My First Trip to Europe: Planning Extraordinnare

I’m going to Europe! Just this Friday I leave for Paris and then London with my wonderful family, off to see the sights, and most importantly my cousin Meg! She’s been studying abroad in Southern France and we’re so excited to see her and see how she’s doing.

Me and Meg this past summer

This blog post does not exist to help plan what you’ll DO on a vacation to Europe, but to help you plan out how to PREPARE for a trip to Europe.

After doing some research and asking around, here are some things to do and bring on a trip to Europe that you might not think of.

To bring

• Converter– make sure you can use it with a hairdryer, computer and/or phone charger (which I’m not sure what else you would use it for haha but some of them say you shouldn’t)
• Camera– clear your memory if possible and make sure the battery is charged
• Luggage scale– you really think you won’t try to bring home a million souvenirs? Bring the luggage scale. It’s worth the piece of mind.
• Hand sanitizer/wipes– you’re going to be on a plane for a long time. During flu season. Be that crazy person and wipe down the plastic parts of your seat and use hand sanitizer during your whole trip.
• Travel docs– Make a copy of your passport and keep a copy with you, email it to yourself and leave copy at home with a friend just in case.
• Credit card info– Write down (and keep separate) your credit card info just in case and the international numbers you should call.
• Cash in euros– always good to have some cash on you. Find a place near you that’ll make the transfer or most large airports will, too.
• Hotel reservation receipts– know where you’re going and print it out because you won’t have access to email everywhere.
• Empty reusable water bottle– stay hydrated on the plane and while being a tourist.
• Toiletries– Apparently European hotels are different than U.S. ones! They are generally smaller and don’t include all of the amenities. Bring your shampoos, conditioners and soaps just in case.

To do:

• Call credit card company

– Be sure to tell your credit card company that you’re going abroad. While they still might not listen to you (I told them I was going when I studied abroad and they still cut me off) hopefully it’ll work this time

– Note where you can get cash from sister places. In Paris, BNP Paribas will be my choice and in London I can use Barclays without incurring fees thanks to Bank of America

•  Know (or print out) key phrases in the languages of the countries you’re going to. While many people speak English these days, it’s important to at least make an effort! Or at least have some options in case people don’t. Key phrases to know:

– Can we have this conversation in English
– I don’t speak English
– Where is the bathroom
– Please
– Thank You
– You’re Welcome

•  Understand how to put your phone in wi-fi only mode. I still reallllyyy want to instagram pictures (who’s shocked?) so wanted to make sure I could still use some functionality of my phone without having a million dollar bill. This process basically turns your iPhone into an iTouch, letting your connect to Wifi to check email, Facebook, and of course, upload to instagram.

– You can turn off data roaming on your device by going to Settings>General> Network> Slide “Data Roaming” indicator to “Off.”

– You can also turn off all cellular data. Go to Settings>General>Network> Slide Cellular Data indicator to “Off.” This will turn off all cellular data, so when you return home, you’ll have to remember to turn your data service back on to get a signal.This will make sure that your iPhone won’t connect to a 3G network while you’re traveling.

Get excited for the Mitus family Christmas card!

What other tips do you have?