Where Should I go on My First Trip to Europe?
Traveling on your first trip to Europe is different from many other vacations. You don’t just put down a deposit and look for flights, like with an all-inclusive vacation or a Caribbean Cruise. There are better words to describe European traveling: exploring, globetrotting, trekking, an excursion or even an expedition… anything other than vacation. Vacation gives the connotation that there will be lots of relaxing, lounging on the beach and sleeping in late, this is not European traveling. European traveling is walking 20,000 steps in a day to see a whole city, waking up early to catch the next train or plane and climbing lots and lots of stairs!
However, European travel is like nowhere else in the world, especially on your first trip to Europe! The history, architecture and food in amazing cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona and Athens can’t compare to a typical vacation. Getting to experience another culture and lifestyle, sangria and tapas in Spain or biers and bratwursts in Germany, is part of the journey. The best part of first trip to Europe travel is how close the countries are to each other. Making travel within Europe easy, affordable and time efficient. This also allows exploration of a few locations per trip or getting out of the city center and seeing the countryside.
Where to go in Europe
European ancestry accounts for many travelers’ first trips to Europe. It is an obvious draw, some to meet or visit with family and others to research their family heritage. The most popular first trip to Europe include locations like:
- England, Scotland, Ireland
- Paris and Normandy Beach areas
- Italy itinerary
- Spain itinerary
- Germany, Switzerland & Austria
- Greece & the Greek Islands
All of these locations are fantastic first trip to Europe options and easy to fly into from the east coast of the U.S. or Canada to European capitals and popular cities.
A big question to decide on is how long you will be able to travel? I would not suggest going on your first trip to Europe for a trip less than a week, the jet lag and travel time eats up too much of your trip. A week to ten days is best for a first trip to Europe and 10-14 days for future trips, to make the most out of the expense of the cross Atlantic flight. I always suggest going to 2-3 locations on your first trip to Europe and not add any more until you’re a pro at European travel.
The preference to keep all locations geographically close or not is up to your discretion. Train rides and quick one-way flights in Europe make all of it really accessible, with minimal travel time and expense. Language is also a big concern for travelers, especially if they only speak English. England, Scotland and Ireland are all easy language locations, although there will still be dialect differences. Cities like Copenhagen, Vienna, Berlin, Madrid, Lisbon and Prague are all well educated in English and everyone will speak or translate to English.
Additional Locations to Consider for First Trip to Europe
Amsterdam, the Netherlands is a perfect first trip to Europe location for numerous reasons other than the locals speaking and providing menus in English. Schiphol airport is one of the biggest in Europe and offers connecting flights all over Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Turn a layover into your first stop on your trip. It is also easy to book round trip flights between the States and Amsterdam and then travel by train, plane or car between locations. I suggest spending at least 3 days in Amsterdam, and preferably more if you have the time and budget. The architecture, museums, canal cruises and foods are incredible any time of year, but Spring is when the tulip season brings the country to life with gorgeous colors from the Holland flowers.
Another great spot for your first trip to Europe that many people don’t think of is Reykjavik, Iceland especially in the summer months. Reykjavik is only about 4 hours from the east coast and not much longer from Denver. The route over Iceland is a popular one, since it is a shorter distance at the poles. Icelandair, the national airline and Play airline the country’s low-cost carrier both offer programs to visit in Iceland for free for up to a week. Iceland might be cold, but in the summer it offers long hours of light as well as volcanos, waterfalls and black sand beaches! The winters are very cold and not for everyone, but if you dare to stay in winter you will have the best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.
The other Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland & Denmark are other great spots to visit on any European trip and English is widely spoken. However, they are just as expensive as Iceland and are not as easily serviced by air travel and layovers.
Consider these Locations for Budget first Trips to Europe
Portugal has many beautiful locations that are warm and sunny for much of the year with mild winters too. Most of Portugal’s architecture is from the 1500’s-1800’s when it was a Maritime Empire. Today, Portugal is a great place to travel to for its beaches, fishing and seafood. Plus it is less expensive than other Northern European and Mediterranean countries and has become easier to travel to in recent years. The airline TAP Portugal has lots of flights into Europe, with a layover in the country’s capital Lisbon. They have a similar program as Iceland, where visitors can book round trip flights to one of their European cities and are eligible for a free week to explore Portugal during their Lisbon layover.
