How to plan a trip to Europe
Travelers from all over the world define Europe as one of the most attractive destinations to discover unique places, get to know a historical past, new cultures, admire the art, architecture and beauty of exotic beaches and natural landscapes. If you are willing to travel the old continent, you must take into account many details to make your trip an unrepeatable experience. In .com we make it very easy with practical tips that will help you plan a trip to Europe .
European destinations
When we plan a trip to the European continent, the most difficult thing is perhaps to decide where to go . There are so many historical and millenary cities that we can visit that it is almost impossible to opt for one. We advise you to choose the destinations according to your interests and the type of trip you have thought: culture, art, history, gastronomy, adventure or romantic. Do not hesitate to search the Web or consult a guide of the country or countries that you would like to visit and find out what their main cities and places of tourist interest are as well as transport, accommodation, language, political situation and packages or circuits offered by travel agencies.
If you have not taken part in any special destination yet, check out some of our suggestions for touring the old continent:
- The great artistic and cultural attraction of European capitals such as London, Paris, Berlin, Rome or Madrid that host millions of tourists every year.
- The charm of European islands such as Sardinia and Sicily in Italy, Ibiza, Mallorca and the Canaries in Spain or Crete and Rhodes in Greece. All of them ideal to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy magnificent beaches and coastal landscapes.
- The purity and tranquility of nature in rural destinations such as Tuscany in Italy, the Loire Valley in France, the Norwegian Fjords or the Scottish Highlands.
When to travel
The best time of year to travel to Europe, without a doubt, is spring in the months of March, April and May. The temperature starts to be very pleasant, people go out more to the street and it is an ideal time to avoid the tourist crowds of summer and the high prices of high season in the months of July and August. Only if you have planned a few days to ski or go hiking in the snow, we advise you to travel in winter. Take into account that the climate varies considerably from southern to northern Europe, Nordic countries such as Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland reach temperatures well below zero degrees in winter while in countries of the Mediterranean area such as Italy, Greece, southern Spain and France the climate is much hotter, especially in summer. That is why you should plan your trip according to your needs and inform you beforehand about the weather.
Travel itinerary
Once you have decided your destinations, prepare a travel itinerary for each country with the routes, the activities to be carried out throughout the days and useful information such as hotel telephones, tourist offices, national authorities and location maps. This will help you organize the trip and make the most of the time in each of the places you want to meet. Surely, your itinerary will vary as the trip passes and you begin to discover new things but in reality it is about that, to live a great adventure . What you should do is book at least the first night of accommodation to avoid last minute setbacks.
How to move around Europe
There are several ways to travel around Europe, some cheaper and faster than others so you should choose based on your needs. Low cost airlines are a good option for travelers who do not have much time and want to see everything. You will find very affordable flights if you book in advance as the prices vary depending on the day, time and airport of arrival and departure.
- Traveling by train in Europe is not only a way to get around but also a great opportunity to admire unknown landscapes and enrich the experience to the fullest. The railway network is very extensive and its great advantage is that most stations are in the center of the cities, unlike the airports that are on the outskirts. Trains like Eurail are perfect for traveling around Europe and save money with special rates for young people, children and groups. There are several types of train passes: to visit one or two countries (One Country Pass or Regional Pass), for groups of countries (Select Pass) and, the most complete to visit the highlights of Europe (Eurail Global Pass).
- Bus companies like Eurolines offer routes to more than 500 European destinations and most of them also take to the center of the cities, avoiding the additional costs, although obviously the journeys are slower.
Documentation
Before traveling, you must prepare the necessary documentation to move around Europe legally and avoid possible problems that may ruin your visit. Pay attention to the following points to know exactly what documents you need:
- European citizens simply with the national identity document in force can circulate freely throughout the territory.
- Non-European citizens will have to carry a valid passport, airline tickets, travel insurance to cover medical expenses and an international driver's license if they are going to rent a car. Other documents you can ask for are the hotel and travel reservations form or, failing that, a letter of invitation from an individual. In the case of some countries such as Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Egypt, etc. It is also necessary to apply for a visa to enter European territory.
Luggage
Another of the most important aspects of a trip is to carry the right luggage to avoid having bad times and having everything you need. Try to pack strictly what is necessary to not carry too many suitcases and remember to choose the clothes according to the date of the trip and the climate of the countries to visit. In all cases, it is best to wear comfortable clothes and shoes . In spring and summer do not forget to put in the suitcase a good sunscreen and sunglasses.
If you are going to travel by plane you must take into account a series of precautions, find out the weight and the size limit required by each airline to avoid overweight payments and check the list of items that are not allowed to carry in hand luggage.
Money
The euro is the predominant currency in Europe, although there are countries that do not use it, such as the United Kingdom, Denmark or Sweden, so it is advisable to look up information on the currency of each country to carry out the corresponding change. If you need to exchange your money for the foreign currency, it is best to go to your usual financial institution because, although almost all banks charge commission is not as high as that claimed in the exchange offices of airports and resorts in large cities.
Learn more details and enjoy a well organized trip, visiting our article. What should I take into account to travel through Europe?
