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The Best Resources for Planning an Arts-Focused Trip

Arts & Culture, Travel Smart Leave a Comment

Last updated on June 18th, 2026 at 11:28 pm

I love planning trips that prioritize arts and cultural experiences such as museum visits and concerts. To be honest, it’s my guilty pleasure.

Over the years, I’ve developed a system for discovering which museums will be worth my time, which may (or may not) be over-crowded, what performances I should book in advance, what new exhibitions are being featured, and what small group day tours I should book.

In this post, I present the resources I use to plan my arts-focused trips. A few of these are run by people I know personally, and all of them have earned a permanent place in my planning toolkit.

A Tool I Built to Help You Plan
Blogs Worth Bookmarking
Museum Discovery Tools
Finding Major Exhibitions
Concerts and Performances
Facebook Groups
Small Group and Specialty Tours
For Your Reading List
Newsletters Worth Subscribing To
Frequently Asked Questions
A Final Note

A Tool I Built to Help You Plan

Before I get to the resources, check out the tool I built to help artsy travelers plan their trips. It’s called Your Artsy Traveler Companion and it combines the entire Artsy Traveler archive with the Art In Fiction database of 2,500+ novels.

Ask a question of Your Artsy Traveler Companion about where you’re headed in Europe and what kind of cultural experience interests you, and you’ll get a list of relevant Artsy Traveler posts and recommended novels set in that destination. For example you could enter I’m visiting Paris and I love Impressionist art, or I’m going to Amsterdam and want to visit the best museums.

Try it now!

Blogs Worth Bookmarking

Artsy Traveler

I focus on arts-inspired travel in Europe, with forays into North America, Thailand, and beyond. If you want museum itineraries, cultural travel guides, and plenty of Travel Smart posts gleaned from many decades of travel, start here.

Culture Tourist

Run by Tea Gudek Šnajdar, an Amsterdam-based art historian with over a decade of experience as a museum educator, Culture Tourist is one of the most authoritative arts travel blogs in Europe. I had the pleasure of hosting Tea on The Art In Fiction Podcast and have written a guest post on the Borghese Museum in Rome for her site, so I can vouch for both the quality of her work and her deep knowledge of European cultural tourism. Her blog is particularly strong on Dutch and Flemish art and heritage travel.

Sculpture of Apollo and Daphne in the Borghese Gallery in Rome

Artful Jaunts

Artful Jaunts is a solid resource for art-focused itineraries, especially if you are combining museum visits with gallery culture and contemporary art scenes.

The Historic Traveler

Run by Jackie Lapin, a travel writer whose focus on history-meets-destination storytelling overlaps neatly with the arts-focused approach you’ll find on Artsy Traveler, The Historic Traveler is worth bookmarking if you want to go deeper into the historical context behind the places you’re visiting.

Art Vis it Guide

Run by Adrià, a Barcelona-based writer who got tired of museum guides that were either Wikipedia summaries or sponsored listicles, Art Visit Guide takes a marvelously practical approach: room-by-room routes, real ticket prices, free admission windows, and honest advice on what to skip. It covers 19 cities and 255 guides, all free, and is particularly useful if you want to know not just what to see but in what order, and whether the queue is actually worth it.

Culture Trip

Culture Trip started as an editorial site covering arts, culture, food, and travel destinations worldwide, and has grown into a substantial resource for culturally curious travelers. It covers an enormous range of destinations and is particularly useful for getting a quick cultural overview of a place before you visit. They also now offer small-group tours led by local guides if you prefer a curated experience.

Museum Discovery Tools

Google Arts & Culture

Underused and impressive, Google Arts & Culture lets you take virtual tours, explore museum collections by artist or period, and use it as a pre-trip research tool to decide which rooms are worth your time. I use it to preview collections before I arrive so I’m not wandering aimlessly.

Atlas Obscura

Atlas Obscura is essential for finding the weird and wonderful. If you want to go beyond the major institutions to find smaller, stranger, more specific collections, this is where you go. It is highly searchable by location.

Museum Membership Programs

If you are a North American traveler doing a serious European museum circuit, look into the reciprocal benefits offered through memberships like the American Alliance of Museums network. Some major European museums offer reciprocal free or discounted entry.

Individual Museum Websites

Go directly to the museum’s own site for timed-entry booking, special exhibition tickets, and audio guide downloads. Third-party booking sites sometimes have limited availability or charge unnecessary fees.

Finding Major Exhibitions

Check what major exhibitions are on in the locations you’re traveling to and adjust your itinerary as needed. There’s nothing worse for an artsy traveler than to arrive at the Musee d’Orsay the day after a major exhibition featuring some of your favorite artists has closed.

Plan ahead!

Museum Websites Directly

Most major institutions publish their exhibition calendars 6 to 12 months in advance. If you are planning a trip around a specific show (and this is a great way to structure a trip), bookmark the exhibition pages of your target museums and check back regularly.

The Art Newspaper

The Art Newspaper is the best single source for tracking major international exhibitions, blockbuster shows, and museum news. Their annual exhibition preview issues are particularly useful for planning a year ahead.

Third-Party Ticketing Platforms

For sold-out or high-demand exhibitions, check whether the museum uses a third-party ticketing partner and book through them directly. The Rijksmuseum, the Louvre, and the Uffizi all manage timed entry differently; knowing their systems in advance saves a lot of frustration.

My rule of thumb: if a show is getting serious press coverage six months before it opens, assume you will need advance tickets. Book as far ahead as possible.

A cautionary tale: A few months ago, I learned that the major exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe would be featured at Buckingham Palace while I was in London. Spots were available when I checked. Unfortunately, I dithered for several weeks thinking I had plenty of time only to discover when I checked back that every day was sold out three months in advance of my trip.

I learned my lesson, so when I found one ticket left at the time I wanted to see a special exhibition of Whistler’s paintings at the Tate Britain, you can bet your bottom euro that I bought it immediately.

Concerts and Performances

This section exists because I spend a lot of my planning time figuring out how to hear live classical music in beautiful European venues without paying more than I need to with resellers or being disappointed by less-than-wonderful performances.

Classictic

Classictic is my first stop for classical concerts across Europe. They work directly with concert organizers in more than 50 cities worldwide, so you are getting legitimate tickets at real prices. Classictic is particularly good for Venice (where the Vivaldi concerts are wonderful and Classictic helps you find the reputable ones), Paris, Vienna, and London.

London Theatre and Official London Theatre

If you are planning any time in London and theatre is on the agenda, these are the sites to trust. Official London Theatre is the industry body’s own platform; London Theatre has comprehensive listings and reviews. Between the two you will find everything from West End blockbusters to smaller fringe productions worth seeking out.

Note that you can also just show up at a theatre on the day you want to see a performance and take your chances getting a ticket. For long-running shows, you may get lucky. I once scored excellent tickets to Mamma Mia the afternoon of the performance.

Venue Websites Directly

For opera houses and major concert halls, check the venue’s own site first. The Royal Opera House, Vienna Staatsoper, and Paris Opera all sell directly and often release returns and last-minute tickets through their own channels that never appear on aggregators.

I always check the websites of major orchestras well in advance of my trip and buy tickets directly when I can. The prices are often surprisingly affordable compared to what I pay at home for classical concerts.

Local Tourist Office Listings

Many European cities’ official tourism sites maintain current concert and performance listings that include free and low-cost events, church concerts, and festival programming that never makes it onto the major booking platforms.

Facebook Groups

Facebook groups are a great source of information and advice posted by people who are actually traveling. Look for groups of people that share your interests. My favorite groups are:

Rick Steves’ Europe Group

With 200,000+ members, you’ll find a ton of advice and recommendations based on real traveler experience. The comments are extensive, practical, and sometimes very entertaining.

Solo Female Traveler Network

This large, well-moderated group is particularly good for safety and destination tips

Museum Lovers – Photos, Tips, and Questions about the World’s Museums

This small group is for people to ask questions, share insights, and learn how to make the most of their next museum visit.

Small Group and Specialty Tours

I book most of my guided experiences through one of the following platforms, all of which I use regularly.

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is my go-to platform for small group tours and day trips across Europe. The search filters are good, the cancellation policies are flexible, and the reviews are reliable enough to distinguish excellent tours from the merely adequate ones. I look for small group tours that take me to destinations I can’t easily get to on my own. For example, on a recent trip to Bangkok, I found a wonderful small group tour to explore Ayutthaya.

GuruWalk

GuruWalk is my first stop for walking tours. It operates on a pay-what-you-want model with guides who are generally passionate about their subjects. I’ve had some of my best city introductions through GuruWalk, from neighborhood history walks to themed tours focused on street art or architecture. And remember, tip generously!

Chef’s Tours

Chef’s Tours focuses primarily on food tours in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. I enjoyed an amazing Back Streets Tour of Bangkok with Chef’s Tours and highly recommend them.

Winedering

If wine is part of how you experience a destination, Winedering is worth bookmarking. It’s a searchable platform for wine tastings, winery visits, and wine tours across Europe, with over 6,700 handpicked experiences and traveler reviews. Particularly strong in Italy (Tuscany, Veneto, Piedmont, Sicily) and France (Bordeaux, Alsace, Provence), with coverage also in Portugal and Spain. Good for finding experiences that go beyond a standard cellar tour and into vineyard picnics, food pairings, and small-producer visits you’d never find on your own.

Online Searching

I also frequently search for specialty tours directly because not every tour uses tour aggregators. For example, a recent search for “literary tours in London” brought up London Literary Tours which had the perfect afternoon tour of Oscar Wilde’s London haunts I was hoping to find.

For Your Reading List

Art In Fiction

Art In Fiction is a searchable database of 2,500+ novels organized by art form in one of 11 categories: Architecture, Dance, Decorative Arts, Film, Literature, Music, Photography, Textile Arts, Theater, Visual Arts and Other. Many of these novels also feature destinations such as Paris, Vienna, and Rome. If you want to read your way into a destination before you arrive, or find fiction set in the museums and cities on your itinerary, this is where to start.

Newsletters Worth Subscribing To

Published bi-monthly, the Artsy Traveler Newsletter focuses on arts-inspired travel planning, new posts, and resources I find useful. Subscribe at artsy-traveler.com.

Rick Steves has been helping travelers get the most out of Europe for decades, and his newsletter delivers the same practical, culturally engaged advice you’d expect from his guidebooks and TV show. Particularly useful for trip planning tips, destination deep-dives, and keeping up with what’s new across Europe.

Nomadic Matt is aimed at budget-conscious travelers, but don’t let that put you off if you’re past the hostel stage of your life. Matt Kepnes writes with genuine enthusiasm about stretching a travel budget without sacrificing quality experiences, and his destination guides and money-saving tips are useful regardless of how much you’re spending. His newsletter is particularly good for anyone who wants to travel more frequently without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best resources for planning an arts-focused trip?

The most useful starting points are Google Arts & Culture for previewing museum collections before you arrive, The Art Newspaper for tracking major exhibitions, Classictic for classical concerts across Europe, and GetYourGuide for small group tours and day trips. For blogs, Culture Tourist, The Historic Traveler, and Artsy Traveler are all strong on European arts travel.

How do I find out about major exhibitions in advance?

Most major museums publish their exhibition calendars 6 to 12 months ahead. The Art Newspaper is the best single source for tracking international blockbuster shows. If a major exhibition is getting significant press coverage six months before it opens, assume you will need to book tickets well in advance.

How do I find reputable classical concerts in Europe?

Classictic works directly with concert organizers in more than 50 cities and is the most reliable starting point. For opera houses and major concert halls, always check the venue’s own website first for returns and last-minute availability.

What is the best way to find walking tours?

GuruWalk operates on a pay-what-you-want model and is a good first stop for city walking tours. For specialty tours not listed on aggregators, a direct web search often turns up excellent independent operators.

How can I find novels set in the destinations I’m visiting?

Art In Fiction is a searchable database of 2,500+ novels organized by destination and art form, making it easy to find fiction set in the museums and cities on your itinerary.

A Final Note

The resources above reflect what I use myself. If you have a resource you would swear by for arts-focused travel planning, drop it in the comments. I am always looking to add to the list.

About Carol Cram

Carol M. Cram is the author of five award-winning historical novels inspired by art and the women who shaped it, the creator of Artsy Traveler, an arts-focused travel blog, the founder of Art In Fiction, a curated database of 2,500+ novels inspired by the arts, and the host of The Art In Fiction Podcast. She also authored 60+ textbooks on computer applications and taught at Capilano University for over two decades. She lives with her husband, artist Gregg Simpson, on beautiful Bowen Island near Vancouver, BC.

How to Manage Money in Europe: A Practical Guide

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Last updated on April 30th, 2026 at 06:42 pm

One of the questions I get asked most often is “How much does it cost to travel in Europe?”

Honestly? It’s a lot.

But that answer isn’t very helpful, tempting as it is to give.

Prices in Europe have risen dramatically in the last several years. Gone are the days of Europe on $5 a day (and yes, I remember those days). Also gone are cheap hotels, cheap tickets to museums and attractions, and cheap rail tickets.

Europe is expensive. Accepting that fact before you travel helps you travel more comfortably.

Instead of stressing about every euro, set a reasonable budget that takes into account high prices, add in some wiggle room, and then go and enjoy Europe.

But this post isn’t about budgeting, it’s about how to handle your money while traveling in Europe.

I want to acknowledge up front that European travel is no longer a budget activity, particularly if you, like me, opt to stay in comfortable places, visit world-class museums, go to concerts, take the occasional small- group tour and private transfers, and enjoy the occasional dining splurge.

Cards vs Cash in Europe
Choosing a Credit Card
ATM Strategy
Tipping
Budgeting and Currency Apps
FAQs About Money in Europe
The Bottom Line About Money in Europe
Keep Traveling Smart with Artsy Traveler

Cards vs Cash in Europe

How much cash do you need in Europe? The answer is: not as much as you once did. Credit cards and tap systems are everywhere in Europe.

In many countries, you can use your card for just about everything, from buying a coffee in a sidewalk café to settling your hotel bill.

