The Essential EuropeanHoliday Planner

Stunningly beautiful, full of culture and rich in history.

From Italy to Germany, Britain to Spain, this glorious continent is home to dream destinations for every traveller. In this eBook, you’ll discover

information and advice for every stage of your European holiday – from packing your bags to ordering delicious meals (in the local language, if you like!).

Contents3 When to Travel

4 Preparing for Your Trip

5 Surviving the Flight

6 Money Matters

7 Getting Around

8 Escorted Tour vs.

Self-Guided Holiday

9 Must-See Places

2

10 Local Customs

11 Shopping

12 Food & Drink

13 Tips for Solo Travellers

3

When to

TravelThe Best Time to Book FlightsAirfares are constantly fluctuating, so you shouldn’t buy seats on the first flight you find.

• When possible, aim to book your flight 4-5 months in advance.

• Use Google Flight Explorer or an app like Hopper to predict when a flight will be cheaper.

• Make your booking in the middle of the week.

The Best Months for Weather & CrowdsEurope is best enjoyed just before and after summer, when the weather is still lovely but

the crowds have calmed down. We generally recommend May, early June, and September as

the ideal times for a holiday. Most European countries will treat you to pleasant temperatures

and modest rainfall during these months.

For a detailed look at weather and crowd trends in Europe, view this infographic.

Make an Exception for ChristmasDon’t mind the cold? Love festive cheer? Keen to have a go at skiing or ice skating?

Europe is a magical place to spend Christmas and bring in the New Year. And it’s blissfully quiet

and affordable compared to the summer months.

You’ll love exploring delightful Christmas markets. Once you’ve found the perfect gifts for friends

and family, stroll through quaint cobblestone streets and decorated town squares. If you’re lucky,

you may even get to experience a White Christmas – you’ll never get that at home!

Packing Tips• Choose a suitcase that’s light yet sturdy with 4 strong wheels.

• Pack travel-sized toiletries to reduce weight, and keep them in a sealed bag to prevent leaks.

• Leave space in your luggage for those inevitable purchases (hello, souvenirs).

• Don’t forget spare plastic bags for dirty clothes and wet swimmers.

• Choose shoes that are reliable and comfortable to walk in.

• Pack a medical kit including Panadol, Band-Aids, lip balm, lozenges and prescribed medications.

• Pack layers – especially if travelling in winter or across various climates.

The Adaptor(s) You’ll NeedHow will you take holiday snaps if you can’t charge your phone each night?

In most of Europe you’ll be fine with an adaptor that features 2 round prongs.

Some countries (like Switzerland and Denmark) have slightly different sockets,

but they should still cooperate with a standard European adaptor.

For Ireland and the UK, you’ll need a different plug with 3 rectangular prongs.

Interested in the plugs used in Europe and across the globe? You might enjoy

this infographic.

Preparing for Your Trip

4

Travel Insurance & Visa InformationAdequate travel insurance is essential for peace of mind during your European adventure.

Accidents can happen to anyone. And while a trip to the hospital may not ruin your whole holiday,

a hefty medical bill definitely could! We recommend taking out a policy from a reliable insurer such

as QBE Insurance. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return

date. If you have a valid Australian or New Zealand passport, you won’t need a visa to enter most

European countries.

5

Surviving the Flight

Long-Haul Flight Advice• Keep a change of clothes (including undies!) in your carry-on bag.

• Pack a small set of on-flight essentials, including a toothbrush, mini toothpaste,

comb, and roll-on deodorant.

• Use the toilet frequently to freshen up and stretch your legs.

Managing Layovers• Check if your layover airport has shower facilities. If it does, use them!

• Make sure you’ve allowed plenty of time between your flights – nobody wants to run through an

airport or miss their connecting flight.

• Book into a hotel for overnight stopovers – only some airports have designated comfy sleeping

areas.

Beating Jetlag• Get plenty of sleep, eat well, and stay hydrated in the days before your flight.

• Start staying up slightly later (or going to bed slightly earlier) to prepare your body for the new

time zone.

• Stay hydrated during the flight (with water – not alcohol or coffee).

• Get up regularly to walk, stretch, or just wash your face.

• Do some stationary exercises (e.g. knee raises) in your seat.

• Eat dried cherries – these contain melatonin, which helps regulate sleep.

• Assume you’ll need 1 day to recover for every 1 hour of time difference.

• Upgrade to premium economy, business or even first class if you can – it’s worth it!

• Download your favourite movies to your laptop or mobile device, or pack noise reduction

headphones to enjoy the inflight entertainment

• Don’t forget your eye mask, earplugs or neck pillow.

• Rest before your flight – don’t rely on catching a good sleep on the plane.

• Read more long-haul survival tips here.

6

Carrying MoneyWe suggest using debit cards in shops and restaurants where possible. Any fees your bank

charges for purchases will often be smaller than the interest you’ll pay on exchanging cash.

