5 Tips for Traveling First time in Europe

Europe is certainly the continent that offers the greatest diversity and the greatest choice of unique countries, whether in terms of cultural, tourist or climate offers. If you have decided to visit Europe for the first time in your life, but still hesitate about the ideal destination, here are some tips to visit the perfect country for you!

1. Establish the purpose of the trip

Before choosing the ideal country for your first time in Europe, it is essential that you define what motivates you most, what you might call the purpose of the trip. Are you looking for a trip to culture, museums or sports, unless it’s sunbathing or even a mix of the 3! You can make a list.

It is a method that is as simple as it is effective in defining its areas of interest and therefore the country to visit. Making a list first allows you to sort out your ideas, your desires, then it is much easier to choose according to what is written on paper.

2. The choice of the language

For some travelers, language can be a real barrier. In this case, choosing one of the French-speaking countries of the European Union can be interesting. France, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco will certainly be on your list. But if you speak minimally English, even just a few notions, it will give you a lot more choice.

3. Schengen Zone and ETIAS

The Schengen area comprises a group of 26 European countries which have signed an agreement on the free movement of persons within these countries. This means opening up all borders: land, air, and sea. Once an individual has entered one of the Member States of the Schengen area, he or she can cross the borders of the other member states without undergoing identity checks by customs.

If you are not a European citizen, a Schengen visa will be required to enter the territory of one of the 26 member states. Once the visa is granted by one of these countries, it is possible to move freely between the countries of the Schengen zone for a maximum of 90 days per semester.

When preparing for your trip, the member states of the European Union should not be confused with the Member States of the Schengen area. Before choosing the country to travel, first, you should check out if your country of destination is part of the Schengen area.

But, also there are many countries that are not members of the EU, but the citizens are free to enter the EU Schengen Zone, without a visa. Recently, there are many problems with terrorism and migrant crisis that concerns the open borders, so EU in order to solve the problem with adding a detailed security check called ETIAS or European Travel Information and Authorization System.

4. The adventurous

There are travelers who have no desire at all to anticipate things, to plan, to learn, etc.they leave and see what is happening on the spot. Bulgaria? Okay, why not, let’s go and we’ll find a hotel once we get there… In this case, let your institution work, or simply by chance, by drawing a name from a European country on a piece of paper!

5. Why only one?

Our last tip is to tell you that if you have enough time and the budget that goes with it, it is best to visit not one, but 2 or 3 or 4 countries during your trip. The continent is small enough to allow in a few hours by car or train to pass from one country to another and to completely change culture and landscapes.