Preparing for a European Holiday

[AD] A holiday in mainland Europe can be a surprisingly affordable and fulfilling way to spend a week or two. There’s tremendous variety on offer, from sun-soaked Spanish beaches to historic Hungarian towns and villages. 

Wherever you’re going, the right preparation can help to set your experience in Europe apart. So, what might that preparation look like? 

Photo by Matthew Jungling on Unsplash

Decide on Your Holiday Type 

To begin with, you’ll need to think about where you’d like to go and what you’d like to do when you get there. If you crave the chance to simply lie down and soak in the sunshine, then you might pick a beach getaway in Mallorca or in Corfu. If you want something more high-octane, then a skiing holiday in the French or Swiss Alps might appeal. 

When choosing a destination, you’ll want to account not just for your own preferences, but also for those of your fellow travellers. 

Figure Out Your Method of Travel 

How are you going to reach your destination? Will your journey span multiple legs? 

For most people, the most obvious and affordable answer is flying. However, if you’d like to go on a road trip across the continent, you might find that simply taking your own car on a ferry and driving from Calais to wherever you’d like to go is the appropriate option. Just be sure that you’ve arranged the appropriate temporary car insurance before you set out. 

Photo by Gabriel Menchaca on Unsplash

Check Travel Documents 

A lack of proper documents can seriously disrupt your travel plans. If you don’t have your passport or boarding pass, then you might end up being denied entry to your chosen country. If you know that you’re going to be staying for several months, then you’ll also want to be sure that you’ve secured the appropriate visa. Finally, it’s worth investing in a GHIC or making sure that your travel insurance will protect you against injury and illness. 

Arrange an Itinerary 

For some, a little bit of flexibility will help to make a given adventure more enjoyable. But most holidays will benefit from advanced booking, especially if you want to visit popular attractions. If you’re travelling via car, then understanding and planning your route well in advance will allow you to avoid disruptions and get to everywhere you’d like to visit with some idea of what you’re going to do once you get there.

Let me know your thoughts on this!