Planning Your First Trip to Europe

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Planning Your First Trip to Europe

Stepping into Europe for the first time can be an overwhelming experience, and that's completely normal. With a vast landscape filled with incredible destinations like Paris, Rome, and London waiting to be explored, how do you go about planning your trip? I've received countless questions along these lines, so this post is here to help you navigate the information overload.

Avoid Trying to See It All

How many times have I been asked, "I have 10 days and want to visit Rome, Venice, Paris, London, and Switzerland—will I have enough time?" It’s like saying you want to drive from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City in just 10 days! Europe is expansive, and yes, there are so many beautiful places to see. But jumping from one city to another in such a short time will leave you exhausted and only scratching the surface.

Destinations Based on Your Time

• 7 days: 2 cities, or 1 city with some day trips
• 10 days: 3 cities, or 2 cities with day trips
• 14 days: 4 cities, or exploring a couple of countries

If your itinerary feels overly packed, it's probably time to simplify. With 10 days split between 4 cities, you'll likely spend most of your time on planes or trains.

Sample Itinerary for 3 Cities

Here’s an example itinerary for 10 days visiting London, Amsterdam, and Paris:

• Day 1: Arrive in London
• Days 2-4: Explore London
• Day 5: Travel from London to Amsterdam, afternoon sightseeing
• Day 6: Discover Amsterdam
• Day 7: Depart for Paris in the morning, afternoon sightseeing
• Days 8-9: Enjoy Paris
• Day 10: Return home

While this itinerary seems reasonable, it’s still a bit rushed. Adding an extra day in each city would give you more time to soak in the experience.

Don't Forget Travel Time

When planning, make sure to factor in travel time between destinations. For example, if your journey includes nearby cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, trains are the ideal mode of transport. For farther cities, consider a combination of flights and trains.

Traveling between cities usually takes about half a day. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your afternoon for sightseeing. If you arrive too early, you can store your luggage at the train station or hotel.

Consider Open Jaw Flights

Open jaw flights allow you to arrive in one city and depart from another. This option saves you time and effort. For instance, flying into Rome and out of Venice, instead of returning to Rome, can save you a significant amount of time.

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