Europe - 欧洲

EuropeIt is a continent with an area of ​​10,180,000 square kilometers, extending from Asia to the Atlantic Ocean, the western end of Eurasia, and from Africa to the Arctic.

About 50 countries make up Europe, of which Russia is the largest country, both in terms of territory and population, and Vatican City is the smallest country. Europe is a relatively small state with an area of ​​approximately 10.18 million square kilometers. However, it is one of the most populous states in the world (third after Asia and Africa). As of 2009, there were 731 million people living across Europe, accounting for about 11% of the world's population.

Europe welcomes more than 480 million international tourists every year, accounting for more than half of the world. Seven of the top 10 countries with the most tourists are in Europe. It’s easy to understand why Europe is so popular with tourists: well-preserved cultural heritage, open national borders and efficient infrastructure make traveling in Europe very easy and comfortable, and every few hours during the journey, you will find yourself immersed in In another culture and another language. Although the land area of ​​Europe is the second smallest among the seven continents, the lifestyles of various European countries are quite different.

The topography of Europe is very diverse. Deserts are almost non-existent, but most climates and other land types are available in Europe. In Europe, you can find towering high mountains, narrow and long valleys, vast lakes, and countless forests, glaciers, pastures, rivers and so on. The climate in Europe is different from the tropical climate in the southern Mediterranean region and the northern part of the African continent, and the Arctic climate in the northern glacial region.

area

Europe includes many different countries, and each country has its own unique culture.

Politically, some countries are members of the European Union. The European Union is an intergovernmental coalition composed of several countries that aims to integrate different European countries into a common political body. However, Europe is a diverse region and has different ideas about joining the EU --- some countries have no intention of joining the EU at all. The eastern border of Europe is still blurred. Due to cultural, historical and geographical reasons, Russia, Turkey, and parts of the Caucasus are sometimes considered part of Asia.

city

Elect Europeantop tenThe city is definitely a difficult and controversial thing. The following are our choices:

• Amsterdam — The canal, Rembrandt, hemp and red lanterns, the heartland of a free attitude.
• Athens -Acropolis, ancient temples, medieval churches, early modern neoclassical mansions, birthplaces of Western civilization in ancient Greek cities, with a history of more than 3,400 years.
• Barcelona — Located on the Mediterranean coast
• Berlin — Since the reunification of Germany in 1990, the capital was forcibly divided into two parts during the Cold War. After the Berlin Wall was overthrown, it became an international cultural center and began rapid development.
• Istanbul — The only big city that spans two continents is a melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures
• London — Britain’s vibrant and truly culturally diverse capital
• Moscow — The largest city in Europe, famous for its nightlife and the symbolic Kremlin
• Paris — The romantic city, on the banks of the Seine
• Prague — The capital of magic, famous for its bridge across the Vltava River
• Rome — Known as the Eternal City, it has a history of 2,700 years.

Other destinations

• Alps — A mountain that is very popular with skiers and mountaineers,Mont BlancIs the highest peak.
• Cinque Terre — A national park with 5 picturesque villages
• Curonian Spit
• Bialowieza Forest — The last part of the largest virgin forest that once covered the European plains.
• Blue Lagoon — Amazing geothermal hot springs, the water temperature is around 40°C all year round, even in the cold winter.
• Majorca
• Meteora — One of the largest and most important buildings in the Orthodox monastery, second only to Mount Athos. Six monasteries stand on natural sandstone pillars.
• Plitvice Lakes National Park — Lakes surrounded by mountains, the lakes are green and clear.
• Stonehenge — The famous Neolithic and Bronze Age stele, located in Salisbury Plain.

learn

history

The earliest conclusive written record of European culture was found inGreece. Homer (800 BC), Hesiod (753 BC) and Canillos (728 BC) are the first three poets in Europe. The Romans believed that their city was built in 753 BC, but modern archaeologists and historians believe that the present place of Rome was inhabited at least between 1000 BC and 800 BC.

Since 300 AD, Christianity began to spread in Europe. The Roman Empire collapsed in about 500 AD. At that time, France was ruled by the Merovingian dynasty and Spain wasNorth AfricaOccupied by Berber Muslims and other primitive tribes. The Carolingian dynasty was founded in 714 and lasted until 911, during which it occupied most of Western Europe. Later, it was called the "early Middle Ages" until about 1300. During this period, Europe experienced large-scale urbanization from Western Europe and gave birth to universities. Then came the late Middle Ages, generally referred to as the "Renaissance". During this period, people were actively discovering the Greco-Romanic culture, and then carried out the religious reform, and ended with the birth of Protestantism.

Between 1492 and 1972, many European countries (e.g.U.K、Spain、Portugal、Russia、FrancewithNetherlands) Once ruled most of the known areas in the world, onlyAsiaSome areas of (for example:China、Japan、Thailand) And Antarctica with exception. This period is called the colonial period. After the Second World War, the colonial period ended and turned into a more humane, freer and more effective method-globalization.

Before the end of World War II, Europe was once a region torn by "total war". After the Second World War, national leaders realized that in order to ensure that similar tragedies would not happen again, a closer socio-economic and political integration must be carried out. Starting from this basic point, the early European Union was the European Coal and Steel Community established in 1951. Founding country isBelgium、West Germany、Luxembourg、France、ItalywithNetherlands. The joint venture achieved outstanding results, so these six countries signed the "Rome Convention" in 1956, with the ultimate goal of establishing a common market-the European Economic Community (European Economic Community). In 1967, the organization further established the European Commission, Cabinet and European Parliament.

After 1967, the EU is still growing rapidly;Denmark、IrelandwithU.KJoined in 1973. GreeceJoined in 1981,SpainwithPortugalJoined in 1986,Austria、FinlandwithSwedenJoined in 1995. Due to history and economic willingness, Norway and Switzerland have also become registered member states of the European Union. In order to further economic integration, the European Union introduced the Euro (€) among several EU countries in January 2002. Currently, 18 countries use the euro as their official currency. In addition, San Marino, the Vatican, Morocco, Andorra, and Montenegro are also allowed to use the euro, although they are not yet EU countries.

In 2004, 10 more countries joined the European Union. they areCyprus、Czech Republic、Estonia、Hungary、Latvia、Lithuania、Horse other、Poland、SlovakiawithSlovenia. 2007BulgariawithRomaniaJoined; Croatia joined in July 2013; in addition, Albania, Iceland, Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey are also official applicant countries of the European Union. In 2016, the UK left the European Union.

geography

Europe occupies one-fifth of the western part of the Eurasian continent. It is surrounded by water on three sides: northArctic Ocean（North PointIs the northernmost point in Europe), in the westAtlantic, NanyouMediterranean. Due to the climate,MediterraneanThe sandy beach is very popular. The eastern border of Europe is not clear and has been moving eastward throughout history. Currently, the Urals and the Caucasus Mountains, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, and the Bosphorus Strait are considered to be the frontiers of the eastern border of Europe.IstanbulIt is the only metropolis in the world that spans two continents.CyprusIt is also considered to belong to Europe.

