Travel Tips

Apps to Download

Before you leave, you may want to download the following Apps.

WhatsApp - Most places in Europe use Whatsapp. Great for communicating with hotels and restaurants.

https://www.whatsapp.com/

It's always good to have the airline apps to track flight status and access inflight entertainment.

Air Canada/Aeroplan

https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/fly/air-canada-on-your-mobile-device/mobile-devices.html#/

British Airways

https://www.britishairways.com/en-ca/information/checking-in-and-boarding/ba-on-your-mobile

Vueling Airline

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mo2o.vueling&hl=en&gl=US

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vueling-airlines-cheap-flights/id445818820

ArriveCan

This helps speed the process at customs when returning to Canada.

https://arrivecan.cbsa-asfc.cloud-nuage.canada.ca/en/welcome

Pack Light !

Pack Light. You will not want to lug around stuff you don’t use. We are going to Europe. Don’t pack items you ”might” need or pack “just in case”. You can always pick up these sort of items at local stores.

Essentials to bring/wear:

Passport
Driver's License & International Driver's License (You get this from AAA)
Some Cash - Pounds for London, and Euros for Italy. You will need to order this at your bank and pick up a few days later. ATMs are available in Europe. You can withdraw local currency with your bank card. KEEP your change/coins as you may need it for highway tolls, parking meters, and in some places, the washrooms.
Comfortable Shoes
Prescriptions / Medications
Phone - put in Airplane mode and turn off data roaming. Just use Wi-Fi
Phone cords
Power Adaptor / Converter if your phone doesn't automatically convert.
If taking a Flat Iron, make sure it is 120/240 volt or else it will "fry".
Light rain jacket
Bathing suit
3-5 outfits (tops, pants, shorts, underwear, pj's)
Ladies will want a scarf - It's a European thing.
Facecloth and baggie to store it. Italy often does not have facecloths.

Packing cubes are great to keep you organized.

Things you don't need:

Hairdryer
Expensive or "special to you" jewelry. Pickpockets are everywhere!
Ball caps and hoodies are kind of a "no no" - unless you want to stand out as a tourist. Pickpockets target tourists.
Don‘t wear NEW shoes or sneakers - you want comfortable, tried and true shoes.

Note: We have 1 checked bag per person, pre-paid on each flight.

Learn basic Italian Words & Phases

Italians will appreciate your efforts to speak their language. And it pays to know a few words - Like which washrooms are Men or Women’s.

Here are some common words/phrases

Ciao (pronounced Chow) Use as an informal Hi or Bye
Buongiorno (pronounced Bon journo) Good morning
Buonasera (pronounced Bona Sera) Good evening
Grazie - Thank you (Not to be confused with Gracias which is Spanish)
Prego - You're welcome
Mi scusi - Excuse me
Per favore - please
Vorrei - I would like
Prendo - I would like - usually used for drinks "Prendo un caffe"
Quanto costa - How much?
Uomini - Men
Donne - Women

Ordering at a restaurant

Most restaurants will have English menus but some small towns may not. Below are some basic food words for reference at a restaurant.

If you order water at a restaurant you will get bottled water or sparkling water and charged appropriately. If you want tap water, you need to specify “acqua di rubinetto". Tap water is safe to drink in London and Italy.

Many restaurants charge a "coperto" on your bill. This is a sitting or cover charge.

Gelato - ice cream

Gelato al cioccolato - Chocolate ice cream

Il pollo - Chicken

Il manzo - Beef

la bistecca - Steak

Il pesce - Fish

il pane - bread

il pomodoro - tomato

il formaggio - cheese

la birra - beer

le ova - Eggs

prosciutto - italian ham

un caffe - coffee

un cornetto - croissant

il menu - menu

Conto - bill

NUMBERS:

1 uno

2 due

3 tre

4 quattro

5 cinque

6 sei

7 sette

8 otto

9 nove

10 dieci

Misc Tips

- Pick up your Hotel business card and carry it with you. If you get lost, get a taxi and show them the hotel card for directions.

Airport Maps

London Heathrow Airport https://www.heathrow.com/content/dam/heathrow/web/common/documents/transport/Heathrow-free-travel-map.pdf