Everyone makes little mistakes while traveling, sometimes they can really make you feel silly. For example, I once realized while on a bus to Boston from Portland, that I had left my passport in Maine! It all worked out in the end, but not before I had a serious freak out at the airport, worried I would not catch my flight. Sometimes a gaffe may feel like the most embarrassing moment of your life, while other times you may not even realize you are committing one.

What is your most embarrassing travel moment?

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Most people would agree that talking or texting on your cell phone while driving is distracting, and more states in America are growing less tolerant of it. Here in Maine, there is legislation that most likely will ban the use of hand held cell phones while driving. It’s a trend that is growing in the States but in Europe, the use of cell phones while driving has been illegal for quite some time.

For the record, we’re not saying don’t use a cell phone in Europe. In fact, that’s the opposite of what we’re saying. You should have a cell phone with you, if nothing else for safety. Europe is extremely cell phone friendly, just not on the roads while driving. This applies to every country in Europe. If you must make a phone call in the car, and there is no passenger available to make the call, try to find a place to safely pull over. If you absolutely positively must talk while driving, (as of today) the use of hands free devices is legal everywhere in Europe except Portugal. Check out the full list of countries that have banned cell phones while driving.

Remember, wherever you go in Europe, it’s best to brush up on laws and customs beforehand so you don’t end up in an embarrassing situation! Safe travels!

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Currency Converter
Pretty self explanatory, these apps convert currency amounts for you at the current exchange rate. Better than carrying a calculator.

Postcards
I think this is the coolest app I found! Ever wanted to send someone a postcard on vacation? If you’re anything like me, you buy a whole bunch when you land, and then forget to send them before you leave. Some people are better at this than I, but for those of us who aren’t these postcard apps are for you. Here’s how it works: take a photo with your phone of something neat, write a brief message and designate who you want to send it to. The photo and message are sent to a 3rd party who then prints it out and mails it for you. This means, you can be in all your own postcards! I can’t wait to try this one out.

Location Games and Trivia
Scavenger hunts and trivia challenges are a great way to familiarize yourself with any city. Some of these look like so much fun!  Even regular games are a great way to pass the time on flights and train rides, just not while driving!

Maps
Of course, most smart phones come loaded with general mapping systems, but they won’t include subway maps. Thankfully, many major cities have interactive rail maps available for your smart phone. If you’re looking for turn by turn directions, the best choice right now would actually be to rent a GPS, as the apps for this feature are usually pretty pricey.

What are your favorite travel apps?

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Relax
This one is important to remember. It’s amazing how taking a nice deep breath when tensions are high manages to calm your nerves. It’s important to not let the actions of others affect your mindset when out and about. If someone takes your parking space, don’t worry about it. There will be another one soon. If someone gets in front of you in line, strike up a conversation!

Be Aware
Whether you are out driving, shopping, or catching a flight, there are going to be other people. Lots of them. Try not to drive if you’re tired. If you have to drive, make sure to grab a coffee to stay alert. The same goes for shopping. An alert shopper is more likely to have a better, faster experience.

Plan Ahead
Of course staying in by the fire with some egg nog is ideal, but if you have to go out, try to plan where you need to go. Stick to that plan, but don’t worry if you get off course due to things like traffic. If you are flying, make sure you give yourself extra time to get through security checkpoints.

Be Courteous
It’s easier to smile and feel better instantly, than to stay angry. If you see someone struggling with their luggage, groceries or presents, offer to lend a hand. Odds are, you will make someones day. This will make you both feel better.

Safety First
If the weather outside is truly frightful, try to stay off the roads. Drink responsibly and always use a designated driver when going to holiday parties. You will be glad you did.

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I know it’s a somewhat late announcement, but I wanted to remind everyone to not forget the sunscreen on your next trip to the beach! Even if you’re not going anywhere far, I can tell you from experience, that just a little exposure to the sun on areas of your body that don’t have a base tan can mean burn city. And it’s painful too! Just ask any of the people that sit near me at work.

You see I thought I could just get a base tan by only using a non-waterproof SPF 4 spray. I was very, very wrong, and now my stomach would be done if I were in a lobster cook off. I’m covered in burns, and have been wincing and whining all about it all day. Hopefully the pain ends soon. If I come across something that makes it go away, I will let you know ASAP! Until then, use at least SPF 30 if you really want to avoid those terrible burns. I know I wish I had!

Stay Safe,
Hans Ericsson

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The second reason a smaller car might not be a bad idea is due to the cost of fuel. While steps have been taken to already be more fuel efficient, Europe has some rather high gas prices. Use internet resources to find out average prices. This will at least give you an idea of what to expect on your next vacation in Europe.

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The first thing you should ask yourself is how badly you need to use your own bike? There are business all over Europe that will rent you whatever kind of bicycle you want!  This means you won’t have to travel with your bike. Personally, I can’t imagine taking my bike overseas. Assuming your bike makes it to Europe in one piece, you are going to have a hard time finding a rental car company that will rent you a car with a bike rack. Because the car rental suppliers usually won’t have a rack, you will be forced to rent a larger vehicle, which is going to cost you.  The difference you would pay for a van is usually more than the cost of a couple bicycle rentals, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Another thing to think about is where you want to go. If you are interested in biking in England, but you don’t know where, do research! There are a plethora of cycle clubs all over the Europe, and they are always looking for people to join them!

Lastly, make sure you know the rules of the road. This may seem like common sense, but the rules can change quite drastically depending on what country you are in.  There are no exceptions for not knowing proper safety protocol.

Whether you’re trail riding in the Black Forrest, or racing through the French wine country, cycling can be a wonderful way to see the country side on your next European vacation.

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Remember if you have questions about any aspect of your rental, this blog is a great place to bring them up!

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The Street View allows the user to actually see the street and surrounding buildings with 360° horizontal and 290° vertical panoramic views.  Cars with cameras actually have to drive down each street to create the images. If the streets are too narrow, bikes are sometimes used.  If you haven’t experienced it, you should check it out. If you live in any major city in the US you will most likely be able to access the feature.  As of right now this feature is available in the following European countries: France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and most recently, the United Kingdom.

The Eiffel Tower as seen with Google Street View

While it’s good to know what a location may look like before you get there, you know you will always find your way with a portable GPS rental from Auto Europe while on your next vacation.

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It’s never too late to learn a second language, and technology makes it significantly easier than ever before. Computer programs are now specifically designed to teach language, complete with voice recognition technology. Thanks to the internet, you can access pretty much any website in a variety of languages, to help find reading material. There are also many free online translation sites which can help if you out if you get stuck.

Once overseas, there are books and electronic pocket translators you can use that will make communication fast and easy. Brushing up on language may not seem like an important part of travel, but it’s something you will be glad you did once you are there. While English is spoken throughout most of Europe, it’s important to at least try to speak the native language. It shows respect and can often lead to new friendships and conversations.  Many times travelers will find that when practicing a new language overseas, they often are told, “Don’t worry, I speak English,” before the conversation even begins.

In short, learning at least some of a foreign language will help you on your next vacation in Europe.

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