Taking the family to Europe the first time? You’re probably overwhelmed with excitement, and well, all the things you need to do to plan your trip. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you make the most of your travels, so you can sit back and take in all the amazing sights around you once you get there.
Before you start planning your trip, look over these 8 tips for traveling across Europe for the first time. Whether you’re going to Paris, London, or Venice, or find yourself drawn to more remote villages, you can make every step of the process easier with these tips in mind.
Book Your Accommodations Ahead of Time
If you’re planning on stopping in several countries, you’re going to want to book your accommodations ahead of time. When you’re traveling with multiple people, especially kids, finding accommodations can be a little more difficult. Compound that with a busy weekend or tourist season and you could find yourself traipsing through the city with your luggage in hand and kids in tow, desperate to find somewhere to rest your weary feet and going through your supply of CBDfx tincture more quickly than you anticipated.
In addition to where you’ll stay, you might want to also think about which activities require tickets and get those before your trip, especially if you’re traveling during the tourist season in that region. After all, it’s not like you can just go the next weekend like you would at home.
You don’t want to miss out on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for the sake of preserving a sense of spontaneity. That said, you don’t necessarily have to book everything in advance, just the most important things on your to-do list.
Research the Weather
One thing many people don’t think about when they’re planning a Eurotrip is just how much the weather can vary from country to country. For the most moderate weather, it’s typically recommended that travelers plan their multiple-country Eurotrips between April and September.
While you can’t necessarily predict the weather, especially on longer trips, you can get a good idea of what the climate is like in each country or region and you can get a general idea of what to expect weather-wise during that season. However, there’s always a chance that bad weather can strike, so have a backup plan in case.
Keep in mind that if you have specific activities on your bucket list like skiing, spending your days by the beach, or doing a lot of walking tours, you should research when the weather is best for those adventures in the specific countries you’re visiting. And when all else fails, make sure to have an umbrella—Repel makes durable travel-size umbrellas—or poncho with you just in case.
Avoid Overpacking
The great thing about traveling across Europe is that it’s easy to experience a multitude of cultures and visit many countries even on a fairly short trip. That said, going to multiple destinations often results in people overpacking for their trips.
Between changing hotels multiple times throughout your trip and having to take several modes of travel, luggage weighing you down is the last thing you want. This is especially true when traveling with children because you’ll likely be the one responsible for their belongings as well.
So, how can you make sure you have everything you need without overdoing it? One of the best ways to do this is to skip the large suitcases for a small or a medium-sized luggage bag preferably on wheels which will significantly ease moving around. Instead of carrying twice as much, consolidate your items into something more manageable and set yourself up for worry-free traveling. While BAGAIL packing cubes are a good way to consolidate your belongings, here are a few other recommendations for avoiding overpacking altogether:
Create a detailed packing list and make sure to go over it more than once to see what items you can actually leave behind.
Eliminate duplicates between family members. Do you each need your own toothpaste and body wash or can you share?
Reduce how many clothing items you need by selecting versatile pieces that can be layered for different climates.
For more specific packing tips, use one of our handy packing checklists as a starting point.
Other Quick Tips to Keep in Mind
With these tips in mind, you’re on your way to having a stress-free European vacation.
