Some of you who come across this post, 12 Tips for the Perfect Europe Vacation, may be asking why this woman is writing about traveling to Europe right now. Well, because I wholeheartedly believe that:
The world will open up again to travel and Europe will be at the top of many of our travel bucket lists.
So let’s be ready to explore this amazing continent!
Whether it is your first time to Europe or your tenth time, smart planning increases the chances of a successful trip that will live up to your expectations.
My 12 Tips to the Perfect Europe Vacation begins here:
TIP #1
Don’t Visit Too Many Destinations on One Trip
Have you ever heard of the 1960’s movie called “If It’s Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium?” The movie was centered around an American tour group traveling through Europe on a bus tour. Their tour consisted of visiting 9 countries in a short period of time. The movie’s title reflects that this style of traveling makes you lose track of where you are because you’re traveling too much!
Don’t fall into that trap!
Plan your European journey with the belief that you will return again. You do not have to see everything on one trip. And honestly, you really can’t. Trust me. Rushing from place to place is not something you want to do when visiting Europe.
Europe is a LARGE continent. And, although they have some of the best transportation systems to get you from place to place, visiting too many destinations in a short period of time is a recipe for disaster. Don’t overdo it. You will regret it.
My advice is this. If traveling to Europe for a week or less, travel to ONE European city as your base. Immerse yourself in this one city, planning 1 or 2 excursions to the surrounding areas. You will see more and be more relaxed.
Now, of course, if you have more time, increase the number of cities. And the bottom line is that only you know what you can tolerate and handle.
My family has used this travel strategy on several trips to Europe. One example is our trip to Portugal. We based ourselves in Lisbon and included two side trips, one to Caiscais and one to Belem, to make for a perfect week.
Belem 
Caiscais
Remember — Always travel with the belief you will be back!
TIP #2
Travel off season, if possible
I know. You’ve heard this advice many times before. Save money by visiting off season. Now, this is especially true for one travel component — your airfare – which is typically cheaper off season.
But I have found that other travel costs may not vary that much off season. Accommodation rates hold relatively steady all year with maybe a 20% decrease in some places. The cost of food, tourist sites and excursions typically remain constant all year round.
So why go off season? Here are my reasons:
Crowds are typically thinner off season. More savvy travelers are picking up on this but you still won’t encounter the crowds like in the summer months. It just seems to be a more relaxed travel experience.
Weather is more moderate off season. Exploring a big city when the temperatures are in the 50s/60s is more enjoyable than either bitter cold or very hot weather. Southern Europe is definitely my top choice for winter European trips. My family has traveled to France, Spain and Portugal in February and really enjoyed it. Northern Europe is more dicey but it’s not a deal breaker. Only you know what is tolerable for you and your fellow travelers.
You feel like less of a tourist. Ok… not completely but I do find that off season feels less touristy overall so YOU feel less like a tourist. Does that make sense to you?
TIP #3
Stay in an apartment or B&B
Let me say upfront that I am not anti-hotel at all. I have stayed in hotels in Europe. But when I do, it’s usually a more local establishment — no chains or big name hotels.
My accommodation of choice, however, is an apartment rental or B&B and this is for several reasons:
- Cost — An apartment or bed and breakfast may cost a bit more but usually offers more space for the price you would pay for a hotel room. And B&B’s usually include a lovely homemade breakfast every morning. An apartment, on the other hand, which usually includes a kitchen gives you the opportunity to shop in a local market for breakfast foods.
- Comfort — Bed and Breakfasts and apartments are typically someone’s home. Therefore, there is more space and an overall more homey feel.
- Less touristy — Ending your day by returning to an apartment or B&B really does make you feel like less of a tourist. A hotel can be more sterile.
- A more personalized experience. B&B and apartment owners truly appreciate your business. After all, they OWN the establishment. They have more of a vested interest in you than staff at a front desk of a hotel. And this is not to say that we haven’t met wonderful people at hotels. B &B and apartment owners want you to enjoy yourself, recommend their establishment and visit again. They are a great local source of things to do and places to eat.
