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Europe has always been a
popular travel destination. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or
planning your first trip, there are several important things to
keep in mind before calling your travel agent and booking
your next vacation:
1. Time of year: While "Paris in the Springtime" sounds very
romantic, the truth is that you're liable to spend many days
indoors, because the weather can be cold and rainy. On the other
hand, the French Riviera in the springtime boasts warm temperatures,
sunshine and beautiful places to visit. If you're not sure of
weather patterns, check with your travel agent who can advise
you on rainy seasons or other weather-related issues for traveling
to a specific spot.
2. Your Budget: Decide how much you've got to spend, and
don't forget to include extras like tourist attractions, getting
around, souvenirs and meals (which are typically more expensive in
Europe than in the states -- dinner can cost upwards of 50 Euros per
person, especially in metropolitan cities). If your budget is
smaller, consider visiting Eastern Europe, looking for packaged
tours, or, if you're flexible, book a "last-minute" trip, which can
often save you 30% or more. Check out the current exchange rate
between your currency and that of the country you'll be visiting, to
have a better idea of what your vacation is going to actually cost
you. Whenever possible, travel during an off-peak season to save
even more.
3. Your secret dreams or "someday" wishes: For most of us,
taking a vacation is something we get to do only once a year, and
often plan and save the whole year for. So if you have always wanted
to visit somewhere or do something special -- why wait? Include it
in your next vacation plans.
4. Political Climate: While most countries that rely on
tourism make every effort to ensure the safety of tourists, these
days it's always a good idea to keep up on the current political
climate of the country you're planning to visit, especially
if there have been problems in the past.
5. Your own "internal clock": If you prefer sleeping in in
the mornings, and "doing your own thing" then a guided tour is
probably not for you. Most guided tours start early in the morning,
and you're on the go until evening. You may visit several cities in
a country or countries within a specified amount of time, and you're
required to stay with the group.
On the other hand,
if you don't like
traveling alone, you enjoy the companionship of others and getting
to see as much as possible in the time you've got, a guided tour or
cruise may be just the thing for you.
6. How you like to spend your time: Take a little time to
think about what you like doing before planning your trip. Do
you prefer the water, or the mountains? Lying on the beach, or
rock-climbing? Adrenaline rushes or visiting an art museum?
While going outside your comfort zone and trying new things can be a
great experience, spending your time doing something that bores you
silly or makes you uncomfortable and unhappy just doesn't make
sense. Once you know what you want to do, figure out what you'll
have time to do. Many times, in an effort to get the "most bang for
our buck" we tend to over plan the vacation, and end up
needing a vacation from the vacation when we get home! Prioritize
your list, and be willing to save some activities or attractions for
another trip.
7. Use the resources that are available to make your trip special
and save money: Today's travelers have numerous options when
planning their vacation. You can use the Internet to find out
more about the cities or countries you want to visit, check out
prices, even book your flight or hotel room. If you're visiting a
place for the first time, check with a travel agent, talk to
someone who's "been there, done that" on an Internet Forum, or
contact local chambers or commerce or travel councils to get more
information about where to go, what to see and what to do.
8. Get organized: You can use trip-planning software,
or your own favorite organizing system to organize and plan your
trip. Don't forget things like making sure your passport and
picture ID are up-to-date, finding out if travel insurance is
something you need, and how and where to exchange your money. The
more organized you are in the beginning, the better vacation you'll
have.
9. Pack lightly: Most of us take too much on a vacation, and
end up lugging heavy suitcases and other bags along filled with
items that we either don't use or don't need. When planning your
trip, look at your wardrobe and pack as lightly as you can. Take
only what you'll really need, and remember that if you forget or end
up needing something, chances are you can get it once you reach your
destination.
10. Have fun! Get organized, make your plans and expect
the best. That way, once you're on your way, you'll be able to
relax and enjoy yourself. But remember, there are very few "perfect"
vacations, so if something does go wrong, try to relax and "go with
the flow" as much as possible. Experienced travelers say that
sometimes their best vacations have been the ones where the
unexpected happened.
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About the author:
Jay is the web owner of
http://www.Rental-Cars-In.com Rental Cars, a website that provides
information and resources on rental cars, vacations, airfare,
hotels, and travel.
You can visit his website
at:
http://www.hotels-in.net Discount
Hotels.
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First Time Travel to Europe -
Planning Guide
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