Europe Vacation
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Planning a Europe vacation can be both exciting and intimidating all at the same time. With so many options to choose from, it is hard to know what the best choices are for your trip. The upside of planning your own Europe vacation, rather than booking through a travel agent, is that you can make sure you add all of the features you want to include and leave out the ones that aren’t important to you. The most important part of planning a Europe vacation is selecting the countries and cities that offer exactly what you are looking for.
Peak Seasons and Best Times to Visit
Planning a Europe vacation in the summertime is a popular choice as it is an ideal time for families to travel since kids are typically out of school. In the summer the days are longer, popular tourist attractions are open, and the weather is moderate to nice. But you will also have to fight through large crowds and pay premium rates for air travel and lodging. While summer may have the best offerings, it certainly doesn’t offer the most competitive pricing for those planning a Europe vacation.
Traveling during what is typically known as the “shoulder seasons” (the months just before or after peak season) may be ideal because prices are lower but the days are still long and many tourist attractions are still open. The European shoulder seasons run from April to early June and September to October. If planning your Europe vacation during one of the shoulder seasons works with your schedule, it will help you optimize both your time and your money. Traveling to Europe during the winter isn’t recommended unless absolutely necessary since it is not an ideal time to see the sites. Shorter days and cold, wet, weather can make it hard to see everything you want to if you choose to plan your Europe vacation in the winter.
Transportation Around Europe
Most major European cities have airports making it easy to fly to your first destination of choice. The amazing Eurail system allows for easy transportation between countries making it unnecessary to board a plane each time you want to travel to a new destination. But for those who prefer flying to train travel, short flights between European countries are also available.
While in Europe many cities are outfitted with their own public transportation systems. Subways and buses are user friendly, although hailing a cab is also a common option. If you do plan to travel by taxi, though, avoid the men who approach you in the airport asking if you need a ride. These men are typically private drivers who will charge you inflated rates. Instead, look for cars with the word “Taxi” actually printed on them. If there isn’t a meter within plain site, avoid that car and wait for another one.
Popular Destinations
Some of the most popular destinations for a Europe vacation are London, Scotland, Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Dublin, Paris and the French Riviera.