Traveling to Europe means a lot of preparation beforehand. There is research to do, documents to obtain, consulting with your travel agent to plan your trip, booking your trip and getting your trip covered by travel insurance. Start preparing for your trip months in advance to insure ample time to get everything in order. This will yield the most satisfactory and enjoyable trip possible.

Documentation
Check with your local consulate to find out what you will need to enter Europe and get back home safely. Visas are required for some country’s nationals while others, like United States citizens, can cross most European borders without one—if you are staying less than three months. If you are traveling from the U.S. to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania or the United Kingdom you will need a visa. Passports are required no matter where you travel in Europe because you need one to get back into the United States. Visas and passports take time to get so apply early, or if you already have them, make sure your documents are up-to-date.

Travel Prep
If you are a “do-it-yourselfer,” you’ll want to get on the Internet and start researching your travel accommodations and flights early on. Don’t like to go it alone? Travel agents are great resources because they are experts on travel and all it involves, and can get you the best flight and accommodations with little hassle for a small fee. No matter which method you choose, be sure to plan your trip to see as much of Europe as you can. This continent has so many wonderful countries very close to one another, which enables you to have optimal travel enjoyment from visiting multiple countries instead of just one.

Booking
Be sure to book your trip early for the most savings and the biggest assurance that your trip’s details are in order. When booking early you lock in the price for your flight and won’t be subject to rising prices due to fuel costs or other factors. You know you have a seat on the most cost effective flight and your accommodations are not subject to availability. Many travel agents, hotels and airlines require you put down a deposit or pay everything up front, so be prepared to have the money available at the time of booking.

Travel Insurance
When booking your travel early, you do risk losing the money you have put up if something comes up and you have to postpone or cancel your trip. However, travel insurance, which includes trip cancellation coverage, will cover the risk and make sure you don’t lose your money because of life’s unpredictability. Also, be sure to pick up travel medical insurance in case you have an accident while visiting Europe where your traditional insurance coverage isn’t in effect.

Whether you need a Visa to travel to Europe or not will be determined by what country you are from and which European country you are traveling to. Most European countries—with the exclusion of five including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Romania—have opened their borders to the nationals of 34 countries. This means there are no Visa requirements for nationals from these countries if they plan to stay for 3 months or less. The United States is included in the 34, which allows U.S. citizens to travel and roam the inclusive countries of Europe freely without a Visa.

The Schengen Agreement and the Amsterdam Treaty in 1999 are responsible for this open border hospitality. So if you are visiting Europe and plan to visit multiple countries like Italy, Spain or France go for it, you’ll just need a passport and a few other documents that border personnel might ask for such as: a travel itinerary, return or round-trip airline ticket or boat ticket, a letter of invitation and hotel or motel accommodation confirmation. The reason for all the extra documentation is so that they can determine that you do plan to move on out of their country within your allotted 3 months.

If you aren’t from the United States then check on Europa.eu for the list of 34 invited countries to see if you can get into the EU without a Visa too. It provides such a luxury to be able to cross multiple borders without having to wave your Visa around, it makes Europe seem so much friendlier.

To those hailing from the United States, before you head out for your European vacation it is advisable to definitely get some travel insurance. Cheap travel insurance is easy to find and a travel insurance policy like travel medical insurance can give you the peace of mind to enjoy your trip knowing you are covered in case of an accident that sends you to the hospital or worse yet, has you being medically evacuated back home for care. Just imagine the nightmare of debt you would have to pay just to get out of the country if you weren’t covered with a good travel medical insurance policy. Another way to get covered when you first plan your trip and pay all the upfront monies on your flight and hotel is to protect yourself with a travel cancellation policy, just in case something unforeseen comes up and you have to back out of your trip—this coverage would save you thousands of dollars you might have lost.

The Center for Disease Control lists routine, recommended, and required vaccinations for every country in the world.

Most vaccines require time to effective, so it is important to schedule them ideally four to six weeks before your trip. Some vaccinations require multiple dosages over the course of days or weeks. Review with your personal physician what routine vaccinations you have had, still need or need boosters for, as well as the recommended vaccinations for European travel. Currently there’s no required vaccination for European travel, only for travel in yellow fever prone countries in Africa and South America. Saudi Arabia requires the meningococcal vaccine for Hajj travel. If you cannot schedule the vaccinations in advance, get them anyway as you may yet benefit from them.

Your European vaccination travel checklist should include:

• Schedule doctor visit
• Know what vaccinations you need
• Knowing if you have an immunocompromised system, including HIV
• Pregnancy? Traveling with infants? Breastfeeding? Children?
• Have you begun to research your destination’s health requirements, if any?

Your physician will tell you what vaccinations you need to complete your routine schedule as well as what recommended vaccines you will need for your destination. Let your physician know:

• Where you will be traveling in Western or Eastern Europe
• Will you be traveling into rural or remote areas
• When you will be traveling

It will be taken into account with your known age, health status and previous record in order to determine which of the recommended vaccinations are right for you. Western European nations may have different requirements than Eastern European nations. Some countries are recovering from war and other issues that may affect the environment and possibly your health, others may have no issue at all.

