The 4th century Arch of Constantine and the 2nd century Colosseum
Photo by James, November, 2014

TRAVEL TIPS MOST VITAL TO KNOW
European Focus, Inc. 
European Focus Private Tours 
www.europeanfocus.com 
Established in 1989

Edited and prepared especially for the Garrett Family
February 4, 2015

Passport Control

Please make a copy of your passport and keep it in a safe place. This is very important in case you should lose your passport or leave it behind in a hotel.

Money, credit cards, ATM cards

Please inform your bank that you will be traveling to avoid unnecessary blockage of your card due to spending ‘out of pattern.’ Please do not bring cash to Europe with the intent to exchange to Euros. Most banks no longer provide this service. Your ATM card (you can get one from your bank if you do not currently have one) will work all over Europe if you have a four digit PIN.

Medications and other supplements

Be sure to keep in their original prescription container otherwise customs may confiscate. Bring pain reliever with you, as your favorite may not be available in Europe. Things we take for granted as over the counter (Tylenol, Advil, etc) are not available over the counter in Europe.

Luggage and packing smart

Be careful about how much you bring with you please. We have witnessed countless times people who have brought far too much luggage. You may have to carry your luggage up stairs.And trains have very little space for luggage. You will not be able to fit anything larger than a carry-on in the space above your seat. Larger bags must be kept in an open area away from your seat. There is no porter service!

Electronic devices

Leave converters behind, they never work in Europe. All you need for your device to charge is an adaptor plug, available at most travel stores on travel sites. Here is one: 

http://voltage-converter-transformers.com/products/vp-107a-universal-plug-adapter-for-italy?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=742781615&gclid=CJK9_bjZyMMCFW5o7Aod82YA2A

Leave hair dryers and curling irons wired for 110v current at home. Hotels provide hair dryers. 

Best friends Dan and Roy, Jenean and James Derheim at the end of 

Dan and Roy's 12-day tour in May, 2013

Travel Tips, Lessons Learned, Rules of the Road to Help You Enjoy and Get the Most from Your European Focus Private Tour

Last Updated: October 12, 2014

With thanks to all the people who have traveled with Jim and Jenean, and who have lent their tips to this expanding "Travel Tips."

We've written these to enhance your experience and keep you safe and comfortable. We add to this trip file after every tour, based on feedback from our guests. (Many of them we can tell didn’t read the trip recommendations! Therefore, they had some bumps in the road adjusting to life in Europe) When James started giving tours, this was a three-page document.  This guide and the many tips included is just one of the benefits of taking a tour with European Focus. Think of this as you following in the many footsteps of guests who have come before you. You get to benefit from their experiences, their mistakes and the learning curve just gets easier for you.  

James has lived and worked in Europe since 1989. He thinks, and some say acts, more like a European than an American. Knowing this in advance will help you get to know James in person. 

The short amount of time you spend now reading over these tips and anecdotes may save you headaches and inconveniences later.

CHECKLIST of things to remember 

___Ibuprofen, Tylenol or other pain reliever if you use it. It’s quite expensive in Europe and can only be obtained at a pharmacy and with difficulty.

___ credit cards- VISA is the most accepted card, followed by MasterCard. AMEX is generally not accepted in Europe, nor is Discover.

___Call your credit card & ATM card provider(s) and let them know you’re going to be traveling in Europe. This will prevent any blockage of your card due to spending “out of normal pattern.”

___ phone numbers to call if you lose your credit card(s). Check with your credit card provider or look on the back of your card.

___ passport- please make a copy of the page that shows your pertinent information and keep separately from your passport.   (Very important) If you are traveling in Italy, Spain or Portugal you will be asked to hand over your passport at check-in. Some hotels keep your passport. If you are uncomfortable with this, bring plenty of copies.

___ any medication prescribed to you plus aspirin and allergy medicine.  Bring all prescribed medicine in its original bottle, with your name on it. Otherwise, pills carried in generic containers may be confiscated by customs.

___something to help you sleep. The first four or five nights in Europe might be full of tossing and turning, as your body clock adjusts to the time change. You will be very happy you have this at 3 a.m. on your first night in Europe.

___If you’d like to use your cell phone while in Europe, be certain that you have global capabilities enabled on your cell phone through your provider. Also inquire as to whether they can enroll you in a more cost-effective global data roaming plan while you’re away.

