How to Organize a Trip to Europe (When You've Never Been)
/How to Choose Where to Go
Europe can be overwhelming at first glance because there are just too many amazing countries to choose from and you’ll want to visit them all. And you will. Eventually. But depending on your budget and time constraints (aka a full time job), you won’t be able to see every amazing sight in Europe all in one go. So the toughest question then becomes where should you go first? For my first Europe trip, I visited my sister who was studying abroad in Prague and for many others the answer is similar. They want to maintain some familiarity and visit someone they know. Someone who may know the language or the streets and can help guide them around this foreign continent (plus potential free housing doesn’t hurt). But what if you don’t know a single soul in Europe? Then I would suggest going where your main interests lie. Do you like the big city life? London is the epitome of a big city. There are bright lights, busy streets, rampant subway lines, and lots to do and see. The food isn’t outstanding and the prices aren’t cheap, but the plentiful tourist attractions, convenient public transportation, and usage of the English language makes London the perfect gateway to Europe. But maybe the big city isn’t for you, maybe you prefer a vacation surrounded by nature. Although I haven’t been yet, Ireland appears to have some of the greenest spaces on the continent. There are rolling hills, sparkling lakes, magnificent mountains and rocks, and fresh air is everywhere. If you’re a major fan of museums and history, Paris might be more your speed. You can’t walk more than a few steps in the French capital without coming across some sort of museum. There are museums about French history, French royals, French art, and best of all, French fashion. A whole day can be spent just leisurely walking around exploring all that French museums have to offer (except if you want to see the Mona Lisa, you’ll have to make a mad dash for it as early as possible). And if you just want some peace and quiet in Europe, then definitely head for Southern Spain, where the tourist crowds are much lighter, but the beauty is still present. There are so many tiny towns like, Frigiliana, where the pretty white walls and spring flowers haven’t yet been discovered by the masses. You’ll be able to spend your days wandering the local streets without being cursed at by the stressed out local or pushed around by the tour bus crowds. As you can see, Europe has so many options when it comes to building the perfect first trip. What makes it so much better than other continents is the presence of its reliable and efficient train system. Cross country trains and cheap airfare will allow you to zoom off to your next destination without the headache that American travel typically provides. So in summary- my top tips for choosing where to go? Really think about what you are interested in getting out of the trip and what your travel goals are. Then do some research on where everything is located so that you can hit up more than 1 destination if you wish.
How to Choose What to Do
My favorite part in planning a trip is always checking out the different activities I can do. Travel is all about experiences these days so I like to check out Airbnb for locally hosted experiences like a cooking class or a walking tour. Viator is a great website for booking day trips to nearby towns (that otherwise aren’t readily accessible) because the tours usually include transportation and a guide. When I was in Vienna, I wanted to check out the Austrian countryside between Vienna and Salzburg, and thanks to a small group tour I booked on Viator I was able to do so. Viator also sells skip the line passes to popular attractions and tours of the city you’re in. If you’re into main stream attractions, check out a combo pass like the Paris Pass or the London Pass that will let you pay one set fee for a number of days and include the admission prices of several popular attractions. The Paris Pass was worth it for me because it let us skip the long lines at the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. It also included a transportation card! Anywhere you go in Europe, there will be tons of things to do. It will be hard not to get overwhelmed. The trick is to see what that city or area is known for (eating tapas in Spain is a must!) and making sure that you fit those activities into your itinerary. All it takes is some research and advanced planning!
How to Choose Where to Stay
The three options that revolve around a person’s head when it comes to vacation lodging is usually: hotels versus Airbnb versus hostel. One option isn’t always cheaper than the other and even if it was, it isn’t always the best option. Some things to consider when choosing your lodging is: price, location, distance to public transportation, safety, cleanliness,space, and privacy. My top factor is location because I never want to spend most of my precious vacation time commuting from far away. If that means paying a little more or lowering my standard from 4 star hotel to a hostel then so be it. I also want to easily get around town without having to walk for miles or have to shell out a lot for an Uber so having public transportation nearby is also pretty important. Usually when I find a lodging contender, I search it up on Google Maps to see where its located and what else is nearby. Airbnb doesn’t let you view the exact address, but gives you a general idea of the neighborhood of where it is located. Choosing the right lodging also depends on your travel itinerary. Are you the type of person who likes to start slow in the day or take afternoon naps? It might be better to choose a more comfortable option then if that’s the case since you’ll most likely be spending more time at your lodging than the traveler who loves to be out and about all day and only uses their lodging to sleep. If you don’t mind not having complete privacy and would rather save a few bucks, then a hostel could be the better option. During my solo Madrid trip last year I stayed in a 8 female dorm room in a centrally located hostel and paid only $86 for 3 nights while having the added luxury of being close enough to everything by walking. Europe is known for its hostels so checking one out was always on my list. Airbnbs are best for if your group is rather large (more than 4 people), if you want the use of a kitchen, or if prefer living like a local for a few days. Some of the best neighborhoods (like San Diego’s North Park) do not have hotels so Airbnb will allow you to really experience what it’s like to live in a particular country. The websites I use for searching lodging options include Expedia, Priceline, Hostelworld, and of course, Airbnb. Always compare prices and think about what your top priorities are.
The Packing List
Well you’ve made all your Europe plans and now you’re almost ready to go! Just one last hurdle to cross- what to pack? The most obvious thing to do first is to check the weather of where you’ll be going. If rain is in the forecast, bring a raincoat or umbrella. Nothing is worse than getting drenched and not having anywhere nearby to dry off. If its wintertime, then staying warm should be the ultimate priority. Packing good walking shoes that don’t give your feet blisters is also important! Check out my go to packing list below.
Toiletries (contact solution, extra contacts, toothbrush with case so it doesn’t get dirty, makeup remover- I’ve forgotten this so many times and it is annoying to have to rub your face with water!, face wash)
Glasses (if you need them)- You don’t want to be blind in case your contacts don’t work out!
Feminine products- It was so hard finding these when I visited Spain so I learned a huge lesson and pack some all the time now
Sweaters- Even in the height of summer I pack a sweater in case I’m walking around a heavily air conditioned museum or the airplane/train ride is cold.
Small backpack or side bag- So useful when it comes to exploring because I have space to carry a few must have items and any souvenirs I buy during the day.
Water bottle- Staying hydrated is so important when traveling! The cost of water also adds up so I always buy a gallon of water and use it to fill up my water bottle throughout the trip.
Sunscreen- Never go anywhere without applying! Sun safety is constantly overlooked by many, but protecting your skin from the sun (even if its winter) is very necessary if you plan on being outdoors a lot.
Towels- If you’re staying in a hostel or Airbnb that doesn’t have fresh towels, make sure to bring your own.
Power bank- Having the ability to charge your phone on the go is a must. You’ll be using your phone a lot throughout the day, whether its for GPS or photos or texting, so bringing a power bank will alleviate the stress of having your phone suddenly die.
Chargers- Don’t forget to pack the charging cords to everything that needs it (phone, laptop, Airpods, Fitbit, selfie stick, camera)
This is just the start of my go to packing list, so general advice would be to go through your trip itinerary and think about what is needed and make sure that gets put into your luggage. A well prepared traveler has more fun than the stressed out one who has to run around buying an expensive iPhone charger because they forgot theirs at home. I usually pack 2-3 days in advance of an international trip so it gives me time to consider what I really need and what I don’t need (overpacking isn’t great either!).
Hope my guide to planning a first time trip to Europe was helpful! Above all else, remember to MAKE MEMORIES!
