Everything you need to know to plan a long term Eurotrip!
Last week I wrote you an overall blog post about planning a long-term Europe trip.
Today, I am breaking down everything you need to know about each country that we visited.
If you want to see all my photos from each place, just click the country name and you will be taken to my Instagram Highlight for that country!
If you want to know all the restaurants we visited you can click the link below to download the free PDF list. The list is WAY to long to put in the blog post 🙂
Here we go!
TURKEY
17 days total (spent more time here since we thought this would be the only place we could go)
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $25-$35 a night (Air B and B)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $5-10 per person
TOWNS VISITED: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir, Alicati
FAVORITE THINGS EATEN: Menemen – a tomato/egg scramble for breakfast, lamb soup (Beyran), Turkish ice cream (it’s stretchy) and Turkish breakfast. It’s HUGE.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT TURKEY: Cappadocia was really awesome! The landscape is definitely a do not miss. Same with hot air balloon rides…although we had to miss them because of covid.
We also LOVED this food tour. It’s in Istanbul
We also really enjoyed the Hammam spas in Instanbul. Highly recommend going to one – just make sure it’s one where men and women can go together if you’re a couple! We went to Ağa Hamamı. We booked an appointment online in advance.
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT TURKEY: Honestly, the people. They were rude and they made you feel like they always wanted something from you if they helped you. Also, the food got old. It’s not like other countries where there are other options, other than local cuisine, it’s ALL TURKISH food everywhere you go!
THINGS TO KNOW: Note that there is a call to prayer many times a day and very late at night/early morning. Bring earplugs so you can sleep. We struggled with this, especially the first few nights!
Women – bring a shawl to cover your shoulders and head in the mosques
Bring longer pants. I wore longer, baggy shorts and still got looks like I was a prostitute.
HUNGARY
4 Full Days
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $25-$35 a night (Air B and B we stayed at and LOVED in Budapest. So central)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $5-10 per person
TOWNS VISITED: Budapest, Szentendre, Eger (known for having hundreds of wineries, but you couldn’t really do tasting so this was a let down)
FAVORITE THING EATEN: Chicken paprikash was unreal delicious. Also, chimney cakes. By themselves or filled with vanilla soft serve oh my goshhhh.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT HUNGARY: Honestly, everything. This was a favorite place for us. It was incredibly beautiful, cheap, great food and bar scene and there was a ton to do. The people were really nice too. We both agreed that this would be the most live-able place.
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT HUNGARY: Getting kicked out of it the first time we tried to go in LOL. But, really? Nothing. If I had to pick, the language was REALLY hard to even just learn the basics to get us by.
THINGS TO KNOW: Nothing that I think is incredibly important that I haven’t covered!
NETHERLANDS
5 Full Days
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE $75-$150 per night (Hotel. We stayed at Hotel Mai)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $10-15 per person
TOWNS VISITED: Amsterdam, Edam (yes, like the cheese), Volendan, Zaands Schands (The classic Dutch town with windmills. Very cute and family friendly)
FAVORITE THING EATEN: Honestly, classic Dutch food wasn’t great. I really liked the cheese though. And speculoos cookies, of course. Oh, and can’t forget to mini pancakes (poffertjes) and stroop waffles!
FAVORITE THING ABOUT NETHERLANDS: The people were incredibly nice and English was spoken everywhere, which was really helpful. Amsterdam was also one of the prettiest places that we went to.
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT NETHERLANDS: The fact that Amsterdam smelled like pot everywhere. Also, the red-light district. As I mentioned, the traditional cuisine wasn’t our favorite either.
THINGS TO KNOW: 95% of the coffee shops in Amsterdam are not coffee shops…they are pot stores. Just make sure you are actually going to a coffee shop if you want coffee! 😊
We also LOVED The Henry Willig cheese factory in Edam. We bought the yummiest truffle cheese and smoked cheese from there. They pack them in wax so they travel well!
In Amsterdam, EVERYONE bikes and bikers have the right of way. They go FAST – I was actually scared to ride a bike there. Always look both left and right before moving to make sure you don’t get pegged by a bike!
Go to the Albert Cupymarket – that’s where we got to try all the local foods in one go!
We personally thought the Anne Frank Museum was over-hyped but if you’re a big history person you might enjoy it! If you do go, book online and book months in advance. I did not do this so I had to check every hour online for tickets to open up. We were lucky that they did!
BELGIUM
2 Full Days
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $70-100 per night. (We stayed at easyhotel and DO NOT recommend)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $10-15 per person.
