European-Travel-Guides

07/10/2025

Excellent article on how to “behave” while visiting Italy 😊

(And How Ignoring It Instantly Marks You as a Foreigner)Italy is known for many things—its food, architecture, fashion, and pace of life. But ask anyone who has spent real time in the country, and …

06/17/2025

We Don’t Pretend to Be Great Travelers

We don’t pretend to be the world’s most seasoned travelers. We don’t know everything—far from it. We’ve made mistakes, stumbled through misunderstandings, and learned a lot along the way. Travel has made us better people—more tolerant, more understanding, and more aware of the world beyond our own doorstep.

But recently, we’ve noticed a few things that need to be said—especially for Americans (or really, anyone) traveling abroad.

First and foremost: Be polite.
Learn just a few words in the language of the country you’re visiting—“hello,” “please,” and “thank you” go a long way.

Second: Remember, you are a guest.
This is not your country. Please don’t expect things to be the same as they are at home. The streets may be uneven, the systems unfamiliar, and the pace different. That’s the point.

Don’t expect the sidewalks to be perfectly paved so you can roll your spinner luggage with ease. These are often centuries-old cobblestone streets—part of the charm. Travel with luggage that can handle it (hint: two-wheeled bags usually perform better than four-wheeled ones).

When dining, order with humility.
Don’t treat the menu like a list of suggestions. Order something as it is. Europeans—especially Italians—take pride in their cuisine. It’s not meant to be customized, substituted, or reimagined. It’s meant to be enjoyed as the chef intended.

And about that ice…
Please don’t ask for a giant cup of it. Only Americans fill their drinks with ice. Embrace room temperature or a couple of small cubes—it’s the local way.

Tone it down.
Use your inside voice. People around you are having conversations too, but you’ll notice you probably can’t hear them. Follow their example. You don’t need to broadcast every word.

If you’re thinking, “Well, I’ll do whatever I want because I’m entitled to have things the way I like them,” stop. No, you’re not.

Be a good traveler.
Be a polite visitor.
Be respectful of other cultures.

Embrace the differences. Stay curious. Open your mind. You just might find that letting go of “the way things are back home” helps you enjoy your journey even more.

05/12/2025

🖤

04/26/2025

A perfect day in Lucca 🖤

04/19/2025

Spaghetti aglio olio e pepperoncini - delicious!

12/17/2024

Footprints in the sand ❤️

12/15/2024

It’s not Europe, but it’s not a bad travel destination 😎

06/29/2024