So, you’ve done it! You’ve made the commitment to travel to Europe, and you want to make it a trip you will never forget! You want to do your best to plan and prepare for an epic adventure. Good for you! I am the biggest fan of people who travel! I love everything about it! So, how can you ensure that your booking is the ultimate trip? Read on to learn about the top travel mistakes and myths that Americans make when crossing the pond.

Thinking that there’s a perfect time to be in Europe.

The European calendar is more than just the seasons. So, choosing the right time to go is a bit more complex than it seems. For example, Summer is the high season, are you up for the heat and the crowds? April and October are considered the modern shoulder season. The nights may be a bit chilly, but the lines will be almost non-existent. Do your interests lie in seeing the markets of the Christmas season? Are you prepared for the paring down of the 40 days of Lent? Will there be a festival season in your destination? and, if so, could you shift your stay to coincide or avoid it? Do you want to participate in the high cultural season in winter? Knowing the calendar can truly make or break your trip.

In Edinburgh, for example, every August brings the world famous Royal Military Tattoo. Last time I was there, I didn’t pay attention to the dates and had to leave the day before it started! I should have paid attention better so that I could have seen it. My daughter, on the other hand, was relieved to have missed the influx of people. You see, timing is everything!

Choosing accommodations because they are the cheapest option.

The next biggest chunk of money you will spend is on lodging and ground transportation. I use the word lodging because there are quite a few options out there. Options for lodging in Europe are very wide. So many options can feel overwhelming, but there are a few good bits of information that allow for good choices.

• City center hotels can be a bit more pricey however, they allow for convenience and in the right city centers, can negate the need for transportation. I’m a fan.
• Air B&Bs are a great value in Europe. The only downfall to these is not knowing exactly where they are. I use this option when I know the area just a bit better or on personal recommendation.
• Self-contained resorts are not my cup of tea while in Europe. I leave those for a lovely Caribbean island. Enough said.
• There are quite a few other choices to consider, including hostels, hiking chalets, lodgings offered by abbeys and convents (check out “this book “Good Night and God Bless” for a guide to those.)

Using one source to make your travel choices.

There are more than just hotels available for your stay. Bed and Breakfasts, Airbnbs, pensions, boutique hotels, and major chains await your stay. Look around and have a firm hold on all of your choices before you commit. Look them up on several websites and apps, hunt them down in guidebooks and blogs, and see exactly where they are located on Google Maps. Take in an overview of what people have to say. You wouldn’t want to pass up a complete gem just because some Negative Nancy wrote one bad review.

Are your choices in good neighborhoods and close to what you want to do and see? Do they have rooms and amenities that fit your needs and budget? One last tip on this: the best smaller places go fast, and you’ll need to book these early (especially the best Airbnbs).

Not making accommodation decisions based on location.

Take a moment and think about your trip. Is it a one-city stay, or are you planning to town hop? If you are planning to explore just one area, it may be more reasonable to rent a place with a kitchen, close to a train, as a launching pad for all of your adventures. Conversely, if you plan on town hopping, perhaps a mix of city centers and sleepy hamlets will be a better choice.

Personally, I’m a city center kind of traveler. I am always looking for lodging that allows me to be car-free. I like to be able to stay right in the city center and walk. Think about your fellow travelers. What’s the best mix for you?

One last note, every time you choose the cheaper hotel further away from the city center where all the stuff is, you will need to pay for some sort of transport to get into the middle of the city. Is that time and money really worth it? To us, it balances out in the wash, so we opt for walkable hotels.

Relying solely on public transit OR a car rental.

Let me keep this simple: if you are staying in a city center and you don’t plan to leave it, skip the rental. If you are town hopping with more than two people or any sort of car seat, get a car. If you plan on going to Ireland, the British Isles, Bavaria, or Normandy, rent a car.

If you are going from city center to city center, take the train! Public transport in most of Europe is spot on and used more commonly than in the States. However, if you have a large group, it can be less economical. Keep this last thought in mind: standards are cheaper to rent than automatics. Practice before you go!

Booking with third-party sites.

We are all fans of sites like TripAdvisor and Expedia. They make it easy. But before you click the “check out” button, Google the hotel and check their rates directly. If the website isn’t in English, just look around the screen for a flag, and click on it for language options, easy peasy. If the rate is the same or better, put the money directly into your service provider’s hands- no middleman needs to hold on to your private information without a reason! You can also simply click on your hotel of choice on Google Maps to access their site. If you can’t find the website, think twice! This may be an excellent time to use a travel consultant (like us!) and buy the insurance for a small add-on fee.