The geography of Europe is very complex and diverse. The highest point in Europe isCaucasus MountainsMount Elbrus is 5642 meters above sea level. Other important mountains include those between France and SpainPyreneesAnd across Central Asia to the Arkan PeninsulaCarpathian Mountains. The Baltic Sea and most of the north is relatively flat, especially the lowland countries, northern Germany and Denmark. The northern and Baltic coasts have hundreds of kilometers of sandy beaches and resorts (only in colder areas).

The longest river in Europe is the Volga River, which winds 3,530 kilometers across Russia and flows into the Caspian Sea. The Danube and Rhine rivers formed the northern border of the Roman Empire, and they have played a very important role since history. The Danube originated in GermanyBlack Forest Mountains, And flow through the capital cityVienna、Bratislava、BudapestwithBelgrade, And then enter the Black Sea. The Rhine originates from the Swiss Alps and forms the largest plain waterfall in Europe, the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen. Later, it formed a border crossing between France and Germany, flowing into western Germany, and then into the Netherlands. Rhine, includingRhine valleyMany castles and fortresses have been built along the coast.

climate

Europe belongs toTemperate climate. Affected by the Mexican warm current, the European climate is much milder than other regions of the same latitude (such as North America). However, the climate in different parts of Europe is not the same. The climate in Europe ranges from the subtropical climate near the Mediterranean in the south to the sub-polar climate near the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean in the north. Only parts of Russia and Scandinavia have severe cold in winter.

The annual precipitation in Europe is also very different. The most abundant rainfall isthe Alps, And the Adriatic Sea from Slovenia to the west coast of Greece. Other areas with more rainfall include northwestern Spain, the British Isles and western Norway.BergenIt has the heaviest rainfall in Europe, with 235 rainy days per year. As the British Isles, Benelux, Western Germany, Western France, and Scandinavia are affected by the westerly wind from the Atlantic Ocean, the rainfall is generally in summer.

The best time to travel in Europe is summer. The average maximum temperature in August in Great Britain, the Benelux, Germany, and northern France is 23-24°C, but the temperature sometimes changes. This is why there are a lot of flights from south to north in the summer, because northerners want to escape the rainy season and the possible low temperature. In Europe, the Mediterranean has the longest days and the highest temperatures. The highest temperature in August:Budapest: 26°C;Barcelona: 28°C; Rome: 30°C;Athens: 33°C;Alanya: 39°C in Alanya. The general situation is that the further southeast, the higher the temperature.

Winter temperatures in Europe are relatively low, and the Mediterranean countries are no exception. The only area where the highest temperature reached 15°C in January is: SpainAndalusia, Parts of the Greek islands and the Turkish Riviera. The average temperature in January in Western Europe is 4-8°C, but the temperature often drops below zero in winter.BerlinTo the east, the temperature will be particularly low, with average temperatures below freezing.RussiaIs an exception becauseMoscowwithSt. PetersburgThe average highest temperature in January is -5°C and the average lowest temperature is -10°C. Winter is also suitable for many activities, such asAlpsWinter sports. The snow on the highest peak of the Alps does not melt all the year round.

European Meteorological Service NetworkProvides the latest extreme climate information, which includes most of the EU countries.

nation

Europe includes many very different countries. Some of these countries are entering very slowly and painfullyEuropean Unionin the process of.

Not all EU countries have adopted the EU single currency ---EUR(EUR, €), (seepurchase), but some countries that are not members of the European Union have adopted the euro. Similarly, most-but not all-EU members and several non-EU member states have joined theThe Schengen Convention (seearrive), the following is a reference table for a European country as of 2009:

nation	Sign	currency	EU member	Schengen nation	Time zone³	Eurail	InterRail
Albania	AL, .al	ALL	no	no	CET	no	no
Andorra	AND, .ad	EUR	no	no5	CET	no	no
Armenia	ARM, .am	AMD	no	no	4	no	no
Austria	A, .at	EUR	1995	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Belarus	BY, .by	BYR	no	no	EET	no	no
Belgium	B, .be	EUR	1958	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Bosnia and Herzegovina	BIH, .ba	BAM	no	no	CET	no	Yes
Bulgaria	BG, .bg	BGN	2007	no	EET	Yes	Yes
Croatia	HR, .hr	HRK	2013	no	CET	Yes	Yes
Cyprus	CY, .cy	EUR	2004	no	CET	no	no
Czech Republic	CZ, .cz	CZK	2004	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Denmark	DK, .dk	DKK	1973	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Estonia	EST, .ee	EUR	2004	Yes	EET	no	no
Finland	FIN, .fi	EUR	1995	Yes	EET	Yes	Yes
France	F, .fr	EUR	1958	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Germany	D, .de	EUR	1958	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Greece	GR, .gr	EUR	1981	Yes	EET	Yes	Yes
Hungary	H, .hu	HUF	2004	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Iceland	IS, .is	ISK	no	Yes	WET	no	no
Ireland	IRL, .ie	EUR	1973	no	WET	Yes	Yes
Italy	I, .it	EUR	1958	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Latvia	LV, .lv	LVL	2004	Yes	EET	no	no
Liechtenstein	FL, .li	CHF	no	Yes	CET	no	no
Lithuania	LT, .lt	LTL	2004	Yes	EET	no	no
Luxembourg	L, .lu	EUR	1958	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Macedonia	MK, .mk	MKD	no¹	no	CET	no	Yes
Malta	M, .mt	EUR	2004	Yes	CET	no	no
Moldova	MD, .md	MDL	no	no	EET	no	no
Monaco	MC, .mc	EUR	no	no5	CET	no	no
Montenegro	MNE, .me (.yu)	EUR	No¹	no	CET	no7	Yes
Netherlands	NL, .nl	EUR	1958	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Norway	N, .no	NOK	no	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Poland	PL, .pl	PLN	2004	Yes	CET	no7	Yes
Portugal	P, .pt	EUR	1986	Yes	WET	Yes	Yes
Romania	RO, .ro	RON	2007	no	EET	Yes	Yes
Russia	RU, .ru (.su)	RUB	no	no	MSK4	no	no
San Marino	RSM, .sm	EUR	no	no5	CET	no	no
Serbia	SRB, .rs (.yu)	RSD2	no1	no	CET	no7	Yes
Slovakia	SK, .sk	EUR	2004	Yes	CET	no	Yes
Slovenia	SLO, .si	EUR	2004	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Spain	E, .es	EUR	1986	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Sweden	S, .se	SEK	1995	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Switzerland	CH, .ch	CHF	no	Yes	CET	Yes	Yes
Turkey	TR, .tr	TRY	No¹	no	EET	no	Yes
Ukraine	UA, .ua	UAH	no	no	EET	no	no
U.K	GB, .uk	GBP	1973	no	WET	no	Yes
Vatican	V, .va	EUR	no	no5	CET	no	no

¹ Official EU applicant country.

