Do you have a trip to Europe on your bucket list? Planning the trip can create lots of excitement. It can also be an overwhelming prospect. There are literally so many choices on where to visit, where to stay and how to travel. Don’t let the complexity overwhelm you. Take it one step at a time.
If this is your first trip to Europe, plan to spend at least three nights in each country. Otherwise, you will be spending a large portion of your trip travelling. While the views from the trains are indeed spectacular, you definitely want to experience the sights within each country and city on your list. Follow these recommendations from the professional travel experts to jump start your planning for what could be the vacation of a lifetime.
Most major European cities are very, very pedestrian friendly. As such, you will be doing a substantial amount of walking. Long before your schedule departure, invest in a pair of quality athletic shoes. Take advantage of the awesome deals offered by Groupon coupons and enlist the services of a personal trainer certified by AceFitness. After one or two sessions you should have enough instruction to continue increasing your stamina levels on your own. As you spend hours walking the streets of Europe, you’ll be thankful for the good shape you’re in. It’s time and effort well spend and could well mean the difference between an awesome trip full of sights or one full of frequent stops and exhaustion.
Check on the expiration date of your passport prior to booking any flights or hotel accommodations. Allow at least two to three months for passport renewal and processing of new passport applications. This wait time can be longer in the months leading up to the busy travel season. Keep in mind that many European countries require at least ninety days remaining prior to expiration after the date of your return flight in order to initially enter the country.
Check with your cell phone data carrier to explore options for data during your trip to Europe. If arrangements are not secured in advance, carriers often charge staggering daily fees to access data. Another option is to purchase a SIM card to insert into your phone in each country you visit. This is a prepaid data card good in the country of purchase. This can be a cumbersome and time consuming process. Make sure your phone has an interchangeable SIM card.
Finally, order Euro currency from your local bank branch. Europe is much more of a cash economy than the Unite States. Many smaller establishments do not accept credit cards. The exchange rates in the United State will generally be much more favorable than those at the train stations and airports.
Finally, book round trip airfare in and out of one of the major European capitals and book your accommodations accordingly. Do research domestic flights as they are often prices similar to train fares. Know that you will not arrive in the city center and will still need to secure transportation into the city. Best of luck to you on your gran European adventure and take a look at this list of the best European destinations for inspiration!