BRING Euros biatch!....
......Seriously, have a checking account with a bank that ONLY charges the minimum 1% on ATM withdrawals (i.e. Alliant, USAA,etc).
Second, get a 0% transaction fee Visa/MC and use it whenever possible. Charles Schwab or Fidelity AMEX are some options. Visit flyertalk.com for constant discussion on this topic.
Third, have a cheap GSM phone and buy a cheap SIM card for calls. If you have an iPhone or its ilk, you're all set on this end (minus card).
Go to a Mcdonalds, Starbucks, or KFC for FREE Wifi with you smartphone/laptop. You can almost always use it by standing inside/outside the store--even when they're closed!
Get a great guidebook. TimeOut works very good--better than the more poorly researched/incorrect info. Fodors/Frommers.
Carry a medium sized backpack for your waterproof jacket, maps/books, treats/drinks, umbrella. It'll be invaluable!
Use supermarket food to save money on expensive restaurants. You don't need to eat out every day. The sandwiches are better than stateside supermarket sandwiches. Eat at hotel.
Bring medicine for headaches, stomach indegestion, diarrhea. You will get some form of this on your trip. Bring melatonin tabs to adjust quickly to jetlag.
For the plane, bring something to entertain yourself (i.e. Kindle, mp3, video player, book, etc).
Gore-tex low rise athletic/trail/dressier shoes (in effy seasons). Merrell, Vasque, Lowa are great. Look at the ratings on zappos.com.
Don't overpack. Usually you'll take way more clothes than you'll use. I still make this mistake as a travel veteran! Bring more underwear and socks than anything else. Still, you can do laundry there or at the hotel.
Try to bring luggage that'll fit into the plane bins. Checking luggage nowadays is EXPENSIVE!
Put your valuables (wallet/camera) in your inner pocket jacket or a zippered pocket/backpack pocket. Always be aware of your stuff if ANY fuck approaches you asking a STUPID question!
Reasearch the open/close times of places you want to go that day. Make sure they're open. Use hotel concierge to make appts and VERIFY if a museum is open that day. The concierge will be your right hand man for ALL occasions...and it's free!
Set out early to do activities to beat out the tourists/families so get a good nights sleep the night before!
LEARN some key phrases in the country you go to. It'll go a loooong way to breaking the tourist ice. You'll get better service and it'll make it more likely that they'll try harder to please by speaking in their limited English. They'll hate you more if you don't even try as they'll view you as the ignorant American who is arrogantly plowing through their country.
Above all have FUN!!! Have an open respectful mindset to their culture/ways.
Enjoy every minute, as Europe is an AMAZING place to visit!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
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