Skipping Breakfast.

There are a few things you need while you travel, and one of the most important is breakfast! You won’t enjoy your jam-packed day if you don’t have any fuel. I consider two main choices. Some lodgings include your morning meal and others don’t. If it’s included at no extra charge, great! If not, check into how much you are being charged. You may find out that the price of one in-house meal can cover your whole group at a local place that offers more local flavors. Consider finding a local bakery or deli to get your morning started.

As You Are Planning Activities…

It’s the reason you have done all this planning. The reason you are willing to endure an uncomfortable airline seat for 7 plus hours: The fun stuff! There are so many choices to enjoy, and it’s hard to know where to even start.

Not balancing carefree days with solid research.

Know what you want to do and how you should go about doing it. As you put together your list of must-dos, take into account not only the time to do something but also the time to get there. Direct bookings well in advance of your trip may be necessary at the icons, so be ready to time block those out well in advance.

Not having a realistic plan to keep your memories.

It doesn’t matter how you journal, just do it. You can simply post to Facebook or get a new fancy leather book. You can document with just pictures, or you can get a book to tape every little scrap of paper in there. Somehow, someway, journal. Seriously. I have never met a traveler who has looked back at a trip and said, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t spent all that time writing or posting about all the cool things I did”. Put a small pair of scissors and tape in your bag so that you can cut and tape things into your journal along the way.

One of our favorite options is the digital photo album. We add in our pics and information about our trip. Screen shots of maps, recipes, playlists, names of people we’ve met, you name it. Digital books allow you to design as completely or as simply as you’d like.

Not seeking out a playground.

That means you, too, adult. Find a few places along the way to take a break. Rent some bikes (very easily done in most cities) and ride along the river for an hour. Go to an iconic park and take in the gardens. Shop for a little lunch and spread out a blanket from the hotel. Enjoy the fresh air.

Not booking some downtime.

Let’s face it, we all get tired out on our travels. It first starts with that nasty jet lag we have to shake, and then it hits us again about 6 or 7 days in, when we have traipsed all around, taking in as much as we can. It’s at this point, in mid-vacation, that we schedule something different. If we’re in Athens, a day on Hydra or a day to just enjoy a stroll, to sleep in a bit, or simply enjoy all of the hotel’s amenities that we are paying for! That includes the pool, the spa, and the lounge.

One of the biggest pieces of advice that we hand over is to strategically find a spot in your itinerary to relax! There are a couple of ways to do this. Book a beach day and rent some lounge chairs. Choose a place out in the country with a pool and relax. We are fans of the Agriturismo in Italy. Sit in a cafe and people-watch. Take a scenic train for a couple of hours and be sure to close your eyes and take a nap along the way.

Plan your downtime when you know you’ll hit that wall and include it no differently than you would include tickets to the Louvre.

Not editing your trip.

Face it. There is never enough time in any trip to see everything on your list. You have some tough decisions to make. Be prudent about what you include in your itinerary. Include a few bucket list icons, some experiences, and some out-of-the-way spots. Consider your much-needed downtime and chances to eat at different locations.

Overplan to your heart’s content and then acknowledge that you will not get to do everything on your list. It just won’t happen, and that’s just fine. It only means that you have a good reason to go back! One last tip: pre-book tickets and reservations for high-volume sights so that you can skip the ticket lines and ensure that you have a guaranteed entry. I once walked right past 300 people standing in line in Giverny and used my tickets to breeze through a back gate. Have we said that yet? I can’t remember if we’ve mentioned PRE-BOOKING.

Not pickpocket-proofing yourself!

We podcast about this topic a lot, so we’ll leave the whys and hows for the broadcast, but suffice it to say, you’ve got to think about this so you don’t have to worry about it.