When I traveled in Denmark and Iceland, I barely saw any cash. In fact, in Iceland I never once used cash during the entire ten-day trip. I can’t even tell you what Icelandic króna look like.

When traveling outside Scandinavia, you’re wise to always have a few hundred euros available to pay for taxis, food in markets, and souvenirs from small shops.

I suggest withdrawing €300 from an ATM (see below) every two weeks or so and then using your credit card for most purchases.

Tip: Notify your bank and credit card companies before you leave, particularly if you don’t travel often. This advice is less relevant than it used to be when banks sometimes flagged foreign transactions as fraud and froze your card, but better safe than sorry. The last time I notified my bank, they told me I didn’t have to do that anymore but check with your own bank to be sure.

What Cards to Take

Take at least two credit cards (more on that below) and your bank’s debit card. Use credit cards to pay for most things and your debit card to get cash from ATMs.

You want to avoid using a credit card to get cash because most charge interest from the moment you receive the cash.

Choosing a Credit Card

Take Visa and/or Mastercard as your primary credit cards. In Europe, American Express is not universally accepted.

Take At Least Two Cards

Always travel with at least two credit cards but don’t carry both in the same place. Put one in your secure wallet (I pin a small pouch to the inside of my purse) and the other in a place securely fixed to your luggage.

If one card gets lost, stolen, or flagged, you’ll always have backup.

Foreign Transaction Fees

Choose a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees. Some standard credit cards charge 2-3% on every foreign purchase, which adds up fast on a long trip. Find cards that waive this fee entirely.

PIN Requirements

Some European payment terminals such as those at gas stations, parking lots, and train ticket machines require a PIN.

Before you leave home (don’t wait until you get to Europe), make sure you’ve set up a PIN if you don’t currently use one. Keep it under six digits and use numbers that mean something to you but will not be easy to guess.

Avoid using variations of your birthday or the birthday of anyone in your immediate family, your address, social insurance/security number, or any other personal information.

Travel Reward Cards

I do like getting travel rewards (who doesn’t?) and so I choose a card that offers good points return.

When you’re shelling out about €400 a day for accommodation, food, and tickets (and that’s not an unreasonable budget for two people in Europe), you’ll rack up the travel points quickly.

Have Sufficient Funds

You don’t want to be paying for your hotel only to discover that you’ve reached your credit limit. That’s both embarrassing and potentially serious. Before you leave, secure the highest credit limit you can.

Emergencies happen. Your flight may be canceled unexpectedly, you may get into a car accident, or encounter a medical emergency that could keep you in Europe far longer than you expect.

Insurance doesn’t pay out immediately so you need to be prepared to cover unexpected costs. Contact your bank to raise your limit as high as possible.

You don’t have to use it; you just need to have it.

ATM Strategy

How much should you withdraw at an ATM? The answer is: as much as you comfortably want to carry. For me, this is around €300.

A withdrawal of €300 lasts me about two weeks in Europe because I only use it in markets, for small tips, for some souvenirs, and to buy coffees and gelatos.

You’re better off withdrawing larger amounts less frequently because each withdrawal incurs the same flat fee service charge.

So, if you withdraw €100 ten times and the fee is €5 per transaction, you’ll pay €50. If you withdraw €300 three times, you’ll pay €15.

That’s a significant savings.

Use Bank ATMs

Avoid using standalone ATMs located in convenience stores, airports, and tourist spots. You’ll pay much higher fees and may be the victim of card skimming.

Look for ATMs that are attached to real banks.

Security

I avoid using ATMs outside bank buildings when I’m traveling solo and instead look for ATMs within the foyer of a bank. When I travel with Gregg, he “stands guard” while I withdraw the money.

Keep your wits about you. If someone is hovering too close, move on.

I always feel a bit nervous after withdrawing cash but thankfully have never experienced any problems.

Choose Local Currency

Always (and I mean always) choose to be charged in the local currency when withdrawing money from an ATM. The machine’s conversion rate will invariably be worse than your bank’s rate.

Paying with Credit Cards: Avoiding the DCC Trap

There’s this thing called the DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) trap; what it means is that you’ll be asked when you pay for something if you want to be charged in your own currency or the local currency.

The question sounds like it’s doing you a favor by letting you pay in your own currency. It’s not a favor; it’s a money grab.

Just as you do at ATMs, always choose to be charged in the local currency. You’ll get a much better exchange rate.

When you choose your home currency, the merchant or their payment processor handles the conversion at a rate that benefits them, not you. The markup is typically 3-7% above the actual exchange rate, and sometimes even more.

Tipping

In most of continental Europe, tipping is appreciated but not expected. To show appreciation, round up to the nearest euro or leave a few euros in cash even if you pay by credit card.

In the UK, leaving ten percent is customary if service is not already included in the bill, which it sometimes is.

Always check your bill before tipping because many European restaurants add a service charge automatically.

For taxis, round up to the nearest euro. For hotel housekeeping, a euro or two per day left on the pillow is appreciated but not standard practice everywhere.

For a full breakdown of tipping customs by country and more advice on eating well without overspending in Europe, read my guide: How to Eat Well in Europe: Dining Tips and Smart Splurges.

Budgeting and Currency Apps

Following is a description of some of the most useful apps for handling your money while traveling in Europe.

Wise

Formerly known as TransferWise, the Wise app is one of the most useful for European travelers. I used it to pay for a writers’ retreat in Tuscany last year, and it worked well.

Wise provides the real mid-market exchange rate with a small transparent fee that is almost always better than the bank’s rate.

Use Wise to send money to individuals who don’t take credit cards — for example, to pay for a homestay or retreat.

You can also get a Wise card that lets you spend directly in local currencies at excellent rates. Set up your account before you leave home.

Check the Wise website for details.

Revolut

Similar to Wise, Revolut is popular with European travelers. It offers a multi-currency account, real exchange rates, and a card you can use across Europe. The free tier has monthly limits on fee-free currency exchange.

Compare what they offer to Wise to see which best suits your needs.

Google Maps and Currency

Google now shows live exchange rates directly in search results. Type “USD to EUR” or “CAD to EUR” and you’ll get the current mid-market rate.

XE Currency

I usually use XE Currency to check exchange rates. It’s simple, accurate, and works offline once loaded.

Your Bank’s App

Download your bank’s app before you leave home. That way, you can monitor transactions in real time and check for unauthorized charges. You can also adjust settings such as travel notifications and daily limits without needing to make a phone call and wait on hold for five hours.

Expense Tracking Apps

I use Trail Wallet to help me keep track of my travel expenses.

You may be less inclined to buy yet another gelato when tracking it means you’ve gone over the daily limit you’ve set for yourself.

I find spending apps are most useful for helping me stay within a budget. The trick is to set a realistic budget so you’re not constantly depressed.

FAQs About Money in Europe

Do I need cash in Europe?

Less than you used to, but yes. In Scandinavia and Iceland you can travel almost entirely cashless, but outside northern Europe it’s wise to carry €200 to €300 for markets, small restaurants, taxis, and anywhere that doesn’t take cards. Withdraw from bank ATMs in larger amounts less frequently to minimize transaction fees.

Which credit card is best for travel in Europe?

Choose a Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees. American Express is not universally accepted in Europe, particularly at smaller restaurants, markets, and rural accommodation. Always travel with at least two cards from different networks and keep them in separate places.

What is the DCC trap and how do I avoid it?

Dynamic Currency Conversion is when a payment terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency rather than local currency. It sounds helpful but the conversion rate benefits the merchant, not you, typically by 3-7% above the real rate. Always choose to pay in local currency, every time, without exception.

Should I use ATMs or exchange bureaus in Europe?

Use ATMs. Currency exchange bureaus charge high fees and offer poor rates. Use ATMs attached to real banks rather than standalone machines in tourist areas, airports, or convenience stores, which charge higher fees and carry a higher risk of card skimming.

How do I avoid ATM fees in Europe?

Withdraw larger amounts less frequently since most banks charge a flat fee per transaction regardless of the amount. Check whether your home bank has international partner banks in Europe that offer reduced or waived ATM fees. Some accounts, like those offered by Wise or Revolut, have fee-free ATM withdrawal allowances.

Is tipping expected in Europe?

Tipping customs vary by country. In most of continental Europe, rounding up or leaving a few coins is standard. In the UK, ten percent is customary if service is not already included. Always check your bill since many restaurants add a service charge automatically. For a full breakdown, read my dining guide: How to Eat Well in Europe.

What apps are useful for managing money in Europe?

Wise and Revolut are the most useful for real exchange rates and low fees. XE Currency is reliable for checking rates on the go. Your bank’s app is worth downloading before you leave for real-time transaction monitoring. Trail Wallet is useful for tracking daily spending against a budget.

How much money should I budget for Europe?

A realistic budget for two people traveling mid-range is €200 to €300 per day covering accommodation, food, sightseeing, and local transportation, not including flights. For a full cost breakdown, see Step 1 of my European trip planning guide.

The Bottom Line About Money in Europe

Take two credit cards and a debit card, withdraw cash infrequently, always pay in the local currency, and enjoy yourself.

And finally, adjust your expectations and set a realistic budget. If you’re thinking fondly of your backpacking days when youth hostels cost about $2 a night (ah, those were the days), give your head a shake.

While you can travel more cheaply than I do, cheap is a relative term. You can’t realistically travel in western Europe for under about €200 a day for accommodation (and it would be very spare), food, transportation, and entrance fees. As of this writing, the Louvre alone charges €32 for non-European visitors.

For a full breakdown of what European travel costs, including accommodation, food, sightseeing, and transportation, see Step 1 of my European trip planning guide: How to Plan a European Trip: 9 Easy Steps for a Perfect Itinerary.

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About Carol Cram

Airalo ESIM Review: The Best Way To Stay Connected Abroad

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Last updated on April 30th, 2026 at 08:48 pm

On a trip to Europe a few years back, I sprinted into a cell phone store in Germany at five minutes to six, desperate to buy a local SIM card before it closed.

Fortunately for me, the English-speaking attendant very kindly kept the store open long enough to sell me a SIM card and even put it into my phone.

But it was close. Too close. If I hadn’t made it to the store, I was facing an evening out with no access to Google Maps while navigating a new city, no way to check restaurant reviews, and no way to WhatsApp a tour operator with a question I had about the next day’s excursion.

Over the years, I’ve spent an embarrassing number of vacation hours hunched over my phone armed with a tiny metal pick, prying open the SIM slot, fumbling with a wafer-thin card, and then watching my data evaporate faster than I expected.

I’ve run out of data in inconvenient places more times than I care to admit.

Fortunately, a better way has come along. About three years ago I switched to buying eSIMs from Airalo. In this Airalo eSIM review, I’ll share everything I’ve learned, including the mistakes I made early on.

What Is an eSIM?
The Single Most Important Thing to Know: Set It Up Before You Leave
What About My Home Number?
How Much Data Should I Buy?
My Experience: The Honest Version
eSIM Pros and Cons
How to Get Started
Keep Traveling Smart with Artsy Traveler

What Is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that is built into your phone. Instead of buying a physical card and having to swap it for the card that’s already in your phone (a picky process), you download a data plan directly to your device.

No more fussing with tiny picks that you invariably lose. No more dropping wafer-thin cards on the carpet to get stepped on. No more wandering around a new city looking for a cell phone store.

Airalo is one of the leading eSIM providers for travelers, with coverage in over 200 countries and regions. Buy your plan through the Airalo app or website, install it in a few minutes, and you’re connected.

Before you buy, check that your phone supports eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XS onwards are compatible, as are most recent Android flagship models.

If you’re not sure, Airalo has a compatibility checker on their website. It takes about 30 seconds and saves you from a nasty surprise.

I’m writing this review of Airalo because I’ve used their eSIM cards over multiple trips to Europe and the United States, and on a recent trip to Thailand. My recommendation is based on my own experience and the opinions expressed are my own.

The Single Most Important Thing to Know: Set It Up Before You Leave

This is the tip I wish someone had given me when I first started using eSIMS.

Don’t wait until you land to install your Airalo eSIM. The moment your plane touches down and you take your phone off Airplane Mode, your phone starts searching for a signal. It will connect through your home carrier which will immediately charge roaming fees.

Depending on your plan, these can be substantial. Even just a few minutes can cost you.

Instead, do this at home on your own Wi-Fi, before you leave:

Download the Airalo app.
Purchase the eSIM plan for your destination.
Install and activate the eSIM: Airalo walks you through it step by step.
Before you leave home, set Airalo as your default data line and turn off data roaming on your home SIM.

That’s it. When you land, your phone connects through Airalo automatically. You can check your email and make a reservation for your first dinner in your new destination before you even leave the plane.

What About My Home Number?

Good question, and one that confused me at first.

When you travel with an Airalo eSIM, your phone runs two lines at the same time: your Airalo data line and your home number.

Here’s what each one does:

Airalo gives you data to use to browse the internet, search Google Maps, make WhatsApp calls, check restaurant reviews, buy tickets through tours apps, and so on.

If it’s a task you do on the Internet when you’re out and about and not on Wi-Fi, it’s a task that’s run through the Airalo eSIM.

Your home number stays quietly active in the background. It can still receive texts, including those security codes your bank or email sends when you log in, without triggering roaming charges, provided you’re not using your phone to make calls.

NOTE: Check with your home provider to verify that you can receive texts while abroad without incurring any costs. Some home carriers may charge a small fee to receive texts abroad.

So how do you make and receive phone calls when you’re traveling?

Use WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Both of these run over Airalo data. Before you leave home, download WhatsApp to your phone. It’s used just about everywhere in Europe. It’s also very popular in Thailand.

You’ll often be asked to communicate via WhatsApp with apartment owners, hotels, drivers, tour operators, and new friends.

When I’m traveling, I use Facebook Messenger to chat with people back home who don’t have WhatsApp, and I use WhatsApp to call people in Europe or Asia. While traveling abroad, I’ve yet to meet anyone who didn’t use WhatsApp.

How Much Data Should I Buy?

I consistently underestimated how much data I needed when I first started using Airalo eSIMs.

