Europe has always been a popular tourist destination. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip, there are several important things to keep in mind before you call your travel agent and book your next vacation:

1. Time of year: Although “Paris in spring” sounds very romantic, the truth is that you will probably spend many days inside, because the weather can be cold and rainy. On the other hand, the French Riviera in spring boasts warm temperatures, sunshine, and beautiful places to visit. If you are unsure about weather patterns, check with your travel agent, who can advise you on rainy seasons or other weather-related issues for traveling to a specific location.

2. Your budget: decide how much you have to spend and don’t forget to include extras such as tourist attractions, transfers, souvenirs and meals (which are usually more expensive in Europe than in the United States; dinner can start from 50 euros per person, especially in metropolitan cities). If your budget is smaller, consider visiting Eastern Europe, look into package tours, or if you’re flexible, book a ‘last minute’ trip, which can often save you 30% or more. Check the current exchange rate between your currency and that of the country you will visit, to get a better idea of ​​what your vacation is really going to cost you. Whenever possible, travel outside of peak season to save even more.

3. Your secret dreams or “someday” wishes: For most of us, taking a vacation is something we can only do once a year, and often plan and save all year long. So if you’ve always wanted to visit somewhere or do something special, why wait? Include it in your next vacation plans.

4. Political Climate – While most tourism-dependent countries do their best to ensure the safety of tourists, these days it is always a good idea to stay abreast of the current political climate of the country you plan to visit, especially if there have been problems in the past.

5. Your own “internal clock”: If you prefer to sleep late in the mornings and “do your own thing”, then a guided tour is probably not for you. Most of the guided tours start early in the morning and you are on the move until the evening. You can visit multiple cities in a country or countries within a specified time period, and you must stay with the group.

On the other hand, if you don’t like traveling alone, enjoy the company of others and being able to see as much as possible in the time you have, a guided tour or cruise may be just what you need.

6. How you like to spend your time: Take some time to think about what you like to do before planning your trip. Do you prefer the water or the mountains? Lying on the beach or rock climbing? Adrenaline rushes or visiting an art museum?

While getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things can be a great experience, spending your time doing something that bores you or makes you uncomfortable and unhappy just doesn’t make sense. Once you know what you want to do, figure out what you’ll have time to do. Many times, in an effort to get “the most for our money,” we tend to overplan vacations and end up needing a vacation from vacation when we get home. Prioritize your list and be willing to save some activities or attractions for another trip.

7. Use the resources that are available to make your trip special and save money: Travelers today have numerous options when planning their vacations. You can use the Internet to find out more about the cities or countries you want to visit, check prices, and even book your flight or hotel room. If you’re visiting a place for the first time, check with a travel agent, talk to someone who’s “been there, done that” on an Internet forum, or contact your local chambers of commerce or travel councils for more information on where to go, what to see and what to do.

8. Get Organized – You can use trip planning software or your own favorite organization system to organize and plan your trip. Don’t forget things like making sure your passport and photo ID are up to date, finding out if you need travel insurance, and how and where to exchange your money. The more organized you are at the beginning, the better vacation you will have.

9. Pack light: Most of us carry too much on vacation and end up lugging around heavy suitcases and other bags full of items we don’t use or need. When planning your trip, look at your wardrobe and pack as light as possible. Take only what you really need and remember that if you forget or end up needing something, chances are you can get it once you get to your destination.

10. Have fun! Get organized, make your plans and hope for the best. That way, once you’re on your way, you can relax and enjoy yourself. But remember, there are very few “perfect” vacations, so if something goes wrong, try to relax and “go with the flow” as much as possible. Seasoned travelers say that sometimes their best vacations have been the ones where the unexpected happened.