Travel Tips (2015)

• Avoid visiting Rome and Paris in August as many of the residents (shopkeepers and restaurant owners) go on vacation during the month; their shops and restaurants may be closed.

• Be cognizant of your surroundings and belongings while at major train stations in Europe, like Termini Station in Rome or Gare de Lyon in Paris.

• For those worried about missing their return/connecting flight or their connecting train to another city, try finding lodging close to major transit hubs.

• To entice travelers to visit their city, many European capitals offer a “Pass” that provides discounts at museums and attractions and free travel on their metro systems. Although these offers may look like a good deal, run the numbers to see if they really are worth it for what you want to do in the city.

• Do not drink cappucinos after 11:00AM unless you want funny locals from the Italian locals.

• The equivalent of an American Latte is a Caffe Latte or Caffe Macchiato; latte literally translates to “milk” in Italian.

• In Italy, you pay for your coffee and pastry first. Then you hand the receipt to the barista to get the items.

• Having your coffee and pastry on the restaurant’s outdoor tables will in all likelihood double the cost of the meal.

• Make an attempt to use the Italian or French or other foreign language you practiced back home.

• The Roma Pass can not be used for entry into the Vatican Museums.

• If possible, purchase tickets for popular attractions (i.e. the Louvre in Paris) online before leaving the US, preferably way in advance.

• Avoid scalpers and so-called tour guides at the popular attractions.

• Buy/redeem (if bought online) the combo ticket (only option to visit the Colosseum) at the other two nearby attractions listed on the combo (the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill); the lines are shorter.

• Dinner service at many restaurants in Italy start much later than Americans are used to. Snack accordingly.

• Watch a movie, read a book, hear a song about the place your are visiting before leaving (or even while there). It makes the experience that more memorable.

• Obtain an International Drivers Permit from either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) if planning on driving in a foreign country.

• Rent a GPS from the foreign rental car company rather than bringing your own from home.

• Most rentals cars in Europe come with manual transmission; automatic transmission cars are available but at a higher rental cost.

• A hefty fine comes with not validating tickets on public transportation in Rome.

• It may come across rude in France if you do not address the proprietor (“bonjour madame” , “bonjour monsieur”, “bonjour”) upon entering their establishment. Equally impolite is not saying goodbye (“au revoir”).