Tips on Visiting Europe for the First Time

Tips on Visiting Europe for the First Time
Old cozy street in Lucca, Italy. Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany. It is the capital of the Province of Lucca. Shutterstock
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Looking back, I see the mistakes I made on my first trip to Europe. Two college friends and I spent 10 days exploring Europe, but we picked the wrong mode of transportation, packed too much into a short timeframe, overpaid at restaurants and more. We must have done something right, though, because that trip ignited my love of Europe. I went home and told my parents I was moving to Vienna for school—and I did.
These days, I visit Europe as often as I can, but I’ve learned a few things through experience and from other travelers. Here are a few tips that will help your first trip to Europe go smoothly.

Getting Around

My friends and I rented a car to visit three countries on that first trip. That was, after all, how we often traveled in the States. Yet, driving a car in a new place can be stressful and take a lot of time. Unless you’re visiting rural areas, a rental car isn’t the best option to get around.
Janna Graber
Janna Graber
Author
Janna Graber has covered travel in more than 55 countries. She is the editor of three travel anthologies, including “A Pink Suitcase: 22 Tales of Women’s Travel,” and is the managing editor of Go World Travel Magazine.
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