How to Plan a Summer Trip to Europe for the First Time
Planning your first trip to Europe can be exciting and can as well be a maze of uncertainties. Your first trip to Europe will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime and planning your first trip to Europe will not only build anticipation but will also be a fun part of the vacation. Successful planning will ensure a stress free journey such that you will want to return time and time again.
Understanding that travel isn't exactly the same as before the pandemic is important to ensure a smooth journey. There is a lot to think about and a lot to do but this guide will help you get started.
Narrow your plans and keep them simple
Make sure your plans for your first trip to Europe are simple. Map out the places you'll want to visit and stick to those. Don't try to see everything and do everything at one go unless you want to exhaust yourself chasing impossible schedules. Allow yourself enough time to explore and rest. It’s not a race and the place won’t drop off the surface of the earth after you return home. There’s always another trip to look forward to. So take your time and narrow down your plans as much as you can.
Plan as far ahead as possible
Europe is a large continent and one of the things set to ruin a first time visit to this continent is rush hour travel planning. Have part of your trip booked before departure. This includes accommodations, tours and your movement around your destination (car rental). Buy tickets for popular landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower or Colosseum, well in advance. Also, make hotel, restaurant, and transportation reservations well in advance. If you are planning to travel to Europe this summer and don't have your arrangements finalized, you can easily skip them and hop on one of our summer trips to Europe this August.
Know the entry requirements
With the ever-constant changing rules due to COVID, there's been a bit of chaos moving around. Steps for entry are country-dependent. Some are requiring a PCR test for entry, others are not. If you are looking for specific country requirements, the best advice is to go to the country’s tourism site. You can do this by searching “country tourism entry requirements.” Additionally, call your accommodations to ask what the requirements are for check-in. For instance, most hotels in Italy require proof of vaccination.
Research your destination thoroughly
It will be a disaster to skip this part of your planning before hopping on a plane. Do you require a visa to enter the country you wish to visit? What's the major language of communication? In the comfort of your home, whip out your phone or laptop and do your research. Grab a notepad and jot down important information. Before you start to confirm and pay for arrangements, ensure that you have everything planned out and can see the big picture going forward. If you don’t feel confident about personally managing your plans, you could join our group trips this summer.
Anticipate delays and give yourself plenty of time
Summer is considered a high season in Europe. It runs from mid-June to the end of August. The simple fact is that Summer in Europe can be hot – very hot. It’s a lovely time to travel which means Europe in summer is busy, very busy. The beaches are inviting, the water is warm and the evenings balmy. You will enjoy beautiful weather but you will enjoy it with the rest of the people that troop into Europe this time of the year. Expect long queues at airports and tourist sites and arrive early so you don't miss your flight or miss an experience you'd traveled all the way for.
Going to Europe? Don't wait to make your plans
If you're headed to Europe this summer, and don't want to stress over planning information, join us on our summer trips to Europe. We've got Amalfi Coast, Italy and Santorini, Greece covered for you.
