Anonymous
06/10/2025 12:07
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all of this!! I'm super anxious about this trip. They do have hotels/hostels pre booked. I have been wondering about cash/money - at home he uses ApplePay with our credit card and reimburses us if necessary.
Apple Pay is significantly more prevalent and widely used there than here
Anonymous
06/10/2025 10:48
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Ibuprofen not as readily available in France (not sure about Spain). Take a small container with him if that is something he might need.
Ibuprofen is available in every pharmacy in Europe, just not necessarily in the brand name you know, like Advil or Motrin.
Acetaminophen is the other painkiller that is absolutely everywhere, only the drug name in Europe (and most of the world) is paracetamol. Again, usually different brand names that in US.
Anonymous
06/10/2025 08:35
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Have him take either a picture of his passport and credit cards and end them to you or a photocopy that you keep if you don't want digital images of them. This is very helpful if something gets lost.
Are they traveling on trains and staying in hostel dorms? Are they backpacking?
Mostly reinforce safety - never leave anyone alone. Don't go home with a stranger, don't accept drinks from other people etc. Don't get too drunk and if you do get drunk, stay with your friends. Don't do drugs in foreign countries. Don't try to walk or jump between balconies type thing, don't go out hiking or swimming in the dark. Most misadventure comes from bad decisions...and often involves alcohol.
I found a travel lock and a small combo lock very helpful. I put some duct tape around a pen - great for quick fixes.
They can get a SIM card at the airport if they need a physical one or buy an esim before they go. Having data is also a good safety measure.
What he should pack depends on how he is travelling but he can also get anything he forgets there.
And don't go swimming together and leave your documents unguarded on the beach. My brother did that. They were stolen. Tell him not to pack anything he really needs in a suitcase - it must go in the cabin baggage eg prescriptions, wallet, phone, laptop etc. if he does have prescriptions, be sure to take it in it's original bottle from the pharmacy.
Get him to download Google Translate before he goes.
My husband had his wallet stolen on the beach. Pickpockets work fast in parts of Europe.
Anonymous
06/09/2025 21:17
Subject: Re:DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Get him some euros for tipping.
Use the mobile phone company app (Verizon, etc) to tell them he will be in Europe. They give you a deal on internet and phone minutes. I recently went to Europe for the first time and had to Google how to turn the lights on in my hotel room in France. Turned out I had to put the room key card in a little slot near the door. And yes, I needed Google to figure that out.
Tell him to keep his phone and small wallet in his front pocket. Pants/shorts with zippered pockets would help.
I forgot my outlet converter and bought an iPhone charger at the Apple store in the south of France (Aix En Provence). So make sure he has a working credit card.
Maybe watch a video on how to do laundry in a European laundromat. They may use Miele machines which may be different from what he used to.
Use the mobile phone company app (Verizon, etc) to tell them he will be in Europe. They give you a deal on internet and phone minutes. I recently went to Europe for the first time and had to Google how to turn the lights on in my hotel room in France. Turned out I had to put the room key card in a little slot near the door. And yes, I needed Google to figure that out.
Tell him to keep his phone and small wallet in his front pocket. Pants/shorts with zippered pockets would help.
I forgot my outlet converter and bought an iPhone charger at the Apple store in the south of France (Aix En Provence). So make sure he has a working credit card.
Maybe watch a video on how to do laundry in a European laundromat. They may use Miele machines which may be different from what he used to.
Anonymous
06/09/2025 19:23
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:Why such a short trip?! Eight days is not enough for those two countries. They should use their full 90 days.
That's ... awfully expensive.
Anonymous
06/09/2025 19:03
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:For Spain. Hat. It will be hot af in southern spain next week (seville was 108 today). Encourage him to do as spaniards do and spend siesta time indoors in AC (2 pm to 8pm). Whatever you do, do not tour the alhambra / walk down the ronda gorge / row around seville’s plaza de españa in a rowboat at 4 pm in summer 🥵🥵🥵
Places with decent AC in case hostel has a “no loitering during the day time” rule: fast food restaurants, movie theaters, malls, some museums like el prado. Take high school ID, most museums offer free admission to students with Id
Be cautious when at beach: many do not have lifeguards yet bc is early in season.
