Before experiencing the beautiful Catalan beaches, or the gates of Rome, or even the rooftops of Prague, there are a few things you have to check on your to-do list. Europe offers travelers a lot. From magnificent cuisines to breathtaking culture, simply said, it has it all.
But a trip to Europe involves logistics that may seem tedious or overwhelming, for first-time goers. A trip to Europe requires you to prepare in advance. And the more you prepare for your trip, the better the chances the trip meets your expectations.
The following article will explain the most important things you need for planning a trip to Europe. It involves a few tips that we are 100% positive will be of great help to you.
Documentations
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Source: Travel + Leisure
You cannot go overseas to another country without proper documentation. We are talking, of course, about your passport. Make sure your passport hasn’t expired because it might take you four to six weeks to get a new one. While expedited services through the State Department or Travel Visa Pro can smoothen the process by a week or so, it is still a long time and you have to think about this in advance.
If you are planning on renting a car in the visiting country, then make sure to have your driver’s license ID with you along for the trip. Some countries even require further documentation, and this can be obtained through the American Auto Association, if you’re a resident of the USA, or the Canadian Automobile Association, if you’re a resident of Canada.
Some countries require valid Visas in addition to a passport, so its best you Google the country in question to be sure of it. Countries that require US citizen’s valid Visas are Russia and Turkey, amongst others.
Establish a Budget
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Source: Expert Vagabond
Traveling can be costly, especially if going overseas, and you have to think about accommodations and flight tickets in advance. One way you can book cheap flight tickets anywhere around Europe, and the world is to use a booking hotel service called catatrip.com. Apart from cheap flights, you can even book cruises, car rentals, and hotel accommodations.
Some cities in Europe are much more expensive than others. Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a very beautiful city that offers travelers a lot. But Budapest is considered very cheap to American standards. London, on the other hand, is also quite amazing to see, but it is considered very expensive for most residents of other countries. So you have to establish a base budget, account for the flight and accommodations, and account how expensive the visiting city is.
Plan in Advance the Places You Will be Visiting
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Source: Adventurous Miriam
So you want to go to Rome, eh? Well instead of making plans the moment you make landfall, why not plan ahead of the activities and places you want to visit? Why not plan in advance that tour of the famous Colosseum? Vatican City is yet another must-visit independent state in Rome that offers tourists quite a lot. From St. Peter’s Basilica to St. Peter’s Square, the hearth of the Roman Catholic Church is something you must plan in advance since ticket lines are incredibly long. You plan in advance so that you can make most of your trip. By planning in advance, you can figure out which ones you have the time and budget to visit, and which ones you don’t.