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Travel Expert Andy Berke Says Proper Planning Can Make European Vacation Affordable
A European vacation is no fun if you’re flying solo. After all, you’re traveling to a land of world-class destinations and at the very least, won’t have anyone to take a photo of you standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. At worst, you’re breaking the bank by bearing the brunt of hotel stays and meals for one. If you’re planning to explore the European continent with your immediately family, there are quite a few logistical considerations to make if you want to stretch your dollar – or Euro in this case. With these Europe-specific insider tips from travel guide expert Andy Berke, you’ll find ways to make travel more affordable by eating, sleeping and traveling in certain ways.
According to travel expert Andy Berke, one of the best ways to cut costs is to pick a half-dozen destinations and stay close to then if possible. If you want to see “Big Ben” at Westminster Palace in London, then commit to a hotel room in the Lambeth or Vauxhall sections of the city. The logic behind this is two-fold: You’ll be in walking, bicycle or taxi distance from the attraction your family wants to see and you’re staying an area that’s more affordable than downtown Westminster. The same logic applies for Paris. Seeing the Eiffel Tower is pretty much required for a complete visit to the “City of Lights,” says travel expert Andy Berke. To make this journey a walkable excursion, a stay in the city’s 14th arrondissement still puts the tower in walking distance while keeping costs down due to the distance while offering a stay in a neighborhood known for its emerging and historic eateries. While the option to book a budget-breaking hotel room may seem like the only option for a group of two adults and two children, Parents.com notes that many hostels actually have family rooms for just this purpose. Best of all, the nightly rate is often only a fraction of what you’d pay at a chain hotel.
The time of year could similarly prove crucial, according to the Parents.com article reviewed by travel expert Andy Berke. For Europe, the off-peak season is March and April and October and November. The difference in ticket prices can be a few hundred dollars, so the $1,000 seats to cross the Atlantic Ocean could cost as little as $400. A little bit of research on how to arrive at some of the classical cities of Europe could reveal international airlines such as Air France, which discounts ticket prices for children who are traveling with an adult. All in all, don’t let the suspected cost of a cross-continental vacation discourage you from travel, says Andy Berke. It could often cost less than you expect given enough planning.