09/03/2026
Four things I’d tell anyone traveling to Europe for the first time:
Don’t book a hotel without a transportation plan. Some of the nicest properties are far from the airport and the city center. Know how you’re getting there before you book.
Don’t wait on airfare. There’s a misconception that last minute deals are worth waiting for. Sometimes fares drop. So do your options. An overseas flight with two layovers isn’t worth the couple hundred dollars you might save.
Don’t schedule back to back tours. Always keep a block of time completely unscheduled. You never know what you’ll need until you’re there, and sometimes that’s just sitting at a café for two hours with a cappuccino.
Be careful about renting a car. It’s doable, but most signage is in a different language, roads are narrow, and drivers operate differently. Europe’s transportation infrastructure is designed so you don’t have to drive. Use it.