March 03, 2014
Portugal has been received a lot of foreign tourists, especially American tourists. And one of the biggest questions that our Customers from United States asked us is: how is traveling in Europe different from North America?
These tips will surely transform your travel on a magnificent adventure!
Portugal is a country which belongs to European Union. And if you are planning a trip through this wonderful country you should be asking yourself how different it is to travel within the European Union compared to traveling in North America. Well, don’t worry… surprisingly, traveling across several European countries is quite similar to travelling in United States or even in Canada.
However, there are some different and important details that you must have in mind. And we are here for helping you so… read our travel tips for today about traveling in Portugal and among all Europe.
First of all, the most non-English-speaking Europeans use the 24th System, as opposed to the 12th system used in English-speaking countries. Europeans also write the date in the format “Day Month Year”, whereas the American people use “Month Day Year”. Americans usually consider that the week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday, while in Europe it always starts on Monday and finishes on Sunday. For metrics like pounds, miles, yards, etc., (Old English Imperial System), the European people use the metric system as metres, grammes, litres, Celsius, etc.
If you are travelling on a European Airline be aware of the different restrictions for carry-on luggage. The typical North American carry-on (56x35x23 cm) will not fit in the smaller overhead compartments of aircraft used for non-overseas flights. And even for travelling among European countries on a Discount Airline, be aware of the strict carry-on requirements that force you to pay large fees for checking oversized/overweight bags. Purchase a small hand bag, with these proper requirements: 55x40x20 cm, weight 10kg.
Talking about Discount Airlines… European people are lucky. They can travel among the most of the European countries, at very competitive prices. Moreover, low-cost prices. Contrariwise, it is extremely expensive to travel by air within North America. You can travel by plane on RyanAir, WizzAir, Easy Jet, etc. For example, you can travel from Venice to Brussels for around 20 CAD. Here comes the worst: these companies does not have assigned seating so be prepared to rush to the gate once it is announced to ensure you get your favourite spot on the plane. This an option for travelling to Portugal too.
But if you prefer to travel by train, we can ensure you that is a good option too. All the major cities on the continent are connected through a vast rail network. Portugal included. The best part about this transportation is that each city’s main train station is centrally located in the middle of the city so it’s easy to get to a hotel. With the Discount Airline, this is the worst part. In some cities, their airports are away from the centre of the city.
Here is the best part: travelling through Europe means to discover a lot of different cultures. It is a majestic experience. A one-hour train ride may take you through several different countries that speak several different languages and have a completely different cultures. But you can speak the English language. The most of European people speak that language. And the majority of the countries which belongs to European Union use the same currency, the Euro. Is easy and practical. For travelling through Portugal, you can use Euro (€) and what people say about Portuguese people is that they speak very well foreign languages, English included.
Marta has a Master degree in Communication Sciences. As a combination of a geek girl and a digital fan, she coordinates the Digital Marketing Department. She has a deep passion for travelling, she is a proud Portuguese and she is very dedicated and enthusiastic. Always working to allow the best user and digital experience to visitors.
@Marta Afonso Read more posts written by Marta Afonso
