European Vacation

A European vacation with your family is one of the most exciting and educational things you can do together. Train travel allows you to see the beautiful countryside in detail, and you can do it at a great discount.

A European vacation has so much to offer, you will have to decide ahead of time what kind of vacation you want. You can travel from Madrid to Paris, then Rome, trying to see all the sights along the way as you rush by. This can be fun because you are seeing and doing so much, there is no way to be bored, and you will remember the trip forever. The downside is that you don’t get to feel as much of the local culture and lifestyle when you are rushing through. Spending some of your European vacation in the same place and getting to know some of the locals can be much more satisfying and relaxing.

It all depends on your personality and what you are looking for in a vacation. A lot of people like to travel by train for their vacation so that they can see more areas, getting great pictures, and they will be able to say they have seen all of those famous landmarks. Some people would rather pick a place and spend the whole time there, really soaking in the atmosphere with their family and getting to know the customs.

Some of you may prefer to combine the two options for a European vacation that I have described above. Pick a city, like Madrid for example. Fly into Madrid, get a nice hotel, and stay there for about a week. There are many beautiful monuments and sights to see, and you can walk around downtown and see them up close and personal. You can eat at some local restaurants, take short day trips to see other areas of the city, and come back to your hotel in the evening.

When your week is up, you can travel by train to continue your European vacation in the sunny southern province of Andalucia. This area of Spain has beaches on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The weather is hot and sunny from spring through the fall, and the climate is dry. The beaches are fine, white sand and amazing blue water. Tourists from all over the world, and especially from the rest of Europe, fill these beaches every summer. Take at least a week and find a hotel or villa near the beach. You can spend every day at the beach working on your tan, relaxing in the warm sun, and swimming in the crystal blue waters. The seafood is spectacular in southern Spain, and you will have no problem finding great restaurants with mouth-watering food at great prices. If you like to go out at night, there are more bars and nightclubs than you can possibly visit. You can be sure that you can stay out dancing as long as you want to.

When you are done relaxing in a sunny beach town, you can fly or travel by train to vacation in Paris for a week. There are all kinds of historic sites and museums to see. You can walk or take a bus around to see all of the areas of the city, enjoy French restaurants, and soak in the culture. When you are all done, you can fly home again, knowing that you saw a vast amount of historic and cultural sites, beautiful countryside, and had a great time at the beach relaxing. A little bit of everything, to make your European Vacation complete.

Wait until your friends hear about it!

About the Author

Aaron Anderton lived in Spain for 3 years, and continues to visit Europe regularly. Aaron owns Southern Spain Trips, a website devoted to providing information about Southern Spain.

Personal Safety in Italy

Picture this:

You’re finally on vacation! You have been planning this trip to Italy for over a year. You’re excited! The last thing on your mind is being a victim of a crime, right?

WRONG!

Unfortunately, we are living in a world where we MUST anticipate the unfortunate.

When you are in a foreign country, such as Italy, you must ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. Understandably, constantly being on guard is not such a fun way to spend a holiday, but in the long run, being safe is ALWAYS better than being sorry. Think about it this way: Who wants to remember their vacation for “losing” a favorite ring or a substantial amount of money? If you say “Nobody”, you are CORRECT!

Vacations SHOULD be FUN – and memorable for things other than being a victim of a crime.

Fortunately, there are ways to have fun and to be safe!

It’s important to remember that not everybody gets mugged while on vacation, but bad things sometimes do happen, so the following are some suggestions and advice on how to handle yourself while visiting Italy:

A centrally-located hotel can be both a blessing and a curse. The good news, of course, is the fact that you are in the center of a major tourist place, such as Rome or Florence. All the famous sites and attractions are at arm’s reach! The bad news: Most of the shady characters mingle in tourist centers, and are ready to reach inside your pockets! These thieves usually work in groups. For example, one might distract you by “accidentally” stepping on your foot, and while he is “apologizing” his partner is swiftly going through your pockets. Another popular method to distract you is to a have a “dog” bite the back of your leg. As you turn around to see what is going on, the “doggy owner’s” buddy robs you. Also, beware of anyone who offers you a flower or a colorful handkerchief. Again, this con artist is attempting to trick you into not paying attention to your surroundings, and is prepared to swipe some of your money. Never lose track of where you are, and who is around you. Enjoy the sights! But also keep an eye out for trouble. Some of the more targeted cities (and areas) include the aforementioned Rome (near the Termini Train Station, Coliseum, Spanish Square, Trevi Fountain), Naples, Florence, and Pompeii.

Another thing to remember is to ALWAYS leave your valuables locked in the hotel’s safe. Do not carry too much cash, and limit yourself to only one credit card. Also, make several copies of important documents, such as your passport, and keep these copies stored at different locations: one in your suitcase, another in the safe, and yet another one at home. In the unfortunate event that you are mugged, your valuables, and most importantly your passport will be safe and sound. If you are carrying cash, make sure you keep it in a security pouch or a money belt underneath your clothes. Never keep money in a back pocket or in an easily-accessible purse. Do not leave your purse sitting on a table while you eat, or hanging from the back of your chair. Your purse should always be on your body. Otherwise, you become a prime target of a purse snatcher – be it on foot or on a motorcycle. And please avoid wearing too much jewelry! These thieves will not care if they tear your earrings off with your ear attached!

Whenever possible avoid public transportation and take a cab instead. Metros and buses are major fairgrounds for pickpockets. Where there is a crowd, there is a good chance that confusion may arise, and this makes for a perfect opportunity for a pickpocket to go to work.

Beware of anyone who behaves oddly around you. Sure you may appear paranoid, but wouldn’t you rather be paranoid than victimized? Pickpockets and muggers seek out the vulnerable. If you look like you are aware of your surroundings, nobody will attempt to mess with you!

These suggestions are not meant to scare anyone. You ARE supposed have a good time while visiting Italy, but a little preparation and caution will go a long way, and you are bound to truly have a memorable vacation!