Enthralling Europe!
- Nisha Subramanian
- Jun 19, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 3
Ever since my childhood days, I have had a passion for exploring the rich history and culture of Europe. Growing up, Heidi, story of a little girl who moved to Swiss alps to stay with her grandpa has been my favorite book and I always dreamed of seeing Switzerland through her eyes. I started saving money for my first European adventure since I landed my first job, but it took me several years after moving to the US to make it happen. There were many challenges and obstacles along the way, such as getting a visa, arranging leaves from work, coordinating with kids' school schedule, and planning every detail of the itinerary. But with the help of my uncle, who is a seasoned traveler, we managed to pull it off in 2022. It was one of the most amazing and rewarding trips of my life! I want to share my experiences with you through this blog. I hope some of the tips I provide will help you plan your epic Europe trip. Feel free to comment and ask me anything!
You might also be wondering how to choose where to go in Europe? There are so many places to see and things to do, but you have limited time and budget. I’d suggest not attempting to see a lot in one trip. Europe is a destination to savor and revisit over time. A good rule of thumb is to spend 2-3 days in each city you visit and select the number of countries based on the total days you have. For example, if you have one week, pick one country and 2-3 top cities. In my case, I had a little over two weeks and I visited three countries and six main cities where we stayed.
I have listed below some useful tips especially if you’re traveling with kids:
One of the most important things to consider is the location of your hotel or Airbnb. I highly recommend finding a place that is within 5-10 minutes’ walk to public transport such as train or metro stations, even if they are priced higher. You will not regret this decision as you will save money by not hiring taxis and avoid making your kids tired even before you start your day. Keep in mind that Europe trip requires tons of walking anyways, so try to conserve everyone's energy wherever possible. If you need any help with finding such places, please let me know and I will be happy to assist you. You can also check out some of the websites that offer reviews and ratings of hotels and Airbnb’s in different cities.
Secondly, you might want to consider staying in an Airbnb instead of a hotel as Airbnb’s’ can usually accommodate more people and saves money. Most hotels in Europe only allow two guests per room, and they are usually small and lack a kitchenette. With Airbnb, you can rent an entire place that fits your family size and has a fully equipped kitchen. We cooked our own meals that helped us cut down on food expenses and provided us with an authentic experience and made us feel more at home and immersed in the local culture.
Overall, we had a blast in Europe! It was such a relaxing and enriching experience. We loved the slow-paced lifestyle, the amazing culture and history, and the easy travel options. Everywhere we went, we felt alive and happy! Europe is truly a wonderful place to visit, explore and settle in someday (maybe? 😊)
Do I need a Schengen (Europe) visa to travel and how to apply for it? You may refer to this website to understand if you need a Schengen visa (based on your nationality) and which consulate to apply to will further guide you through the visa application process. You will need to make an appointment for biometrics at the consulate/VFS office if your biometrics wasn’t collected for Schengen visa in the past 5 years. Depending on your country/city of residence VFS has tie ups with some consulates to supply a doorstep service to collect your visa application (especially if an in-person appointment for biometrics is not needed). Please find additional details on this website.
Our picks and itinerary:
Pro tip! Before you hit the road, make sure you download the map of the city. You don't want to get lost in a place with a bad network or incur roaming charges.
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