This page is a compilation of tips on where to start and how to plan your own adventure. As we live in Europe, we nearly drive everywhere besides flying with the budget airline, Ryan Air. I know that not all of this info will fit your own needs but I hope that it helps ease your planning stress level.
Where are you going?
The hard part is deciding on where you want to visit! I have a long list of "must sees" while we have the opportunity.
How far do you want to adventure? In your city, nearby, a few hours away or a distant location. Many cities have a website with a space just for tourism, sites to see, food to try, restaurants and accommodation. There are so many travel blogs and websites dedicated to informing you on what to visit wherever you may be in the World! The best advice is from reviews, agree or disagree, it's all information out there for you to form your own opinion. In the beginning, I didn't have a clue on where to start so I started with the nearby area, one to three hours drive from our home. Now we've radiated all around Europe. Talk to locals and ask for their own recommendations, favorite spots, foods, etc. They'll be more than happy to share their beloved land with you! I've used overheard conversations and ideas from friends to create a "maybe" list. I've sat on google maps, popped towns and cities into google to see if anything fitted my fancy. Many of our day trips and off road excursions were because of this simple idea. We really enjoy discovering less touristic cities, towns and villages with amazing architecture, culture and cuisine. Have fun searching, you never know what you'll find!
Once you've decided. Check the city or location's official tourist website for practical info. Almost everything you need to know will be on the official site: tourist info, warnings, specialty foods, culture, accommodation, transportation- costs and how to purchase tickets and or use, events, weather, etc. If driving, check for the parking garages or parking options in the area, hours of operation and costs, also if overnight is available if needed. Public transportation is important to check so you understand how to get around.
If you're hitting multiple areas/ cities during your trip, a day for each is sometimes substantial when you start early morning. Large cities with multiple sights to see will require more time and days. Make a list of the cities and what you want to see in each. Would you like to enjoy a nice evening meal with drinks after your day? If so, it's lovely to stay the night and be able to walk back to your accommodation. If not, you could drive to your next destination to stay the night and start fresh and early the next day. Big decisions, I know. We love to enjoy the local beers with our evening meal and staying within walking distance saves us the "who drinks tonight" question.
DK Eyewitness Travel top 10 books are excellent guides to research or carry along. Equipped with a map and public transportation maps. Available at our USAFFE libraries. Amazon.com always has them at reasonable prices, new or used. Online travel blogs are everywhere on the internet as well. Personally, I fill a notebook with all of the tips, advice, travel sites, basic info, sights to see, public transportation, etc. Everything I need to know for a trip is in my notebook. For our visit, I write the key points, sites, ideas, metro/ tram stops, foods to try, a few key words in the language & reminders on an index card to reference in my bag. I always look up and learn a few words or phrases in the local language. Hello, goodbye, please, thank you, toilet, excuse me and I'm Sorry are my own important key words!
Check the weather before your trip for packing. Europe is extremely unpredictable! Unexpected rain showers, wind & clouds happen frequently and unexpectedly. Be ready for anything during your trip! You can also check the weather's hourly forecast and sunrise/ sunset times. http://www.accuweather.com/en/world-weather is an excellent and reliable site that I use often.
Passports are a must! For military stationed in Europe, you will need tourist passports to travel within Europe. You cannot use your military issued passports for touring outside of your stationed country!
How are you going to get there?
Driving? Google maps your destination(s). Use 'Get directions' and throw in all of your destinations. Check for the best route available to save you the extra miles and travel time.
https://maps.google.com/
An International driver's license will be needed if you plan on driving. Your local AAA stateside can get you set up with one quickly for a nominal fee. You will need to bring a couple of passport photos for the license. Already in Europe? You can get an International permit for up to three years with your passport. The process is a bit confusing but possible. I don't have any other info on the subject unfortunately.
For military stationed in Germany: Traveling in Germany- check for ESSO stations on your route. Our ESSO cards do not work outside of Germany!
Be ready to pay toll roads in France & Austria. Look for the cash, normally they will have an attendant rather than using your credit card. Some are a little confusing at first glance but you'll soon get the hang of it. Drive slower if you're uncomfortable, believe me, people will pass you no matter what! France now requires a breathalyzer per adult in the car. You can purchase them at any gas station in the country.
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| A toll road in France. To pay, drive to the lane with the attendant pictured above. The other lanes are for credit card only. Some tolls are the same looking but will only have a ticket to pull for later payment. Others only require a small amount, usually under 5 Euro and are automated. |
Ryan Air Budget Airline:
Frankfurt -Hahn is our nearest airport for budget travel within Europe. You can grab tickets as low as 5 Euro if you pay attention and check frequently. Flights are non-cancellable/ non-refundable after purchase.
