Europe Travel Planning & Travel Tips

Embassy Contact Information:

There are several U.S. embassies located in many countries throughout the world. Please click here to be directed to a site that indicates the location of American embassies you wish to contact.

Climate:

Europe generally has milder weather than parts of Asia and North America at the same latitude. For example, Berlin, Germany; Calgary, Canada; and Irkutsk, in the Asian part of Russia, lie at about the same latitude. But January temperatures in Berlin average about 15 degrees F (8 degrees C) higher than those in Calgary, and they are almost 40 degrees F (22 degrees C) higher than the average temperatures in Irkutsk. Most of Europe receives from 20 to 60 inches (50 to 150 centimeters) of precipitation each year. The greatest annual precipitation--usually more than 80 inches (200 centimeters)--occurs in areas just west of mountains. Such regions include parts of western Britain and western Norway.

In general, northern Europe has longer, colder winters and shorter, cooler summers than southern Europe. In addition, winters are longer and colder, and summers shorter and hotter, in the east than in the west. Glasgow, Scotland, for example, has an average temperature of 38 degrees F (3 degrees C) in January. But Moscow, which lies at the same latitude, has an average January temperature of 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C).

Calling Internationally:

To call North America, just dial 001 and then the American number (area code then local number).

Electricity:

Most European countries use a three-phase alternating current electrical generation and distribution voltage which is twice that of the US. It is between 220 and 240 volts, whereas in most of the Americas the voltage is between 100 and 127 volts.

Travel Insurance for Europe Trips:

You should consider the benefits of travel insurance as part of your Europe travel planning. Most travelers look for travel tips that discuss the importance of travel insurance and travel insurance through Travel Guard can provide important coverage for your trip.

Whether you're taking a family vacation or business trip, Travel Guard has a plan for your Europe trip. These plans may include valuable medical expense coverage, trip interruption, medical emergency assistance and treatment services and more. And with Travel Guard's 24-hour assistance line, your coverage can act as a travel guide should your plans change.*

For more than 20 years, Travel Guard's plans have covered millions of travelers throughout the world. We're America's leading provider of travel insurance plans and assistance programs and we're here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Coverage provided through Travel Guard is easy to buy and with our 24-hour emergency travel services it's even easier to use.

*Non-insurance services provided by Travel Guard.