Europe Travel Guide

The Balkans

One of the cheapest regions to travel in Europe. The Balkan countries include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, and sometimes Croatia…depending on who you ask.

The region is more recently known for the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s where many of the countries were involved.  The Balkans are filled with charming towns, stunning coastline, rich history, monasteries, large forests, and rugged mountains. They’re quirky charismatic and cheap to travel we love the Balkans.

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15 Balkan Travel Tips • Know These Before You Travel to the Balkans

If you’re traveling to the Balkans you’re in a fantastic time. The Balkans are one of our favorite regions we’ve been in Europe. However, before you travel the Balkan region there are some Balkan travel tips you should know.

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Baltic States

Fascinating countries with medieval city centers, castles, sandy beaches, and picturesque lakes. The Baltic states typically refer to Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia and they are all quaint and rich in culture.

This is the land of fairy tales and a world that feels several decades behind the rest of Europe. They’re affordable and pleasant without the headaches of more Eastern regions.

Awesome Things to do in Vilnius

Is Vilnius worth visiting? Heck Yes! There are a wide range of things to do in Vilnius for all visitors and it’s definitely a highlight of any trip to the Baltics. The city is the most populist is the capital of Lithuania

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Benelux

This is the region of the Netherlands and Belgium. The landscape here is low lying and flat but filled with tulips, windmills, and cheese.

The star attraction lies in the blooming tulips field and Amsterdam one of the best cities to visit in the world.

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Best Things to do in Luxembourg

Looking for the best things to do in Luxembourg? We’d known of the little country for a long time, but we’d always made the mistake to skip over it on our past European tours. A mistake indeed, as Luxembourg is well worth a visit.

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British Isles

The British Isles include Great Britain, Ireland, and a few other small British islands. Britain’s history is long and London is one of the capitals of the world and carries a massive amount of influence.

Ireland remains a lovely countryside with charming locals, culture, sheep, castles, and rolling hills. While the Scottish Highlands may be one of the most beautiful regions in Europe with a rich culture and strong national identity.

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Things to Know Before you Travel to Scotland

There are a few things you need to know before you travel to Scotland. With two amazing and historic cities in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and more opportunities for outdoor activities there is something for everyone in Scotland.

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Central Europe

It’s a mixture of Germanic and Slavic culture smack in the middle of Europe. You’ll find historic towns, large forests, castles, amazing beer, countryside and large mountain ranges. If you want to see great cities and drink plenty of beer this is where you need to head!

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Things to do in Zakopane

There are so many things to do in Zakopane it can be hard to narrow them down. Nestled in the Tatra Mountains is Zakopane, Poland. The Polish mountain town serves as a great base to this stretch of the Carpathian Mountains.

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France

It’s the most popular tourist destination in the world. You’ll find the City of Love, endless vineyards, world-class skiing, a long history, Mediterranean and Atlantic beaches, fashion, wonderful gastronomy, castles, and an amazing culture. Forget about the French being rude once you’re outside of Paris, things quickly change.

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Mont St Michel + Helpful Tips For Visiting

Mont-Saint-Michel is a highlight for any trip to France, and Europe for that matter. The historical abbey topped island sits in a picturesque bay and feels more at home in a fairytale than reality. The abbey was founded in 966 and holds a claim that the archangel Michel has a role in its founding.

Greece, Turkey, & Cyprus

Each one will tell you that they share nothing in common, but they share everything in common. The Greeks and Turks have been warring for millennia, think Trojan War, but their two cultures are extremely similar.

They have gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, a wealth of history, a fresh Mediterranean diet, and plenty of sunshine. Hospitality here is taken seriously and you’ll find that no one treats a guest better than a Turk, Cypriot, or Greek.

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Top Greece Travel Tips to Know

Greece has one of the most iconic cultures, histories, and geographies. Greece for us strikes a tender note, it is where Tasha and I fell in love. It launched years of future travel and this very blog.

