Disclaimer: This is a brief guide for those who enjoy planning ahead before a trip abroad. I fully realize that many people enjoy spontaneity and mystery on their journey, but I enjoy having some things set in stone before I leave the country. In turn, this will be a guide for individuals who share the need/desire to make plans for a long distance vacation.
1. Setting up the flight(s)
The first part of any journey (assuming you live far enough away) to Europe will begin with plane tickets. While there is no golden rule for which airline to pick, International flights can be a never-ending claustrophobic nightmare if you don’t play your cards right. Depending on what airline you book with, the earlier you book your flight, the better choice of seating you get. This means that not only will you be able to ensure a seat next to any friends/family members, but also that the comfort of the flight might be improved. I’ve traveled on my fair share of planes, and the international airliner that stuck out the most to me was AirFrance because of its spacious economy seating and decent food service. If you’re planning on flying into France, I’d recommend it.
2. Setting up housing
Just as buying a plane ticket, there is really no universal advice for housing reservations. Depending on the budget/personal preference, one of the many Hostels of Europe might suit you just fine. If you prefer a more private living space, but still want to save some cash, the website “Airbnb” can offer a host of privately rentable apartments in the area. While I wouldn’t recommend hotels in some of the major European cities because of the hefty price tag, they do offer a central location in most of the cities.
3. Planning excursions
Make sure to plan excursions in accordance with the location you’ll be staying. You might find a cheap tour of the Seine River in Paris but, unless you made sure it was relatively close to your housing, you might have to shell out some extra cash for a cab. For most European cities, I would recommend planning a mixture of structured/unstructured ventures. Being a tourist is fun, but I think some of the best memories are made when you are blazing your own trail through a local market/eatery. Europe is full of history and culinary art; make sure to diversify what you visit so that you can fit a bit of both things into your journey.
4. Meals
Eating is just as necessary to life as housing, so make sure you plan your budget and time accordingly. Leave some wiggle room in the budget (if possible) for any extra snacks or groceries, and make sure you leave enough time every day for eating. Even more than planning, chose your meals/restaurants wisely. Just as anywhere in the world, there’s good food and bad food in Europe. If you have the opportunity, take restaurant recommendations from friends who have been to the location before and spend time to quality check nearby eateries. If you’d rather sit back in your housing and enjoy a meal, take some time beforehand to pick out some groceries at a local market. Don’t shop blind, though, and make sure that you spend time picking out the amenities.
