For many people, a European vacation is a dream that they someday hope to achieve. If you have the means and the vacation time to take your European vacation this year, there are many plans you need to make beforehand. While it may seem a little overwhelming at first, getting these plans completed well before your departure can help you travel throughout Europe without worry. Here are some of the things you will want to check out months in advance of your vacation.
Taking Care of Your Home
Before you book your trip, it is important that you have a plan in place for the things you need to take care of at home. Many people call on close friends and family to take care of the things that need to be done while you are away. Depending on the length of your vacation, these trusted people will need to check on your home or apartment, water plants, take care of pets and put the garbage out for collection.
Saving on Hotels
Finding the right place to stay can be easy if you are ready to look for the best deals on both international chain hotels and local independent inns. Hotels in Paris, London and other European cities can be affordable if you remember to do your homework and research the best deals. Often, you can find great deals on hotel rooms if you combine a hotel’s loyalty program with discounted rates you find when you book in advance. If you are traveling outside of the peak tourist season, you can save even more on your hotel stay in whatever European city you happen to be visiting.
Planning Transportation
You may visit a number of countries during a single European vacation, so you will want to prepare as much transportation ahead of time as possible. For most Americans, car rentals and driving will not be an option unless you already have the proper licenses for the area. Instead, you will most likely use the different forms of public transportation available in these areas. These services can range from trains and buses to ferries and taxis. Some arrangements can be made ahead of time, but often you will want to wait until you are in the area to buy train tickets or purchase passes on other forms of transportation.
Don’t Forget the Proper Paperwork
Some international travel will take some paperwork when you want to visit. Aside from your valid passport, you may also need to apply for visas or other allowances to enter a specific country. If you are traveling with a tour group or some other type of group, many of these things can be taken care of for you. If you are traveling on your own, it is important to have this paperwork ready to go every time you cross the border into another country.
With all of the museums, art and history available to see, traveling to Europe can be a once in a lifetime experience. To make sure that you trip goes as planned, follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to exploring everything you have dreamed of seeing in the great European cities.
This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, the most comprehensive travel search website allowing you to find the best deals on anything from flights and hotels to train rides and Homeaway rentals.