What to pack?
If you talk to friends or search the internet for information on what to pack for your trip to Europe, you could find yourself overwhelmed by good advice because packing for a trip is a very individual experience and what worked for your best friend may not work for you. There are however some general rules that are a good starting point.

Where to go?
The list is endless. Great Britain or The Continent? Paris, London or Rome or even Madrid? Your local library is a great place to start planning your trip. If you’re traveling in a group, ask what each person wants to see. Use a map to plan your itinerary and allow for some time to relax. Don’t forget to order your Eurail Pass before you go.

Before the flight.
The best way to get ready for a trip to Europe is to do one job at a time. For example, once you made the decision to go sit down with your traveling partners and make a list of all the jobs that need to be done. Approach it systematically with pencil, paper and calendar. Delegate tasks and don’t try to do everything all at once. On the day that you leave, nothing will have been forgotten and you’ll be ready to enjoy your trip. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that everything has been taken care of.

At the airport.
Arrive with plenty of time to spare. The less rushed you are at the airport, the more enjoyable your whole trip will be.

Countries that use the euro.
There are 12 countries currently using the euro. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

The euro is used also in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, as well as in the Canaries, Madeira, the Azores, Guyana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Reunion, Mayotte and St Pierre and Miquelon.

Jet Lag?
Like packing and avoiding hangovers what works for one person may not work for you. Like packing there are some general guidelines that while they may not completely get rid of jet lag they may help to lessen its impact on your trip.

While on the airplane.
Find your seat, stow your luggage and take a deep breath and relax. Flying to Europe is a pretty routine matter these days but if you’ve never done it before, or you’re a bit nervous about flying, these tips can help.

• Drink lots of water
• Avoid alcohol and tea or coffee.
• Loosen your shoes
• Use earplugs when you want to sleep
• When you are able to do so, get up, walk around and stretch.