Taking care of travel insurance and working out visa requirements should be looked into several months before leaving on a European vacation. In some cases, visas are required for traveling to Europe, however, most travelers will find that a valid passport is all that is needed for short term tourism and business travel.

Visa not required
The European Union (EU) has reciprocal visa programs with many countries including: the United States, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Argentina, and Brazil among others. Citizens from these countries do not need to apply for a visa as long as their stay will be for less than three months. Even though the United Kingdom is a member nation of the EU, it has slightly different visa rules. Citizens from: the United States, Canada, Japan, Austria, and many areas of South America are given a tourist visa upon arriving in the country which is valid for six months.

Visa Required
Citizens of most areas of Asia and Africa however, are likely to need a visa when visiting Europe. After obtaining a Schengen visa, citizens from these countries will be able to freely travel back and forth between member nations of the EU. The rules however, are slightly different when factoring in European countries that are not members of the EU. Tourist should check with country specific consulate Websites to avoid any problems. For example, Americans do need visas to travel to Russia, Turkey, and Belarus. If you plan on taking an extended holiday in Europe or are seeking employment, visas are likely to be required, regardless of your nationality and the countries visiting.

Insurance Guidance
Europe is home to some of the oldest cities in the world with Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona, Venice, and Prague among the top destinations to visit. Add in the ancient architecture, rich art history, world famous music, famous monuments, delicious food, and incredible sights to enjoy seeing why Europe has one of the biggest tourism industries in the world. With all to experience in Europe, travelers have found vacations ruined by headaches and inconveniences that could have been avoided by purchasing travelers insurance. Cheap travel insurance offers high-quality protection but at a price that will not force travelers to take money away from their vacation. Having this insurance can offer recourse for recovering expenses if a sudden family illness causes a trip cancellation.

For those planning long-term stays in Europe, Medical Evacuation insurance is even more of a necessity. Very few insurance providers offer any health benefits while in Europe and none provides emergency airlifts back home. When traveling in some areas of Europe, getting this immediate transport out of the country could be the difference between saving your life and dying in a foreign country. Major medical insurance will help travelers living up to a year in Europe to get regular checkups, obtain prescription medications, and receive primary health care.

When it comes to summer activities, Europe is the place to be. It is full of history, ancient architecture, beautiful beaches, shopping opportunities galore and lots of delicious cafes and restaurants. With so many countries to choose from, each offering a different culture and flavor, your summer will never be boring. Whatever your interests, researching before you go is a must and what better place to start than the Internet.

Spain.info
This is the official site of tourism in Spain and as you can imagine they know their country best. Their suggestions for summer activities include: a trip to Barcelona for its long cultural history, museums, art exhibitions and outdoor sculptures; Granada to see the Alhambra, an outstanding complex of gardens and buildings from the Nasrid era with origins in the 9th century; Andalusia to watch the “How Andalusian Horses Dance” show in which the horses perform choreographed dances to Spanish melodies. Besides seeing these sights, Spain.info reminds visitors of the country’s delectable cuisine and sizzling nightlife.

ItalianTourism.com
The Italian Government Tourist Board offers up many ideas for summer activities in their historic and beautiful country. They suggest starting with the museums to see the work of Italy’s finest artists: Tiziano, Canova, Raffaello and of course, Michelangelo. A tour of Rome to view the Vatican and all of the city’s historic architecture is highly suggested. Then take a trip along the Mediterranean for water and sun on one or many of Italy’s beaches along their many Seas such as; the Ligurian, the Sardianian, the Ionian, the Sicilian and finally, the Adriatic.

FranceGuide.com
The French government hosts this site which is full of great ideas of how to enjoy the incredible country of France. In the art and culture category, they suggest visiting the many Chateaux of France including: The Duke of Burgundy Route, Carcassonne Castles, Domaine national de Chambord, Chantilly Estate, and Burgundy Fontenay Abbey. Also included in must-sees for art are the many museums, the Louvre in Paris, Musee Lumiere in Lyon and the exhibit Les Machines de I’lle de Nantes. Wine country in France is something you have to see for yourself, a visit to the vast wine regions of Alsace, Beaujolais, Burgundy, Champagne and Provence are but a few of the places to enjoy wine and culture in France.