___ a raincoat or jacket that sheds water 

___rubber flip flops or what are sometimes referred to as shower shoes. Many hotels in Europe have a combination tub and shower. Some people find these difficult to get in and out of as there are rarely handholds. A pair of flip flops that can be used as shower shoes can be a lifesaver, literally.  These are usually available at Wal-Mart for a couple of dollars.

       a small umbrella

___ Light jacket, sweater even for a summer time tour. An insulated jacket in fall. To blend in with the locals don’t bring jackets, shirts or sweaters emblazoned with American connections, like colleges, towns, etc.

___comfortable shoes. We recommend brown or black comfortable walking shoes with a special emphasis on shoes with thick soles. If it's time to buy new shoes for your journey, tell the salesperson that you need a shoe that can provide comfort over rugged surfaces and that you may be on your feet for several hours per day. Europe is the land of cobblestones and uneven street and sidewalk surfaces and woe be to those who wear flat-soled shoes or sandals! Yes, you will see many tourists (all Americans) wearing white tennies.  We've been told by a European acquaintance that this reminds them of an invasion of a busload of Mickey and Minnie Mouse look-a-likes. We admit that they do look out of place amongst all the dark-shoed Europeans. 

You may joke about this aversion to blazing new white footwear, but to be serious for a moment, adults in Europe do not wear white tennis or running shoes unless they're participating in some sporting activity.  In this age of international security concerns, if you want to blend in, dark shoes are better. James can spot a group of American bus tourists from several blocks away due to their white tennies. 

Anticipated question: So, European Focus expects me to buy a new pair of shoes and ditch my favorite white tennies?

Answer: No. This tip is only to help you feel more comfortable among all of the European adults and to fit in with the locals. (And just watch, Italian men are ALWAYS checking out what other men are wearing on their feet)

___ large zip lock bags. These come in handy for putting personal care items into, or for your spare change, or for other small items that would otherwise be lost in your baggage.

____ washcloth, if you like to use them. Even the finest hotels in mainland Europe do not always provide washcloths because it is not the custom in Europe to use them.  Little bars of hand or bath soap along with little bottles of shampoo are usually (but not always) provided in your hotel room bathroom. A tip for the ladies – pre-moistened facial cleansers are great for removing makeup.  

____bar of soap. Most hotels have switched to liquid soap and guest have commented that had they known this in advance, they would have brought their favorite bath soap.

____ A good book(s) or e-Book.  Hotels will usually have a television in the room; however, channels will be in the local language. There is no TV at all at the Locanda Rosati outside of Orvieto. If you like to relax in the evening, a book might be the best way. Bring a clip on book light if you like to read in bed because bedside lamps are usually woefully inadequate for reading.

____ prepared adhesive address labels for the people that you want to send postcards to.  Make sure the label includes “USA” after the zip code to speed the postcard along.

            Plug adapters appropriate for the country/countries that you are visiting for electronics or other items that don’t need to be converted from 110 volts to 220 volts (e.g. computers, cell phones, e-books). This does not include items like hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons (more on that later)

____Extra memory cards if you use a digital camera. You’re going to be taking more photos than you imagined, and buying these in Europe costs more.

____ battery pack or charging unit for your digital or video camera. 

 Artist at work outside of the Uffizi Museum

Photo by James, April, 2014

What to pack – the weather

Depending on your trip, we might have a laundry stop scheduled midway through. If this is the case, it will be noted on your itinerary. Many of our guests ask us, “What should we bring? What will the weather be like?” 

The best way to be prepared is to use that wonderful tool – the Internet, to see what the trends in weather are in the parts of Europe where you’ll be going.

So much of life in Europe is determined by one factor - the extremely high cost of energy as compared to the US and Canada. Electricity is three to four times the cost, fuel is three to four times the cost. This has a trickle down effect on nearly every facet of European day to day life. And so....
 

Regarding air conditioning

If you are traveling in Italy:
Guests need to know that even five star hotels with air conditioning will not be able to freeze your room to the level that you are probably used to in America. Italians, like most Europeans, consider any temperature below about 70 to be unhealthy and their systems will not go below that. Yes, even in the very expensive and deluxe five star category hotels.

Also, regarding fans. Most hotels in the smaller towns and villages do not provide them.

You will find, however, that many hotels in Southern Europe do have something close to air conditioning, Italy included. Hotels and inns in Provence may or may not. All over Europe we see office workers all of the time, sitting in their darkened offices, quietly sweating. They don’t even have a fan to circulate the air! Same thinking applies to ice cubes. Europeans for the most part believe that drinking liquids that are super-chilled is bad for the stomach. (Ice cubes are especially rare in Italy) They’ve grown up like that and they’re not changing anytime soon.

