Traveling across Europe with a smile—no foreign language needed: Travel guide

AFirst: The foremost thing in this travelogue is gratitude.

1.60For an elderly woman who doesn’t speak a foreign language to smoothly travel across Europe for [number] days is no easy feat. As someone who went through it, I understand even more the hardships, the bitterness, the sweetness, and the sourness along the way. Throughout this trip, I received help from so many people. Please allow me to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who helped me, thank you all, thank you to all the Chinese and foreign friends who extended a warm hand to me. You may not hear or see my gratitude, but I, an elderly Chinese woman, will remember you forever and thank you.

B:60What moved me most during my [number] days traveling across Europe were the Chinese students abroad in their [number]s. Each one of them was so sensible, so eager to help, so diligent, striving independently overseas in their studies. In them, I saw the future of China. Here, I wish them academic success and to grow into talent soon.20The Chinese children, just a few years old, are so sensible, so eager to help others, and so diligent, striving independently overseas in their studies. In them, I see the future of China. Here, I wish them academic success and that they grow into talents soon.

C:60What made me feel most ashamed during my [number] days traveling across Europe was the education system of our great nation.

In museums and scenic spots in various countries, every day I would see teachers bringing children to museums for lessons. Every child had printed materials in hand, and as they toured, they compared their own resources, discussing and learning.Many foreign museums and scenic spots offer free entry to students, including international students, but what about our education?.....

D:60What made me proudest during my [number] days traveling across Europe was seeing Chinese people everywhere in Europe. Our motherland is indeed growing stronger day by day. You don’t realize it until you compare—after traveling around Europe, I felt our social order is much better than theirs. At the very least, when traveling within China, you don’t have to live in constant fear of thieves or robbers.

Traveling Europe on your own

First,Visa,

1.I made my own itinerary: day by day, very detailed, with no oversights,

including daily itinerary content, hotels booked each day, and transportation for each day.

2.The hotel reservation confirmation for each night of accommodation,

3.The round-trip flight reservation confirmation (the dates must match the itinerary exactly, not even a single day off),

4.Travel insurance (the number of insured days must match the itinerary),

5.All required documents for the visa application.

6.The Schengen visa application form.

All of the above must be in English,

Double-check everything to ensure accuracy, then submit to the visa center (I applied for a Spanish Schengen visa 4and received it in [number] days).

Second, after obtaining the visa

1.Once I had the visa, I re-planned and adjusted my itinerary to make it logical and avoid backtracking.

2.I looked up information online for confirmed destinations, compiled and verified accurate details. (It’s important to filter out online advertisements, especially soft ads disguised as reviews from so-called travelers.)

3.I familiarized myself with the map and memorized the locations of all the attractions I planned to visit.

This process took me about2months, right up until departure.

4.The bilingual (Chinese-English) version of the itinerary mentioned above,

5.A concise list of commonly used words in both Chinese and English (keep it short and simple),

6.The bilingual names of destinations and attractions on the itinerary, Bilingual (Chinese-English) emergency contact numbers for embassies and consulates,

7.Emergency contact numbers for family members,

8.If you have a driver’s license, get an international driving permit notarized—I did mine through Hertz.

9.Print out the above items (

10.copies) and bring them along. That’s all set2.OKThird,

Bring some basic medications (I brought a few but didn’t end up using them, but I didn’t dare not bring any),

1.A hairdryer, an electric kettle, a laptop,

A, twoIP, and twomobile phones.Two cameras, one camcorder, all chargers, power strips, European plugs, and toiletries.

2.Not many clothes—just add a pair of comfortable travel shoes. Plan the itinerary based on the temperature. Gradually reduce and discard clothing: sweaters, fleece tops, pants, etc.2Carrying unworn clothes for over a month gets really tiring.Also, every city in Europe has plenty of small Chinese shops selling the same stuff as local markets—everything is available, just a few yuan more expensive. Very convenient.

3.I brought one small suitcase, two backpacks, one smaller backpack, and one small crossbody bag..Before leaving, always check that all parts of your suitcase or backpack are sturdy and secure; otherwise, a break can be a real hassle. I layered one good and one bad large backpack together (the one from the free market40yuan(I only threw away the old bag right before boarding the plane back to Beijing.) I also brought a waist pack at the start, but3days into the trip in Europe, I tossed it—it was too conspicuous, basically advertising, “My money and documents are here, just grab the waist pack!”

I found a vest to be perfect, with pockets inside and out—easy to store things and not noticeable.

