A is for Air conditioning vs Climate Control.
In Europe Climate Control rather than Air Conditioning is common.
With air conditioning you can usually set exactly how cold you want your room. (That is once you figure out the controls on the wall). With climate control, the hotel system sets the temperature. You can chose your level within a range of hot and cold.
When setting temperatures, take into consideration the altitude. Desert climates as in our Saudi Arabia trip or mountains as in Mexico August trip means much cooler evenings that you might expect. If you are near bodies of water as in the Italian Lakes in July, nights are cooler also.
B is for Breakfast European vs American/English.
European Breakfast used to be a basket of breads with butter, jam, juice and coffee. In Paris today, the basket might include croissant, sweet rolls, a pain au chocolate (a piece of rich dark chocolate is the interior surprise) and some sliced baguette. Some Scandinavian countries will include meats and cheeses. These days all over Europe, you will always almost see yogurts, muesli (like an unsweetened granola), boiled eggs and a few cereals also on a breakfast buffet. Warning: in Italy breakfast can be quite sweet.
The so named ‘American Breakfast’ will include eggs, meat like bacon or more likely Canadian bacon. Also, there might be a choice of pancakes, waffles, ‘french’ toast. (English Breakfast includes baked beans, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and fried eggs). In non European and Middle Eastern countries, you will love the salty cheeses, fresh flat breads, honey and nuts combos, fried borek pastries with cheese tucked inside, stews, olives, salads.
C is for Concierge What does this person do and not do?
The concierge is a hotel staffer who helps with tours, taxis, theater tickets etc. Items that are not part of the actual hotel experience. The concierge is usually on duty during the day. She/he sits at a desk in the lobby. Warning: you must tell the person if you are an experienced or new traveler. Example: I used a concierge in Paris to book a museum shuttle bus to fantastic Louis Vuitton Fondation (Ladies, the museum is included in our Paris trip). The shuttle was late, crowded and slow. On return, I took the Metro (subway) with help from passersby. It was easy, cheap, fast and safe. If you don’t introduce yourself, hotel concierges usually assume you need pricey tourist help, the limo and the best house seats for an event. Start with your introduction.
A final note about concierges. They might know staff at the restaurants they recommend. If you are alone, ask the concierge to alert the restaurant that you are coming alone and they should take special care of you.
Travel tips from award winning The Women’s Travel Group, small group tours for women. Contact us by phone +1 646 309 5607 or at