H1N1 and the seasonal flu continue to be a global concern. Q fever is an issue in The Netherlands as well as measles in the United Kingdom and throughout Western Europe, and Typhoid Fever in Eastern Europe.

You are responsibly for all expenses incurred while traveling in another country should you become ill. The U.S. Department of State has country specific information regarding travel insurance. You need to check with your insurance agent to see if your current coverage needs updated to include extra travel medical insurance or other type of medical insurance rider or new policy. You will still need to pay all costs of care even if you have insurance and file a claim later.

Eurail Passes, also known as Eurorail, make getting from one European country to another a breeze. With over 841 pass combos, you can pick and choose the pass that fits your travel plans by choosing the number of countries that you are planning to visit and the number of days that you are planning to travel.

There are four main pass categories:

Eurail Global
Hop on any train in 21 countries including: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This is first class all the way.

Eurail Select
Don’t want to travel to more than three, four, or five countries? Design your pass the way you want to travel. The only catch? The countries must border each other.

Eurail Regional Travel from three to 10 days within a two month period for those who want to explore one of 25 regions in Europe. Each region has different specifics, so consult your Eurail or travel agent.

Eurail One-Country
Explore one of 17 countries up close and personal: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. These used to be called the Eurail National Pass for those of you who have used them before.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
If two to five adults aged 26 or over are going to travel together, consider the Saver Pass or a Youth Pass if you are under 25. Note that Saver Passes are available as first class on most Eurail passes. Youth passes are second class or coach, but in some cases can be upped to first class. Kids ages four to 11 pay just half of the adult pass and kids up to four can usually sit on an adult’s lap, so they ride free. Beware one caveat: Eurail passes offer no Pass Security insurance. The Eurail office strongly advises you to see if your Eurail Pass is covered under your own insurance. If not, they advise you to get travel insurance.

Don’t forget that travel begins for any pass on the first day you use it and that the pass must be validated within six months of issue. Don’t try to activate your pass without an official stamp from the Eurail Aid Office or at a rail ticket window. If you do it yourself, it is worth nothing and non-refundable. Know that 24 hours constitutes a travel day and is calculated midnight to midnight, local time with overnight travel often an exception with different rules. There are varying discounts when you present your Eurail pass at select ferries, buses, hotels, museums and other sightseeing venues, so always ask. As always, keep your Eurail pass with your main travel documents, such as passport and other identification. It will do you no good locked in your suitcase with your travel insurance policy, pack of gum, and souvenirs.

The most central country to stay in Europe and have access to the most popular countries, that don’t require a Visa, is France. It’s neighbored to the south by Spain and Portugal, to the north by Belgium and the Netherlands, to the northeast by Germany, to the east by Switzerland, Italy and the Mediterranean Sea and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The United Kingdom is also located to the west, but a Visa is required to enter, as it is not one of the Schegen Member States, like the other countries directly accessible from France. So if you are planning on visiting the UK, you will want to get your Visa well in advance of your departure time for Europe.

The rail runs to all countries surrounding France, so you won’t have to figure out how to get to another country. Buy a rail pass to save money, if you plan on visiting multiple countries over a period of 15 days or longer. Safety can be an issue on the trains during commuter runs, so beware of pickpockets and luggage thieves. If you like to travel by car or plane, then those are possibilities, although they may not be the quickest or most convenient way to get around.

All the countries surrounding France, and it included, are filled with the most beautiful historical sites, countryside, museums, castles, restaurants and cafes. They are home to some of the most cultured societies in the World. You will not be disappointed if you take time to visit every European country you can possibly fit in. Spain, Italy, France and Germany are the most popular countries to see, but be sure to take time to visit Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands for breathtaking natural beauty.

If you are planning a multi-country trip you’ll want to get travel insurance before you leave. Traveling a great deal can make you more prone to accidents and injuries, so getting travel medical insurance is a must for every foreign traveler. Being stuck in another country in the hospital and having to pay all your medical bills up front before you leave will cause financial and emotional stress if you aren’t covered by a good travel insurance policy. Another great way to cover yourself financially, when you are paying up front for an expensive flight and accommodations, is to get a trip cancellation policy. If you fall ill or have to cancel your trip because of another covered reason on the policy, then you won’t be out thousands of dollars and leave you only able to visit Europe in your dreams.

The cheapest way to travel to Europe is going to depend on where you are to begin with. If you are in the United States, then the cheapest way to travel is to fly. There are many ways you can save on airfares to Europe by following a few simple tips.

