Planning Europe

The earlier, the better. For most custom European vacations, I recommend starting the planning process 9 to 12 months before you hope to travel. This provides the best selection of flights, accommodations, European river cruises, rail journeys, and unique experiences, particularly if you're travelling during peak seasons.If you're planning a milestone anniversary, retirement trip, honeymoon, multi-generational family vacation, or a European river cruise, it's often beneficial to begin 12 to 18 months in advance. Many boutique hotels, popular cruise departures, and highly sought-after experiences have limited availability and can book well ahead of time.If your departure date is closer, don't assume it's too late. Depending on your destination, travel dates, and flexibility, planning six months or even a few months in advance may still be possible. Every European itinerary is different, and I'm always happy to discuss what's realistic based on your travel plans.

There isn't a single right answer because every traveller enjoys Europe differently. The ideal number of destinations depends on how much time you have, how you like to travel, and the experiences you hope to have along the way.As a general guideline, a two-week European vacation often lends itself well to three or four destinations. That provides enough time to experience each place without feeling like you're constantly packing, unpacking, or rushing to catch the next train or flight. Factors such as travel distances, transportation, and whether you're exploring cities, countryside, or a combination of both all influence what makes sense.One of the most common planning mistakes I see is trying to fit too much into a single trip. Europe isn't going anywhere. A thoughtfully paced itinerary almost always creates better memories than trying to check every destination off a list. My goal is to help you find the balance between seeing the places that matter most and giving yourself enough time to truly enjoy them.

The right amount of time depends on the destination and the type of experience you're looking for. Some cities can be enjoyed in two or three nights, while others deserve four or five nights or even longer.When designing a custom European itinerary, I look at far more than the destination itself. I consider travel time, sightseeing opportunities, day trips, local experiences, and the pace that feels most enjoyable for you. Spending an extra night in Florence, Porto, or Vienna often creates a far more relaxing experience than trying to squeeze in another destination simply because it's nearby.Rather than following a standard formula, I build each itinerary around how you want your vacation to feel. Sometimes slowing down by just one day can completely change your experience.

European vacations come in a wide range of price points, so there isn't a single answer that fits every traveller. Your budget will depend on factors such as your destinations, travel season, length of stay, accommodations, transportation, and the types of experiences you want to include.At Dietrich Getaways, I specialize in personalized European vacations for travellers who value thoughtful planning, quality accommodations, and memorable experiences. During our planning process, we'll discuss your investment level openly so I can recommend destinations and travel options that provide the greatest value without compromising the experience you're hoping to have.A realistic budget from the beginning allows me to create recommendations that fit your priorities while making the best use of your travel investment.

One of the wonderful things about Europe is that there's no single "best" time to visit. Every season offers something different, and the ideal time depends on where you're travelling and the type of experience you're looking for.Spring brings blooming gardens, comfortable temperatures, and fewer crowds in many destinations. Summer offers long days and lively festivals but is also the busiest travel season. Autumn is a favourite for many travellers thanks to pleasant weather, harvest festivals, food and wine experiences, and beautiful scenery. Winter transforms many cities with Christmas markets, seasonal celebrations, and a quieter atmosphere in destinations outside the holiday hotspots.Choosing the right season is just as important as choosing the right destination. Together, we'll match your travel dates with the experience you want to have, whether that's cruising the Rhine during tulip season, exploring Tuscany in the fall, or enjoying Portugal's mild spring weather.

For many travellers, absolutely.Shoulder season typically refers to the periods between the busiest summer months and the quieter winter season, generally spring and autumn. These months often offer comfortable weather, fewer crowds, better availability, and excellent value compared to peak travel periods.Many of my clients discover that shoulder season provides the perfect balance. Attractions are often less crowded, restaurants feel more relaxed, and destinations such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and many European river cruise routes are especially enjoyable during these times of year.Of course, every destination is different. Some regions have very distinct seasonal patterns, while others can be enjoyed year-round. During the planning process, I'll recommend the best time to travel based on your destination, priorities, and the type of European vacation you're hoping to experience.

