Five essential things to consider before planning your first trip to Europe

The process of organizing your first trip to Europe might be very intimidating. What should you do first? What will it cost? How many locations are possible? There will be lots of firsts and lots of uncertainties. But you do not have to worry much. We got you. Keep reading.

There may be a lot of questions when you are preparing to travel somewhere for the first time. Especially if you are planning on traveling to Europe from a whole other continent. Not simply about the coolest cities in Europe or the most breathtaking locations to visit, but also about how things… operate. How much should I tip? What kind of food should I expect? Are there any clothing restrictions, there is a lot to think about?

Europe is a fantastical land. Without taking out your passport or even getting off the train, you may travel across several different nations and cultures in a single day. But it is not just the grand Swiss Alps, gorgeous French Riviera, and historic Roman ruins. There are things you should be aware of and prepare for. Here are some key facts for you for your first trip to Europe.

Do some research about the best seasons to visit

If you are taking your first trip to visit something, you should pay your main attention to the seasons and how European countries operate within a particular season. Several nations dedicate half of the year to preparations for the tourist season. Visiting outside of peak season can be disappointing and irritating because there is not much going on or even open during this lead-up. For instance, the Greek Islands are bustling from May to October, but outside of these months, you will find tranquil towns with few eateries open to the public. Make sure you will discover more places to dine than simply your hotel by checking the seasons of the destination you choose to visit. Be cautious of off-season bargains that seem too good to be true since that may be the case.

Verify the Visa Requirements

Check if you need a visa before traveling to a foreign nation, especially one on a different continent. Although not all nations require them, tourist visas can be expensive, and the application procedure can take up to 10 weeks. A normal tourist visa for Schengen costs about sixty euros, while a similar visa for the US costs about 150 euros. Check out the website for overseas travel if you are an American citizen to see whether any visas are required.

Using Trains Instead of Planes

When traveling between cities, you can have the choice of flying or taking a train. A one-hour flight can appear to be much more time-efficient than a three-hour high-speed rail when comparing travel durations, but that is not always the case. The check-in process for flights takes longer. For train travel, you can typically arrive just at the time of departure, while some high-speed trains require that you do so 30 minutes in advance. lean toward taking the train whenever it is practical. Compared to flying, it is significantly faster, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly. The preferable choice is taking overnight trains.

Planning your budget and expenses

Europe is divided into two parts: the West and the East. In the West, you can buy coffee in Paris for quite a bit of money or chocolate in Switzerland for more than your lunch. However, it is worthwhile, and the memories you have there more than make up for the money you lose. The East includes nations like Bulgaria and Romania, where food is inexpensive, and beer can cost as little as USD 0.75. Even though they lack the Eiffel Tower for selfies, they are nevertheless worth visiting because of their rich history and stunning surroundings. They are also an excellent place to stash away those coins for Western Europe.

Do some research about the languages before you start your journey

The European Union recognizes twenty-four official languages out of the eighty-four languages spoken there along with regional dialects. You should be aware that speaking English might not be as effective as you would like. There is some English spoken in several European nations. Bulgaria, Hungary, and Italy are places where you can get by, but France and Germany were places where we suffered. I suppose this does not take too much thought if you are good at Pictionary or just utilizing hand motions overall and communication does not worry you too much. However, if you want to choose an area that is simpler to navigate, you should look at spoken and written languages as well as the above diagram.

In Europe, there are so many sights to see that a well-thought-out itinerary is essential. But be sure to create a place for the unforeseen and impromptu because when we welcome surprises, life always becomes that much sweeter. Let us know if these details were useful for your first trip to Europe.

 

 

* This article was originally published here