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Iberia

Portugal and Spain are known for their rich and unique cultures that have been influenced by the of the world.

They have more than a lot to offer with unique spices, beautiful towns, mountains, gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, lively cities, and welcoming locals. Spend your night’s bar hopping and eating tapas.

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Algarve Beaches You Need to Visit in Portugal

The Algarve beaches have some of the tastiest waves, cleanest water, and most dramatic landscapes. To top it off the Algarve boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine each year!

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Italian Peninsula

What’s more to be said about Italy. It has it all. Ranging from the fashion, mountains, art, ski, and class in the North to food, beaches, culture, and history in the South with everything in between.

Head to Naples for the best pizza in the world and the home of cafe culture. Italy is easily one of our favorite countries in Europe.

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Things to Know Before Going To Italy

Italy has long been on the top of many travelers list for decades. The country is majestically beautiful, has world-class food, and a spoken language that will instantly make you drool and fall in love.

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Nordic Countries

Spectacular scenery of mountains, lakes, glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, and volcanoes with opportunity for outdoor life, known for the Viking Age around AD 1000.

They’re some of the safest countries in the world with happy citizens, incredibly clean water, and crazy high prices. Oh, and they’re freezing in the winter! Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and Denmark are all usually associated as Nordic.

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Reasons Why You Should Travel to the Faroe Islands

Traveling to the Faroe Islands was like a dream. If you were to ask us what the most beautiful islands in Europe are you wouldn’t get the answer you would expect. Well, maybe you have an idea from the title of this post, but we would definitely say the Faroe Islands! 

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Eastern Europe

Russia is a vast country that spans all the way east to the Pacific Ocean. Ukraine is diverse, with a lot to offer, from the beach resorts of the Black Sea to the beautiful cities Odessa, Lviv, and Kyiv.

Belarus is unique and the last dictatorship in Europe. While Romania houses Transylvania, yes that’s a real place not just a setting in Dracula.

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18 Things to do in Budapest

If you’re heading to Europe there is no way you can miss a visit to Budapest. The Hungarian capital is a great destination for culture, food, nightlife, and just about everything else you could look for in a vacation.

Hostel (€15 – €40):

Hostel dormitory rooms cost between €15-40 per night. However, they can go for much cheaper in East Europe or more expensive in popular cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen and prices are usually dependant on seasons.

A 6-bed dorm in Krakow can go for €15, while the same can charge in excess of €50 Euro in Iceland. Most hostels these days include linens, free WiFi, and a basic breakfast (cereal, coffee, toast).

There is usually a common room to socialize and a kitchen to cook your own cheap meals. They are a staple of the backpacking community and something every young person should experience.

Private Room (€30 – €100+)

Hotels in Europe are for the most part affordable especially compared to the US. Most young couples will find it is cheaper to stay in a cheap private room than paying for a hostel dorm bed.

On average you can find a decent room in most of Europe for around €50 a night. This is typically our budget as a couple in Europe and gets as a comfortable bed, private bathroom, free WiFi, and breakfast as well.

Airbnb (€20 -€100)

Prices on Airbnb these days are competitive with cheap hotels and they are prevalent throughout Europe. We’ve stayed in Airbnb in almost every country we’ve traveled through in Europe.

They provide the comforts of home as guests often have access to a kitchen to cook

Flights

Short flights are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to travel around Europe. Thanks to budget air carriers like Ryan Air, Wizz Air, Easy Jet, and Transavia air travel is cheap and easy. Just be prepared to be nickeled and dimed with no luxuries.

Ryan Air’s CEO even tried to charge for restroom rights at one point… You can find cheap flights anywhere from €10 -80 one way with carry-on only. If you are checking a bag or want food on the flight expect to pay extra.

Train

Train prices vary greatly in Europe. The train prices largely depend on the country and the type of train. A high-speed train between capital cities in Western Europe can run as much as €200. However, intercity lines are much cheaper and can cost 50% of the cost of a high-speed line.

