Top Tips for Travelling in Europe

This is a whole continent we’re talking about here, so first things first you need to know where you want to go. Are you keen to explore Mediterranean gems like Italy and Greece? Or are you more interested in interrailing through Central Europe? Perhaps you’d like the magical landscapes of Scotland and Ireland? Whether you’re zoning in on one country or hoping to cross as many borders as you can, having a logistically sound plan is key to ensuring your adventure goes well. That’s where Culture Trip comes in – our small-group trips are the perfect way to see a lot without drowning in spreadsheets and travel blogs. Our itineraries are carefully curated by seasoned Travel Experts to ensure each trip is immersive and authentic, while Local Insiders are on the ground as your private guide throughout, making sure you get priceless morsels of cultural insight, and recommendations you won’t find on the internet.

Once you’re in Europe, the amazing thing is that you can pretty much go anywhere without setting foot on a plane – unless you’re going to Iceland, that is. Even if you land in the UK you can get the Eurostar from London to Paris, Amsterdam or even Berlin. Once on the mainland you can go pretty much anywhere. Train routes are getting better and better, as are facilities and the locomotives themselves. High-speed lines in Italy, Spain and France are all excellent, while travel passes in countries like Germany mean you can cover hundreds of miles at bargain prices.

Not only will you save money and reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll also get to see more of Europe as you travel. A train ride is an experience in and of itself, as you watch entire countries whizz by your window seat. Snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, historic cities, dreamy coastlines and luscious forests are constantly on hand to keep the journey interesting.

Our Rail Trips celebrate the joys of train travel, and we have a few running throughout Europe. You can go from Southern Europe to North Africa on our Madrid to Marrakech trip, explore the most iconic cities of Northern Italy on a nine-day Rail Trip or take the Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Scotland on our Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands itinerary.

If there’s one of our trips that best celebrates the joys of European train travel, however, it’s our 10-day Berlin to Budapest: The Best of Central Europe by Train trip. You can explore some of Europe’s most historic, and most underrated capital cities, via some of the most scenic routes on the continent.

London. Paris. Amsterdam. Rome. The list really does go on. Europe’s seemingly never-ending list of amazing cities covers the continent like spots on a teenager’s face. Our top tip is not to neglect the countryside, either. Europe boasts just about every kind of natural bounty you could imagine. From epic mountains in the Alps to postcard-worthy beaches all over the Med. There are volcanoes – and natural hot springs that go with them – luscious mountain forests and rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves. Luckily, public transport and road infrastructure means you can discover thrilling cities and experience rural bliss in one trip. No itinerary better sums this up than our Seductive Southern Italy trip, which goes from the street food delights of Naples and the gorgeous architecture of Lecce to the beaches of the Amalfi and the unique rock formations of Puglia.

The world is your oyster in Europe – especially in Croatia, where the oysters are to die for – so don’t be afraid to drop your plans or leave an afternoon free to go where the gentle summer breeze blows you. This might mean getting lost in the pretty side streets and cobbled alleyways of Edinburgh or Istanbul, or it could mean taking a spontaneous day trip to an island in Greece. In most of Europe it’s pretty easy to spend a day doing almost nothing, and yet it might end up being your favourite day of the whole trip. Our itineraries are thoughtfully curated so, while activities and accommodations are all lined up from the start, we also schedule in plenty of free time for Culture Trippers to explore at their own pace.

Depending on how you’re planning on getting around, you need to consider what you pack and how much you pack. Most of Europe is warm to hot in summer, so you can pack lightly. If you’re backpacking or planning on spending a lot of time walking and catching trains then you’re going to want to pack as lightly as you can. European cities are pretty well equipped with tourist-friendly hostels, launderettes and storage facilities, so you should be able to find a way around however you want to do it.

Good shoes are essential, especially if you’re planning on exploring rural areas. Even city explorers need a sturdy pair, though, as European cities are super walkable and, almost without noticing, your step count will reach some pretty crazy totals on most days. Don’t forget to make sure your tech set-up is good too – a universal power adapter and portable charger are particularly useful.

It’ll come as no surprise to you that we think the best way to experience Europe is with the help of Culture Trip. Book with us and be safe in the knowledge that your itinerary is created by experts and led by locals passionate about showing you the authentic side of their homeland. We’ll take care of accommodation, domestic travel and all included activities, all you have to worry about is getting there and saving some budget for food and souvenirs. We have an incredible range of itineraries all over the continent. Take a look below to see what we have to offer, and click through to read the itineraries in full.

Atlantic Azores – volcanic adventures on a Portuguese archipelago

Berlin to Budapest: The Best of Central Europe by Train – featuring Prague, Vienna and Bratislava

Classic Northern Italy by Train – starring Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan and Lake Como

Coastal Croatia – island-hopping and old town strolling in a true Southern European gem

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Train – including trips on the Caledonian Sleeper and real life Hogwarts Express

Fairytale Ireland – from Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way

Georgia and the Caucasus – jaw-dropping mountain adventures on the Eurasian border

Greek Island Odyssey – start in Athens and island hop your way to Santorini

International Istanbul – the city that spans continents

Magical Madrid to Marrakech by Train – chart the cultural, culinary and aesthetic evolution from Iberia to Africa

Majestic Turkey – from Europe to Asia and back again, all in one country

Seductive Southern Italy – the ultimate coastal Europe experience

Spectacular Sicily – the foodiest trip of them all

Speedy Greece – a taste of Athens and sleepy island life in just five days

Volcanic Iceland – Europe’s most adventurous and exotic destination