TOWNS VISITED: Brussels and Bruges.
FAVORITE THING EATEN: Mr. FFF LOVED the Belgium Fries. I loved the chocolate.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BELGIUM: Honestly, nothing really stood out. Bruges was really cute but it felt a little fake and overly touristy to us
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT BELGIUM: SO DIRTY in Brussels.
THINGS TO KNOW: It’s very dirty. There are outside urinals near the main restaurant area…and you can see (and smell) the men peeing as you walk by. The roads are dirty. It was just pretty gross everywhere.
FRANCE
4 Full Days (wish we had 5 – 3 for Paris instead of two)
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $100-$200 (We stayed here in Paris. It was cheap but the location was pretty good!)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $20-30 per person
TOWNS VISITED: Paris, Epernay and Reims (champagne region) Versailles, Annecy (VERY cute. Must go)
FAVORITE THING EATEN: EVERYTHING. France had the best food ever (are you surprised?) Standouts were anything duck, macarons and the croissants. We also had a duck, fois gras, cheese and honey crepe that was so extra but so good. Mr. FFF said the pastries were second to none as well.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT FRANCE: The food, as I just mentioned. We also LOVED the champagne region even though I don’t LOVE champagne.
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT FRANCE: The people were INCREDIBLY rude and hated to speak English. It was also very expensive compared to other places we had been.
THINGS TO KNOW: If you visit champagne, you have to book tours if you want to taste, so book in advance. I used THIS website and planned for 3 in one day. You can visit both Epernay and Reims in one day if you don’t mind a full day. Epernay is more cute and Reims is more of the tourist city with more things to see. We visited Mercier, Veuve au Cliquot and Moet and Chandon. NOTE: the tours are pricey!
The quickest way to get them to speak English to you is to say something in French wrong 😊
We also thought The Louvre was overrated. But, again, not big art people!
SWITZERLAND
5 Full Days
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $120-$200 per night (We stayed here and it was cute!)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $30-50 (we ate at a grocery store for ALL meals)
TOWNS VISITED: Geneva, Bern, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Murren, Lucerne
FAVORITE THING EATEN: My smoked salmon and avocado from the grocery store LOL
FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWITZERLAND: The hiking was INCREDIBLE. Switzerland is the most naturally gorgeous place we have ever been to. The towns were adorable and felt like you were in a fairy tale.
We also LOVED our paragliding and I think it’s a must do. We booked with these guys
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWITZERLAND: The expense. It was ridiculous. Just a plate of plain hashbrowns was about $25 USD – so you can imagine what other things cost. The beauty was amazing, but I wouldn’t spend too much time here due to the cost
THINGS TO KNOW: When you are hiking the Swiss Alps (called the Jung Frau Region) its best to pick a city and use that as your home base and then hike/take trains everywhere. We stayed in Wengen and LOVED it. It’s a car free city so it was nice to not always feel like we would get run over.
We did NOT go to the top of the mountain – called JungFraujoch – it’s the highest point in Europe but its like $150 per person to get up so we passed and we were happy with that decision.
You can also buy a Jungfrau pass if you think you will take a lot of trains in the alps. We hiked everywhere so it wasn’t worth it for us. Trains are anywhere from $4-$20 one way so you have to price it out to see if it is worth it for you
GERMANY
5 FULL DAYS
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $100-$150 per night (Air B and B)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $10-$20 per person
TOWNS VISITED: Munich, Cologne, Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Nuremberg
FAVORITE THING EATEN: The Bavarian Breakfast in Munich. The rest of traditional German food was not my favorite. But, that breakfast was the best (sausage, pretzel, sweet mustard and beer. Although no beer for me)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT GERMANY: The history. We visited it Dachau concentration camp and that was excellent. We also loved this walking tour in Munich. Great for history buffs and even non history buffs!
Also, the wine there is incredibly!
Rothenburg is a MUST MUST GO. It is the cutest, most fairy tale like town you will ever go to. We thought we were walking around in gingerbread houses.
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT GERMANY: The food. Was very hearty and heavy and that wasn’t my fav.
THINGS TO KNOW: If you go to Dachau, try to arrange a tour where they pick you up as public transport was kind of confusing. Also, then you will get an English guide. Our tour guide was put on by the camp and his English was REALLY had to understand.