It depends entirely on where you're travelling and the type of vacation you want to have. There isn't one right answer for every European itinerary.For many city-to-city journeys, Europe's rail network is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to travel. High-speed trains connect major cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Vienna, and Munich efficiently, often allowing you to travel directly into the city centre without the stress of driving or parking.A rental car becomes a better choice when you want to explore smaller villages, wine regions, mountain communities, or countryside destinations where public transportation is less frequent. Areas such as Tuscany, parts of Portugal, Provence, the Scottish Highlands, or the Dolomites are often much easier to experience with your own vehicle.When planning your European vacation, I'll recommend the transportation that best supports your itinerary rather than assuming one method is always better than another. In many cases, the ideal trip includes both rail travel and driving at different stages of the journey.

For most European vacations, it's helpful to expect more walking than you may be used to at home.Many of Europe's most beautiful neighbourhoods, historic city centres, and small villages were built long before cars existed. Exploring places such as Rome, Florence, Lisbon, Prague, or Seville often means walking on cobblestone streets, navigating hills, climbing stairs, and spending time on your feet while discovering museums, markets, and local neighbourhoods.That doesn't mean your vacation has to be physically demanding. One of the advantages of working with Dietrich Getaways is that I can recommend accommodations in convenient locations, build realistic sightseeing days, arrange transportation where appropriate, and create an itinerary that matches your comfort level and mobility.A thoughtfully planned itinerary allows you to enjoy Europe without feeling like every day is a marathon.

More than you might think.Some of the most memorable moments in Europe happen when nothing is scheduled at all. Sitting at a café in Florence, wandering through a neighbourhood market in Barcelona, enjoying an afternoon along the Douro River in Porto, or discovering a quiet square in Paris often become the experiences travellers remember most.While it's important to include the places and experiences that matter most to you, I also believe a well-designed itinerary should leave room to slow down, explore, and enjoy the unexpected.When planning your European vacation, I'll help you find the right balance between sightseeing and free time so your trip feels enjoyable rather than over-scheduled.

Some experiences are absolutely worth reserving in advance, while others are better left flexible.Popular attractions such as the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Sagrada Família, the Alhambra, Anne Frank House, and many small-group tours often sell out weeks or even months before travel, particularly during peak season. Booking these experiences ahead of time can help avoid disappointment and make better use of your time in Europe.At the same time, not every day needs to be planned hour by hour. Leaving space for spontaneous discoveries, local recommendations, or simply enjoying the atmosphere is often what transforms a good European vacation into a memorable one.As part of your itinerary, I'll recommend which experiences should be booked before you leave home and which are best decided once you're there.

It's one of the most common conversations I have with clients planning their first trip to Europe.It's easy to underestimate travel time. Even a two-hour train journey often involves checking out of your hotel, getting to the station, finding your platform, travelling, arriving in a new city, checking into your next hotel, and getting oriented before you begin exploring again. By the end of the day, much of your vacation has been spent in transit.By visiting fewer destinations and spending a little more time in each one, you'll have the opportunity to experience Europe at a much more enjoyable pace. You'll discover neighbourhoods beyond the main attractions, enjoy longer dinners, revisit favourite cafés, and feel like you've actually experienced a destination rather than simply passed through it.Europe has been there for centuries. It will still be there for your next trip. My goal isn't to help you see the most places. It's to help you enjoy the places you choose.

A beautiful hotel isn't always the right hotel.The location of your accommodation influences almost every part of your European vacation, from how much walking you'll do to how easily you can reach major attractions, restaurants, train stations, and neighbourhoods you'd like to explore.A well-located four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Florence, Seville, or Porto will often provide a far more enjoyable experience than a luxury property on the outskirts of the city that requires taxis or long commutes every day. The same is true for pre- and post-cruise stays, where proximity to the cruise port or train station can make travel days significantly less stressful.When recommending accommodations, I look beyond hotel ratings. I consider the neighbourhood, transportation options, nearby restaurants, walkability, and how the property fits into the overall flow of your itinerary. Choosing the right location often adds more value to your European vacation than upgrading to a higher star rating.