1. The Most Important Part of Creating the Ultimate European Trip, Is To Choose Destinations That Inspire You~
Maybe a book, movie, or series has taken you someplace magical. Maybe you want to trace your family roots or meet a faraway friend. Or maybe you want to visit a place based on an ad or product you have seen. We have chosen vacation destinations based on these very things, and it has turned out to be better than we imagined. We have met a friend in Paris that we met when she was studying in the states, we met friends in Italy made from a study abroad experience. Don’t laugh but visited Nice after watching the Movie, where Mr. Bean where he was in search of a beach on the French Riviera. We even added Madrid to our last trip after watching a series on Netflix. We were fortunate to put a dream into reality.
Adding in some special places always makes a trip more memorable. How about that Dolce Gabbana ad under the Faraglioni Rocks in Capri? We can say the water and rocks are are every bit as beautiful as that ad! For future trips, we have put together a bucket list~a winery in Portugal, a Brewery in Salzburg, a custom pair of shoes in Seville, based on things we love. It is not too difficult to be creative. Once you have a plan, you can make it come together.
Another way to get inspired is to listen to travel podcasts. One of our favorites is Amateur Traveler. Chris Christensen, the host, has done over 800 podcasts! We also love When in Spain, Extra Pack of Peanuts, Join Us in France, Greece Travel Secrets, Untold Italy, and Kimberly’s Italy.
On our travel blog, Altered by Adventure, our goal is to give you that inspiration. We add opening videos (from talented film makers & videographers) at each destination. We also add helpful articles and guides to help you get started.
Faraglioni Rocks ~ Capri, Italy
2. Start with a Budget~
In our opinion that largest cost is flight and accommodation. We try to cut costs by choosing airline and hotel credit cards earlier in the year to add up points or take advantage of offers. The other thing to consider is when to book flight and lodging. It is wise to start looking at least six months prior for flights and to keep an eye on the options with notifications to alert you on lower costs. It is also a very good idea to start looking for the best value for your accommodation. We go to Booking.com and Airbnb and start clicking favorites even before planning our adventure. Europeans get many weeks off for travel so if you are not looking early enough, the best options will be taken.
Photo courtesy of Marina’s House, Airbnb ~ Riomaggiore, Italy
3. List Your Top Destinations and Start Creating Your Itinerary~
Write down your top destinations and group them together by country or location. Keep in mind that once you get to Europe it is very affordable to take a plane to another country/location. On Ryan Air or Easy Jet, for instance, it can cost as low as $20. Do keep in mind that luggage can cost extra (we will cover that later). You can also visit Google maps or Rome2Rio to determine the length of travel and other options like a train or car. If you are considering car rental from one country to another, it can be a fortune. A suggestion is to take a train or fly between countries, then go from there.
Estimate how long it might take between destinations and try to add in 2-3 days at least per location. You can also come up with a plan A, B, C depending on time, accommodation and flight prices, and availability. It will give you some flexibility to find the best itinerary.
It is a fine balance between seeing many amazing places and stopping long enough to enjoy. We also suggest you make time for the countryside to get the most out of your trip. Staying on a farm (agriturismo), in a small villiage, family estate, or castle adds such a different experience to your trip. It is easy to find authentic places to stay on sites like Airbnb or VRBO. Believe us, visiting these local homes and farms will create some of your best memories. You will meet the locals and also interact with travelers from all over the world. We still reminisce about our time around the table with the owner of the horse farm, Paula, drinking tea and eating scones. Or the time we sat in the living room of a chateau in France drinking wine and sharing stories with travelers from England and Belgium. These places can be extremely affordable . The horse farm in Ireland was $40 per person/night and the chateau in France $130/night.
Chateau Isle Marie ~ Picauville, France, Photo courtesy of Normandie Toursim
4. Consider Your Time Frame & Time of Year to Travel~
The best time to travel to Europe is in the shoulder season (May-June, September-October). It is the best way to avoid crowds and higher prices. Plug in different dates on flight websites to get an idea of what will work best. We use Google Flights, Skyscanner, or or US Airlines like United or Delta to start planning. You can even set up alerts in sites like Google Flights.
One other way to find better prices. on flights is to choose main cities like NYC, Boston, Chicago, LA. Sometimes you can save up to 50% by using the main city to fly in or out. If you can drive to that city, it will save you even more. If you need to take a fight in and out of another US city, just give yourself enough time for the connection (over 3 hours). Our rule. of thumb is to make sure there is another flight between the one you are taking and before you take off from that main airport. That way you have a buffer. Also, give yourself time to clear customs on the way back (2-3 hours).If you are worried about missing the international flight plug in the departure from your home airport to compare. Then you can make a decision on which is the best way to go. Rule of thumb is to consider flying into a larger European city like London, Paris, or Rome, before jet setting to your destination. These cities offer many more flights at lower prices. We like to fly into London, for example and stay for a few days to adjust to the jet lag. It also allows for more flexibility as you may fly into Heathrow and out of Stansted or Gatwick. You can grab a flight out of these airports for something like $40.
