I am writing you this week as I am spending time at www.VillaDestinoItaly.com, enjoying the “real Italy” in the heart of the countryside. Surrounded by olive groves, stone villas, and the slower pace of rural life, it’s been a refreshing reminder of why so many travelers fall in love with Europe. But as I’ve settled in, it also dawned on me that there are a few things Americans might find surprising—or even a little unpleasant—when traveling through Europe. So, in the spirit of
helping you be better prepared for your own adventures, here’s my list of 16 things Americans might find surprising when visiting Europe.
1. No Toilet Seats – Many public restrooms, especially in Italy and France, lack toilet seats, either due to theft or for easier cleaning. This is really uncomfortable for Americans. However, in China they don’t even have toilets. You just stand and Go!
2 .Pay-to-Use Toilets –Public restrooms often require a small fee to enter, and free ones can be rare. Always keep a few Euros in your pocket.
3. Graffiti Everywhere – Even in historic cities like Rome, Athens, and Barcelona, graffiti is widespread, covering buildings, trains, and
monuments. I always wonder why locals dont aggressively try to cover the graffiti up. It almost seems like part of their culture.
4. Lack of Air Conditioning – Many hotels, restaurants, and homes don’t have strong A/C or any at all, especially in older buildings. I have gone on long trips in the summer to France and even Stockholm and a heat wave made it miserable with no A/C. Sometimes they dont even have
fans.
5. Tiny, Weak Showers – Shower stalls can be cramped, with weak water pressure and awkward handheld sprayers. I can barely fit into shower stalls in Europe. I have a funny story of dropping my bar of soap and having to exit the shower to find it.
6. No Ice in Drinks – Europeans often serve drinks at room temperature or with just one or two small ice cubes. I love my ice cubes. I love to chew on ice. You will have to ask nicely to get extra ice.
7. Warm Beer – In places like the UK and Germany, beer isn’t always served ice-cold as Americans expect. Cold beer is getting more common in Europe but warm beer has historical ties.
8. Unrefrigerated Dairy & Eggs – Eggs and some dairy products are often stored at room temperature in grocery stores.
9. Pushy Street Vendors & Beggars – In tourist hotspots, aggressive street vendors and beggars can be overwhelming. If you make eye contact with them they will follow you like you are their best friend.
10. Cigarette Smoke Everywhere – Smoking is much more common, and you’ll often find people smoking in outdoor cafés and public spaces. However, most smoking is banned inside most buildings.
11. Dog Poop on Sidewalks – In cities like Paris, it’s not uncommon to find dog waste left on the sidewalks. Sometimes I feel like I am walking through a field of land mines in Paris.
12. Tiny Hotel Rooms – Compared to American standards, hotel rooms in Europe can feel shockingly small. Once in Paris I had 9 inches on one side of the bed and 12 inches on the other.
13. Strange Smells – Older cities often have sewer odors, especially in hot weather.
14. Public Urination – In some places, especially during festivals or nights out, it’s not uncommon to see people relieving themselves in the streets. The later in the night the worse this gets.
15. Different Personal Space Norms – Europeans often stand closer when talking, which might feel too snug for Americans.
16. Limited or No Public Trash Cans – Some cities, like Paris, have very few public garbage bins, leading to litter buildup.
While these things can be surprising or frustrating, they’re part of the charm and cultural differences that make travel interesting!
Final Call: Canadian & Eastern U.S. Jubilee Pilgrimage – Just Two Spots Left!
Join Father Steele on a once-in-a-lifetime journey from September 29 to October 8. This unforgettable pilgrimage features daily Mass and visits to sacred and historic sites in Quebec City, Kahnawake, Montreal, Albany, and Stockbridge, culminating with the awe-inspiring Niagara Falls. Don’t miss this opportunity to travel with a small, faith-filled group of just 35 like-minded travelers. CLICK HERE to learn all the details. Call or email our friendly group department today at 888.549.1186 /GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com to join us. Act quickly – these final spots will be gone in a flash!
Check out our Weekly Travel Alert Podcast – The Weekly Travel Alert Video Podcast is available on YouTube plus all your favorite podcast stations, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with everything travel.