Some travel tips.
A Friend is traveling soon to Europe. She asked what the top tips were that I would recommend for them while over there. Here you go….
Here are a number of tips that I would highly recommend you follow, if at all possible.
1.) Carry on baggage only - that means 1 suitcase (carry on size) and a purse/daybag. Amy carried a backpack with all her stuff from a company called PacSafe (at REI stores). PacSafe focuses on pickpocket proof bags that you may really like and give you a big of a piece of mind. If you check other bags - BE SURE to have a carry on with some clothes in it and your essentials just in case. Carry on is the way to go - because while everyone else is waiting for their luggage - you’re out the airport and into the train station - plus noone can lose your luggage but you.
2.) USE A MONEY BELT, USE A MONELY BELT, USE A MONELY BELT. Do NOT carry a wallet and don’t carry a purse with your passports, IDs, CASH, credit cards, etc. You can be on the most crowded train, asleep, and with a money belt YOU”RE 99% safe with your cash/IDs. Carry a purse or wallet and it’s highly likely it will be stolen/pickpocketed. Put your cash, credit cards and passports in your moneybelts around your waist - under your pants/skirt. That is the safest way to travel in Europe - crime is low but pickpockets are huge over there, especially in touristy areas - go to www.ricksteves.com and look for the section on traveler comments/scams! There’s a ton of little scams those idiots do to try to get your cash - I’m not trying to scare you - but as long as you’re aware that that little old lady that just fell down the stairs was legit versus a commotion created for her accomplices to steal wallets from people helping her up, you’ll be okay!
3.) Check airfare between London and Amsterdam, but trains are usually the quickest, cheapest and most efficient way, super easy to purchase tickets for and the scenery is a lot better! Usually, the train stations drop you off in the middle of downtown (which is awesome) while airports are far out in the burbs. Trains are the way to go in Europe - it’s not AmTrack. Amy and I flew into Rome and caught a train from Rome, through Florence and into Vencie - 4 hours and incredible scenery! We loved it. Later, when returning through Florence and Rome on our tour - we laughed at how close we were to all the tourist sites from the train stations and didn’t even know it! Trains come in 2-3 varites, bullet trains for long hauls and slower ones for short hauls - 1st class is always occupied by businessmen, very clean, and usually a security guard or 2. 2nd class is also wonderful, but usually more crowded. Amy and I took first class - it was wonderful.
4.) Go to ricksteves.com Rick Steves is the tour company that we used. THEY ARE THE BOMB and their website is packed full of hotels. you can find Rick Steves Maps and books on their site and at Barnes and Noble or Borders. His hotels are always nice and in the middle of town. They will have a lot of stairs, few if any elevators, but the quiant locations he chooses for hotels are the best in the business. He has a book on Amsterdam and the Netherlands and you’ll and to buy that and a map. Review the maps and books BEFORE you go so that you are familiar with everything.
5.) Get your Euros here in the states before you go. We took 1000 a piece and that was more than enough for 10 days of heavy touristing. DO NOT use cash exchange offices overseas unless you absolutely have to, especially in the touristy areas - They are a rip off with tons of hidden fees per dollar, etc. If you find that you do need more cash - use your credit / debit cards to pull cash out (credit card is safer).
6.) If you’re going to be in Amsterdam you should probably absoluetely go to the Anne Frank House for a tour and the Vincent Van Gogh Museum there. Those would be my 2 highlights. A cruise on one of their canals if possible would be sweet too!
