Recently, I was lucky enough to head to Europe for the summer vacation of my dreams. From Paris to Milan, we covered 5 cities in 14 days, and I learned a lot, took in the sights, and had a fantastic time!
Eiffel Tower as seen at nightÂ
As with any vacation, we had our fair share of hiccups, including getting lost multiple times, dealing with the heat and long lines, and more. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of tips for the savvy traveler to ensure that they get the most out of their vacation with minor hassle:
Take breaks
France and Italy have been on my families bucket list for years, so when we got there, it was easy to fall into a “must see attitude” where we felt that we couldn’t waste any time, and had to see absolutely everything. However, all we accomplished was burning ourselves out, getting angry, and seeing less than if we had properly paced ourselves and taken breaks in between. The streets are filled with plenty of small cafes offering pastries, drinks, and ice cream, as well as a place to sit. Take time out of your busy schedule to relax and breathe a little, then get back to schedule. You’ll thank yourself later!
View from the Eiffel Tower
Stay hydrated
Its hot. Drink water! Wear hats and sunscreen! There’s nothing like a sunburn to spoil a vacation.
Venetian Canals
Plan…. but be flexible!
Having a rough itinerary, a list of must sees, and a schedule are all needed in order to maximize your time on vacation. However, be flexible and willing to change the schedule as needed. On the way to Versailles, my family caught the wrong train and ended up riding the train an hour in the opposite direction. Because of this delay, we had to wait over an hour in line to get tickets into the palace. On the way back from Versailles, we left on time, planning to visit Notre Dame Cathedral in the evening, but due to protesters striking on the train tracks, our train couldn’t move and it took us much longer to reach the Cathedral. As a result, we were too late to visit it that day. Instances like these are unplanned and there is really nothing to be done about them. Instead, just go with the flow, and find an alternative solution that best suits you.
The Colosseum (Rome)
Be prepared to walk (and climb) a lot
By day three my legs were sore, and they would remain sore for the rest of the two weeks. I must have climbed hundreds of flights of stairs, and walked around 15-20 km per day! Pack good walking shoes, and definitely don’t wear those high heels all day.
Painted ceilings at the Vatican Museum
Book in advance
Europe in its entirety is a gem filled with countless historical and artistic treasures. No matter where you visit, there are sure to be long lines and crowds. Because of this, you have to book in advance, sometimes months before the vacation. In Rome, we wanted to take a Colosseum tour, but they were all full, so we were not able to do so. In addition, the Last Supper viewings fill up extremely quickly as well. Take the time before the vacation to research places of interest, whether you can book in advance, and any deals or promotions they might have.
View from the Duomo in Florence
Maps are your friend
Don’t worry about looking touristy. Chances are, everyone around you is also a tourist. Take those maps (especially if using public transit) and use them proudly. It’s better than getting lost!
Milan Cathedral
Have a great European vacation!