Travel Tips

Train tips

European trains are usually the best way between cities. Faster than airports, more scenic, and you arrive in the city center.

• Book in advance for the cheapest fares. Trenitalia (Italy), SNCF Connect (France), Renfe (Spain), DB Navigator (Germany), ÖBB (Austria), SBB (Switzerland), Eurostar (UK/EU).
• High-speed trains almost always require seat reservations. Regional trains often don’t.
• In Italy, validate paper tickets at the yellow or green platform machines before boarding regional trains. Skip this and you can be fined.
• Eurail/Interrail passes only pay off if you’re taking many trips in a short window. Run the numbers before buying.
• Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Small stations often lack overhead departure boards.
• ÖBB Nightjet runs comfortable overnight sleeper trains across central Europe, a lovely way to save a hotel night.
• Travel light. Lugging a heavy suitcase up platform stairs is the worst way to start a trip.

Private drivers

Two services we lean on when trains aren’t practical.

• Blacklane (blacklane.com): pre-booked chauffeur service with flat rates. No surprise pricing, no surge, the driver waits if your flight is delayed. We use it for airport transfers and to get to smaller towns from a city station.
• Sixt (sixt.com): rideshare and rental cars. Their rental side is reliable, with automatic options (rare in Europe) and good pickup at most airports.
• Both let you book days or weeks ahead. Check cancellation policies; Blacklane is usually more flexible.
• For a single long transfer (90+ minutes), a private driver can be cheaper than a last-minute rental car plus parking.

Packing

• Pack half of what you think you need. We’ve never regretted bringing too little; we’ve always regretted bringing too much.
• Comfortable walking shoes you’ve already broken in. Expect 15,000–20,000 steps a day on cobblestones.
• One nice outfit for a special dinner. Italians and the French dress more carefully than Americans typically do.
• Layers. European weather is moodier than the forecast suggests, especially in shoulder season.
• A universal travel adapter (Type C/F covers most of continental Europe; the UK uses Type G).
• Refillable water bottle. Tap water is safe almost everywhere; Rome has free public fountains running cold all day.
• A small day backpack or crossbody bag for excursions. Skip the giant suitcase, your future self on a 4th-floor walk-up will thank you.

Searching for a hotel

• Start on Booking.com for the widest selection, then check the hotel’s own website. Direct rates are sometimes lower or include perks.
• For independent boutiques and small luxury hotels, Mr & Mrs Smith is well-curated.
• Read the three most recent reviews carefully. Pay attention to noise, Wi-Fi, and walking distance to the things you want to see.
• Location matters more than amenities. A modest room in a great neighborhood beats a beautiful room far from anything.
• Air conditioning is not standard in older European buildings. If you’re traveling in summer, confirm the listing actually has it.
• Book "free cancellation" rates whenever possible. You can lock in a price and adjust if plans change.

Safety

• Europe’s tourist cities are generally very safe. The main risk is pickpockets, not violence.
• Watch for distraction scams near major sights and on busy trains and trams (Rome Metro line A, Paris Métro line 1, Barcelona’s Las Ramblas).
• Wear a crossbody bag in front of you in crowds. Keep your phone out of back pockets.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation feels off, leave.
• 112 is the universal emergency number across the EU.
• Travel insurance is genuinely worth it for medical issues, theft, and trip cancellation. We use it on every trip.
• Keep digital photos of your passport and credit cards on your phone, stored somewhere accessible to you but not obvious.

Language

• Learn five words in the local language before you arrive: hello, please, thank you, excuse me, and goodbye. Locals notice and warm up quickly.
• Google Translate’s camera mode is magic for menus, signs, and museum labels.
• DeepL Translate is more accurate than Google for full sentences, useful for emails and longer conversations.
• English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but never assume. Start in the local language and let them switch if they prefer.
• Older generations in Italy, Spain, and France are less likely to speak English. A few words go a long way.

Etiquette

• Italy: greet shopkeepers with "buongiorno" or "buonasera" when entering. Don’t order cappuccino after 11 AM, and don’t expect dinner before 7:30 PM.
• France: always start with "bonjour madame/monsieur" before any question. Skipping it reads as rude.
• Germany / Austria: punctuality is taken seriously. Be on time, or call ahead.
• Spain: lunch runs 2–4 PM, dinner starts at 9 or later. Many shops close in the afternoon.
• UK: queue properly. Cutting a line is a real offense.
• Tipping is generally less expected than in the US. Round up the bill or leave 5–10% in restaurants. Service is often included.
• Don’t take flash photos in churches. Dress modestly (covered shoulders, knees) when visiting religious sites; some require it.

Relaxing

Our most important advice. We’ve learned this the hard way.

• Don’t try to see everything. Pick a few things and savor them.
• Build in real downtime. Travel exhaustion is real and it sneaks up on day three.
• Sit at a cafe with a coffee or a glass of wine for an hour with no agenda. The whole point of being there.
• Take a long lunch like the locals do. The pace is the lesson.
• Find one piazza or park and just sit. Watch people. Let the city happen.
• Talk to bartenders, shopkeepers, and waiters. They’re often the best guides you’ll meet.
• Get lost on purpose. The best discoveries aren’t on a map, ours or anyone else’s.