Traveling to Europe is always an adventure. No matter which country you visit, there is so much to see and do, from ancient castles and modern museums to gorgeous beaches and hiking trails.
Some visitors want to eat their way through the continent, feasting on freshly made Italian pasta and delectable Swiss chocolate along the way. Others want to steep themselves in history or shop till they drop. Some want to visit as many countries as possible, and others choose one place but pack their schedules from sunrise to well past sundown so they don’t miss a thing.
However, as someone who visits Europe annually, I learned the hard way that not pacing myself appropriately quickly led to burnout, leaving me unable to appreciate all that Europe has to offer.
Here’s how to plan a two-week trip that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated rather than depleted. Best of all, you’ll have the time and energy to appreciate everything instead of solely stopping by the main hits for photo ops.
In this article
Alternate Busy Days With a Slower Pace
When I first started traveling to Europe, I underestimated how much walking I would do.
One of my favorite things to do in Europe is wander through old towns with cobblestone streets and stroll down the wide, grand boulevards found in many European capitals. I also like to meander from place to place whenever possible, soaking in local life and culture away from the curated scenes I typically find near popular tourist sites. I think that’s the best way to truly experience Europe beyond the tourist sites.
But to ensure I don’t burn out, I allow for a more relaxed pace every few days. In between days crammed full of walking, I plan for slower days, and they don’t have to mean lying on the beach or sitting in a cafe all day.
Instead, I sometimes intentionally schedule a later start to sleep in. Or, I thoughtfully plan a relaxing activity if I need a break after walking 10,000 steps the day prior.
For example, when I visited Poland, I spent a few days exploring every inch of Krakow, followed by a lazy day in the Tatra Mountains where I soaked at the local hot springs. Spending time in nature was the reset I needed to enjoy the rest of my trip.
In Romania, I spent a day at Therme Bucharest, Europe’s largest bathhouse, alternating between themed saunas, lying on massage beds, and soaking in mineral pools. It was the slower pace I needed between exploring historical and cultural sites before heading to explore more of the country in Transylvania.
Leave Unscheduled Time in Your Itinerary Everyday
Many travelers to Europe try to schedule their itinerary down to the minute. I, too, have the impulse to plan jam-packed, whirlwind European vacations.
However, I find that trying to stick to a detailed calendar is stressful and almost always impossible to execute, not to mention exhausting. Now, I always include some unscheduled time in my daily itinerary.
In Vienna, I spent more time at the city’s majestic museums than I originally anticipated, and appreciated the added time to wander each one.
In Copenhagen, I stopped into inviting cafes where I enjoyed lingering over a hot cup of coffee, a ritual deeply ingrained in Danish culture.
In Rome, I had one of the best meals of my trip at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant recommended by a local, something I only could do because I hadn’t made reservations for every night. These unplanned moments often wound up being the most memorable parts of my trip, and they wouldn’t be possible without building flexibility into my schedule.
Consider Private Day Tours
After visiting 90 countries, including many across Europe, I am skilled at finding interesting places to visit and figuring out how to get there.
However, I discovered that I can cover increased ground and feel more relaxed when I book a private tour.
In Europe, I used Daytrip, which offers customizable tours where I saw more in a day than I could on my own. Daytrip also helped me maximize my time by arranging tours that dropped me off at the airport, train station, or another nearby city, so I don't run myself ragged or waste time between stops.
Plus, since Daytrip drivers are local, they always have great advice about restaurants, activities, and sites I wouldn’t have otherwise found on my own.
Don't Try to Cover Too Much Ground
Most two-week trips to Europe involve visiting more than one city.
Frequently, two-week trips to Europe also involve visiting several countries. Multi-stop trips are a great way to experience different places, cultures, food, and historical sites in a short period of time. That’s one of the things that makes travel to Europe so appealing.
However, trying to cover too much ground is exhausting. Visiting seven countries in fourteen days may seem exciting from the comfort of your living room, but once you arrive, moving hotels every other day, spending hours in transit, and only sprinting through the major sites before moving on is a recipe for disappointment.
When planning, be realistic about what you can accomplish. One approach is to select a city or two as a base and take day trips to explore the surrounding areas.
For example, travelers from Paris can take the Eurostar train to London for the day. Or, create a trip that takes you to neighboring countries, such as Spain and Portugal, which are easier to move between, as opposed to places like Paris and Prague, which will take longer to reach.
Try a Wide Range of Activities
Travelers are drawn to Europe for many reasons. Some visit for museums, cathedrals, or castles, while others are driven by culinary delights, rich cultural experiences, festivals, and theaters.
In Europe, it’s important to focus on what you love, but doing the same thing day in and day out will likely lead to boredom and burnout. Looking at masterpieces by European masters can become tedious after several days of museum-hopping even for the most discerning art enthusiast, let alone casual art aficionados.
Instead, plan a variety of activities to keep your trip interesting and engaging. Even if European castles are your passion, round them out with other activities such as a gentle hike, a cooking class, or city tour to add variety.
The Shortcut
A two-week Europe trip might seem like a long time, but with historic sites, museums, and attractions, days fill faster than you'd think.
Be realistic about how much you can see in two weeks and build in time for rest and relaxation.
Plan for the most important things you want to do, but be sure to leave room for flexibility in your schedule.
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