As a result, I became very familiar with the Airalo top-up process which is, to be fair, extremely easy. You’ll get a notice that your data is getting low and given the option to buy more data. It’s pretty painless.

But top-ups can add up so it’s more economical to buy one package that offers all the data you think you’ll use.

If you travel the way I do, using Google Maps throughout the day to get around a city, checking restaurant reviews, making occasional short WhatsApp calls, checking email and social media, and avoiding video streaming, you can probably get by with 5 GB for a week.

If you’re driving a lot with Google Maps always on, or you’re spending time in areas with unreliable Wi-Fi, buy a larger package. I found I really burned through the data on long driving days.

One tip that makes a real difference: download your Google Maps area for offline use before you leave the range of your hotel Wi-Fi. You’ll still get full navigation; you just won’t be able to view live traffic updates.

One more thing worth knowing: Airalo offers both country-specific plans as well as regional plans. If you’re visiting just one country, a local plan is usually the better value.

But if you’re traveling through several countries on the same trip, a regional plan means you won’t need to buy and install a new eSIM every time you cross a border. For a multi-country itinerary, it’s almost always the smarter choice.

My Experience: The Honest Version

Three years into using Airalo, and after writing this Airalo review, my overall experience has been solidly positive.

That said, I’ve had a few moments where the eSIM didn’t connect properly on a particular phone, and I needed to contact customer support.

Fortunately, the support was actually helpful. I got a fast response, clear instructions, and my issue was resolved. That level of customer service is important. There’s nothing worse than being in a foreign city with a data problem and a chatbot that sends you in circles.

During my recent three-week trip in Thailand. I didn’t experience a single issue. The eSIM connected seamlessly, I topped up twice without any drama, and I spent exactly zero minutes worrying about data. That’s the goal.

I’m traveling to Europe twice in the coming months and will be using Airalo for both. It’s simply part of how I travel.

eSIM Pros and Cons

Pros:

Instant setup from your phone, no physical card required
Coverage in 200+ countries and regions
Easy top-ups directly in the app
Useful customer support when you need it
Significantly cheaper than paying your home carrier’s roaming rates

Cons:

Data only; you’ll need to use WhatsApp or a similar app for calls
Occasional connectivity hiccups depending on the phone (less common now than when I started using eSIMs)
Unless you set up your eSIM before you leave home, you may incur unforeseen charges when you set it up in your destination country.

How to Get Started

If you’re ready to leave the SIM card chaos behind, here’s what to do on Wi-Fi before you leave home:

Download the Airalo app or visit the Airalo website.
Search for your destination.
Choose a plan that fits your trip length and data needs; get more than you think you’ll need.
Follow the installation steps.

One small perk worth mentioning: Airalo has a rewards program called AirMoney. Every purchase earns credit that you can apply to future eSIM purchases. If you travel regularly, it adds up in a satisfying way.

Have you used eSIMs to stay connected while traveling? Share your experience in the comments below.

Keep Traveling Smart with Artsy Traveler

Here are more posts about how to travel smart in Europe and beyond:

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Airalo ESIM Review: The Best Way To Stay Connected Abroad

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How to Choose What’s Worth Seeing: An Artsy Traveler’s Approach

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Best Travel Gear for Europe: What I Pack and Why

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About Carol Cram

How to Choose What’s Worth Seeing: An Artsy Traveler’s Approach

Arts & Culture, Cultural Experiences, Travel Smart Leave a Comment

Last updated on April 28th, 2026 at 04:56 am

Many travelers wonder how to decide what’s truly worth seeing when time is limited.

I’ve been traveling around Europe for decades and I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to stop chasing the major sites just because they are bucket-list-worthy.

I’ve discovered that standing in long lines in the heat with thousands of cranky tourists and shuffling through a place that has long since lost its charm isn’t for me.

I get much more enjoyment from touring the Keats-Shelley Museum in Rome, for example, and chatting with the attendant about literature than I do waiting for hours to be herded through the Colosseum where even getting a place at the railing to snap a photo is a struggle.

I think we all, to some extent, suffer from FOMO, otherwise known as Fear Of Missing Out.

When you let that go and instead use your precious sightseeing time to seek out authentic arts and cultural experiences, you’ll enjoy rather than endure what you’ve come so far to see.

In this post, I share the approach I’ve developed over decades of cultural travel, including a simple worth-it filter that helps me decide what belongs on my itinerary and what doesn’t.

What I Mean by “Artsy Travel”
Start With Your Interests, Not the Destination
How To Decide What’s Truly Worth Your Time
Why Skipping Major Sites Is Not a Failure
Developing A “Worth-It” Filter
The Role of “Perfect Days” and Slower Itineraries
How This Approach Changes the Way You Travel
FAQs: Artsy Travel in Europe
An Invitation

What I Mean by “Artsy Travel”

Artsy travel is not about checking off sights, but rather about making connections, understanding context, and following your curiosity wherever it leads.

Artsy travel also involves seeking cultural experiences that bring you closer to the people and places you’re visiting: walking tours of historic neighborhoods, food tours, art openings, concerts, theater performances, and local museums.

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is going to art openings. I meet local artists, chat with fellow art lovers, and get a feel for a destination that no amount of queuing at major sights could replicate.

Ask the question: How can I get closer to the people and culture of my destination?

Start With Your Interests, Not the Destination

Being an artsy traveler is an extension of my lifelong love of the arts and culture.

If you also share this love, start with what interests you and then study the destination in terms of how it meets those interests.

When I plan a trip, I don’t start with the city’s “top sights”. I start by asking myself what kinds of cultural experiences I’m most drawn to, and then I build from there.

Museums

What kinds of museums are at your destination? Search online for local museums and choose two or three that appeal to you.

For example, in Paris, maybe skip the Louvre and check out a smaller art museum devoted to a favorite artist, such as the Rodin Museum. If you love history, choose to tour the stunning medieval collection at the Cluny Museum.

Architecture

What about architecture? Prioritize interesting temples, churches, palaces, and other architectural monuments that you find interesting but that are not necessarily three-star sights.

Seek out the places that may be fascinating, but don’t draw the crowds. For example, in Athens, skip the Acropolis and spend time wandering around the magnificent Temple of Haephestes in the Agora.

Music

If you love music, then build your itinerary around concerts and performances. Check what’s playing in your destination and get tickets in advance.

For example, if you’re traveling to Vienna, you won’t want to miss an evening concert and a visit to one or more of the composer houses. Standing in the room where Beethoven composed the 7^th Symphony is artsy traveling at its best.

Carol Cram in front of one of Beethoven's houses in Vienna

Dance

What kind of dance is popular in your destination? If you’re visiting Seville, Spain, for example, you may want to allocate time to take in a flamenco performance (highly recommended).

Literature

If you’re a literature lover, find museums, locations, and tours associated with your favorite authors. For example, in London, join an Oscar Wilde walking tour, and in the Lake District, visit Dove Cottage where Wordsworth lived.

Theater

I love theater and so when I’m traveling around England, I almost always pop into Stratford-upon-Avon to catch a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company. And, of course, I never miss taking in a few West End musicals when in London.

If you love theater too, find out what’s on and purchase your tickets in advance.

An evening spent at a theatrical performance brings you closer to locals and gives you insights into a destination that you can’t get by following the tourists hordes.

Cities and sights don’t matter as much as what you’re personally drawn to. You really don’t need to visit the big sights just because everyone says you should.

That’s not to say you should never visit a major attraction, but do so judiciously to avoid crowds and enjoy the experience.

For example, if you love architecture and you’re visiting Barcelona, you don’t want to miss touring the Sagrada Familia. To ensure a stress-free visit, purchase your timed-entry ticket well in advance of your visit.

An artsy traveler is a savvy traveler.

Interior of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona — Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

How To Decide What’s Truly Worth Your Time

When I’m deciding how to spend my time in a new city, I apply these criteria to deciding what to see and what to skip.

Does This Sight/Experience/Performance Add Something New?

I prioritize sights that give me new experiences. For example, on a recent visit to Rome, I joined a small-group photography tour that took me to seven churches I’d never visited and taught me new photography skills.

Is There Context or Story?

Seek out museums or sites that help deepen your understanding of a subject, whether it’s of an artist, a period in history, or a cultural icon.

Instead of waiting in line to take the elevator up the Eiffel Tower, go to the Musée Quai Branly and explore one of the world’s richest collections of Indigenous art and artifacts. You’ll have the place to yourself and you’ll learn a lot.

Will I Remember This a Year From Now?

Consider how the place will resonate emotionally. When you think back on your experience, will you be glad you took the time to go deeper and connect with the experience, or will you just remember sore feet and sharp elbows?

Does It Fit My Energy?

Take into account your energy levels when deciding what to see in a day. Schedule active sightseeing for the morning and take time in the afternoons to relax in a café and watch the world go by.

Why Skipping Major Sites Is Not a Failure

I get it. You go to Paris and you feel that if you don’t shuffle through the Louvre, you’ve not really seen Paris. And don’t get me wrong—the Louvre is incredible, but it’s also hot, crowded, and enormous.

If you don’t have a lot of time in Paris, go to the Orangerie and commune with Monet’s water lilies, or seek out an off-the-beaten-path gem like the Musée Zadkine with its quirky sculptures.

Make joy your priority.

Instead of worrying about what you’re skipping, think about what you’re choosing. Every site you choose to visit will be one that resonates with you and your interests.

The only perfect itinerary is the itinerary that feels right for you.

Developing A “Worth-It” Filter

Over time, I’ve developed what I think of as my “worth-it filter”, which is a simple way to decide what belongs on my itinerary and what doesn’t.

The worth-it filter consists of four questions:

Does this sight or experience interest me?
Is this something I can only (or best) experience here? For example, I may pass on a generic sightseeing tour and instead choose a neighborhood walk or food tour that helps me understand how people actually live.
Does it fit the pace I want for this trip?
Is there a cultural experience here I can only have in this destination?

The Role of “Perfect Days” and Slower Itineraries

I like to craft perfect, thoughtfully shaped days in the destinations I visit. Instead of rushing around seeing six sights in eight hours, I structure a day that builds in free time and opportunities for serendipity.

Think about what a perfect day might look like for you.

What’s Your Perfect Day?

For example, on your perfect day, you may get up early and have a stroll through the historical center of a city before the crowds emerge and then enjoy a leisurely breakfast in a small café.

You might then visit one museum that really speaks to your interests. For me, such a museum would be the Etruscan Museum in Rome because I’m fascinated by the Etruscans, or the Courtauld Gallery in London with its incredible collection of Impressionist and medieval art.

Following a museum visit, take an hour or two to enjoy lunch at a restaurant filled with locals, with no plasticated menus in four languages to be seen.

In the afternoon, wander around a neighborhood to window-shop and people-watch and then relax in a garden. What’s the hurry?

In the evening, take in a concert followed by a splurge dinner featuring local cuisine. End the day with a stroll back to your hotel.

If you’d like a ready-made perfect day itinerary for Paris or Copenhagen, my Perfect Day guides are available to download.

How This Approach Changes the Way You Travel

An artsy traveler is a calm and happy traveler. By seeking out sites and experiences that resonate with your interests, you are engaged and involved.

For example, touring the DDR Museum in Berlin to learn about life in East Germany gave me an appreciation for the Cold War, an era I lived through and yet knew very little about in terms of its effect on people living in Soviet Bloc countries.

The goal is to come home with stories rather than just photos. Months later when you reflect on your trip, you want to feel good about what you saw and experienced.

FAQs: Artsy Travel in Europe

What is artsy travel?

Artsy travel is an approach to travel that prioritizes cultural experiences over ticking off famous sights. It means building your itinerary around your interests, whether that’s art, music, theater, architecture, literature, or food, and choosing depth over breadth. The goal is to come home feeling connected to the places you visited rather than simply having photographed them.

How do I decide what’s worth seeing in a new city?

Start with your interests rather than the city’s top ten list. Ask yourself what kinds of experiences you’re most drawn to, and then research what the destination offers in those areas. Apply the worth-it filter: does it interest you, is it something you can only experience here, does it fit the pace you want for this trip, and is there a cultural experience here I can only have in this destination? Those four questions will serve you better than any guidebook ranking.

Is it okay to skip famous sights like the Colosseum or the Louvre?

Yes. Skipping a famous sight is not a failure. It’s a choice. If the Colosseum doesn’t interest you as much as the Keats-Shelley Museum, your time is better spent at the Keats-Shelley Museum. Travel is not a test with required answers. The only itinerary worth following is the one built around what gives you joy.

How do I find lesser-known museums and cultural experiences?

Search online for museums devoted to specific artists, periods, or subjects that interest you. Read destination guides that focus on arts and culture rather than general tourism. Ask locals and hotel staff for recommendations. Wander gallery districts in the early evening and drop into art openings. Some of the best cultural experiences in Europe are found by paying attention rather than following a list.

How many sights should I visit in a day?

Fewer than you think. One or two meaningful experiences in a morning, lunch at a local restaurant, an afternoon of wandering or rest, and an evening concert or performance makes for a satisfying day. Trying to see six sights in eight hours leaves you exhausted and with shallow memories of each. Slow down and you’ll remember more.

What’s the best way to find concerts and performances in Europe?

Go directly to the websites of the venues you’re interested in: concert halls, opera houses, theaters, and cultural centers. Search for terms like “concerts in Vienna in October” or “theater in London in June.” GetYourGuide is also a good resource for finding smaller performances, specialty tours, and cultural experiences that don’t always appear on major booking platforms. Book as early as possible since popular performances sell out months in advance.

How do I find art openings in European cities?

Search online for terms like “vernissage Paris” or “art opening Rome” combined with your travel dates. Stroll gallery districts in the early evening, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, when openings are most common. In Paris, the Left Bank and Marais districts have high concentrations of galleries. If you pass a gallery with people spilling out onto the pavement with wine glasses, walk in. You’ll be welcomed.

An Invitation

If this approach to travel resonates with you, here are some posts that put it into practice.