Do not hesitate to seek medical care if they get sick—it is very affordable to go to a private ER (like 100 euros without insurance) for very quick and good service. Avoid the public ER unless directed to go there bc it will take forever unless issue is very serious. Hostel can provide advice about nearest best medical care.
Every business in spain is required to take card payments regardless of price. Yes that includes 1 euro water bottles and all taxis. Lots of people use their phones to tap to pay. Maybe have a backup card in case apple pay doesn’t work (sometimes i see signs saying ‘our apple pay is down’”)
Young people party all night, like they start pregaming in parks and plazas and then move to bars around 11 pm and when the bars close at 2 am they go to the clubs until 6, 7 am, then churros and chocolate before bed. To find nightlife suited to young people, go to university campus area. In seville the alameda de hercules is also popular among the youth
Also ibuprofen is readily available in spain. But it comes in 400 mg tablets which is annoying for those of us used to the 200 mg tablets.
Have fun! It will be a great experience for your kid! Spanish high school seniors will have just finished their super high stakes uni entrance exams so it should be a fun and festive time for their age group.
+1 to all of this
Anonymous
06/09/2025 18:58
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:Access to cash. I had to phone home back in 2011 for more cash. Make it easy to access. But not so easy that someone could steal his card and wipe out his account.
Mini travel fan and additional chargers.
A mini travel fan? Are you kidding? We’re talking 18 YO boys, not 55 YO women! My sons that age would laugh at me for that one.
Anonymous
06/09/2025 18:58
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wth! You are sending your kid to Europe and you are asking theses ??
No he should be researching he should know what he needs or he should not be going.
No flaming you for not knowing flaming you for not making him take accountability
Schwab debit card with an account with
$2000 in it he us to get local
Currency when he hits the airport about $400 out of the $2000 rest stays in the account gif emergencies . It’s debit not credit
Visa card for everything wise preferably Cap one or Chase
Photos of barcode of passport on his phone
Copies of passport in his suitcase
One bag trip carry on international size
Adapter
Phone charger external one as well
Packsafe cross body bag
Pack safe backpack prefabs his luggage
If he has an iPhone with Verizon dies not need a SIM card it’s $10 a day clicks in as soon as he lands
Never ever does he take his bag off at a restaurant or bar
What’s so great about this Schwab debit account? As opposed to others?? Thx!
Refunds all ATM fees and no foreign transaction fee and no minimum balance. Great account for people who travel a lot
https://thetravelfolk.com/no-atm-fees-the-charles-schwab-debit-card/
Thank you!
Anonymous
06/09/2025 18:55
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Wth! You are sending your kid to Europe and you are asking theses ??
No he should be researching he should know what he needs or he should not be going.
No flaming you for not knowing flaming you for not making him take accountability
Schwab debit card with an account with
$2000 in it he us to get local
Currency when he hits the airport about $400 out of the $2000 rest stays in the account gif emergencies . It’s debit not credit
Visa card for everything wise preferably Cap one or Chase
Photos of barcode of passport on his phone
Copies of passport in his suitcase
One bag trip carry on international size
Adapter
Phone charger external one as well
Packsafe cross body bag
Pack safe backpack prefabs his luggage
If he has an iPhone with Verizon dies not need a SIM card it’s $10 a day clicks in as soon as he lands
Never ever does he take his bag off at a restaurant or bar
What’s so great about this Schwab debit account? As opposed to others?? Thx!
Refunds all ATM fees and no foreign transaction fee and no minimum balance. Great account for people who travel a lot
https://thetravelfolk.com/no-atm-fees-the-charles-schwab-debit-card/
Anonymous
06/09/2025 13:36
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Why such a short trip?! Eight days is not enough for those two countries. They should use their full 90 days.
