1. Driving Differences

For those who wish to rent a vehicle while in Crete, it is important to know the main driving differences. First of all, there is a speed limit. Second of all, there are often no posted signs anywhere that indicate what that speed limit is. Keeping up with traffic is your best bet, whether you’re in a small car or bigger caravan. Road work could pop up at any time and there might be bumps on the road. Bear all of this in mind when you decide to go for a drive.

Photo by Ricymar Photography

2. Strong Winds

If you are not careful while in Crete, you could lose items that you hold dear to their powerful winds. Some even say that cars that are parked too close to the sea have been blown into the waters and those who wish to head to the mountains to take photographs are especially susceptible to their whims. Whether or not that’s fully true, be careful when you step out to snap your pictures!

3. Plumbing Issues

Most people are accustomed to flushing their toilet paper whenever they use the restroom, but different rules apply when in Crete. The Greek plumbing system has not been constructed to handle mass amounts of waste, so visitors are often advised to put their waste paper in the bins that are provided. The newer toilets work normally, but remember to do as the sign says whenever you see one – failure to do so could result in a stoppage of your toilet and an unwanted visit from the remnants of past bathroom trips.

4. Pedestrian Pitfalls

Walking around Crete can be a blast, but tourists should beware of drivers at all times. There may be people driving who are not looking out for pedestrians and have very little patience for those who are in their way, so just strive to stay vigilant at all times. Pedestrian crossings might take a little longer to clear, but remain calm and enjoy your trip. Better safe than sorry!

First, featured photo by Oliver Clarke.

Taking in the sights of Europe 

A ski or snowboard tour is a fantastic way of sampling everything that Europe has to offer, allowing you to experience the very best aspects from a range of different resorts. There are over 4,000 skiing areas in Europe, many of which are typically bigger than those found a little closer to home; you’re sure to find a thrill, no matter what your level of skill. Popular mountain ranges include the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Dolomites, with skiers and boarders flocking to Andorra, Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Norway, Sweden and Finland, to name but a few.

If you’re planning on taking in several resorts or even countries, during your tour, it’s important to plan your transportation carefully. This will help to maximize the time you’re able to spend on the slopes, and lessen the stresses that can occur getting from place to place. Package holidays and tours tend to be a little more organized, but if you’re flying solo you should be aware of airport locations, departure and arrival times and transfer durations, as well as taking care to research car hire or public transport for getting around once you’re there. The great thing about skiing in Europe is that many of the resorts flow seamlessly into each other, which make it fairly easy to get from place to place without lengthy excursions.

Photo on Flickr by Ian Stannard

Packing for your tour 

When it comes to planning a ski or snowboard tour, taking the correct clothing and equipment into consideration is essential; after all, your safety and enjoyment depend upon you being prepared. If you are hiring skis, boots, poles and specialist clothing once you get to the resort it can be a good idea to investigate rental options and the possibility of booking items before you head out. This can save a world of trouble at the start of your vacation and will avoid disappointment too. Hiring equipment also saves hassle when it comes to moving from place to place; with no bulky equipment to transport, you’ll be able to pick up and go with relative ease.

For the more seasoned skier or boarder, though, traveling with your own equipment also has its advantages; namely that your clothing and equipment will be tailored to your personal tastes. Ski and board length and the fit of your boots, is particularly important for safety reasons; ill-fitting clothing and equipment could spell disaster. For this reason it is important to properly research the options for carrying your own equipment and clothing with you on tour. Plenty of skiers and boarders travel with their own gear; it’s simply a matter of logistics. One thing is certain, though, it is essential to have quality, well maintained safety equipment with you, protecting you should you fall over or come into difficulty. Ski helmets in particular help you to be safe and look cool, with a range of designs on offer.

Taking in the sights of Europe on a ski or snowboarding tour can be an exciting and rewarding experience; with so much to see and do, you’ll perhaps struggle to fit everything in. It is important, therefore, to plan your adventure carefully, paying special attention to the logistics of reaching each destination, as well as the transportation of specialist equipment. As long as you are mindful of certain details, your trip is sure to be an exciting one.

Photo on Flickr by _dChris.

