Last January 1999, the euro was officially introduced. Coins and bills were circulated in January 2002. The value of the euro is currently a little higher than the US dollar but it has made traveling around Europe so much easier. With the euro, you also save money by simply buying one uniform currency, unlike before when you had to change your dollars into francs, liras, drachmas, zlotys and 10 other European currencies.

But even with the acceptance of the euro, travelers’ checks are still the most popular choice to safely carry many around when traveling. If checks are lost or stolen, the can always be replaced by the agency or the issuing bank on the spot or within a few days. Just make sure you always keep the purchase agreement of the checks with you and keep the serial number of the checks that you have spent. In this way, you can tell the bank which checks are missing. It is also easier to keep track of your spending using travelers’ checks. The most commonly accepted travelers checks are American Express, Thomas Cook and Visa. AMEX also replaces lost checks the fastest. It is also suggested that you carry checks in large denominations (from $50-$100) to avoid continuing the paying check-cashing fees that can add up.

Credit cards are also becoming more readily accepted all over Europe but can be useless for small purchases. You can also certainly use it to pay for hotel accommodation, plane tickets and other large or emergency purchases. The most widely accepted credit cards are MasterCard and Visa. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs in big cities and some countries. The obvious disadvantage of using credit cards is the risk of getting into debt once you get home. If you will be in Europe for more than a month, expect to be charged exorbitant monthly interest rates. Put a limit on your card before you leave home. Also check the invoices and receipts whenever you buy something with a credit card so you can compare it to your account statement once you get home.

It’s also good to bring a debit card with you. The money you spend with a debit card is taken directly out of your savings account. If your account runs out, you can’t pay. Debit cards can also be used to withdraw cash from ATMs and to make purchases in stores. The most popular debit cards are Eurocard and Cirrus Plus. If your debit card gets stolen, the thief can’t get your money unless he knows your pin number. So never write down your pin number anywhere. If the thief finds your pin number out and withdraws money, you can’t get it back.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash around because once it’s stolen, you’ll never see it again. However, it’s still a good idea to bring cash around, especially for emergencies. The money can be helpful if your travelers checks, passport, or credit cards are stolen along the way. Keep the money away from other valuables. Veteran travelers stitch an amount inside the lining of their backpacks.

If you will be away for a longer time or if you run out of money, you can have money sent to you using an international money transfer service. Just remember them that most banks charge a fee for wiring money, so use the service only when you have to. Your family or friends can also use the service like Western Union, but its rates may be higher than other agencies.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Europe Vacation

Today tourists marvel at their Old World charm, preserved as they were because their local economies failed. The cities became so poor that no one had the money or drive to tear them down, so there they sat, neglected and becoming sleepy little forgotten towns. But now like Rip Van Winkle they are coming awake and enjoying the happy circumstance of being discovered by the tourism industry and enjoying a revitalization of their local prosperity.

Bruges (broozh) in French and English and Brugge (Broo-gha) in Flemish, used to be a trading center of great importance, particularly in the cloth market. By the 14th century, it had a population of 35,000, about on a par with London at that time. By the 16th century, silt clogged the harbor and killed the economy. Now the North Sea is about 20 minutes away by train at Ostende.

Today Bruges is a town of canals straight from a Renoir painting, architecture that seems mostly pointed and gilded and cafes that tempt you to stay a little longer. It has chocolate shops everywhere, mostly family run, with some of the world’s best chocolates, according to connoisseurs. The display windows of the chocolate shops are enough to make the coldest heart melt for some chocolate. Speaking of melting, the chocolate shops may close in the heat of midday sun, so if you are a chocoholic, hope that it is a cool day.

In the center of Bruges is the Market Square and on the Market Square is a belfry. This bell tower has stood since 1300 and if you climb the 366 steps you can look over the entire little city. Just below, a few steps down, is the carillon room, which plays short happy little tunes on every quarter hour, the 47 bells are played by a mechanical device, but it also has a manual keyboard for the carillonist to give concerts. It really bangs out the hour on the hour; plan not to be in the tower at that time! Patronize one of the Belgian frite stands in the square before you leave, it’s practically customary.

Being essentially Walloon and Catholic in character, there is a plethora of religious sites, relics, paintings, etc. in Bruges. The Basilica of the Holy Blood’s claim to fame is its relic of the blood of Christ brought to Bruges after the Second Crusade, circa 1150. The Church of Our Lady has a delicate Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, said to be the only statue of his to leave Italy in his lifetime. The Gruuthuse Museum has a collection of everything medieval from bedpans to a guillotine.

If by now you’ve had your fill of culture, try to join the tour at the Straffe Hendrik (Strong Henry) brewery, where they make the locals’ favorite beer. It’s a 45-minute fact filled tour conducted in at least four languages. Belgians consider themselves to be Europe’s beer experts and they boast of 350 different types of beer. Trappist is the dark home-brew style beer and Dentergems is made with orange peel and coriander.

If you are looking for a picnic, spot the four windmills that are strung out alongside a canal and take your ease in the grassy park with some famous Belgian frites with mayonnaise, a section of a local sausage, washed down with a little beer and followed by a Godiva chocolate (or two) for dessert. Maybe not Omar Khayam’s choice of picnic fare, but close enough.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Europe Vacation

Adverse weather in Europe is rare. It’s rainfall you have to be wary about, so pack a raincoat or jacket, especially if you’re traveling between July and August.

1. Winter – The winter months can be very cold throughout the continent and takes place from December to March. The Scandinavian countries have winter from September to May and it can be very, very cold with nights that are extremely long. Eastern Europe also has difficult winters. The temperatures in Sofia, Prague and Warsaw usually drops below freezing. Winter is not exactly the best time to visit Europe unless you’re into winter sports. In southern Europe however, the climate is milder but it’s also the wettest time of the year.

