Introduction
Traveling to Europe is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences, but sometimes it can seem like all you do is visit museums and monuments. If that’s your thing, then go for it! But if you want to experience the real European lifestyle — and save money while doing so — then try these tips:
Have realistic expectations
- Travel Europe is expensive. As a college student who has spent the last two years working part-time at a restaurant and living in New York City, I’m used to paying more than $15 for an entree at a restaurant, but even so, my European food budget was still much lower than what I’m used to back home.
- You will not be able to do everything you want to do while traveling Europe or see everything that catches your eye along the way. This is especially true if you’re traveling solo or without kids–you’ll have limited time and energy if all it takes is one full day just getting from point A (your hostel) to point B (the top of Mont Blanc). Don’t let this discourage you though–there are plenty of things within walking distance!
- You also won’t be able to eat at every restaurant that looks good because they tend not have English menus or signs outside saying “English spoken here” like many U.S.-based restaurants do; however, most staff members will understand basic phrases like “please,” “thank you,” etc., which helps when communicating with those who don’t speak English fluently yet know enough words so as not feel lost during interactions with customers/visitors alike during peak times like lunch hour rush hour…
Pack lightly
If you want to live the European lifestyle, pack lightly. You don’t need much and there are plenty of things you can buy when you arrive. Bring one or two pairs of shoes and then buy more as needed; remember that most Europeans own only one pair. Don’t bring extra clothes or toiletries unless they’re absolutely necessary (e.g., if you have sensitive skin).
Bringing too much stuff will only make your life harder–and it will cost more money!
Make friends with your neighbors
You want to make friends with your neighbors. It’s a simple thing and will make all the difference in your life, especially if you live in an apartment building or a city where most people don’t know their neighbors.
Here are some tips on how to get started:
- Introduce yourself! If you see someone walking around the building or entering/leaving their apartment, say hello and introduce yourself. They might not be from around here, so this is an easy way for them to learn about who lives around them without feeling like they’re being forced into conversation (which can happen when trying out new hobbies).
- Plan a small party! Something as simple as inviting everyone over for some drinks can be enough of an icebreaker if there are still some people who don’t seem interested in talking with each other outside of work hours or social events held at restaurants nearby (which may not always include everyone).
Don’t be afraid to ask for directions
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you’re lost, if your phone battery is dying, or if you need directions to the nearest grocery store in a foreign language–it’s okay to ask! The worst that can happen is someone will tell you “no.” In my experience, most people love helping out with these things and are happy to do so.
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes either; just keep trying until someone understands what it is that you want or need from them!
Be open to trying new things
- Try new foods. The food in Europe is amazing, and you’ll be able to find different kinds of cuisine from all over the world. If you’re feeling adventurous, try eating some local dishes like escargot or snails. Or if seafood is more your thing, there are plenty of fish dishes available as well!
- Participate in activities outside your comfort zone. There are so many things that Europeans do that most Americans would never even think about trying–like skiing or hiking up mountains without any equipment (which sounds scary). But once you get into it, these activities become part of life here and can even be fun!
- Explore new places around town every day when possible; even just walking down a street near where you live might lead somewhere interesting! You never know what kind of hidden gems await discovery around every corner if only we were open enough to find them…
Avoid tourist traps
When you’re out and about in Europe, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of being there. You want to see all the major tourist attractions and take part in the activities that everyone talks about. But sometimes those things can be overrated–and they’re definitely not everything that Europe has to offer.
If you really want to experience the European lifestyle, try exploring beyond the main tourist traps. Instead of going straight from your hotel or hostel down into central Milan or Paris (like most travelers do), explore what’s outside of these popular areas before heading back and forth between them every day for two weeks straight! Look for local restaurants, cafes, markets and shops; find new activities like hiking along ancient trails or visiting museums with locals instead of just tourists; attend local events like music festivals held outdoors during summertime–there are so many ways you’ll get closer with locals if you go off-track from time-to-time while traveling abroad!
Skip the museums and monuments — explore the city’s neighborhoods instead.
You can skip the museums and monuments. They’re expensive, boring, and you can see the same things online or in your home town. Instead of spending your time looking at paintings that have been hanging on walls for centuries (or moving pictures), explore the city’s neighborhoods!
It’s easy to get lost in a new place — there are so many things to see and do! But if you take some time out of your day-to-day routine and talk with people who live there, they may be able to give you insight into what makes their area unique.
Eat outside, in cafes and restaurants, as much as possible.
Eating outside is one of the most enjoyable things to do in a European city. You’ll see people from all walks of life enjoying themselves, and it’s an easy way to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Eating outdoors will also help you save money, since restaurants rarely charge more for outdoor seating than they do for indoor seating (and sometimes they charge less).
Finally, eating outside allows you to enjoy some fresh air–which can be good for your health–and gives you better views of the city itself!
Shop at markets and small businesses like local grocery stores, bakeries and farmers’ markets instead of big supermarkets.
Shop at markets and small businesses like local grocery stores, bakeries and farmers’ markets instead of big supermarkets.
This is probably the easiest change you can make to your lifestyle that will have the biggest impact on your health, the environment and economy. If you shop at a supermarket you are supporting an industry that is highly unsustainable and often uses pesticides or chemicals in their produce (and other products). By shopping at smaller businesses you are helping them to stay afloat so they can continue to provide quality products without chemicals or pesticides. These small businesses also support local farmers who grow organic produce which means they use less water while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation costs since they’re closer to consumers!
You’ll also be supporting your own health by eating fresher food with less preservatives than what’s available at chain stores such as Walmart or Target etc…
Live like a European by following these tips.
Living the European lifestyle is all about taking a step back and appreciating life. It’s about enjoying the simple things, like spending time with friends and family, or simply relaxing with a good book. Living in Europe will teach you how to be more mindful of your surroundings, which can help you enjoy life even more than before.
If you’re looking for some tips on how to live like a European, here are some ideas:
- Spend more time outdoors – Europeans love being outside! Whether it’s going for a walk through the park or sitting outside at one of their local cafes (called “cafes”), they appreciate being able to breathe fresh air while enjoying their surroundings. Try doing this yourself by taking long walks around town or sitting outside during lunch breaks; it’ll help keep stress levels down too!
- Learn another language – Learning another language has been shown time after time again as being an excellent way not only improve cognitive function but also increase empathy towards others who speak different languages than yourself–two qualities which make people happier overall when possessed together.”
Conclusion
Living like a European can be a great way to experience the culture and lifestyle of another country. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about yourself and those around you. With these tips, we hope that you’ll be able to live the European lifestyle without having to leave home!
