Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to travel Europe for an entire month. I can’t deny it was a trip of a lifetime. I saw so many breathtaking views and met dozens of kindhearted people who truly changed my views on all aspects of life. At the same time, however, I did find myself in the midst of some crazy encounters. Before you embark on your own Eurotrip, there’s a few things you must know...
1. Rome, Italy: Beware of pickpocketers.
As you probably guessed, pick-pocketing is common in most tourist destinations. While visiting the Colosseum or just walking the crowded streets, travelers find themselves on high alert and keep their belongings in secure places. This is an obvious tip. My advice: do not let your guard down no matter how wasted you are. You have a few drinks in the club, start dancing with some European dude, and before you know it you’ve lost your phone, ID, and money you zipped up tight in your wristlet. Nightclubs are a pickpocketer’s heaven. From personal experience, do not bring a ton of cash or your debit card because you will most likely end up drunk crying on the cobblestone streets with $100 missing from your wallet.
2. Paris, France: Gypsies are not your friends.
You’re admiring the Eiffel Tower. You get lost in the beauty of the “City of Love.” As your mind begins to think everything and everyone is flawless - you find yourself talking to a local who wants you to support some random social justice issue. Do not, I repeat, do not sign any petition from an “innocent” child or woman. Most of the time, this is just a full on scam to force you into giving them money. As soon as you sign your name, you unknowingly agreed to pay this person a monetary amount. Once you refuse, some huge man will pop out of nowhere, act as this young woman’s pimp, and essentially scare you into paying them. Talk about a tourist trap.
3. Munich, Germany - Be courteous to the locals.
The Hofbrauhaus is a famous restaurant in Munich that is filled with traditional music, dancing, and beer. The locals have their own designated tables and are treated like royalty by the staff. My friends and I somehow ended up at this table with a man of few words. He barely spoke but would communicate with head nods and grunts. The people who surrounded him informed us he was a local and it was considered an honor to have a seat at “his table.” Things were going great: we laughed, we sang, we cheersed. My number one tip in Munich: do not spill red wine on a local’s famous table. Things will not end pretty.
4. Athens, Greece - Be prepared to walk.
For some reason, Europeans love to strike. The cab drivers strike. The bus drivers strike. The conductors of the trains and subways strike. Everyone just loves to strike! So, being a tourist who relies solely on public transportation can be tricky. Imagine you spent all night drinking and one of your friends had a little too much fun. They’re throwing up on the side of the road, and guess what? There are no taxis or any subways willing to take you home. Looks like all of those shots (that were a good idea at the time) turned your night into a very, very long walk home.
5. Prague, Czech Republic: Safety is not a number one concern.
Prague is known as the Las Vegas of Europe. I had a blast crashing bachelor parties and signing up for various booze cruises. On our last day in Prague, my friend decided we should be adventurous and sign up for a bungee jumping excursion. Thrilling, right? Of course, this type of this excursion in any country can be high-risk. In Prague, high-risk was definitely an understatement. My mother will probably kill me once she reads this, but my friends and I found ourselves in a car with a stranger hours away from the hotel in the middle of nowhere. We nervously laughed as we passed random bridges and joked about “could you imagine if they just took out cords from the trunk of this car and made us jump off something like this?” Well, that’s exactly what happened. We pulled up to some bridge in the mountains of the Czech Republic while the driver proceeded to take out our equipment (one single rope) from his trunk. Without signing any type of safety waiver, we all jumped essentially to our death. The moral of this story is to really research and think about if your life is in good hands before signing up for a European excursion.
6. Amsterdam, Netherlands - Watch out for the bike lane.
One of my favorite memories of traveling Europe was arriving in Amsterdam. Everyone knows this city is famous for the acceptance of marijuana and their “cafes.” It was surreal to see everyone lighting up in the streets and no one batted an eye if you smoked a blunt at a table outside of Starbucks. On top of being a city with gorgeous views, most of the residents are very athletic and earth-friendly. Instead of driving cars, many of the citizens of Amsterdam ride bikes. Believe me when I say they stop for no one. They don’t stop for people, cars, or buses. These bikers will run you over in a heartbeat. Smoking + avoiding bikers = a struggle.
7. Berlin, Germany: Research the “recommended” nightclubs.
Berlin was an interesting city. Everyone dressed as if they were attending Vans Warped Tour and therefore tourists were easy to spot. In my opinion, it wasn’t the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Searching for a good time, we asked the hostel employee at the front desk where we should go for a few drinks. She nonchalantly recommended a popular nightclub, but she then proceeded to tell us we would have to take off all of our makeup. She told us to change our clothes and to “look as if we haven’t showered for days.” We were ultimately confused and kept asking questions about the proper attire and all we received were vague, unclear answers. After googling the name of this nightclub, we were shocked to find out this lady suggested us to go to a sex club. The reviews included commentary such as “don’t be surprised if the bathroom attendant asks to watch you urinate” and other crazy remarks. I advise that you should always research any recommended hotspots, especially in Berlin.
8. Barcelona, Spain: Americans have a stereotype.
Throughout my travels, I discovered the typical American girl has a strong stereotype in Europe. Have you ever seen American Pie? Well, that is how most European guys view American girls. Yes, we do like to have a good time. However, the majority of us girls are not willing to have any random stranger forcefully shove their tongue down our throats within two seconds of meeting him. Stay in groups when going out at night and be prepared to push away some desperate and drunk Europeans.
Traveling Europe is without a doubt one of the best decisions I have ever made. That being said, I hope my tips will help all of you wanderlust travelers and prepare you for your own Eurotrip adventures. In the midst of crazy encounters and unforgettable memories, remember to stay safe and enjoy every single second of your travels.
