Hubby and I are enthusiastically, or perhaps foolishly, about to embark on 8+ weeks in Europe. We are going to at least six countries and 15+ cities over this time span. Literally, we are taking planes, trains, buses, ferries, and automobiles! To say the least, this could be a logistical nightmare. But, luckily, I married a super-organized engineer. He has created a spreadsheet that would rival any organizational chart created by anyone since the beginning of time. Conversely, I print every little confirmation form, map, and email received, organize them by category (e.g., transportation, accommodations, activities, etc.), and by date. I also color-code my documents. Yes, my ADHD is in overdrive. And since I am anal retentive, we will be bringing both the digital and printed versions of “all plans”.
Now, the title promised to give you my “tips” for traveling internatitionally. So, here are my TOP TIPS for all of you to commit to memory or delete- the choice is yours!
- RESEARCH: Impromptu travel, where you spontaneously hop in the car and visit a place a few hours away for relaxation and rejuvenation, is a concept I wholeheartedly embrace. However, a multi-week vacation, especially one that spans multiple countries and experiences varying weather conditions, falls far short of the impromptu definition in my eyes. Such a journey demands meticulous planning and organization. So, do your homework! Research and select destinations that genuinely captivate your interest. Additionally, steer clear of popular tourist spots during their peak seasons to avoid overcrowding and high prices. Keep an eye out for any special events or festivals happening at your chosen destination, as they can significantly increase the cost and make reservations a challenging task.
- WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCES ARE YOU SEEKING? Are you looking to explore the great outdoors or simply visit museums and cafes? Do your travel companions have the same travel schedule and itinerary? These are crucial discussions to have before investing a significant amount of money in your vacation.
- TRACK PRICES: Start your organization by making sure you are tracking and comparing prices for transportation. Many times, people use GOOGLE PRICE TRACKER to see when airfare drops. This may mean that frequent travelers may wish to consider getting a credit card with generous point allotments, well in advance. We opted for the Capital One Venture X Card and put all of our daily expenses on the card. It adds up with cash and point options to help defray travel costs. While the annual fee is a bit pricey, it does give you great perks. – including a generous amount of points to put towards airfare, hotels, or a rental car. We paid for our first set of flights using these points.
- DON’T DELAY GETTING YOUR AIRFARE: When you see a competitive airfare price – grab it!
- USE RELIABLE TRAVEL SERVICES: Whether a travel agent or an online service, such as TRIPADVISOR. Remember to make sure it is a RELIABLE service!
- RESERVE CAR SERVICES: Book transfers from the airport to the hotel ahead of time. Nothing is worse than jumping into a taxi only to realize the driver is going to take you the “long way” to the hotel. It is worse if you are traveling alone and/or don’t speak the same language. That is why, for both the sake of convenience and safety, I recommend using a car service. This may not be the cheapest option – but when you are in a place that is totally new to you, be wise. There are two companies that I have found to be reliable, not too pricey, and as far as I can tell, safe. They offer drivers who will meet you inside the airport and take your luggage. They also offer drivers who are also local guides. WELCOME PICKUPS is a company that we have repeatedly booked. They are throughout the world and offer a multitude of transportation services. (TripAdvisor reviews are a 4.7 out of 5 – not too shabby!) The second company is DAYTRIP.com. They are super reliable, and their drivers are amazingly knowledgeable. We used DAYTRIP throughout Portugal, but they are also a global company.
- GET TICKETS TO ATTRACTIONS EARLY! Sadly, many people spend more money than they should or miss out when they are delinquent at obtaining tickets to popular tourist spots. For example, the SAGRADA FAMILIA is a very popular attraction in Barcelona. We obtained our tickets months in advance as they sell out months in advance. Like hotels, use a travel service to get tickets for attractions and earn potential perks.
- PLAN to GO EARLY or GO LATE to SEE POPULAR ATTRACTIONS. We have secured the “first of the day” tickets and the “late night tours” so that we don’t have to bake in the hot sun or wait in long lines. Also, treat yourself to VIP tours and small groups or private tours.
- RESERVE IN ADVANCE the BIG BUS TOURS as your first outing in a new city. This is an excellent way to learn about the history and a bit of cultural information about your destination. We will be hoping on and off a number of the BIG BUSES! So, expect to see some fun content from places like the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, the Acropolis in Athens, and the Colosseum of Rome! Check out the BIG BUS TOURS and how to make a reservation.
- DO NOT BUY A TON OF SOUVENIERS: (Ask yourself what you will do with this “thing” when you get home?) But, do send yourself postcards as a nice memory for when you return home.
- DO BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE: You are about to spend a ton of money on your dream vacation. Consider this a major investment – so protect your investment with insurance! There are a few different companies that offer a comprehensive policy. Currently, I am a fan of FAYE INSURANCE. They are the only ones we found that offered long-term travel insurance for more than a few months.
- DOWNLOAD TRAVEL APPS– The use of APPS is essential when traveling abroad. From airlines to rail and subway system maps. Download museum tours and even Rick Steve’s travel digest, as well!
- INTERNATIONAL CELL PHONE USE: Get an international phone, text, and data plan. Check with your carrier, buy a phone overseas, or consider using WHATSAPP or GOOGLE FI.
READY TO PLAN? SEE THE SAMPLE ITINERARY BELOW
More suggestions…
- BACK UP YOUR PHOTOS – DAILY!: Be sure to have a way to keep your photos safe. Whether it is on an external flash drive or a service, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud.
- KEEP A JOURNAL: Don’t expect to remember every person and experience you encountered during your trip. Write it down!
- LIVE IN THE MOMENT: Not every moment is an Instagram opportunity. Put down the phone/camera and just enjoy the sights, the conversations, the artwork, the music, etc.
- INFORM YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANIES of YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL PLANS
- CHECK OUT MORE TRAVEL PREPARATION and PACKING TIPS HERE
- CREATE A LASTING MEMORY OF YOUR TRIP WITH A PHOTO .BOOK
- DON’T FORGET TO STEP!
Do you have a travel tip to share? Go ahead and comment below!
*I have been enlisted as an ambassador for the BIG BUS TOURS. I will be reporting authentic content – all opinions are my own.
Bravo! I’m all about the spreadsheet. My friends tease me because I’m the queen of 3×5 cards! Sounds like a fabulous trip. I look forward to virtually tagging along. Those were excellent tips.
I like how you balanced the bigger planning steps with the smaller details that travelers often forget. For me, one of the first things I arrange is an airport car service, since it makes the start of any trip less stressful. I’ve also used a Boston Logan car service before, and having that ready made my return home much smoother.