3 Tips on How To Be a Responsible and Informed Traveler to Europe
As Europe opens up, we are beginning to think about planning those trips to Europe.
And I think COVID has taught us many lessons about, well, everything really.
Now, I’ve offered up some advice on actually choosing your destination, tips for traveling on a budget, how to manage your money and much more.
In this post I want to offer up a few tips on how to be a responsible and informed traveler to Europe.
Because I think a good traveler is a responsible traveler.
And that a responsible, well-informed traveler is a good traveler.
Strike that.
A great traveler.
So let me offer up a few tips — explaining why I think each tip is important.
And really, the first 2 ultimately tie into the third and final tip.
Learn some of the language
My first tip is to learn a few words of the local language.
This is simply general courtesy in my opinion.
Your pronunciation doesn’t need to be perfect, you just need to try.
The locals are always happy if you are at least trying.
As you prepare for your trip to Europe, learn the words for hello, goodbye, thank you, you’re welcome at the least.
It’s also nice to know a few useful phrases such as “Where is the bathroom” or “I don’t understand”.
Educate yourself.
To me this a key characteristic of being a responsible and informed traveler.
It’s also good to know if people do speak English where you are going.
Know if you are going to have to rely more on your limited understanding of the local language or if you can simply speak English.
This way there are no surprises.
Know the local holidays
Be prepared for your trip to Europe by knowing when the local holidays are.
This way you won’t be surprised when shops are closed.
Or when a big parade comes down the middle of the street.
A responsible and informed traveler will always be aware of the holidays.
But don’t just know when these holidays are, but also what they are and why they are celebrated. (see below for more on this)
This way if you want to visit a destination during one of these holidays, you can be an active participant in the celebration, the tradition.
Learning about traditions and customs is such a wonderful way to connect with a destination.
And it makes for a richer travel experience.
Learn the history and culture
Tying in with both of the above is to educate yourself on your destination’s history and the culture.
A great way to prepare for your trip to Europe is to pick up some reading material — or find some good articles on the internet — on some of the history of a place.
Now, I get it.
Not everyone is a history lover.
But hear me out.
When you understand a bit about the history of a country or region then you can better understand where the country and its people have been (the past) and how that influences the present.
You can understand why the people of that place do things or don’t do things — or why they do these things the way they do them.
This makes you a very responsible and informed traveler.
But do remember: the history is the past.
So while it informs and shapes the country or region, it’s not how it is now.
I’m thinking of the countries of the former Yugoslavia — the Balkans.
I remember mentioning wanting to go to Slovenia and Croatia and Montenegro to some man at the gym about 3 years ago and his first reaction was, “Is it safe?
Of course, I’m always perplexed by this but realized that this man was simply not educated on the area.
He was thinking about the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990’s.
Ummm…it’s 2021.
Those conflicts are history.
And yes indeed, these countries are all very safe and have moved on.
Not that the past doesn’t make them who they are.
But they have moved on and want to move on.
There is a fabulous recent podcast from Jackie Nourse (aka Traveling Jackie) that really made me think about this — a lot.
I highly recommend checking out it out.
A last piece of advice is to be aware of what is going on currently in the place you are visiting.
It’s good to read a local paper or check the international sections of news sites such as the BBC or CNN to see what is happening where you are going.
This way you can be sensitive to the current events.
Being a responsible and informed traveler…
Is really important, in my opinion.
I truly believe that blindly going to a country or region is not wise.
I get that some travelers like to go without expectations.
But I think you need to have some sense of the culture so you don’t put your foot in your mouth.
So you don’t offend the locals.
And so you don’t come off as a total ignorant jackass.
The other aspect of being informed is a bit more obvious at this time — the time of the coronavirus.
Please do be informed on the COVID situation in the country, region or city you are visiting.
It’s constantly changing so do your best to be up-to-date.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
Hit me up in the comments below.
Or send an email to lynne@wanderyourway.com
Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend international travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although some countries are beginning to open, it is complicated.
If you do decide to travel internationally, please do your research or use a travel planning service such as Wander Your Way. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC.
I am continuing to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about places. And hopefully make that bucket list! This way when we can all fully travel again, you’ll be ready to go. For now, stay close to home and stay safe!
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