Europe: A Quick and Handy Travel Guide

A summer trip to Europe is on every backpacker’s bucket list. From the smoke-filled cafes in Amsterdam to the cobbled street of Paris, from the beaches of Greece to the snow-capped peaks of the majestic Alps, there’s a lot to see and experience on your visit to the continent. Planning a European vacation? itinerary can be quite challenging because there is so much to see and do.

During my last trip to Europe I used Inspirock to help help me plan an action packed itinerary to Europe. Inspirock saved me many hours of research, ensuring I had an exciting trip to Europe.

Here are a few highlights from my trip.

Don’t leave Europe before you:

See:

1. Paris: Whatever you might have heard about the ‘City of Lights’ is absolutely true. If this is your first time, you will instantly fall in love with Paris. A trip to Europe is incomplete without paying a visit to Paris. Catch a glimpse of Da Vinci’s artwork, and its crown jewel, the Mona Lisa, at the Louvre or visit the Place Charles de Gaulle to take a selfie at the Arc de Triomphe. And of course, visit the Eiffel Tower by night; it’s one of the most visited monuments in Paris. The wine, the food, the history, the atmosphere and the culture will make sure you want to come back to the city again and again. 
2. Amsterdam: Amsterdam is famous for being a party destination, but there’s more to the city than meets the eye. The city is beautiful—brick and cobblestone streets weave around beautiful canals and friendly locals can be seen enjoying music and art at almost every corner. Don’t forget to see the Anne Frank House. Several Hollywood movies have covered the historic home of this famous Jewish wartime diarist, most recently The Fault in Our Stars. Museum Van Loon and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam are also worth a visit. 
3. London: London should definitely be on your list if you want to soak up in English culture. The museums in London are considered to be some of the best in the world. At Madame Tussauds, see the wax statues of the most popular celebrities in the world. Take a ride on the London Eye for a 360-degree view of the city. The London Bridge, the Big Ben and the Tower Bridge are some other places worth visiting. Club culture at London is amazing too and you can find delicious food at almost every restaurant. A Sunday food market at Brick Lane is a must-visit for shopaholics.
4. Rome: The Roman Empire left a long-lasting heritage, and this historical city aims to preserve it for many centuries to come. Amazing nightlife and food will ensure that you enjoy the city even if you’re not a history buff.  For a taste of local bars and cuisines, visit the Trastevere area. 
5. The Swiss Alps: Whether you plan to hike in the summer or ski in the winter, the Swiss Alps offer breathtaking views throughout the year.  Located between the Northern Canton of Valais and the Southern Canton of Bern, Jungfrau is one of the primary summits in the Alps and a major tourist attraction. 

Do:

1. Relax at the beaches of Barcelona: There’s a common misconception about Europe. People think it only offers high-rises, modern infrastructure, a lavish lifestyle and a fast-paced life. But Europe is also an ideal choice for people looking to relax at beautiful beaches. Barcelona Beach, in particular, is famous for its fun vibe and friendly people. Relax with a beer at one of the many chiringuitos, open shacks on the beaches, or challenge yourself to a game of water football.
2. Chug a beer at Oktoberfest: Plan your trip to Germany around the end of September, and enjoy one of the biggest beer festivals in the world. This 16-day folk festival will keep you dancing on your toes until the break of dawn.
3. Hike at Interlaken: Located in the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor sports, hot chocolate and some good hikes. Interlaken-Harderkulm (4.74 Km), Interlaken-Harder-Unterseen (8.88Km) and Interlaken-Niederried (18.37 Km) are some popular hiking routes. Interlaken is also considered to be a famous party destination for young travellers and backpackers. 
4. Wine and dine at the French Riviera: A trip to Europe isn’t complete without a stop at the French Riviera, which is the world’s most exclusive luxury destination. Sail gigantic yachts, party with the rich locals, and treat yourself with some fine wine as you take in the beauty of the azure waters of the Mediterranean. Live the high life for a few days at Monaco, Nice and Cannes.
5. Explore the Ruin Bars at Budapest: A European vacation is incomplete without a cultural tour in Budapest. Known for its exquisite nightlife, especially for its Ruin Bars, these bars are built in Budapest’s old neighbourhood, in the ruins of abandoned buildings that were to decay after World War II. These hip bars give you a chance to meet friendly locals, and take home some special memories.  

