Learn basic foreign phrases

Although it’s easy enough to travel through Europe speaking only English, it’s important to acknowledge the significance of multiple languages in Europe. Americans traveling to Europe should learn the local words and phrases of the countries they will be visiting because it will provide them with a richer experience and understanding of the local culture.

Don’t be embarrassed to sound like a non-native speaker. Locals will appreciate the effort and may be more helpful as a result. In fact, they may even respond in English, making life a lot easier. However, tourists won’t always be able to speak English with the locals.

Although English is becoming a popular second language across Europe, don’t expect everyone to speak English, especially not the older generation. It is common to experience communication difficulties. Don’t be afraid to use hand gestures, facial expressions, and pointing to convey a message. Non-verbal communication enhances understanding. Learning how to communicate using a combination of local words and phrases and non-verbal cues is one of the most valuable travel tips for Europe.

Dress and Act Like Locals

Americans traveling to Europe have most likely heard travel horror stories. Therefore, many people fear being the next victim of theft or pickpocketing. However, there are several ways to decrease the chances of being a target.

First, don’t dress like a tourist. Wearing a fanny pack, a backpack, or clothing that references America, are prime examples of what not to wear while traveling in Europe. To not stand out as a tourist, wear what the locals wear— neutral colors, scarves, and layers.

Second, tourists should look like they know where they’re going even if they don’t. Standing on the street, looking confused, and staring at a map easily identifies people as tourists. Don’t make this mistake; instead, head somewhere with free Wi-Fi, such as a coffee shop or a pub, and look up directions.

Lastly, know the customs. If people’s behaviors are not culturally appropriate, then they will look like tourists. For example, in most of Europe it is against proper etiquette to eat food while walking down the street. Americans are used to a fast-paced lifestyle that requires eating on the go, so many Americans traveling to Europe make this mistake.

Be On Your Best Behavior

American tourists tend to have a negative stereotype in Europe, so it is important for Americans traveling to Europe to remember that they represent America while abroad.

Rather than being the stereotypical loud, entitled, judgmental American tourist, embrace Europe with an open mind. Try new experiences and foods without comparing them to ‘better’ things in America. Know that customer service is less interactive than in America; people don’t greet customers with, ‘Hello. Do you need help finding anything?’ right when someone enters a shop, and store employees aren’t going to say, ‘Have a nice day,’ as a customer exits. Don’t feel entitled to friendly cashiers and waiters while in Europe because that is not typical of European culture. Lastly, speak in a low voice. Americans tend to tell stories with great enthusiasm, talking with their hands and speaking very loudly. In Europe, where adults tend to speak softly, especially in cafes and on public transit, loudness is considered to be impolite.

Remember these important travel tips for Europe because representing America positively is the responsibility of every American tourist.

Be Open to the European Lifestyle

Everything is bigger in America, but don’t bring that mentality over to Europe, where rooms and appliances are smaller than most Americans are used to. Americans traveling to Europe should embrace the differences and appreciate Europeans’ eco-friendly lifestyle. For example, in the winter, don’t expect to crank up the central heating and in the summer, there may not be air conditioning. Drying clothes might take a little longer without a dryer, but these are all appliances that many Europeans are happy to live without.

Europeans are also eco-friendly in the sense that they walk everywhere. Many Europeans, especially in cities, don’t own a car. To an American, who is used to hopping in the car to drive around the corner, this is a big change. However, one of the best travel tips for Europe is to join in on the walking because many tourists who do will find that walking is actually quite pleasant. Plus, it’s a great way to stay in shape while traveling. This makes the warmer months one of the best times to visit Europe, when being outside and exploring by foot is comfortable and pleasurable!

Stop at the Little Towns

Many guidebooks focus on major European cities, but one of the most underrated travel tips for Europe is to visit the countryside. Being in smaller towns and villages shows tourists the true culture and character of a country. Head to a pub in Ireland around midday and have a chat with the old men who have been drinking there since their retirement. Or, explore the medieval streets and buildings of quaint French villages. The entire continent is full of history, so any small town will be packed full of surprises. Americans traveling to Europe should not only enjoy seeing the big cities, but also the tiny towns that are full of history and proud locals.

Several of groundbreaking inventions, sophisticated gadgets, and mostly, the emergence of technology have made our life seamlessly incredible and easy, and so is the construction industry. But when you step back to time, you’ll discover that the calculation, precision, and mastermind of the primeval people, who lived several centuries before, were just beyond the up-to-date technological brilliance, as you come to know how punctiliously they crafted their masterpieces without the use of any line-up of super tools or technological innovation. Here are some of my favorite historical monuments whose enormous charm and splendid beauty blew me away.

1.The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

The Colosseum has been the world’s largest amphitheater since it was built more than 2,000 years ago. When it was first opened in AD 80, this huge imposing structure measured 150 meters wide and 190 meters long, with 80 arched entrances and capacity to seat up to 74,000 spectators. Not only a marvelous depiction of the ancient Roman architecture, but the Colosseum also gives you a slice of the region’s turbulent past.

