Introduction
Europe is a great continent which needs thorough consideration (Destination 360, 2010); one can think that it is interesting to travel and see the world in terms of different cultures and traditions, another person can doubt about seeing the countries and obtaining information that can be easily found in the Internet databases. The brightest advantage of making a tour of Europe is to see, taste, smell, and touch everything you read of and dreamt of. Europe lets you in its secrets and shows you the treasures of world history and traditions.
The drawbacks of traveling are numerous: not to know the language of the country and be forced to hire an interpreter; not to book a hotel room in advance, especially in the tourist season, though “planning not only takes the fun out of spur-of-the-moment activities but can shackle your trip to a schedule that may not work out after you get there” (Bramblett, 2005, p. 115); to have a visa that expires in a few days. Nevertheless, you can enjoy the trip even without knowledge of the language, having a little time and money.
European Countries
The first thing that should be done to make a tour is to feel the flavors of Europe. As Rick Steves mentions in his book Rick Steves’ Europe through the Back Door: The Travel Skills Handbook, there are a lot of issues that should be planned and analyzed (Steves, 2009). It is necessary to say that the traveling guided by this author consists of two parts: travel skills and back doors.
The cuisine is an important part of everyday life which should not be omitted in the course of planning your tour. Reid Bramblett in his book Europe for Dummies suggests a list of top culinary delights which should be inserted into your schedule (Bramblett, 2005, p. 14-15).
While Rick Steves enumerates transportation, money, sleeping and eating, travel savvy, special concerns, and perspectives as a part of the travel skills (Steves, 2009, p. 82-427); Reid Bramblett suggest a list of “museums, historic sights, food, and architecture” (Bramblett, 2005, p. 9) which should be visited, seen, and tasted in different European countries. Note that shopping is a distinctive feature of traveling, that is why you should make a list of places of interest which may include at least several well-known shops of medium level.
Bear in mind that some aspects can spoil your tour and impression of it; terrorism, political unrest, and ignorance of the laws can negatively contribute to your tour and change your plans (Steves, 2009, p. 399-427). Mind that the knowledge and understanding of the essence of the European Union can help you in dealing with its rules and legal matters. Try to avoid ambiguous actions which can be misinterpreted by the authorities or locals.
Conclusion
When you are going to take a tour of Europe, you should remember the basic principles of being in an alien country. Sights, cuisine, and shopping present the bright part of the process of traveling; disputable issues between people can destroy your plans. While planning to take a tour of Europe, you can learn some useful information about countries you may visit; as the proverb goes, knowledge is power. Food, museums, and transportation can be analyzed in advance to make the most appropriate choice and to see the best of the Old World.
Reference
Bramblett, R. (2005). Europe for Dummies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Destination 360. (2010). Europe.Web.
Steves, R. (2009). Rick Steves’ Europe through the Back Door: The Travel Skills Handbook. The USA: Avalon Travel.