If you’re lucky and your country has opened its borders for a bit, it might be an excellent idea to go for a short trip around Europe. Europe is a diverse place full of different nations, climates, and sights. But how should you see it all, and when should you go? We put together this short overview of the most important things you need to decide when travelling around Europe in 2022.
When to go to Europe?
The climates in Europe range from very warm to very cold, and this all changes depending on the time of year. Visiting some Nordic countries like Norway, Finland, Sweden, or the Baltic states might be better in the summer if you avoid the coldest temperatures. However, if you love skiing, you might want to go to places like Austria, Northern Italy or Switzerland in winter.
Most people visit in the summer. The tourist life is in full swing then, and most countries have beautiful countryside you can explore. If you love beaches, pick some of the southern states like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, etc. Surfers especially choose Portugal for its waves. Make sure you research what weather conditions there are in a given country to know what to pack and what to expect.
Where to go in Europe?
Europe could be roughly divided into its Western, Northern, Southern and Eastern regions, with some people also picking out central Europe as its own distinct space. Western Europe has one of the wealthiest countries like Great Britain, France, Germany, etc. You can look forward to some of the best cultural experiences in the world, especially in their capitals.
Northern countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland and the Baltic states are usually very cold during the winter, but they offer beautiful scenery and an unforgettable experience.
The southern parts of Europe like Italy, Croatia, and Greece are full of sun, small islands, and lovely beaches. They are the perfect place to kick back and relax for a few weeks.
With countries like Ukraine and Russia, Eastern Europe has a very Slavic character and sees both beautiful rolling fields, magnificent mountain ranges, and beautiful people. This part of Europe is also slightly less wealthy. Finally, Central Europe is where all the different European blocks clash since Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia and so on are a mixture of Western and Eastern Europe.
Make an itinerary
An itinerary is a list of countries you want o visit during your stay. The best thing to do is decide how many days you want to spend in Europe and which countries you want to visit. A two-week-long itinerary will house five or six cities near one another, with a few days in each city. But sometimes, it is also recommended to pick just one country and explore its subregions.
For example, you could go to Portugal, spend a few days in Lisbon, and then go from Porto to the Algarve and then to Madeira Island, spending a few days in each place.
One thing you have to keep in mind in 2022 are travel restrictions. Make sure you are vaccinated and have access to testing in each country you visit.
Monitor the situation in each country and make some backup plans for if that country decides to close its borders. This is also why travelling during the summer months might be preferable, as most countries see an easing of their restrictions during that time.
