A.) backpacking by yourself or with someone
B.) booking a tour
C.) meeting a family member or a friend in the country of destination and letting her your you around.
*c is common among Filipinos. This may also be the cheapest ootion when it comes to travel spendings.
So if you're going for OPTION A,
Cons: Consider a lot of planning and running for connecting trips.
Pros: You can customize your trip and timeline as you please all the way.
Must-do: Safety check and book a travel insurance for this trip. Just in case something goes wrong, be prepared.
Off you go, you little traveler :)
Moving on to OPTION B:
Cons: you have limited time per area and/ or activity and you have to consider your mates. Call times - usually not the best time to sleep in.
Pros: everythig will be pre-arranged and someone will assist you of your needs. Meeting new friends with a high chance of gaining a global perspective on things.
Must-do: request for some free time for spontaneity and let the city reveal itself to you. Some of my greatest experiences happened during my free time. We got lost a few times, but we found our way back still.
Buckle up and enjoy the tour!
Lastly, OPTION C
Cons: you have to let them know ahead of time of your arrival and plans. Unlike in the Philippines, friends and relatives work full time abroad. And they need to apply for leaves if they can't rerport for work. We don't want to be a cause of inconvenience, do we? We need to somehow adjust to their suggestions. I could not stress individual preferences enough. So make it clear.
Pros: free boarding and possibly lodging too. No need to worry of checking in and out. Plus you can spend time with them while leisurely taraveling around. Helpful tips you can't get from travel blogs or agencies. They can even lesd you to secret gems - places and great finds.
Skype them now and plan ahead!
Have you decided which one you'd prefer for this trip?
In my opinion, Europe is so vast, so much to see. If it's your first time and you plan on visiting more than 3 countries, better try option B for now. You can see more as you save time on planning & figuring things out as the tour guide can easily do things for you.
Note: there are countries without English signs and people who can't speak english so you'd want to check that too.
Cheers,
M.