³ Winter time. In summer (last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October): WET → WEST (UTC 0 → 1), CET → CEST ( 1 → 2), EET → EEST ( 2 → 3)

⁴ Russia uses multiple time zones. Kaliningrad uses EET, Moscow uses MSK (UTC 4), until UTC 12 in Chukotka and Kamchatka.

⁵ It is not an official Schengen member state, but Schengen visa holders are generally allowed to enter.

⁶ Independence is controversial,SerbiaCall it your own territory.

⁷ Some EuRail passes include these countries (only the Germany-Poland pass includes Poland), but the general 21-country pass does notDo notIncluding these countries.

arrival

Schengen Area The following countries are Schengen member states:Austria、Belgium、Czech Republic、Denmark、Estonia、Finland、France、Germany、Greece、Hungary、Iceland、Italy、Latvia、Liechtenstein、Lithuania、Luxembourg、Horse other、Netherlands、Norway、Poland、Portugal、Slovakia、Slovenia、Spain、SwedenwithSwitzerland。

Entry regulations to Europe vary from country to country. Citizens of EU/EFTA can travel freely in Europe (Russia、BelaruswithCaucasusexcept). Therefore, the following rules only apply to non-EU/EFTA citizens.

If you want to enterA Schengen countryandYou plan to only go to other Schengen countries, then you only needA Schengen visa. For more information, please refer to the articleTravel information in the Schengen area。

The 90-day visa-free stay applies toThe entire Schengen areaIn other words, it is not 90 days for every country that some people think. Citizens of the above countries need to apply for a residence permit if they travel to Europe for more than 90 days. The residence permit can be applied in any Schengen country, but it is recommended to apply in Italy or Germany, because many other countries require applicants to apply from their home country.

Non-Schengen countries, Retained their respective immigration policies. For details, please refer to the relevant country's article. If you wish to travel to a non-Schengen country and then return to the non-Schengen area, then you need to apply for a multiple entry visa. Bulgaria, Romania, Ireland and the United Kingdom are members of the European Union, but they do not belong to the Schengen area. On the other hand,Switzerland、Liechtenstein、IcelandwithNorwayNot a member of the European Union, but they belong to the Schengen area.

In a nutshell: EU countries have similar customs supervision policies. Therefore, if you are going from an EU country located in the Schengen area to a non-Schengen EU country, you do not need to go through customs, but you may have to enter through immigration. For non-EU countries in the Schengen area, the opposite is true: you must go through customs, but you do not need to go through immigration.

By plane

The largest airport cities in Europe are as follows:London(LON: LCY, LHR, LGW, STN, LTN),Frankfurt(FRA, HHN),Paris(CDG, ORY),Madrid(MAD),Brussels(BRU) andAmsterdam(AMS), they have flights to almost all places in Europe. However, almost every European city has at least direct long-distance flights to other places, and some small airports only have specific flights: for example:Vienna(VIE) tomiddle EastAnd Eastern Europe has a well-developed flight network, and if you travel fromEast AsiaStarting, then geographicallyHelsinkiIt is the nearest city.

train

FromBeijingwithVladivostokarriveMoscowofSiberian RailwayIt is a railway travel route for scenic spots. Similarly, inKazakhstanwithChinaAfter the completion of the railway betweenSilk roadWill be more popular, other routes include new ones fromAlmatyarriveUrumqiThere are two trains a week, and it is very convenient to take a train from Almaty to Moscow. Other routes include several routes to the Middle East, which areTurkish Railway Company (TCDD)Operational. FromIstanbulwayAnkaraarriveIranofTehranAnd toSyriaofDamascusListed every week, toBaghdadThere will also be cars.

By boat

This kind of intercontinental voyage from the United States to the United Kingdom is still feasible, but it is very expensive. The most convenient option is the long-standing and only surviving ocean liner companyCrown Cruises, But it takes 6 days to get from New York to Southampton, and there are only 10 trips per year in each direction, and the cheapest fares are between US$1,000 and US$2,000. If you feel that you cannot afford such a price, then your choice across the North Atlantic is basically limited toFreighter cruiseNS.

Most of the summer (July-September) large cruise ships to and from Europe also operate at other times of the year.Latin AmericawithSouth AsiaThere are routes. This means that these cruise ships have to cross the Atlantic at least twice a year. If you consider the length of the cruise (at least one week), the fare is actually not very expensive.MSCIn April and May fromCaribbeanThere are several cruises to Europe.

There are several routes across the Mediterranean. The main ports in North Africa areMoroccoofTangierwithTunisiaofTunisia Port(SeeMediterranean ferry information), but another route not known to many people is viaCyprus, Where you can takeLouis CruisesThe ship arrivesEgyptofPort SaidwithIsraelofPort of Haifa. However, please remember that you can only take this route from Cyprus, and special arrangements are required-located atNicosiaofVarianos TravelIt seems to be the only travel agency that provides services on this route.

Travel

Signed and executedSchengen AgreementThere is almost no border control between the countries, except in the case of major incidents. Similarly, visas issued by any signatory country of the Schengen Agreement are valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the agreement. Please note that not all EU member states have signed the Schengen Agreement, and not all countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement are EU member states. For more information, seeAbove tablewithSchengen area travel guide。

Airports in Europe are therefore divided into "Schengen area" and "non-Schengen area", which are the same as the "domestic" and "international" flight areas of other countries. If you are flying from a country outside of Europe to a Schengen country and want to go to another Schengen country, then you will be able to enter the customs inspection in the first country you arrive, and then go to other Schengen countries without further inspection. . However, if you are from the Schengen area to a Schengen country outside the EU (or from a Schengen country outside the EU to a Schengen area country in the EU), then you still have to go through customs.

From the Schengen Agreement country to any other country, or from other countries to the Schengen country, border inspections are required. Please note that regardless of whether you are traveling in the Schengen area, some airports and airlines still need to check your ID or passport.

The actual impact on tourists:

• From Germany to France (both EU, all Schengen): no border control
• From Germany to Switzerland (both Schengen, SwitzerlandDo notBelonging to the European Union): Customs inspection, but no immigration control
• From France to the UK (both EU, UKnoSchengen): Immigration control, but no customs inspection
• From Switzerland to the UK: immigration plus customs inspection

train

Main article:European train travel

Especially in Western Europe and Central Europe, trains are very fast, efficient, and cheaper than airplanes. For example, Frecciarossa in Italy, TGV in France, ICE in Germany, AVE in Spain, and Eurostar and Thalys across borders, their speeds have reached 320 km/h. If you count the time to and from the airport, it is indeed better than multiplying. The plane must be fast. However, the bad point is that if you buy a ticket temporarily, the ticket price will be high, but if you book the ticket in advance, there will be a big discount. You can also participate in various activities to buy discounted tickets. If you plan to travel in Europe (or in a certain area of ​​Europe) and want flexibility in time, then you can buyInter Rail(European citizens) andEurail(Non-European citizens).

