If you haven’t already booked your summer flight to London to witness sports history unfold before your eyes, you may be out of luck. According to travel experts, despite fares increasing nearly 20 percent over last year, flights to England are being snatched up by travelers attending the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, which run July 27 to August 12.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Office of Travel and Tourism Industries’ website notes that nearly 13 million Americans visited Europe in 2009. That number is estimated to increase by at least 35 percent in 2012 thanks to the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. In addition to London, other popular European destinations American tourists are itching to explore are: Italy, Spain, Denmark, France and Germany.
If you are cash strapped and don’t have tickets to the Olympics, but still want to experience life across the pond, then postpone your trip for a few months. Once the chaos surrounding the Olympics dissipates you will be able to snag super savings on airfare and hotel accommodations. Travel experts recommend visiting Europe from October through April in order to get the most bang for your buck. What’s more, if you visit in fall or spring you won’t have to deal with families and tour groups that cram Europe during the summer months.
Regardless of when you jet off on your European adventure it’s a good idea to visit your doctor first. Get a thorough check-up prior to departing on your European getaway to ensure that you don’t spend your vacation in pain. This goes double if you have existing medical issues. In addition to getting your prescriptions filled before traveling abroad, your doctor can write a note detailing special procedures that should take place should your health deteriorate overseas. Finally, don’t leave home without getting a dental check-up. Emergency dental care in Europe is extremely expensive and services are limited. If you wear braces, dentures or retainers, be sure to get tips from your dentist on how to keep your dental devices intact while you are traveling to a foreign country.
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