Travel / Europe : visit europe by eurostar, coach or ferry for a holiday (trip).

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Plan a trip to Europe from the UK


Sections:	Introduction
	Guidebooks / maps
	Languages
	Places to visit
	Visas
	Organised tours
	Transport
	Accommodation
	Money
	Links

Related pages:	Transport (plan how you will travel)

INTRODUCTION

The UK is a convenient place from which to take a holiday to continental Europe. This page explains where to get the information or how to make bookings to organise such a trip.

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GUIDEBOOKS / MAPS

For a map showing the countries of Europe, see the Lonely Planet site: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/loc-eur.htm. You can select a country to see a map and basic travel information about each country.
A specialist shop for maps and travel books is Stanfords: http://www.stanfords.co.uk
Many useful books for European travel are produced by . These guides are illustrated with many pictures.

	DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: Europe (travel guide) Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Date: November 2001		Europe on a Shoestring Author: Scott McNeely and others Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications Date: January 2001
	First Time Europe (plan your first trip to Europe) Author: Louis CasaBianca Publisher: Rough Guides Date: March 2003 (for earlier edition, click here)		Take Your Kids to Europe (travel with children) Author: C.W. Harriman Publisher: Globe Pequot Press Date: February 2002
	"Let's Go 2003": Western Europe ; Eastern Europe ; Europe Author: Let's Go Inc; Publisher: Pan Date: December 2002		2003 Map of Europe Publisher: Collins Date: October 2002

LANGUAGES

You may enjoy your travelling in Europe more if you learn at least a little of the languages of the countries you will be visiting.
For information about how to find a part-time language course, see: Course/Short.

If you are London, you may be able to attend cheap classes given by trainee teachers: http://www.ihlondon.com/modern-languages/free-practice-lessons.asp.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: European Phrase Book
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Date: November 2001

PLACES TO VISIT

Some of the most popular European destinations are:
Ireland: Dublin; France: Paris; Netherlands: Amsterdam; Belgium: Brussels; Bruges; Denmark: Copenhagen
Italy: Milan; Florence; Venice; Rome; Spain: Barcelona; Madrid
Germany: Munich; Berlin; Cologne; Austria: Vienna; Switzerland: Geneva; Interlaken; Czech Republic: Prague

In many European cities you can buy a city pass which allows you to use public transport and get free entry into the main sightseeing attractions. You can buy passes for one day or for several days, and usually purchase them after you have arrived. For details, see: http://www.europeancitycards.com.

Scenes of Paris
Arc de Triomphe	Notre Dame	Eiffel Tower	Metro (underground)

Classic Short Breaks in Europe
Editor: Jeff Evans
Publisher: Thomas Cook Publishing
Date: February 1999

VISAS

Immigration rules often change, so check before you travel. The information below is only for general guidance.

If you are travelling from the UK to another European country, you can check visa requirements using the website of that country's embassy in London. To find this, see: Links (select the country you will visit). You may also find it useful to look at the website of the country's embassy within your own country.

If you have an EU passport, you can travel freely within the member countries of the EU, but you should carry your passport or identity card with you while travelling in other countries (for details, see: Prepare/Visa).

If you need a visa, you will need to complete an application form (these can usually be downloaded from the embassy's website). You may also need evidence that you have enough money for your stay, and may need to provide details of your plans for accommodation and your return travel. You may be able to apply by post, but in many cases it will be necessary to visit the embassy or consulate in London to obtain a visa - you may have to make an appointment in advance. There is normally a fee which you have to pay to obtain a visa.

A Schengen visa is a visa issued by one of these countries, which together are known as the Schengen area:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.
A Schengen visa will allow you to travel through all of the countries listed above.
Note that the UK is not part of the Schengen area, so having a valid visa to stay in the UK does not give you the right to travel in other European countries.
If you will travel around many countries in the Schengen area, you should apply for a Schengen visa from the embassy of the country where you expect to stay for the longest period.

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ORGANISED TOURS

For information about finding an organised trip to Europe, see: Travel/Tours

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TRANSPORT

For information about travelling to or around Europe, see these pages:

By air: Travel/Transport/Air
By railway: Travel/Transport/Train
By sea: Travel/Transport/Ferry
By coach: Travel/Transport/Coach
By car: Travel/Transport/Car

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ACCOMMODATION

For information about finding somewhere to stay in Europe, see these pages:

Hotel: Travel/Accommodation/Hotel
Hostel: Travel/Accommodation/Hostel/Guide
Camping/caravan site: Travel/Accommodation/Campsite

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MONEY

If you have a UK bank account, if your debit card shows a Maestro or Cirrus logo it can also be used in most European countries to obtain cash from a cashpoint machine or to pay for goods in many of the shops or restaurants. Check with your bank before travelling. You should order your currency and traveller's cheques from the bank about a week before travelling.
The euro (€) is the currency used in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. The three EU countries that do not use the euro are the UK, Sweden and Denmark.

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