Random Info for the Busy Pinoy Tourist to Europe

Honestly, I wasn't prepared for Europe. I thought I was, I thought I had read everything I could to prepare, but the continent threw me for a loop that left the pompous, arrogant, thoroughly pampered Asian traveler in me reeling. So, basically this is a LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES blog post for you who might stumble onto my humble site looking for a few more tips from recent travelers. Apologizing beforehand for the messiness of it all.

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Don't bring a super-large or heavy suitcase unless you're sure you're going to be on one of those escorted coach tours with its own bus and baggage handlers tipped and paid for. Basically if you're doing-it-yourself, but still not qualified as a backpacker, a small-sized suitcase will do. Prepare to do laundry.

Bring a foldable bag you can use for souvenirs when they won't fit in your suitcase anymore.

Take note: There's a "tourist tax" for being in Europe, depending on which country or city you're in. Each night you stay in Rome is, if I remember correctly, 2 euros. Paris is from 0.50-1.50 euros. Amsterdam asks for 5% of the total cost of your hotel stay. So, before or after making that booking online, make sure you know if this tax is included in the price or not, just so you're not shocked by any additional charges when you arrive. (I have to mention that my sister, who traveled there with a Contiki tour group, was not aware of these taxes, so I assume that international tour operators--Contiki, Cosmos, Trafalgar, Globus, etc.--include these costs in the price of their packages.)

Google Searches on the Overnight Tax/City Tax/Tourist Tax in the areas we went to:
ROME
VENICE
PARIS
AMSTERDAM
MILAN

As long as you're not going to the UK, you only have to worry about one currency, the Euro. It's better if you have money exchanged before you leave because the exchange rates are quite low there (or high... I never could get that right! Basta, talo ka.) Some people have advised me that it's better if I pay using my credit card, which, by the way, they don't swipe for you. You have to insert it into the machines yourself.

But for small purchases like bottles of water and souvenirs at little stalls, you'll still need cash. Since these are SMALL purchases, don't expect that the vendors will be able to break a fifty, or a restaurant you ordered even a 50euro meal at (expensive by our standards), to break a 500. So, when you have money exchanged, ask for it in small denominations. Maybe make the biggest denomination just 50. Unless you plan to do a lot of shopping in Paris' Champs Elysees, then by all means, bring 500s.

An anecdote that's corollary to my previous paragraph: In the subways of Rome, you buy tickets from a machine, and they cost 1-2euros each. When you go to pay, you'll see pictures of the 1 and 2 euro coins and 5 euro paper bill appear on the monitor. I didn't understand it at first, but apparently, it meant that the machine will only accept those denominations as payment and nothing more. If you're going to buy more tickets, driving the cost up to, say, 6euros, that's the only time the 10 euro paper bill will pop up as an option, the 20 euro bill for 16 euros and up, and so on.

One of those little things you'll need cash for: TRIPS TO THE BATHROOM. Have a stash of 0.50-1 euro coins for these things. (I know right?! 60PESOS for going to the loo. T_T)

If you have an ATM, you can opt to bring that as an "emergency" card. Make sure it's connected to international networks, like Plus (VISA) or Cirrus (Mastercard), and that your bank is informed that you will be using it out of the country, or else they might block it for your own protection. The same holds true for your credit card.

I'll just reiterate that you INFORM YOUR BANK before you leave. I didn't, and the 7-minute phone call that I decided to spend time (looking for it!) and money (remember the exchange rates!) on made me cry because it was wasted on a spiel.

Taxis there are hella expensive. But if, for some reason, you're not up to taking the subway or if you have kids or seniors along with some bulky baggage, here's what to expect: The passenger limit is 3. They charge extra for the 4th passenger. Some taxis won't allow the "shotgun" seat (the one next to the driver) to be occupied, in which case, that taxi will only take 3 people. Each luggage after the first that gets placed in the trunk is 1euro. I'm not sure if it's customary to tip, but we did it anyway. Like I said, cabs are expensive.

Gloomy and wet Versailles weather.

When it rains in Europe, it pours. What's worse, it's COLD. So, don't listen to those blogs that say the Europeans don't use umbrellas and umbrellas automatically label you as a tourist! Bring a lightweight one or a rainproof jacket, and protect that new LV you just bought from Paris!