• Use a purse that is pick-pocket proof. That means leave the brand names at home and make sure it closes well and is easy to carry closely. You don’t have to clutch your bag in panic, but be aware. Pickpockets represent the number one crime against travelers worldwide.
• Don’t get scammed online. I keep my phone on airplane mode for my entire trip. It is very easy to use public wifi as I go along. By doing this, I don’t have to spend money on an international SIM card or contract plan. I do, however, use a VPN mask like Tunnel Bear to ensure that wireless thieves can’t gain access to my passwords and credit cards.
• Don’t stand out. Look, I’m all for individuality and fashion choices. I just don’t think that travel is where it has to be a priority. Many European friends tell me that they can spot an American in a crowd very easily. As a collective, we either dress too flashy or sloppily. Men who wear baseball hats are obvious, and women with crazy nails are a no-brainer. Take a moment and think about those pickpockets. If my friends can spot you, so can they.
• Additionally, things like statement tees (especially offensive ones) are frowned upon. This isn’t a judgment thing, it’s simply a safety thing. Take this statement: “We love when Americans visit! They spend so much money!” Remember those pickpockets.

Lastly, the number one cause of death for tourists is a car accident. Predictable. The number two? Accidental falls and drownings. In other words… death by selfie.

Being a tourist.

Look. There are two kinds of people who go to other places: the tourists and the travelers. It may seem like these two words describe the same thing. They don’t. A tourist is a person who only visits the top three places in the most popular guidebook and then hurries off to the local Starbucks for a break. On the other hand, a traveler is a person who settles into a new location with a zest for learning as much as he or she can. A traveler strives to understand and respect local cultures, customs, and traditions. They are often considered globally literate. Travelers are often in the middle of the action and not sideline spectators. Often, a traveler concerns themselves with doing everything except the things that they can do later at home.

Travelers, I find, are ironically more grateful and happier when they return from a trip, as they appreciate what they missed just a little more. They come home with great memories and a spirit to enjoy their own backyard just as much as they enjoyed a trek through the Swiss Alps. Tourists come home tired and not satisfied with the experience they had and complain about uncomfortable moments that had them altering their own habits and expectations. Always, always be the traveler.

Being camera-ready.

We all want pics from our trip. I get it. However, sometimes you need to take a break from searching out the perfect Insta-shot. Sometimes, you need to experience the moment. After all, you are in the presence of greatness. Masterful artists, jaw-dropping history, awe-inspiring architecture, and the vistas of your dreams. Feel all of these things first. Slip in your camera here and there, but please don’t make travel mistakes that have you only viewing your trip through your iPhone screen.

At the same time, don’t spend so much time getting picture-perfect each morning that you miss out on time that could be spent exploring your destination. Be sure to have a quick style routine that gets you out the door fast. It’s your experiences that matter the most! You want to be up early to get to the markets or the harbor inlet to see the fishermen come in. Also, you want a chance to catch that morning sunrise on the great rivers of Europe. That sun that always seems to shine just perfectly on the great church domes and castle facades that dot Europe from north to south.

Not reading the fine print.

There is no greater way to understand a destination better than finding a connection to it. And, the only way to make those connections is to learn about where you plan to travel. There is a fragile balance between traveling by the seat of your pants and educating yourself. I find that having some sort of understanding, whether historical, familial, linguistic, or cultural, makes travel so much more engaging. So, read, research, explore. Become globally literate. Then, you have some frame of reference to use as you read plaques in museums, research which piazza has the best pizza, and explore hidden chapels and nooks in churches and castles. But, books aren’t the only source of connection.

Let me give you an example: I had avoided France for quite some time. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go, it’s just that I wanted to find a better connection to my travel like I have with Italy or Ireland. Then, one Christmas, as I was sitting with my family, I learned about two uncles who had lost their lives in WWI. France, here I come! I’ve got a connection!

Connection isn’t only about person-to-person, but can be found in all other kinds of ways. Do you love Impressionism? Head over to Giverny! Do you have an affinity for beer? Check out Belgium and Germany! Let your interests be your guide so that you dig a little deeper and enjoy a lot more. So, go on that trip! But, go as a well-read traveler instead of an underprepared tourist, making yet another one of those travel mistakes.

Bringing the whole house.

Instead, pack for your needs in a smart way. You do not need that hair dryer, umbrella, and full makeup bag. Pare down your suitcase by thinking of what you can share with your fellow travelers. Learning about capsule wardrobes gives you more choices and extends the pieces that you have chosen to bring with you. Check out our big packing post to give you even more information on traveling light and right.

You may subscribe to the carry-on method of packing, ensuring that you are well within the prescribed limits. Conversely, you may be like me and feel that checking your bag is a far easier process than it first meets the eye. Either way, pack with the activities and experiences that you have in mind. The biggest travel mistakes that happen when packing are usually the “just in case” items. “Let me bring these shoes, just in case. I should pack that Pepto, just in case.” With very, very few exceptions, all of your emergency needs are perhaps more easily available while you are in Europe. Simply look for the bright green plus sign for a pharmacy and, usually, very close to that is an all-purpose department store for any of your other needs.

