A European plan includes accommodation but no meals, leaving guests to find their own food. This can be a disadvantage for those unfamiliar with the area, but also an opportunity to explore local cuisine. It can save money and allow for luxury accommodations. Researching local food options is recommended.
A European plan is accommodation where the hotel is included but no meals are included in the package price. There are pros and cons to this plan that need to be carefully considered before agreeing to a travel package. Choosing the best European plan may take some thought, but it can actually help a savvy traveler get more out of their vacation.
The main disadvantage of a European plan is that it leaves the guest completely alone with regards to food. While the hotel may have a dining room or restaurant, any food purchased will be in addition to your room bill. For people traveling to places where they don’t speak the language, a European plan can seem a bit daunting, as it will require them to go out and try to find food without being able to communicate with the locals.
This disadvantage can also be seen as a great advantage. Hotel food, with rare exceptions, is often much more expensive than eating at local restaurants or buying food at grocery stores. Not relying on lodging to provide meals encourages exploration of a new area and can provide an adventurous traveler with new and exciting food opportunities. It’s important to remember that a European plan may not prevent a traveler from eating at the hotel, it just doesn’t include meals in the room price.
Choosing the best European plan can allow your vacation money to stretch even further. Many all-inclusive hotels assume that a person with an inclusive meal plan will eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even tea or snacks. Rates will be based on the maximum a traveler can eat, not the minimum. For light eaters, a European plan can avoid being charged for many uneaten meals. More money saved means more money for souvenirs, excursions and meals in other locations.
Some European plans may allow a person to stay in luxury accommodations for a much lower price than other travelers on a meal-inclusive plan. While a traveler might not be able to get free room service in bed, taking a ten-minute round-trip walk to a nearby bakery and back to enjoy a freshly baked croissant in the hot tub may be better than sitting and wait for the bran flakes to arrive. For flexible travelers with a love of exploration, a European plan can provide the best of both worlds: stay in beautiful rooms while enjoying total freedom to explore local food.
When choosing a European plan, it might be wise to pick up some guides or research local food options online. Discover the typical or important dishes of the region and make a simple list of restaurants, markets and food stands to try. If the region uses a different language, get a basic language book for travellers. Many will have easy-to-understand sections on how to order food from a restaurant and pay for meals that can help even a novice linguist get a plate of the local delicacy.
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