Unfortunately, there is no international online news release platform, especially the latest privately operated competitor's price release platform. The most widely used and reliable train travel planning website in Western Europe isDB German Railways.

airplane

EU passenger rights European Union (EU)Regulation 261/2004 of February 17, 2005All aircraft (whether it is a flight or charter flight or the air travel included in a package tour) are given certain rights to passengers. However, this clause only applies to all aircraft originating from the EU and EU flights from outside the EU to EU airports. Boarding denied if: You have a valid ticket You have confirmed the booking You have completed the check-in procedure within the time required by the airline Then you can get the following compensation: If the route distance'Less than 1500 kilometers'€250 butIf the flight is delayed for less than 2 hours, Then only€125 If the route distance isBetween 1500 kilometers and 3500 kilometersbut€400 butIf the flight is delayed for less than 3 hoursThen only€200 If the flight distanceMore than 3500 kilometers,but€600 butIf the flight is delayed for less than 4 hoursThen only€300 as well asRefund several of your articles (flight you back to your place of departure for free if applicable) orSend you to your destination in other ways The airline must also be responsible for the following expenses: Two phone calls or mail, telegram or fax Provide meals based on waiting time If you need to stay overnight due to delays, you must provide hotel accommodation Generally, airlines will give you a prepaid phone card and hotel and restaurant vouchers. Flight delay refund If your flight is delayed for more than 5 hours, a few of your articles will be refunded (you will be returned to your point of origin as appropriate).

Like the United States, all flights within the European Union and from the European Union are restricted to carry over 100ml containers.Liquids, gels and pastes, And must be packed in a transparent, self-sealing plastic bag red (plastic bag must not be larger than 1L). This bag must be taken out when going through the security check, and each passenger is only allowed to carry one such plastic bag.

Discount airline

Article reference European discount airlines

There are many low-cost airlines in Europe, so flying in Europe is cheaper, sometimes even cheaper than trains or buses for the same distance. CurrentlyLow-cost airline, Such as AirBerlin, Germanwings, EasyJet, Tuifly, Ryanair and WizzAir, provide the cheapest tickets. All of these flight tickets should be booked online in advance, otherwise, the price advantage is almost non-existent. Try to compare with big airlines such as British Airways, Austrian Airlines or Lufthansa when booking tickets. As long as the ticket is booked a month or earlier, the price rarely exceeds 80 euros (unless the journey is really long, such as from Dublin to Istanbul). You’d better also check the location of the airport, because some cheap flights are named after the nearby big cities as small airports (even if the distance between the two may take 2 hours by car, such as Ryan and Wizzair’sFrankfurt-Hahn, It is not Frankfurt International Airport.

Bus

For long-distance travel, taking a bus may actually be more expensive than taking an airplane. However, a short-distance travel bus is much more convenient, a relatively hurried itinerary, or you have large luggage, or you areEco-tourismAdvocates. Due to the EU's privatization policy, some new bus routes have been approved. The bus routes are all point-to-point departures between major cities. The buses are very new, very comfortable, have internet access, and have reclining seats.

EurolinesCovers more than 500 destinations, including panoramic views of Europe andMorocco. You can take a Eurolines bus fromSicilyarriveHelsinkiOr fromCasablancaarriveMoscow. Eurolines rarely stops in small cities, and generally only has stations in large cities.

Eurolines offers several passes. All itineraries must be booked in advance. This means that you may not be able to go directly to the station and take the train that is about to leave. This pass is suitable for travelers who only want to visit big cities or who want to re-arrange transportation after arriving at the destination. Holders of this pass can travel in the following cities:Amsterdam、Madrid、Barcelona、Marseille、Berlin、Milan、Bordeaux、Montpellier、Bratislava、Munich、Brno、Nantes、Brussels、Oslo、Bucharest、Paris、Budapest、Perpignan、Cologne、Prague、Copenhagen、Riga、Dublin、Donegal、Inish Owen、Rome、Edinburgh、Siena、Florence、Stockholm、Frankfurt、Strasbourg、Gdansk、Stuttgart、Geneva、Tallinn、Gothenburg、Toulouse、hamburger、Venice、Krakow、Vienna、Lille、Vilnius、London、Warsaw、Lyon、Zurich

Other options includeTouring(German version of Eurolines)Sindbad(Poland), Lasta(From Inish Owen, Donegal), [http://www.lasta.co.yu/eng/ (From Serbia), Linebus Spain)withNational Express(Starting from the UK).

iDBUSIt is also a European bus company, which is owned by the SNCF of the French national railway company. It began to provide bus services in 2012, covering French cities and neighboring countries.

Destinations include:

Belgium:BrusselsFrance:Lille、Lyon、Paris-Bercy District and Charles de Gaulle Airport,Marseille、NiceItaly:Milan、TurinNetherlands:AmsterdamUnited Kingdom: Arrive via Eurotunnel ShuttleLondonVictoria Bus Station

By boat

related articlesBaltic Sea Ferries、Mediterranean ferry、Ferry routes to mainland UK

Several major cities (for example:Gdansk、Stockholm、Helsinki、Tallinn、Riga) Between Baltic SeaBoth have ferry routes. Most ships are very large, comparable to Caribbean ferries in terms of cruise ship size and service.

existAtlantic，Smyril LineIs the only one that has access to the more remote North AtlanticIcelandwithFaroe IslandsThe company of the line. It fromDenmarkThere are also several routes from Denmark to Norway and Sweden. Although the Anglo-French Undersea Tunnel has been opened, there are still many routes between the British Isles and France in the English Channel. There are also many routes toDenmark、Benelux, Even across the Bay of Biscay toSpain. Further south fromPortimãoVia remoteMadeiraVolcanic island toCanary Islands。

existMediterranean, There are a large number of ferries and cruises to and fromSpain、Italy,withFranceSouth. There are also ferries across the Adriatic Sea on the other side of the Italian peninsula.CroatiawithGreece，BarryIs the main port (there are many ports).

and alsoBlack seaThere are also ships sailing, but sometimes there are very few routes.Poti、IstanbulwithSevastopolIt is the main port, but basically all ports in the Black Sea have ferries, but there are very few logical routes-they all only sail along the coast.

There are also ferries on large lakes and rivers. And, in larger rivers, such asRhine、DanubewithVolgaThere are fixed routes on board. Moreover, in Europe, it is also a good way to travel and explore along the way, especially along the beautiful rivers and the many islands in the Mediterranean. Ferries range from popular types to super luxury, depending on the company and class of service you choose. There is also a cruise lineNorwegian Cruise LineAlso very famous, it's alongNorwayFascinating coastline and fjord sailing.

Self-driving

Driving comfort levels vary greatly on the European continent. Generally speaking, Eastern Europe and Western Europe divided by the Iron Curtain during the Cold War are quite different. Most of Western Europe has good road conditions, convenient roads, and a well-developed highway network, but Eastern Europe is still working hard to improve their infrastructure. During holidays, especially during the summer and Christmas holidays, the highway conditions are very bad, especially in Germany (the word "Stau" (traffic jam) is constantly heard in traffic broadcasts).