Perfect Day Itineraries for Culture Rich Cities

These posts present itineraries for thoughtfully shaped days designed around art, culture, and unhurried exploration:

Museum Guides that Focus on Depth Rather Than Volume

Here are some of my guides for travelers who want to experience museums without burnout.

Guides to Planning Meaningful Cultural Travel

These posts help you plan trips around curiosity, context, and connection, rather than crowded must-see lists.

About Carol Cram

Best Travel Gear for Europe: What I Pack and Why

Travel Smart Leave a Comment

Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 04:39 am

After years of European travel, I’ve made every packing mistake worth making.

I’ve hauled backpacks that wrecked my shoulders, packed light and regretted it, bought cheap luggage that fell apart in Amsterdam, and once wore the same mauve Fortrel pantsuit for thirty days across Europe.

To be fair I was fourteen and have since learned better.

What follows is my practical guide to the travel gear I rely on: the suitcase I swear by, the packing tools that keep me organized, the tech that earns its weight, and the security essentials that give me peace of mind on the road.

This is not a list of gear I’ve been sent to review. This is the gear that makes it into my bag.

Choosing Your Travel Bag
Packing and Going
Tech, Security, and Comfort Essentials
Travel Gear FAQs
Keep Traveling Smart with Artsy Traveler

Choosing Your Travel Bag

Your suitcase is the foundation of your entire packing system, and getting it right makes every other decision easier. After years of trial and error, including the Amsterdam incident I’ll get to in a moment, I’ve landed on a recommendation I stand behind completely: a 28-inch midsize hard-shell expandable suitcase with spinner wheels.

It should open flat with internal straps or a divider to keep all our stuff from spilling out, and include at least one large zippered compartment for dirty laundry.

Why Midsize

A midsize suitcase is the sweet spot for European travel.

It’s small enough to hoist onto train luggage racks, squeeze into compact European hotel lifts, and load into car boots without a wrestling match.

At the same time, it’s large enough to fit packing cubes, compression cubes, a pair of sandals, and a pair of nicer shoes for concerts and dinners out. I wear my walking shoes on the plane.

In winter, I wear my boots on the plane, ditch the sandals, and pack my walking shoes.

Another good thing about a midsize is that you probably won’t be able to cram so much stuff into it that it becomes too heavy to lift. Do you really fancy wrenching your shoulder every time you need to stash your bag in the trunk of the car or pull it onto a train?

Me neither.

To Check or Not to Check

I’m firmly TeamCheck, and I’ll tell you why.

Checking your bag means breezing through airport security carrying only your purse and a laptop bag. It means boarding the plane without elbowing anyone for overhead bin space. It means arriving at your seat, pulling out your laptop, and choosing your movies while everyone else is still playing Tetris with their carry-ons. And it means deplaning without wrenching your shoulder lifting a heavy bag down from the overhead bin or inadvertently bonking the person across the aisle on the head.

Yes, you’ll wait a few minutes at baggage claim. In my world, that trade-off is more than worth it.

Yes, airlines are charging for checked baggage and that extra cost is a consideration. But in my opinion, the extra you pay is worth it for the ease and convenience of traveling with a bag that fits your stuff.

The exception is a short trip of two or three days with tight connections. I’ve had bags go missing in transit and it’s no fun.

Buy Quality, Buy Once

Do not buy cheap luggage. I cannot stress this enough, and I have the Amsterdam story to prove it.

The handle of my budget midsize suitcase broke on the morning we were leaving Amsterdam to fly home to Canada. I found myself at Schiphol Airport hunting for a luggage store, paying a premium for a replacement suitcase I actively loathed (but had no choice), packing everything on the floor of the store while the very patient saleswoman looked on, and then hauling my broken suitcase to a bin for disposal.

A good quality suitcase is also the more environmentally responsible choice. Buying and discarding cheap luggage every few years is neither economical nor sustainable.

Matching the Bag to the Trip

Here’s how I think about bag size depending on the type of trip.

Carry-on works if you have two outfits you’re happy to alternate, a tolerance for doing laundry every few days, and a firm aversion to waiting at baggage claim.

Midsize works for most independent travelers taking trips of one to six weeks, which covers the majority of European itineraries.

Large works for cruises, where you unpack on day one and don’t pack again until the final day, or you’re my husband.

Gregg always travels with a large suitcase and has catapulted the art of traveling heavy to new heights. Most of his bag is occupied by a portable fan, power tools for dismantling exhibition crates, assorted pieces of wood for frames, and art materials. His clothes occupy a few corners.

But Gregg is a special case and we won’t dwell on him.

Track Your Luggage

One addition I now consider essential: an Apple AirTag or similar tracker tucked into your suitcase. If your bag goes missing in transit, a tracker gives you its precise location and considerably more leverage when dealing with airline baggage services.

For Android users, a Tile tracker does the same job. It’s a small investment for significant peace of mind.

Packing and Going

Okay, I’ll admit it. I love packing! Few things are more satisfying than laying all my stuff out on the bed and then systematically rolling and packing each item so everything fits perfectly with space left over for the fruits of foreign shopping.

Let’s address the packing light orthodoxy head on. Every travel blog tells you to pack light, do laundry in your hotel sink, and wear the same three outfits in rotation. That works if you’re twenty-two and backpacking.

It’s considerably less appealing when you’re heading to a concert at the Vienna Philharmonic or a nice dinner in Paris.

You know, not everything has to match! I know, heresy! But seriously?

My rule: pack enough variety that you won’t get bored, and enough socks and underwear to last a minimum of 14 days. Presumably you don’t do your laundry every three days at home, so why do it on the road?

A midsize suitcase gives you the room to do this comfortably without tipping into overpack territory.

What I Pack, Seasonally Adjusted

These days I take long trips of at least two months, which means getting everything into my midsize suitcase while still feeling like I have enough variety not to feel like I’m wearing a uniform.

Spring and Summer Travel

Three pairs of pants or capris in black or beige; avoid white
Two or three skirts or light dresses
One nice dress or skirt and top combination for evenings out
Six tops of varying weights that go with the pants and skirts
Two sweaters, one of which can be a fleece
A good jacket and a rain jacket
Hat and scarf for cooler evenings
Small stash of costume jewelry (I add to it as I travel)
Bathing suit
Enough underwear, and socks for at least 14 days

Fall Travel

Same as above, fewer dresses and more layers. On every trip, I’ve ended up buying a woolly hat and gloves for autumn days that can get downright chilly, so these days I take them from the get-go.

Cold Weather Travel

When I traveled to Iceland in February, I added winter boots, extra hats and scarves, gloves, thick socks, and long underwear. I made room by leaving behind most of my nicer clothes since staying warm was a considerably higher priority than looking good.

Warm Weather Travel

On a recent trip to Thailand, I ditched the sweaters entirely, added an extra bathing suit and a towel, and took only one pair of pants worn exclusively on the plane.

Most days I wore either a pair of light capris paired with a shirt that covered my shoulders for visiting temples or a light summer dress with sandals for beach days.

Packing for Cultural Travel

If your trip includes concerts, opera, theater, or nice restaurants, pack at least one outfit you’d be comfortable wearing to an evening performance. In my experience European concert-goers dress up to attend performances; I didn’t see a lot of jeans and sweats. You’ll feel more comfortable and confident in something a step up from sightseeing clothes.

I always pack one dress or a good skirt and top combination specifically for evenings out. After a day of museum-going, changing into something fresh before dinner makes the evening feel like a distinct pleasure rather than a continuation of the day.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are one of those travel investments that sound ridiculous until you use them, and then you wonder how you ever managed without them.

The system I use: roll pants, jackets, and sweaters into the extra-large cube; put shirts and tops into the large cube; stuff socks into the medium cube; and fill the small cube with underwear.

When you arrive at your destination, pull out the cube you need, extract the item you want, and replace it. No more rifling through layers of carefully folded clothes and destroying your packing system the moment you need a clean shirt.

I can’t begin to calculate how much time packing cubes have saved me over the years. Time I’ve spent more usefully snapping photos, drinking wine on terraces, and writing blog posts.

Compression Cubes and Vacuum Compression Bags

A compression cube is a zippered bag with a one-way valve that squeezes air out, compressing bulky items into flat, compact, waterproof packages. Use them for sweaters, fleeces, and jackets you’ll wear only occasionally. Save your regular packing cubes for everyday items. Note that compression cubes are for soft items only; books and hard objects won’t compress no matter how hopefully you sit on them.

I favor the compression cubes made by Osprey.

I’ve recently upgraded to vacuum compression bags, which use a small pump to remove air through a valve rather than relying on squeezing alone. The difference in compression is considerable.

A thick sweater that barely fit in a standard compression cube disappears into a flat, rigid package with a few pumps. They’re particularly useful for cold weather travel when you’re packing fleeces, down jackets, and bulky layers that would otherwise eat up half your suitcase. The pump is small enough to pack easily and worth every inch of space it takes up.

These bags from Snocod are a good bet.

Pouches

You need at least two pouches: one for electronics (cables, chargers, adapters, earbuds, and batteries) and one or two for toiletries. Pack small-size toiletries so you have the pleasure of shopping for local brands on the road.

Gregg particularly enjoys hunting for aftershave in Italy and Spain, where the scents are, for reasons I’ve never understood, considerably better than anywhere else.

Handbags and Day Bags

For everyday sightseeing, I carry a small crossbody bag with a zippered compartment for my passport, space for my phone, and a slim wallet for cash, an ATM card, and two credit cards.

My bag of choice is a Baggallini, which is light, washable, and worn across the body to discourage theft.

I carry my laptop in a small backpack. Keep your day bag as light and uncluttered as possible. You’ll be walking a lot.

Tip: I use a large safety pin to anchor my wallet to the lining of my bag. That way, I can never accidentally drop my wallet and it also adds a barrier for pickpockets.

Tech, Security, and Comfort Essentials

Walking Shoes

This is the most important item in your bag and the one most travel gear guides bury at the bottom of a list. In Europe, you walk. A lot. Ten thousand steps is a light day of sightseeing. Twenty thousand is not unusual.

Invest in a pair of comfortable, well-broken-in walking shoes before you leave home. Do not bring new shoes to Europe.

Breaking in shoes on cobblestones in Florence is an experience I would not wish on anyone. On a trip to France back in my misspent youth, I made the mistake of taking a new pair of walking shoes. I ended up walking in my socks for half the trip because my blisters were so bad. It wasn’t pretty (or comfortable).

I wear my walking shoes on the plane and pack a pair of sandals and a pair of smarter shoes without heels for evenings out.

Food Bag

Pack a soft-sided, collapsible insulated bag. It’s invaluable for keeping food cool during transit and on day trips.

We fill ours with yogurts, cheeses, vegetables, and fruit, and pick up fresh rolls at local bakeries for picnic lunches.

For more on eating well without overspending while traveling in Europe, read How to Eat Well in Europe: Dining Tips and Smart Splurges.

Power Adapters

When traveling in Europe, you need a good supply of adapter plugs. Most continental European countries use two-round-pin outlets (Type C, E, and F), which are incompatible with North American plugs. The United Kingdom uses a different three-pin plug entirely, so if your itinerary includes both, you need both adapters.

Buy these before you leave home. Finding them in Europe, even at large electronics stores, is a headache. We once searched the entire FNAC in Paris, one of France’s largest electronics chains, without success.

Buy at least four more adapters than you think you’ll need. On just about every trip, we lose a few. I don’t know where they go; they’re like socks in a dryer. Here’s a 6-pack deal.

If you have three devices to plug in at night, take six adapters. Trust me on this.

Power Bank

A portable power bank is essential for long days of sightseeing when your phone is working hard as a map, camera, ticket wallet, and translation device. Carry one that holds at least two full charges for your phone. Your phone dying in an unfamiliar city is an inconvenience that a small investment prevents.

Anker is a trusted brand.

Staying Connected: eSIM

Before you leave home, set up an eSIM for your destination countries. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that gives you local data rates without swapping physical SIM cards or paying ruinous roaming charges.

I use Airalo, which offers eSIM packages for individual countries, regions, or the whole of Europe. You purchase and activate before you leave, and you’re connected the moment you land.

Read my full Airalo review for more details.

Laptops and Tablets

A laptop or tablet is worth bringing for longer trips. Wi-Fi is now essentially universal in European hotels, and having your own device means you can manage bookings, check emails, and watch something decent in the evenings.

English-language TV in European hotels ranges from limited to nonexistent.

Smartphones

A smartphone is now as essential as your passport.

I remember with equal fondness and horror the pre-smartphone days: trekking to train stations to read paper schedules, trudging rain-slicked streets hunting for a bed and breakfast, and running out of cash only to find that every bank within fifty kilometers was closed and nobody accepted traveler’s cheques.

Those were the days. I confess I sometimes miss the serendipity that comes from not always knowing exactly where you are, where you’ll eat, what you’ll see, and so on. On the other hand, it is nice not getting lost so often.

Today a smartphone handles train tickets, accommodation bookings, restaurant research, navigation, translation, and currency conversion.

Documents: Before You Leave

Make digital and physical copies of your passport, credit and ATM cards, travel insurance, and any other important documents before you leave home. Store digital copies in a cloud service you can access from any device.

Make sure you leave a physical copy with someone at home and carry a second copy separately from your originals. If your wallet or passport goes missing, having copies saves hours of stress and speeds up replacement considerably.

Security: Money Belts and Locks

For peace of mind in busy cities and transit hubs, wear a money belt. I prefer the style worn around the waist under clothing. Gregg favors a neck pouch for storing his passport when in transit.

At hotels, use the in-room safe for passports and extra cash. Most safes use a four-digit combination you set yourself. Choose something memorable but not obvious.

Note: In Italy, you are required to carry your passport (not a copy) on your person at all times. Tourists have been stopped and in some cases fined.

A small travel lock for your luggage is worth having for trains and public areas. Some travel bags include built-in combination locks.

RFID Blocking

If you use contactless credit or debit cards, an RFID blocking wallet or card sleeve prevents the cards from being scanned without your knowledge. It’s a simple, inexpensive precaution worth taking in busy tourist areas.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

A good pair of noise-canceling headphones transforms long flights and train journeys.

