...random notes for a U.S. citizen traveling in Europe [photo-free]

[Daniel Kalal]

A few years back, Dusty asked if I would put a few notes together for his Cedar Vale thing.  The evening schedule didn't work out, but (having come across the list) I thought I'd share those notes.  They're all quite brief, so if anything needs explanation, I can do that.

More to the point, I hope others (who have also done trips in Europe) will also chime in with further notes and travel tips.  That main point:  it's easy.


   • Decide to do it; then do it.
      ○ Daily cost isn't much different than in U.S.
   • Packing
      ○ Quick dry clothing
      ○ Laundry every night
      ○ Use straps; not bungee
      ○ Tire repair and pump
      ○ Electrical outlet
      ○ shoes
   • Arrival (Italy)
      ○ Aiport customs non-existent
      ○ Validate your train ticket
   • Language
      ○ English mostly common
      ○ One-page translation chart
         § Gasoline v diesel
   • What to wear
      ○ Riding suit
      ○ Layers
   • Credit cards and PIN & Chip
      ○ Notify before leaving
      ○ Buying fuel
         § France problems
      ○ Some hotels
         § Switzerland problem
   • Banks
      ○ ATMs work fine
      ○ Check for partner banks
   • Phone
      ○ update your plan
      ○ Keep data turned off
   • Maps
      ○ Waterproof
         § Reise Know-How (German)
         § National Geographic Adventure
   • GPS
      ○ Getting through towns
      ○ Set 25 miles at a time
   • Food
      ○ Head-nod method to order from menu
      ○ Tipping not necessary
      ○ Extra slow restaurants further south
   • Hotels
      ○ Accepting of motorcyclists
      ○ Finding
         § Not at edges
         § Park in town center and look about
         § Rooms above restaurant
      ○ Reservations needed?
      ○ Single = one twin bed
      ○ Bathrooms are late-additions
      ○ Breakfast included
         § Farther north; the more like U.S.
   • Riding
      ○ 120 - 200 miles per day
      ○ Lane Filtering
      ○ Lane Splitting
      ○ Manners
         § Better further north
      ○ Fuel availability
      ○ Tunnels
         § Lighting
            □ Austria uses red reflectors on RH side
         § Temperature - can be over 100 deg
         § Fumes
         § One-way w/signals
      ○ Switchbacks - look twice
      ○ Road Signs
         § Hit and miss
      ○ Highway Routes
         § Not much used (E highways excepted)
      ○ Toll roads
         § Quite high in France
         § Switzerland and Austria Vignettes
      ○ Ride your ride
   • Ferries
      ○ Tie downs (generally provided)
      ○ Slick steel deck
      ○ One strap over seat works best
   • Photography
      ○ Best shot is never from the seat
      ○ Take establishing shot

[oldbike54]

 Brilliant , thanks Deke 

 Dusty

[Furbo]

Lived 22yrs in Europe, mostly in N. Italy - that was a good run down.

[adaven]

That's a great list. Super complete. One thing that I thought about was the phone. if you have an unlocked phone (often you can simply get your current phone unlocked by your carrier) you can buy a local sim and a prepaid plan. In Spain, I used Yoigo. The kid at the store would change the sim and set up the phone. Usually you can recharge the account online. You get to keep all of the normal functions of the phone, including data, and it is pretty cheap.

[fossil]

That's a great list. Super complete. One thing that I thought about was the phone. if you have an unlocked phone (often you can simply get your current phone unlocked by your carrier) you can buy a local sim and a prepaid plan. In Spain, I used Yoigo. The kid at the store would change the sim and set up the phone. Usually you can recharge the account online. You get to keep all of the normal functions of the phone, including data, and it is pretty cheap.

Or better, use a Dual Sim version. By the way, tips are- well - very appreciated in the vicinity of 10 percent here in Germany.

[Unkept]

I opened a checking account through Charles Schwab, they have a refund program on any ATM fees you receive, and no international fees!

ATMs give you an accurate exchange rate, where banks and airport services will use a rate in their favor when you swap for another currency.

I loaded the money I wanted to spend on my Schwab, and had a Visa with no international fees as backup.

[azguzzirep]

I've been living in Germany for nearly seven years now. I traveled to France, Italy , Spain, Austria, Switzerland and other places. Don't worry about language, you'll get by.

Biggest problem is electric plug ins. They are different in England and Italy and you need an adapter or a cord where you can use your car/mc lighter plug to charge your phone.

Come on over!! It's friendly, pretty and full of castles and stuff!!

