Passport ready? Here’s what you need to know before jetting to Europe
The thrill of heading to Europe is undeniable with dreams of walking the cobblestone streets of Paris, sipping espresso in a tiny cafe in Florence, or eating your way through Italy… yet it can also bring about anxiety regarding preparations. If you're anything like me, I find comfort in ensuring everything is ready before we take off on our journey to another country.
Personally, I prefer to maintain several lists on my phone that I can check off as I complete tasks. I use the Alexa app, which allows me to mark items off as I finish them. To create a new list, simply navigate to the "Lists & Notes" section within the Alexa app.
Whether this will be your first time traveling or you are a seasoned traveler, this blog and guide is here to help you with practical tips and must-know info to help you plan your travels.
6-9 months before travel checkoff list:
Printed documents- Flights, car rental confirmation, hotel confirmation, medical insurance, international medical insurance
Printed Maps- It’s always a good idea to have printed maps for your destinations if you are driving in Europe because there will be times you will not have cell service (this happened to us going to the villa we stayed in Tuscany)
Travel medical insurance- this to me is a must! i like having this as a just in case-I have heard way too many stories from people of friend’s or family members that have ended up in the hospital while traveling and it can be a huge expense you were not expecting. you can opt to have just medical insurance or insurance for your whole trip if something happens.
international driver’s license- if you choose to drive it’s a good idea to go and get an international drivers license. *some countries do not require it but some do
passport- check your expiration date to make sure your passport is not expired or expiring soon (sometimes it can be a long wait to renew)
6 months before travel checklist:
Restaurant Reservations- I typically try and make reservations about 6 months out especially if it is a popular place
Excursion Reservations- Some Excursions are very popular depending on where you are so i make sure to get our spots ahead of time
update travel app- I make sure to add all our reservations to my favorite travel app
Flights- Check for flights to get the best pricing (sometimes this is 9 months out) I also have a relationship with a private jet company and it’s actually not that badly priced if you split between 6-9 people
3 months before travel checklist:
language- learn a few key phrases so that it can make it easier when traveling around or ordering food
Major Attractions- Book major attractions before they sell out
Internal Transportation- finalize internal transportation like high speed trains, flights, and car rentals
Accommodations- Double check and confirm all your reservations and also check to see if you can get an upgrade (it never hurts to ask)
Planning a trip to Europe is exciting…but as you can see there’s a lot more to it than just booking a flight and showing up. from choosing the right route to securing timed-entry tickets and mapping out each day so your not zigzagging across cities, the details add up quickly. If you’d rather skip the 40 open tabs, second-guessing neighborhoods, and wondering if you’re missing something important, that’s exactly where I come in. I create personalized, thoughtfully paced European itineraries so you can feel confident, organized, and completely ready-without the stress. if interested-below is a link to our ready-made itineraries and a link for our services.
