Ep 14. European Travel Skills: Part III

In the Rick Steves' Europe season 7 episode 14 titled European Travel Skills: Part III, host Rick Steves shares his expertise on how to become a savvy traveler in Europe. He covers various topics like packing tips, money-saving strategies, and navigation techniques to help tourists make the most of their European trip.

Throughout the episode, Rick provides essential tips for packing light and efficiently. He demonstrates how to organize one's clothing and accessories to fit everything into a compact carry-on bag, emphasizing the importance of leaving unnecessary items behind to make room for souvenirs and other finds. The host also shares his personal travel essentials, such as a collapsible water bottle and neck pillow, to help jet-setters stay comfortable on long flights and train rides.

As Rick Steves moves on to money-saving strategies, he emphasizes the importance of booking accommodation, transportation, and activities in advance. He advises travelers to consider off-season travel, where they can save up to half the price compared to peak season. He also recommends taking advantage of local public transportation and exploring lesser-known attractions.

The host then delves into navigation techniques, emphasizing the importance of using a combination of offline and online maps to navigate a foreign city. Rick shows how offline maps can help tourists avoid expensive data roaming charges while exploring a new city. He also highlights the usefulness of local transportation apps like Uber, Lyft, and international bike-sharing programs like Citybike and Velib.

Rick Steves covers a variety of other topics that will be essential to tourists visiting Europe. He explains the differences in electrical outlets and voltage standards throughout Europe, provides tips on how to overcome language barriers, and demonstrates how to order food like a local in lesser-known restaurants.

Throughout the episode, Rick offers practical advice on useful apps for smartphone users. He highlights apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Google Translate, which can be useful tools for travelers hoping to communicate with locals, plan their itinerary, and stay in touch with their loved ones back home.

Overall, European Travel Skills: Part III is the perfect episode for travelers planning a trip to Europe. Rick Steves shares his wealth of knowledge and experience to help tourists navigate the continent with ease and confidence. From packing tips to money-saving strategies, this episode covers everything needed to make the most of a European vacation and create life-long memories.