Lost or delayed luggage

It’s a great idea to pack needed toiletry items (3 oz. and under, of course) and a fresh pair of undies and a fresh shirt in your hand baggage. Several of our groups or individual guests have been inconvenienced in the past two years by airlines not delivering luggage at the same time as our guests arrive in Europe.  In one case luggage did not catch up to our group until the third morning of their tour. If you have purchased ‘Travel Guard’ trip cancellation and interruption insurance, your policy will provide up to $200 pp for purchase of clothes and other items in case your bags do not come on the same plane you did. 

Jenean Derheim in Prague in early 

Photo by James
May, 2013

Jet Lag (Or, why are my eyelids so heavy?)

(Applicable if we are meeting immediately after your flight from America)

Try to get some quality sleep before your flight and try to sleep a little longer than usual.  Stay away from alcohol for the entire period, including before and during your flight. 

Eat a well-balanced meal before you fly -- a good, healthy brunch with plenty of carbohydrates. Drink LOTS of water before, during and after your flight.  Try to stay away from drinking a lot of caffeinated coffee during your flight.  Relax with a good book or do something to make you sleepy in a natural way early in the evening of your flight.   Sleep as much as you can on the flight over, even though this is very difficult to do, even up front.

If you’re bothered by noise, you may want earplugs to drown out engine noise and the sound of people, screaming babies, etc.  Also, earplugs will come in handy during your trip to drown out those European sounds that we Americans are not used to, like church bells, cars driving on cobblestones and perhaps a local festival that runs past 10 p.m.

How to get your ZZZZZs and bounce back faster

Even if you’re normally against taking medication to help you sleep at night bring some along. Talk to you doctor if you think you might need something stronger than an over-the-counter sleep aid.

Avoid Health Problems with advice taken from experts

During your flight, get up and walk about at least once every couple of hours, which we know can be a challenge, given the food carts and maybe a grumpy neighbor.  That’s why we recommend that you make sure you are seated in an aisle seat, or at least if you are traveling with a companion that you and your companion occupy a window and an aisle seat together so that you can spell each other. Check with your travel agent on this and make sure when you check in for your flight that you have the seats you desire. Sometimes airlines change the type of aircraft used on your Atlantic flight, so it's important to make sure you have the seats you ordered. 

·         While seated, flex your ankles and move your feet around to stimulate blood circulation.  Removing shoes helps with circulation.

·         Remain hydrated.  There’s no way that you can drink too much water while flying.  Drink water! Alcohol dehydrates the body.  If you have wine with your meal, make sure you follow that with plenty of water.  The flight attendants will keep bringing it if you ask. 

·         Consider wearing support stockings or elastic wraps to keep blood from settling in the veins in your legs. We've all heard the stories of the people who get off a long flight and keel over with a heart attack (this actually happened recently to a relative of Jenean’s). Remaining sedentary for a long period can create blood clots, so keep fidgeting and you should be able to avoid any discomfort.

·         Before you leave the aircraft, consider doing some moderate stretching to help get the blood flowing.

Some people have been convinced that staying up all day on the day of your arrival, then going to bed at your usual time is the way to get adjusted to the time difference. James and Jenean say: “That's Torture!” After more than 20 years of helping people over this hump, the magic formula is a short nap from about noon to about 5:00 or 5:30, then a well-balanced dinner at a normal hour, followed by a little light exercise (a short walk around the town will do) and then bed by about 9:30 or 10. You’ll bounce back nicely on Day 2 if you follow this advice.

Drink lots and lots of water because water will help your body adjust to the new time zone. Water from the tap in your bathroom is safe in Italy.

After escorting more than 500 guests we know that to avoid a nap on the first afternoon is to invite days of grogginess into your trip and a near total memory loss of what you did and saw on your first day. (We’ve witnessed it!)

You'll toss and turn a little on that first night due to the excitement of being in Europe and your mixed up body clock, and will probably be up with the birds on your first full day, but by following the advice given beforehand, will start your first day refreshed and ready to go.  H2O to the rescue!

Also, before and during the flight take Echinacea to fight off any airborne contagions.  The air is recirculated on airplanes and so you're at risk to catch something.

Money   

For your security, you need to blend in, so please don't bring one of those pouches that hang around your middle. The locals certainly don't wear them, only the tourists! Likewise with money belts, what a pain! Thieves can spot money belts easily and while you struggle to get into your money belt, you're a sitting duck for a crafty thief. You're also automatically marked as a tourist. Those pouches practically shout out to potential thieves, "We’re tourists and probably have lots of cash and important documents!"  As in all large cities, you need to be more street-wise and savvy when in a city. 