When you need to get some local money, use a debit card at an ATM. You will usually face

a set fee for using an ATM overseas, so consider withdrawing substantial amounts so you

won’t need to do so as often.

Avoid travel money cards and travellers’ cheques. If a person is helping you exchange

money across a counter, you’re probably getting a bad deal! Get more money advice here.

Getting the Best Exchange RateEven if you’re planning to use your card for most payments abroad, you may want to

exchange some cash prior to your trip. We recommend getting about $200 worth of the local

currency to cover any taxi fares and incidental purchases upon arrival.

Rates are largely unpredictable, but this currency converter can help you decide if today

might be a good time to make the exchange.

Money

Matters

7

Getting Around

Transport Options• The rail systems in Europe are generally excellent and affordable.

• Escorted coach tours are the best way to travel (but we might be a bit biased!).

• Cruises are great, but you can miss out on some outstanding inland destinations.

• Taxis can be a bit expensive, but they’re convenient and easy to find.

• You could hire your own car, but driving is a nightmare.

• Once you’ve arrived at a new destination, the best way to explore is on foot.

Choose Local Tour GuidesA local tour guide often has more in-depth insights into your destination, and they can take you off

the beaten tourist track to discover lesser-known wonders. Local guides can make your time in a

town or city educational and exciting.

This is why Albatross Tours carefully chooses local tour guides for every stage of our itineraries. By

exploring with the best, you can immerse yourself into the culture and history of every location.

Learn a Bit of the LanguageTeaching yourself a few basic phrases can make your holiday easier – or at least more enjoyable.

Yes, English is widely spoken in many European countries. But you’ll be glad to know some local

lines if you’re lost in the French countryside or looking for the loo in an Italian village.

English German Italian French Spanish

Hello Hallo Ciao Bonjour Hola

Do you speak English?

Spricht du Englisch?

Parli Inglese? Parlez-vous Anglais?

Habla Inglés?

Where is the bathroom?

Wo ist die toilette? Dov’è il bagno? Où sont les toilettes?

Dónde está el baño?

How do I get to…?

Wie komme ich…? Como faccio ad arrivare a…?

Comment puis-je aller à/au…?

Cómo puedo Ilegar a…?

Thank you Danke Grazie Merci Gracias

Goodbye Auf Wiedersehen Arrivederci Au revoir Adios

Learn more phrases with this infographic. Go!

Escorted TourGreat Company

Making new friends is one of the enduring highlights of all great tours. When you’re visiting

amazing places together, strangers quickly become mates – or even lifelong friends!

Everything Taken Care Of

All the things you would need to prearrange on a self-guided trip (accommodation, meals,

transport between stops) are organised for you. Your tour operator does all the hard work and

research to create an unbeatable itinerary.

No Budget Surprises

You know how much everything will cost you upfront. This allows you to plan your budget in

advance, so you can comfortably set aside extra cash for those irresistible extra purchases –

like a delicious slice of Split cake in Croatia or a charming cuckoo clock from Germany!

Self-Guided HolidayMore Freedom & Flexibility

Every stop, meal, site and activity is up to you. And, if you do all your research and make the

right choices, this can lead you to an amazing, personalised holiday.

More ‘You Time’

Some people prefer to stick to themselves during a holiday. If you’re already planning to travel

with good company (like your partner or family), making new friends while travelling might not

be an important factor for you.

Set Your Own Pace

Stay a whole week in your favourite city. Skip the towns and landmarks that don’t interest you.

How quickly you travel is completely up to you – depending on your budget and commitments

back home!

For more pros and cons, read this blog post.

8

Escorted Tour vs. Self-Guided HolidayTouring with a group and travelling independently both have advantages.

Read more about t

hese

destinatio

ns

Must-SeePlaces

Here are our top 10 European locations to

tick off your bucket list.

1

Matera(Italy)

3

AlhambraPalace

(Spain)

2

Grindelwald(Switzerland)

4

The Cliffsof Moher

(Ireland)6

Rocamadour(France)7

Leeds Castle(England)

9

Dubrovnik(Croatia)

10

Lake Como(Italy)

5

9

Neuschwanstein Castle(Germany)

8

Salzburg Christmas Markets

(Austria)

Dos & Don’tsExperiencing different cultures can be a bit daunting. Things considered rude in one country may

be completely acceptable in another. Learning local customs is just another enriching part of

touring Europe. Here are a couple of our top dos and don’ts (read the extended list here).

Tipping

This custom varies slightly from nation to nation, but there are a few general rules you can safely

apply throughout most of Europe.

At restaurants and cafés, tip 5-10% when:

• You’ve received excellent service from a waiter

• You want to round up the bill for convenience

• The menu explicitly states that service is not included in the listed prices.

If you’ve travelled to the US, don’t stress. Staff in Europe don’t rely on tips like their American

counterparts do. And the venues here won’t make a fuss if you under-tip or choose not to tip.

If your taxi driver is helpful and polite:

• Tip 10% for long trips

• Round up to the next euro/pound for short trips.