When purchasing international flights, We suggest not buying the basic flight. We suggest going up one level which usually includes waiving any change fees. In these uncertain times, it does give a level of reassurance. You usually have one year to use the ticket. We are not big fans of insurance as there is small print that limits coverage. Do check the details when considering.
Another way to find cheap flights are sites like The Points Guy or Scott’s Cheap Flights. They search for low cost flights and offer great suggestions. We suggest visiting their sites to get even more ideas about the most affordable flights in and out of Europe.
We also suggest applying for the Global Access which will cut so much time waiting in lines at the airport. The United Visa Chase Credit card offers reimbursement for TSA Pre-check or Global Access. Since they will reimburse for both, we suggest Global Access as it includes domestic and international. Give yourself time before traveling as the Global Access requires an application and in person interview. It is good for 5 years.
Tower Bridge ~ London, England
5. Find the Best Prices on Flights~
To save time and money consider flying into one city and out of another. Spend some time on Skyscanner or google flights to find the most affordable options. If you are planning on visiting more than one country, consider a smaller flight or train from one to another. On our last trip to Europe, we flew into London and took Ryan Air to Rome for under $100. We visited many towns through Italy and then a small plane from Pisa to Madrid. We ended our trip in Barcelona before flying back. With some time and flexibility, you can find a great itinerary.
*Something to note: Low Cost Norse Atlantic is finally up and running. They purchased planes from Norwegian Air which had tried the low cost transatlantic option until the pandemic. Norse Atlantic is truly worth looking into! Right now they only fly from JFK, LA, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale to Oslo. It is very easy to get a flight from Oslo through much of Europe, For instance, a roundtrip flight from Oslo to London in the middle of summer is $105. You just have to add that extra time to your itinerary.
Royal Palace ~ Madrid, Spain
6. Establish an Itinerary~
We usually put together a google sheet with the days, and cities we plan to visit. Then we add in travel time between each. Having a google sheet to work from, will keep you very organized. There are some inexpensive airlines that fly out of major cities in Europe like Vueling, EasyJet, and Ryan Air. You can fly for as little as $25 to your destination. Do consider luggage as that will add cost. It is a good idea to travel light with one carry on backpack or small 22″ rolling luggage.
Consider train travel as it is a cheap option which allows you to sit back and see the countryside. We usually visit Trainline.com for times and routes. You can also find the local train company and compare. We also look for high speed between cities. For instance, it only takes a little over 2 hours by high speed train from Venice to Florence, while driving almost takes four hours. Believe us when we suggest not driving in Florence or Rome. There are many places where cars are forbidden to go, which can unknowingly generate huge fines. We know from experience! Those cities are very walkable and public transportation works well. For an upcoming trip, we have chosen a train from Madrid to Seville vs. driving as it cuts our travel down by three hours.
Also consider hiring a driver for transport from an airport or a day trip. In places like Amalfi where there are narrow streets on cliffs hanging over the sea, it might be best to hire a driver. Search Tripadvisor for a local driver which can be surprising affordable. We found Paulo Bellantonio in Amalfi. He took us to some of the most spectacular places including a winery at the foot of Mt Vesuvius and some of the best restaurants in Positano! We highly recommend him for a day or more out, if you are headed that way. The extra cost is totally worth it, even if you do this once during your trip as it is an unforgettable experience.
Winding Roads ~ Amalfi Coast, Italy
6. Venture into a Small Town or Off the Beaten Path~
We cannot recommend this enough! Visiting the small towns and villages around a city is the best way to experience Europe. So many folks, especially their fist time rely only on the big cities maybe because they are worried about communicating or getting lost. Many parts of Europe are very safe, and surprisingly many locals speak at least some English. It is a great idea to learn a few key words or bring google translate to help you if you need it. But visiting these little gems outside the city will make your trip so much more rich and rewarding! Some of the best food we ate in Italy was in the small town of Ancona. Places like Sintra, outside of Lisbon are packed with history including Pena Palace and a Moorish castle and a beautiful beach on the western most part of Europe, Cabo do Roca . Sintra is only a 30 minute train ride away and worth adding one more day to your itinerary when visiting Lisbon.
When visiting a bigger city, consider going off the beaten path. You will meet the locals and get such a different perspective. When we visited London in 2019, we were headed, along with many other tourists, to Abbey Road, the site of the famous Beetles’ album cover. While we were traveling by train a few fans dressed up in their hometown garb entered the train. We asked them where they were going, and they told us they were on their way to a championship football game. They even asked us to come along. We watched them depart, then looked at each other and decided to take them up on their offer. Little did we know this championship game was taking place at Wembley Stadium! We had no problem getting tickets and great seats! It was one of the best experiences on our trip. We are so glad we took a chance and experience their passion for the game!