1. Use sites like Kayak.com. Sites like Kayak.com offer a feature that searches multiple airlines, multiple dates and multiple flights at once to find the best rate on the Internet. These sites can save you a lot of money if you don’t have a specific date in mind, but rather a general idea of when you want to travel. You can watch the site over a period of weeks and snag a flight when it is the most affordable.
2. Contact a travel agent. Let them know you are looking for the cheapest way to jump the puddle to Europe and they can keep an eye out in their pooled airfares for you. They are experts in travel and know how and where to look for good deals.
3. See what airlines are competing for your business. Some airlines undercut certain travel routes to Europe. Keep an eye out for what is going on in the airline industry for a clue about when the right time is to purchase a ticket.
4. Buy as soon as you establish a departure date.  If you buy early on you can sometimes save a bundle, but this can be a gamble, if flight prices drop. You’ll miss out on better deals. Sometimes paying a little more to make sure you have a seat when you want it is the cheapest way to go.
5. Travel in Europe’s off-season. If you wait to travel between September and May your flight price can drop by as much as half. The other advantages will be that you save on accommodations, there are not nearly as many tourists as there are during high-season, you get to have a more relaxed vacation and some of the attractions that charge fees, lower these as well. So, if you decide to go during the slow season, then you will get the cheapest price on most of your trip expenses including the flights.

No matter when you travel to Europe or how much you are willing to spend to get there, you mustn’t forget to get a cheap travel insurance policy before you go. An inexpensive travel medical insurance policy will save you a ton of headaches and money should you have an accident or get injured during your travels. If you are looking for the cheapest way to get to Europe, then you probably don’t want to pay out of pocket and up front for emergency, hospital and doctor’s care or for a medical evacuation flight back home if you should need it. Travel insurance will be the least of your worries and expenses.

Europe is a dream destination for many and a frequent destination for many more. It has everything to offer just about anyone. Each country is unique and has a wonderful mix of history, culture and many local sights to see. No matter the country or countries you travel to, you’ll never run out of things to do. Even getting around is part of the fun.

Since the Schegen Agreement and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999, many European countries have joined what is known as a collective group of 22 Member States that have opened their borders to the nationals of 34 countries and have invited them to travel without a Visa for up to 3 months at a time.

For this simple reason alone, it makes Europe a very attractive travel destination. Nowhere in the world can you travel to so many different countries, some within hours of one another, in such a short period of time, with total freedom at each border crossing. All you will need to enter the 22 Member States is proof that you are a national of one of the 34 countries with free access, such as your passport and proof that you plan to return home after a visit of 3 months or less—for this purpose a return or round-trip plane ticket, a travel itinerary, a letter of invitation and/or a hotel or motel reservations receipt will work.

Of course, some of the more popular European sights to see are (in no particular order): France-for the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Champs-Elysees; Italy- for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Vatican City, and the Duomo Museum; Spain- for the Alhambra, Seville’s Cathedral and the Guggenheim; Germany-for the Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein, Berlin and the Bavarian town of Lindau.

There are five countries that you need to be aware are not part of the 22 Member States with open borders, they are: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Romania. You will need a Visa to travel across each of these country’s borders. However, the rest of Europe is your oyster.

Now that you know why you should travel to Europe, start planning your trip to go. When making all the travel arrangements, be certain to get the travel insurance you need. There are many different travel insurance products to choose from and they are surprisingly inexpensive considering what type of coverage you get. Choose the ones that fit your travel plans the best. Suggested policies include: Travel medical Insurance, Trip Cancellation Coverage, and packages with multiple types of travel insurance coverage.

For most people hopping on a train or bus takes little thought, but for those with limited mobility, who are in wheelchairs, on crutches or are unsteady on their feet, it can be a nightmare. Many European countries realize this fact and have created programs and more accessibility in travel to those with limited mobility and disabilities.

The Council of Europe created a means of monitoring national policy for the disabled, so that the country can be traveled more easily by everyone, not just those without disabilities. A site was launched, EuropeforAll.com, just for people who need accessibility information before they travel. The site provides information for foreign visitors with disabilities as well as for over 50 million disabled Europeans.

This informative site, developed with the backing of the European Commission, offers a destination finder for countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The finder will also filter on cities, towns, regions, cafes, restaurants, Tourism offices, accommodations, shops, attractions, conferences and exhibitions that are all deemed handicap accessible. You may also choose to do a free text search to find specific details on a certain place or venue. The site is labeled with a Venue Assessment Level according to the degree of accessibility offered by each location in its database.

Not all European countries are on board for accessibility as of yet, but more and more are being added every year. Check on EuropeforAll.com, to see new countries, cities and towns that have been added. For now, plan to visit the countries listed above, which are already on board and can offer you the accessible services you require and deserve. The site will perform a full accessibility audit on enterprises that want to be certified, based on an exacting standard, once complete their information is then provided on the website for visitors to access. With this helpful resource you should be able to find your way around the countries in Europe that have proper accessibility.

When making your plans to visit Europe, be sure to add getting a travel insurance policy to your list. Even under the best of circumstances, accidents and injuries can happen. If you have limited mobility or a disability, it can be even more important that you are covered financially in the event that you fall or are injured during your trip abroad. A good travel medical insurance policy will cover your medical expenses and medical transport in the event you need to be evacuated to obtain additional medical services. Travel insurance will be the least of your travel expenses, but offer you the greatest peace of mind during your European vacation.