Frankfurt -Hahn GPS Address: Gebaude 667. Lautzenhausen, Germany
Frankfurt-Hahn Site: http://www.hahn-airport.de/Default.aspx?menu=by_car&cc=en
Frankfurt-Hahn Parking: http://www.hahn-airport.de/Default.aspx?menu=parking&cc=en
Ryan Air Info. Questions & Answers: http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/
To keep your flight cost low, you can travel with carry-on baggage only. Requirements are listed on the site, I recommend following them to a T. Last I checked, carry-on measurements were 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm with a weight limit of 10kg or 22 lbs. Some airports are extremely strict on sizing/ weight and others are lax. The worst I've witnessed was at the Venice-Treviso airport where most of the travelers were made to check in they're carry-ons.
Carry on baggage/ cabin baggage: http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#regulations-checkedbaggage
Baggage restrictions & fees: http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#regulations-checkedbaggage
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| Our family of backpacks ready to go! |
Carry-on Liquids
Carry-on liquids need to be in a liter sized ziplock freezer bag. One per bag per person. We have our kids carry a small bag if we need the extra liquids. A quart bag can be used but it seems some airports are pickier than others. I play it safe with the liter bags. In Europe, you can pick them up at any market. They usually have the flight approved symbol placed somewhere on the box. Pick up travel sized containers up to 100 ml or 3 oz. and refill with whatever you need. Bar soap and deodorant are solids and do not need to be in the baggie. Contact cases work well for makeup items that you can pour out or in powder form. Eye cream & face cream work well in these also. Aerosol products such as hairspray are prohibited. Drugstore.com is an awesome online site for all of your travel sized products that are hard to find. For me, travel sized contact solution is a must! You can also purchase needed items once you arrive at your destination if you cannot or do not want to pack everything. All airports have a duty free shop or you can pop into a local market.Important: Make sure that you write your name exactly as printed on your passport, they will not accept your ticket with even a letter off!
For the billing section: Those paying with a US credit card while stationed in Europe, use New York as your billing state since there is not an APO option available.
Food is allowed to bring on the flights, pack some snacks or options are available on the plane as well. Drinks can be purchased after checking in and going through customs.
Parking: Parking is available with tier priced locations. The furthest, largest and cheapest car lot at Frankfurt-Hahn is only 3 Euro per day with a shuttle to the airport every 20 minutes. This parking lot is also within walking distance of the airport, about 10 minutes. The parking lot is fenced in with a gated entrance/ exit. On entering, you will receive a ticket which you will use before you leave to pay for your parking at the automat near the entrance/exit.
Parking closer to the airport, the more expensive it is. Prices and locations are listed on the web site.
Frankfurt-Hahn Parking: http://www.hahn-airport.de/Default.aspx?menu=parking&cc=en
Online check in: You are able to check in as early as 15 days ahead or up to four hours before departure. Boarding passes can be printed up to 40 minutes before your flight. Print out at least two copies and carry in separate baggage in case of loss.
Online check-in: http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#article6
As we are Americans in Europe, we have to have our Visa or Passport checked first. Head to the customs check in desk. They'll stamp your ticket after reviewing your ticket and passport. Next, go through security then you are ready for you're flight. Drinks are not allowed to bring through security but you can purchase them once you're through. Anything liquid in your liquids bag larger than 100 ml. or 3 oz. will be confiscated and thrown away.
Reservations & Documentation: http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#article6
Flying to a foreign country? Bring along copies of your passport documents. If you somehow lose your passport, you're unable to leave the country when flying. It can take quite a while for these documents to clear, all costs incurred will be at your expense of course. Always be prepared for the worst!
Good to know: http://www.hahn-airport.de/default.aspx?menu=safety_regulations&cc=en
Priority Boarding is available with Ryan-Air flights. The cost is five Euro extra per way. With this pass, you get seated first. Ryan-Air works as a first come first serve airline. The recommended arrival time is two hours prior to your departure. This time allows you to get through customs, security and secure a good spot in line. Some people sit on the floor to reserve their spot, others stand for the duration. Don't worry, no matter where you stand in line, you are guaranteed a seat. For those of you who want to stick together, secure a good front spot in line. If not, please don't hold up the flight with trying to trade seats. The flights are quick and usually under a couple of hours. Priority Boarding does come in handy for early or late departure time or if getting to the airport early may be complicated. As a group who would like to stay together on flight, this pass saves you the worry.
