In tenth grade, I remember seeing a poster in the hallway. It was a trip to Europe that looked amazing. I was so excited to sign up. The trip was to France, Switzerland, and Italy. I left the next summer to go on a trip of a lifetime. Nobody told me what to expect when I was over there. So, here are five things to think about when you are on your trip to Europe.

1. Make sure your passport is valid

If you are planning on going out of the country, make sure that you have a passport and that it is valid. Many countries want your passport to be valid for at least six months before you leave for your trip. If your passport is not valid for at least six months, some countries will allow three months , then you may get denied entry to their country.

2. Pack light

One of the most important tips about going overseas is to pack light. Trust me: it will make your experience better and easier. I had friends pack three suitcases full when going to Europe and my tour guide said that they needed to take some stuff out. Packing light has its benefits such as: not having to pay for three or four bags, not having to get to the airport really early and, not having to stand in line to have your bags checked. When you get to Europe it will be a lot easier to take public transportation with a lightly packed suitcase. Here is a packing list to help you. (https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/ricks-packing-list)

3. Pack an extra bag

If you are planning on buying anything over in Europe take an extra bag. This way you can have room for extra stuff and won't have to shove it in the small suitcase. If you want to buy expensive things then you should carry them in your carry on. This way its not under the plane and its on the plane with you where you know it won't get broken.

4. Call your credit card company and check your phone plan

Tell your bank or credit union before you leave that you are taking a trip to Europe. Make sure you tell them where in Europe you are going and the dates that you are going to be gone for. If you do not tell them they could think that someone is hacking your account and they could but a block on it. This would stink because you would not be able to enjoy yourself on your trip. Before you start using all your apps, make sure your cell phone company knows that you are in Europe for a trip. Ask them if your plan is covered for other countries because if not your phone bill will sky rocket. If you do not want to add this coverage to your plan then either turn your phone off or put it in airplane mode and only use Wi-Fi.

5. Get an Adaptor+ power strip

Many of the European countries have different types of outlets. Most of them do not match the ones here in America. This adaptor makes it easier to charge your devices like: laptops, cell phones, and cameras. The power strip will let you plug more than one device in to charge. Make sure you get the right adaptor for the country you are going to.

I hope you have a wonderful trip and have the time of your life over in Europe. It is beautiful over there. Feel free to share this with an friends, family, or colleagues who plan to travel to Europe soon!