Changing hard currency to Euros whether it is before you arrive or after is not a very good idea. First of all, you get a lower exchange rate stateside, so you lose about 3 or 4 cents per dollar right away. Then, the bank charges you a fee on top of that. We live in a plastic world.

If you want to buy some small items or small souvenirs, you’re going to have to have cash. Stores don’t like to take plastic for small purchases, basically, anything under 25 Euro. The best (and really only) way to get your Euros or other currency (e.g. Swiss Francs, British Sterling Pound) is from an ATM machine.

Don’t bring American currency with you (unless you plan to set some aside for your return).  You should plan to change your currency at the airport if you feel that you must bring American currency because banks throughout Europe have nearly completely stopped offering this service. 

You'll get a better rate using your ATM card, however.

The official currency in the European Union is the Euro. The approximate exchange rate can be learned by calling your bank or checking the financial section of your daily newspaper or by visiting www.x-rates.com.

There are ATMs everywhere in Europe and the directions to use them are available in English. Be sure you know your PIN.

An ATM card is the most convenient way to have spending money at your disposal without having to carry cash or traveler's checks.  Your bank statement will show you the amount you took in local currency, and the equivalent in dollars.  Your ATM card works best if it has the "VISA" logo on the front, and the "Cirrus" or "Plus" logos, among others, on the back.  If your card does not have these insignia, ask your bank.  Tell them you're going overseas and need to have access to your account.

Traveling in Italy? Coffee is strong, and black, black, black. The Italians do not use cream! You will not get it even if you offer your first born child. The Italians drink their coffee either as-is or with some sugar or with some hot milk. You will never get cream, so please, save yourself the aggravation and drink it as the Italians do. Also while of the subject of the black nectar, Italians never, ever drink a cappuccino after around 11 in the morning. If you want to be looked at as just a 'stupido' then go ahead, order one and see the reaction. Why don't they drink a cappuccino after 11? Because it will interfere with their stomach's ability to handle wine later!

Clothing in Italy for the time of your trip

For the men: comfortable slacks, khakis, short-sleeved shirts and t-shirts under sweaters are a good idea for almost any time of the year. Expect cool temps, so leave your shorts at home. Besides, Italian men never, ever wear shorts. They are considered 'gurly.'
A sports coat that is casual in nature and doubles as a jacket is also a very good idea in spring or fall when the weather is cool. Blue jeans are fine.

For the ladies: Layering pieces are the most practical, fashionable and comfortable solution for travel anywhere. Neutral, comfortable slacks, light and comfortable skirts, any kind of blouse and shorts are fine, as long as they are not of the cut-off variety. No formal dress is required. A light jacket that can shed rainwater is a good idea, as is a hat if you are sensitive to cold or sun. Most hotels do not provide robes in the rooms so you will want loungewear if you like to wear it around your room. Please note that churches in Italy require that women's shoulders be covered and that they have cover below the knee. You may be denied entry if you are not dressed appropriately.

Breakfast

Most hotels serve breakfast until about 9:30 or 10.

For those who need to have their caffeine delivered cold over ice, please indulge this need in your room and not at the breakfast table. It is considered very odd in Europe to drink a coke or similar beverage at breakfast.

Pure, plain water is always available at breakfast from the buffet. If you order water while seated at the table, you are going to get a bottle of carbonated water and as this is a service item and not a free item (like the pure water on the buffet) this is not included in the breakfast, and will be billed to your room. 

In warmer Spain, Italy and all over France where dinners are usually served late, breakfast is an afterthought to dinner and is usually just coffee and a croissant and maybe a little fruit or cheese. Breakfasts in the southern areas are sadly lacking in protein, and so it is a good idea to pack some protein bars if you have a problem with a carb-heavy start to your day.  

No tipping 15 or 20% in Europe! Europeans just round up the bill. How nice!

For example, think about 3 to 5% on top of the bill:

A bill for 28.30 would be rounded up to 30
A bill for 9.70 - you would hand the server a 10 bill plus a 50 cent piece
Never 10, 15 or 20 percent.

Yes, these are considered good 'tips' in most of Europe.

For Taxis, use the same principle. Tell the driver how much he should take, hand him the bill and he gives you the change. 

Did you know that the average server in Europe makes about $20 per hour with full benefits like health insurance, retirement and plenty of vacation time? Therefore, there is no need to have to compute 15 to 20 percent onto the bill. You've already paid for service and taxes as part of the price of each menu item. To tip on top of this is actually sort of rude and frankly, you're just acting like an uninformed tourist who doesn't know any better. Now you do!

