Steves - Andy Steves Europe

CITY-HOPPING ON A BUDGET

Modern travelers have the world at their fingertips thanks to mobile technology. Budget airlines and online resources have turned backpackers into shrewd precision travelers, city-hopping across Europe at the spur of the moment. Were visiting cities rather than countries, and packing incredible adventures into increasingly shorter time slots. This book leverages all the tools at your disposal todaytech, on-the-ground resources, and my many local friendsto help you maximize your time, money, and fun in Europes top destinations.

Good travel is all about two things: bringing the right mindset to embrace the unexpected and sorting out the practical logistics. The second part of that equation is what the rest of this book is all aboutthe logistics of getting from A to B in the most time-efficient and cost-effective way, and having a blast while youre there. Ill be with you every step of the way!

But your mindset is just as important. We live in a complex world, with many different points of view swirling around us in more media formats and screens than ever before. Technology is accelerating progress around the globe, and world cultures and economies are changing at a rapid rate. Its never been more important to understand and connect with people from other cultures. The lower to the ground you travel, the more you embrace each fascinating destination and the more likely you are to have life-changing experiences.

In all my years of travel, the most memorable experiences and my most fond memories are ones Ive collected with the new friends and connections Ive made on the road. If youve never traveled or studied outside the country, being somewhere completely different can be nerve-racking. People, food, languageeven the laws will be different than what youre used to. The resulting anxiety can lead you to trap yourself inside your Comfort Bubble.

The Comfort Bubble is that safe group of familiar friends you meet abroad. They listen to the same music as you do, eat the same food, take the same classes, and are easy to relate to. Dont get me wrong; I enjoy meeting compatriots while traveling. However, if at the end of your time abroad, the only new friends you made are English speakers, you may need to reevaluate why youre traveling in the first place.

Dont let the Comfort Bubble prevent you from experiencing Europe to the fullest. Break free and immerse yourself in something new. Dive into a local festival, sample strange food, flirt with that cute French guy (or girl). Youll make memories that will ultimately make you a better, more worldly human being.

In my experience, simply saying yes to things I havent tried before is the most direct route to creating unforgettable memories. Of course, some lines should never be crossed, but in general, being a yes-man or yes-woman for the day (or night) can be really fun. You have a chance to catch a ftbol match in Madrid? Say yes! Never tried smoked herring? Gulp it down in Amsterdam. Do as the Berliners do and stay out till sunrise. Expose yourself to new experiences. You wont regret it.

Take every opportunity to learn something new about each place you visit. Ask locals where they go on a Saturday night. Ask them about their political climate or discuss American politics. Ask them about their unique national holidays or about some other facet of their culture. Theyll appreciate your interest, and they are sure to have questions for you as wellLord knows weve got a lot to talk about.

When it comes to making conversation, dont ask where someone is from without a follow-up ready to go (without it the conversation will be short lived). Instead, have a lineup of compelling opening questions to ask those sitting next to you on the train or at the bar. Some suggestions:

Where are you headed next? What is there to do there?

Where else should I travel?

I really like X. Where should I go to experience that?

As this book was nearing completion, terrorism in Europe once again dominated the headlines. Terrorism has become an unavoidable fact of life. Though media coverage of these events makes it seem as though the world is rapidly going to hell in a handbasket, rest assured that Europe is a safe place for travelers (Western or otherwise). If youre anxious about terrorist attacks in Europe, take a deep breath and try to place the risk in perspective. The chances of your being affected directly are astronomically minusculeyou can look it upand as every European understands, the best way to counter terrorism is by refusing to be terrorized.

We travel to faraway cities because of their romantic and pristine charm. Adopt local habits and customs to preserve the fragile beauty that attracted you to Europe in the first place.

Europe has been quick to understand the threat of climate change, embracing ambitious initiatives to minimize cities and peoples carbon footprints. You can help. Use public transit or walk. Avoid waste. Remember that electricity and energy are closely monitored and optimized for your use. Support locally owned and operated businesses. Give back as much as you gain from your travel experience so that the local communities you visit can thrive.

I grew up traveling with my father, travel guru Rick Stevesyou may have read his books, seen his TV show, listened to his radio specials, or even taken one of his tours. From infancy through high school, I spent weeks each summer with my family in Europe learning the ins and outs of budget travel.

My approach to travel fuses my fathers love of culture with all the tools available today thanks to modern technology. Through college, I worked as a tour guide for Rick Steves Europe. While studying abroad in Rome in 2008, I started organizing trips for my friends each weekend, leading groups of 5-10 fellow students. By the end of the semester, these groups had swelled to more than 30 people, and thats when I recognized a need.

Upon returning home, I began formulating ideas for tips and trips designed specifically for budget travelers and students abroad in Europe. That led to Weekend Student Adventures (wsaeurope.com)a business concept that won the University of Notre Dames entrepreneurship competition in 2010 and led to an appearance on ABCs Shark Tank in 2014. WSA Europe now leads thousands of students and budget travelers on affordable, local tour experiences in thirteen cities over 3- to 12-day packages. The tours I designed and refined for my company provided the foundation for each city chapter in this book.