4.I categorized my items into3different levels. Heavy, non-essential items went in the small suitcase. Sometimes the suitcase had to be left in the bus’s luggage compartment. Valuable, frequently used items like the camera, laptop,IPetc., went in the backpack. Phone, loose change, etc., went in the vest pockets. This way, if someone tries to rob me, the first thing I drop and run with is the suitcase. If I can’t run anymore, I drop the backpack, then keep going empty-handed while shouting—just as long as I have my phone and money, I’ve got nothing to worry about.

Haha. Of course, if I actually get caught, I’d have to give them everything.。

5. Money, credit cards, and passport—I keep these three items in a small, close-fitting pouch, 24/7 (make sure to wrap them in plastic to prevent sweat from damaging the documents).

After traveling around, I felt cash was better because using credit cards abroad is different from in China—you often don’t need to sign or enter a PIN, and in some places, you can even pay just by stating your card number. Constantly pulling out your card while traveling, carrying so many items, and accidentally losing it would be a nightmare.

Cash was very convenient for me—500-euro notes, about the same size and thickness as a 100-yuan note. I exchanged 4000 euros before the trip, which is just 8 notes the size of 100-yuan bills. Folded up and stored close to my body, they’re completely invisible. I’d use one 500-euro note at a time, keeping the smaller bills folded and secure. For smaller euro denominations, like 20s, I kept them in a money pouch, with keys attached on the other side. This way, in my pocket, it’s easy to access money, the pouch is heavy enough not to slip out easily, and there’s a long strap so thieves can’t just yank it away. Also, even if it’s lost, it’s not a huge amount of money.

6. I only used my credit cards in a few countries like Switzerland—for purchases and booking tickets.

If I couldn’t operate it or understand English, I’d just let them swipe. I’ve learned my lesson.

7. Pens, paper, glasses, printed itinerary materials—all in duplicate. One set in my luggage, one set with me. Better safe than sorry.

8. Carry small pieces of paper for jotting things down or showing to others. Also, write down the attractions you plan to visit that day for easier wayfinding.

9. Must bring 2 locks—they’re expensive to buy abroad. Hostels require locks. They may offer free lockers or cabinets, but you have to provide your own lock.

Fourth Language

1. Someone asked me, how do you communicate abroad if you don’t speak the language?

I asked back, communicate about what? They were speechless. Actually, there are very few situations where you need a foreign language—mainly buying tickets, going to hotels, visiting attractions, and asking for directions. Once you’re at your destination, you often don’t need a foreign language. Plus, not everyone in Europe speaks English.

A Chinese girl in Toledo, Spain, asked for directions several times without success. I walked over, said one word—“TU”—then pointed to the printed name of the attraction I had. Boom, they immediately understood and showed her the way. Later, her boyfriend said, “Honey, your foreign language skills aren’t as good as this auntie’s who doesn’t speak any.”

2. Facing French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Greek… OK, too complicated. So, prepare essential vocabulary—keep it as concise as possible.

These few words are crucial. Translate them and write them on small slips of paper.

Bus stop, train station, ticket, morning, evening, night, today, tomorrow, what time does it depart, which platform, what time does it arrive, how many buses today, subway station, toilet, 60% discount for seniors, 24-hour pass.

3. If you don’t speak the language, memorize visual cues—mainly the look of letters. For long strings of letters, focus on the first, last, and middle ones. Before getting on a bus or subway, always count how many stops to your destination. Foreign station names are written very large, so check if it’s your stop. If yes, get off and follow the crowd out. But bus stop signs have tiny text and many names, with no maps, so I try to take the subway instead of buses whenever possible.

Fifth, (i)

1. European train stations, bus terminals, and subway stations all have this   i   sign—it’s very prominent and easy to find. I don’t know what it means, but I think it stands for “service” in Chinese. After arriving in any city, the first thing I do is locate the   i   sign. There, you can get local maps and subway route maps. Just ask the staff for a MIP (map), and they’ll hand you one without hesitation. Then, show them the English name or address of your hotel or attraction, and they’ll draw the route on the map, mark it, and some places might even print you a customized map or route from point A to your destination. With that, asking for directions afterward becomes much easier.

2. Even if I don’t speak the language, they might draw a circle with hands representing time, or sketch a little bed to indicate the hotel I’m heading to, or draw a bus with a number showing which bus I should take to reach my destination…

3. Also, after settling into your accommodation,hand the English names of the attractions you plan to visit to the hotel front desk. They’ll give you a map and mark the locations for you. But remember, everything on the map is in English, and they speak quickly—by the time they finish marking, you might forget everything. So, as they mark, note down the order in your mind: 1, 2, 3… Otherwise, even with the map, you won’t know where to go.