These are just a few of the many countries to visit and a few ideas of the many things to do in the summer time in Europe. Just make sure you prepare well for your trip by researching and planning early. When traveling outside of your home country it is always suggested that you get travel insurance coverage. In case of trip cancellation, or injury while on your vacation, travel insurance and travel medical insurance are the best means of protecting yourself while being able to enjoy all the beauty and fun Europe has to offer.

The European continents encompass many diverse and enchanting nations. Many people think of a trip to Europe as only a dream trip, because of the outrageous expense. However, you can now travel to Europe more cheaply than you can to some U.S. destinations. You just have to know how to make it happen. Traveling cheaply doesn’t mean you have to backpack and hitchhike, that is, unless you want to.

Cheap Airfare
Scheduling your flight from a major airport will help you in booking a much cheaper flight to Europe. Look to the Internet to find cheap travel deals to Europe. If you don’t reside near a major airport, consider taking a flight to a major one, like LAX or JFK out of New York, then pick up your budget flight out of there. This will save you a ton. British Airways is good bet for lower price air travel to many European countries.

Hostels
Staying in Europe’s hostels is the way to go, that is if you don’t mind bunking up and sharing a bathroom with strangers. Usually, you either bunk up in a dorm room, a double room, or there are single rooms at a bit higher price. There are cheap hostels across Europe and many accommodations can be quite nice for a bit pricier stay, or you can stay in a no-frills hostel for about $8 a night depending on location. They offer common rooms for entertainment and socializing. Some hostels have curfews, for the protection of their guests, and are the quietest and safest in the hostel world. It is guaranteed to be a cheap way to stay in Europe.

Taking the Bus
Traveling to multiple European countries means you’ve got to obtain a means of transportation. Going by bus is going to be your cheapest option over the Rail. Going by individual bus systems in Europe can be confusing, and not a lot of fun. However, there is a service called Busabout. It offers a hop on/hop off policy and covers 11 European countries and 41 cities. Travelers may purchase a travel pass for a time duration of 2 weeks to six months in order to save even more money. You can find more information about Busabout on the Internet.

Cheap Travel Insurance
One way to travel Europe safely is to make sure you pick up a cheap travel insurance policy before your trip. Travel insurance covers a range of possibilities, including travel medical insurance, trip cancellation coverage, and additional trip insurance coverage. Just because you are traveling on the cheap doesn’t mean you should go bare bones without travel insurance. Things happen and you have to be prepared in case of an emergency or any unforeseen glitches in your trip plans.

Traveling to Europe can be costly or cheap depending on your means and how you want to travel. First class travel is going to cost you a bundle, while traveling in budget class will save you a ton. Traveling frugally doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Travel to Europe these days can be quite affordable, more so than in the past. Seeing Europe, doesn’t have to be just a dream, but can become a reality.

Airlines
Round-trip airline tickets to Europe are ranging from $1000 to $1500 during high season and can be as low as $500 during off season (September through May). Right now there are two competing airlines, Continental and U.S. Airways, which are undercutting most other airlines on many flight routes to European countries. If you dig around on the Internet a bit, you may come up with a good deal. There are many websites that have a feature which compares different airlines, different flight times and different routes all to your benefit. If you find a good deal, go ahead and lock it in, the further out the better, so you will be assured the price and a seat, and your departure won’t be impeded.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is quite inexpensive these days, so this is one cost you won’t have to stress about. If you’re booking ahead, trip cancellation insurance is a must. You don’t want to get stuck at the last minute being out all the vacation money you’ve invested because you had to cancel your travel plans. These cheap travel insurance policies will protect you for a number of covered reasons for trip cancellation. Being stuck with a huge emergency care bill will really stress you out, so make sure you get covered with (ravel medical insurance as well—just in case of an accident.

