If you’re making the effort to learn a language, traveling to Europe will be a welcome treat and reward. Working to learn a language, even something as difficult as trying to learn German, can be fun when you use an audio CD program, but you still deserve a treat at the end. If you’re a seasoned traveler, or if you’ve never gone abroad before, it’s still important to keep some things in mind before you plan your trip and before you go.

• Double check to make sure that you’ve got your passport and any other documents you need. For most European countries, all you need to travel is a passport if you’re an American citizen. Other travelers from countries outside Europe or the United States, however, may need a visa or additional documentation. Make sure that you have this before you leave for the airport—you don’t want to miss your flight or not be allowed to board because you’re missing an important document. Also make sure that you keep your passport with you when you’re traveling and you don’t lose it. Getting a passport replaced while you’re traveling can be expensive and time consuming.
• Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check in on your home while you’re gone. Even though this happens at home, and not with you while you’re traveling, having someone check your place is an important step. You don’t want to come home from a lovely vacation to discover that your home has been burglarized. If you don’t have someone to check in for you, consider getting timers for your lights and having your mail put on hold to make it seem as if someone is at home.
• Remember to check museum hours and open days before you go. Many travelers have made the mistake of planning to see a special museum in a city that they will visit just once, and then they discover that on that certain day, the museum is closed. This common problem can be eliminated by checking the museum’s website before you leave, and planning your vacation either around the museum, or deciding not to visit it.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for directions if you’re lost or concerned about where you are. Even though you may be proficient in German, or the language that you learned before traveling, it’s still possible that you’ll get lost, or be worried about the train you’re trying to catch. Rather than get into a sticky situation, ask questions and directions of people in your hotel, police officers, and others who work in service positions.

Related Posts:

• Couple Travel Tips
• Chamonix Adventures
• Malta Travel Tips
• My tour of Italy
• Enjoying London in Autumn

Last summer I decided to do a tour of Italy as there were a number of cities I wanted to visit and I had never stepped foot on Italian soil before. I organised the trip well and booked a one-way flight to Milan where I would start the tour. I planned on finishing in Rome. After landing in Milan I took a bus to the city center and checked into my hostel. I was very impressed by the city, its monuments and its shops. However, I was quite surprised at how unorganized and dirty Italy is in general.

From Milan I traveled to Venice – a city which I fell in love with at first sight. Here I was yet again struck by the dirty buildings and unfriendly Italians. However, the city and its classic tourist attractions make up for this. From Venice I took a bus to Sottomarina, a beach town about one hour from the city. It was really nice to spend a few days on the beach and I found eating out and accommodation much cheaper there than in Venice.

I returned to Venice train station where I queued for ages to buy train tickets to Florence – my next destination. I traveled around the country in trains and having had the chance to do this in other European countries, I have come to the conclusion that it is also rather expensive to use public transport in Italy.

I arrived in Florence early in the morning and decided to leave my rucksack in a locker at the train station. It cost me around €8 which was double what I had paid in other cities in Europe. This is something else to watch out for. They say that Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and this is very true and if you love history, art and culture – this is the city for you. From Florence I made my way to Rome, my last destination. Rome is everything I was hoping for and more. In Rome I booked low cost flights to London were I would stay for a few days before returning to the USA. I probably should have booked them before travelling, but I was unsure of how long the trip would take me. I would probably have got cheaper flights if I had estimated my departure date. You live and learn.

My tour of Italy was a wonderful experience and the country really is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Yes, Italians are sometimes unfriendly and everything may seem unorganized……but some people say that this is part of its charm.

Related Posts:

• An Italian Golfing Holiday
• 4 Quick European Travel Tips
• Rent a Villa in Amsterdam
• Discover Piran, Discover Slovenia
• Patience

The Spanish, French and Italian Rivieras have long been among the most sought after destinations in the world for sun, sea and surf. While holidays to these glamorous hotspots offer you the chance to indulge in a bit of ‘me time’, it’s often not easy to pack up and travel to the Med on a whim. For those who wish to experience the best of the Mediterranean a little closer to home next year, why not consider exploring the sights and sounds of the English Riviera?

The 22-mile stretch of Devon coastline around Torbay is popularly known as England’s answer to the Mediterranean Rivieras, and with good reason. The English Riviera is the place to be in summer. Soak up the sun on golden beaches, explore hidden rocky coves, or try your hand at a range of exciting sporting activities including windsailing and scuba diving.

The vibrant towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham nestled around Torbay all feature a decidedly Mediterranean charm. Torquay’s bustling marina and central shopping district gives way to palm lined promenades that lead up into the green hills surrounding the town from where grand Victorian villas gaze invitingly out to sea.

Paignton’s lively waterfront and world famous pier will keep you entertained for hours. Let the kids splash around in the waterpark at Quaywest while you enjoy a round of crazy golf on Paignton’s green, or sip on a cocktail in one of the many seafront restaurants. For a change of pace, why not treat the whole family to a day at the Paignton Zoo, or learn more about the rich cultural heritage of the region in the many museums and galleries of each town?

Brixham’s appeal is tied closely to its status as one of England’s oldest fishing villages, and it is the ideal destination for those who wish to sample the best seafood dishes this side of Palermo. A replica of Sir Francis Drake’s flagship, the Golden Hind, also floats in Brixham’s harbour, offering the whole family a glimpse into the swashbuckling world of the 16th century with a range of exhibitions and exciting re-enactments.

Whatever your vacation requirements, the English Riviera is your ideal destination for UK holidays in 2011.

Related Posts:

• The Lake District in England
• Things to See and Do in Blackpool
• 3 Days to Spend in London
• Stay off the High Street for the Best Deals
• A Cheap Weekend Trip to London

There are many ways to find cheap flights in general. There are generally three approaches. Either you can use the Internet to search for your cheap flight, you can visit a travel agency or you can go to your local airport and buy one directly from the sales counter of the airline. All three methods have their advantages and disadvantages and the following information will help you decide which one you’d like to use to find the cheapest flights possible.

Using the Internet is often the most convenient and practical for people, but you do need to have a general idea of what you want and where you need to look. You should start by using a search engine such as Google or Bing – you need to enter some search terms that will help you narrow down the many options available. A good starting point is to use the name of your town, country or local airport with the terms ‘cheap flights’. This will generally bring you up a list of websites, which list the cheapest flights by parsing information directly from each individual airlines’ website.

This is a good way to get a general idea of where the cheapest flights are, but you’ll still need to visit the airline’s website to book your ticket.

The next option is to use a booking agent, otherwise known as a travel agent, to find your cheap flights. Some airlines will only let you book directly through them or through a travel agent, especially if you want their special cheap flights. These type of flights will be non-refundable, but they are often several hundred dollars cheaper than the publicly available one, so perhaps using a travel agent is your best bet.

Of course, your last option is to simply go to the airport where you want to depart from and buy a ticket directly from them. This is convenient, but probably won’t land you the cheapest flight.

Related Posts:

• Airline Reviews
• Travel Credit Cards
• Find Cheap Flights
• Top 10 Things to do While Waiting at the Airport
• 10 Smart Ways to Travel Cheaply