They’re also useful for blocking out ambient noise in hotel rooms and for listening to music or podcasts during long drives. I consider them essential rather than optional for trips of more than a few days. Bose is a good brand.

Travel Gear FAQs

What size suitcase is best for European travel?

For most independent travelers taking trips of one to six weeks, a 28-inch midsize hard-shell expandable suitcase with spinner wheels is the sweet spot. It’s large enough to pack comfortably without doing laundry every few days, small enough to fit in the train luggage racks at the end of the carriages and squeeze into compact European hotel lifts, and unlikely to become so heavy you can’t lift it. Buy quality and buy once. Cheap luggage is a false economy, as I discovered the hard way at Schiphol Airport.

Should I check my bag or take a carry-on?

For trips longer than two or three days, I strongly recommend checking a midsize bag. You’ll breeze through security, board without the overhead bin scramble, and deplane without wrenching your shoulder. The few minutes at baggage claim are a small price for a considerably more comfortable travel experience. Carry-ons make sense for very short trips or when you have tight connections and can’t risk a bag going missing.

Are packing cubes really worth it?

Yes, without reservation. Packing cubes keep your clothes organized, make unpacking and repacking fast, and mean you can find what you need without destroying your entire packing system every time you want a clean shirt. Once you travel with them you won’t go back. Compression cubes and vacuum compression bags are worth adding for bulky items like sweaters and jackets.

What power adapters do I need for Europe?

Most continental European countries use two-round-pin outlets (Type C, E, and F). The United Kingdom uses a three-pin plug. If your itinerary includes both, you need both adapters. Buy them before you leave home since finding them in Europe can be surprisingly difficult. Buy more than you think you need. They disappear.

Do I need an eSIM for Europe?

Yes, and set it up before you leave home. An eSIM gives you local data rates across Europe without swapping physical SIM cards or paying roaming charges. I use Airalo, which offers packages for individual countries, regions, or all of Europe. Being connected means Google Maps works, transit apps work, and you can look up museum hours, restaurant reviews, and train times on the fly. Read my full Airalo review for more details.

What are the most important items to pack for European travel?

Good walking shoes that are already broken in, a midsize suitcase, packing cubes, power adapters, a power bank, an eSIM, a crossbody bag for daily sightseeing, and a money belt for transit and busy tourist areas.

How do I pack for cultural travel specifically?

Pack at least one outfit suitable for an evening performance or nice restaurant. European concert halls and opera houses skew toward smart casual at minimum, and you’ll feel more comfortable and confident in something a step up from your sightseeing clothes. Beyond that, pack enough variety that you’re not wearing the same three outfits in rotation, and enough socks and underwear to last at least fourteen days. Life is too short for hotel sink laundry.

Keep Traveling Smart with Artsy Traveler

Continue building your travel skills with these practical guides from Artsy Traveler:

About Carol Cram

50 Gifts That Travelers Will Love

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Last updated on January 13th, 2026 at 08:42 pm

Are you looking for thoughtful travel gifts for the special traveler in your life? Then these gift ideas are for you. Each item is something I’ve purchased and recommend.

I’ve organized my suggestions by price, with most costing less than $50. You’re sure to find the perfect gift to delight any intrepid traveler.

Included are affiliate links to suggested products that you can purchase online. When you click on one and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. Thank you!

Pinterest graphic with the text 50 gifts that travelers on your list will love. The picture is a selection of travel accessories including a Smartphone, passport, coins, a watch, a toy plane and headphones.

Travel Gifts Under $25
Travel Gifts Under $50
Travel Gifts Under $200
Conclusion

Travel Gifts Under $25

These travel gift items make great stocking stuffers and are always in demand by savvy travelers.

Luggage Tags

Treat the traveler on your list to snazzy luggage tags that are both durable and much prettier than the yucky paper ones you get at the airport. And tags such as the cool butterfly ones shown here will quickly identify the traveler’s luggage as it trundles off the conveyer belt.

Waterproof Pouch

If the traveler on your list is beach-bound—and especially if they are traveling solo—a waterproof pouch to snugly fit a phone, keys, and wallet will be a welcome gift. I’ve enjoyed peace of mind being able to swim at a public beach without worrying about my valuables.

Document Pouch

The safest way to store travel documents is close to the body. My husband swears by his neck pouch, and I favor a money belt. Both are great options! This neck pouch is small enough to tuck discreetly under a shirt.

Bandanas

A bandana or two always come in handy, especially during hot weather. Give your traveler two or three in bright and cheerful colors and patterns.

Mini Folding Umbrella

Getting caught in the rain while traveling is no fun. Give the gift of a dry day with one of these mini brollies that can be tucked into a small purse or even a back pocket.

Water Bottle

A collapsible water bottle makes an excellent travel gift for the thirsty traveler. Choose one that includes a filter and is super lightweight when collapsed.

Luggage tracker

This very practical gift will bring peace of mind to the traveler on your list. If the luggage carousel fails to deliver a bag, the luggage tracker will help authorities locate it.

Shampoo Bar

Shampoo bars are the best for traveling! No more leaky plastic bottles (been there, cleaned up the mess). Several brands offer a wide range of shampoo bars for every hair type.

Water Shoes

Not all beaches are easy to walk on! A pair of water shoes will be welcomed by a traveler planning a vacation to a place where pebbles outnumber sand. I like water shoes that are easy to fold away in my luggage.

Shower Sandals

Resort-bound travelers will appreciate a good pair of shower sandals or flip-flops to navigate hot pool decks and public washrooms. I carry a pair like these.

Reading Light

Many hotels have really awful lighting for reading! A portable reading light will be much appreciated, especially by travelers who prefer ‘real’ books over eBooks.

Socks

Fast-drying, moisture-wicking socks made for travelers are a win-win. Buy multiple pairs for the perfect, practical gift.

Compression Socks

Help your traveler survive the effects of a long plane journey by giving them a pair of compression socks. These handy travel gifts can help decrease swelling and pain in the legs and ankles. I have eight pairs of this brand and love them!

Eye Mask

A padded eye mask, maybe even with a spot of cooling gel, is just the ticket for surviving long plane, train or bus rides, not to mention sleeping in hotel rooms where every corner blazes with digital lights and the curtains don’t quite close.

Rain Poncho

For travelers who aren’t umbrella-users, how about a rain poncho? Here’s one that folds down to nothing and yet packs a water-resistant punch. Choose one in a bright and cheerful color.

Toiletry Bag

A well-designed toiletry bag is always useful. Keep it compact, waterproof, and easy to stuff into a corner of a suitcase. This bag unfolds and can be hung from a bathroom hook for quick access to all the necessities.

Wallet

I don’t recommend carrying a traditional wallet when traveling. Pickpockets are a risk, so why tempt them? I favor a small pouch that holds my credit cards and that I can safety-pin securely inside my purse or cross-body bag.

Sewing Kit

Not all hotels provide sewing kits these days. Slip a compact sewing kit that includes plenty of safety pins, a large-eye needle, and a few colors of thread into your traveler’s stocking.

Utensils

When I’m on the road, I often eat breakfast in my hotel room. I always travel with a set of plastic plates, spoons, forks, and knives. Select a colorful set for your traveler. This one for two looks like a good bet.

First Aid Kit

A traveler’s first aid kit should contain, at a minimum, pain killers, bandages, antihistamines, alcohol wipes, insect repellant and Afterbite (my favorite when traveling where mosquitoes are plentiful).

Travel Journal

If your traveler likes to record their thoughts when traveling, then a small journal and some pens make a welcome gift. I can never have too many notebooks and journals, and frequently buy them while on the road. This one comes with prompts!

Toys & Games

Better to buy one well-made toy or game than go for the often very flimsy travel versions. A simple cribbage board and a deck of cards are good choices. Other options are books of crosswords (my fave), sudoku, and other puzzles.

Tote Bag

As a champion souvenir shopper, I always stash a rolled-up canvas tote bag in my luggage, Choose a lightweight one with plenty of room. This one sports a design from one of my husband’s paintings and makes a unique travel gift!

Charging Cords

No traveler ever has too many charging cords! They have a habit of disappearing while on the road, so find out what kind of phone your traveler has and treat them to a few cords. They will thank you!

Charging chords make an excellent travel gift

Plug Adapters

Just like charging codes, plug adapters can also go rogue. Buy a package containing several adapters for the countries your traveler will be visiting or choose a cube like this one.

Insulated Travel Mug

Choose a light but durable travel mug that’s not too big and bulky, has a handle or finger loop, is BPA-free and is easy to drink from—and of course is stylish.

Packing Cubes

I love packing cubes! They’ve changed how I pack and I’m never going back to pre-packing-cube days when finding a T shirt became a spelunking mission. Choose a set with a variety of sizes.

Fitness Bands

If your traveler likes to work out while on the road, they’ll be delighted with a set of fitness bands. Just remind them not to take the bands through security! I tried that once, only to have them confiscated as potential weapons. Seriously?

Travel Gifts Under $50

Guidebooks

It’s no secret if you’ve been following Artsy Traveler for a while that I recommend the guidebooks written by the indomitable Rick Steves. Give your traveler his latest edition for the destination they’ll be visiting.

Insulated Bag

An insulated bag is worth its weight in gold for travelers on the move. Choose one that collapses easily but is large enough to fit a picnic lunch and other perishables.

Day Bag

For long days sightseeing, a lightweight, foldable backpack or day bag is ideal for carrying purchases, a guidebook and other essentials that don’t fit into a cross-body bag.

Neck Fan

Sightseeing in the heat can be challenging and energy-sapping. A portable neck fan keeps things breezy and comfortable for your traveler.

Earplugs

The traveler on your list will appreciate having well-crafted ear plugs at the ready for those nights when people out in the street are partying on far too late. I recommend this brand as one I personally use.

Swiss Army Knife

I never leave home without my beloved Swiss Army Knife, given to me by my father before my first independent trip to Europe at the age of 18. You can choose from various sizes, but smaller is best so long as scissors are included! Check your airline’s and destination’s specific restrictions for travelling with a Swiss Army Knife.

Battery Pack

Make sure your traveler doesn’t find themselves with a smartphone that’s run out of juice! Choose a portable battery pack with as much power as you can afford.

Wrap or Shawl

A light but warm wrap or shawl is just the ticket for chilly plane rides because, let’s face it, those plane blankets are getting thinner and thinner!

Subscription to Audiobook Provider

I favor audiobooks when I travel because I can listen and keep aware of my surroundings at the same time. A subscription to an audiobook provider such as Audible makes a perfect gift for a book-loving traveler.

A subscription to an audiobook provider makes a perfect gift for a book-loving traveler

Headphones

Choose noise-cancelling headphones so your traveler can watch/listen to movies and books in peace. If your budget allows, gift your traveler a pair of wireless ear buds compatible with their smartphone.

Headwear

A waterproof hat with UV protection is a must for travelers planning to spend a lot of time out of doors in all kinds of weather. Choose something with a wide brim that folds easily.

Backpack

A backpack with lots of storage areas in addition to padded areas for a laptop and tablet is one of my most essential travel items. I can’t imagine traveling farther than across town without a backpack.

Folding Yoga Mat

If your traveler is a yoga enthusiast, surprise them with a folding yoga mat. You can find mats with some interesting designs. I own the one pictured here.

Tablet Case

Choose a lightweight tablet case that can be propped on the tray table on a plane or train for easy viewing. I favor cases in bright colors (no surprise!).

Art Kit

If your traveler is an artsy traveler, as in they like to sketch on the go, choose one of these nifty portable art kits to whip out whenever inspiration strikes.

Easy-care Clothes

Clothes designed for travelers are always a big hit. Focus on easy-to-fit items such as shirts and jackets made of fabrics that are washable, lightweight, fast-drying and, most of all, comfy.

Grounding Mat or Sheet

I’ve recently discovered grounding mats, and I’m hooked on the way I feel after sleeping on one—refreshed, energetic, and inflammation-free. Now I pack a portable grounding sheet whenever I travel. Jet lag, exhaustion, restless legs, and even snoring are distant memories.

Neck Pillow

Neck pillows to help you sleep on the plane come in all shapes and sizes. This travel pillow made by trtl is the best one I’ve found.

Walking Poles

If your traveler is a hiker, a collapsible set of hiking poles might make a great gift. When I hiked in the Grand Canyon some years ago, I relied on my walking poles.

Electronic Translator

More reliable than a smartphone that depends on cell service or a Wi-Fi signal, a portable electronic translator puts communicating with people who don’t speak your language well within reach. I like this one.

Travel Gifts Under $200

Luggage

Treat your traveler to a brand-new rolly bag, preferably in a bright color that stands out on the luggage carousel. So many choices! I like this one because it opens from the top so it’s easy to access the contents in a small space.

eReader

I prefer reading eBooks on a dedicated eReader rather than on my phone. If your traveler is a reader, treat them to a new Kindle or similar eReader, downloaded with some of your favorite titles.

Conclusion

Did you find the perfect gift for the traveler on your list? Or maybe you found something that you want to put on your own list!

Best of the season and happy travels!

About Carol Cram

Solo Travel Tips for Women: How to Explore Art & Culture on Your Own Terms

Travel Smart 7 Comments

Last updated on April 30th, 2026 at 01:18 am

Do you enjoy solo travel? I love traveling on my own and have done so ever since my first solo trip to Amsterdam at age 18 when I made a beeline for the newly opened Van Gogh Museum.

That trip started me on a lifelong love of traveling solo, especially in Europe and England.

While I also enjoy traveling with my husband, daughter, and friends, there’s something about solo travel that feeds my love of independent travel.

When you travel alone, you get to go where you want to go when you want to go there. You can spend all day rushing from site to site or take the afternoon off for a nap.

And after a long day of sightseeing, you can dine at restaurants that serve food your usual travel companions may not enjoy (Gregg doesn’t like sushi; I do).

Whether you’re thinking of embarking on your first solo travel adventure, or you’re already a seasoned independent and solo traveler, these solo travel tips will help you travel with confidence and ease. They are especially helpful for women, first-timers, and anyone planning a solo trip in Europe, the UK, or North America.

