Rick Steves' Money-Saving Tip That Helps Avoid Culture Shock On A Trip To Europe

When Rick Steves talks about European travel, we listen. Steves has been helping travelers make the most of their adventures for decades, publishing heaps of guidebooks and endless tips for better trips on his website. One of his best pieces of advice for making the most of a trip to Europe is to fly into one city and out of another.

Buying an open-jaw flight could save you time and money because it means you don't have to backtrack to your starting point. But money isn't the only reason Steves recommends an open-jaw ticket. He also thinks it's a great way to minimize culture shock and make sure the continent's diversity works in your favor. As Steves writes, "Try to start in mild countries (such as England) and work into the places with greater culture shock (such as Turkey)."

You might be thinking, "Culture shock in Europe?" Oh yes. From the lack of English to late dining hours, unpredictable traffic, haggling, and so much more, many aspects of European culture are unfamiliar to Americans. By following Steves' advice, he says you'll "minimize stress, and save countries offering the cheapest shopping — and greatest health risks — for the end of your trip." So, land in London, where the language is familiar and the weather is gentle. Then, make your way to the sunny streets and captivating bazaars of Istanbul.

As Rick Steves exclaims, "Anyone can suffer from culture shock," and Europe can take even seasoned travelers by surprise. Take personal space. Americans tend to prefer a bit more elbow room than people in Italy, Greece, or Spain, for example. Ease into getting cozy with strangers by starting your trip in Northern Europe. It's not just people that get up close and personal. Cars and scooters can zip past much closer than you're used to in places like Italy and Greece, where the driving style, in general, is different from in the States. Leave the hair-raising, mirror-clipping experiences for later in your trip.

Then there's the lifestyle. In parts of Southern Europe, dining at 9 or even 10 p.m. is common — far later than the typical American dinner time. Throw in a lengthy siesta (it's almost mandatory in smaller towns, as everything closes in the early afternoon), and you can kiss goodbye to your normal routine. That's no bad thing, but allow your body to adjust by moving south slowly.

Language is another factor to consider. You'll have a much easier time flagging down an English speaker in the British Isles (duh!), Scandinavia, or the Netherlands than in Turkey, Italy, or France, according to English First's English Proficiency Index. Start north, move south, and you won't be fazed by the time you reach Istanbul. Rick Steves' advice? He believes the Netherlands is a perfect place to start your European trip, thanks to the lack of a language barrier and well-organized tourist infrastructure.

One of the reasons Rick Steves recommends starting in a place like the Netherlands or the U.K. is to minimize health risks. In general, you're not that likely to get sick in Europe, so don't panic! Your risk of getting the dreaded traveler's diarrhea is low in Western Europe but increases slightly in the south of the continent, according to a study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine. Allow your gut to acclimate slowly and save sampling mouth-watering Turkish street food till last.

There's also the weather to consider. While you might crave the sun-soaked streets of Greece, remember you're going to be walking A LOT in Europe, so start in mild, breezy England and enjoy the cloud cover. Later in your vacation, you'll be ready to trek to the top of the Acropolis in the sweltering heat.

Buying an open-jaw flight and leaving from Eastern or Southeastern Europe has other benefits. As Steves says, "The cheapest shopping!" From handcrafted Turkish ceramics to Greek olive oil and Romanian plum brandy, budget-friendly souvenirs are everywhere. After a week or more in Europe, you'll be ready to enter the vibrant chaos of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar and haggle to your heart's content. And you won't have to drag all of those goodies around after you for weeks. One final reason? We think there's something magical about ending your trip in a country that feels worlds apart from where you started.