Western Europe

You can find a wide variety of accommodation options in Western Europe. There are many boutique - style hotels, budget hotels, guesthouses, hostels, B&Bs and popular hotel chains. It is recommended that you book in advance to get the best deals. It is also difficult to get a vacant room especially during high season. If the weather is agreeable, you can opt for camping. It is a fun way to explore the region and you would have access to electricity and water.

The Western European cuisine varies depending on the country you're visiting. Each country has a wide array of flavours and ingredients that they use. Some of the common staples of this region are bread, pasta, soup, mushrooms, and cheese. The food is typically spiced with garlic, parsley, cinnamon, piri piri, black pepper, and bay leaves. The common meats include beef and pork, and most food is cooked in olive oil. Sea food and fish is very popular in Western Europe and is cooked in many different ways.

Music and dance is a large part of the Western Europian culture. All forms of art in this region have a unique style. Religion has signif icantly influenced the Western European culture. Majority of the people are Roman Catholics. English is understood by some people in this region, especially at tourist locations . So, communication shouldn't be a problem.

Carry a photo ID and a copy of your passport. Keep your original passport in your hotel safe. Wear comfortable shoes while walking on the cobbled stone roads. Wear several light layers so that you can adapt according to the weather.

There are plenty of memories you can take back from your trip to Western Europe. Some of the most bought items include embroidered tablecloths, straw baskets, ceramics, pottery, leather products, silver trinkets, perfumes, tobacco, cosmetics, handmade fans. If you purchase these items from a vendor, you are free to bargain. Portugal has some flea markets where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Western Europe has some of the most oddly unique festivals you will ever come across. Their festivals are a stupendous almagamation of culture, eccentricity, and jubilation. If you're a fan of artistic treasures, be sure to stop by Pera's International Sand Festival. This festival of Portugal displays sculptures depicting people, places, and things. There are many workshops, contests, and demonstrations. Valencia's (Spain) Las Fallas will surely lift up your spirits with its parades, fireworks, drinks, and dancing. One of Spain's most famous and daring festivals is the San Fermin & Running of Bulls which is celebrated in Pamplona. It commemorates martyr Saint Fermin while people run the streets with seven bulls with the goal of touching as many as possible. The world famous La Tomatina festival celebrated in Spain, is an excellent way to let loose while throwing tomatoes at each other. It is an unforgetable experience that will stain your mind with memories.

Western Europe is generally quite clean. Before you travel make sure to up-to-date on routine vaccines including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. Besides that, get vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Rabies.

Western Europeans dress to impress; therefore, make sure to flaunt your style. They place a lot of emphasis on family and their extended families are quite close. Greetings include shaking hands while making eye contact. Tipping is not legally mandatory but rounding off to the neares 5 Euro is a nice gesture.