5 Places to Start Your Travel Planning
So you’ve decided you’re going to Europe?! Now what?
Looking over a map of Europe can be both exhilarating and daunting. There’s so much to see that you’ll never see it all, and you certainly won’t see it all in one trip. Before taking another step into travel planning, we need to all agree that we will go back. Many travelers, myself included, have crammed way too much into a two week trip thinking “this might be my last chance to see _______.” It is far better to enjoy your trip and see what you can, rather than cramming in so much that your primary memories are of the train station/airport/windshield of your rental car. With that in mind, here are some useful questions to help you get started planning your trip.
Is there one “Must-see” sight that I absolutely HAVE to visit on this trip? If the answer is yes, you just picked the first stop on your trip. If you have some flexibility with your schedule, research to see what the shoulder season (the window between peak season and off season) is for the city/country you will be visiting. This cuts down on the crowds that make peak season unbearable, but also helps you avoid the ghost-town feel of off-season.
Is there one “Must-see” event that I absolutely have to be there for? Some people are determined to see the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland. Others are drawn to the colorful festivities of the Feria in Sevilla, Spain. If there is some major annual event that you want to visit, this will determine the dates and times of your travel. It also means that you will be competing with everyone else who wants to visit at the same time. Consider flying into a nearby city and travelling by train to the event you are interested in. The fewer days you spend in the actual location of the event, the less money you will spend on peak rate accommodations. Do you really need to be there for the whole event, or can you just do one day of the event and spend the rest of your trip seeing other parts of the same country?
What does my schedule allow? Many people do not have the flexibility to travel at any time of the year. Teachers are often limited to summer breaks or winter holidays. If this is you, plan accordingly. Shoulder season varies from one country to another, but May and September are shoulder season for most of Europe, so if you can hit these windows, you should find lower rates and less crowds than during the height of summer.
What is my tolerance for hot/cold weather? If your schedule is more flexible, you will have more options on when/where to visit. However, if the thought of visiting a country where the daily temperature is often above 100 F and air-conditioning is not guaranteed does not sound appealing to you, you should probably avoid southern Spain in September. Likewise, Switzerland may look like a snowglobe in the winter, but the subfreezing temperatures may dampen its romantic appeal after a few days. While you can find great deals in the off-season, be realistic about how much climate discomfort you are willing to endure. If you like spending lots of time in museums, winter might be the perfect time, as lines are generally shorter and you’ll spend less time in the elements. But if you are like me and your perfect trip to Europe is made up mostly of wandering down cobble-stone streets and eating gelato in the park, it may be best to steer clear of January and February.
Am I on a super tight budget, or can I splurge a little? Generally speaking, Western Europe is more expensive than Eastern Europe. The United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and Switzerland are especially heavy-hitters when it comes to ruining your budget. If these countries are on your must-see list, they are still attainable! Consider spending more time in the countryside, rather than in the cities where prices are higher. You can also make them a short stop on a longer trip to limit the days you spend hemorrhaging money. If you would rather stay in one place for a longer time, look to Mediterranean and Eastern European countries where prices are typically lower for just about everything: food, accommodations, transportation, museum entries, etc. Eastern Europe is also much less touched by globalization than Western Europe, meaning that you may find a more authentic European experience there than you would in Madrid or Paris. Besides, you meet someone who’s been to London every day. When’s the last time you met someone fresh off the plane from Cesky Budejovice?
Still need help deciding when/where to go? Check out my post When/Where Should I Go? for more advice!
If you’ve already decided where you’re going first, tell me in the comments! Maybe I’ll come along!