For more trip planning advice, read my how to plan a European trip step by step guide to learn how to build a realistic itinerary that works well for solo travelers.

Best Solo Travel Tips at a Glance

These are my best solo travel tips for staying safe, comfortable, and confident while traveling alone:

Visit museums solo for the freedom to linger as long as you want
Book small group cultural tours to combine social connection with arts-focused experiences
Make dining alone enjoyable by choosing quieter restaurants or opting for takeout.
Upgrade to first class on longer train journeys for comfort and personal space.
Choose a double room for better value and comfort when traveling solo.
Connect with others on your own terms through tours or shared activities.
Put safety first by prioritizing convenience over saving money.

Best Solo Travel Tips at a Glance
Plan Ahead for Solo Travel
Solo Travel and the Arts: Why It’s the Perfect Combination
Find Ways to Make Dining Alone Fun
Travel Light When Traveling Solo
Upgrade to First Class on Trains
Stock Up on Audiobooks
Take Walking and Small-Group Tours
Choose a Double Room When Solo Traveling
Take Taxis and Rideshares
Keep Your Valuables Close
Connect with Others—Or Not
Put Safety First When Traveling Solo
Enjoy Yourself
Solo Travel FAQs
Related Travel Smart Posts on Artsy Traveler

Plan Ahead for Solo Travel

When you’re traveling solo, you don’t want to risk getting into difficult situations, such as not having a place to stay or not having a backup plan.

What if your train is canceled?

That happened to me twice during one recent trip to the UK. The first time, I only had to wait a few hours for the next train. But the second time required me to get a hotel for the night.

I had to be open to zigging when I should have been zagging. I also had to suck up the extra cost.

Sometimes, a budget is only a guideline. You never want to put saving money ahead of safety and convenience.

Careful planning becomes even more important on longer trips, especially when you’re moving between countries, so I recommend starting with a clear European travel planning framework before booking anything.

Make sure you have good Internet connectivity so you’re never more than a Google search away from help. An Airalo eSIM keeps you connected without roaming charges, which matters more when you’re navigating solo

Have a Detailed Travel Itinerary

Get all your ducks in a row ahead of your trip. Have a detailed itinerary stored on your phone and on paper that includes hotel addresses, places to visit, opening times, schedules, and any other important information you need to access quickly.

While you don’t need to overplan, you do want to have a good sense of where you’re going and when you’re doing things.

The peace of mind will add to your enjoyment of solo travel.

Always Know Where You’re Going

Hurrah for Google Maps. Thanks to smartphones, you can tackle a new city with confidence and always know where you are.

I still shudder when I remember a time in Holland back in the 1990s when I went for a walk at the crack of dawn without a map, got lost, and couldn’t find anyone who spoke English to direct me. I eventually found my way back to the hotel (which I’d forgotten the name of), but for longer than I care to admit, it was touch and go if I’d ever see my family again.

Before you go anywhere on your own, program in your route on your smartphone. I share more practical advice about staying healthy, rested, and alert on the road in my guide to traveling and staying healthy in Europe.

Also make sure you have a few taxi and rideshare apps installed for quick access.

And don’t go out with a phone that’s running out of battery unless you’re carrying a reliable backup battery. I speak from painful experience.

Take photos of your hotel that include the street number, your parking space if you’re driving, and any other landmarks you might need.

Before you leave your hotel for a day’s sightseeing, pick up a card from reception that includes the name and address of the hotel. If your taxi driver doesn’t speak English, you can show him the card.

When you’re traveling solo, you only have yourself to rely on so make sure you’re prepared.

Solo Travel and the Arts: Why It’s the Perfect Combination

If you love art and culture, solo travel isn’t just a way to get somewhere, it’s the ideal way to experience museums, galleries, and cultural sites on your own terms.

I’ve visited hundreds of museums over the years, both solo and with companions, and I can say without hesitation that some of my best museum experiences have been alone.

Nobody is checking their watch. Nobody is getting tired before you’re ready to leave. Nobody is steering you toward the gift shop before you’ve finished sighing over the Vermeers. Nobody is suggesting lunch just as you’ve found the painting you came specifically to see.

Linger as Long as You Want

The single greatest gift of solo museum-going is time. You can spend forty-five minutes in front of one painting if you want to. You can skip entire wings that don’t interest you. You can double back, sit on a bench, read the wall text properly, or simply stand and stare.

On a recent visit to London’s National Gallery, I swooned in solitary joy before my favorite masterpieces and could thoroughly indulge my love for pre-Renaissance art.

It was glorious.

Plan Your Museum Days Around Your Energy

Solo travel also means you control the pace. I often enjoy ganging up my museum visits (even three in a day in a city like London), but my usual travel companion (bless him) is not quite so energetic.

When you’re traveling with others, compromise is inevitable. When you’re traveling solo, you can give a single museum your full attention or choose a few museums to blitz.

You set the pace. You manage the expectations.

When you’re on your own, you can also spend more time browsing in the museum gift shop or lingering over a coffee in the museum cafe. The only energy level you need to worry about is your own, which I find tremendously liberating.

Book Guided Museum Tours

Just because you’re traveling solo doesn’t mean you have to experience everything alone. Many museums offer guided tours led by curators or specialists, often free with admission.

These are some of the best cultural experiences available to any traveler and are especially rewarding when you’re traveling solo. You can focus entirely on what the guide is saying without worrying about whether your companion is getting bored.

In my experience, guided museum tours consistently reveal things I would never have noticed on my own.

Use Audioguides Shamelessly

Audioguides are an inherently solitary pleasure. When you’re traveling with someone who finds them slow or distracting, you often skip them.

Solo, you can plug in and follow at your own pace without apology. Some of the best museum audioguides — the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam comes to mind — are outstanding and transform the experience entirely.

Lunch at the Museum Café

Museum cafés deserve more credit than they get as solo dining destinations. They are among the most comfortable places in any city to eat alone.

The atmosphere is already contemplative, solo visitors are the norm rather than the exception, and nobody is going to make you feel self-conscious about sitting by yourself with a good book or a notebook.

Some museum cafés are worth visiting in their own right. The café at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is housed in stunning Victorian rooms that are themselves worth seeing.

The café at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris looks out over one of the great ornate clocks of the old railway station. A solo lunch in either of these places becomes one of the pleasures of your sightseeing day.

The Art-Lover’s Solo Travel Sweet Spot

The ideal solo arts trip, in my experience, combines two or three days in a city with strong museum offerings, a mix of major institutions and smaller gems, and enough unscheduled time to wander and discover things you didn’t plan for.

Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, and Florence are all perfect for this kind of trip. These cities are compact enough to navigate easily alone, and rich enough to keep an arts lover busy for days.

Find Ways to Make Dining Alone Fun

Dining alone can feel rather awkward. But it doesn’t have to. When you’re traveling solo, look for ways to make dining alone enjoyable.

My preference is to choose restaurants that aren’t too busy. I like a quiet atmosphere in which I can concentrate on reading or writing, and I always bring along a notebook and pen so I can jot down deep thoughts.

I also like to appreciate my surroundings and chat with servers when they aren’t too busy. If I’m the only solo diner in a sea of boisterous tables, I feel out of place.

If a restaurant looks too crowded for comfort, consider going elsewhere. But always, always, check restaurant reviews and pay close attention to reviews written by solo travelers.

If you’re traveling in Europe, my dining tips explain how to eat well without stress or awkwardness.

As a solo traveler, you may be shown to a table by the kitchen or another undesirable location more often than when you’re traveling with a companion. Don’t be shy. Ask to be moved if you don’t like the table you’re offered.

Usually, you’ll be accommodated and if you’re not, well then, move on. As my granny used to say, they won’t see you again.

Engaging with Others

Enhance your experience by engaging with the servers, who are often friendly and happy to ask you where you’re from. These days, at least in Europe, most servers speak English.

Recently, at a hotel in Bristol, I got to chatting with three young servers who were all students at the university. One wanted to be a writer, so we had a great old talk when she wasn’t busy serving other customers, and she was also interested to hear about my novels.

Dining solo can lead to great interactions both with servers and fellow diners.

Choose Takeout Dinners

If you can’t find a well-rated restaurant that’s quiet, then it’s takeout to the rescue. I’ve had some of my best meals sitting comfortably in my hotel room.

On a solo trip to Kauai, I had takeout pretty much every night because the restaurants were very crowded. Also, by getting takeout just before sunset, I avoided having to drive my rental car home along very dark roads.

Travel Light When Traveling Solo

When you’re traveling solo, easy-to-manage luggage makes for a far more pleasant experience. You won’t need to ask for help getting a small carry-on and backpack on and off trains. You’ll also be able to store them easily.

Choosing the right luggage and personal items makes a huge difference, so I’ve put together my best travel gear recommendations for Europe, based on years of solo travel.

Also, not all trains have sufficient storage space for large bags, unless you travel first class (see next point).

When I travel solo, I make an exception to my usual midsize rule and travel with a carry-on because managing heavy luggage alone on trains and stairs is considerably less fun than it sounds.

Upgrade to First Class on Trains

Traveling first class if your train journey is longer than three hours is well worth the extra expense. You get more comfort and more privacy.

Most first-class carriages have single-seat rows, whereas most second-class carriages have only double-seat rows.

You might end up seated next to someone whom you may not want to interact with, and those second-class seats are not roomy.

Often, the difference in price between first and second class is not as high as you might expect, particularly if you book in advance. Use RailEurope to find the best deals.

Stock Up on Audiobooks

Since you want to travel light, don’t weigh yourself down with reading material. While eBooks are a great option, consider listening to audiobooks instead. Rather than focusing on a screen, you can watch the world go by while staying aware of your surroundings, which makes for a safer journey.

Take along two or three sets of earphones, at least one of which doesn’t need charging. When you’re riding or waiting for transit, standing in line at a museum, or just wanting to tune out the busy world around you, pop in your earphones and enjoy a few chapters of an audiobook.

I recommend listening to books set in the region you’re traveling through.

While riding a bus from Delphi to Athens on a recent trip to Greece, I listened to Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, which is about Greek theater in the ancient world. Seeing a landscape go by that was very similar to what was described really brought the novel to life.

Intrigued? Check out my interview with Ferdia Lennon about Glorious Exploits on The Art In Fiction Podcast.

Audiobook Suggestions

Audiobooks are one of my favorite solo travel companions. I usually download several before a trip so I’m never dependent on Wi-Fi. Here are some great audiobooks to enjoy while traveling in Italy, France, and Spain.

Cover of The Towers of Tuscany by Carol M. Cram (also known as the Artsy Traveler). A medieval painting of a woman in a blue head covering appears above the skyline of San Gimignano in Tuscany.

Book cover of The Paris Hours by Alex George. Against a green background, a staircase winds up. A woman dressed in 1920s attire is walking down the staircase.

Book cover of The Return by Victoria Hislop. A young woman is in the foreground. She has a red rose behind her ear. Behind her and blurred is the figure of a man dressed in 1930s attire walking towards her.

Take Walking and Small-Group Tours

Walking tours are one of my go-to activities when traveling solo. They’re informative, social when you want them to be, and easy to leave if you’re tired.

You are quite likely to meet other solo travelers when you take a walking or small-group tour. And if you’d rather not engage, you can enjoy simply listening to the tour guide as opposed to worrying that your companion is getting bored or tired.

If you get bored or tired, that’s okay because you only have yourself to please.

Walking Tours

A great place to find walking tours led by enthusiastic locals is GuruWalk. Many of the guides specialize in specific interests. In Bath, the guide was enthusiastic about architecture, while in Athens, the guide loved sharing his extensive knowledge of ancient history.

Here are some GuruWalks to check out in Paris.

You can also sign up for guided tours in museums. Led by curators and usually free, these tours are almost always very informative and provide a more in-depth understanding of the exhibits than you may get touring on your own.

Guided Day Tours

I typically don’t rent a car when I’m traveling solo. Even with GPS, navigating can be a challenge, especially in Europe and the UK where the traffic, not to mention parking, is frequently horrendous.

The easiest and safest way to see the local countryside is to take small-group day tours. When I’m traveling solo, I prefer booking tours through established platforms such as GetYourGuide so I know exactly what to expect in terms of group size, safety, and logistics.

Read about my tour of the Cotswolds and the two day tours I took to explore Yorkshire during a solo trip to England.

Choose tours that don’t involve long commutes to get to the destination. For example, instead of taking a tour of the Cotswolds that embarks from London, spend a night or two in Oxford, Bath or Stratford-upon-Avon and then pick up a tour from there.

You’ll spend most of your day joyriding around the Cotswolds rather than spending two hours each way on the motorway.

If you’re looking to meet new people while traveling, a day tour may be just the ticket.

Multi-Day Tours

You may also wish to take the occasional multi-day tour when you’re traveling solo. Recently, I took a four-day tour around Southwest England with Rabbie’s Tours. Only four other people were on the 16-seat bus so there was lots of room to stretch out.

While these tours can be a bit exhausting, they can also be a great way to meet people if you’re so inclined. You also cover a lot of ground efficiently and see hidden corners you might miss if traveling by train.

To find good tours, check GetYourGuide and Tiqets.com. Here are a few options in Germany, France, and Italy from GetYourGuide.

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About Carol Cram

Choose a Double Room When Solo Traveling

You may be disappointed if you opt for a single room instead of a double room, particularly in small B&Bs and budget hotels where single rooms are often little more than closets.

The savings in cost between a single room and a double room may not be worth what can be a significant reduction in space.

Book a double room and enjoy more space and a larger bed.

A Note About Single Supplements

If you’re taking a guided tour, you may be required to pay a single supplement, especially if the tour includes accommodation.

To avoid this extra cost, look for tours that do not include accommodation and instead, allow you to make your own arrangements.

While large group bus tours will typically not allow this, some small-group tour companies will. For example, with Rabbie’s Tours, I booked my own accommodations and then told the company the names of the hotels so the driver could drop me off every evening and pick me up the next morning. I avoided paying a single supplement and was able to choose double rooms at the places I stayed.

