Europe is a continent of diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and fascinating history. It’s also a dream destination for many travelers who want to experience the best of what this region has to offer. But how do you plan a trip that covers 16 countries in six months? How do you balance your budget, your time, and your interests? And how do you make the most of every moment?
That’s what I’m going to share with you in this article. I’m going to tell you how I visited 16 countries in Europe over the last six months, and show you a picture from each of them. I’m going to give you some tips and tricks on how to plan your own epic European adventure, and inspire you to follow your wanderlust.
Let’s start with the basics: how did I choose which countries to visit, and how did I get around?
Choosing the Countries
Europe has 44 countries, so narrowing down the list to 16 was not easy. I had to consider several factors, such as:
1.My personal preferences and interests. I wanted to visit places that I had always dreamed of, or that had something unique or special to offer.
2.The season and the weather. I wanted to avoid the peak tourist season, the extreme temperatures, and the bad weather. I also wanted to see some seasonal attractions, such as the tulip fields in the Netherlands, the Christmas markets in Germany, and the northern lights in Norway.
3.The cost and the value. I wanted to stretch my budget as much as possible, without compromising on the quality of my experience. I looked for countries that had a lower cost of living, or that had a lot of free or cheap attractions.
4.The diversity and the contrast. I wanted to see different sides of Europe, from the ancient to the modern, from the urban to the rural, from the east to the west. I wanted to experience different cultures, cuisines, languages, and lifestyles.
Based on these criteria, I came up with the following list of 16 countries, in the order that I visited them:
The Netherlands,Belgium,France,Spain,Portugal,Italy,Switzerland,Germany,Denmark,Norway,Sweden,Finland,Estonia,Latvia,Lithuania,Poland.
Getting Around
One of the great things about traveling in Europe is that it’s easy to get around. There are many options for transportation, such as:
1.Train. This is my favorite way to travel in Europe, because it’s fast, comfortable, scenic, and convenient. You can book your tickets online, or use a rail pass, such as the Eurail Pass, which gives you unlimited access to trains in 33 countries. You can also take advantage of the high-speed trains, such as the Thalys, the Eurostar, and the ICE, which can take you from one city to another in a matter of hours.
2.Bus. This is a cheaper alternative to train travel, especially if you book in advance or use a bus pass, such as the Busabout Pass, which lets you hop on and off buses in 15 countries. You can also use the Flixbus, which is a low-cost bus service that covers 30 countries. The downside of bus travel is that it can be slower, less comfortable, and less reliable than train travel.
3.Plane. This is a good option if you want to save time, or if you want to travel to a destination that is far away or not well connected by train or bus. You can find cheap flights on websites like Skyscanner, or use a budget airline, such as Ryanair, EasyJet, or Wizz Air. The downside of plane travel is that it can be more expensive, more stressful, and more environmentally unfriendly than train or bus travel.
4.Car. This is a good option if you want to have more flexibility, freedom, and privacy. You can rent a car online, or use a car-sharing service, such as BlaBlaCar, which lets you share a ride with other travelers. You can also use a car rental aggregator, such as Auto Europe, which compares the prices of different car rental companies. The downside of car travel is that it can be more costly, more complicated, and more risky than train, bus, or plane travel.
Of course, you don’t have to stick to one mode of transportation. You can mix and match depending on your needs, preferences, and budget. For example, you can take a train from Amsterdam to Brussels, a bus from Brussels to Paris, a plane from Paris to Barcelona, and a car from Barcelona to Madrid.
The main thing is to plan ahead, compare your options, and book your tickets or reservations as early as possible. This way, you can save money, avoid hassle, and enjoy your journey.
I had an amazing time visiting 16 countries, and I learned so much about myself and the world. I’m grateful for the opportunity and the memories, and I’m looking forward to my next adventure.
If you’re interested in doing a similar trip, or if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me. I’d love to hear from you and help you plan your own epic European adventure.
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