CZECH REPUBLIC
6 FULL DAYS
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $30-50. (We stayed HERE in Prague and HERE in Mikulov. Recommend both)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $5-15 per person
TOWNS VISITED: Prague, Cesky Krumlov (very cute, must go), Kutna Hora (famous bone church) Mikulov and surrounding wine region
FAVORITE THING EATEN: The food here was similar to Germany, so I didn’t love the local stuff. Mr. FFF loved the beer though!
FAVORITE THING ABOUT CZECHIA: Prague was my most favorite city we went to – it was gorgeous, cheap and clean!
We also thought this truffle hunting experience on Air B and B was super unique.
The wine region was our most favorite part of the whole trip though!
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT CZECHIA: Other than the lackluster local cuisine (but there is tons of non local, delicious options) everything was awesome!
THINGS TO KNOW: YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE WINE REGION. It’s not touristy AT ALL (which also means there is almost NO ENGLISH. But, we got by.) There isn’t much red wine, it’s all REALLY good white wine. You can get glasses for around $1 and there are TONS of wineries. We spent two days and biked between all the wineries – almost biking 50 miles! NOTE: PACE YOURSELF. The first day we went to all the wineries in the first town and then still had a ton to go and it wasn’t the best idea 😉 THIS BIKE SHOP is right across from the hotel I recommended and the guy speaks English. Email and book ahead to save wine time. Make sure you start early – by 9am or 10am at the earliest so you can get everywhere. There are lots of great restaurants and stuff on the trail for lunch. MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE AP MAPY.CZ. The bike feature is invaluable.
ALSO note that the road can be VERY hilly and hard. We wish we had electric bikes, but not sure if that’s even an option. Just prepare yourself. It’s worth it, but it’s tough. Especially after wine 😊
POLAND
4 full days
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $25-35 per night (Air B and B)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $5-$15
TOWNS VISITED: Krakow, Warsaw, Auschwitz
FAVORITE THING EATEN: Pierogies of course – the blueberry ones specifically
FAVORITE THING ABOUT POLAND: SO much history here – you can see it in the buildings.
We also LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS food tour – but go hungry!! So much food.
I wouldn’t say “favorite” but going to Auschwitz was VERY impactful.
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT POLAND: It was pretty rainy. Not sure if that’s usual. But, it did remind me of my Seattle home lol. There wasn’t much bad about Poland though!
THINGS TO KNOW: Make sure you book a tour with hotel pick up to Auschwitz because, again, it’s hard to get there by public transport.
I just want to say do not count Poland out of your travel planning. We never would have gone if it wasn’t for covid limiting us, but it was one of our most favorite places! It was cute, SUPER lively, had lots of culture, friendly people etc.
GREECE
6 Full Days
AVERAGE ACCOMODATION PRICE: $75-$150 per night (can recommend HERE for Santorini and HERE for Paros)
AVERAGE MEAL PRICE: $20-$30 per person
TOWNS VISITED: Athens, Crete, Santorini, Paros
FAVORITE THING EATEN: Anything and all things seafood and halloumi cheese. The Greek salad was also incredible.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT GREECE: The islands. They were so laidback and beautiful. Having said that, I have head they are VERY touristy so I can’t speak to what they are like when there is no covid.
We also had amazing wine and the best experience at this hole in the wall winery in Paros called, Katikia. The wine wasn’t great (but got better as you drank it lol) but this older man was just the best host – he gave us bread, tomatoes, olives etc and played the guitar for us. We talked for hours and this was all before we had even agreed to a price.
We also did this food tour. Personally, it wasn’t my favorite though!
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT GREECE: I have to say it – the Greek restaurants I’ve been to here make better Greek food than a lot of the places we went. That was a bummer. We also REALLY did not like Athens. It was big and dirty and I would say skip it unless you MUST see the Acropolis or something.
THINGS TO KNOW: It’s HOT. It was over 95 F in the middle of Sept. If you are planning Greece – do NOT go in the Summer if you can help it!
We traveled MOSTLY by ferry and I used this website to book the tickets- just the day before we wanted to go. We did fly from Athens to Crete because the ferry ride is very long, and the flight is cheap. We loved Crete and would highly recommend! It doesn’t have the white houses, but it’s a really laid-back beachy vibe. This is also where all the best food in Greece is!
In Paros, we loved renting an ATV right from the ferry dock and we cruised around the island. It was $25 for a full 24 hours, so not bad!
We did this wine tasting tour in Santorini and got 13, 75ml pours. So that equals 1.5 bottles each! Each stop came with yummy food pairings and this was a trip highlight for sure!
To note: Santorini is very pricey!
I hope that these posts have been helpful! Now, which country do you want to visit most? Tell me in the comments!
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