Win-win.

Take Taxis and Rideshares

Don’t stint on transportation when you’re traveling solo. If taking a bus or subway is an easy and safe option, then go for it. But if not, choose taxis or rideshares, or better yet, private transfers. You get door-to-door service and avoid long walks through underground tunnels or hanging out in a potentially dodgy area waiting for a bus.

Private transfers are especially reassuring when you arrive late at night or don’t want to navigate unfamiliar public transport alone. I increasingly book private pickups for peace of mind.

I book private transfers through companies such as Daytrip.com. I get picked up at my location, and the driver often doubles as a tour guide. Private transfers are more expensive than trains and even taxis, but for peace of mind and comfort, they can’t be beat.

Keep Your Valuables Close

The current fashion for cross-body bags is good news for solo travelers. While they may not be chic, they are extremely practical.

Over the years, I’ve carried many different kinds of bags while traveling, and my small cross-body bag is my favorite. It fits my passport, phone, sunglasses, and a small wallet containing a bank card, two Visa cards, my driver’s license, and my travel insurance card.

I always safety-pin the wallet to the lining of the bag so it can never fall out.

Once, while wearing my cross-body bag, I went into a purse store in Paris in search of something a little nicer to carry while dining out.

The salesperson raised her eyebrows at my scuffed bag and intoned “Ce n’est pas chic.”.

Right she was, but there’s a time for being chic and a time for being safe. When you’re traveling solo, the practical cross-body bag is your best choice.

A small, secure cross-body bag is one of the most important safety items for solo travelers. I look for bags that sit close to the body, zip securely, and are comfortable to wear all day. Here are some good cross-body bag options.

A white t-shirt with a black cross-body bag over one shoulder and across the chest. To the right are four cross-body bags in four colors: black, dark grey, light grey, and pink.

Close-up of a pale purple cross-body bag.

Valuables on the Beach

What do you do when you’re alone in a foreign country and your travels take you to the beach? Obviously, leaving your valuables on your towel, even if cunningly covered with a T-shirt, is unwise.

Instead, bring along a waterproof pouch designed to snugly fit a phone, car keys, your ID, and a small wallet. You can then be 100% sure your valuables are safe while you enjoy bobbing in solitary splendor.

Two waterproof pouches. The pouch on the left contains a watch and a SmartPhone. The pouch on the right contains a passport, cash, and credit cards.

I always pack a waterproof phone pouch when traveling solo so I have complete peace of mind at the beach or pool.

Connect with Others—Or Not

I confess that I’m wary of strangers when traveling solo. While I’m always friendly with service people in restaurants and hotels, I don’t engage much with others, particularly if they strike me as overly friendly.

If you get lonely, join a walking or small-group tour and chat with the other participants. This level of interaction may be enough to keep you from feeling isolated on the road.

When I was younger, I easily met fellow travelers at youth hostels, but now when I stay in hotels, opportunities for making new friends are limited. That suits me fine. But if it doesn’t suit you, then find ways to step out of your shell to meet people.

Sign up for a cooking class and learn to make the local food (I love cooking classes). Or maybe find a meetup group of people who share your interests (crocheters in Catalonia, perhaps, or ex-pat writers in Warsaw).

Thanks to the Internet, there are endless opportunities to find like-minded people. Just make sure any meetings take place in public places with plenty of people around.

One of the keys to success as a solo traveler is to embrace the solitude, to enjoy your own company, and to always look for ways to deepen your solo experience through appreciation of the sites, the landscapes, and the passing parade of humanity.

Put Safety First When Traveling Solo

The best tip for any solo traveler is to prioritize safety above all else. You never want to compromise your safety to save money. A twenty-minute walk to your hotel through dark streets in an unfamiliar town may be free, but it may also be dangerous.

Get Good Insurance

One safety precaution I never travel without is travel medical insurance. If you’re under 70, consider SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance, which covers you in over 180 countries and gives you real peace of mind when you’re navigating unfamiliar cities alone.

Coverage includes emergency medical care, trip interruption, and even some coverage if you get sick at home after returning.

As a solo traveler, knowing I have medical backup if something goes wrong is worth every penny. You can get a quote and sign up at SafetyWing before your next trip.

Prioritize Taxis

If you can take a taxi, then do so. If you can’t, walk quickly and with purpose. As mentioned, plot your route before you set out so you’re not staring at a phone screen rather than paying attention to your surroundings.

You never want to look like a wide-eyed tourist who doesn’t know where s/he’s going.

Fortunately, the proliferation of smartphones has made solo travel far less solitary than it once was.

You can be walking along a beach in Brighton and have a conversation with your significant other who is 10,000 miles away on another continent, or you can post your activities on social media and in moments have plenty of people to chat with, albeit digitally.

I also share practical advice on avoiding burnout, staying well, and pacing yourself in my post on how to travel and stay healthy in Europe.

Avoid posting in ‘real time’ when you’re traveling or eating/staying at a particular restaurant, bar or hotel. You can share your experiences with friends and family privately, but save public social media posts for when you’re back home or have moved on to your next destination.

When I drove from Vancouver to New York across the United States in the 1980s, I spoke to my family once a week from a pay phone, read my stash of paperback books, and did a lot of solitary staring at the landscape.

While it’s apples and oranges to compare then with now, the one constant is that solo traveling can lead to many joyous experiences when you plan well and stay open to seeing and learning new things.

Enjoy Yourself

Traveling solo makes you self-reliant and gives you confidence. I like keeping my wits sharp as I make my way on and off trains, check in to hotels, find the right meeting area for a tour, stay safe on the road, keep myself well fed and watered, and interact with people safely.

Having the right gear, transportation, and small comforts in place lets you relax and fully enjoy the freedom that solo travel offers.

Are you planning a solo trip? I’d love to hear where you’re going in the comments below.

Solo Travel FAQs

Is solo travel safe?

Solo travel can be very safe when you plan ahead and prioritize convenience over saving money. Choose well-located accommodations, use taxis or private transfers when needed, and stay aware of your surroundings to reduce risk significantly.

Is solo travel lonely?

Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely. Many travelers enjoy the freedom and solitude while still connecting with others through walking tours, cooking classes, or casual conversations with locals and fellow travelers.

What are the best solo travel tips for first-time travelers?

First-time solo travelers should plan transportation and accommodation in advance, travel light, keep valuables secure, and trust their instincts. Starting with walkable, well-organized destinations also builds confidence quickly.

Is Europe good for solo travelers?

Europe is one of the best regions for solo travel thanks to excellent public transportation, walkable cities, and a strong tourism infrastructure. European destinations are generally safe, welcoming, and easy to navigate on your own.

Should solo travelers choose single or double hotel rooms?

In many cases, booking a double room offers better value and more comfort than a single room. The small price difference is often worth the extra space, especially on longer trips.

How can solo travelers stay safe while sightseeing?

Staying safe while sightseeing means planning routes in advance, keeping your phone charged, avoiding poorly lit areas at night, and looking purposeful when walking. It’s also wise to avoid posting your location on social media in real time.

How to Experience Europe Without the Crowds: 10 Joyful Travel Tips

Arts & Culture, Cultural Experiences, Travel Smart Leave a Comment

Last updated on April 23rd, 2026 at 04:11 pm

I’ve experienced my share of European crowds: thousands surging into the Colosseum, the queue for the Louvre baking in the summer sun, the second level of the Eiffel Tower so packed that getting a photo of the view feels impossible.

The joys of travel dwindle fast in the face of relentless crowds, inflated prices, and locals who are understandably tired of the whole circus.

The good news is that even in Europe’s most visited cities, you can escape the crowds.

By choosing lesser-known museums, seeking out neighborhood restaurants, attending local concerts, and wandering along quiet side streets, you can experience Europe’s great cities closer to the ground, with better meals, calmer days, and far more interesting encounters.

Here are my ten tips for doing exactly that.

#1: Eat Where the Locals Eat
#2: Seek Out Lesser-Known Museums
#3: Go to Art Openings
#4: Attend Local Concerts and Events
#5: Ride Public Transit
#6: Shop for Food in Local Markets
#7: Take a Cooking Class
#8: Go on a Walking Tour
#9: Skip the Iconic Sites (and What to Do Instead)
#10: How to Escape Crowds Even in Tourist Cities
FAQs: Avoiding Crowds in Europe
More Posts on My Favorite Uncrowded European Sites

#1: Eat Where the Locals Eat

The restaurants closest to Europe’s most iconic sites are almost universally overpriced, underwhelming, and packed with other tourists.

Avoiding them is one of the easiest crowd-avoidance strategies available, and it comes with the added bonus of eating much better food.

To help me decide where to eat, I check reviews and look for restaurants with a 4.5-star average or higher.

If the best reviews are written in the local language, that’s a strong signal the restaurant is frequented by locals rather than tourists.

A few blocks away from the busy piazzas and tourist thoroughfares, you’ll almost always find quieter streets with better kitchens.

Make a Reservation

Once I’ve chosen a restaurant, I book a table. In popular European cities, reservations are increasingly essential.

Without one, you may find yourself wandering for longer than is comfortable before finding a well-reviewed restaurant with available tables.

One useful trick: reserve for the time the restaurant opens, usually 7 or 8 pm depending on the city. Europeans eat later than North Americans, which means the early sitting is often quiet. You may well have the restaurant largely to yourself for the first hour.

Ask Your Hotel

Another reliable strategy is to ask your hotel to recommend a local restaurant and make a reservation on your behalf.

Every time I’ve followed a hotel recommendation, I’ve eaten well. Hotels have a stake in keeping their guests happy and rarely point you toward a tourist trap.

A Parisian café is a great place to people watch while enjoying a trip to Europe.

#2: Seek Out Lesser-Known Museums

Europe’s most famous museums are famous for good reason, but they come at a cost: long lines, crowded galleries, and looking at art through a forest of other people’s smartphones.

The good news is that for every Louvre, there’s a Rodin Museum around the corner with half the crowds and twice the intimacy.

On a recent trip to Pompeii, I lined up for forty minutes to collect the skip-the-line ticket I’d purchased online days earlier, then lined up for another twenty minutes in the skip-the-line line to actually get in.

Yes, Pompeii was worth seeing, but it was also exhausting. I had a much better experience at the Archaeological Museum in Naples where I viewed the frescoes, paintings, ceramics, mosaics, and other objects salvaged from Pompeii in air-conditioned comfort with zero crowds.

Favorite Swaps

These days I actively seek out the lesser-known museums and sites that serious art lovers often find more rewarding than the blockbuster institutions.

Instead of sweating in the queue outside the Louvre in Paris, visit the Rodin Museum. It’s smaller, calmer, and the sculpture garden alone is worth the trip.

In Amsterdam, consider skipping the Van Gogh Museum, or going very early or late in the day, and visiting the Rembrandt Huis instead. It’s charming, informative, and rarely overwhelming.

In Rome, the Etruscan Museum houses an extraordinary collection of treasures, and both times I’ve visited, I’ve had the galleries almost entirely to myself. That’s not a reflection of the quality of the exhibits but rather because the museum sits far enough off the main tourist circuit that many visitors never find it.

For arts-focused travelers, lesser-known museums aren’t a compromise. They’re often the better choice.

The Etruscan Museum in Rome is almost never crowded, a great bet for travelers looking to avoid crowds — The Etruscan Museum is one of Rome’s most interesting museums.

Lesser-Known Museums to Visit

Here are posts about some of my favorite lesser-known and fabulous museums in Europe:

#3: Go to Art Openings

Art opening receptions are free, open to anyone, and one of the best ways to spend an evening in a European city.

Walk in off the street, look at some artwork, have a glass of wine, and find yourself in conversation with local artists, collectors, and art lovers.

Most exhibitions include an opening reception, called a vernissage in France and an inaugurazione in Italy. These events typically include wine, sometimes food, and occasionally a short talk by the artist or curator. They are almost always free and open to the public.

Much of my European travel in recent years is shaped by my husband Gregg Simpson‘s exhibition schedule, which means I’ve attended a lot of art openings across Europe. We’ve met fellow travelers, local artists, and people who’ve become friends over the years, all over a glass of wine in front of a painting.

It’s one of my favorite things about traveling in Europe.

Art openings in Europe are usually free and open to everyone — Art openings at private galleries in Europe are usually free and open to everyone.

How to Find Art Openings

Check online listings for the cities you’re visiting and search for terms like “vernissage Paris” or “art opening Rome” combined with your travel dates.

Gallery districts are also worth strolling in the early evening, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, when openings are most common.

In Paris, the Left Bank and Marais districts have dense concentrations of galleries. If you pass a gallery with people spilling out onto the pavement with wine glasses, walk in. You’ll be welcomed.

#4: Attend Local Concerts and Events

Classical music concerts in Europe are one of travel’s great underrated pleasures, and they’re remarkably good value compared to what you’d pay for equivalent performances in North America.

The venues are often extraordinary, and even the most tourist-oriented performances deliver a memorable evening.

Classical music concert venue in Europe — Classical music concerts are top quality and reasonably priced.

I book tickets ahead of time when I know what I want to see, but some of my best concert experiences have come from simply paying attention.

On a recent trip to Siena, I picked up a flyer in our hotel advertising an intimate concert with a singer and pianist in a local church. The performance was in a candlelit space with perhaps forty people in the audience, and it was one of those travel evenings that stays with you.

In Rome, we spotted a poster for concerts at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, a stylish venue well north of the tourist center. We bought tickets and spent two evenings surrounded almost entirely by locals.

Don’t Dismiss Tourist Concerts

Even performances aimed squarely at tourists are worth attending. Fado in Lisbon, flamenco in Seville, medieval music in southern France, opera in Rome, folk music in Bacharach on the Rhine, Vivaldi in Venice, Stravinsky in Berlin, a Chopin recital in Leipzig, Shostakovich in Hamburg. Every one of these experiences was worth every euro.

How to Find Concerts and Events

Look for posters and flyers in your hotel, in café windows, and on community notice boards. Search online for concert listings in each city on your itinerary. Check the websites of local concert halls, churches, and cultural centers rather than relying on aggregator sites, which often miss the smaller, more interesting events.

