So you’re going to Europe on Spring Break! You’ll have tons of fun and come back with great memories, but you want to make sure that you are prepared before you jet off to another continent. Here are my tips on how I prepped for my European spring break.
- Find comfy shoes and break them in! I found some cute sneakers that I thought would be great for walking 10-ish miles a day. I didn’t really wear them too much and quickly found out that my bunions weren’t fans of those shoes. I was in agony and switched to flats (and bought a pair of gel insoles at a French pharmacy) for the rest of the trip.
- Research your packing options. Are you doing a true backpacking trip or will you have a suitcase? I read probably dozens of articles and posts about what to wear and what to pack. The weather and your bag will really drive what you need.
- Don’t overpack! You will be tempted to take all kinds of clothes. Check out my packing suggestions for what I actually packed and wore during our ten-day trip.
- Update all of your documents. Make sure your passport is current, and apply for any necessary visas. Register your trip through the US State Department and the local embassies.
- Have copies of all of your documents. Make multiple copies of your passport, travel itinerary, and any other important forms. Give a set to a family member or friend staying the US, keep an extra copy in your travel bag (so not on your person), and consider giving one to your group leader (if you have one). These can be a help if your bags are lost or stolen.
- Set travel notifications on your cards.
- Exchange your currency before you get to the airport. A lot of banks exchange currency at much better rates than the kiosks in the airport (or for free).
What other tips would you add?