Priority Boarding: http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#regulations-priorityboarding
Now you'll need transportation from your destination airport to your actual destination. Budget airlines are normally located outside of the city and average 30 minutes or more travel time to the center of the city. Just Google 'airport shuttle- departure & arrival'. Many options will come up. For many Ryan Air destinations, Terravision shuttle service has been affordable and easy to use. http://www.terravision.eu/ Taxi service and private shuttles are also options, just not as budget friendly.
Stay:
I have mainly used Booking.com for all of our bookings. In my opinion, it has been an easy sight with every option I need to look for in a location. The reviews are abundant, explanatory and have helped greatly with deciding. I usually look for apartments, parking, distance from the location, free Cancellation and if Breakfast is included.
Booking.com: http://www.booking.com/
Hotel breakfast is horribly expensive and usually not worth the extra cost depending on the spread and how much you want to consume. Stop at a bakery, a grocery store or a market along the way or
nearby.
Apartments are sometimes cheaper and guarantee a lot more room and are kitchenette equipped. A stovetop, fridge, sink, kitchen utensils and serving ware are provided. Some have microwaves, coffee machines or a water kettle, not every place has these extra items available though. Bring along easy to easy to eat items or pick up groceries at a nearby store or bakery.
Depending on the country or city, staying up to half an hour out will cost much less. Usually this also guarantees a larger room size, quiet area and better parking options. Drive to your destination and park in a city garage, parking lot or P + R (Park & Ride) facility or just use public transportation to get to your destination for the day. Most parking lots or garages in Europe either require you to take a ticket to enter and pay when you're finished or to pay ahead for the amount of time you'll be staying. With the latter, a guesstimate has to be made, overpaying your time is recommended to avoid a fine. I'll let you know your options per city we've visited later on this blog.
A small tip for families with children. If your kiddos can or will share a double bed, look for a room one person less than you have. A three person room will usually have one double and one pull out couch/ bed which is normally a double as well. Sometimes you pay a little extra for the fourth person in the room but never more than the next upgraded room size. Always read which bed types are available for the room you are looking at, not all have pull out couches. Sometimes you can request extra beds or cots at an added expense. When we can, we bring our own blankets and pillows. It really helps to feel at home or more comfortable while on vacation. Also, we're not fans of the flat Euro down pillows.
Your options include camping, hostels, low budget hotels, luxury hotels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, resorts, all-inclusive resorts and many that I cannot even think of!!! Your options are endless.
One last tip. European hotels are based on a different grading system than most of us are used to. A central city location and more amenities available have a higher rating. So, please don't base your stay solely on the star rating. Amazing family owned or newly opened establishments will sometimes have no star rating at all. We've stayed at fantastic no or two stars and just ok four stars, it's your call. I'll repeat it again, the review rate is what you need to look at. In my opinion, a seven and above is a very recommendable establishment.
Other helpful web sights for your stay in Europe:
Your options include camping, hostels, low budget hotels, luxury hotels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, resorts, all-inclusive resorts and many that I cannot even think of!!! Your options are endless.
One last tip. European hotels are based on a different grading system than most of us are used to. A central city location and more amenities available have a higher rating. So, please don't base your stay solely on the star rating. Amazing family owned or newly opened establishments will sometimes have no star rating at all. We've stayed at fantastic no or two stars and just ok four stars, it's your call. I'll repeat it again, the review rate is what you need to look at. In my opinion, a seven and above is a very recommendable establishment.
Other helpful web sights for your stay in Europe:
VRBO Vacation Rentals By Owner. This site has many personally owned rental properties for three days or more. Read the reviews to help with your decision. http://www.vrbo.com/
Home Away Vacation rentals for a visit of three days or more for a much cheaper stay with many different types of accommodation available. Many are privately owned or ran by a rental company. Read the reviews to help with your decision. http://www.homeaway.com/
Agriturismo.it: This is a site with working Italian farms, apartments and bed & breakfasts with friendly owners who are ready to give you the experience of a lifetime in gorgeous locations. http://www.agriturismo.it/en/
Hotels.com http://www.hotels.com/
Orbitz.com http://www.orbitz.com/
Expedia.com http://www.expedia.com
Travelocity.com http://www.travelocity.com
Sights, Attractions & Tours:
Two easy to use sites offer various types of tours:
http://www.viator.com/
http://www.isango.com/
Tickets in Italy can be purchased through the country's official ticket retailer:
http://www.tickitaly.com/
As with all of my info, if you have anything to add, question, or update, please let me know!
Thanks =)
Jess
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