Ahhh! Europe! For so many travelers, the very first stamps we get on our passports are from one of the 50 countries that call Europe home. Each country holds so many opportunities to explore, learn, and simply enjoy. But where does a traveler start? With 48 counties to choose from, the very thought of committing to a trip can be overwhelming, to say the least. Let’s dig into Europe 101!

In fact, before choosing that starting point, there are so many things to think about. Car rentals, lodgings, museums to visit, oh my! Have no fear! We are here to help! We’ve come up with a great list of tips and advice to get you started on the right foot, no matter what Euro destination you choose. So, here is our rundown of the best we’ve got on crossing the pond!

Myth: Going to Europe in the Summer is a bad idea.

For decades, the common understanding has been that Europe is overcrowded and overhot in the Summer and great but chilly the rest of the year. Travelers spent years proclaiming that the shoulder season struck the perfect balance between weather and value. While there is some truth left in the sentiment, we’ve got to say that there are plenty of places that don’t subscribe to this unwritten rule. These places are 365-day destinations. Among them are:

• Paris– The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower do not have downtime. Period.
• Venice– The Rialto Bridge seems more packed in the Spring than in the Summer. Cruising contributes to this city’s overcrowding.
• Rome and the Vatican– Those Colosseum tickets are always a bear to get, and the Vatican Museums are sold out almost every day of the year.
• Barcelona– This city does not participate in downtime. Ever.

The European calendar is more than just the seasons. So, choosing the right time to go is a bit more complex than it seems. For example, do your interests lie in seeing the markets of the Christmas season? Are you prepared for the paring down of the 40 days of Lent? Will there be a festival season in your destination? And, if so, could you shift your stay to coincide or avoid it? Do you want to participate in the high cultural season in winter? Knowing the calendar can truly make or break your trip.

Don’t get us wrong, there are some places that simply hibernate over the colder months and do not have any sort of travel happening outside of the high Summer season. Look for these places to essentially shut down.

• The Greek Islands– It’s windy, it’s cold, and the food grows with the other seasons.
• Sorrento– Winter is a time for hotels to renovate and refurbish, with many closed from November to Easter. Besides, the water is far too choppy to enjoy.
• Porto- The cold and the rain make this charming city a seasonal gem, but an out-of-season nightmare.

In Edinburgh, for example, August brings the world-famous Royal Military Tattoo. The last time I was there, I didn’t pay attention to the dates and had to leave the day before it started! I should have paid attention better so that I could have seen it. My daughter, on the other hand, was relieved to have missed the influx of people. You see, timing is everything!

Myth: The cheapest hotel is the best choice.

Options for lodging in Europe vary widely. So many options can feel overwhelming, but there are a few good bits of information that allow for good choices.

• City center hotels can be a bit pricier. However, they allow for convenience and, in the right city centers, can negate the need for transportation. I’m a fan, and it’s our number one pick for convenience alone.
• Air B&Bs are a great value in Europe. The only downfall to these is not knowing exactly where they are. I use this option when I know the area just a bit better or on personal recommendation. Additionally, I feel the obligation to put in just a bit more effort to ensure that the owner is local and not some huge conglomerate flooding the market. Keep the money close.
• Self-contained resorts are not my cup of tea while in Europe. I leave those for a lovely Caribbean island. Enough said.
• There are quite a few other choices to consider, including hostels, hiking chalets, and lodgings offered by abbeys and convents (check out this book for a guide to those.)

Myth: People who overprep wind up being more stressed on their trip.

One of the most important things that you need to get the most out of your trip is to know about your destination. You’ve chosen a logistics strategy to plan and you know when you are going. So now it’s time to read up on all the cool things you can do and see, as well as getting a hold of the history of the area- because it matters!

I mean, could you imagine going to Northern France and not knowing D-Day? How about touring Rome and not knowing who Michelangelo is? Yes, you’ll enjoy it, but not nearly as much as you will with a head full of understanding.

