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Beside the obvious, ‘take a map,’ and ‘check transport options’ tips, here are a few things I wished someone had told me before spending the summer in Europe.
1. There’s a fast lane on the escalator in most European cities, if you are standing still on the left-hand side someone will poke your behind and make you move!
The escalators also have motion sensors, so if it's not moving, it doesn't mean it's broken. It’ll move once you walk on it.
2. Jay walking - don’t do it man!
It’s highly likely that an elderly person will shout at you in a language you don’t understand and it’ll be scary.
In Berlin their pedestrian robot is even famous - he has his own shop and everything. His name is Ampelmännchen.
3. June and July are sale months!
Yes, I know - you’ll thank me later.
Sale - English
Solde - French
Verkauf - German
Rebajas - Spanish
Wyprzedaz - Polish
4. Get a bicycle
It’s the cool thing to do and best way to discover the city. You know, and pretend you’re the protagonist in a Nicholas Sparks novel.
In Germany, you can rent a bike with Next Bike.
Alternatively you can use Deutsche Bahn.
In Amsterdam, you can rent a bike through Rent-a- bike Amsterdam.
In Paris, you can rent-a bike through the Paris Bike Company.
5. In most European cities the bicycle lanes and pedestrian lanes are separate.
You won't survive walking in the bicycle lane, especially in Amsterdam. Getting around on your bicycle is the most common mode of transportation, and the city has approximately 881,000 bicycles.
6. The summer is not really summer, like we know and love it.
It will get cold some time or another, and at least once during your stay you’ll go back to your hotel/hostel/friend and be soaked because you left the house in slops and a t-shirt but it ended up raining. Carry a small umbrella at all times.
7. You know how we like small talk in South Africa?
It’s just friendly, right? Yeah, no, leave those tendencies at home. Europeans are not fans of small talk, get to point - no beating around the bush. Then, and only then, will you find your European bestie.
Happy summer traveling!
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