Make no mistake, this article is about travel. By no means is it meant to diminish the importance of integrating into your new village, town or city. Do that first, then worry about travel. The best way to adjust to European living is to engage the locals along with the expatriates living in the area. It is a little daunting at first but you will get through it with a little help from your friends. Have you ever recommended a restaurant to a friend and they hated it? Well after reading this, that friend could be you. What I have come to realize on this posting to Norway is that we are all so different. Some travel for the history, some travel for the food, some so they can say they've been there, and others travel because they collect Starbucks mugs - True story. Of course staying within your financial limits is always the starting point because the temptation to push further will always be there. Why you ask? Well it is very simple - when someone just returned from an epic trip (and they will) your impulse will be to want to do the same thing and they will encourage you. Maybe you will; however you need to create your own epic travels. Do not live someone else's story, write your own. Whatever the reason, the travel you do, is for your happiness. Although others can give really good suggestions, and tell you of their experiences, there is no substitute for research and knowing what you want. Do you want to experience local living? How about living in a hostel…or do you prefer a 5 star hotel? What's more important - saving money and being frugal, or feeling free with your money and taking in the experience of living in the middle of everything? Maybe you want formal tours or museums. It doesn't matter as long as you get out there and take life by the horns and live it.
A view from the top, Zugspitz Germany, Mar 2016 - Photo by GH Gillam
Here are a few tips on how we travelled through 15ish countries (many, more than once) and countless cities in our first 18 months in Europe:
Don't limit your travel to your bucket list of places to visit. I know you made one before you left Canada. We all did. Funny thing it grows quickly after you arrive. We stopped and travelled to cities (some we couldn't place on a map) that were the most enjoyable experiences. You need to seek out those "hidden" jewels as you search for places to travel;
Don't over plan your trip. Know where you are going and what it offers, but leave time just to take it in. Do not fill every moment with a museum or a cultural site. Stop at a café, enjoy a local pastry and a hot drink. It is the people - the sights and sounds of the streets, that make the experience special;
Related to # 2, be prepared to walk, a lot. We average 8-12 km a day, and on a few occasions nearly 30, choosing only to take transport when necessary. So this means you need to begin getting ready before you travel, and have good footwear. Walking allows you to go places and to get lost (kinda but not really). You hear, smell and see things you would miss if you were in a bus or car. If mobility is an issue, budget to use the private services of guides. It is also best to map out the destination to make certain you aware of the places that you want to avoid bringing a family through. Most cities have "adult" friendly zones as well as documented crime areas;
Speaking of guides, we usually use one very early in the trip to help us get an appreciation for what the city offers. Many cities have "free" walking tours. You pay a tip at the end that you deem fair for the service. These have never disappointed and afterwards we decide how we want to spend the rest of the trip;
The weather is a strange thing and you need to plan for it. If you plan well, it will never impact your trip. We were in Norway for our posting and they have a saying - "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing." Because of that approach, we were prepared and always had a smile on our face, even when the rain poured all around us during our visit to Keukenhof Gardens over Easter. On the bright side, we almost had the place to ourselves;
Keep an open mind and allow for a change in plans from the start. We were thinking Paris and ended up in Kraków. I was looking at Paris options and Kraków came up as an ad on the travel site. Sometimes it pays to go down that rabbit hole...it was one of our most memorable trips, and yes we did make it to Paris another time; Last but not least,
No matter where you travel, make sure you experience the food and drink of the culture you're visiting. Perogies in Poland, Hungarian goulash in, well Hungary, fresh fish in Spain and Portugal, pasta and pizza in Italy, moules et frites in Belgium, and schnitzel in Germany. The list goes on and on, and if you are inclined, the local beer, herbals, and wines have always (almost) been a surprise hit.
So, my simple advice to you is that on this tour don't deny yourself. Take advantage of this gift of living in Europe. There are many opportunities afforded by PSP so take advantage and explore. Define your happiness and go for it. All the best on your posting, Herber & Kellie Gillam