Europe travel guide

Explore London’s Historic Sites

London is full of history, Visiting the Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum is a must before booking a Tour of Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Schedule a National Gallery highlights guided tour for a comprehensive collection of paintings or head to the British Library to explore the literary history of England.

Take a Jaunt to Paris

With more visitors than any other country in the world, France is a must-visit, Paris is a big reason why. Museums like Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre, landmarks like Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel Tower, and incredible cuisine at gems like Bouillon Pigalle make Paris a must-visit if you haven’t been.

Spend Time on the Beaches in Menorca

Menorca boasts some of the finest beaches in Europe. Which beaches should you hit? Cala Cavalleria, Cala Pregonda, Cala Mitjana and Mitjaneta will keep you plenty busy. But Menorca also has a delightful capital city, Maó, with baroque architecture, excellent cuisine, and cocktail bars using the special Xoriguer gin.

Beer Tasting in Brussels

Brussels is home to some of the best breweries and beer bars in the world. Don’t believe me? Stop by Delirium Café, Cantillon, and Moeder Lambic Fontainas. When you’re ready to eat, hit up Nüetnigenough for an authentic Belgian meal at a laid-back brasserie.

Take a Step Back in Time in Rome

Oh hi Rome! Of course, you’ll need to add the Colosseum, Catacombs, and Vatican City to your Europe travel plans. But the ancient walls and mosaics at Santo Stefano Rotondo and the Baths of Caracalla are two must-visits you won’t find in every European travel blog about Rome. 

Explore Sun-Drenched Sicily

Nature, history, and gorgeous weather make Sicily a perfect entry for Europe travel guides. You’ve likely heard of Palermo, Valley of the Temples, and Mount Etna. But what about Zingaro Reserve and Isola Bella in Taormina? They offer some of the most pristine beaches in Europe.

Island Hopping in Croatia

Croatia also has plenty of history and sightseeing along the water, and you’ll find the best island hopping from Dubrovnik or Split. Visit Hvar for nightlife and culture, Korčula for the iconic Old Town (and the birthplace of Marco Polo), or Vis to swim in the iconic Blue Cave and Green Cave.

Wine Tasting in Porto and the Douro Valley

Want my advice for things to do in Porto? Hire a car (or, better yet, a driver) and explore the iconic Douro Valley. Return to Porto, where you can enjoy a port tasting on this guided tour. Go winery hopping in the oldest wine region in the world at gems like Quinta do Noval and Quinta do Seixo.

The Grand Tour 

6 weeks 

London – Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam – Cologne – Berlin – Prague – Vienna – Budapest – Krakow – Riga – Talinn – Belgrade – Zagreb – Venice – Rome – Florence – Barcelona – Madrid 

You’re never going to see ALL of Europe in one trip, but you can have a really good try. 

Deep Dive in Spain

2 Weeks

Madrid – Cordoba – Seville – Ronda – Malaga – Granada – Valencia – Barcelona 

Kick off in Madrid and explore the sun-drenched charms of Spain. 

Slow Portugal: Lisbon to the Douro Valley

2 weeks

Lisbon – Nazaré Beach – Coimbra – Porto – Douro Valley

Take things slow during your time in Portugal seeing Lisbon and Porto along the way. 

Eastern Charms: Slovenia to Dubrovnik 

10 days

Lake Bled – Zagreb – Split – Hvar – Korčula – Dubrovnik – Mijet National Park

See the stunning Lake Bled before moving into Croatia for a spot of city and island hopping. 

Bella Italia: Rome to Venice

2 weeks

Rome – Parco Nazionale del Circeo – Naples – Amalfi Coast. 

Spend time in Rome before setting off to see more of Italy.

Hiking in the Slovenian Alps

Switzerland gets most of the credit, but hiking in the Slovenian Alps is bucket list material, with fewer hikers, clearly marked trails, and gorgeous accommodations near the most strenuous treks. Learn more here.

Wine Tasting in Priorat

Many European tourist guides leave out a tour of Priorat in Spain as a top wine tasting destination. Big mistake. There are a dozen picturesque villages in the Catalonian wine region, but I love Clos de L’Obac and Devinssi Wines in Gratallops.

Hiking the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland

The Laugavegur Trail showcases the dramatic landscapes of Iceland in true fashion with black sands, beautiful lakes, and natural hot springs. The hike takes 3 – 4 days, but there’s no better way to see the Northern Lights and experience the beauty of Iceland.

Take Time Out in Umbria

Want to discover a hidden gem in the middle of Italy? Umbria has everything you dream of a holiday in the Italian countryside without the swarming crowds of tourists. Truffle hunting in Assisi and seeing the Marmore Waterfalls are two unforgettable experiences.

Dishes to try

Pastel de Nata – Sweet and savoury Portuguese egg custard tart. 

Orecchiette – Ear-shaped pasta served in Puglia, often with rapini.  

Afternoon Tea – Traditional British afternoon snack of hot tea, bite-sized sandwiches, and cookies.

