Planning a European Vacation

Choose European cities

One of the first things that needs to be done when planning a European vacation is to choose what cities and destinations to visit. Having a map of Europe is essential for mapping out areas and planning for the trip. Some of the most popular European destinations are England, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. While it is possible to visit all locations, it would be very time-consuming and extremely costly. Choosing one general location to focus on for the trip will allow for all destinations in an area to be seen and enjoyed.

Sites to see

After choosing one of the following popular European destinations---England, France, Italy, Spain or Germany---research destinations within those areas. England is the home of the British dynasty. London is an important city to visit in England. London has some must-see destinations such as the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Parliament and Big Ben. When planning a trip, be sure to allow one day for each tourist destination.
In planning a European trip to Paris, France, a few must-sees include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Pompidou and Cathedrale de Notre Dame. The Eiffel Tower is in the center of the city, and a whole day can be spent walking around the area and exploring the Eiffel Tower itself, making sure not to miss is the Eiffel Tower at night. Taxis are plentiful in Paris, but the Roissy and Air France buses will take visitors to and from locations and back to their local hotel.
Florence, Italy, is a beautiful, centrally located city that is full of pristine architecture and art. Upon arrival at the Vespucci Airport---Florence's main airport---tourists may grab a taxi and head to the hotel. However, once settled in, discovering Florence by walking is a great way to explore the city. Must-sees in Florence include the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, Galleria dell'Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery---all within a few miles of each other.
The laid-back atmosphere of Barcelona, Spain, is welcoming and attractive. The tall palms and bright formal gardens greet every visitor with pride. For sightseeing, the Modernisme shows off the rich architecture of the city. Head to the Barri Gotic to view the famous Cathedral de la Seu and the Picasso Museum. The Las Ramblas is a street packed with shops, cafes and kiosks---a great place to people watch!
Germany is the place to visit for Bavarian lovers. Munich has a subway station that will take tired visitors from one end of the city to the other in just minutes. Beer and bratwurst reign in Munich. After feasting on a drink and sausage, take a walk through the city and explore the rich German and Bavarian architecture. A must-see is the Alte Pinakothek---this museum and gallery holds more than 1,000 works of art from around Europe.

Pulling the trip together

Once a destination is decided upon, the next step is making plane and hotel reservations. Check sites like Travelocity.com or Expedia.com to compare prices, check dates and flight time departures, and make hotel reservations. For a vacation that allows tourists to see quite a bit in the area, including getting plenty of rest in between, up to fourteen days is standard for a European vacation stay, so take this into consideration when planning and booking the trip. If flying in between countries---such as Germany to France or Spain to England---try to arrive during the middle of the week, as this is when flights are cheapest. Most large tourist attractions do not require a reservation, but check ahead for special shows or events.

Resources

• European Vacation Planning
• Visit Europe
• Travelocity