With all the cultures, countries, and undiscovered corners of the planet to set off to, Europe still tops the list of the most visited continents by tourists. Although the claim that you should travel to Europe to immerse yourself in history is disputable, there are innumerable things to discover there that one might not even imagine. Let’s take a closer look. Why travel to Europe?
Approximately 50 countries make up the continent of Europe, each with a unique background and hundreds of years of history behind it. Be it the energetic flamenco-lit Spain, the beers and castles of German Bavaria, the chilly land of fjords in Norway, or the sounds of the balalaika in Russia—there’s no way you can see the entire continent in one trip.
Among the main reasons to go to Europe are to learn more about the different cultures dotting the lands, see the well-preserved architectural treasures, hear the foreign languages’ sounds, and taste the delicious dishes of national cuisine. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of what makes Europe so special, as the natural wonders are also simply breathtaking, the royal palaces will awe you, the museums will reveal many incredible secrets, the opportunities for sports activities are endless, and the rich nightlife can certainly inspire as well. Not to mention the one-of-a-kind celebrations, festivals, and local holidays you may encounter that’ll help you learn more about the city of choice!
And the best part is that every new destination brings something new and extraordinary. So the question goes down to: “You still haven’t been to Europe? How did that ever happen?” On your marks. Pack your bags. Go!
Which part of Europe to go to?
If you’re going to Europe for the first time, the trickiest thing could be choosing a destination for your getaway. Depending on your available time and budget, you must clearly understand what’s on your must-list and your priorities.
Try asking yourself what exactly you would prefer to see. Is it a two-week Euro trip where you spend 1-2 days in each of the iconic cities like Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome? Or maybe you feel like an in-depth exploration of one specific country, Italy, where you spend time in Tuscany by the Leaning Tower in Pisa, then explore Venice’s romantic canals on a gondola, and then go to Sicily for some sun? Or are you in for an adventure, for example, a winter tour to Scandinavia to seek the Northern Lights?
As you see, the opportunities are endless. The greatest advice for first-timers who want to go to Europe is to get professional help in planning and ultimate sightseeing; luckily, numerous Europe tour packages are available on the market to fit your tastes
and wallet. The thing is that this way you can get the real deal with included accommodation, prearranged services, and maybe even local guides, and thus won’t have to worry about what to do when you’re in a foreign country where people might not speak your language as everything will be handled for you in advance.
How to travel in Europe?
This is an interesting question. Again, this depends on your desired experience, your budget, and what you want your vacation to be like. If we’re talking “land tours,” you can join a group tour or organize a private custom tour around your needs.
In the first case scenario, the main recommendation is to avoid bus tours designed for 40+ travelers in a group. It’s time-killing and exhausting, and no matter how comfortable the bus amenities may be advertised to you, you’ll be left with more time on the road than actually touring the places that interest you. The smarter way to go on small group tours is to seek those offers that are made for groups of about 15 or fewer people, with included varied transport, such as high-speed trains and pre-booked city-center hotels (critical point as you surely don’t want to spend long hours reaching the heart of town to explore the museums and places that interest you not only the group).
What’s for private tours, be they DIY or those arranged by pros? This option will grant you more freedom to choose whichever locations you want on your itinerary, hotels or accommodations, and travel dates. If you’re unsure about your abilities to arrange a European tour with difficult logistics by yourself, some certified companies will happily offer you their expertise. You’ll be surprised, but this often results in lower costs than you pay when you book everything on your own; accredited tour operators have better deals and prices with their partners across Europe than when the same is sold for solo packages.
An alternative for land travel is hopping on a river cruise. It is an elegant option with which you get to live onboard a ship and travel from one destination to another, stop in ports of call for some guided sightseeing, and get some rest as you sit back and enjoy the views of the countryside from the comfort of your cabin or the decks of the ship. For instance, many of those wishing to go to Russia recently traveled by water. The best Russian river cruises offer 5-star ship accommodation: cabins like hotel rooms on the water include entertainment onboard. Many fun activities go apart from touring Moscow and St. Petersburg’s famous cities with local guides.
How long should a trip to Europe be?
As mentioned previously, in 99% of cases, it’s impossible to see all of Europe in one trip, and the duration of your journey depends on your desires, time, availability, and money. The recommended course should be no less than seven days, especially considering the
days and time for jet lag and long air travel. Overall, a preferable number of days should be approximately 14 days.
All in all, yes, Europe tours are surely worth it! No matter which place you choose for your vacation, be it visiting Santa’s Residence in Lapland or seeing the French Riviera and Monaco, it’s almost factual that you’d love to return for another European getaway sometime again!