Whether you are headed off to such a centre of international tourism or exploring some of the many other highways and byways of Europe, you might still want to get the most from your holiday spending money by considering some of the following tips and suggestions:

Access your cash

• something as apparently simple as getting your hands on your very own cash may prove confusing – and through the confusion, potentially expensive;
• in its edition of the 23^rd of May 2014, the Guardian newspaper published a number of tips about the use of your credit and debit cards abroad and offered a top ten list of the most competitively priced card issuers;

Exchange your cash

• the same report also offered tips and suggestions about when and where to exchange your sterling for any local currency for use during your holiday;

When to go

• with its diversity of cultures and landscapes, it seems that there is always somewhere interesting and relaxing to go in Europe whatever the time of year;
• prices – for everything from accommodation, to the food you might eat, to local entertainment – may vary quite considerably from one season to the next;
• it might make sense, therefore, to time your visits to particularly popular tourist resorts when it is less crowded – and less expensive;

Getting about

• Europe may not be the biggest continent in the world, but you are still likely to need to get out and about during your holiday;
• one of the most convenient ways of doing this is likely to be a hire car;
• whilst the convenience is more or less universal, however, the price you pay may vary considerably – and not just in the rental in you are paying for the car;
• for insurance – and excess insurance in particular – you may need to pay a hefty daily surcharge to the rental company;
• alternatively, you may arrange your car hire excess insurance in Europe before you set out, through a UK-based, specialist provider – and invariably find yourself paying considerably less;

Travelling on a budget

• some money saving tips may be more obvious than others;
• from Budget Traveller, for instance, is the suggestion that you make the local tourist information office one of your first stops;
• not only is this likely to help you make the most of even the shortest of visits but may also be the source for free maps, guides and suggestions for things to do and see;
• a number of favourite European destinations these days offer free tours, but even where these may not be available, it is generally possible to buy daily or weekly passes to a selection of different attractions;
• eating out may prove one of the areas in which visitors pay over the odds, but following the locals and eating where they prefer to eat may prove the best value for money – when in Rome, eat like the Romans!

There is a huge diversity of places to visit and things to do on a European holiday. So that your holiday does not end up breaking the bank there is – thankfully – an equally wide range of methods for saving money on those things you like to do and see.

Photo by 401(K) 2012 on Flickr

1. Decide upon the type of holiday you want

The best place to start is to decide where you want to go. This is arguably the hardest part of all because you are quite simply spoilt for choice. There are so many destinations to enjoy and things to see in Italy that your best bet is to get out a map, check your favourite travel website, buy a guidebook and spend some time researching.

You may want to head to:

• one of the main cities like Rome, Florence, Milan or Venice;
• a region like Tuscany, Abruzzo or Umbria;
• a small area like the Amalfi Coast;
• one of the islands, Sardinia or Sicily;
• a beach resort on either side of the country.

Of course, you could mix and match your holiday as well. Can’t decide between a city break or the countryside? Then do both. Italy is a relatively small country and it is easy to travel from place to place. So you could spend one week in one destination and one week in another on a multi-centre holiday.

2. Work out your budget

Italy is not the cheapest destination in Europe, and you should therefore plan your budget carefully. After all, it is no good going somewhere amazing and then not being able to do anything.

If your budget is tight, you can still have a fantastic time here. Just make sure you find out about the ways to save money in the country. These could include:

• getting tourist passes in the cities to see the sights for less;
• eating out at lunchtime instead of the evenings to take advantage of the cheaper deals;
• staying outside the major cities and travelling into them each day;
• staying on the coast and spending your days swimming in the sea;
• seeking out the free beaches rather than the private ones;
• travelling out of season when everything is a bit cheaper.

3. Find a provider running holidays to your preferred area

Once you know how much you have to spend and where yo want to go, you then need to get there. You could do it all yourself, but sometimes it can be better to use the services of a specialist provider.

For example, if you want to go on a multi-centre trip, a specialist like Bellarome can help out. They can take all the hassle out of planning your trip and find the best transport connections so you can travel with ease, and focus on enjoying your holiday.

Start planning your holiday today

Finding a package for your trip is not difficult, and it just takes a bit of planning on your part. So start looking for the best destination for your trip, plan your budget and then find a provider who will make organising your holiday easy.

Photo by Moyan Brenn on Flickr.