Each month we sit down as a family for a family meeting to talk what’s going well, what our needs are and, as a travel blogging family, where we see ourselves traveling next. At this months meeting our toddler stated he wanted to “stand in a real castle” on our next endeavor. We’ve been tossing the idea back and forth to begin international travel with him now that he’s almost three and so our wish list of places has begun to grow.

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I was extended an amazing travel deal that I wanted to further gift to you, my international travel readers, at Sir Richard Branson’s breathtaking hotel The Lodge. One of Virgin’s Limited Edition Retreats, it is located in Verbier, Switzerland, an area that offers exceptional scenic hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, exceptional Swiss dining year round and views like nowhere else in the world.

​The all-inclusive luxury retreat features daily dining and drinks offering both Swiss and International cuisine prepared by Michelin-trained chefs – a highlight sure to be any travel foodies dream come true. We personally always opt for all-inclusive, especially when traveling internationally so we can be sure to eat well and have access to a variety of dishes that are healthy for us. As we personally opt for a master suite when we travel for more space, the chalet offers two master suites and seven bedrooms for a total of nine luxurious options.

The rooms, which feature rich wood paneling and authentic modern European furnishings, are both luxurious and inviting. The jewel tones against the natural elements make the Lodge's rooms a beautiful retreat from an exhilarating day exploring Verbier. One of my favorite touches is the cozy fireplace, where we can cuddle and take in the expansive views from the floor to ceiling windows.
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​Europe is an extremely sought after destination for travelers and I had the amazing opportunity to travel there this past year.

There are things I learned that helped me make better decisions and that made the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. The destination highlighted in today's post is London, England. Last week I spoke on Zurich, Switzerland. If you missed that post, you can see it here. 

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England is very different from Switzerland; English is primarily spoken here, for one thing.

You would be surprised how using your own language to speak  to someone from another part of the world, brings you together. I did not have the privilege of being able to travel through London much, so this post is mainly focused on traveling through London Heathrow airport and tips to navigating this massive international hub. 

London Heathrow is a very large airport and you are required to take a bus from terminal to terminal. Keep in mind, this also runs on the left. This airport is very busy, making it the perfect opportunity to let your positivity be easily noticed by many passing by. Workers definitely seem upset at first glance; as most airport employees do, but once you get to talking to them you will see some smiles in return and it will be a much more pleasant experience. So remember to keep your cool and relax while traveling. Wearing an attitude of respect and a certain understanding of the dry humor of the English, makes time going through here enjoyable. 

The staff is very knowledgeable, so ask questions. The biggest mistake we can make is thinking that we know everything about the airport simply because we can read English. This is another location to make sure you’re on time. Having high traffic levels, it doesn’t leave catering to one person very easy.

People generally like to do what they are there to do, so making authentic small talk is definitely favorable, Keep in mind that deep, connecting conversation may not happen unless you are there to meet someone.

The food options here are fantastic and almost endless. I ate at a diner called The Bridge, which is definitely worth taking a look into. If you are ordering an alcoholic beverage, keep in mind that it may come out warmer than you like, from my personal experience, so be sure to ask your waitress if that is something that you care about. I don't think they take their drinks as chilly as Americans. 

Also, a note to all travelers - make sure you check the exchange rates before you travel and be sure to change money out at the airport, as it will usually be a better conversion rate.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed these tips and tricks to traveling to Switzerland and England. I thank you for taking the time to read this. You now have some ways to save money while traveling, as well as tips to having the right attitude to make your experiences much more enjoyable. God bless you all in your travels, and may He give you traveling mercies. 

What has been your favorite experience traveling through Europe? And what advice can you lend to those embarking on an adventure?

Sheldon Muecke is a missionary, outdoorsman and blogger at www.TwithJ.com. His blog touches on all aspects of how we can better serve the Lord. He's been able to tour the world and see amazing sights while living out his adventures. 

Europe is an extremely sought after destination for travelers and I had the amazing opportunity to travel there in the past year.
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There are things I learned that helped me make better decisions and that made the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. The destinations that I will specifically be talking about in my post today is Zurich, Switzerland. The beginning of my European travel experience. For my tips, post and photos on London, England, the beautiful city where I wrapped my trip click here. 

​Switzerland has one of the most unique entry experiences into a country that I’ve ever seen. 1. You may or may not experience the cabin clapping for the pilot as you land safely. This is a sign of respect for their pilots. On the short train ride to the main station of the airport, you will be welcomed with a video through the tunnels that gives a tidbit of Swiss culture. Once there, there are definitely some to-do’s and don’ts. Some people get really nervous when going through the passport lines. Not to take away from the seriousness, but they enjoy visitors coming in; the biggest advice I can give anyone is to be authentic. Smile, that is one thing that will get you very far if you need to ask questions or just want to make friends with everyone. And don’t be afraid to accept the fact that you’re a tourist.

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​This leads me into my next point; Switzerland is a country that does not primarily speak English. Most people speak German, French, Swiss-German, and a very small portion of the people speak the Roman language (not Italian, actual Roman).  Typically, it’s best to speak German to communicate with most locals; so grab an English to German dictionary or app and attempt to learn some. There is definitely a respect that is gained even if you’re horrible at speaking it, it shows that you’re trying and people love that. Don’t be afraid to sound silly; because to our ears, it is. Have confidence in trying.
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Some more serious concerns are definitely worthy of noting. Keeping in mind that the Swiss make some of the best watches in the world; being on time is vital. Buses leave at THEIR EXACT SCHEDULED TIME not later, no sooner (check bus and train schedules constantly and take pictures of them for reference). Also, familiarize yourself with a 24-hour clock schedule, i.e. 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, etc.

​Life can get very expensive, very quickly in Switzerland. Knowing where to shop is half the battle. There is a store called Migros that is the equivalent of a grocery store here, they have a specific green and white striped brand that is located on the bottom shelves (the place where everything is cheaper). My suggestion to making traveling less expensive, shop at places such as Migros and another market by the name of Coop, instead of going out to eat. Coffee shops are also another place that you definitely should visit while there. Ask locals where the best coffee in town is, they’ll know. This isn’t exactly a money saver, but it is definitely savory and worth the time. A side note is to keep in mind that their humor is very different, what may be entertaining to Americans could be offensive to the Swiss. Knowing when to joke, and when not to, is good to keep in mind. But if you can get into Swiss humor, take advantage of that and bond with the locals.