Independent Travel in Europe
Tips and resources for independent travellers
When it comes to travel, health is a huge issue. Think about it - you want to feel healthy and fit if you're planning on going on holidays for any length of time. Visiting Europe's destinations, whether they be historic city centres or medieval towns, is best done on foot, so ideally you want to be in good enough shape to be able to walk for a few hours a day. Of course, you'll be taking breaks during that time.
There are a few health issues that you'll want to take into consideration prior to and during your trip:
Fitness level - Start a regular exercise program prior to going on holidays, if you don't already have one. In particular, build up your stamina for taking long walks. Also, take at least one short walk with your packed luggage prior to departure to ensure that you can manage your luggage on your own. Building up your upper body strength will help you to be able to manage your backpack and/or lift luggage or pull suitcases along. For a total-body workout, consider Nordic walking - a low-impact sport that builds upper body strength and increases both caloric expenditure and oxygen intake.
Be prepared - pack a first aid kit, and include items such as a few throat lozenges, bandages, gauze pads, adhesive tape, alcohol swabs, pain killers, sunblock, tweezers, laxatives, oral rehydration salts, needle and safety pins(to hold bandages together), and moleskin (for blisters).
Footwear - wear sturdy walking shoes and/or sandals. You want to be able to walk around comfortably for at least a few hours a day.
Water - We have found that it's best to stick to bottled water.
Jet lag - We have found that if you're flying from North or South America to Europe, it's best to take a nap as soon as you have access to your accommodations. Sleep for a couple of hours, freshen up, and you'll be ready for a walk, errands, and a meal. You should be fine the following day.
To minimize jet lag, get a good night's sleep the night before your flight. During the flight, wear comfortable clothes, eat light, drink plenty of water, and try to sleep for a few hours. Stretch your legs and walk around a few times during the flight (when the seat belt sign is off).
Prescription medication - If you're on medication, bring enough for the duration of your trip. Pack it in your carry-on luggage.
Apart from walking every day during your trip, consider doing some stretching/yoga, or if you're staying by a pool or beach, go for a few swims during your stay.
Don't overschedule - Don't plan activities for every single day - just go with the flow sometimes. Don't create an itinerary that is too hectic - you'll end up feeling stressed.
Food - In general, your overall diet will be much healthier if you don't always eat out. Consider fresh fruit and/or fruit smoothies for breakfast and carry fresh fruit with you to have as a mid-morning snack. If you need something more substantial around mid-morning, eat a few dried fruit and nuts.
Note: We are both vegetarians and have never had a problem finding restaurants that offer vegetarian options. We usually stay in self-catering accommodations and load up on fresh produce, spices, potatoes and some rice or pasta from the local markets. If we are eating out, we usually look for Indian, Lebanese, Greek, Turkish, or Italian restaurants. Buffet-style restaurants also usually offer vegetarian options. To find health food stores and restaurants offering vegetarian and or vegan options in Europe, search the Happy Cow Compassionate Eating Guide.
Smoothies - If you have access to a blender, you may want to try nutritious green smoothies. Not only are they rich in calcium, they are delicious and satisfy your hunger. If you have a smoothie at lunch, you probably won't be hungry until dinner time.
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