How to Plan Your European Vacation

So, you want to go to Europe! Your first instinct may be to call a travel agent, but unless you have a preferred agent that you have used before, don't pick up that phone just yet. Often you can find bigger savings and a more personalized trip by doing the legwork yourself. Take these simple steps into account, and you're well on your way to sipping coffee in Paris or drifting the canals of Venice in a gondola.

Step One: The Basics

Decide who will be going on the trip. Will it be a family vacation, a girls week out, or a romantic getaway? At this stage, you should also plan when you will travel and how long you will stay. It's a good idea to plan at least six months in advance. Consider going in the off-season (usually winter), as prices will be lower. However, wet weather may be a concern at this time of year. Once you know who is going, and when, it is time to pick your destination or destinations. Do some research, and determine how long you'll stay in each destination, if you have more than one.

Step Two: Transportation

The first thing you should do, once you have a plan in mind, is to make cerrtain you have a passport. Currently, with the new version of the passport, the process takes almost 8 weeks, so do this early. Also, start looking for your plane tickets to Europe. You can try cheap airfare sites such as Travelocity, Orbit, or Expedia, but most airlines will match or beat these offers, so don't be afraid to get your prices directly from the airlines. There is also less chance that you will become a victim of an internet scam if you stick to trusted sites and stay away from too-good-to-be-true offers. It will be cheaper if you fly round-trip from the same airport, so consider this if you are planning to travel once you get to Europe.