Water is potable in most places. But if you insist on buying bottled water--habits are hard to break for us 3rd worlders--a small bottle of water costs 1 euro, a liter would cost about 2, unless you're blessed to be staying near a supermarket or grocery where everything is relatively cheaper, e.g., we found a pack of 6 bottles of 1-liter bottled water that was 1.15 euros. Look for someone to share it with.

Have presence of mind. Don't sign anything you're not sure about. Always keep an eye on your belongings and a hand on your bag. And don't let your hand or any part of your body be hijacked for cash. (This happened to me in Milan because I chased some pigeons. Some guy grabbed my hand and placed raw popcorn on it without my telling him to--apparently because I wasn't reacting he thought it was okay--then he asked for money! He tried to con me into giving 100 euro. For freaking popcorn. Fortunately, one of the men in our group was there to tell him off.) This is why some blogs would tell you to not look like a tourist, a.k.a., a target. Sadly, whatever I do, whatever I wear, I won't look European, will I? Which is why, one must always be alert. And if you're not sure about strange people talking to you, smile and act like you don't understand what they're saying, then walk away... maybe in the direction of a nice, genuine-looking police officer or security guard. There's sure to be at least one stationed in the touristy areas. (Crossing fingers.)

Churches have a strict dress code in Italy. No sleeveless shirts! No shorts or short skirts! So dress appropriately on days when you're scheduled to go into churches. Or bring a scarf you can cover up with if you're not sure.

Google Maps is your best friend. I've found that you can use it even without wifi, just as long as you "download" the map of the particular area you're going to beforehand. (Also, don't forget to turn on Location Services or GPS on your phone, or else you won't see the little blue dot that represents you on the app.) Try it out first before you leave for your trip.

The Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing buses are a beautiful, educational and easy way to see all the major tourist spots of a city. You can go through one loop on them while listening to the onboard audio guide, and then get off at those areas you want to see more of. Then go back and get on the next one after you're done.

If you have a scheduled reservation especially for a guided tour, guys, don't be late. I know Manila works on Filipino time, but the rest of the world does not. Almost everything runs on a schedule and they won't wait for you.

A friend of mine recommended that, instead of keychains and magnets, I buy guidebooks from particular places I've been, especially of those areas where we're not allowed to take photos, like the Sistine Chapel. It was a good idea, as some of  those found in museums and other tourist spots are only available there and nowhere else. Plus, I love books, so I'm less likely to think about them as trashy souvenirs. They will also benefit my children in the future.

Isn't it a novelty nowadays to receive actual mail? Let alone a postcard? So, go be novel and mail yourself a postcard from each country you visit. Postcards are usually 0.50-1euro each. Strangely, their post offices don't sell stamps. You can buy stamps from tobacco shops or ask the store where you bought the postcard from if they also have some in stock. (This was my experience in Italy and France.) Then it's as simple as dropping them into an international mailbox. If you're worried about privacy, keep the messages to yourself short and sweet and without revealing too many details, e.g., "This place is beautiful!" "Place this in scrapbook!" "Quote from a Paris window: Sacre bleu!" Chances are they'll only start arriving after you get back, so you can treat them like little presents, or messages from the past for the future.

Reserve for tickets for guided tours, transportation seats, and hotel rooms online. Better to prepay, but if that's not an option, make sure to confirm your bookings a couple of days or so before your stay/trip or upon arrival in Europe, or else the hotel/bus/railway/tour company will put your rooms/seats/slots back on the market.

If you find yourself thinking, "Shit. I'm gonna go broke!", remember that some of the world's most expensive cities are in Europe, and the euro vs peso exchange rate is higher than that of the dollar. That's why ample preparation is key. If you don't want to resort to taking cabs, use the trains. Don't carry big heavy luggage so you won't be burdened into looking for non-existent elevators at the stations. Exercise before you leave so you'll have stamina for those long walks and stair climbs with your bags. Bring an empty water bottle you can fill up with potable water in fountains around the cities... for free!

But at some point, despite all your preparation, maybe there'll be things you'll miss. Adjust. Realise realistically and within budget which things are worth paying for and which aren't, and then stop counting or worrying over it.

One last thing: A smile and a greeting and a thank you go a long way.

Happy sightseeing!