First Time in Europe? Read This Before You Book

I spent four years living abroad — in Sydney, Australia, and traveling extensively through Europe. I've also spent 11 months on the road with my family, visiting 32 national parks across the US. I know what it means to travel well, and I know the mistakes that first-time travelers make.

Europe is magnificent. It's also easy to get wrong if you're not prepared. Here's what I wish someone had told me before my first European trip.

Don't Try to See Everything

This is the number one mistake first-time European travelers make. They plan a two-week trip that covers eight countries, spend most of their time on trains and buses, and arrive home exhausted having seen everything and experienced nothing.

My rule: Two to three countries maximum for a two-week trip. Three to four cities. Enough time in each place to actually feel it.

The goal is not to check countries off a list. The goal is to have experiences that stay with you for the rest of your life. That requires time.

Choose Your Base Cities Wisely

Rather than moving every night, choose two or three base cities and take day trips from them. This approach is more relaxing, more economical (you're not paying for luggage storage and transportation every day), and gives you a much richer experience.

Great base cities for first-timers:

• London — Easy English-speaking entry point, world-class museums (most free), excellent day trips (Bath, Stonehenge, Oxford)
• Paris — The quintessential European city, with extraordinary day trip options (Versailles, Loire Valley, Champagne region)
• Rome — Ancient history at every turn, incredible food, easy access to Florence, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast
• Barcelona — Gaudí, beaches, incredible food, and easy access to the rest of Spain

Book Trains in Advance

Europe's high-speed rail network is extraordinary, but the best prices go fast. Book your intercity trains as early as possible — often 3-6 months in advance for the best fares.

Key routes:

• London to Paris: Eurostar (2.5 hours through the Channel Tunnel)
• Paris to Rome: TGV to Lyon, then Frecciarossa to Rome (about 7 hours total)
• Barcelona to Madrid: AVE high-speed train (2.5 hours)
• Amsterdam to Paris: Thalys (3.5 hours)

Understand the Museum Game

Europe's major museums are extraordinary, but they require strategy:

Book tickets in advance — The Louvre, the Vatican Museums, the Uffizi, the Sagrada Família — all require advance booking. Show up without a ticket and you'll spend hours in line or be turned away entirely.

Go early or late — The first hour after opening and the last hour before closing are the least crowded times.

Don't try to see everything — The Louvre has 35,000 works of art. You cannot see them all. Decide what you most want to see and focus on that.

Free museum days — Many European museums are free on certain days or for certain age groups. Research this before you go.

The Food Rules

European food is extraordinary, but you have to know how to navigate it:

Avoid tourist traps — Restaurants right next to major attractions are almost always overpriced and mediocre. Walk two blocks away and the quality improves dramatically.

Eat where the locals eat — If the menu is in six languages and there's a photo of every dish, keep walking.

Lunch is often the best deal — Many excellent restaurants offer prix-fixe lunch menus at a fraction of the dinner price.

Learn the local food culture — In France, don't ask for substitutions. In Italy, don't order a cappuccino after noon. In Spain, don't expect dinner before 9 PM. Respecting local customs makes the experience richer.

Money and Safety

Notify your bank before you travel. Nothing ruins a trip faster than having your card blocked because your bank thinks it's fraud.

Use ATMs at banks — Not the independent ATMs in tourist areas, which often charge high fees and unfavorable exchange rates.

Keep a photocopy of your passport — Separate from your actual passport. Email a copy to yourself too.

Pickpockets are real — Especially in crowded tourist areas. Use a money belt or hidden pocket for your passport and extra cash. Keep your phone in a front pocket.

The Jet Lag Strategy

Flying from the US to Europe means crossing 5-8 time zones. Jet lag is real, and it can ruin the first few days of your trip if you don't manage it.

My strategy:

• Book a flight that arrives in the morning or early afternoon local time
• Stay awake until at least 9 PM local time on your first day
• Get outside in natural light as much as possible
• Avoid napping on your first day
• Melatonin can help reset your sleep cycle

The Travel Advisor Advantage in Europe

Europe is one of the destinations where a travel advisor adds the most value. The logistics are complex, the options are overwhelming, and the difference between a good trip and a great one often comes down to knowing which hotel is in the best location, which restaurant is worth the reservation, and which experiences are genuinely worth your time.

I've traveled extensively through Europe and have helped many clients plan European trips. I'd love to help you plan yours.