Poland is another great choice for budget traveling, in fact it rates in the top 25% of countries for affordability. Inexpensive flights from Europe fly into Poland daily and public transportation is cheap and convenient. Surprisingly, mid-range hotels can be found as inexpensively as $50 per night and luxury accommodations for under $200 per night! There are lots of free and cheap attractions in Poland, especially medieval castles. Plus, Old Town centers to visit and the Wieliczka Salt Mines. Poland is another great place for history buffs including sobering visits to Auschwitz and Oskar Schindler’s Factory Tours. These are sights that will change visitors’ perspective, far more than a typical European walking tour.
If finding flights into Prague or Vienna is easier or more affordable, they are both easy train rides to Krakow and southern Poland. Poland would be a great addition to trips to either of those cities, since they are more expensive, it’s nice to pair a less expensive city to balance the trip budget. Especially when they are so close!
What to Consider on your First Trip to Europe
Weather and Climate in Europe
When are you thinking about traveling on your first trip to Europe? Here are some things to consider when deciding on a time of year to travel. Summer is the most popular time to visit Europe, because families are traveling during the summer holidays, but this might not be the right time to visit Europe because of the heat and cost. Air conditioning is not wide-spread in Europe, so even if you are sure your hotel offers it, the whole country will not have air conditioning. Really consider your need to stay cool and the needs of your travel companions, it can really make or break a trip.
European travel includes lots of walking, walking stairs and long-lines to wait in the blazing sun. Shoulder season for Europe can be a great time to travel, since temperatures are more mild and enjoyable. Another consideration is Northern Europe versus the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean is known for its hot summers and mild winters, especially in the coastal towns of Athens, Barcelona, Rome and other southern Italian cities. Summers bring the tourists and the heat, so much so that most of Italy and Greece shuts down in the month of August, so their residents can go on holiday to cooler locations. This is often not a good time to book for first time European travelers, but a gold mine to those who love the heat!
In winter, temperatures average in the 50’s with lots of sunny days, perfect for sightseeing, but not swimming. These are great locations to take advantage of cheap airfares during shoulder and winter seasons. Northern European locations like Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin etc. are known for their harsher winter weather and mild summers. Summer weather often starts late, July and August and that draws the tourists during peak travel season.
Traveling for European Festivals
Europe tends to follow the seasons in many ways and so do European travelers who have always dreamed of coming during the Spring Flowers, Oktoberfest or to attend the Christmas markets in Winter. These times of the year are still expensive, even if the weather is not great. Book early if you have set dates or it is your first trip to save the most on flights and accommodations. For those of us who are seasoned European travelers and have very flexible schedules, last minute deals can offer some great savings on flight offers during popular travel times. Northern European countries like the Netherlands and Belgium are popular for visits to cruise along the cities celebrating the impending arrival of warm weather. Typically it is cold, windy and raining during these months. Don’t avoid seeing some of the most amazing sights because of the rain, pack your waterproof shoes and a good rain coat and enjoy!
Münich is the site of the annual Oktoberfest celebration that is held for two weeks each year. Despite the name, this festival is held at the end of September. Flights and trains to the Bavarian region will be packed and for great reason, to celebrate with bier and bratwurst! The end of November through the New Year also brings many visitors to Central Europe for the Christmas Markets. These are most famously held in German towns all over the country, but also in neighboring countries of France, Switzerland, Austria and beyond. Christmas is celebrated differently in Europe and gave me back my love of Christmas many years ago. Other festivals celebrated include Venice’s Carnevale, Greece’s Epiphany and Hogmanay in Scotland. Don’t let the weather deter you, Christmas in Europe is magical.
Packing Tips for European Travel
I can not over state the importance of packing light when traveling to Europe…especially as a family! You will be dragging your bags to hotels, city to city and over cobblestones and stairs. Europeans travel light, typically with only backpacks, because of how much walking and stairs are involved. I often did when I was traveling in Europe too, however nowadays I’m a strict carry-on traveler. Even with the kids this summer, everyone got a backpack and a carryon bag…that’s it! Here are some of the ways I do that, with kids, even for 2+ weeks.
Pack minimal toiletry products and buy products there. The quality of beauty products, toiletries and makeup is significantly higher than in the States and after years of bringing home creams and sunscreens for their cost and clean ingredients, I started to just buy them on my first day traveling. In most European countries there is a store separate from the grocery store to buy shampoo, soap, face wash, shave cream, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. the pharmacy would have medicines, creams or ointments and some beauty products. Try these stores in the following countries:
- Etos, Kruidvat & Douglas- the Netherlands
- Monoprix, Citypharma- France
- DM, Müller, Rossman- Germany
- Druni, Primor, Parafarmacial- Spain
Europe has laundry services (dropoff or delivery), seek them out before your trip. Have a few in the neighborhood near your hotel saved in your google maps and drop off a load or two in backpacks or shopping bags during your trip.. Another tip is to buy a shopping bag on your trip (no need to pack a duffel) to bring home souvenirs, foods and treats. Then check one of your suitcases with all the liquid and cream products home. This way you are only paying one baggage fee, one direction and minimizing any lost bags.