Sixth, daily food, accommodation, and transportation

First, let me clarify: the prices you check before departure are outdated—don’t trust them. Everything has gone up. Always go by the actual costs.

(1) Let’s talk about accommodation,

1.I book through GuestNetwork, a great website. It offers 24/7 service, and I always book the next day’s stay the night before. A credit card number is required as a guarantee, and it’s been smooth sailing all the way.

2. I mostly choose youth hostels or backpackers’ inns. They’re very clean, well-organized, and most provide kitchens and utensils, which guests clean and put back after use. Some offer simple breakfasts—bread, cheese, coffee, milk. Many hostels are large, even 7- or 8-story buildings, like big hotels. They have dedicated cleaners, and everything is spotless. Bedding is changed for each guest, usually with sheets and pillowcases provided upon check-in, which you lay out yourself and return to the laundry basket when leaving. Bathrooms and showers are clean. Everyone gets their own locker, which you must lock with your own padlock—otherwise, lost items aren’t covered (pay attention to additional rules; some hostels don’t accept older guests).

3. The average cost is around 20 euros (160 RMB) per day. Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe are cheaper—around 10+ euros. Switzerland is more expensive.

4. On GuestNetwork, search by price when looking for hostels. My top booking priorities are:

First, free Wi-Fi. Otherwise, it costs about 5 euros per hour.

Second, a kitchen.

Third, check the hostel’s location on the map—proximity to a train station or subway is key because when you first arrive, you’re unfamiliar with the area, language barriers exist, and many locals may not speak English or know your destination. Dragging luggage around is exhausting. Also, compare multiple options before booking.

5. After booking, you’re supposed to print the confirmation, but if you lack a printer, jot down the booking details: address, phone number, hostel name, and map. I write these on a piece of paper and also take a photo with my phone for easy reference when asking for directions.

6. When checking in, just show your passport and register. After that, connect to Wi-Fi and use Google Translate to communicate with the staff.

7. Throughout my trip, I chose only hostels with Wi-Fi. Every evening, I worked hard sending messages home, finalizing the next day’s itinerary, and most importantly,booking accommodations for the next stop online. So, whether a hostel has Wi-Fi is crucial.

Prepare everything for the next day the night before—keep your itinerary in an outer pocket for easy access when asking for directions.

8. After booking many hostels, I found that those listed on the first page of search results are usually the cheapest and best. Also, when you ask at the   i   information desk after arrival, they almost always know the route to your hostel and will either print or draw you a map right away.

(2) Food:

1. Europe is expensive—or rather, very expensive. A regular pizza costs 7–8 euros, and a better one goes for over 10 euros. Occasionally trying local specialties often means getting ripped off. For example, French seafood pasta costs 22 euros + 3 euros for service—that’s outrageous: three tiny shrimp, two threads of squid rings, two mussels + noodles. Venice’s squid ink pasta is just noodles with black squid ink + service charge = 13 euros. And ordering takes forever—you might wait an hour for your food. Those online boasts about “century-old” this or that are mostly soft ads, outright scams. Don’t fall for so-called century-old Chinese restaurants. Just eat at home.

2. No need to bring instant noodles or other foods from home. Supermarkets and Chinese stores are everywhere in Europe, and prices aren’t bad.

3. Here’s how I handle meals: I buy spaghetti, bread, sausages, eggs, vegetables, and fruits at supermarkets—they’re very cheap (bread, noodles, and sausages are even cheaper than in China). For most breakfasts and dinners, I cook spaghetti using my electric kettle: boil tomatoes first, then add spaghetti, eggs, and vegetables. If staying somewhere longer, I buy chicken legs, beef cubes, or veggies from the supermarket to change things up. Some hostels’ kitchens provide oil, salt, and seasonings. For lunch, I usually bring boiled eggs, bread, sausages, lettuce, and fruits. I’ve noticed even locals, including teachers with school kids, bring their own food—usually bread and sausages. You can just find a spot on the grass, by a fountain, or in a square to eat.

4. Don’t bring too much water—Europe haspublic drinking fountains everywhere. Just bring your own cup. But finding restrooms in Europe is tough, and when you do, they cost around 0.5 euros (4 RMB). Museums usually have free restrooms after entry.