2. Tikal, Guatemala

A mélange of stunning monuments in the form of palaces, shrines, residences, game courts, and roads, within the vast expanse of Tikal National Park, is touted as an outstanding example of the artistic and human intellect of Mayan civilization that thrived here from 300 to 850 BC. This is a UNESCO world heritage site and is placed in Guatemala’s El Peten province.

3. Easter Island

Mysterious charm, exotic beaches, the influence of Polynesian culture, and most of all, about a thousand monumental statues, namely, Moai scattered across the region make this Pacific island extraordinarily beautiful. Dating back to the 12th century, these statutes were sculpted by the ancient Rapa Nui people using volcanic ash. Each Moai is strikingly unique and comes with small, big, slender, fat or tattooed shapes. It is situated more than 3,500 kilometers off Chile’s west coast.

4. Machu Picchu

Situated at an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level, this ancient Inca city in Peru boasts a breathtaking location in the midst of a tropical forest. Built during the 15th century, Machu Picchu’s outstanding structures including La Ciudadela throw light on the Inca Empire’s complex yet refined architecture.

5. Petra, Jordan

Petra is one of the world’s most significant historical sites. Erected as early as 312 BC, the monuments seen here is especially noteworthy for its intricate rock-cut architectural marvel. Located on the scenic Mount Hor’s slopes in Ma’an, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is sometimes referred to as the Rose Red City due to its rocks’ color, with which the city of Petra is carved out. The history has it that it was once the center of the Nabataean kingdom till AD 106 when the Roman Empire came into power. Must-visits include El Dier – the Monastery, Byzantine Church, Hadrien Gate, the Great Temple, and Rock-cut sandstone tombs.

6. Taj Mahal, India

Built during the 17th century, this majestic structure, often cited as the epitome of love was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute of his everlasting love towards his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took over 20 years for its completion, and more than 20,000 people, along with 1,000 plus elephants, were employed to erect this spectacular monument, which is a blend of Indian, Islamic and Persian architecture styles.

7. The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

Constructed around 3,000 years ago, the Great Pyramid of Giza is a marvelous masterpiece that continues to perplex archaeologists, astronomers and scientists, with its attention to detail construction style which even most sophisticated technology can’t reproduce. Besides its unique pyramid shape, what’s more, mysterious is the exact alignment of the Great Pyramid of Khufu Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Pyramid of Khafre as per the Constellation of Orion. There are many such things about these pyramids that haven’t been unraveled yet.

8. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The largest of its kind in the world, Angkor Archeological Park is perhaps South East Asia’s most significant archeological sites. Spanning over an area of about 400 square kilometers in Angkor, Siem Reap, it stands as a classic illustration of the magnificent Khmer architecture. Its highlights include the glorious remnants of the varied capitals of the Khmer Empire that traces its origin back to the 9th century.

9. Parthenon, Greece

This is an ancient shrine majestically sitting on the Acropolis, a huge rock overlooking the city of Athens, Greece. Reflecting Doric-style architecture, Parthenon is exceptional for its stupendous white marble columns and sculptural frescos representing the battle scenes. It was built in the 5th century BC to mainly worship the Greek Goddess, Athena.

10. The Great Wall of China

Stretching for more than 6,400 kilometers, from Yu Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west, this is the longest man-made monument ever built, and it covers a wide spectrum of plateaus, peaks, and deserts placed between east coast and west coast of China. It was mainly built as a defense to safeguard the Chinese empire from the attack of northern invaders. Fascinatingly, it took more than 2,000 years to complete its construction, which is believed to have begun in 7th century BC.

During winter vacation, or travelling to a cold country, may mean that you spend more time in the sun. So remember to take along sunscreen and moisturizer. Exposure to the sun, wind or cold can really dry out the skin and can even cause irritation and sensitivity. So, moisturizers, hand creams, lip balms and nourishing creams are important. If you have long hair, take along a headband and hair clips, to keep your hair tidy.

FOLLOW THESE 7 ESSENTIAL WINTER TRAVEL TIPS FOR SKIN AND HAIR

1. Apply anti-tan sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure. If you are out in the sun for more than 30 minutes, re-apply the sunscreen. Apply moisturizing cream or hand cream on the hands two or three times and massage it into the skin. Moisturize your skin daily too, so that you replenish the moisture loss.

2. Remember to take a scarf or hat along to protect your hair from over-exposure to the sun, as well as from wind and dust.

3. A pick-me-up face mask can leave your skin clean and glowing. It is a simple way to remove fatigue and refresh the skin. You may not have time to mix ingredients, so take along a peel-off mask to add a touch of brightness to the skin. Ready-to-use peel-off masks are easily available.

4. For the hair, take along a mild herbal shampoo, conditioner or hair serum, a plastic shower cap, towels, and a comb with large, wide teeth. First, wash the hair with a very little shampoo. Dilute it with a little water and then apply. Rinse thoroughly with water. For more convenience, you can take along a Dry Shampoo or even a leave-on conditioner or hair serum.

5. If you are flying, there are more chances of the skin becoming dry and dehydrated. So, drink plenty of water during flights to maintain the water balance of your body. It also helps to keep the skin hydrated. You can have fruit juices but avoid aerated drinks.

