Cruise Comparison
Europe, planned
before you fly.
A Europe trip is very plan-able.
Europe rewards planning a little more than most destinations, because most of the logistics are easy and the only real mistakes are avoidable ones with dates, documents, and connections. This guide covers the handful of things every US traveler needs to sort, then the choices that shape the trip.
Think of it in four steps: pick your season, sort your documents, choose your style of getting around, and handle money sensibly. Everything else is fun.
The planning checklist
Four things to sort, in order.
Seasons
Late spring, early summer, and early fall offer pleasant weather with lighter crowds in many cities; midsummer is warm and busy, and winter is quiet and festive.
Passport & documents
US travelers need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the trip for most of Europe, and no visa is required for standard tourist stays in the Schengen area.
Getting around
Trains excel between cities, a river or ocean cruise unpacks once and covers a region, and renting a car suits countryside and smaller towns best.
Currency
The euro covers most of the countries travelers visit, though a handful use their own currency; a no-foreign-fee card plus a little cash is a smart pair.
Make it effortless
How a travel advisor simplifies it all.
How an advisor simplifies it
A dedicated planner sequences your flights, hotels, transfers, and tours so the whole trip lines up, watches for changes and pricing, and is on your side if anything goes wrong, all at no planning cost to you.