Seeing only the major sites.

The Eiffel Tower? Check! Buckingham Palace? Check! The Acropolis? Yup! See them all! After all, they are icons for a reason! However, take a moment and understand that Europe offers more than just icons like Neuschwanstein Castle and El Prado. Europe is so much more. It’s the cafes on the squares, it’s the football games that locals watch in the local pubs. It’s the romance of daily shopping at the butcher, the baker, and the wine shop. Moreover, it’s people watching and the hustle and bustle of the main squares. It’s the quiet back alleys and the loud chefs in the back kitchens. Turn a corner and find a church that leads you to an underground excavation of past civilizations.

Europe is meant to be experienced! Stroll the markets and discover the nooks and crannies. Smaller sites, no matter where you travel, are often the source of greater memories than the Ivy League stops. In fact, it is when you make a discovery that you feel the most excitement. I was once asked by a church secretary if I wanted to go on a rooftop tour of a church in Rome. After walking up one of Bernini’s spiral staircases and learning about the life-sized saints along the roof line, I was asked to peek into a window. It turns out that this particular church had a ceiling that was paved in New World gold leaf that was given to Queen Isabella by Columbus himself. Talk about an amazing moment! There I was, face to face with a ceiling full of gold that was part of so much history. Wow!

Traveling the whole map.

All too often, travelers to Europe fear that they have only one chance to see as much as they can because they will never be able to return. Stop! You are falling for one of those travel mistakes!

I solemnly promise you that if you travel smartly to Europe, you will become a travel addict and you will find all kinds of ways to get back! So, plan like you will return! Don’t take three weeks and expect to see 27 countries. You will be exhausted. Not to mention, I can’t imagine that you will remember much! So, slow down. Spend more than one night at each destination you choose.

Better yet, choose a region, like Normandy, or a country, like Poland, and keep to it. Europe is not going anywhere, and it will welcome you again and again (and again). It can feel overwhelming to have so many choices to pick from, but an experience in one place is worth far more than a marathon– unless you plan on going to Marathon in Greece. This easy dip into the pool of travel mistakes is simple to explain away. Try not to fall down that slippery slope.

This mistake is, by far, the number one reason people seek us out for consultations. We do not have a magic wand that allows you to fit 87 venues in 17 cities into your itinerary. Quality over quantity. Every. Single. Time.

Eating at McDonald’s.

Please. If you only walk away with one tip from me. Please. Do not eat at a restaurant that can be found in your backyard. Please. Instead, be a patron at mom and pop establishments. Restaurants where you find grandma in the back making the best the region has to offer. I like grandmas. They cook good and always know how to make a breaded chicken patty for every picky eater at your table.

While the food at locally run establishments is ALWAYS infinitely better, the more important thing is that your one meal keeps the traditions and charm of where you are visiting alive. I mean, how important is that?! If we all get Starbucks in Barcelona, that’s the only choice we’ll have. Why bother going? I can get my grande-frappe-cup with fries on the side at home. If we want to preserve everything that makes Europe the charming, old world adventure that it is, we must be responsible and not fall victim to this most tragic of travel mistakes.

Represent!

We all want to be as comfortable as we can when we travel. We want to be able to enjoy ourselves without any hassles. Let me pass a little tip your way. Euro hawkers, Euro pick pockets, and Euro scammers L-O-V-E Americans! Oh, yes! They love to find Americans and target them for whatever no good deed they are cooking up that day. You may wonder why. The reason is super simple. We are gadget crazy and stuff heavy as a society. Nobody on Earth packs more into their purses and pockets than Americans. If ne’er-do-wells are data-driven, Americans put the odds ever in their favor!

The best way not to be a target is not to show up looking like one. Traveling within public squares, museums, and pretty much everywhere else you plan to visit means leaving the Americanisms at home. You don’t need a huge purse, a baseball hat, or a lot of jewelry. In addition, try not to wear message tees or be a walking billboard for any particular brand. Simple and classic is the key to not getting a target painted on your back. And in the end, your pics will turn out better and your capsule wardrobe will be far easier to manage. Win-win-win. Crime and profiling in Europe are moments and crimes of opportunity. It’s up to you not to let it happen.