[Daniel Kalal]

you can buy a local sim

Good point.  Many new phones now come with e-sim which will allow you to make the change on the fly without the need to change out a physical sim.

through Charles Schwab, they have a refund program on any ATM fees you receive

Beyond ATMs, you'll have difficulty with your American credit card (which are all Chip-and-Signature, not Chip-and-PIN).  The difficulty comes at unattended filling stations, otherwise your American card will be fine in most all hotels and at stations that have an attendant.  Travelex offers a cash card for Euro travel, which is a true Chip-and-PIN, and it works well.

Biggest problem is electric plug ins. They are different in England and Italy.

There is also a difference between northern Europe and southern Europe plugs, which is slight, but I've been in a handful of older places that it was a problem.  The round prongs are not the same size.  However, it's likely you'll be fine everywhere as most outlets can accommodate both types.  Most electronic things these days can work with the frequency difference and the voltage difference, so you don't need to mess with anything more than a cheap plug converter.

in the vicinity of 10 percent here in Germany

Yeah; tips are funny things.  Yes; in Germany I typically ask the server to round up to the nearest whole number.  I think the number of one-time American tourists has changed things--particularly in larger cities.  We (Americans) are pretty free with tips (often above 20%) and tend to do the same in Europe.  That changes expectations.  But, generally, if you do tip, it shouldn't be anywhere near what you tip in the U.S.  Servers are actually paid a wage, whereas the nice lady in the Kansas coffee shop lives almost entirely on tips.

[Daniel Kalal]

electrical conversion plugs

Carry two and put some bright orange tape on them.  They're the sort of thing that's easy to leave behind, and you'll be out of luck if you do--the last thing you'll want to be doing on your trip is looking for an  American converter plug in Europe so you can charge your stuff.  And, in some places, they're not sold.

[Unkept]

The Schwab debit card can be used as chip and pin.

I think I can enable it on my Visa credit card as well, but I've never needed it.

[Daniel Kalal]

The Schwab debit card can be used as chip and pin.

I think I can enable it on my Visa credit card as well, but I've never needed it.

You will find that assigning a Pin to an American card (easy enough) won't make it Pin-priority (over signature-priority) and still won't allow it to work at point-of-sale terminals (unattended fuel pumps w/o Internet access.  I find my Bank of America Visa often works, but my Travelex (with full PIN-and-chip priority) always works.

[Lannis]

But, generally, if you do tip, it shouldn't be anywhere near what you tip in the U.S.  Servers are actually paid a wage, whereas the nice lady in the Kansas coffee shop lives almost entirely on tips.

Restaurants here have actually tried "paying a wage" to their wait staff ... and the wait staff leaves and goes to another restaurant to work where they can get tips instead, because it's more money.   It's why you won't find restaurants here where you don't tip.   

They can't "go back" in Europe, but unless something seriously changes, the system here will pretty much stay the same, because the folks getting the tips would rather have it that way.

That and local taxes.  It really rubs our English buddies the wrong way when lunch here is advertised for "$6.95" and they've got nothing left from a $10 bill once they've paid the tax (13% here in our little town) and tip.   In England, if lunch at the pub is £6.95, you get 5 pence back from £7, because the tax is always included in the price there, and there's no tipping.

CULTURE SHOCK!

Lannis

[ScepticalScotty]

A few things from me;

Go outside of "the season" . Self and Guzzi Jeff rode down from Roscoff to the Pyrenees in September, about a week or so outside the season, and we were able to get independent hotels with bike parking undercover every night for less than 60 euros, breakfast included. One place the manager put his car in the street so we could park our bikes undercover..

Spanish/French/German bikers are very freindly.

The Guzzi dealer in Toulouse is staffed by super freindly guys.

Spanish petrol seems to be magic.

The road less travelled is the best one.

Traffic in South East England is horrific. But Wales and Scotland are fantastic places to visit if you like twisty roads.

[tris]

That pretty much covers things Daniel 

One thing to remember though is that Europe is a collection of independent nations and the road rules vary from country to country

In the UK you give way to vehicles on a roundabout but I think there are still places in France where you give way to vehicles joining the roundabout - the Arc de Triomphe in Paris comes to mind from a bunch of years back

Its worth have a quick google for the countries you plan to travel through as fore warned is fore armed

Tris

PS
If you come across the channel remember to look the opposite way for the car that's trying to kill you
It always takes me a couple of leery days to remember that when I go the other way 

[Daniel Kalal]

...road rules vary...

You raise a good point, tris.  Perhaps the rule that will trip up Americans the most is that a red-light, stop-and-turn in Europe is illegal.  Yes; here and there, you'll see a sign that allows it, but the general rule is to stop and wait for the green.