Tickets booked last minute can be expensive even in Eastern Europe easily reaching €100 to the neighboring country. Train travel within countries is significantly cheaper with even trains around Switzerland averaging €25 for a two-three hour train ride. If you are a student or under 26 you often qualify for a reduced fare. Interrail and Eurail offer passes for those looking for long-term train travel around Europe.

Bus

Buses in Europe are cheap and plentiful. They vary in all manner from plush luxury coaches with free WiFi, entertainment systems, snacks, and coffee to barebones 1960 Soviet buses.

It’s almost always the cheapest way to travel shorter distances between cities and onto neighboring countries. We like to use the app GoEuro that searches for the best bus fair and company. The average cost via the bus between countries is around €20.

Car Rental

Cars are wonderful for exploring regions, but not if your plan is to hop from country to country. The road infrastructure in Europe is excellent and car rentals can be had at an affordable price.

We’ve paid anywhere from €50 a week in Croatia up to €350 a week on the Faroe Islands for a small standard transmission rental car. Gas is significantly more in Europe than in the US. At the time of writing the average cost of fuel is €1.40 per liter.

Hitchhiking – Ride Sharing

It’s possible to hitchhike through most of Europe. The popularity of hitchhiking does vary by region, but many backpackers get by hitchhiking throughout Europe.

There are also ride-sharing apps like Bla Bla Car where users post their route and pick up passengers for a fee to help with gas/income – it’s the Airbnb of road trips.

Markets

We love to cook our own food as it saves money and allows for to control what we eat. A healthy diet while traveling is important to maintaining your health.

We can eat for as little as €60 per week up €120 a week per person, and that could get cheaper but we really love our food. We love to shop at budget markets like Lidl, Aldi, Tesco. Spar, Marks & Spencer, and Intermarche are a nice step up – you’ll find a wider selection and more name brands.

Cheap Eats

In Western Europe, there are plenty of small shops where you can get a cheap takeaway, sandwiches, pizza, or for €4 – €8. Asian, Indian, and kebabs (halal) food can be found everywhere in Europe and it’s always a go-to staple for cheap eats.

Even in the U.K., you can get amazing takeaway Indian for 5-10 GBP. If you’re smart with your money it’s easy to get by anywhere for under €20 euros a day.

Dining Out

You can find a decent meal out anywhere from €10 – €100. The vast majority of restaurants will fall into the lower end of the spectrum with the average meal with drinks at €25 a person. If you head East food prices drop drastically.

In countries like Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, or Bulgaria it’s easy to eat all your meals out with little care and still stay under €15 a day. Tipping is not so much a thing in Europe either. Sometimes it’s adequate to round up your bill to the nearest €1 or to leave 10%, but generally no more.

I also want to note that water is almost never free in Europe, unless you specify that you want tap water with no charge, but sometimes that will be met with a funny look and a “no”. Also, many touristy restaurants will place bread on the table before your meal leading you to think that it is free, only to charge for it at the end.

Alcohol

Asides, from the Scandinavian countries alcohol, is cheap, plentiful, and a great way to the national identity.

In the wine-producing regions of France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy you can pick up a bottle of wine for less than €3. Beer in Eastern Europe is less than €1 and in Greece/Turkey ouzo or raki is cheap and everywhere.

Iceland’s Ring Road

This has to be one of the most popular things to do in Iceland. The road circumnavigates the entire island nation and hits a number of great sights along the journey.

What makes the trip so popular is that it allows visitors to see the diverse landscape of Iceland and presents a plethora of detours throughout the country. We’ve discussed our full Ring Road itinerary and share tips here!

Hop around the Greek Islands

There is hardly a better place to spend your summer than in Greece. The Greek Isles are full of gorgeous beaches, wild nightlife, ancient ruins, and rich culture.

We’ve been three times to the Greek Isles and we can’t wait until we return again! Check out Crete if you want an island that has it all.

