Take a car service to the first hotel at least. That flight over is long and they will be disoriented. Never been to London, but have taken trains from the airport in Rome and Paris. My preference is to take them unless I'm coming in around "rush hour" when I know the trains will be packed with people going to and from work. Then I make a judgement call looking at how good I am at juggling my stuff.

You can download city maps to your smart phone and rely on GPS so you're not using cell service overseas. My husband downloads them, but I can check the app if you want.

Don't bring too much. My mother did that on our last trip and she was miserable getting to and from the airport. Half the stuff she didn't need and it just got in her way. I do, however, leave room for the stuff I know I will buy. In Paris, you can get anything you need at Monoprix - and you should go in there at least once.

I do try and dress the part, leaving my shorts and trainers at home, but I don't compromise my feet.

Embrace two hour dinners and long lunches as well. Indulge in local foods, but don't ask for a cappuccino in Italy except in the morning. ;) Travel "quietly" and ask politely. Most people will be helpful.

When I want a good meal, I don't go to the concierge. Instead I sit at the hotel bar, order a drink and ask the bartender where he/she would have dinner nearby. Some of my best meals have been found that way. Any restaurant who has a caller out front is probably a bad choice. I've found a lot of bad food that way, particularly in Italy and Spain.

But my number one suggestion is don't over plan your days. I've seen more people simply check a bunch of boxes and not take the time to be in the moment on trips like these. Europeans have a wonderful and different way of life. Experience some of it.

From the length of my post, it's apparently time for me to book another trip!