Rules of the road

There is no uniform speed limit standard within the EU, and the legendary German highways with no speed limit are now basically limited to rural roads. Most of thehighwayThe speed limit is 110-130 km/h, but the speed limit of most expressways without a partition is between 80 and 100 km/h. The left car on the European highway is not a "fast lane" but a "passing lane". Overtaking from the right is illegal, so you can only occupy the outer lane when you want to overtake; if you have been driving on the outer lane, you will I find that there are many cars behind you and they are impatiently flashing their lights. The traffic police are also willing to give you a ticket. Remember to turn on the lights when changing lanes.

With the exception of priority streets (see illustration), you must give way to the right-hand vehicle when you cross an unmarked intersection, and other drivers also assume that you will do this. The same is true for T-junctions, which is not the same as turning straight at T-junctions. At the roundabout (big turntable), you will find that in Europe as long as there is a yield sign at the roundabout, cars on the roundabout have priority. You cannot turn right when it is red (unless the light is a green arrow, in which case it is allowed to turn right when the light is red), because it is not only illegal, but also very dangerous because very few people do this. The road rules for bicycles are the same as those for motor vehicles. For example, the car on the right hand side has priority. Of course, countries may differ slightly.

The traffic signs and signs in European countries are similar, but the design and meaning of the signs are different. Therefore, it is best to understand them before you travel.

If you are not particularly clear about the driving rules in Europe, it is bestAvoid big cities,E.gLondon、Paris、Rome、Athens、BelgradewithMoscow. The city centres of these cities were built long before the advent of the car, and the design did not take into account the large flow of people facing the advanced. Driving in these places will be very slow, frustrating, and may be more dangerous. Another is that parking spaces will be very difficult to find, and parking fees will be very expensive even if you find them. Instead of this, it is better to park your car on the outskirts of the city (suburban parking is generally free), and then use public transportation to the center of the city. If you rent a car, try not to rent it in a big city.

• age: In almost all places, especially in the European Union, you need to be at least 18 years old to drive. If you are under 18, you cannot drive with an adult in time. In some European countries, it is very troublesome to apply for a driving permit for young people under the age of 18, and it is basically not applicable to foreign citizens. The exceptions are Portugal, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
• equipment
  • If there is a car breakdown, then a warning triangle must be used
  • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain must wear a high-gloss (reflective) vest.
  • In most countries, a headlamp adjuster must be used, but in the UK and Ireland, it only needs to be equipped on a continental car.
• document
  • Must have original registration documents
  • Must have a vehicle insurance certificate
  • A car without an EU license plate must have a black-and-white label showing the country's 1 to 3 letters.
  • An international driver’s license is not mandatory for certain nationalities in some European countries, but it is cheap and may help you avoid some unpleasantness with government agencies.
• Safety
  • Most European Union countries require all passengers to use seat belts throughout the journey.
  • In many countries, children under the age of 12 must use child safety seats.

If you plan to be in EuropeCar rental, Then it’s better to compare the charges in different countries in advance, rather than rent immediately in the country of arrival. There is still a big difference in car rental prices between countries, especially for passengers who rent for a long time, and some passengers even change their itinerary plans because of this. For example: If you plan to travel around Scandinavia by car, it is generally cheaper to fly to Germany first and then rent a car in Germany. In Europe, cars that are relatively small but more energy-efficient are generally manual transmission, so if you require automatic transmission, you have to mention it when you rent the car (usually an additional fee is required).

All in all, driving in Europe is still relativelyexpensiveYes, oil prices in most European countries are generally between 1.3-1.8 Euros, and Russia will be slightly cheaper. And the rent will be more expensive, 2-3 times the US rent. There are many high-speed toll stations, and the systems used are different. More and more cities charge congestion charges, and in the cities with the highest charges, the parking fee for a day can be as high as 50 euros. Self-driving in small cities and villages is a very pleasant and desirable way, but most Europeans will think that renting a car in, for example, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam is very ridiculous.

bike

European Bicycle Route NetworkEuroveloIncluding 14 routes, almost all countries in the European continent are connected together. Some routes have not yet been completed. The plan is to build 60,000 kilometers of bicycle lanes, and 45,000 kilometers have now been completed.

hitchhiking

In some areas of Europe,hitchhikingMore common, especially in some countries in Eastern Europe. This is a way of traveling where you can meet many different people without spending a lot of money. But don’t forget to take a lookHitchhiking tips。

Please note that if you only speak English, there will be language barriers to hitchhiking in Eastern European countries. In Moldova, Romania and Ukraine, hitchhiking is a very common way to travel (and you may also need to wait in line). It is also very convenient by train or car, and the price is not high. In Western Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Germany, hitchhiking is rare (the Netherlands and many German county governments provide free public transportation to local college students), but it is also very easy and fast.

Language

English proficiency varies across the European continent, but generally speaking, the more you face north, the better your English proficiency, such asNetherlands,BelgianFlanders,especially inScandinavia, Almost everyone can communicate in English (of course, not everyone is particularly fluent), but this is generally not the case in the east and south (especially outside the big cities). German-speaking area (especiallyAustria, Switzerland’s German-speaking provinces and formerly West Germany) also speak English a lot, but they may have a certain accent. In areas outside these areas, English proficiency basically depends on age, education (for example, students at school or just graduated from English will be better), distance from the city center, and whether or not to work in a tourism-related field.

The older generation who grew up in the former Eastern European bloc may know a little German and Russian.

existPortugal、Spain、France、ItalywithRomaniaBeing able to speak or read Romance language is very helpful, and it is also helpful if you can speak one of the Slavic languages ​​in Eastern Europe.

If you need help, try to find someone who is slightly younger, under 40, preferably under 30, so that they are more likely to speak English, even though they can speak English regardless of their age in Scandinavia. And some Germans or older people who speak German can also speak English. Another option is to find hotel staff, especially in areas where English speakers are more difficult to find.

You can arrange a tour guide to help you overcome the language barrier, especially if you need to travel to more remote rural areas or when you anticipate a greater language barrier.

go sightseeing

Many people's "European trip" concept is very undesirable, and even if it doesn't ruin your trip, it will at least make it dull. Although Europe is indeed intensive in tourism resources, and the transportation infrastructure is very good, travel is very efficient and convenient, but Europe's heavy historical heritage is also difficult to reach in many places. There are 400 world natural heritage sites on the European continent, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. So, instead of rushing through it, taking pictures of "coming here" in the crowded arena, Eiffel Tower, and Big Ben on a routine basis, it is better to list a few places you really want to go and make a detailed plan. It is very likely that there are world-class scenery in the unknown place between the two cities that you have never thought of. Moreover, finding these touching scenery is far more rewarding than following the popular route.

