1. Learn at least the words/ phrases "bus", "price", "exit", "entrance", "ticket", "no, thank you", "where is this going?", etc, in the language of your stay. This will save you a LOT of aimless wandering around the airport.

2. Do NOT touch things in stores- not only will you be looked at like a teenage dirtbag thief, but you may break something and then not be able to apologize in the language that the store owner speaks and then you will never be able to return.

3. If a gelateria has spoons sitting out- they are NOT, i repeat NOT, for you to take- stay tuned to hear if I get some sort of unknown Italian virus for using a used spoon.

4. Drink your water at home where it is FREE.

5. Download maps and be familiar with the street names around your home/ where you are going. It amazes me how much I depend on my maps/ phone..

6. Research the best places to go in a city/ if you are visiting somewhere- this will save you a lot of money because you won't stumble across as many stores and restaurants if you have a destination in mind.

7. Find out what food a city is famous for, and try it- no questions asked- even if it dyes your mouth black..

8. Use Flixbus for your travels if they are short!! They are never on time, but boy are they cheap and you get wifi while on a bus!

9. Plan trips at least 2 weeks in advance- I've seen prices increase within minutes after someone else buys them. Stay ahead of that.

10. Don't bring new shoes to a country you're trying to explore. a) they just get dirty b) you will bleed all over them

11. Find trips that are already planned out- they usually have the best deals!!

12. Local places can sometimes alter their prices right there- so if you are shopping maybe try to strike a deal, be nice, put that fake smile on for the employee because they may give you a deal!

13. If you sit down at a place, a cafe especially, the price of whatever you are getting will go up.

14. They will NOT split checks for you anywhere.

15. Grocery stores are very smart here- they are environmentally friendly while making money- you have to pay if you want a bag so reuse those babies.

16. Dinner doesn't start until 7:30- eat a late lunch, snack, I haven't really figured out the secret to not being aggressively hungry by dinner time but I will let you know when I do.

17. APERITIVO is your savior. Drink and free food- I'll take it. Basically if you go to a restaurant before 7:30 you will get a drink for a bit of a higher price and they will bring you appetizer like food, but some places go crazy and will have a whole buffet.

18 .Use Facebook events to look for events near you!