Red-Eye Flights
Unfortunately, there is rarely a way to avoid a red-eye flight going over to Europe and it is rough adjusting to the time zone. If you have the ability to sleep on the plane, do it! This is often the easiest part of bringing kids to Europe, they typically sleep on flights easier than adults. Most flights typically arrive in Europe in the morning, unless you have a long layover or connecting flight. You will arrive before you can check into your hotel, this can work in your favor. You want to avoid sleeping for your best chance of acclimating. If you can drink a few coffees and power through the first day, then go to bed early, you’ll be on the European schedule.
However, if you can not sleep on the flight or your kids/teens didn’t have a restful flight, powering through is not going to be an option. Try to drop your bags off at the hotel you’re staying at, most will accept them. Plan to keep one backpack with technology, passports and valuables and leave everything else at the hotel. Many will call or text you an hour or so early, if your room is ready. First, have a walk around your hotel’s neighborhood and look for a restaurant or cafe to enjoy breakfast or lunch. This allows you some time to look around, get used to the flow of pedestrian traffic and find markets, bakeries and pharmacies that you may want to stop in later for supplies. If you still have time, plan or find a tour. This is not meant to be a heavy day, rather a tour by foot, boat or bus is best to be able to see the new sights in a relaxed atmosphere before a short nap.
Accommodations in Europe
Hotel rooms are smaller than in the U.S. and have strict occupancy rules. Most of these are for safety and building codes, but know that most rooms only allow 2, possibly 3 per room. If you have a larger family, look for rooms early or consider using travel points and miles to offset hotel costs. Hotels come in budget, mid-level and luxury styles in each city. Some areas are more popular with chain hotels like Hyatt, Hilton and IGH (popular in Europe) or European chains like the Accor hotels are good options. If you are traveling in summer, know your hotel’s air conditioning situation ahead of time. European traveling tips, when reading a hotel’s description know cooling and air conditioning are not the same thing. Cooling can mean just a fan… I’ve learned the hard way that some thermostats are just for decoration.
Hostels are popular in Europe and also vary from budget to luxury. There are even hostels with private and family rooms, so don’t discount them if you’re not traveling solo. Renting apartments, homes or cabins is also a great option for larger families traveling together and can provide the best value. This often allows kitchen access to buy less expensive meals and snacks at markets and not have to eat out every single meal. A word to the wise about renting, consider a local renting platform rather than Airbnb for European rentals. In recent years, local laws have been changing around rentals and Airbnb has gotten a reputation for canceling, last minute. This can be more than just an inconvenience, it can be costly as well to book a hotel last minute. Joining facebook groups for travelers to that country or city can be a great resource to find rental agencies.
Transportation within Europe
Traveling in Europe by planes, trains, ferries, cars and walking can get you to every corner of the continent. Many travelers specifically look for cities with the best public transportation to avoid the cost of taxis and ubers and avoid the stress of parking in Europe. Some of the European cities with the best public transportation include:
- Paris Metro
- London Underground (the Tube)
- Oslo T-Bane rated best in Europe
- Sofia Metro rated 2nd best in Europe
- Amsterdam Metro
- Athens Urban Rail Transport
- Metro de Madrid
- Moscow Metro
- Metropolitana di Roma
- Budapest Metro
- Berlin U-bahn/S-bahn
- Münich U-bahn
- Prague Integrated Transport System
- Stockholm T-bana
- Helsinki Metro
- Metropolitana di Milano
- Zürich ZVV (tram, S-bahn & skymetro)
- Hamburg S-bahn/U-bahn
- Brussels Metro
- Vienna U-bahn
- Istanbul Metro
Don’t discount regional train lines, bus routes and ferries to travel, not every route is a subway or metro. One way flights on budget carriers like Easyjet, Ryanair, Vueling, Eurowings and many others are a great way to get between larger cities. Ferries are a great form of transport in places like the British Isles, Sweden and the Greek Islands. Feel free to reach out to me directly with Amsterdam or European specific itineraries you’re looking for help creating or wanting me to review at WanderlustwithLaura.agent@gmail.com
Planning a First Trip to Europe Itinerary
Now that you have decided on flights, cities and hotels it’s time to plan the fun part, the daily activities. Some people like to have a minute by minute plan and others want to be completely free to do what they want, but there are drawbacks to both. If you overplan, you may feel constantly behind and don’t have time to stop when something interests you along the way.