Liverpool vs. Newport Wales Final ~ Wembley Stadium
7. Search for the Best Places to Stay~
As mentioned this before, but accommodation can be one of the most expensive parts of your trip. We rely on two websites more than the others. Booking.com and Airbnb give a great variety of options with the ability to narrow down choices. The first thing we look for are bed and breakfasts, an agriturismo, a castle or chateau, where you can meet locals and learn more about the area. We also like to find apartments in big cities, especially when traveling with more than two people. In Europe, the hotels are very small and can add up if you are needing more than one room. We do look for a hotel if we can use our points such as Marriott and Hilton. This allows a break on these costs that add up quickly. Another thing we look for is the location. If we are taking a train into the city, we may choose to stay closer to the station. We also look for the best views. You can find a hotel or apartment with a rooftop in a city like Florence. The views of the Duomo are spectacular. If you are staying in Athens, you may want to find an apartment with a view of the Acropolis (which is amazing at night). If the town is on or near water, we always look for options with a view. Even in a small town of the Cinque Terre, you can find an apartment with breathtaking views.
Photo courtesy of Niche Hotel ~ Athens, Greece
8. Plan Your Activities and Experiences~
You do not have to have hour by hour activities planned for each destination but planning ahead some highlights or key experiences will take the pressure off once you arrive. The goal is to take it all in, rather than scouring the websites and travel guides to make a reservation. We always suggest a walking tour. Our favorite company is called With Locals. We highly suggest checking them out as they offer affordable, private, customized options.
Another suggestion is to look for free walking tours. These guides are very passionate about their city and rely on tips so the tour is usually very good! Getting a lay of the land and learning about the history will open up ideas of how you want to spend your time there. They guides are also the best way to get recommendations on food and drink.
In recent years, Airbnb Experiences has been an excellent resource for local experiences that will enhance your trip. You can find everything from cooking classes to boating tours. Many offer free cancellation. Get Your Guide is also a very good place to find special excursions. They offer a great variety of activities as well.
Mykonos, Greece
9. Look for authentic and less touristy restaurants~
This is something we like to do when visiting a new city. We look ahead at sites like The Fork or Tripadvisor look at menus, prices and reviews. It is great to find establishments with less tourists and more locals. You should also look for restaruants with a view or ambience to create that magical moment. One of my favorite restaurants is a place in Nerano, Italy, Restarante Il Contuccio, where the covered deck juts out over the water, serving the local fish, homemade pasta and the waiter singing and dancing to Mama Mia.
You do not have to plan every meal but finding some great places ahead of time saves time and effort. You can also ask the hotel manager or Airbnb host for suggestions. We love to view Youtube videos to also get tips on some of the best places to go. Mark Felice from Euro Trotter and Samuel and Audrey, and Vaga Brothers Travel Vloggers provide some great suggestions. And we cannot forget James Blick from Spain Revealed. If you are traveling to Spain, his videos are a must see! Visit Altered by Adventure to get some great resources for planning.
Photo courtesy of Il Contuccio~ Nerano, Italy
10. Plan ahead so you can put your trip on auto drive~
The most common response when we ask friends that are thinking about traveling to Europe is that they don’t want to spend time planning. We get it…time is money. You can choose an all inclusive tour but you may be giving up privacy and flexibility. Our first trip to Europe in 2015 was our first stab at planning a multi country, multi city trip. We visited Rome, Florence and the Tuscan countryside. We traveled up to Cinque Terre and took the train to the French Riviera. We hopped on a high speed train to Paris and a few days over to Normandy. It was amazing to see the trip come together from paper to reality. We do think, if you take your time with these steps, you can create an amazing adventure.
Create a place for your itinerary and reservations such as Google Drive. Create a sheet and share with others. Keep track of locations, cancellations dates and helpful links. This way you can access these items if needed while traveling. We also suggest printing a copy along with a copy of your passport and storing that away from your personal items. Having these documents on hand in one place will take the stress out of your trip.
Another suggestion is to create a packing list and pack ahead. One of the biggest mistakes many make is overpacking. This can be pricey as well as cumbersome as some airlines (even budget airlines) will charge a lot for bags. Consider where you are taking your bags. You may have to carry them up many steps, over cobblestone streets or lug them onto a train. Having one personal item and carry on really is the way to go. Check which accommodation has a washing machine and plan accordingly (remember in Europe there may not be a dryer, only washing machine so wash and hang clothes on a day you are out sightseeing). Only take 2-3 pair of shoes as they can be bulky. Also remember layers as it can get chilly at night. We suggest packing your back days ahead so you are not frantically pulling this together at the last minute. And remember, you may want to bring home something like a pair of espadrilles from Madrid, or a purse from Florence. Some of our most favorite items are those we purchased while traveling.
One final thing suggestion is to expect bumps along the way. No trip will be perfect, even with much planning. We have missed a train from Madrid to Barcelona, waited for hours at the Venice airport for a car, and got lost on our way to the Airbnb driving in the dark in Dublin. Even though it was challenging, these are some of the most talked about memories. Things are going to happen that are out of your control. Having some flexibility built in to your plan will allow you to come up with an alternative to make the most out of your trip! It may even become your favorite memory as well