(3) Long-distance bus travel:

1. Buses: For independent travel in Europe, buses are the most economical option. Especially in Spain and Portugal, buses are often nearly empty—you can sleep the whole way and wake up at your destination ready to explore.

All I saw on the bus were foreign backpackers— not a single Chinese tourist. Chinese tourists would rather spend their money on trains. I only ran into a few Chinese people running local businesses who took the bus.

2 It’s important to note that after purchasing a bus ticket, you need to confirm it half an hour in advance to get your platform number, which you then hand to the driver when boarding. For international buses, passport verification is also required.

(4) Long-distance train travel:

I didn’t buy the Eurail pass that’s so hyped in China. Think about it—Chinese businesses want to make money, and foreign ones won’t serve you for free. Once you look into it, you’ll find the service fees are very high, sometimes even more expensive than the ticket itself. So I just bought my tickets directly at the station.

1. Every train station has ticket vending machines, and major stations may have dozens of them, so there’s no need to wait in line.

Buying tickets from the machines is very convenient and saves money. The ticket windows will often give you more expensive options, but the machines let you find much cheaper fares. It’s actually quite simple—once you learn how to do it once, you can repeat the process easily.

2. European train tickets are valid for 60 days, so it’s essential to validate your ticket before boarding to prove it’s been activated. Otherwise, getting checked can be troublesome, and if it’s not a same-day ticket, you might get fined. I was lucky to always buy and board on the same day. Not knowing how to validate or forgetting to do so didn’t get me fined because the inspectors, seeing I was an elderly woman who didn’t speak the language, let me off.They just signed my ticket, and that was fine. But if it wasn’t a same-day ticket, I’d probably still have been fined. I’ve heard many young Chinese people get penalized. (Too many Chinese try to dodge the fare.)

(5) Transportation after arriving in each city

1. Public transport tickets in European cities are quite expensive—single rides are around 2 to 3 euros, and locals mostly use monthly passes.

2. Each city offers tourists 3-day or 7-day passes, 24-hour tickets, and single-ride tickets.

3. In Europe, basically all types of tickets—metro, bus, and light rail—are interchangeable.

A single ticket is valid for 90 minutes and allows unlimited transfers between metro, bus, and light rail.

4. N-day passes: On the surface, they seem convenient, but in practice, they’re a rip-off. The total cost usually ends up being higher than using 24-hour passes or single tickets.

5 (Paris’s 7-day pass isn’t worth it—you’re charged an extra 5 euros for the card, non-refundable. Honestly, 10 single tickets—two per day—would suffice and save you 20 euros.)

6 (Rome’s 35-euro pass also isn’t a good deal, especially for students, since many museums offer free entry to them.)

7 Actually, a combination of single tickets and 24-hour passes is the most economical. You can buy them at train stations, metro stations, or (i) points. My rule is to get a 24-hour pass and a few single tickets upon arrival, then plan your time wisely to use them efficiently.

(6) Venice boat tickets

The 24-hour pass is the best deal at 20 euros—it covers bus, train, and boat.

(7) Metro

The metro systems in various countries are well-developed, with clear signage. That saved this non-English-speaking old lady a lot of trouble. But in France, the metro lacks clear signs, has chaotic exits, and no escalators. All Chinese tourists and students agree: China’s urban construction and public safety are better than France’s.

(8) Ticket inspections

1 On local buses, it’s all based on the honor system—I never saw anyone checking tickets; it’s entirely up to passengers to validate them.

Same goes for boats—for example, in Venice, it’s all self-service.

2 But a word of warning: whether it’s metro, bus, or ferry, inspectors tend to target young Chinese travelers, and if caught, the fines are steep—60 euros.

3 A pair of young tourists from Weihai told me they got checked twice in one day at the metro exit. Maybe because I’m an old lady, I wasn’t checked once in 60 days.

Seventh, entrance fees

Entrance fees to European attractions are expensive, especially in France—but lots of Chinese go there, and tour groups flood the sites, as if afraid of not contributing enough to France. Italy and Greece, however, have low or even no entrance fees. For instance, the world-famous Pantheon in Rome—imagine my surprise when I found out it was free. I went there three times just to admire the stunning architecture. St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is also free—I visited four times.

Eighth, shopping

I travel on a budget and don’t shop. First, I don’t have money; second, I have nowhere to put the stuff; third, I’m afraid of buying made-in-China goods.

