Europe is a great place to visit. I have been going every year or so since I got back in the 90's. I have learned several things that will help with your planning. First you have to think about getting there? With the Advanatage Rewards Network and the Advantage Dining Program you can earn points by just registering your current credit cards in the dining program and use the shopping network for most of your purchases. if you get the Advantage Credit Card then you can double the emount of points because you get the rewards for the network and the rewards for using the card. A Win! Win!

Next is getting there! I started by thinking I could use flights from place to place included all in one ticket It you do that, you will find it very expensive for multi-stop flights. So I found that the best deal is to fly to one major hub in Europe, from one major hub in USA. For me I can take a direct flight from Dallas (DFW) to several hubs in Europe. So you decide where and what you want to do and then find the hub you want to use. After you get to Europe it is very cheap to use their airlines from places to place, most of them, less than $100 per flight. I do not use round trip flights. Example is I get a round trip ticket to fly to my hub Madrid (MAD) and then after seeing things there, I take a one way flight to Venice (VCE). Then take a one way flight to Rome (FCO). Then a one way flight back to Madrid. Then I have hit all the spots i wanted.

Second thing is where to stay!! If you are the type that travel alone and like to be maybe find someone to help you out, then the AirBNB is a good deal when you select a room in the city you want. Also if you are traveling 3-4 in a group, the AirBNB is nice to get you maybe two bedroom apartment near buses or trains for your transportation while visiting and sight seeing. The other option I use a lot is Expedia and I use it for the one way flights, sight seeing tours, places to stay and just research to see what attractions are there and what I should be trying to see while I am visiting. Sometimes, using Expedia for your one way flight, you can add lodging and get a very good deal on places near things you want to see. Also Expedia accummulates points for you to use for flights or lodging and helps you keep your itineraires all organized. I find that the cost of booking with Expedia is usually the same cost as booking at the actual location and by prebooking, you know when and where to meet and that you have a seat for the event. One very good deal in a lot of places is the Hop On and Off Bus. I like to buy a 2-3 day ticket and use it a lot., The first time I usually just make the complete circle to get a lay of the town and decide how I want to attack the tours...

Typically I get into town and find my hotel and then checkout what is nearby. If I have arrived early enough in the day to jusify the Hop on and off bus then I start there so I can see the city and make a bit more of the plan I have already having for the trip. Sometimes, the ticket includes 2-3 different lines of rhte Hop on and off, so I try them all. Next I start looking at my options for food. If I rented an AirBNB and plan on eating in, I find a place to put in groceries. If I booked hotel or a room I start looking for places to eat. I like to find homey, small places with affordable prices. Once or twice while there I might take in a nicer fun place.

One thing to consider during your travels is are you going to rent a car. Most of us are very good drivers here at home and we know where we are going. If you are traveling by yourself, it is hard to justify a car unless you just need it to get where you will be going. If you are in a group then a car is nice so tht you don't pay transportation times 3-4 people. But driving has some very serious consequenes if something goes wrong. Plus you DON'T know where your going. Uber, buses, underground train networks and others make a good alternative. Europe has made those much better than we have here in the USA. So consider long and hard if you NEED to ren a car or not!!

Another fun option I have found is getting a free week of room and board for meeting and chatting with 20-30 people in a nice resort outside of Madrid. The Vaughan Town Volunteers Programs give you a chance to meet people from Spain and fom around the world. You spend a week volunteering and you get your own room and fed three meals a day and sometimes it includes wine for lunch. It is a very fun program, I have done it 4 times. The first time, I met people from Madrid and when we returned to Madrid, they agreed to meet me the next day and help me tour the nice spots. I meet them every time I am in Madrid for dinner.