Are you headed out on our London, Paris, Florence, Rome tour? Wondering what you should pack? What food you should try? Or how much money you should bring with you? We’ve got you covered!
The Basics
Weather: Fall – 50-62° F | Winter – 37-58° F | Spring – 45-63° F | Summer – 61-83° F
Language(s): English, French, Italian (although English is spoken in most major cities)
Currency: € Euro and Pound £
Cash or card: Cash
Exchange Rate: $1 = €.85 or £.75
What that really means: $20 = €17 or £15
What €1 will buy you: Baguette, an espresso, a pickled egg
€ to bring per day: €30
Jack Finnigan/ via Unsplash
Packing
Spring/Summer Packing List: Sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, breathable clothing, light jacket, raincoat, waterproof shoes
We wished we packed: More layers! France and Italy are pretty warm, but London was a bit cooler.
We wished we left behind: Huge rain boots. They’re super cute, but take up a lot of room in your suitcase. Just go with shorter rain boots or waterproof shoes.
Fall/Winter Packing List: Sweaters, waterproof shoes/boots, wool socks, warm pants, hat, scarves, gloves, waterproof coat
We wished we packed: A 3 in 1 coat or a coat that has zip in layers to accommodate for changing weather between countries.
We wished we left behind: Jean and sneakers, they aren’t warm enough and don’t stay dry.
Holger Link/ via Unsplash
The Food
Average cost of lunch: $10-$15
Tipping: There’s really no need. Feel free to round up or leave a euro or two.
Atmosphere: Relaxed as long as you’re away from main squares or tourist spots.
The best place to have lunch: Gusto Leo (Florence), street food (London), La Petite Bretonne (Paris), Panificio Bonci (Rome)
You HAVE to try: Cheese (France AND Italy), gelato, sticky toffee pudding, crepes, macarons, fish & chips.
Advice: Lunch is an opportunity to get outside of your comfort zone every day! Try the escargot, eat black pudding, order something you can’t pronounce!
Cristina Gottardi/ via Unsplash
Everything Else
Total spend on souvenirs: $75-$100
Coolest thing you bought: A wax seal from the Tower of London, a hat from a market in Paris, a leather purse in Italy, street art everywhere.
Free time: Go shopping! You’re in some of the largest fashion capitals in the world, there’s always an interesting boutique or foreign chain store just around the corner.
Best cheap/free thing to do: The National Gallery in London, go to the markets near the Eiffel Tower, eat gelato in Piazza Navona
Best Part: The Vatican, Versailles, and the Tower of London.
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