Alternatively, European traveling is more common than ever and all the most popular attractions and museums will sell out before you arrive. I like to strike a balance and plan out the most important attractions and museums to anything I’d be disappointed I’d missed. Create your list of must-sees, book them during your stay and then save them to your google map or other map app. This way it will be easier to group activities together by location.
European travel is synonymous with walking. Think 20k steps a day… literally! I love to walk, but I also want to use my time efficiently and don’t want to traverse the city or spend extra on metro tickets. I group attractions together by location and then search each neighborhood or area for additional experiences, tours, markets and restaurants.
Tours are a great way to learn about the city, the architecture, the history and about its famous residents from the past. I know tours are touristy and travelers value living like a native, but you are a tourist when you visit another city. Take the opportunity to learn about the location from the locals and ask them questions and for recommendations. I have gotten some of my best restaurant and market recommendations from the captains and hosts on canal cruises in Amsterdam! Don’t be shy, interact to have that authentic experience.
Morning people vs. Evening people
When creating your itinerary, really consider if you are all-day people, morning people or evening people. You can force yourself to get up early to go on an amazing sunrise hike or take a nap and party the night away dancing in the Greek Islands. Don’t put unrealistic expectations on yourself, especially if you are traveling with your family. It is a recipe for disaster expecting your toddlers to stay up to eat dinner in Spain at 9:00 at night or forcing your teens to get up at the crack of dawn every day on vacation. I barely can get my kids to the included breakfast 30 minutes before it ends, that’s the stage we are currently in and I accept it, so travel is more enjoyable.
When hubby and I go to Amsterdam alone, we often find ourselves up really early due to jet lag. We get out there early for breakfast and daily activities, but then build a nap into our late afternoon and go out in the evenings to make up for all our missed date nights.
Public Bathrooms
Public restrooms in America are expected everywhere and available at almost all stores, grocery and convenience stores, but that is not true across Europe. You will always find restrooms in airports, train stations and gas stations, but often these are paid toilets. When traveling in Europe, keep a handful of Euro coins handy to pay for public toilets. Public toilet experiences, when you have to pay for use they are cleaner experiences. These restrooms have an attendant who keeps supplies refreshed and mops frequently. Install the Flush app on your phone, so that your gps can show you all the public toilets close to your location.
There are free toilets at most restaurants, cafes, bars and museums around Europe. These free restrooms are often at the mercy of the staff to service them and do not get as much attention as staffed facilities. It is handy to bring your own tissues and sanitizer in a purse or jacket pocket. Toilet is often what they are referred to on signs or WC for water closet. Bathroom is an American term and not used frequently in Europe. At the risk of sounding like a mom or teacher, use the bathroom before you leave a hotel, restaurant, museum, etc. even if you don’t think you need to go. Building bathroom breaks into your touring itinerary, especially when visiting museums and attractions will set you up for touring success.
Cruising in Europe
If you have been dreaming of a European vacation, but reading this blog is causing you concern, consider the easiest first trip to Europe idea, a cruise. There are tons of cruises at all price points offered in Europe, especially during the warmer months. Mediterranean, Greek Islands, British Isles and Scandinavian adventures all offer amazing itineraries to choose from to get a taste of each port. Europe also has lots of river cruise itineraries to choose from to get you to some of the smaller, central cities. These river cruises offer themed tours during the Spring Tulip months and Christmas Markets in the winter. Popular cruise companies include:
- Carnival
- Royal Caribbean
- MSC
- Virgin
- Princess
- Holland America
- Norwegian
- Celebrity
- Cunard
- Seabourn
- Amadeus River Cruises
- Scenic River Cruises
- AMA Waterways
- Viking (river cruise, 55+)
Many cruise lines offer 7-10 day cruises, but more extensive itineraries are also offered if you can take 2-6 weeks off to see Europe. Choose a cruise that departs or arrives at a port you are especially excited to visit.
Barcelona & Rome are the most popular and easy to add a few days to the beginning or ending of your trip. Some cruises depart and return to the same port, others are one-way routes and you can build your trip out more. Fly into your city of departure 3+ days before you sail to acclimate and experience the port city. To get a more European feel, book a hotel in the city center or touristy area for easy access to attractions and restaurants since you will only be there for a few days. Don’t book near the cruise port, unless you arrive the night before the cruise, these towns are often located in the suburbs. The cruise eliminates needing to book accommodation and drag bags around Europe.
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