CONTENTS: Vacationing in Europe – 84 Big Ideas!
  About the Book: 12  
 

Big Idea - It is hard to see The Big Picture when you don’t even know  what                 it is that you should know

15  
  Big Idea -  The devil is indeed in the details.  An organizer will insure that you       haven’t forgotten or overlooked some item or information 16  
  Big Idea -  Don’t buy a guide book – create your own! 17  
  Big Idea -  Get rid of paper; utilize technology to create an electronic record                 of the information you want 18  
  Introduction -Weekend Warriors Need Vacations 20  
  Big Idea – Weekend Warriors take all of their earned vacations 25  
     
 

PART I: Before (Creating the Plan)

  
       
 

1. Dead Tree Technology Encounters the Electronic Warrior

 30  
  Big Idea – It's now easier than ever to be your own travel guide 30  
  Big Idea – Building your own guide book 31  
  Big Idea – It's easy to abandon paper and go all electronic on your trip 33  
       
  2. How Much Money Do I Need? 35  
  Big Idea – Per Diem rates are a hardball figure to establish a range for        expenditures  35  
  Big Idea – Some parts of Europe are more expensive than others. Generally        speaking a modest vacation in the south will  be less expensive than a similar            one in the north  35  
  Big Idea – You must establish your “Threshold of Financial Comfort”  as you  contemplate a European vacation.  Do that before  you begin any planning       whatsoever   36  
  Big Idea – Your expenditures fall into one of two categories: Fixed Expenditures         and Daily Expenditures  38  
       
  3.  Choosing a Destination 42  
  Big Idea - Choose a location that aligns with your reasons for the trip and                 will meet your comfort level  44  
  Big Idea– Popular places tend to be expensive places 45  
  Big Idea– Planning a successful trip requires time. You need to commit to                     a trip in advance 47  
  Big Idea – Find out what recent travelers have thought about the place you             have picked. It is not improbable that you can communicate with them to                  get information directly from them 49  
  Big Idea– Stay in one location for an extended period of time. Take day trips            from there to explore the surrounding Area 51  
  Big Idea– Pick a central location so that you can easily and quickly get to               various locations of interest to you in the surrounding area 52  
  4.  Finding the Best Airfare Possible 56  
  Big Idea– Look for the flight with the least amount of layovers that will cost               you the least amount of money 56  
  Big Idea– Minimize the variables - pick a flight itinerary with the fewest stops.           Don’t allow Murphy’s Law to kick in – If anything can go wrong, it will 58  
  Big Idea – The $64,000 question: How do I find the best price on airfare? 62  
  5.  Cut Costs While Upgrading 67  
  Big Idea - Travel with friends so you can split costs and thereby be able to            afford nicer amenities 67  
  Big Idea - Invite several friends that would be good travel companions.                     This increases the probability that at least one friend or couple will take                     you up on the offer 70  
  Big Idea- You will be far more successful if you extend your invitation far                     in advance of the trip, as most people need lots of time to mull it over 71  
  6. Sleeping on Vacation 75  
  Big Idea- Hotels are neither remarkable nor the least expensive option.            Interesting alternatives for excellent prices are available 76  
  Big Idea - Think outside the box to experience a unique, pleasant, and           comfortable stay while in Europe 81  
  7. Reserving Your Lodgings 89  
  Big Idea - While there are some rental processes that are a bit trying,                 landlords want your business and will work with you. So don’t get too                annoyed by minor obstacles 90  
  8. Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Buses 99  
  Big Idea - The type of vacation you take will influence what will work                         best for getting around during the trip 99  
  Big Idea- The four major factors in choosing your transportation mode                      will be Availability, Convenience, Cost, and Comfort 100  
  Big Idea - Be flexible with your plan. Don’t narrow down your transportation         choices to one approach. You have options 104  
  9. Your Documents, Please! 122  
  Big Idea - Procuring your passport and international driver’s permit is neither           costly nor time consuming. Deal with the appropriate agencies – don’t         procrastinate, take  care of it now 122  
  Big Idea - Do not lose your passport. Make a copy of any absolutely                   positively important document that you may need on your trip 124  
  10. Pack Light – Dress Well 128  
  Big Idea - Someone has to haul your luggage around. That someone is YOU!         Think: essential, comfortable, versatile, and ‘casually dressy 128  
  Big Idea - The locals do not expect you to dress like them. Choose your               wardrobe on the basis of these three descriptions: Tasteful, Tasteful, and             Tasteful 136  
  Big Idea - Hand washing and then hanging clothes to dry is an                    inconvenient pain in-the-you-know-what! Minimize the pain, take clothes                   that will wash and dry quickly 137  
  Big Idea - You are going to do some serious walking about as                                 you sightsee. Do some pre-conditioning and make sure your shoes and                   socks are up to the task 138  
  11. Because Any Old Bag Just Won’t Do 144  
  Big Idea - Take a bag that is portable, maneuverable, durable, and                  functional. You’ll be glad you did 145  
  Big Idea - If you are going to a fixed location and not changing lodgings,                  you don’t have to deal with your luggage – pay someone else to do that 151  
  12. Dealing With Airport Security 154  
  Big Idea - Check the airline rules and regulations on items that you can carry                in your luggage before you pack 154  
  Big Idea - Security hassles are here to stay. Do yourself and fellow                passengers a favor – plan ahead. We all want to get through that process                    as quickly and as efficiently as possible 155  
  Big Idea - When preparing to go to the airport, think “How can I make                        the bag screener’s job easier 156  
  13. Fail Safe Packing Strategies 163  
  Big Idea - You say toe-may-toe and I say toe-mah-toe. Everybody                             has their own packing strategy. The best strategy is to have an actual strategy 163  
  Big Idea - If you are trying to minimize wrinkling when you pack                             your clothes, just understand that they are going to suffer some amount                       of wrinkling regardless of the packing scheme you use 164  
  Big Idea - The very process of preparing for a vacation is stressful. It is easy                 to be overcome by details. Use a packing checklist 168  
  14. The No–Brainer Stuff That Gets Overlooked 170  
  Big Idea- Creating a checklist of items and actions that can’t be overlooked                   is a good way to insure that the niggling details of life are taken care of 170  
  Big Idea - Summer is the peak season for burglaries. Do everything you                   can to decrease the odds of a break-in while you are gone 172  
  15. Possible Bag AKA Flight Bag, Day Bag etc 174  
  Big Idea - Remember the Boy Scout’s motto: Be Prepared. It is impossible                  to carry around everything you might ever need, think: compact and                   indispensable 174  
  16. How Do You Say 180  
  Big Idea - English is rapidly becoming the language of communication                        in Europe. Period 180  
  Big Idea - Businesses in touristy areas want your money. They want to                   facilitate the process for you to spend your money 180  
  Big Idea - Generally speaking, you will encounter more English speakers                     in Northern Europe than Southern Europe. That situation will change over time 181  
  Big Idea - The respectful visitor learns at least a few survival phrases                        and polite niceties in the native language of the country they are visiting 182  
  Big Idea - There are many ways to learn to speak survival Phrases without           signing up for a language class 183  
  Big Idea- Acclimatize your ears to the sounds of a language prior to your         departure 185  
  17. Getting Juiced 188  
  Big Idea - Consider the inconvenience factor when planning what                        electrical or electronic products you are going to take on the trip 188  
  Big Idea - Look for ways to recharge your devices that don’t limit you                         to the plug-in-the-wall outlet 190  
  18. T’was the Night Before Departure 195  
  Big Idea - Remember what they often say about “the best laid plans of                       mice and me” 195  
  Big Idea - Your goal should be to start your vacation rested, relaxed,                        and stress free 197  
     
