Essential Travel Tips for Europe

Do your research. I cannot stress this enough! I could go on and on about the importance of knowing the culture of where you are traveling too. Do try to brush up on some basic phrases in the native language in where you're going.

Book your tickets in advance for attractions and places you know you want to visit as soon as you know your dates of travel. The Anne Frank House, in Amsterdam, for example, books up months in advance. Popular venues may reach capacity and you may not get to visit them at all.

Don't carry a ton of cash on you and always pay in local currency. A lot of places actually take credit cards. Speaking of credit cards, do some research and sign up for one before your trip that wont charge you a foreign transaction fee. It will save you money in the long run.

I also highly recommend carrying a good, anti-theft purse. I have been pickpocketed, my friends have been pickpocketed and you will probably see it while you are there. Not to scare you but you can definitely take steps to prevent this by carrying a safe purse, never a ton of cash and by carrying non flashy jewelry or handbags. Never carry your phone in your pocket! Never also put your phone out on a table while you are dining out in a highly trafficked area. It helps to always be aware of your surroundings in crowded, popular tourist spots.

Pack light, especially if you are doing a multi-city trip around Europe and taking public transportation. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to haul heavy luggage around on trains or down those historic cobblestone streets. Make a packing list, then take less than you think you’ll need. The shopping in Europe is world class so anything you think you might need; you can always buy there.

Don't try to do it all! Europe is massive and, yes, it is super easy to get around once you're there but do not try to pack it all in. You will exhaust yourself and it will only take away from time to enjoy each destination. Depending on the length of your visit, aim to plan for one to two cities or towns per week. It’s also a great idea to base yourself in places that offer amazing day trip destinations (like Florence, Zurich or Nice).

Make Sure You Have A Valid Passport.If you’re planning to travel out of the country, make sure your passport is valid. Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months (some are just three months) after your arrival date before they’ll grant entry to their country.

Book your accommodations as early as possible. With post-COVID travel, more and more visitors are flocking to Europe every year. If there's a special hotel or villa you have in mind, make sure to book in advance to secure your spot.

Combat that jet lag and get on the local schedule as soon as possible. Do your best to sleep on the plane so you can get a little rest before you arrive.

Download apps like Google Maps and Google translate to assist you in your time over there.

Purchase an adapter and power bank before your trip. They are both lifesavers when it comes to travel!!

Bring Comfortable Shoes To Walk Everywhere. As one of the best ways to explore a city, you will do lots of walking during your European vacation, therefore having a pair of comfortable walking shoes is a must.

Utilize the amazing public transportation system by taking trains or buses when applicable. Be sure to validate your tickets before every ride.

Hire a travel agent! I am not saying this to promote myself or the agency but a travel agent is so important in this day and age of an always changing travel climate. Travel agents can take the stress out of planning and with years of experience and knowledge about destinations, transportation options and vendors, an agent can eliminate hours of online research time. We can also help to secure additional perks at hotels that you might not get anywhere else. A travel agent works seamlessly with you and for you to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime!