Europe Trip Q&A – From First Idea to Final Itinerary

Planning Europe can feel like assembling a giant puzzle. This Q&A walks through the decisions I guide clients through, from the first spark of an idea to a polished itinerary.

Where should I start if I’ve never been to Europe?

Begin by choosing a theme instead of a checklist of countries: food and wine, history and museums, scenic landscapes, or a mix of highlights with some relaxed days built in. Once we know your theme, we can narrow to a few great “starter” cities like London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, or Barcelona that match your interests and comfort level.

From there, I help you choose one or two additional spots that complement your first city, keeping travel time reasonable and routing efficient so you are exploring more and commuting less.

How do we decide which countries to combine?

I usually look at three things: flight routes, train connections, and how many travel days you’re willing to spend in transit. For a first trip, combining neighboring countries or well-connected cities (for example, London–Paris–Brussels, or Rome–Florence–Venice) tends to work best.

If you have a longer timeline, we can add a “contrast” destination—like pairing busy cities with a quieter region or coastal area—to keep the trip feeling balanced and not just big-city hotel rooms.

What’s a realistic daily pace in Europe?

You’ll enjoy Europe more if every day is not a marathon. I usually recommend one “big” activity or tour per day, plus time for wandering neighborhoods, lingering in cafés, and discovering unplanned corners of the city.

We also build in lighter days after heavy travel or big sightseeing days so you don’t come home exhausted. A relaxed afternoon in a park or a leisurely dinner can be as memorable as a famous museum.

Should I buy a rail pass or individual tickets?

For most itineraries, a mix of point-to-point tickets purchased in advance works better than an open-ended rail pass, because we know your exact routes and can lock in good fares. A rail pass may make sense if you are taking many long-distance trains on flexible dates, but that’s something we’ll calculate based on your actual plan.

Either way, I help you choose the right train classes, seat reservations, and timing so you’re not stuck with awkward connections or short transfer windows.

How do you customize a Europe trip for different travelers?

No two Europe trips should look the same. For families, we might prioritize kid-friendly attractions, apartment-style lodging, and shorter museum visits with time at parks and interactive experiences. For couples, we might focus on atmospheric neighborhoods, slower mornings, and special experiences like wine tastings or private tours.

My job is to turn your preferences—pace, budget, interests—into a cohesive plan that feels like “you,” not a cookie-cutter route.

Click HERE to start working with me on building your dream trip.