6. Avoid alcohol and too much coffee during the flight, as these can also cause dehydration.

7. Take your moisturizer along and use it during the flight. It helps to prevent moisture depletion and is actually a protection. Moisture is actually the skin’s basic need. This is more so during winter.

Fall is the perfect season for photography thanks to its unique color cast. These tips will help you take amazing shots in the fall.

Fall is one of the most picturesque seasons, and many photographers eagerly await its arrival. The colors can completely transform how landscapes look, and the lighting is often softer than during the summer. And, of course, getting out and enjoying those crisp mornings is not the worst thing in the world.

You can point your camera at almost anything autumnal, and it’ll look pretty. But if you want to capture amazing shots that stand out, you’ll need to think a little harder about what you shoot. Here are our top tips for taking beautiful pictures during the fall.

1. Emphasize the Fall Colors

Fall is arguably the most unique season of the year thanks to the beautiful colors it produces. Depending on where you live, you might be able to enjoy forests and the countryside transformed with a tint of orange.

As a photographer, you should do your best to emphasize these colors. You can, for example, learn about color theory to help you capture more eye-catching shots. And during the post-production phase, you can use editing software to draw the viewer’s attention to these.

2. Prepare for All Weather Conditions

Although fall is one of the most beautiful seasons, it’s also one of the least predictable. Sun can quickly turn to rain, and—if you live really far north—you might need to prepare for unexpected snow.

Getting caught in weather you hadn’t predicted is, at best, an inconvenience that might ruin your shoot and your day. At worst, you could find yourself in danger. Before going out to shoot, think about everything you might need. Weather-sealed camera bodies and lenses are a good starting point.

As for yourself, consider taking a waterproof jacket. Layer up to keep yourself warm if you’re going into the mountains. You should also let others know your itinerary.

3. Focus More on Nature

Cityscapes are fun to photograph, but fall is a great time to try out landscape photography. Even places frequented by tourists can look completely different, and you’ll often have to deal with much fewer crowds than you would during the summer.

Forests and parks make for excellent photography locations during the fall. But beyond the slowly-shriveling plant life, you might also want to think about capturing images of wildlife. Many birds begin to migrate when the weather gets colder, for example. If you’re lucky enough to see them, you might get to capture an amazing show in the sky.

4. Get Up Early

Fall mornings are more pleasurable than most other seasons. The air temperature is normally cool, and you can capture beautiful sights like fog covering cityscapes. Even if you’re not usually an early riser, try waking up earlier.

If you live in a busy city, waking up earlier will also help you avoid most of the crowds when going out to shoot. One benefit of the fall months is that sunrise often happens a bit later, meaning you don’t need to get up unreasonably early.

5. Use Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority Mode

Once you’ve moved beyond the beginner photography phase, you probably won’t use auto mode much. If you typically use manual mode, you might want to think about switching things up a little during the fall months.

Aperture priority mode and shutter priority mode are incredibly useful features, and most digital cameras have both. When using either of these, you won’t need to worry about toggling your settings—enabling you to focus on capturing the perfect shot instead.

Remember that when you use either, you’ll still need to consider the other two components of the exposure triangle. Make sure that everything is as balanced as possible.

6. Toggle Your Camera Profile Simulations

When you first bought your camera, you probably used the default factory settings for your images. However, most modern devices give you incredible flexibility. Toggling your camera profiles is a good idea if you want to capture unique pictures of the fall where you live.

You’ve got several options when choosing film simulations. Many manufacturers have a wide selection of color profiles, but you’ll also find various monochromatic ones.

Many camera profile simulations will automatically apply to JPEG file images, but you’ll need to add them in your editing software for RAW ones.

7. Visit Somewhere New

Except for warmer weather, summer often isn’t an ideal time to travel. Accommodation and transportation prices are high, and airports are often busy. And once you get to wherever you’re traveling, you’ll usually need to deal with bigger crowds than you might have wanted.

Some people can’t travel outside the summer months, but if you have the option to do so, visiting somewhere new in the fall can give you a fresh bout of creative inspiration.

You can travel abroad, but you don’t have to. Is there a national park in your state that you’ve always wanted to visit? If so, figure out the logistics and head on over there with your camera.

8. Play Around With the Foliage

Few sounds are more satisfying than the crunching of fallen leaves as you walk on them. But have you ever stopped to think that you can utilize them in several interesting ways for your photography?

You’ve probably seen portrait shots of people picking up a batch of leaves and throwing them. If you’re into that style of photography, try it for yourself and see what you can create.

But even if you’ve got nobody to photograph, you can still have lots of fun with foliage. For example, you can try macro photography and capture a leaf’s details close-up.

Fall Is One of the Best Seasons for Photography

While the days aren’t as warm as the summer, and you’ll often have to deal with challenging weather, fall is a fantastic time for photography. You’ve got plenty of options to capture unique shots, even when visiting somewhere that has been photographed many times before.

You’ll need to think a little about logistics, and in some instances, waking up earlier is necessary for photographing unique moments. But if you’re willing to experiment, you can capture images that others wouldn’t have thought of.