Online rumors claim discounted designer bags, but a closer look reveals they're all fakes. They're specifically targeting Chinese tourists who have less money but a strong desire for status. The Chinese makers of these counterfeit bags told me that foreign sellers originally placed orders with Chinese workshops to produce the fake bags, which were then sold in markets.

Genuine designer bags never go on sale—not even a penny off. Take it or leave it. Besides, I'm on a long trip, and dragging all my purchases around for the rest of the journey would be downright foolish.

Ninth, Public Safety

1. Europe has an especially high number of thieves, and Chinese tourists are their primary targets. Nearly half of the Chinese people I met had been pickpocketed or had their bags slashed. France, in particular, is chaotic—filthy, with drunkards and homeless people everywhere, and Paris is even worse. Touring Paris feels like navigating through fear; you’re constantly on guard, expecting a burly Black person to snatch your bag or a blade to slash it open. If you hang your camera conspicuously around your neck, you're practically broadcasting to thieves: "Come rob me, I'm Chinese, I'm rich!"

2. Moreover, from what I understand, most victims are women carrying or wearing flashy little purses, which basically advertise to thieves, “All my money is in here.” Some Chinese tour groups are also loud and shop excessively, signaling to thieves that “These Chinese must have money—let’s rob them.”

3. I carried a beat-up schoolbag, and only encountered one thief—a nondescript old lady. I spotted her, shouted loudly, and scared her off.

Germany felt very safe to me. Eastern European countries and Italy were also okay, but Athens in Greece was terrible—it also targeted Chinese people, and in deserted areas, they’d just rob you outright. So in Athens, don’t walk around holding your phone up to your ear; there are phone snatchers.

My travel goal is to absorb the culture, history, and art of different countries, so I don’t stress over shopping.

Tenth, Gaining Experience and Smart Phone Use

After 60-plus days in Europe, I found my phone to be the most practical tool (if you’re not into photography). You can truly travel the world with just a smartphone—but bring enough power banks.

First, it lets you make calls.

Second, it can take photos, upload them, chat, and send WeChat messages.

Third, it provides phone-based map navigation.Offline map feature

Download Google offline maps on your phone (I started using this feature from Paris onward). Every day after booking a hotel, I’d enter the address and pin it on the map. When I arrived in the city, I’d locate the hotel on the map, and when I neared the area, I’d open the offline location on my phone—no need to ask for directions, I’d find it myself.

Upon arriving at the hotel, the first thing I did was find Wi-Fi. Once connected, I’d open either my IP or Google Maps on my phone. For anything I didn’t understand, I’d use Google Translate to communicate.

I also used Wi-Fi to mark the locations of attractions I planned to visit. Based on maps and routes provided by service staff, when I arrived at the attraction, I’d open the phone’s location feature and instantly see where the site was. Then I’d just walk there with my phone. After visiting, I’d use the location to guide myself back to the hotel. Extremely convenient.

Fourth, download a “Lonely Planet Guide” (QiongYou Travel Guide) while online—download attraction routes and introductions. Even offline, you can open it and refer to the material while sightseeing.

However, some English words on QiongYou may sometimes lead you astray or be incorrect when locating places. Using “Travel Europe” (Zou Bian Ou Zhou) in English is much more accurate and completely reliable.

Fifth, the hotel booking function—download “Guest Network” (Bin Ke Wang). You can book hotels online, and offline, the hotel addresses, phone numbers, and names are all clearly visible.

So, if you’re not a photographer, all you really need is a smartphone, a credit card, and a backpack to travel the world with ease. No need to lug around tons of camera gear, laptops, or chargers.

Sixth, Translation Function

While online, use Google Translate to prepare what you want to say. Offline, show the translated text to others—you won’t need to write little notes by hand. Update and add vocabulary and sentences for the next day every evening. Translate everything you plan to say, tasks you need to do, and names of attractions. Wow, it’s so smooth and hassle-free. Travel becomes a breeze—everything just works.

The flight tickets for this trip were expensive—I flew Air China round-trip for over 9,000 RMB.

Many people bought round-trip flights from Hong Kong to Rome for just 4,000 RMB (via Hong Kong or Beijing transit)—a much better deal.

Excluding airfare, the total cost of this trip was: 26,000 RMB

Including insurance + driver’s license notarization + visa fees + round-trip flights + food, lodging, transport, and attraction tickets, the total came to 37,000 RMB

Below are photos from the trip and a brief travel guide

First, thank you all for browsing, enjoying, and supporting this post, dear friends and fellow travelers.