Saturday, October 24, 2009

You Can Enjoy a Vacation To Europe And Still Keep Your Budget Intact

By Rafael Wallace

Europe will always be like an exquisite dream. The mere mention of the continent feels much like rolling fine wine on your tongue while relaxing in front of a placid lake or a quiet vineyard. The more specific dreamers might think more of taking slow gondola rides on the canals of Venice or sipping cups of premium coffee on a cafe in Paris.

What usually bursts this dreamy bubble is the fact that Europe vacation is never cheap. Do not fret though. It is not entirely impossible to explore the wonders of Europe at least once in your life. There are a number of ways to make a trip more in tune with your limited budget.

The first thing to do is to plan. Obviously, you are more likely to be able to save if you followed a master plan rather than if you just hopped from one city to another on impulse. Be as detailed as possible. Include in your plan your exact destinations, flights, accommodations, activities and specific budget. When everything is plotted, make a commitment to follow your master plan.

You might also consider taking everything into your own hands. Instead of paying for the services of a travel agent, planner and guide, you can do everything yourself from plotting your course to actually going through it. The more romantic tourists simply call this backpacking across Europe. With just a backpack and your loved one beside you, you can conquer the best spots of Europe on a shoestring budget.

Backpacking however is not always a sensible idea. Always remember that many parts of Europe are every bit like urban jungles, albeit seemingly more romantic. You can easily get conned or lost if you are not naturally enterprising or street smart. This is especially true if you get so easily caught up in the experience of foreign sights and sounds. If you think you probably sound or look like a little lost dog, do not go on a European vacation on your own. Take a guided tour.

If you are lucky enough, you can find an affordable guided tour. The best way to go around Europe without spending an entire fortune is to choose a package deal. Travel experts have numerous packages to choose from to fit almost any kind of budget. Some will allow you to pick the places, activities and accommodations that you prefer.

Before you pay for a package deal, make sure you check the exact terms. Some travel companies exclude either airfare or accommodations from the total cost of a package. A few others also fail to mention several items that may eventually add up to the total cost. It would also help to check your exact itinerary and research on destinations and activities so you do not end up feeling cheated over locations that are not really as interesting as they sound.

The best Europe vacation experiences are truly magical moments. This is why you should rather be sure that you can get the best out of your trip at a fair and affordable price.

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