2. Spring – This is usually considered to be the best time to visit most parts of Europe. Spring is from March to June and a big part of the continent thaws out and days get longer. It’s a beautiful time to see tulips in the Netherlands and the gardens of different castles in bloom. In southern Europe, spring is still not beach weather, but it is already comfortable enough to go sightseeing.

3. Summer – Summers in Europe can be unpredictable. Sometimes they are beautifully warm and sunny and at times it can be stifling hot. It also rains occasionally. As a general rule, summer in Europe is from July to late August and this is the finest weather of the year. In the northern parts of Europe, the days can get exceptionally long. Even in the southern parts, there is still sunlight at 10 pm. All along the Mediterranean, summers are hot and dry and the beach gets really crowded. Most cities in Europe can get quite humid and uncomfortable in the summer.

4. Autumn/Fall – Temperatures begin to cool down from mid-September and winter starts creeping in by November. This is similar to spring climate-wise and it can also be a great time to travel. In the northern parts of Europe, the scenery turns into brown and gold as trees start to shed their leaves. In southern Europe, the days become milder but are still quite warm. Balmy nights are not uncommon in September and October.

It definitely pays to do a little research on when the major festivals are taking place in the countries you will visit. You may have to tweak your plans a little to join the party ,so you can join in the local culture and this usually turns out to be a major highlight in your trip! If you’re not interested in any festivals however, try to avoid traveling through the particular city or town. Just remember that major festivals attract huge numbers of tourists and costs may also rise, so adjust your budget accordingly and reserve your accommodations in advance.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Europe Vacation

In January, the Carnival of Venice is the best-known of the many Carnivals held in Italy during the 10 days that lead up to Ash Wednesday. Venetians and tourists don masks and costumes for a continuous street party. Germany also holds its carnival season at around the same time. In Iceland, the first day of summer is celebrated with a huge street party. At around the same time in March, there are many colorful parades to watch out for during the holy week Festival in Portugal. This festival also features hundreds of barefoot penitents carrying torches around the city. On March 17, a great parade with lots of drinking is held to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.

From mid-May to June, music festivals abound. The Vienna Festival in Austria is one of the biggest music festivals in Europe. Another big music festival held in late June is England’s Glastonbury Festival. Norway’s Constitution Day held in May is the country’s biggest national holiday. A great celebration of opera, ballet and classical music is held in the Athens festival in Greece every June. The Holland Festival is Amsterdam’s celebration of arts, dance and theater. It is also held in late June.

In July, France celebrates Bastille Day. Its biggest celebration is in Paris which displays a military parade and fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower. The world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival is held in early July on the edge of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. If you are a fan of Mozart, make your way to the Salzburg international Festival in Austria. The famous running of the Bulls is held amid wild partying in the streets of Pamplona, Spain for eight days in early July. The Nottinghill Carnival in England is also a massive Caribbean street carnival held in west London in late August.

Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest usually starts in late September and goes on for a couple of weeks. If you love beer, this is a must. During the last few months of the year, most of Europe celebrates Christmas and New Year’s just like the rest of the Western world. If you are on the lookout for one of the world’s greatest New Year’s Eve parties, be sure to make your way to the pubs and streets of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Europe Vacation

Try to buy food in open air markets and supermarkets rather than in bistros and restaurants. Most hostels and rooms are equipped with cooking appliances, so you can cook your own breakfast or dinner. This works out even cheaper if you’re traveling with a group because expenses can be slashed into 3 or four. If you don’t like to cook, try to eat at the cafeterias and at places where there are a lot of locals. Stay away from tourist-oriented restaurants and caf

Europe has impressively retained its mix of the past and present. After sightseeing in medieval towns and castles, there is a bustling night scene in the local pubs, bars and cafes, especially in Barcelona, Copenhagen and London. More often than not, many of your most valued European experiences will be intangible; along the way, you will meet people with different points of view and backgrounds who will greatly enhance and perhaps even change, your life.

If you are still planning your first European trip, it’s important to know the scope of the land you are about to visit. To date, there are 36 countries in Europe that occupy a land area of almost 5.7 million sq km. This area is slightly less than three-quarters of Australia, or almost the 48 “continental” states of the USA. The distance between Los Angeles to Chicago is almost the same as the distance from London to Ankara. The distance between Lisbon and Helsinki is almost like the distance between San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio. In terms of population density, Europe’s is much greater than that of Australia, with an average density of about 100 people per square kilometer, which is four times the density of the USA. Europe’s total population is almost 575 million people; this is more than double that of the USA despite the fact that Europe’s landmass is only two-thirds of US territory. Europeans are quite evenly spread out over the continent except for the Netherlands which has a population density of almost four times the average. The Scandinavian countries, on the other hand, have a much smaller person-land ratio. Take Finland, for example which is about eight times the size of the Netherlands but has only less than a third of the latter’s population. Iceland is more than double the size of the Netherlands but has a density of less than three people per square kilometer. Norway has thirteen people per square kilometer; while Sweden supports a population comparable to the Netherlands’ but its land area is ten times bigger.

Maybe you already have an idea of what you want to see and experience while in Europe. The important thing is to go. Buy a good travel guide, book a plane ticket and cast aside all self doubt. Don’t worry about not having a good time (you probably will) or that you’ll lose your passport (a rare possibility if you just retain common sense), or even that you can’t afford it (there are cheap hostels and food along the way). Just go. You’ll have priceless experiences, amazing insights and perhaps, a start of a lifelong passion for travel.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Europe Vacation