Historical and cultural attractions

Europe is the cradle of one of the most advanced civilizations in the world, which makes Europe today possess an amazing cultural heritage.Ancient GreeceKnown as the foundation of Western culture, it has a huge influence on the language, politics, education system, philosophy, science and art of the European continent. Ancient Greek buildings are all overGreecewithTurkey,includeDelphi、Olympia、Spartan、Ephesus、Lyciaand alsoAthensofParthenon。

After ancient GreeceRoman Empire, It is one of the greatest civilizations in the world and once ruled large areas of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. tourRomeRoman ruins (andArena、PantheonwithRoman Forum) Is to follow the trend. There are also many Roman ruins in Spain, such asMerida、Italica、Segovia、ToledowithTarragona。ItalyThere are 47UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ranking first in the world, followed bySpain, There are 43.

train

• Scenic train lines in Europe

route

• Amber Road
• Baltic Cruise

Activity

music

Although the United States and emerging countries are increasingly competing in music, Europe is still the cradle of classic music and opera. Many European capitals have some "old age" opera houses, where hundreds of years of history are deposited, as if What floated out there was a sigh from the depths of time. There are many music festivals in Europe,RoskildeofRoskilde Festival、BudapestofSziget Music FestivalAnd intoxicated 195,000 peopleEnglandGlastonbury Music Festival, These three music festivals are considered the largest, but there are many smaller music festivals. And PolandWoodstock Music FestivalAlthough there are no big-name stars and red carpets, it attracted 700,000 music fans in 2011.

Sports

Sports may be the most prominent area of ​​European integration, most of whichProfessional sportsThere are European Unions, and basically all sports have the European Champions Cup every two years.

• footballIf you are a football fan, then the most enjoyable thing is to watch your favorite team playThe UEFA Champions LeagueorEuropean Football ChampionshipA fierce battle against the greatest football club in the world. Football fans gather in bars or watch matches at home, usually wearing the headscarf of their favorite team. Pan-European leagues are generally held during the week to ensure that the national league can be held on weekends. Tickets for the most popular teams are usually sold out a few weeks ago.
• basketballPan-EuropeanEuropean Basketball LeagueIt is the highest level of professional basketball in Europe. It has teams from 18 different European countries and the most exciting basketball games outside of the NBA. The general season is from October to January, and the playoffs are from January to May.
• Handball See the annual European Championships,Champions League. Although this movement is poorly understood in countries outside of Europe, it is very popular on the European continent. Two pairs of 7 people each intersect each other and then throw the ball into the goal of the opposing team that resembles a football goal.
• bicycle exerciseIt is another sport that is relatively popular in Europe, and it is also very popular all over the world. There are hundreds of cycling events each year, but the three biggest events each year areTour de France、Italy CyclingwithSpain CyclingIn these events, thousands of spectators watched from the hundreds of kilometers of tracks. The season is arranged by similar leaguesInternational Cycling FederationArrange for organization.
• volleyballIs also a very popular sport,European Volleyball ChampionshipOrganized twice a year.

ski

There are many ideal ski resorts in Europe;AlpsThere are the best ski resorts in the world, and there are more ski resorts in Europe than anywhere else in the world. Austria and Switzerland each have hundreds of ski resorts. Other alpine skiing areas include France, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Bavaria, and even Liechtenstein. The biggest ski area isPuerta del Sol ski area, Is composed of 13 interconnected ski resorts located in France and Switzerland, with 650 kilometers marked ski trails.

But the fun of skiing is not limited to the Alps;ScandinavianTakayama has the best-developed ski resort in the world and is most suitable for family skiing. However, due to the low altitude, only short-track skiing is possible.ScotlandThere are 5 ski resorts:Nevis RangeHas the largest vertical drop of 556 meters, whileGlensheeThe largest. One option that will surprise you isSpainofSierra NevadaIt is relatively large, and it is only a few hours' drive from the Mediterranean coast, and the skiing time extends until May ---you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the beach in the afternoon. NorthwardPyreneesCan ski up to 2700 meters above sea level,Domaine TourmaletIt is the largest in this area, with 100 kilometers of ski trails.

As the price of skiing in Eastern Europe is lower than that in other parts of the European continent, skiing is becoming more and more popular, but the disadvantage is that the facilities are not complete and modern enough, but the speed of improvement is very fast. In the high-priced Alps,SloveniaIs a more economical choice,Kranjska GoraThe largest in the country. The highest piste in the Carpathian Mountains is 2,200 meters, and it is also another very popular ski resort.Poiana Brasov(Romania, 20 km cable car[1]）Zakopane[2](Poland, 30 km, 20 cable cars) andJasna(Slovakia 29 km, 24 cable cars) are some of the more popular ski resorts in this area.

National Park

There are more than 360 national parks in continental Europe[3], Given that Europe is the second most densely populated continent in the world, this is not surprising. Many parks are very small, some are even less than 1 square kilometer, but there are also many very large parks. IcelandicVatnajökull National ParkCovering an area of ​​approximately 12,000 square kilometers, it is the largest national park in Europe.Swabart IslandsThe national parks are also close behind,RussiaUralsYugyd Va National ParkIt is the largest on the European continent. The total area of ​​European national parks is approximately 98,000 km².

Outdoor sports

Many cities in Europe are very suitable for cycling. There are many places suitable for winter sports and canyoning in Europe.

Shopping

euro(Symbol: €; ISO 4217 code: EUR) is the common currency of many countries in the European Union. One euro is 100 cents (called "Euro cents" to distinguish them). The euro was established in 1999 and came into effect on January 1, 2002. It made currency exchange unnecessary. In this way, it is not only a great advantage for business exchanges in the pan-European region. And it also benefits travelers greatly.

Interestingly, the backs of Euro coins minted in different member states have different unique designs. Even though the reverse design is different, Euro coins are legal tender in the Eurozone.

Not all EU countries have adopted the euro. Countries that have replaced their national currencies with the euro are collectively referred to asEurozone. According to the law, all EU countries (except Denmark and the United Kingdom) must ultimately use the euro, but for new member states that have just joined the EU, this provision is suspended pending the resolution of the current economic crisis facing Europe.

Outside the EU,MontenegroThe euro has been unilaterally adopted, but other countries have maintained their currencies. Even in European countries outside the euro zone, the euro is widely accepted, but not all countries and places accept it, and the exchange rates of hotels and shops are not good for you. Many hotels are priced in Euros, and Euros are also accepted. The exchange rates of foreign exchange offices are generally reasonable and acceptable.

do not wantAccept the currency that has been eliminated. Although banks in several countries are still converting these currencies into euros, using these currencies is troublesome and there is no guarantee that they will be accepted everywhere. Generally, you need to register your personal information in the bank to prevent money laundering.

Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)

ATM machines in Europe are widely distributed. You can use European bank cards and credit cards. However, a certain fee will be charged (usually 1% of the withdrawal amount, the minimum fee is a few Euros), and this is in addition to the foreign cash withdrawals charged by your bank. Please read the instructions and tips next to the machine before use.