Jota – A hearty Slovenian soup made with pork, cabbage, beans, and vegetables.

Drinks to try

Grk – Croatian white wine with unique terroir from its coastal location.

Expect to spend between £150 and £400 ($190 and $500) per day per person in Europe on a mid-range basis. Add £600 to £2000 ($760 to $2,540) if you’re travelling on a luxury basis.

Average Daily Costs 

• Hotel –
  • Mid-Range hotels cost between £60 – £118 ($80 – $150) per night
  • Luxury hotels cost between £250 – £1,600 ($320 – $2,000) per night
• Food costs between £8 – £40 ($10 – $50) per meal. 
• Public Transport costs between £2 – £7 ($2.50 – $9) per ticket.
• Attractions ranges from £0 – £12 ($0 – $15) for tickets.
• Tours cost between £40 – £155 ($50 – $200) per tour.

Safety

Many of my favourite trips in Europe are perfectly safe. But you’ll want to exercise common sense and caution.

Don’t walk alone at night, keep your belongings close in crowded areas, and watch the road carefully when crossing the street in busy cities when travelling to Europe.

Health

If you’re up to date on most standard vaccines like influenza, hepatitis, and Tdap, you should be good to go when travelling Europe.

Most countries you’ll visit in this Europe travel guide have tap water that’s completely safe to drink. However, you may want to stick to bottled water in some Eastern European travel destinations.

Tipping

Service charges are often added to bills in many countries when you travel through Europe. If it’s not included, tip 10-15%.

You can tip a Euro or two to taxis and hotel staff.

Tips for travelling

• Shoulder season (spring and autumn/fall) is the best time to visit nearly any European destination if you want to avoid peak tourist season.
• Winter is a wonderful time to visit Europe if you’re into skiing. Check out my favourite places to hit the slopes when travelling in Europe.
• Packing efficiently is crucial to making a cross-continent European adventure run smoothly. Invest in packing cubes and a versatile suitcase.
• Try to learn conversational-level Spanish, French, Italian, or other languages they speak where you’re travelling.
• Travel by train as much as possible. You’ll save time and energy connecting to neighbouring countries by train.

How to see the best for free

Is your Europe trip budget running low? There are plenty of things to do in most locations without spending a dime.

If you’re looking for a guided tour, consider Free Tours by Foot. The Rome Forum Walk allows you to learn about the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum at no cost (but you’ll need to pay for entry if you choose).

Or you can check out street art in Barcelona on foot or bicycle for another great (and free) way to see Europe.

Packing

Packing for your Europe trip? Don’t forget… 

• • Allbirds – Comfortable shoes for walking around city streets, you’ll need a pair like these.
  • Carry-On Suitcase – Fill it with Europe travel essentials and packing cubes for efficiency. 
  • Tech Gadgets for Travel – Bring an international travel adapter, power bank, and electronics organiser.
  • Swimwear – Beach Towels, swimsuits, and sandals.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important anywhere, but I highly recommend it if you’re planning on visiting more than one country via train, car, or plane. 

Check out AXA Travel Insurance for a well-rounded balance of medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage loss coverage. 

Suggested guidebooks

• Moon Travel Guides – Wide range of European guide books.
• Lonely Planet – Spot-on collection of unmissable landmarks and locations.
• Unforgettable Journeys Europe – Slow-travel guide to visiting Europe.

Interesting facts

• Europe has more than 400 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• There are two dozen official languages in Europe.
• France has more tourists than anywhere in the world.
• Over £1.3 million ($1.7 million) worth of coins were tossed into the Trevi Fountain annually (before it was banned).
• Dubrovnik is the real-life setting for Game of Thrones’ King’s Landing.

Handy phrases

Hello – Hola (Spain), Bonjour (France), Olá (Portugal) Hallo (Germany) Ciao (Italy)

Yes – Si (Spain), Oui (France), Sim (Portugal), Ja (Germany), SÌ (Italy)

No – No (Spain), Non (France), Não (Portugal), Nein (Germany) Nò (Italy)

Please  – Por favour (Spain) S’il te plaît (France), Por favour (Portugal), Bitte (Germany), Per favore (Italy)

Thank You – Gracias (Spain), Merci (France), Obrigado (Portugal), Danke (Germany), Grazie (Italy)

How Much Is – Cuánto es (Spain), Combien coûte (France), Quanto é (Portugal), Wie viel ist (Germany), Quant’è (Italy)

Time zone

Western European Time Zone  (UTC +0/ UTC+1)

Central European Time Zone (UTC +1/UTC+2)

Eastern European Time Zone (UTC +2/UTC +3)

Moscow Standard Time (UTC +3)

Electricity and adapters

UK – Type G

France – Types C and E

Spain – Types C and F

Portugal – Types C, E, and F

Italy – Types C, F, and L

Slovenia – Types C and F

That’s a lot to remember, right? Do yourself a favour and bring a universal travel adaptor.