Being Connected - Wireless Internet Access and your iDevices
More and more European hotels are offering free internet access if not always in the room, then at least in the lobby or common area. However, this is not always the case. You may (shock!) have to go more than a few hours without being online while in Europe. 

While on this subject, we have noticed more and more the near addictive nature of being constantly connected. It doesn't matter the age, we see our guests so consumed by their online experience that they end up missing out on huge chunks of the European experience that they paid to come and experience. You can check your Facebook status updates at home. What you cannot do at home is wander the lanes of a medieval town, sit and listen to a glockenspiel, enjoy a sidewalk cafe and people watch in Paris or soak up the vibe of the nightlife in Berlin. We recommend putting yourself on vacation from being constantly online. (and if you have teens think about restricting their access to their devices) Your trip will be much more memorable and fun! 

 Bruschetta at 'Trattoria da Carlo, Orvieto

April, 2014

Sounds in the Night

Frequent travelers know that there’s no place like home, when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Perhaps that’s why we live where we do! When traveling, there are always going to be sounds that you’re not familiar with, and these sounds could disturb your rest. Be prepared and bring earplugs or something to help you fall asleep, and stay asleep when there are:

Church bells ringing

Cars driving by (and on cobblestones, the sound of tires is amplified)

People in outdoor cafes enjoying a warm evening

Creaking floors

Clicking heels on cobblestone streets and sidewalks
People who have had one too many drinks singing their way home, loudly, and right under your window

We do everything we can to select hotels and rooms in those hotels that are as far from sounds that may disturb your slumber, but sometimes it’s just not possible to avoid

them all. Medieval towns and villages were built tightly packed for good reasons, and progress, thank goodness, has not erased these charms. But, charm comes at a price of possible lost sleep for the unprepared. Bring earplugs or sleeping pills  if you're (like James) a light sleeper.

Now really, isn't the name of this village 

really 'Derheim,' and not 'Dexheim?' James 

thinks so! 

Non-smoking accommodations and areas within restaurants

Europe is getting much better about non-smoking areas. Most restaurants and hotels are strictly non-smoking. However, terraces and open areas are not.  Non-smoking rooms or areas of restaurants exist on the same scale as here in the U.S.  Rooms are also non-smoking. We have not seen a 'smoking' room in any hotel of any classification for many years. 

For restaurants, if you want to eat outside on an open terrace, you will just have to grin and bear it. Smokers still have the right to light up outside. 

Language

Your trip will be more fun if you take this time between now and your arrival to learn a few phrases in the language of the countries we’ll be traveling in.  Even simple sayings like "Good Afternoon", "Good Morning" , "Our name is…”  and "Thank you" will really make you feel more at home.  Most public libraries have books and tapes that you can check out in order to learn other languages. 

Note about Italy: It is proper to say 'Good Morning' or 'Good Afternoon' when you enter a store or place of business. Then you say 'Grazie, Ciao,' as you leave. 

VAT and getting tax back

Tourists are allowed to file for a refund of the Value Added Tax (VAT) that is built into the price of every consumer good (that means souvenirs) in Europe. However, getting that money back is a real pain and the governments of Europe (especially Italy) do nothing to make the process easier. If you intend to make major purchases during your trip and you want to get your tax back (it can range from 7% to about 12% of the price of the item) please study the procedures for getting tax back in the country or countries where you are traveling. Most of this information can be found on the internet. Do ask for a VAT/tax back receipt from shops on all major purchases.

A Final Note on Eating/Drinking While in Europe:

Soft drinks: Cola and Cola "light" are common but there is no such thing in Europe as "Diet Coke" or diet anything. The word has not entered the European vocabulary. This will come as a shock to those of you who are used to your daily can (or cans)

If you must have your morning shot of cold caffeine let us know and we can arrange to get some soft drinks to your room the night before. Cokes or any other carbonated beverages are just not available at breakfast.  

By the way, Europeans have no concept of “Iced Tea.”  People are usually pretty surprised when they can’t get this popular American drink in restaurants. You see it once in a while in the gas station convenience stores, but it is Lipton- or Nestea- flavored variety and pretty sweet with no real relationship to what we consider to be “Iced Tea” in America.

Welcome to Europe! Ciao Bella Italia!

View over countryside from the ramparts of Orvieto, western side of the town. See if you can find this same vantage point!
Photo by James, November, 2014