Generally, there are no letters on the keyboard of ATM machines in Europe.

credit card debit card

The use of credit/debit cards is not as high as in the United States (especially in Eastern Europe), but it is also growing steadily. In continental Europe, most merchants that accept credit cards require minimum spending. Even if the cash register has a credit card machine, it may not support national cards (for example: VISA and MasterCard); many European merchants only accept local cards (that is, those without VISA, MasterCard, etc.). Some countries require merchants to check your ID when the transaction exceeds 50 Euros. Many shops must show the ID when using a credit card.

More and more European countries, especially the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Nordic countries have gradually adoptedChip plus cipherThe way, the chip is in the credit card, you must enter your password (not your signature) when using the credit card. All stores that display the VISA and Mastercard logos are required to accept traditional signature swipe cards, so if the store refuses at first, you can ask the manager to solve it. United). However, at self-service locations, such as gas stations and ticket machines, passwords must be entered.

exchange rate

Since 50 intricate countries and 28 currencies are crowded in this Europe, which is about the size of Canada or China, the colonial relations between Europe and almost all parts of the world have made Europe the largest emigration place in the world. And it is the tourist destination with the largest number of people in the world, the index is very common in European currency exchange, and the currency exchange market is the most developed and most convenient in the world. Banks all exchange European currencies. Within the European Union, banks accept almost all currencies that are legally traded abroad. There are also many professional currency exchange companies, especially in major tourist attractions, and they are slightly cheaper than banks. However, because ATMs accept mainstream credit and debit cards from all over the world, many tourists can directly withdraw local currency.

Expenses and taxes

Generally speaking, the European Union is very expensive for most travelers. When buying souvenirs, it is generally cheaper in small stalls than in large chain shopping malls. When eating in a restaurant, many gifts (for example: water, bread, etc.) are charged in Europe. However, most of the market prices of goods and services in this area include value-added tax (VAT). If you are not a resident of the region and want to take the purchased goods out of the EU, this part of the value-added tax is refundable. Ask for a VAT voucher from the store when you buy, and show it to the customs when you leave. In order to be foolproof, try to find shopping malls or stores with VAT refund signs.

Dining

European kitchens are quite diverse. There are kitchens in cold northern European countries and warm southern European countries. These effects are mainly due to the considerable difference between kitchens where groceries are available.

Most kitchen Europeans share common characteristics that distinguish it from other Asian gourmet kitchens in the world. Meat is an important part of most European cuisine. While the Asian custom in the kitchen better serves cut meat dishes, many dishes come with overall cuts of European kitchen meat. Steaks and pork chops are particularly popular in European kitchens and are usually served in different sauces. Wheat is the most common source of starch consumption in European kitchens (pasta, dumplings and pastries). Potatoes have become the main source of starch consumption in the European colonization of the United States under Europe.

You can read more about "food" in the kitchens of all European countries,

Nightlife

Europeans have a relatively free attitude towards drinking, butScandinavia(Excluding Denmark) is an exception. In most countries, the legal drinking age is between 16-18 years old, and beer and spirits are treated differently. In most parts of Western Europe, drinking in public is not only legal, but also a very common behavior. Generally, the police will warn you instead of fines for drunken and noisy behavior. In most Eastern European countries, drinking in public is prohibited, but this behavior is not rare. Except for the British Isles, nightclubs rarely open before midnight. You can go to a bar or restaurant before that.

wine

Europe is the world’s largest wine-producing region, France is the largest and most famous wine-producing region, and 5 of the 10 largest wine exporters are European countries; France is followed byItaly、Spain、Germany,withPortugal, Almost all European countries have different scale wine production. Winemaking began in the Minoan civilization 4000 years ago and spread to Europe by the Phoenicians and Romans. Different from other regions, European winemakers pay more attention to tradition and terroir rather than grape varieties. European wines are marked by regions rather than grape types, such as: Chardonnay; this is different from other regions. The approach is different. This is because European winemakers claim that their long history has adapted their production techniques to specific regional conditions, and that factors such as soil composition also have a great influence on the taste of wine. The best and most famous wine-producing regions in Europe includeBordeaux, The name of this big city has become synonymous with wine. Another famous French wine region isBurgundy region (French:Bourgogne),lie inDijonAround the city, it produces not only red wine but also white wine. The most famous wine is the Burgundy wine. Its red wine is made from Pinot Noir grapes and the white wine is made from Chardonnay grapes. Facing north, closer to Germany AlsaceRegions and crossing bordersMosel-Both are famous for their high-quality white wines. Further south, ItalianTuscanyMade with Sangiovese grapesChiantiWine is famous, andLa RiojaIt is said to be the most popular and the highest quality wine in Spain.

In fact, many wine names themselves are the place names of their origins (although EU law prohibits the use of place names, except for specific place names). For example, Champagne must come from FranceChampagne, Porto wine must come fromPortugalofPorto, Sherry must come fromSpainofJerez de la Frontera, Tokaji must come fromHungaryofTokaj。

beer

Although wine is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Southern Europe, the national drink in Northern Europe is beer.Germany、Netherlands、BelgiumwithCzech RepublicThe brewed beer is the best in Europe and even the world. Many countries, especially tourists from East Asia or North America, will find that European lager beer tastes heavier than domestic ones, and has a higher alcohol content.

• In Europe and elsewhere, the most popular beer isLager beer, This kind of beer is also calledPilsner, Originated in the Czech RepublicPilsencity.
• andU.K、IrelandwithBelgiumThe brewery is heavily usedmaltIn the brewing tradition, the use of fast-fermenting yeast can give the beer a sweet fruit flavor.
• Wheat beerIt is very popular in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, and it has many types. Traditional German yeast ale (hefeweizen) is unfiltered turbid beer, while kristall is filtered beer, which looks more like lager beer. BelgianwitbiersBeer generally has a lighter taste and is more popular in summer, sometimes with a slice of lemon on the side of the glass.
• StoutIt is a British and Irish beer that Guinness can buy in continental Europe. Strong stout beer is made from roasted malt. It has a darker color, heavier taste and higher alcohol content, hence its name.

Most European countries have their own national brands; for example, Carlsberg, Heineken or Stella. This kind of beer can be bought everywhere, but really good beer is usually a niche brand. It is not designed to cater to everyone's tastes. In recent years, small breweries have sprung up in Europe. If you really want to enjoy the sweetness of beer, you can participate in the carnival held in many German cities every October, the most famous isMunichOktoberfest (usually opened in September!).

Another wine that the Nordic countries like iscider, Usually brewed with apples, bottled, and faucet supply in bars; the taste and alcohol content are very different, from cloudy and heavy (more than 8%) to light (below 4%), and sometimes artificial Add some flavors.

