FIRST TIME IN EUROPE + TRIP PLANNING TIPS

Finally after years and years of dreaming, I am finally going to Spain!!  It will be my first time in Europe and I’m really pumped!!  Ok...a little more nervous than I would like to admit but still pumped!  I have been assigned the GIGANTIC task of creating the 5-city itinerary for our 21-person trip!  This project has taken over my LIFE for the last couple of months! I have been researching and planning and getting stressed and overwhelmed!!

Photo Creds: Google Images.
But I made the collage, ok.

So, if you are feeling overwhelmed from planning a trip of your own, let’s simplify it and bring it back to basics:

ORGANIZE YOUR ISH!

• Make a list of everything you want to see, everything you want to do, everywhere you want to eat and go at your destination.
• You can make separate lists if you intend on visiting different cities.
• A good resource is LonelyPlanet.com – it gives a good overview and summary of attractions in different cities.

A sample of my list/research points for Madrid.

RESEARCH

• Once you get your list together, start looking up things like entrance fees and pricing, hours of operation, locations, promotions, etc.
• Check the official websites of the attractions to be sure of pricing and hours of operation.

My custom maps on Google Maps

MAP IT OUT

• When planning multi-attraction trips in a city, I find Google Custom Maps (you will need a Google account for this) to be a very useful tool.  Use this to pin the attractions/places you want to see.  It will give you a visual concept of your trip.
• You can also color code and change the symbols of the pins if you're an organized BOSS!

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

• Now that you have a visual of where your attractions are, you can plan a route.  I would rather use my time efficiently which is why I create a daily itinerary for myself.  I am only in that place for so long, I want to see and experience as much as I can.  Some people just want to play it by ear with is great if that works for you.  Either way it’s good to have some kind of plan of what you will be seeing/doing that day.
• Using the "directions" option on Google Maps can help you find alternative routes between attractions based on shortest time or how you want to travel.

CREATE YOUR ITINERARY

• If you are like me and want to create a daily itinerary, you can create a schedule using transit times and the attractions' operating hours.  Look up the city's transit system website (if they have one).  From my experience most of these sites have a "trip planner" where it shows you how to get from point A to point B.
• Allow time for taking pictures, admiring the sights, & EATING!
• Excel is your best friend.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Your Budget – make sure you stretch that hard-earned dollar!  Find promotions, city passes, discounts, etc.  Trips can actually be pretty affordable if you know where to look.

Be Realistic – create your itinerary based on the way you want to travel.  If you want to take it easy and play the day by ear, don’t schedule things back to back, allow for more time.

Don't Stress - why so serious?! You're on vacation! Take your schedule as a guide and enjoy every sight and sound of your trip.


I find that planning your own trip your way will help you make the MOST of your time because you have the freedom to pick and choose what you want to see and do.  Although, it's a lot more work than signing up with a tour company, it is definitely worth it because it is customized for you!  Good luck organizing your trip you little travel agent!