Eat:

1. Chocolate Croissant: A chocolate croissant is a must-have snack on your European holiday. It can be found in bakeries and cafes throughout Europe. 
2. Doner Kebabs: Like the middle-eastern shawarma, doner kebabs are a delicious preparation of bread and meat. Most local restaurants in Europe serve these kebabs. 
3. Gelato: Let’s be clear about one thing. There’s a lot of difference between gelato and ice cream. Gelato has more sugar, and tastes softer and creamier. Once you’ve had real gelato, you’ll never go back to ice cream.   

When to Go:

June - September: This period is the peak season in Europe. Weather throughout Europe, from Aegean and Mediterranean countries to Northern Europe, is favourable. 

September - May: Even though winter is the least busy period, it’s considered to be peak season in Alpine regions. Fall and spring can be quite pleasant due to fewer crowds, lower airfare and days with good amount of sunlight. 

Getting There:

By Plane: Europe is well connected to the rest of the world by air. Some of the largest air travel hubs include London, Frankfurt, Paris, Madrid, Brussels and Amsterdam. Airports in these cities have connecting flights to almost every region in the world. Other smaller airports, such as Vienna and Helsinki, offer specific connections on shorter routes.

By Train: The famous Trans-Siberian Railway runs from Vladivostok to Moscow and is still being expanded. The railway link between Kazakhstan and China has been reconstructed. Since then, it has become extremely popular with tourists.

By Ship: Many major cruise ships ply the waters around Europe from June to September. A lot of ships travel from Southeast Asia to Europe throughout the year. Several cruise lines cross the Mediterranean, with main ports at Morocco and Tunisia. A little-known route takes you to Europe via Cyprus. The Classic Transatlantic Voyage from the United Kingdom to the United States is also possible, but is quite expensive. 

Getting Around:

Intercity Train: Intercity train prices vary from one country to another. They often depends on whether you take a high-speed or a slow train. A high-speed train from Bordeaux to Paris costs around $105 USD, from Berlin to Munich around $205 USD, and Madrid to Barcelona around $165 USD. Non high-speed trains often cost around 50 per cent less. You can also take a short train ride, which costs around $30 USD.

Buses: The primary bus service in Europe is called Eurolines. It connects several cities throughout the continent. Every country offers its own national service, but operates on only long distances. Hitchhiking is also a popular method of travel in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

Car: Most cities in Europe have car rental services available at affordable prices. But some cities have toll routes, where you might have to shed some change to cross borders. Renting a car allows you to travel through different cities, and experience the differences in culture, tradition and geography throughout Europe. 

What to Pack:

1. Less is more when you’re carrying a backpack: Carry only basics, such as tees, shorts, jeans, jacket, hoodie, sleepwear, socks and swimsuit
2. First-aid kit and essential toiletries are a must for camping and trekking
3. A small camera for candid shots while travelling
   Whatever your itinerary might be, Europe welcomes tourists throughout the year, and every season offers a completely different, yet memorable experience.

A bustling metropolis, a shopper’s fantasy, an adventurer’s dream, a foodie’s delight – Europe has something for everyone!

Next time save yourself hours of research and let Inspirock plan your Europe trip for you instead. 

Inspirock is a free trip planner, which builds your itinerary from countless carefully curated attractions in thousands of destinations across USA & Europe. Using advanced technologies to sift through the large amounts of data, it finds the itinerary perfect for your personalised holiday preferences, and saves you from hours and hours of research and planning.