some unique challenges when they go abroad the first time. Before you even begin to plan your trip, you need to know these eight secrets, or essential thoughts, to keep in mind.

Follow this advice, and you’ll easily overcome any issues… and you’ll be ready for a truly fantastic first trip to Europe.

If you’re bringing the family along with you, be sure to read Top Tips for Taking Your Kids to Europe.

#1. Don’t Compare Things to Home

The first big challenge many Americans experience is the temptation to compare things to what you’re used to in the U.S. For instance, Europeans don’t use ice in drinks as frequently as we do. Nor do they blast the air conditioning in every space in the summer.

Remember, the reason you went abroad is to see things that are NOT like home. So, no complaining when you get your wish!

Observe and reflect on the different lifestyle that surrounds you. There are always positives and negatives in every situation. You might see things in a new light. At the very least, it’s good to get a new perspective on how others live.

Need help packing for your trip? Learn How to Pack Your Toiletries Bag for a Long Trip in Just Your Carry-On.

#2 Be a Local

Try to live and act like a local on your trip. It will help you to understand the culture and why people live as they do. Devour Brie cheese in France, Feta in Greece and Manchego in Spain. Go out of your way to appreciate the food, customs and viewpoints of wherever you find yourself.

This gives you the best experience possible (regional foods, dress and dance is ALWAYS better in the country it originates in), and locals will love your enthusiasm and be inspired to share their passion for such things.

You will have a more authentic and educational experience than a tourist taking selfies and acting like you’re looking at animals in a zoo.

Pro Tip: It’s MUCH easier to act like a local if you understand the language more. See the next tip!

#3 Learn the Language

Much like you would expect visitors to our country to learn at least a tiny bit of English before they arrived, travelers in Europe should endeavor to learn a few key words in every country on their list. You MUST learn the equivalent of hello, please and thank you in each new language you encounter.

It’s respectful and also advantageous for your trip. Don’t you appreciate foreigners who say a polite “Hello” to you in the U.S? It’s a quick way to make a friend…or annoy someone. And you can impress your friends back home later with your newfound skills!

Pro Tip: Free apps such as Duolingo can help you learn a new language. Also, use Google Translate to scan words and see them immediately in English.

#4 Do Your Homework

Those who properly prepare for a great trip get their reward. If you just hop on the plane and expect things to go smoothly…they won’t. Read a quality guidebook or two and understand a little about the country/city, what you will see, how life is different than here, etc.

Of course, it’s imperative to craft a smart sightseeing list with well-investigated info on opening times, how to get tickets and how to use local transportation. Sometimes global travel can be confusing or overwhelming. Take a lot of the confusion away by preparing for what you will encounter before you arrive.

Pro Tip: Download your guidebook to your Kindle app so you can read it easily offline. Then you can avoid looking like a newbie with a book in hand.

#5 Dress the Part

This one’s a bit controversial: if you want to fit in as a local, then take your unusual clothing out of the equation.

If your wardrobe screams American, you are more likely to be treated like a tourist. Try to blend in a little more by dressing like a local.

It’s unnecessary to spend a fortune on imported goods or go shopping on the first day of your holiday. Search beforehand on your country of choice and make a few adjustments to your everyday look. For instance, Europeans don’t wear shorts as much as we do, nor do they wear flip flops (except for the beach).

If the City of Lights is on your itinerary, check out 5 Surprisingly Easy Tips for What to Wear in Paris.

#6 Get Ready to Walk

Here’s another challenge to prepare for: you will find yourself walking much more than at home. U.S. citizens (outside of major cities like New York City or San Francisco) tend to drive everywhere they want to go and park in a convenient lot right outside their destination.

Many visitors to Europe are shocked at how much they have to walk, even when using public transportation.

Just bring your comfy shoes, and be in good enough shape to walk a few miles each day, at least. (Although you could easily walk much more than that.) Take taxis as needed. The extra expense can be worth it, such as in the heat of summer.

Pro Tip: Invest in two quality pairs of shoes for your trip. Make sure your shoes are broken-in before you leave.

#7 Don’t Try to Do it All

It’s tempting to try to see as much as possible when you book that costly flight across the pond. But a tempered trip will be much more enjoyable than a too-ambitious-free-for-all. First, decide how many days you can travel (and afford), and research an itinerary based on that.

Many Americans plan a first trip for two weeks including London, Paris, Switzerland and Germany. It would be wonderful to add-in Greece, Italy and Spain…but it’s just not possible with that timeframe.

It’s better to see what you can in a coordinated geographic area and reserve other countries for your next trip. Focus on quality versus quantity. It gives you an excuse to go back, at the very least.

Pro Tip: Rome2Rio is a great website to help plan transportation and understand how long it takes to get from one place to another. It may be longer than you think.

#8 Be Positive

The most crucial secret I can leave you with is to be positive! If you don’t like a site, chalk it up to a learning experience. Tried a new food that was a disappointment? Well, that was interesting. Tiny hotel room? Take the opportunity to see more of the city.

Know now that some things are not going to live up to your expectations. I always thought the Eiffel Tower would be romantic. The reality is a hoard of tourists crowding around you, with warnings of pickpocketers preying upon naïve visitors.

But I wasn’t going to let those inconveniences take away my joy and wonder at the iconic structure or its incredible views.

Like everything, travel has its ups and downs. The best you can do is to prepare yourself by thoroughly researching your trip, having a positive attitude and showing an eagerness to learn and understand the intricacies of life where you are visiting.

These secrets will help you have a better trip, and a richer treasure trove of knowledge to take back home with you.