So, break out those guidebooks, crack open those historical accounts, Google those blogs, and track down the best of the best for you. Check out lists of restaurants, attractions, museums, and experiences. Get your head wrapped around the art and architecture. Know who the invaders were, and be sure to know how the world wars affected the region. Some were devastated, others were barely touched.

Having a hold on this kind of information can do two things for you. First, it allows you to process information before you get there, so you can relate to it better when you arrive. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it gives you talking points to discuss with locals who will be impressed that you have the basics down. Win-win.

Myth: There’s no need to know anything about art.

Art and architecture are such a basic identity of Europe that not knowing about them will leave you at a loss. Don’t get me wrong, Europe has more varied art than I can name. From Dickensian villages in England to classic columns in Athens, Europe doesn’t disappoint. Going to France? Look into impressionism. Headed to Sicily? Understanding Byzantine art is a good start. Prague on your list? Art Nouveau is a must.

Art can be boring or exciting. It can tax you or inspire you. If you make a connection to art, it won’t let you down. Check out our info on art and how it impacts travel, how you can connect to it, and how you can learn about it without feeling overwhelmed by listening to our podcast.

Myth: Getting around Europe is really hard.

If you’ve been stateside for a while, you may use your car without a second thought. Europe doesn’t always use a car as its primary mode of transportation. The continent is jam-packed with different transportation options that will get you from one place to another rather efficiently.

• Coming in first place has to be the train system. Long-distance commuters, overnight hauls, and even the fabled Orient Express await you. Trains are clean, comfortable, and well worth the cost. In fact, I find that often a train will get me somewhere faster than a flight. Two places where trains aren’t at the top of their game are Greece and Ireland. They are there, just limited.
• Ferries are a great option and can be quite an enjoyable experience to get you from point A to point B. They can become part of the experience instead of the transportation pause that air travel requires. The ferry in the Greek Islands is super famous, but there are others that deserve a second look. These include the ferry from Belfast to Scotland, the Cinque Terre ferry, and the overnight ferry from Scandinavia to the continent.
• Car rentals can be a great way to see the countryside, while Uber services can help in urban centers. Although I often ask my Airbnb host to add a bike to my lodging price so I can ride around in the morning and take in the start of a new day. Just brilliant. With places like Paris closing down 100’s of streets at a time, bikes may need to become more important than ever before.

Myth: Round trip tickets are ALWAYS cheaper.

As you arrange your transportation options, consider flying into one city to start your adventure and returning home through another city to get back home. This “open jaws” plan economizes your time by not doubling back.

Additionally, consider extended layovers that will give you a few extra hours in a dynamic city like Istanbul or Copenhagen. Extending your trip in this manner doesn’t cost too much and gives you a bit of a stretch during your travels, if nothing else.

Myth: Europe is more dangerous than the United States.

Probably the number one question I get about traveling is, “How safe is it to be out and about?” The simple answer is quite safe! Don’t get me wrong, there are issues that happen all over the world that are tragic and sad. But, for the majority of travelers, things go swimmingly well. There are a few things that set you up for success:

• Use a purse that is pick-pocket proof. That means leaving the brand names at home and making sure they close well and are easy to carry closely. You don’t have to clutch your bag in panic, but be aware. Pickpockets represent the number one crime against travelers worldwide.
• Don’t get scammed online. I keep my phone on airplane mode for my entire trip. It is very easy to use public wifi as I go along. By doing this, I don’t have to spend money on an international SIM card or contract plan. I do, however, use a VPN mask like TunnelBear to ensure that wireless thieves can’t gain access to my passwords and credit cards.
• Don’t stand out. Look, I’m all for individuality and fashion choices. I just don’t think that travel is where it has to be a priority. Many European friends tell me that they can spot an American in a crowd very easily. As a collective, we either dress too flashy or sloppily. Men who wear baseball hats are obvious, and women with crazy nails are a no-brainer. Take a moment and think about those pickpockets. If my friends can spot you, so can they.

Myth: The best use of your time and money is to cram your itinerary full to see everything.

