If you’re anything like me, you have been obsessed with travel for a while now. All of my social media has been flooded with people posting about their vacations. In order to cure my travel lust, I’ve launched myself into fully planning a big European summer to head out and see new parts of the world. I’ve learned a lot during this trip-planning adventure and I want to share some of what I’ve learned so all the other wannabe world travellers can plan their perfect trip.
Decide on your itinerary
Europe has so much to offer, and it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. Start by making a list of the places you want to visit and prioritize them. Consider the distance between destinations and how much time you have. Keep in mind that it’s better to see a few places well than to rush through many.
Book your accommodations in advance
Summer is the peak tourist season in Europe, so it’s best to book where to stay in advance to avoid disappointment. My best advice is to look for places to stay in that are central to where you want to go. I would also recommend always using price-comparing sites like Booking.com, the Hooper app or Hostelworld.com to find some of the best deals. Being aware of your budget and not booking places that are beyond your budget is important. One more thing to be aware of with where to stay is that in many parts of Europe, air conditioning is not a thing and if you will be there in the summer and being hot is a deal breaker, make sure to look for AC before you book!
Pack appropriately
Europe in the summer is very warm. Making sure you pack the right clothes is essential and being able to have outfits that can be worn in multiple environments is great. For me with my European summer, layering and mixing and matching will be my best friend. As well, making sure you can fit all your outfits in your bag is important. Packing cubes and rolling your clothes up to fit more in your bags will help so much. As well, with any travel, I always recommend bringing toiletry bags that can hang in case you have no counter space. Making sure you have a separate bag for laundry so your dirty clothes don’t mix with your clean ones will be useful too.
Stay safe
Europe is generally a safe place to travel, but it’s always important to take precautions. Keep your valuables close and be aware of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas. I recommend having a bag with both buttons and zippers or a belt bag that goes in front so you can always see your stuff. As well, if you need to take out your phone to answer a message or look up directions, turn toward a wall or somewhere that would make it harder for someone to snatch your phone. In some cities, pickpockets can try to grab valuables right out of your hand. Being aware of your surroundings certainly helps prevent this.
Consider transportation options
When planning your European summer, it’s important to consider transportation options. Depending on your itinerary, you may want to consider purchasing a Eurail pass, which allows you to travel by train throughout Europe. Websites like Flixbus, Omio and local public transit sites can give you extremely cheap bus tickets. Alternatively, you may want to rent a car or use budget airlines to get around.
Research local everything
Immersing myself in the local culture is one of my favourite things to do while travelling. I think it is important to get to know the locals in different parts of the world and learn and try new things. In order to do this, I love going to places that are a little off the beaten track, the places and experiences that the people that live there love. One of my favourite ways to find these places is honestly watching the TikToks of people who actually live in that city and seeing what they do.
Plan for unexpected expenses
While it’s important to budget for your European summer, it’s also important to plan for unexpected expenses. There will definitely be situations that come up where you get hit with an unexpected bill and it’s important to be prepared for that. As well, it’s great to have some extra money set aside so that if an incredible opportunity presents itself, you will be able to join in and not have to worry about what that will do to your budget.
Be flexible
Finally, it’s important to be flexible when planning your European summer. Things may not always go according to plan, and it’s important to be able to adapt and change your itinerary if necessary. Don’t be afraid to take detours and explore new places along the way.
If you have any opportunity to travel, I really recommend taking it! Being able to explore the world is one of the best things I have had to opportunity to do and I am so excited to continue travelling. Hopefully, if you are like me, these tips will help you plan your European (or wherever you are going) summer!