Lodging
Many European countries offer inexpensive hostels if you’re up for sharing space with strangers that range from luxurious to the barest of the bare for around $8 a night. If you prefer a bit more privacy and a more low key stay, you can get comfortable motel accommodations for around $120 a night during high season and even cheaper during off season. If you stay a bit away from the city center or historical areas the cost will always be much less, but you trade easy access for the lower cost.

Food
Just as there are large disparities in the cost of flights and lodging—the same can be said for food. Depending on the European country you are visiting and the way you like to eat, the cost will be reflective. Some people can eat on $20 a day in Turkey, while having to spend a $100 a day in France. If you are going to be spending more of your budget on lodging, then you may want to plan on spending less on nice meals out and go for a loaf of fresh bread, cheese and some fruit eaten in your room.

Traveling during Europe’s off season, from September to May, means a more relaxed trip with fewer tourists, less expense and a greater opportunity to enjoy the culture of the cities you choose to visit. However, you will have more rain, less daylight and have to pack heavier clothing. To enjoy the off season you have to overcome the few disadvantages and enjoy the overwhelmingly positive aspects of traveling during this time.

Researching European countries and cities before you go will help to better guarantee your satisfaction. For example, off season for the Mediterranean means the rainy season with a lot of daylight showers. Some European cities, like Italy’s Bologna have overcome this with an system of covered streets so tourists can go from one side of the city to the other without getting soaked. Germany and Switzerland are beautiful winter destinations. The Internet offers abundant information on where to go and what to see during the off season.

European travel during the off season is much easier than during the tourist season. The Rail offers a great way to travel Europe, while stretching your legs in ample space or taking a nap in a sleeper car. The cost will be less in off season, too. You can buy a travel pass for weeks or months depending on your needs. If you don’t want to foot the bill for the Rail, the bus is always a good choice, less luxurious than the Rail by far, but very accommodating. You can even hop a flight between countries for less than $100 during the off season.

Off season travel provides many opportunities for cultural interactions with the locals because there are less tourist to clog up the works. Europe doesn’t shut down because there are fewer tourists. In fact, they crank up some of their own cultural activities, such as the winter opera season and winter festivals. The museums still offer wonderful exhibits and they are a great way to escape the weather on a cold, rainy winter’s day. The off season takes a bit of creativity to maneuver but many travelers prefer it that way.

The off season can be a bit unsafe when traveling to European countries, because of the weather. It is highly recommended that travelers purchase travel insurance before they go. Being injured in a vehicular accident because of bad weather can cost a big price for emergency services, care at a hospital, or even medical evacuation back home. Travel medical insurance will take care of the costs if you are unfortunate and have an accident during your European vacation.

Traveling by train in Europe is like traveling by plane. Same principles apply. Arrive as early as possible, keep your luggage close, travel comfortably, hope you have a window seat, find it, and relax.

Always check your ticket or reservation for the name of the train station. If you are in a small town, no problem, there may be just one or two stations; but go to a large city and there might be several stations. Double-check the name on your ticket or on your reservation. Most train stations are centrally located in a town or a city. There’s usually no problem for local busses or cabs to get you there directly. Plan to arrive around a half an hour early if possible so you don’t have to be rushing through crowds of people at peak travel times. Always carry local currency for tips and fares.

If you need to purchase your ticket once you arrive at the train station, be prepared for longer queues depending on what time of day that you are traveling. Never leave your luggage unattended or with a stranger, not even for a few minutes. If you have a rail pass and know how to use it, find your train platform or track number and wait to board. Remember that having a pass doesn’t guarantee a seat, so you should always have a reservation.

If not, check the departure panel, remembering that time is on the 24-hour clock. Follow the signs to your platform. Don’t forget that if you need a porter, you need to keep tip money on hand, as there’s nothing quite as crabby as a jilted porter. If you have any questions, ask a nearby concierge, that’s what they are there for.

Know if you are in coach or first class. The first class cars are first, the coach cars follow, their numbers clearly marked at the door of each train car. Seat numbers are just like they are in an airplane, located just above your seat. Luggage racks are everywhere, at the end of the car and at and around your seat. Sit tight and wait for the conductor to come around to show your ticket or rail pass along with your passport if you are on a train to a different country. That’s all that you will need to show the conductor, you won’t have to show a travel insurance policy or your travel medical insurance documentation, if you do, that’s not the conductor! It will suffice to keep all documentation on your person, however, in case of emergency.