Okay, you’ve arranged your flights and accommodations. You’ve read up on your trip. You have committed to not taking selfies on cliffs. It’s time for all of the fun stuff! As you choose from the hundreds of galleries, castles, museums, wineries, cooking lessons, kayaking adventures and hikes (just to name a few) consider an ebb and flow approach to your days abroad.

Jet lag and constant running will take a toll on you regardless of all of the tricks you use. Consider scheduling a down day mid-way through your trip to rejuvenate and relax. A day at the beach or by the pool. Perhaps a little river cruise where you can sit and watch the landscape go by.

This ebb and flow also applies to the activities you choose. Be sure to strike a balance between the hidden gems you find and the icons that are on your bucket list. For example, check out the Eiffel Tower but perhaps skip Big Ben in favor of a ghost tour that has plenty of delightful twists and turns.

Myth: Third-party sites are the best way to find local tours.

Speaking of what to do, there are plenty of options that take you out of the Grand Tour box. Check out walking tours focused on food or architecture. There’s one about Harry Potter and another about the catacombs of Paris. Walking tours provide endless opportunities to learn about your host country. They also tend to employ locals, a bonus.

Another travel opportunity is the hop-on hop-off bus system. At first glance, I’m not a big fan. There are too many cities where these behemoths clog up the roadways and only lead to tacky locations. However, every once in a while, the option is a gem. For example, touring the monuments of Paris at night or using the pass to get out to the Britannia in Edinburgh. The best advice? Research to ensure you are getting more out of the pass than just the ride.

Myth: Overtourism only happens in Rome and Paris.

Overtourism is a difficult problem in any economy. Countries are always trying to strike the right balance between local culture and Starbucks. Three cities suffer more than the others:

• Venice– the lure of the Grand Canal and romantic gondolas whips travelers in a fury to see the charming city. However, between cruise ships and tour groups, Venice is trampled day after day in the high season. I suggest leaving this romantic dream for the shoulder season when the Aqua Alta is not an issue.
• Amsterdam: like Venice, is jam-packed with visitors who are trying to see absolutely everything. That includes her famed canals and bike-friendly neighborhoods. Be kind to Amsterdam and take her in during the off-season.
• Barcelona– hometown hero Gaudí attracts so very many visitors with his unique architecture backed up with an amazing atmosphere. With its great weather, try to visit during the off-season to enjoy a little more.

Myth: The best destinations for a first-time visitor are Paris, Rome, and London.

So, where does that leave you? Where is the best place for you to start? With so many places to choose from, where is the best spot for a first-time visitor to begin? I have three ideas that I think will be just the ticket!

• Bruges– Step back in time to a medieval fairytale of a town that literally smells like chocolate and waffles. Bruges is the perfect size to enjoy every nook and cranny. As a bonus, Bruges seems to have just a little connection to everywhere else. From art to history, Bruges has a charm that can’t be denied.
• Florence– Totally tourist-friendly, packed with wall-to-wall art, and one of the most walkable cities in Europe. Additionally, the Firenze city pass makes museums and public spaces a breeze to use even in the height of the tourist season.
• Bayeux– The epic history that played out here on Normandy’s shores changed Europe forever. Exploring this story can be life-changing and leave you with an appreciation for how the war affected the rest of Europe as well. In addition to the military-minded past, be sure to take in the amazing home of impressionism.

Additionally, it may be helpful to know what destinations can be more challenging for the DIYer. In addition to underdeveloped train systems, there are other factors to consider.

• Greece– Island hopping can be cumbersome and time-taxing. Additionally, Athens can come across as underwhelming due to its urban sprawl and small city center area.
• Southern France and Northern Spain– While trains are available, driving may be a better option here. Expect to pay a lot to declare that you are sunning yourself on the Riviera.
• Scotland and Ireland– One of the biggest issues here is that finding modern accommodations is not as easy as you’d think. Additionally, if you plan on leaving any of the four big cities (Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, or Edinburgh), you will need a vehicle and you will drive on the opposite side of the road.