Hard liquor

Vodka, rum and gin can be bought everywhere. Scandinavia (except Denmark), Eastern Europe and Russia especially like to drinkVodka, If you have only tried Smirnoff or Absolut; then you should try in these countriesVodka, You may be surprised to find that vodka is so delicious. In other places, many regions have their local special wines. The local comrades who like to drink will be happy to fill you with this wine, and then wait to see your expression after experiencing the burning of your throat and the stimulation of your taste buds. In southeastern Europe, basicallySlivovitz(Also known as Rakia) and Balkans (especially in Serbia), it is a strong, fruity brandy, usually made from plums. Other brandy made from grapes, such as traditionalBrandy，CognacorGrape juice wineIt is very popular in the UK and southwestern Europe. Greek and Italian products are very popularOuzo/SambucawithAbsinthe is made with star anise and sugar, so it has a licorice flavor. In Northern Europe, a lot of drinks areSchnapps spirits(Or Snaps, Aquavit), it is generally made from fermented hops or potatoes, supplemented with local traditional plants such as fennel and blackthorn. Pay attention to this kind of wine, the wine is very strong. Finally, in Scotland and Irelandwhiskyvery popular. Although these wines have obvious regional colors, all bars in continental Europe generally have almost every type of wine.

stay

Europe’s accommodation culture varies from country to country, but most people across the continent sleep in hotels. Most medium-sized towns have at least one hotel, and there are usually several hotels at different prices. Rooms are usually expensive: they usually cost about 90-300 euros per night, and if you stay in one of the high-end hotels that most major cities have, the price can even exceed this price. These hotels usually provide some convenient facilities, including TV, telephone, breakfast and so on. Some countries (e.g.France) There are also some roadside hotels, which are somewhat similar to American motels.

Due to the high cost of accommodation, hotels are popular among young backpackers. All major cities have them, but it is difficult to find them outside of typical tourist attractions. The hotel is about 15-30 euros per night, which is much cheaper than the hotel. The quality of the whole continent varies greatly.Eastern EuropeThe hotels in China are much cheaper than those in the west, and sometimes the quality is much lower.

campingIt is also very popular with Europeans. Range fromScandinaviaNo trace camping (no more or less formal) right. Anyone can camp overnight in underdeveloped areas, as long as nothing is damaged and the fence is not crossed, to the fantasy "long-term" campingGermanyIn such places, some people spend most of their time on weekends and holidays in semi-permanent caravans. Usually, campsites are a cheap and comfortable way to stay-some even offer prefabricated tents or caravans that already meet most of your basic needs-but sometimes, if you can't or don't want to, campsites can be embarrassing to drive where to. Many campsites have shuttle services, but they may not operate around the clock or so frequently.

There are also several quirky accommodations to choose from. existSweden, You can sleep in a hotel made entirely of ice;GreecewithTurkeyThere are hotels in sandstone or rock caves;MontenegroofSt. Stefan(Sveti Stefan) is an island village that has been completely converted into accommodation.

Safety

See:Common scams

AlthoughUkraineCivil war is going on in the east, and terrorist attacks in European countries have attracted worldwide attention, but Europe is usually one of the least violent continents. In most European cities, the main risks for tourists are pickpockets and robbery. Using common sense and understanding your surroundings can greatly reduce the risk of such incidents. Some countries, such as Russia and Belarus, have problems with corruption and misconduct. existItalyThere are organized criminal groups (mafia) in the South and Russia, but it takes some effort to get involved in issues such as tourists.

Pickpocketing is common in many of the most visited cities in Europe and is a problem in many places, so it is worth taking extra precautions and protecting your valuables as much as possible.Barcelona，Rome，Prague，Madrid，PariswithFlorenceEspecially famous for looting hot spots.

Alcohol is an integral part of many European cultures, and abuse of alcohol can lead to violence and poor judgmentDrunk crazy. Normally, you won't see these problems in bars and pubs, but at night, alcohol can cause trouble on the streets.

Other crime issues are drug use and gang-related violence (inU.KwithFranceMost common). The few “trouble areas” to avoid are the dilapidated suburbs of certain urban areas (especially in the largest cities in Europe); certain areas of Eastern and Southern Europe have a higher rate of violent crime, which may be a problem for non-locals Very dangerous, but these areas should not attract people's attention to ordinary tourists. Central and Western Europe are usually the safest areas.

For LGBTgayThe attitudes of the crowd vary greatly. Although most Western countries allow same-sex marriage and have a tolerant attitude towards minorities (at least in big cities and metropolises), Eastern Europe, especiallyRussiaIt can be a dangerous destination for LGBT travelers.

Although competition between neighboring countries is usually at a friendly level, and many European countries have multiculturalism for several generations, racial discrimination is still a problem in parts of Europe. It targets immigrants and ethnic minorities more often than tourists, but in some cases, hostility can especially address people of African and Middle Eastern descent.

Europe may be very urban and densely populated, but it also has wilderness. When traveling in the countryside, forests or mountains, be prepared as always.

etiquette

Etiquette varies greatly between countries, and even between neighboring countries, and there is not much to say about European codes of conduct in general. Having said that, as you go east, your attitude tends to be more conservative, especially in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union. For example, inRussia, Even if a man is not romantic, don't pay a man, this is a major illusion.

Although the continent is more integrated than ever, many Europeans have a strong sense of national identity. Avoid overly negative generalizations of regions such as "Eastern Europe". Use the correct terminology for smaller countries where neighboring countries dominate (for example, the Dutch don’t like being described as[4]Germans) and ethnic minorities (such as the Basques in Spain and France) are especially important. In some countries, the countries that make up "Eastern Europe" and "Balkans" are still hot topics, because people from countries such as Poland don't like to be associated with negative stereotypes or the communist past. In the correct context, phrases such as "Old Eastern Bloc" and "Former Soviet Union State" may be correct, but they are awkward in daily use. "Central Europe" is usually a safe term for the Far East. Similarly, Estonia likes to be called Northern Europe. If in doubt, please use the country name.

Most European adults avoid wearing sportswear, such as baseball caps, sweatshirts or sneakers, unless they participate in sports or watch sports.

Many European countries follow the term "noble duty", where rich and powerful people should behave modestly. More than unfortunate people.

Medical treatment

Communication

If you have an emergency in any EU member state or most other European countries, you can dial 112, even if this phone number is not a local emergency number. According to EU law, all 112 emergency centers in its territory must be able to transfer your help to an English-speaking operator. Any phone that supports GSM (usually a phone that is locked or does not have a SIM card installed) can dial 112.

In some countries/regions, using a phone without a SIM card to make an emergency call may cause different results.GermanywithU.KIt is likely to ignore the 112 emergency help from a phone without a SIM card.In some attemptsVolunteers in Glasgow tried to call 112 and 999 on a phone without a SIM card, but only “no internet” was displayed. Although the signal was sufficient, the call to 111 (Australian emergency number) gave a normal response. It is particularly worthy of your attention that in some countries/regions, making an emergency call for trial purposes may cause trouble (for example, in Scotland, it is a criminal offence to abuse the emergency call). In summary, it is not recommended that you use a phone without a SIM card for emergency calls, otherwise serious problems may occur.

The European Union Roaming Regulations (Eurotariff) stipulates that the European Economic Area (including the European Union,Norway、IcelandwithLiechtenstein), that is, the roaming charges charged by operators in these countries/regions will not be higher than the roaming charges within the European Union. In addition, there are regulations on the highest tax rate, seeEuropean Union。