TIP #4
Research all the sites you want to visit BEFORE you go
To make sure that you don’t miss anything you’d like to see AND possibly find something that you didn’t expect, do the following:
- Make a list of the sites you want to see.
- Cluster the sites by location so you’re not bouncing around the city.
- Check operating hours so you don’t attempt to visit on the day they close.
- Check when the sites offer free admission. (Unfortunately, these days may be more crowded as well.)
- Purchase online tickets for many popular sites and museums to avoid disappointment. For example, my family bought timed tickets to The Last Supper in Milan and Uffizi Gallery in Florence to insure entry. No disappointment after traveling that far! Make sure, though, that since these tickets are usually for a specific day and time, that you are good with that schedule.
TIP #5
Buy any tourist passes and book any tours before you go
Tourist passes may save money if all the sites included on the pass are what you want to see. Many are for a specific time period — 1 to 3 days– so make sure this option makes sense for you and saves you money. Also, check to see if these are only available to buy before you arrive.
I’d also suggest booking any walking tours or day tours before you leave. This helps organize your itinerary which I mention in Tip # 7.
TIP #6
Research restaurants
For my family, food can be as important as the destination itself. Eat well and you will be very happy. I make a list of all meal options with addresses taking into account where we most likely will be visiting that day.
If you have a kitchen where you’re staying, find out where local supermarkets and farmers’ markets are located. My family, for example, likes to do a bit of food shopping on the first day in a city to acclimate and get some drinks and snacks.
TIP #7
Prepare A Detailed Travel Itinerary
Now the fun begins! You’ve done everything outlined in Tips #1 through #6.
So start designing your daily itinerary!
Be the best travel architect you can be by designing an itinerary tailored to you and your travelers needs and wants.
Click here https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?page_id=414 for my blog on building your itinerary.
TIP #8
Check on Your Cell Phone Service
Cell phones will be your primary mode of communication. I suggest you either check with your carrier about service where you’re traveling and its potential cost. Some people buy a sim card for European cell service when they get to Europe and pop it into their phone.
WiFi can be spotty once you leave your accommodations so keep that in mind if you want consistent access all day, every day.
TIP #9
Prepare for Health Concerns
Unfortunately, it happens. You plan for this amazing trip and then get sick while you’re away. It can be a simple cold or stomach bug or worse. But being proactive and preparing BEFORE you leave, can make all the difference. Here’s some suggestions to prepare:
- Make sure you have all necessary prescriptions filled for your trip.
- Check with your doctor if you have any concerns and get advice from them on what to do if you get sick abroad.
- Check with your health insurance to see what, if any, costs are covered if you get sick while away.
- Research local and 24 hour pharmacies near where you’re staying.
- Take a first aid kit.
- Bring basic over the counter medicines like pain relievers, stomach aids, thermometer etc..
TIP #10
Call Credit Card and Debit Card Companies BEFORE you leave
It is imperative that you contact the banks that hold your credit/debit cards that you will be using abroad. This will insure that their use is not blocked when you’re away. A call letting them know when and where you will be will insure that you won’t have any problems.
In addition, I always order some foreign currency from my bank before we travel. I just like having some money when we arrive. But no worries if you don’t There are ATMs and banks all over the place so you should be fine.
TIP #11
Make copies of ALL your documents
Call me old fashioned, but I still make paper copies of everything I need for the trip — airline tickets, hotel reservations, travel site passes, tickets to sites and events etc… You never know when your cell phone won’t work.
TIP #12
PACK SMART!
Bring ONE Carry-On per traveler.
This advice is given by every travel writer and is echoed by every experienced traveler. For good reason. You don’t need all that stuff!
Unfortunately, you will still see tourists arriving at their destination with huge suitcases. I don’t understand it and never will. You CAN and WILL be able to travel with a regulation carry on and be happy because of it.
So start thinking about your next European journey!