At hotels, tip a porter one euro/pound for each bag they carry for you. Leaving some loose

change for your room cleaner each day will also be appreciated.

Remember: If in doubt, round up – or just ask!

Country Do Don’t

Germany Discuss politics and philosophy in

social settings.

Ask for tap water in a restaurant.

Ireland Smile and say hello to

passers-by.

Get offended by locals swearing or

gently making fun of you.

Italy Dress appropriately when visiting

churches.

Expect shops and restaurants to open

before 10am.

France Begin conversations with locals in

French.

Request alterations to menu items.

Scotland Keep your napkin on your lap. Call someone by their first name

unless they ask you to.

10

Local Customs

Tipping

Local MarketsTake a break from café lunches. Something you must do at least once in Europe is buy some fresh

food from a local market and treat yourself to a picnic.

Here are some of our favourite European markets:

• Mercado de le Lonja del Barranco (Seville, Spain) – 20 permanent stalls

serving the very best in local meat, seafood, cheese, vegetables, baked goods,

wine and beer.

• Marché des Capucins (Bordeaux, France) – A bustling indoor and outdoor

market that specialises in seafood, cheese, charcuterie, and fresh fruit and

vegetables.

• Salzburger Christkindlmarkt (Salzburg, Germany) – Pick up wonderful

Christmas gifts and souvenirs from these famous markets while soaking up the

festive atmosphere.

• Testaccio Market (Rome, Italy) – Over 100 vendors offering a range of local

specialties, with everything you could need to make your own pizza, cannelloni,

ravioli or gnocchi.

Read more market details here

Souvenir HuntingBuying souvenirs is a great way to remind you of the places you’ve visited. They can also be great

gifts to bring home to family and friends. The trick is to know what to buy and where, plus how to

get the best price for your mementos.

Top tips:

• Try buying one valuable souvenir from each country on your itinerary. If you

choose clothing each time, you can create a nostalgic European outfit!

• Shop around before committing. Price and quality can vary from stall to stall.

• Quirky fridge magnets make great mementos (and they’re easy to fit in a suitcase pocket!).

• Claim VAT on expensive items (find a step-by-step process for claiming VAT in this blog post).

• Buy some bubble wrap if you pick up any unpackaged fragile souvenirs.

• Sending postcards is old-fashioned these days – but keeping them for yourself is

a great way to reminisce or fill up your travel scrapbook.

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Shopping

Food & Drink

Culinary HighlightsEurope is well known for its wide variety of delicious cuisines. Every nation has its own special

concoctions and dishes, so it’s almost impossible to single any out. However, here are 5 of the most

renowned foods that entice people from all over the globe:

• Bon Appetite at the Bakery (France) – Croissants, pastries, éclairs, and

macarons are just the beginning of the baked banquet France is famous for.

• Marvellous Meats (Germany) – Whether pork, poultry or beef is your preferred

pick, you’ll soon discover that Germany is a giant, wunderbar meat market.

• Pizza and Pasta (Italy) – For many travellers, the authentic pizzas and pasta

dishes of Italy are the pinnacle of European cuisine.

• Creamy Chocolate (Belgium) – Belgian chocolate has been famous since the 1600s for its

unbeatable aromas, textures, and – of course – flavours.

• Pub Grub (Britain and Ireland) – Whether you fancy fish and chips or a hearty

home-style bangers and mash, you’ll find the perfect pub meal on the British Isles.

This map shows which countries have safe tap

water (blue) and which ones do not (orange).

Tap water is generally safe to drink

throughout Western Europe and parts of

Central Europe. However, the situation

is a little different in Eastern Europe.

If you’re travelling in any of the orange

countries, play it safe and buy bottled

water.

MACED

ONIA

RUSSIA

Can You Drink the Water?

12

Leaving your spouse at home for an independent, international getaway? Treating

yourself to a solo summer holiday? Or perhaps you’re secretly looking for an overseas

romance (you never know!). Whatever your motivations, travelling alone is a great way to

explore the world without anyone slowing you down.

Here are our top tips for solo travellers:

• Choose a close friend or relative and decide on a time that you’ll check in with

them digitally each day (e.g. via SMS, Facebook message, or video call).

• Leave a copy of your itinerary with your contact person back home.

• Get online and research your destination thoroughly (start with sites like TripAdviser

and Yelp).

• Book an escorted tour – there’s safety in numbers, and you’ll make some new friends!

• Keep your ID securely on your person whenever you go out.

• Avoid dark, empty alleyways.

• Walk as if you know where you’re going (even when you don’t!).

• Don’t dress like a tourist (leave your ‘I Heart Paris’ t-shirt at home).

Travelling alone doesn’t have to be daunting. And what better way is there to explore a

beautiful foreign country while also discovering new things about yourself? For more solo

travel tips, read this blog post.

TipsFor Solo Travellers

13

Countless unforgettable moments await you.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our European

Holiday Planner – and we hope you enjoy your

holiday in Europe even more!

Safe and happy travels from the team at

Albatross Tours.