21 Tips For the Perfect Europe Trip

Don’t cram too many countries into one Europe trip (three should be the absolute max). It's better to experience fewer countries on a culturally deeper level than to embark on a whirlwind of cliché tourism activities in several big cities. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to come back to Europe many times again, each trip delivering a uniquely enchanting experience beyond guidebooks.

Cities in which you spend the most time are the ones enjoyed to the fullest. On my first Europe trip, I extended my initial three-day stay in Venice to two weeks, and it was an adventure I still swoon about today. Stay in one place for longer — it delivers the senses ample time to absorb every impression and form a connection with a destination.

Europe by car gives you freedom and flexibility to discover the off-the-beaten path roads and tiny villages that exceed all Pinterest dreams. Driving in Europe isn’t as terrifying as you think (really, especially if you rent automatic) and delivers travelers with the crème-de-la-crème of European scenery.

If you think reading guidebooks before embarking on your journey paints the picture, try devouring a delicious plot that captures the culture, scenery, and must dos of a destination all at the same time. There isn’t a destination in Europe that isn’t written about prolifically. If Cinque Terre is on your bucket list, read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter first — you're welcome.

When we think Europe, our minds often don’t drift toward a lavish wellness retreat in the most spectacular destinations. Why not? Millennial travelers are redefining the European travel experience by searching for retreats that combine immersive cultural experiences. Grab your best friends and try a luxury yoga retreat in Positano, Santorini, or Ireland with Sole Yoga Holidays (these retreats are my blogger go-to for a creative reset).

Eat pasta and croissants, but don’t undervalue the importance of balance. Whether you pack your running shoes, make a YouTube fitness playlist, or grab your yoga mat and trek to the closest beach, make your body a priority on holiday.

Do it, and at the very least, learn to order your own food. Apps exist and nothing is lost by absorbing the beauty of other languages. Plus, it could help you out in unexpected (and inevitable) travel situations where you need to impress yourself and your friends.

Step outside the comfort zone of being surrounded by English-speaking tourists and immerse yourself with locals. Not only will your accommodation be tenfold more lavish and unique for less money (a stone cottage in Tuscany, for example), you'll also have the opportunity to experience what local day-to-day life actually feels like.

A major follow-up tip to that last tip: make sure your Airbnb rental has a kitchen. You’ll want to take advantage of local ingredients, bring treats home from local bakeries, and also indulge in your comfort food once in a while. Couch time featuring pizza still needs to exist abroad.

Book a Europe trip off-season (this is typically November through March). You'll have more accommodation opportunities and, thanks to smaller crowds, the opportunity to experience the more authentic vibe of a destination. Booking off-season also helps small businesses in Europe that suffer financially outside tourism peaks in Summer.

Yes! Skip the big companies and hire a local guide or a trip planner — they will show you local gems rather than giving you the one-size-fits-all tours that cover only the surface of a destination. Best part: tell them what you want to see. With private local guides, you have the opportunity to customize your experience.

Don’t rely on online restaurant reviews to find the best place to eat. The secret: ask a local where they would go (besides Mom's house), and chances are they'll lead you to authentic delicacies and the dishes you'll be dreaming about for decades to come.

Travel rule to apply to Europe and beyond: force yourself to be an early bird and catch the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Not only does this help you avoid the crowds, you also have the best photo opportunities and make the habit of getting the most of your travel days.

Consider your itinerary more as guidelines for your grand adventure. As you explore Europe, you’ll inevitably stumble upon experiences that weren’t on your original radar (including hidden beaches) and you should absolutely include them in your trip. Be flexible and leave room for adventure.

Instead of going on a 20-person walking tour and breezing by the Eiffel Tower, I have a better idea: head to a local bakery, grab a bottle of French Champagne, and have a picnic under it instead. Planning moments like this lead to magical travel memories that will last forever.

While delivery will always be our savior in life, step outside your culinary comfort zone and dare to learn the food traditions and cooking methods of the destinations you visit. Learning to make pizza in Naples is a skill that will make you the king or queen of all dinner parties to come — I promise.

Believe it or not, budget airlines in Europe are actually the quickest and most cost-effective way to hop from one destination to another if you’re on a time crunch. You can easily grab a one-way ticket for under €50 when you plan your journey far enough in advance.

Europe means walking, new mattresses, transit stress, and plenty of cars, trains, and airplanes. Alleviate the stress that travel naturally evokes on your body by taking time to plan in days where you have nothing planned except good food, wine, and views.

A train ride through the Bavarian countryside or alongside the French Riviera is an experience to be had, but by no means the only mode of transportation available. If you don’t rent a car, a healthy combination of high-speed trains and city-hopper flights will give you the best of convenience and scenery.

Whether visiting during the peak of Summer or the snowy weeks of Winter, the alpine region will take your breath away. While the Swiss and French Alps are high on every bucket list, a trip to the Austrian Alps is one of the most culturally enriching and visually spectacular travel options in Europe. Try renting a picturesque chalet in Austria that will make you feel as if life is a fairy tale.

Most important: carpe diem and ensure that this is the trip of your dreams (not someone else’s). If you want to ride a Vespa in Rome, do it. If you dream of running through the lavender fields of Provence, make it happen. Travel is the most authentic and vibrant way to live a life, so ensure that the memories you make are the souvenirs you want to carry in your heart forever.