20 Things That Shock Canadians When They Visit Europe

One of the best thing for travellers was the introduction of the European Union's Schengen Area. What's that, you ask? It's the borderless part of Europe where, once you enter a member country, you can travel through all the other Schengen counties without the need for a visa or customs formalities. It's just like driving from Ontario to Quebec, except that in Schengen, you can drive from Estonia to Portugal. There are 26 countries in the Schengen Area and Canadians get a 90-day visa upon arrival. Here are our tips for not getting flagged by customs when you come home.

Gone are the days of needing multiple currencies for multiple countries. The Euro is the common currency of 19 European countries and widely accepted elsewhere. Make sure you know our top tips for exchanging money before you leave home.

The fact that so many countries are packed into a relatively small area is a mixed blessing. You'll be tempted to see as many countries as you can, but if you do that, you'll miss out on really experiencing them. That said, if you have a tight schedule, you can definitely add a dozen nations to your list of visited countries. Our recommendation though is to stick to just a few countries and return to Europe many times.

If you need the loo in Canada, it's fairly easy as most public places have free public restrooms. But in Europe, it's a different story. Free public restrooms are few and far between. Instead, the restrooms that are available require a small payment before you go. Sometimes there's someone collecting money at the entrance, other times you'll have to deal with turnstiles. Always keep some change on you, that way you won't be stuck when nature calls.

While every country has its own language, you'll discover that many people are fluent in English. While it makes life easier, you should still make the effort to learn at least a few words for each European country you visit. It's a great way to open doors.

What do the Eiffel Tower (Paris), the Colosseum (Rome) and Sistine Chapel (Vatican City) all have in common? Crowds. In fact, there is growing anger from locals at the throngs of tourists in places like Barcelona, Venice and Dubrovnik. So what to do? One option is to travel off season. The crowds will be lighter and the prices cheaper. Another option is to go off the beaten path and discover far less crowded up-and-coming destinations.

Getting around Europe is easy. There isn't much need for a rental car when most counties have excellent rail services. However, these can be expensive. In many cases, the cheapest option is flying on one of Europe's discount airlines. Remember to keep your luggage to a minimum and be aware that some flights operate in and out of alternative airports that may be far from your chosen destination. Here's how you can save even more on your next flight.

Europeans are way more relaxed when it comes to booze. You'll find children in pubs with their parents and open liquor allowed in places that are verboten in Canada. In some countries, you'll find beer in vending machines and pretty much every grocery and corner store sells beer and wine.

Love good wine, but not the cost? You'll find plenty of cheap, delicious options in Europe. The prices are really low in wine-producing counties like Spain and Portugal.

In Canada, our homes are fitted with jumbo water heaters that allow us to take long, hot showers. Not so across the pond. Water tanks are small and often located in the bathroom. Some showers have small heating units that you turn on to warm up the water on demand. What does this mean for you? Don't expect to take long showers. Be courteous if you're in a hostel and turn off the water while you lather up. Remember that taking shorter, cooler showers back home is one of the ways to help save $1000 a month.

According to the World Health Organization, Europeans are living longer then Americans. It could be the food. It could be that Europeans walk more. Whatever it is, people here are fitter than at home. If you can discover their secret, you might be able to write a book and become a self-made millionaire without money.

Europe is old and as such, you'll find history around almost every corner. If you're a history buff, limit your first trip to Europe to one or two countries. That way you'll really be able to enjoy all the museums and local culture without feeling rushed and like you're missing a bunch of stuff.

In general, Europeans are much more relaxed than North Americans when it comes to nudity. Topless sunbathing is quite common at many public beaches and some are completely clothing optional. Resist the temptation to stare and definitely don't take pictures.

Cooking with gas is so much better than electric. You have much more control and the heat is instant. If you prefer gas cooking, you'll be in heaven in Europe.

It's easy to pick out the North American tourists in Europe. They're the ones wearing shorts, t-shirts and baseball caps, just like at home. But for the most part, Europeans take their appearance seriously. If you don't want to stick out, dress up a little.

While smoking in Europe has become more restricted, it's still a far cry from Canada. You'll find many more people smoke and if you've recently quit, be prepared to be tested. You might remind your new European friends that quitting smoking is just one of 30 things that can help you live longer.

In Canada, some big companies make it their mission to offer great customer service, while at smaller establishments, tips are an incentive for good service. But in many European countries, the wages are high enough that tipping isn't popular. And the service can reflect that. This is especially true at many bars. Do your research to see if tipping is common in the countries you'll be visiting and if it isn't, don't feel guilty for not tipping. That said, if you receive exceptional service, feel free to tip appropriately.

Doing your laundry in Europe can be a bit of a challenge. Most homes have washing machines, but dryers can be hard to come by. The cost of electricity plays a big part. Most people simply hang things to dry, whether inside or outside. For travellers, if you can find a rare laundromat, you'll find dryers.

Using a mobile phone in Europe is surprisingly easy as most European carriers don't charge extra for roaming in EU countries. Simply bring an unlocked phone with you and pick up a SIM card upon arrival. Check coverage and rates and, off you go! If you get a data package, you can use apps like WhatsApp or MagicJack to call home for no cost. And if you want your smartphone always at the ready, we've got the best ways to save your phone's battery.

If you're used to eating out at 6pm in Canada, you'll be wondering where everyone is in Europe. Dinnertime varies by country, but don't be surprised when most people go for dinner at 8, 9 and even 10pm. And before you leave on your big adventure, read up on our ways to save money while travelling in Europe.