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European vacation for an English only speaker?

Now, I've heard a million times most of the world speaks English.  However a couple years ago I was traveling through Canada and I couldn't find anything hotels, things I knew what were to eat, ect. because I didn't speak or understand French.  One of my friends told me I was just in the wrong parts of Canada for an English speaker.  (There is not a bad part of Canada, but some parts speak less English then others which is hard on myself).

Now, I thought well maybe a European trip is out.  However after not being able to spend much money in over a year and stimulus coming up every few months I'm starting to build up a bigger vacation account then I was planning.  

No, its not that high and I'm not bragging or anything like that.  Its that we normally save for 1 to 2 years for a decent budgeted vacation.  But by the time covid is over (including the time for places to get back to normal)  it will be double our usual not including stimulus.  So we'll have more money then our regular trips.

So I thought maybe Europe.  But again I'm worried about going to places and not understanding the language.  I can try to study, but I've never been good at learning a new language.  My main things that I thought about doing is things like Euro Disney and louvre.  See my birth country of Germany.  I don't think I need to worry about places around England. 

So my main question is should I even consider a European vacation

Update:

No, I don't mind trying to learn.  I just know when I was in school I had a difficult time in Spanish class.  So with multiple languages in Europe to try to learn even basic greeting I doubt I'd be able to succeed.

As for not going to an entire continent thats why I'm asking this question.  There's a lot of things that makes me excited about going to Europe, but I don't want to get there and be so disoriented that I can't enjoy my trip. 

Update 2:

Example going to the Louvre (from my understanding one of the best museums in the World).  Now of course I would be able to see and appreciate something like the Mona Lisa.  But would I be able to find it or read info on it when I find it.  Could I find a bathroom if I needed one.  I could go on.  But the easiest way to explain is while I was in Canada I couldn't find a hotel or a burger places.  Now I probably passed alot of them, but I didn't speak the language and my hotels app didn't either.

Update 3:

This answer gives a little bit of everything I was looking for.  I do plan on staying on or near tourist areas unless I get more international travel savvy.  As for my Canada trip.  I was traveling by Google maps between Montreal and Maine, looking for a hotel with Hotels.com.  I ussually over think things and over prepare.  I'm just probably worrying over nothing.

Update 4:

I am planning London and surrounding areas (like Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) for 5 to 7 days.  Paris and possibly surrounding areas for 5 to 7 days.  Rome and surrounding areas for 5 to 7 days.  Finishing with Munich, Berlin for 3 to 5 days.  Again this plan is only in its starting stages.  I'm waiting until Covid gets over before I start really working on it.

16 Answers

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  • MS
    Lv 7
    3 weeks ago
    Favourite answer

    I have traveled in Europe.  I learned a few key phrases in each of the languages of the countries I visited - "Do you speak English?" was particularly helpful, but I also learned how to ask for basic directions and for things like the restroom.  Even if learning languages is hard for you, it shouldn't be hard to learn a few phrases.  You can also use Google Translate or other translation apps on your phone. 

    However, many people in Europe do speak English, at least well enough to engage in basic communication.  The major tourist attractions and transportation hubs have signs in English.  You can pick up a guide to the Louvre that it is in English; you can also get a headset for a self-guided tour of the museum in English.  As I recall, there isn't really anything to read by the pieces of art themselves in the Louvre.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    3 weeks ago

    You can get around most places in Europe using English. However, the UK is an obvious place and the Netherlands would be very good. 

  • ?
    Lv 7
    3 weeks ago

    Don’t worry about Eurodisney, the only language they care about is money.

  • 4 weeks ago

    you can put a language app on your phone ...you speak in English ..depending on what language you have chosen ..say French .it then speaks that in French ..and the reply is translated to English ..

  • drip
    Lv 7
    4 weeks ago

    That is a whole lot of unnecessary info for the question asked. 

    So it sounds like you would be totally clueless in any country that doesn’t have English as it’s official  language.

    So list out countries that do. And pick from there,. Or explore the US. Have you been to Alaska or Hawaii?  

  • ?
    Lv 7
    4 weeks ago

    If you really couldn't manage in Canada, you probably shouldn't travel to Europe. We don't need more people reinforcing the image of Americans as clueless and rude. 

  • Kelly
    Lv 7
    4 weeks ago

    I've been all over the world and English is the only language I'm fluent in.  I haven't had any major issues. 

    Since you've referenced Paris specifically in your scenario I have been there 4 times, a lot of signs, metro (subway), bus signage are in French, Arabic and in English.  If I had to call somewhere most have prompts for English.  Most of their hotels require their staff speak English.  Museums seem to be the same way.  Here and there I had a couple cafe's where someone waiting on me didn't speak English but either someone else who worked there or even another customer did.

    Also English in Canada and the U.S. isn't the same as English in England or other English speaking countries.  Chips are Fries in England.  What we thing of as chips here they call crisp.  Leftovers/takeout there is referred to as take away.  What we might call a shopping cart/buggy in the U.S./Canada they call a trolley in England.  An elevator is called a lift.

    I've never had an issue:

    Finding a bathroom

    Ordering food

    Finding places

    Communicating with others (meaning locals)

    My guess based on scenarios you gave getting around Canada is that you're not that travel savvy and/or are directionally challenged.  I live in the U.S. but before Covid I frequented Canada (I live in Michigan) and I can find my way around Canada with no issues, even the French speaking provinces.

  • 4 weeks ago

    Since the statement you start off with that you 'travelled through Canada and couldn't find anyone who spoke English' is complete hogwash unless you only travelled to some small places in a couple of provinces, there really is no need to deal with the rest of your question, but I will anyway. Yes, you should go to Europe. For a long long time. Have a good trip.

  • 4 weeks ago

    Areas of Canada that speak French ae a tad weird, so you can't really compare it to other countries.  I've been to 43 countries, and don't speak a foreign language.  I do, however, have a head full of vocabulary, especially "food words", so I can generally decode menus in Europe.

    That said, with the exception of France, I've never run into problems even if the other person didn't speak English.  I've found that at the very least, you should learn to ask "do you speak English", in the local tongue.  Asking "do you speak English" in English will often yield a less than positive response.  If you stick to urban areas, you are more likely to encounter English speakers, and young people tend to know more, or speak better English than older people.  

    Before you go anywhere, you should learn a few phrases, "where is the bathroom?", should be one of them.  Most guidebooks have a list of commonly asked questions, like "how much is this", "two beers, please", "may I have some water", that sort of thing. It's a good idea to memorize such phrases. 

  • ?
    Lv 5
    4 weeks ago

    You should actively seek out places that speak languages you don't know, it's the best way to learn that language and embrace the culture.  In my extensive travels I've learned one fact that's universal, everybody can at least appreciate a foreigner that tries to speak their language, even if they have to resort to English to really communicate.

    I lived in Germany for years, and yes just about everybody speaks decent to excellent English but they aren't too happy to appease ignorant Americans that don't even try!

  • 4 weeks ago

    Why would you avoid an entire continent just because not everyone speaks the same language?

    Also; in the capital cities / tourist areas, many people speak at least some English, often there will be English translations, and if all else fails - there are quite a few apps which mean you can translate written text

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