"Double the Centigrade temp, subtract the first digit of the result from the result and add 32. It works pretty well; you’re usually right on but you’ll never be more than 1 degree Fahrenheit off."
For example, 23 C equals 74 F.
23 C x 2 = 46;
46 – 4 = 42;
42 + 32 = 74 F
For example, 23 C equals 74 F.
23 C x 2 = 46;
46 – 4 = 42;
42 + 32 = 74 F
This is a lifesaver because most of us can do this math in our heads! And most of us remember 32 F is freezing point. Close enough for government work and I am thrilled to be able to sort it out on my own.
When you go to a new country, buy yourself a small extension cord that allows multiple plugs. It's so much easier to have one outlet charging all your thingies. Nearly all stores will sell them in home electronics area, including grocery stores.
Add Google Translate as an app. Use the photo icon and carefully hold your camera over items to see immediate translation into English! Only when it's not a fancy font:) Most ingredients list and instructions are in easily translatable fonts.
If you stay for a week or more and have a kitchen, save your glass jars for leftovers. Some countries don't sell plastic containers, and some don't have Ziplocs. Everyone has glass jars. Likewise, plastic film comes in useful.
In the Airbnb world there is a large discrepancy in what is provided to you. It may or may not have hand soap, cleaning supplies, salt/pepper, spices, kitchen utensils, storage containers, good knives, a pair of scissors, etc, so get used to an immediate trip to the store for basic essential items. Also, don't buy liquid hand soap, shampoo is the same thing and cheaper. Plan in advance on a $20 shopping list and it won't upset you when something is missing. Alternatively, always ask hosts to provide things you would like to have, because it never hurts to ask and save that money for your next museum entry!
We've asked for and gotten kitchen knives, pots with lids, hand soap and can openers, for example. In other cases I have purchased those items myself, particularly in lower cost airbnb's.
Research in advance or ask the host how to get to a place to purchase reloadable public transportation cards or tickets, depending on your length of stay. Most Airbnb hosts are happy to help and it's the very cheapest and easiest way to travel in Europe. We used Uber when we went to and from Ikea and sometimes to and from the airports though. Cabs are always more, as are the hosts offers of transportation. Plus you never know how a host drives. Our German host of a Cancun trip drove us to the airport. The car was dirty, a mustang convertible and the ride was white knuckled. On the reverse, our Budapest host was willing to pick us up at 4:30AM, so we used him. His car was great, his driving pristine. It's a crapshoot though. More so than Uber in our view. We used Google to find a few of the ticket offices, but mostly the hosts are great sources of information. And remember, google maps don't always accurately note bus stops, so look for the bus signs and the people standing and waiting in groups on the street, who are a dead give away.
Ask hosts for the name of nearby grocery stores and location/day/times of fruit/veggie markets as well. We missed out on markets in a few towns, simply for not asking.
Another cool thing is to join local Facebook groups to find out about happenings in your area while you are there. Don't forget to check your favorite group's concert series, it's highly likely they play in Europe!
Buy reusable shopping bags as souvenirs. You will always find them handy and some stores do not provide bags at all in certain countries. Likewise, table linens, clothes and scarves are great, unbreakable mementos.
Another cool thing is to join local Facebook groups to find out about happenings in your area while you are there. Don't forget to check your favorite group's concert series, it's highly likely they play in Europe!
Buy reusable shopping bags as souvenirs. You will always find them handy and some stores do not provide bags at all in certain countries. Likewise, table linens, clothes and scarves are great, unbreakable mementos.
Don't bother with travel laundry soap. If you can't find a laundromat to do your clothes for you, then just use shampoo in the sink. Along those lines, most European homes don't have dryers, so ask for the location of the drying rack. And wash your clothes early in the morning to be sure they dry by the next day in the more humid countries. Place clothes directly on radiators if it's in the colder months. Just check often and turn often.
If you're uncomfortable, do what it takes. We've bought lawn furniture chairs with a pad if there's no comfortable place to sit. We've bought more air mattresses than I can count if the bed sucks the big one. And I've let the owners know when the bed is beyond repair. You can buy a cheap twin mattress for $80, there's no excuse not to when you're renting your place out for $1200 monthly.
And most recently, we bought a second airbnb for three nights that has AC because it's 95 degrees here now. *sigh*
If you're uncomfortable, do what it takes. We've bought lawn furniture chairs with a pad if there's no comfortable place to sit. We've bought more air mattresses than I can count if the bed sucks the big one. And I've let the owners know when the bed is beyond repair. You can buy a cheap twin mattress for $80, there's no excuse not to when you're renting your place out for $1200 monthly.
And most recently, we bought a second airbnb for three nights that has AC because it's 95 degrees here now. *sigh*
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