Trek the Camino de Santiago

One of the most popular things to do in Europe is to cross the pilgrimage route crossing France and Spain. There are a number of routes that lead to the same endpoint, Santiago de Compostela.

The standard routes take around 800km and take roughly a month to walk the route. Along the way, travelers stay in refugio or albergue, known as pilgrims hostels. A dorm bed runs about €6 – €10 and provides pilgrims a dinner and bed.

Party at the ruin bars of Budapest

It’s one of the coolest experiences for backpackers in Europe. A series of bars have been built in an abandoned building and are now living art installations.

The most famous is Szimpla Kert features amazingly creative bars with live music and cheap prices.

Throw tomatoes during La Tomatina

You’ve probably seen the photos and video of this festival more than a few times. The last Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain residents and visitors gather to throw tomatoes at each.

The streets run red with the blood of tomatoes. Don’t wear anything you want to ever see again and I would recommend goggles.

Ski the Alps

The Alps are the highest mountain range in Europe and they’re well known for their excellent ski resorts. Small towns across France, Switzerland, and Austria balloon in size during the winter months as Europeans hit the slopes for some fun.

Eat the best pizza in the world

The best pizza in the world can be found in Naples. The city is gritty, loud, in your face, and very Italian. The electricity in the narrow streets of Naples cannot be beaten.

Not to mention the city is packed with history, architectural treasures, palaces, castles, art, beaches, and churches. Once you’re done being overwhelmed head to Gino Sorbillo for the best pizza pie in the world. A Margherita pizza only costs €3.50. Phenomenal!

Go hiking in Scandinavia

We love Scandinavia and find it to be one of the most gorgeous places in the world to travel around. It is true that it may be one of the most expensive places in the world to travel, but there are ways to save money and it can be done on any budget.

Wilderness and dramatic landscapes are on full display in countries like Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. While Finland, Sweden, and Denmark can offer enchanting forests, islands, lakes, and rich culture.

Drive the North Coast 500

This drive through the Scottish Highlands easily ranks as one of the best road trips in the world. North Coast 500 is a moniker given to a route that circumnavigates the Scottish highlands starting and ending in Inverness.

It’s easily one of the most beautiful regions we’ve ever traveled through filled with friendly locals. A highlight on any trip to Europe, just make sure to pack the right clothes for Scotland.

Party at Octoberfest

Hallo! Willkommen to München the capital of the Bavarian Alps and home of Octoberfest. It’s now one of the largest festivals in the world and all focus on drinking massive steins of beer while wearing lederhosen (leather overall/pants).

Costumes are a must as are communal tables that encourage you to chat and meet those around you while drinking amazing beer. It’s a tourist trap and world-famous, but so amazing that you can’t even keep the locals away.

Check out the canals in Amsterdam

Cameron’s first solo trip abroad was to Amsterdam and it remains one of his favorite cities in the world. Small streets and narrow row houses line a web of leafy canals.

The city is one of the hippest in Europe and known for its freedom of expression and of course marijuana. It’s a lot more than just legalized drugs and prostitutes as that really only makes up a small part of the best cities in Europe.

Take in the history in Rome

All roads lead to Rome. It is the beating heart of Italy and a city that begs to be explored again, and again, and maybe one more time. It’s known as the Eternal City and one of the most romanticized cities in the world.

History haunts its every corner and it is littered with historic sites spanning several millennia. There is no city on earth like Rome.

Visit Krakow

Take a step back in time as Krakow looks like a painting from medieval times. The city is hip, fun, and cheap. It’s well known for cheap bars, and young visitors come in packs.

However, it has plenty of history, architecture, food, and activities for everyone. We also suggest checking out Zakopane three hours South of the city.

Sail between two continents!

Turkey’s most popular city is one of the most amazing in the world. Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia, and the city crams in both cultures. You can actually take a ferry along the Bosphorus and literally take a photo between two continents!