  PART II - During  
  19. All Hell Breaks Loose 201  
  Big Idea - Your flight day goal is to arrive at your destination                            psychologically and physically ready to begin your vacation 201  
  Big Idea- Ever since the deregulation of the airline industry, consumers                       have steadily lost in terms of “rights 203  
  20. What I Did on My First Day of Vacation 209  
  Big Idea - Use the first day to take care of the logistical chores so that they               don’t eat into your time during your vacation 209  
  21. European Traveler - Phone Home! 212  
  Big Idea - Embrace your inner techie and release the technological                       hounds. The progress and innovation in worldwide communication will                      soon make this issue a mere afterthought 212  
  22. Know Your Limits 218  
  Big Idea - Overindulgence is one of the chief causes for health grief on                        a vacation 218  
  Big Idea - It is going to cost you money to spend your money. Have a                     strategy to minimize the cost 225  
  23. I Eat Therefore I Am 231  
  Big Idea – Eat to live or live to eat? 231  
  Big Idea - Staying within your eating comfort range while eating                         nutritious food requires minimal effort 233  
  Big Idea - Eat like a local and eat at the places locals hang out. It is less                   expensive and more fun 235  
  Big Idea - Observe the culture, customs, and etiquette surrounding the                     eating of food 238  
  Big Idea - Whatever your drinking habits may be, it is best to practice                  moderation during your vacation 240  
  Big Idea - All cultures are proud of their specialty dishes and drinks.                           Be mindful of this 242  
  24. The Polite Guest 245  
  Big Idea - Think of yourself as a guest in someone’s home and behave                  accordingly 245  
  Big Idea - Having the authentic travel experience is the result of                                good manners and being a gracious guest 248  
  Big Idea - Practice the basic social niceties of the country you are visiting                  and you will avoid offending anyone 249  
  25. The Sensible Visitor is a Safe Visitor 257  
  Big Idea - The fear of the unknown is the result of being unable to pinpoint                the specific cause of the unease 257  
  Big Idea - Be proactive by practicing self awareness and exercising caution                  at all times 259  
  26. Living Like a Local 262  
  Big Idea - If you want to have the authentic travel experience go where                     the locals go and do what the locals do 263  
  Big Idea - Anything less than sincere behavior will come across as                  condescending, patronizing, and insulting 267  
  27. When Life Happens 273  
  Big Idea -“Just in case” planning is a realistic attitude 273  
  Big Idea - Unless your name is Waldo, your relatives should not try to figure              out where in the world you are during emergencies 275  
  Big Idea- Before calling in the cavalry, be sure to first work through the local               authorities 277  
     
  PART III - After  
  28. Click Your Heels Three Times 282  
  Big Idea - For the return journey home assume nothing, don’t take                            anything for granted, and double-check every detail 283  
  29. I Do Declare! 287  
  Big Idea - The only two certainties in life are death and taxes 288  
  Big Idea - Yes, Uncle Sam will want its bite when you re-enter the US 290  
  30. Readjusting the Fabric of the Time 294  
  Big Idea - The jury is still out on remedies for jet lag and if the effects                        of jet lag can be avoided 294  
  31. Gloating 298  
  Big Idea- Reliving your vacation for the “benefit” of your friends makes                     the whole experience that much more worthwhile. Really 298  
       
 

 

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