Keys to European Travel

European travel is hot right now! From Italy to Iceland, many people are opting to travel overseas. There are many important things to consider as you are planning your international vacation, including some tips to help your experience go smoothly. Let’s talk about the keys to European travel!

Why Travel to Europe?

Visiting one of the many incredible destinations in Europe is a bucket list item for many people. There is so much history everywhere you go and visitors of all ages will easily find something to do! From unique experiences to incredible food and learning about different cultures, Europe has so much to offer. It’s a great choice for a family vacation, some romance, or even a trip with friends!

Types of European Vacations

Like any other destination, there are many ways to experience Europe. The first thing that you should figure out is your ideal travel style.

FIT Itinerary

A FIT trip to Europe means that you are traveling independently. You do not have a guide for the duration of your trip, but you may have some guided tours. This is a great option to give you flexibility during your vacation. A FIT itinerary can be completely customized by your Key to the World Travel advisor.

Are there specific things that you really want to do during your trip? For example, if you are in Paris, a guided group tour to Normandy or a trip to Versailles are both excursions that you could add to your itinerary. These are excursions that you may not want to do completely on your own. However, adding them with a small group, or even a private tour, still gives you the experience without worrying about the logistics.

Alternatively, you could leave some days completely open, giving you the option to walk around and explore the city. This is especially valuable in Europe because many European cities have so much charm and history. Consider exploring on your own because it feels as though you’ve stepped back in time or into a fairytale. If you are visiting a city along the water, consider going to one of the many beach clubs for a day. This gives you an incredibly unique experience and a taste of the local culture. For example, in Italy, there are several beach clubs along the Amalfi Coast that allow guests to enjoy reserved space, dining, and access to the beach.

Guided Group

If you prefer to have a guide with you throughout your vacation, a guided group is a great choice too. This type of vacation is a pre-planned itinerary and includes other travelers that you do not know. Guided groups visit destinations all over the world. These itineraries will often include multiple cities within a country or even different countries. The group travels together to each destination. While you may have some downtime or time to explore on your own, most of the structured activities are done as a group. This does not mean, however, that everyone does the exact same thing. For some tours, guests have the option to add premium experiences or choose between a few different excursions.

For example, Adventures by Disney provides guided group travel for families, as well as adult-exclusive itineraries. These itineraries have unique experiences and immerse guests in the local culture using storytelling. If you are traveling with children, there are often minimum age requirements. However, there are also specific activities that are designed just for kids, while adults can enjoy something different.

Cruising

European cruising is a great way to see multiple cities or countries in one trip, and you only have to unpack once! There are two types of cruises to consider – river or ocean.

River cruising is generally a more intimate experience, with fewer guests onboard, and a more relaxing vibe. A river cruise takes guests along one of Europe’s rivers and stops at several ports along the way. Along the way, guests typically have at least 2 excursions to choose from. There are several river cruise lines to choose from, as well as many incredible itineraries. If you are looking to travel with your whole family, consider an Adventures by Disney River cruise, which is chartered through AmaWaterways.

An ocean cruise gives guests the opportunity to experience Europe while in the port but with plenty of fun waiting on the ship as well. Ask your Key to the World Travel advisor to help you find the best fit for your European cruise. There are several ships that offer state-of-the-art amenities and entertainment, while also visiting incredible cities throughout Europe. For example, the Norwegian Prima sails through Northern Europe with itineraries that include stops in Norway, Iceland, and Belgium. Guests who opt for an ocean cruise will visit several ports throughout their vacation too. If you are hoping to have some additional time to explore, it’s always recommended to arrive early for your cruise. Your Key to the World Travel advisor can assist with a pre-cruise or post-cruise stay.

Travel Tips

Once you know your travel style, it’s time to start planning! There are some important things to keep in mind as you are planning your trip. These tips will help things go smoothly so that you can enjoy your vacation.

Start Planning Early

Europe is HOT right now! That means it is essential to start planning early. With many cruise itineraries available into 2025 and land-based itineraries open for 2024, why not get those plans started sooner? Doing this will allow you to have the best availability and choices for hotels and experiences. Depending on the destination that you choose, availability will become increasingly limited as time goes on. Even if your flights are not yet available to add to your vacation package, this can be done later.

Entry Requirements

Starting in 2024, there are new entry requirements for guests traveling to Europe. Travelers from the United States, regardless of age, will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter 30 different countries in Europe. This travel authorization is linked to your passport and it is valid for up to 3 years or until the passport expires.

Once you apply for the authorization, you will receive an email confirming the submission. Many applications are processed within minutes. However, some applications may take longer to process, possibly as long as 30 days. For this reason, it’s important to apply well in advance to account for any possible delays.

Once the application is processed, you will receive a second email with the outcome. Make sure that you carry your passport linked with the authorization. Otherwise, you will not be permitted to enter any of the European countries requiring the ETIAS. This new requirement has not officially started yet but your Key to the World Travel advisor will stay up-to-date on the latest requirements and can help you with this process!

Exploring the Destination

As you’re thinking about your European vacation, it’s important to consider how you’d like to spend your time. Whether you opt for a FIT, a cruise, or a guided group, you will likely have the opportunity to choose excursions to see the most popular sights and attractions. This is highly recommended because it allows you to have some structure in your vacation and may help with checking some items off of your travel bucket list! Alternatively, some of the best memories often happen spontaneously! Make sure that you leave some downtime to explore, try some local food, and experience the culture!

Surviving Jet Lag

Jet lag is inevitable when you change time zones. Depending on where you are traveling from, you may be experiencing a BIG time difference when you go to Europe. How do you cope with it?

One of the best tips to remember is to try and follow your normal routine. Make sure that you are doing the things that you would normally do at that time of day wherever you are. For example, go to bed at the time that you would normally, even if it feels too early. This will help your body adjust to the time change. The same thing goes for meals. Eat your meals at the normal time to help your body adjust.

Language

If you are visiting a country where you don’t know the language, it’s highly recommended to become more familiar. That doesn’t mean that you have to become fluent. However, it’s wise to educate yourself and learn basic phrases that will be helpful during travel.

There are many resources to help with this. Examples include mobile apps that teach you the language, as well as books to assist with key phrases.

Work with a Travel Advisor

There are so many reasons to work with a travel advisor. Planning a European vacation is the perfect reason. Your Key to the World Travel advisor is here to guide you through each aspect of your vacation. From finding your travel style to creating the perfect itinerary, a travel advisor walks you through it all and is there as a resource from the time you book until you’re safely back home.

Are you considering a trip? Having a travel advisor means someone there to have your back in any occurrence. There is no additional cost to you and you have peace of mind knowing that your vacation is in good hands.

Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor for your next trip, or send us a quote request to get started.