Travelling in Europe: How to plan your itinerary

The Old Continent has so much to offer, with so many countries to explore and so many flights and accommodations to choose from, that planning your trip to Europe can get a little complicated.

That's why we're going to give you a step-by-step guide to organising your trip so you can make the most of your European adventure, always accompanied by Just in Case travel insurance.

Travelling in Europe: destinations and documents required

European countries offer a diverse range of experiences to suit every taste - whether you´re looking for snow, sun, warmth, cold, proximity, or distance. The first step in planning your trip to Europe is to choose your dream destination, depending on your preferences. Are you travelling alone? With your family? Do you want to go in the summer? Or do you prefer winter? To make the process easier for you, here are some suggestions:

• Suggestions for European destinations in summer: Greece; Spain; Italy; Croatia; Albania; France;
• Suggested European destinations for autumn: France; Germany; Czech Republic; Hungary;
• Suggested European winter destinations: Austria; Switzerland; Finland; Norway; Iceland;
• Spring European travel suggestions: Netherlands; Italy; Greece; Ireland
  
  

What documents do I need to travel in Europe?

As a European citizen, you have the right to travel freely within the 27 countries of the European Union and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (third countries but members of the Schengen area) with a valid passport or national identity card. In other words, one of these documents is sufficient for travelling in EU countries.

Don't forget that these documents must be up to date and valid for the duration of your trip. And remember that all Schengen countries have the right to reintroduce temporary border controls in exceptional circumstances. For example, in the event of a threat to public order or national security.

Planning the best itinerary

Once you've chosen your ideal destination and worked out what documents you'll need, it's time to plan your itinerary.

This will vary from country to country, but as a general rule we recommend that you do this in the following order:

• Work out when you'll be travelling, how long you'll be there and how much you're prepared to spend on average. Remember that prices tend to rise during peak tourist seasons.
• Make a list of the activities, restaurants, events and attractions you want to visit and categorise them by proximity, priority and opening hours. This will help you plan your days.
• Plan activities on the days you have available, but leave lighter days for rest, unforeseen events and more flexible plans in case an attraction catches your eye.
• Book flights, accommodation and attractions in advance and always on official websites to avoid scams.
• Use our personalised checklist to make sure you don't forget anything.

Culture and Security in Europe

Europe has an enormous cultural diversity, with centuries of history, traditions and influences from different civilisations. With a mix of art, architecture, cuisine and traditions, each country and region offers a unique cultural identity.

Safety in Europe is considered quite high, with well-established healthcare systems, solid infrastructure and low crime rates compared to many other regions of the world.  

Just in Case Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is an essential document if you want to travel safely and with peace of mind. We'll be by your side throughout your European adventure, Just in Case.

Just in Case travel insurance for Europe includes medical expenses, trip extension, travel assistance, travel counselling, lounge access and other extras if you wish.