Anonymous
06/09/2025 13:29
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Teach him to never leave his bags out of sight especially at airport.
And obviously never transport ANY items for a third party for ANY reasons.
If you don’t know your limits, don’t risk getting stupidly drunk, just because you can. All bad things happen then. Stick to limiting yourself to one beer at first, stop when tipsy, don’t drive, etc.
And obviously never transport ANY items for a third party for ANY reasons.
If you don’t know your limits, don’t risk getting stupidly drunk, just because you can. All bad things happen then. Stick to limiting yourself to one beer at first, stop when tipsy, don’t drive, etc.
Anonymous
06/09/2025 13:24
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Teach him about the most common scams:
-Only buy any sort of ticket from official machine or booth, never from people even in (fake) uniforms working the lines!!
-situational awareness for groups that swarm you with a distraction like to sell a trinket (to pick your pockets)
-don’t exchange money with the ‘official looking’ guy on the street offering a great rate - this is a scam and a serious crime in many countries
-Only buy any sort of ticket from official machine or booth, never from people even in (fake) uniforms working the lines!!
-situational awareness for groups that swarm you with a distraction like to sell a trinket (to pick your pockets)
-don’t exchange money with the ‘official looking’ guy on the street offering a great rate - this is a scam and a serious crime in many countries
Anonymous
06/09/2025 13:19
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:Wth! You are sending your kid to Europe and you are asking theses ??
No he should be researching he should know what he needs or he should not be going.
No flaming you for not knowing flaming you for not making him take accountability
Schwab debit card with an account with
$2000 in it he us to get local
Currency when he hits the airport about $400 out of the $2000 rest stays in the account gif emergencies . It’s debit not credit
Visa card for everything wise preferably Cap one or Chase
Photos of barcode of passport on his phone
Copies of passport in his suitcase
One bag trip carry on international size
Adapter
Phone charger external one as well
Packsafe cross body bag
Pack safe backpack prefabs his luggage
If he has an iPhone with Verizon dies not need a SIM card it’s $10 a day clicks in as soon as he lands
Never ever does he take his bag off at a restaurant or bar
What’s so great about this Schwab debit account? As opposed to others?? Thx!
Anonymous
06/09/2025 13:17
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
-A passport that good for 6+ months past departure date, with copies for himself and copies left with you.
- Drivers license or secondary form of photo ID
- Mobile phone with Aeralo (or equivalent) eSIM
- Anti-theft precautions for mobile phone, passport, cash (varies with what he likes to wear, look into it)
- A good credit card that’s not Amex.
- a debit card with a pin to draw Euros from BANK ATMs
- WhatsApp
- US to EU plug adapter for sockets
Everything else can be bought there!
- Drivers license or secondary form of photo ID
- Mobile phone with Aeralo (or equivalent) eSIM
- Anti-theft precautions for mobile phone, passport, cash (varies with what he likes to wear, look into it)
- A good credit card that’s not Amex.
- a debit card with a pin to draw Euros from BANK ATMs
- US to EU plug adapter for sockets
Everything else can be bought there!
Anonymous
06/09/2025 13:07
Subject: DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?
Anonymous wrote:Wth! You are sending your kid to Europe and you are asking theses ??
No he should be researching he should know what he needs or he should not be going.
No flaming you for not knowing flaming you for not making him take accountability
Schwab debit card with an account with
$2000 in it he us to get local
Currency when he hits the airport about $400 out of the $2000 rest stays in the account gif emergencies . It’s debit not credit
Visa card for everything wise preferably Cap one or Chase
Photos of barcode of passport on his phone
Copies of passport in his suitcase
One bag trip carry on international size
Adapter
Phone charger external one as well
Packsafe cross body bag
Pack safe backpack prefabs his luggage
If he has an iPhone with Verizon dies not need a SIM card it’s $10 a day clicks in as soon as he lands
Never ever does he take his bag off at a restaurant or bar
Do you work for one of these?