If you are a citizen from a country outside of the European Union, then you will need a passport to travel from the UK to other European countries. You may not be asked to produce your passport at every border crossing, even one out of the UK to another EU country, but it is advisable to carry it with you. At different borders, border personnel may ask to see your passport at any time. You will have to have your passport to get back over the border to your home country anyway, so carry it on your person if you are traveling from one European country to another. Once in an EU country you will be visiting for a bit, leave your passport in the hotel safe, so you don’t lose it in case of pickpocket or an accident.

Initially, other requirements to travel first to the UK may include a visa. Consult your local consulate well before your travel date to make sure of all requirements. Other documentation that you may be asked for at border crossings, while traveling in Europe, include a letter of invitation, a round-trip or return ticket, proof of accommodations and an itinerary for your trip. Each country within the EU has different requirements for foreign visitors unless they are participating Member States of the Schengen agreement, which allows for persons of certain countries to travel freely within the Schengen area. Once in the Schengen area, if you are from one of the 35 countries with special privileges, in which the United States is included, you can go from one country to another freely without a visa, but will still need your passport. Be aware the UK is not a Member State, so they have their own requirements for border crossing.

Make sure well before your departure that you have applied for your passport, or if you already have one, check to make sure it hasn’t expired, and gotten all other documentation together including a visa if you need one. Another important matter to handle is purchasing your travel insurance. Travel insurance package plans provide various coverages such as: travel medical insurance, trip cancellation policies, as well as protection against lost baggage, trip delays and missed connections.  Travel medical insurance is highly recommended in case you are injured during your trip to Europe. Traditional insurance policies do not cover travel to other countries and you will require coverage in case you need emergency transport, hospital care or medical evacuation back to your home country. This way you won’t be responsible to pay for the costs of these medical services yourself.

There are many schools of thought when it comes to the most optimal time to buy tickets for a European summer vacation. Some say nine months in advance, some say six weeks in advance will get you the best deals. Factors like fuel prices, unexpected sales on airline tickets and the economy are keeping travelers home, and can have an effect on the price of tickets. Typically, tickets range from $1000 to $1500 during the most traveled summer season to Europe.

Remember, ticket prices can vary greatly from airline to airline. So study the different airlines and see which ones generally have the lowest fares, then watch those airlines for sales or price drops. FareCompare.com, an online software that queries over 500 airlines at a time for the best deals, says that Continental and US Airways are two of the biggest fare discounters for flights to Europe and that many of the other airlines are just sitting around while these two airlines undercut many European routes.

If you aren’t worried about cost, book early on-months in advance-to get the best seats and rest assured your trip plans are covered. If you are trying to be frugal, then gambling on the airlines having a sale, or keeping an eye on prices and booking your flight when tickets fall within your budget is a good idea. Whichever way you want to go, keep in mind booking as early as possible is always your safest bet.

Are you hesitant to book early because you think something may come up, you won’t be able to take your trip and you will lose your money for having to cancel or delay your departure? Your feelings are understandable, but with a travel insurance policy, the risks are minimal, and you won’t have to fear losing your money. There are many travel insurance policies available to cover many unplanned cancellations or delays. A great one to consider is trip cancellation coverage, which provides reimbursement for travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip. For example: You and your spouse are planning on traveling to Europe in July, you bought tickets in January and booked your hotel, your spouse falls ill and cannot travel, you stand to lose about $5,000. No problem, with your trip cancellation coverage you won’t lose a cent. This is just one example of many covered reasons under a trip cancellation policy.

Another important travel insurance policy to get before your trip is travel medical insurance. This covers you in case you or your loved one are injured while in Europe and your traditional insurance policy is not in effect. Travel medical insurance covers emergency transport, emergency or hospital care and if needed, medical evacuation back to your home country. Covering all your bases while preparing to or traveling to Europe is smart.