Planning a trip to Europe, or just need a refresher since it’s been a while? There’s a lot to know about traveling this diverse continent, and it’s not as straightforward as exploring the United States. While traveling across the States means finding familiar places like McDonald’s, Marriott hotels, or Walmarts everywhere you go, Europe offers a completely different experience.

In Europe, every country has its own language, and some even have several. These countries have rich histories dating back hundreds of years, leading to unique cultures, architecture, and cuisines. For example, the UK was founded in 927 AD, Portugal in 1143, Switzerland in 1291, and the Netherlands in 1581. Each country has its distinct characteristics—some are more organized, while others are more laid-back and passionate.

Geography also plays a huge role in travel. A distance that looks short on the map can take hours if there’s a mountain in the way. While some countries have modern infrastructure, others have evolved differently due to their geography and culture.

To make the most of your trip, take time to learn about the country you want to visit. Does it have multiple points of interest? How much time do you need to truly immerse yourself and not just snap a quick photo?

As a rule, if you only have a week, dedicate it to one country.
For two weeks, focus on a country like Italy or Greece.
If you want to city-hop between places like London, Paris, and Amsterdam, go for it!
But if you want to truly embrace a country like France or the UK, spend your two weeks there. Many people combine Ireland and the UK, which works with two weeks, but to see Ireland properly, you need two weeks, and at least three weeks for the UK.

Commit that kind of time, and you can truly say you’ve visited and know the country well.

At AAV Travel, we make planning easy and stress-free; plus, we provide expert guidance, making your European itinerary seamless and something to remember!