TRAVEL TIPS

North American appliances/chargers run on 110 volts (2 flat prongs), while European appliances are 220 volts (2 round prongs), therefore, bring an adapter with you. Most electronics will be fine with the adapter. A hairdryer will require a converter to work well; an adapter won’t work very well. You can get these at places like BestBuy or CAA.

Bring a travel first aid kit - band-aids, hand sanitizer, cold meds, pain relief medication, tums. You will eat different food you are not used to, so make sure you cover your basis for stomach issues.

Bring a water bottle – water can be expensive to buy, but you will find some water fountain. Make sure to check if it’s potable water.

Bring comfortable shoes.

Women – bring a sarong/shawl. So many uses for it – from covering bare shoulders at churches, keep the wind from your face, keep sun off your back, or just serve as a small blanket to sit on, or a pillow to rest your head during travels.

Be selective of what you buy. You would be surprised at the range of costs for the exact same thing in the souvenir shops. Shop around.

In souvenir shops, don’t ever accept the listed price. Offer a few Euros less to start. Or bargain a multiple item deal.

Let your bank and credit card company that you will be traveling. They may mistake your transactions as fraud and decline your purchases.

If you choose to bring food back, make sure to check travel.gc.ca for restrictions. If you are returning home through the US, make sure you check US customs, as they won’t let you go through with food, even if your final destination is Canada.

Ask the locals for their recommendations for best restaurants, coffee shops, drinks, spots to watch, etc.

Wallets and purses – keep always in front. There are expert pickpocketers. Crossbody bags across the front. Men’s wallet in front pockets - A must. Wallets and purses – keep always in front.

As a precaution, because things do happen, keep your monies in various locations, and hide some cash in a separate bag that you carry, so that in case of a pickpocket, you are not all out of options.

Make Photocopies of Important Documents (passports, credit cards, insurance card, driver’s license, travel tickets, vouchers and flight tickets, etc.) – leave a photocopy set back home with your emergency contact, and also keep a copy in a safe place with you (but not in the same place as the originals – what’s the point then).

Coffee, wine and beer are typically cheaper than water. Water is typically bottled. Restaurants will automatically bring out bottled water, which you would have to pay unless you specifically ask for water from the tap.

Food bills are final. Typically, there is no added tax and they don’t expect a tip except for outstanding service.