Fado performers in Porto, Portugal — Local performances are generally authentic and well worth the price.

#5: Ride Public Transit

One of the simplest ways to experience a European city like a local is to travel through it the way locals do, which means buses, trams, and metros rather than taxis or private transfers.

Public transit takes you through neighborhoods that organized tours never visit, past local shops and cafés and parks, and deposits you at your destination having seen a slice of actual city life along the way.

I follow my progress on Google Maps so I know exactly where to get off, which removes the main anxiety about using unfamiliar transit systems.

These days, paying is simple. Most European cities accept a tap of your credit card on buses, trams, and metros, with no need to buy tickets in advance or figure out a local transit app.

To navigate confidently on public transit, a reliable data connection is essential. I use an Airalo eSIM, which gives me local data rates across Europe without swapping SIM cards or paying roaming charges. Being connected means Google Maps works, transit apps work, and getting lost becomes a choice rather than an accident.

A Cautionary Tale

One important note about paper tickets: always validate them when you board, even if nobody around you appears to be doing so.

I learned this lesson the hard way in Turin. Gregg and I boarded a bus holding paper tickets purchased from a local tobacconist and noticed that none of the other passengers were validating their tickets at the machine. I wrongly concluded that validation wasn’t required. Maybe it was a special holiday?

Ten minutes later, an inspector got on the bus and started checking tickets. Everyone on the bus held up their smartphones.

As tourists, we had only the paper tickets we’d purchased from the local tobacconist. When the inspector came over and tried to scan our tickets—nada. My protestations of being a dumb tourist fell on deaf ears. The inspector came armed with a Visa machine and on the spot charged us forty euros…each.

So, just because no one else is validating their ticket doesn’t mean you shouldn’t validate your ticket!

A Note on Pickpockets

Violent crime in Europe is rare, but pickpockets are active in crowded buses, metros, and tourist areas.

Keep your phone in a front pocket, use a crossbody bag rather than a backpack for valuables, give your hand on your valuables when getting on and off transit, and be particularly alert in busy metro stations and on routes that serve major tourist sites.

Pickpockets are usually dressed like tourists and work in groups of three. If you see three people carrying large bags or coats over their arms on a warm day, move away. They are very good at what they do.

A bus in Europe, a great way to travel local — Take a city bus in Europe and enjoy great people-watching.

#6: Shop for Food in Local Markets

Shopping for snacks, lunches and the occasional dinner to enjoy in your hotel room or apartment not only lets you experience life as a temporary local, but also saves you money.

In general, food prices are lower in Europe (although starting to rise), and the quality of the fresh produce is far superior to what is found in the average North American grocery store.

I love prowling the aisles of a European supermarket and ordering pre-made food at the in-store delis. I’ve typically found the staff to be friendly and tolerant of my attempts to at least say hello, goodbye and thank you in their language.

Outdoor Markets

Be on the lookout for open-air markets where you’ll find a dizzying array of foods along with clothing, ceramics, antiques, and local crafts.

Some cities also have large covered indoor markets that are destinations in their own right, such as the Mercado de Triana in Seville.

An outdoor market in Europe is a great place to find good, fresh food while avoiding tourist crowds — Interact with locals while browsing outdoor markets in Europe.

A practical tip for arts-focused travelers: many of Europe’s best food markets are within easy walking distance of major cultural districts. Building a market visit into a morning before a museum or gallery makes for a nearly perfect day. Pick up supplies for a picnic lunch, find a quiet park or square, and arrive at the museum refreshed rather than rushed.

#7: Take a Cooking Class

A cooking class is one of the most rewarding things you can do in a European city. You spend two or three hours in a kitchen with a local chef, learning techniques specific to the region, and you leave with skills you’ll actually use at home.

The class size is usually small, the atmosphere is convivial, and the food fantastic.

I take a cooking class whenever I can fit one into an itinerary. In Rome, I spent a morning learning to make gelato, pizza, and supplì with a wonderfully enthusiastic local chef. Read about that experience here: Pizza, Gelato, Suppli–Oh My! A Fantastic Cooking Class in Rome.

A cooking class in Europe is a great way to learn new skills and avoid crowds — Take a cooking class and learn new skills.

In Madrid, a tapas class introduced me to fellow travelers from Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, France, and Korea. By the end of the afternoon we were eating together around a table and exchanging travel recommendations like old friends.

How to Find and Book Cooking Classes

Websites such as Winedering and Eating Europe are my go-to resources for finding well-reviewed cooking classes across Europe. Filter by city, cuisine type, and group size. Small group classes are almost always worth the modest premium over larger ones, both for the quality of instruction and the intimacy of the experience.

Book in advance, particularly in popular cities like Rome, Florence, and Barcelona, where the best classes fill up weeks ahead.

#8: Go on a Walking Tour

A well-chosen walking tour is one of the best ways to experience a European city’s art, architecture, and history in context. A good guide doesn’t just point at buildings and recite dates. They show you the connections between things, the stories behind the facades, and the corners of a neighborhood that you’d walk past without a second glance on your own.

I’ve become a big fan of specialty tours that focus on a specific subject or district.

In Rome, I joined a walking tour of the old Jewish ghetto that completely reframed my understanding of the city’s layered history.

In London, I explored the back alleys and colorful history of the Covent Garden theater district.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, a guide in full William Shakespeare costume brought the bard to rollicking life.

Walking tours usually take you behind the scenes and to places where regular bus tours can’t go. The guides are often locals who are very enthusiastic about their subject and love showing off hidden gems.

How to Find Walking Tours

GuruWalk lists free walking tours run by locals on a pay-what-you-can basis and is a good option for specialty tours with a specific subject focus.

Small group and private tours are almost always worth the modest premium. The difference between a tour of twelve people and a tour of four is considerable..

#9: Skip the Iconic Sites (and What to Do Instead)

Europe’s most famous landmarks are famous for good reason, and I’m not suggesting you ignore super-popular sites such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The question is how much of your limited travel time you want to spend standing in line to experience these sites officially versus simply enjoying them as part of the city around you.

My approach: stroll past the Colosseum and take it in from the outside. Walk across one of the Seine bridges and photograph the Eiffel Tower with the river in the foreground.

Then, veer off into a shady side street and enjoy an hour or two wandering around a quiet neighborhood, sitting in a park, and enjoying a drink at an outdoor café surrounded by locals.

Carol Cram in front of the Colosseum in Rome — See the Colosseum from the outside only.

When visiting major museums such as the Uffizi in Florence and the Louvre in Paris, book tickets to enter at opening time or an hour or two before closing. You’ll still encounter crowds, but they won’t be quite so intense.

Travel isn’t about ticking off the big sites. Instead, think of travel as your opportunity to surround yourself with a kaleidoscope of interesting sights, sounds, and encounters. Some of your best travel experiences happen in the gaps between visits to famous sites.

Slow down and savor the displays in a small museum, make time for a concert or an art opening, be on the lookout for a local festival, and just be.

#10: How to Escape Crowds Even in Tourist Cities

Even in Venice, one of Europe’s busiest tourist cities, you can find solitude.

Leave the busy piazzas and thoroughfares and within seconds, you’ll be wandering down narrow alleyways and crossing tiny bridges spanning sleepy canals that look like they haven’t been disturbed for centuries.

I skirt the main tourist drags in busy towns by going left or right down the first narrow street I see. I may get a bit lost, but I also find glorious solitude and the chance to commune with the past.

Siena’s Campo bustles with tourists, but walk a few meters down a side street and you’re alone and surrounded by buildings that haven’t changed much in 700 years.

And at night, you’ll probably have the Campo all to yourself.

Carol Cram in the Campo in Siena at night — Have the Campo in Siena to yourself at night.

Such opportunities for quiet encounters with history make European travel endlessly appealing.

FAQs: Avoiding Crowds in Europe

How do I avoid crowds in Europe without missing the best parts?

The short answer is that avoiding crowds and missing the best parts are not the same thing. Concerts, art openings, lesser-known museums, local markets, and neighborhood restaurants are almost always uncrowded and serve excellent food. For the iconic sites you really want to see, book timed entry well in advance and arrive at opening time or two hours before closing. For everything else, follow the ten tips above.

What’s the best time of year for less crowded European travel?

Shoulder seasons, meaning April to early June and September to October, offer the best combination of manageable crowds, reasonable prices, and good weather across most of Europe. July and August are the busiest months, particularly in coastal destinations and major cities. If summer travel is unavoidable, focus on cities rather than beach destinations, visit popular sites early in the morning or late in the day, and build plenty of time into your days for wandering off the main tourist routes.

Do I need to book museums and attractions in advance?

For major sites that require timed entry, yes, and often weeks or months in advance. The Uffizi, the Colosseum, the Anne Frank House, and Sagrada Familia are among the many attractions that sell out well ahead of peak season. For smaller and lesser-known museums, advance booking is rarely necessary, but always check opening hours and closure days before you go. Many European museums close on Mondays.

How can I find good local restaurants?

Search for restaurants with a 4.5-star average or higher and read the reviews. If the most enthusiastic reviews are written in the local language, that’s a strong indicator the restaurant is frequented by locals. Walk a few blocks away from major tourist sites and you’ll almost always find quieter streets with better options. Book a table as soon as you’ve chosen a restaurant, particularly in popular cities where good places fill up fast.

Is public transit safe for tourists?

Public transit in Europe is generally very safe. The main precaution worth taking is keeping a close hand on your valuables in crowded buses and metro stations, where pickpockets can be active. Use a crossbody bag for valuables rather than a backpack, keep your phone in a front pocket, and be alert when boarding and exiting busy transit. One practical note: if you’re using paper tickets rather than a tap-to-pay card, always validate your ticket when you board, even if nobody around you appears to be doing so. The fine for an unvalidated ticket is considerably more painful than the validation process.

Are tourist-oriented concerts and performances worth attending?

Yes. Fado in Lisbon, flamenco in Seville, Mozart in Vienna, and similar tourist-friendly performances are popular precisely because they’re good. The musicians are professionals performing music they love, and the experience is almost always worth the ticket price. For a more local feel, look for concerts advertised on posters and flyers in your hotel or in café windows, and check the websites of local concert halls and churches for events that may not appear on the main tourist radar.

When is the Best Time to Tour Europe?

Travel Smart Leave a Comment

Last updated on March 30th, 2026 at 08:15 pm

Are you trying to figure out the best time of year to tour Europe? You probably already know that summer may not be the optimal time to tour some, but not necessarily all, European countries.

How do you plan your trip to get maximum bang for your euro while also avoiding crowds and enjoying decent weather?

Don’t worry! You’re not the first person to ask this question. I ponder it myself when planning my trips to Europe.

Split image featuring a crowded sunny beach and a snowy mountain landscape, with a "Best Time to Tour Europe" banner from ArtsyTraveler.com.

For most travelers, the answer depends on three factors: crowds, activities, and weather. For me, I also factor in writers’ conferences and my husband’s exhibition schedule.

Introduction
Touring Europe: Is Summer Best?
Touring Europe: How About Fall?
Touring Europe: Winter Wonderland?
Touring Europe: Spring is the Winner!
A Note About Costs
Top Tips for Touring Europe
Best Time to Tour Europe FAQs
Keep Traveling with Artsy Traveler

Introduction

I’ve visited Europe in all four seasons, and each has its pros and cons. Yes, even summer can be a great choice, depending on where you’re going.

Read on for my recommendations for when and where to tour Europe in each of the four seasons, starting with summer.

Touring Europe: Is Summer Best?

I think back to summer vacations when I was a child. My parents packed my big brother and me into a hot car (no air con in those days) and drove us to a national park or a beach or to visit relatives. Summer vacations were a combination of fun and sunburn.

Now that I’m a grown-up, I think about summer a bit differently. I no longer have children in school and my work commitments are flexible. I can stay home in the summer and avoid excessive heat and crowds, or I can choose destinations that give me a comfortable summer holiday experience.

Aerial view of a long, golden beach in Portugal, crowded with colorful umbrellas and sunbathers, with turquoise ocean waves. — Tour Europe in the summer to experience plenty of awesome beach time.

Some European countries are best visited in the summer—and some are not. Here are my recommendations.

Countries to Avoid in Summer

If possible, avoid summer travel to destinations such as southern Portugal, southern Spain, southern Italy, and Greece. Thanks to climate change, summers are getting hotter and tourist spots are paying the price.

Attractions such as the Acropolis in Greece are often closed in the afternoons because of excessive heat, and trust me, you really don’t want to tour Rome when the temperature can soar above 38 C (100 F).

Countries to Consider in Summer

Southern France, northern Italy, northern Spain, and northern Portugal can all experience hot summer weather, but don’t rule them out as summertime destinations.

I’ve visited southern France in June and ended up gasping for air during a canicule (French for a prolonged hot spell) when temperatures hit 45° C.

With air conditioning still not that common, I spent a lot of time floating in a pool when I wasn’t sitting indoors next to a tray of ice in front of a fan.

But I’ve also stayed for several weeks in southern France during July and August and enjoyed beautiful weather. Yes, it was warm, but not excessively so, and finding reasonably priced accommodations with pools was pretty easy.

And of course, there are beaches.

So don’t rule out visiting the south of France in summer, although you will find it crowded, particularly in August.

Northern Italy is generally comfortable in the summer, and there are all those beautiful lakes and mountains to explore.

I’ve also visited northern Spain and northern Portugal in summer and enjoyed both, even experiencing quite a bit of rain in green and pleasant Galicia in northwest Spain.

Stunning alpine scenery with jagged Dolomite mountains reflected in a calm, still lake, under a clear blue sky. — Destinations such as the Dolomites in northern Italy are a summer travel choice.

Countries to Choose in Summer

You can’t go wrong visiting countries in northern Europe during the summer. Here are my recommendations.

France

Take a summer vacation in Brittany. You’ll run into some crowds, but you’ll also enjoy beautiful weather and fabulous beaches along with local festivals.

Other great options in France for summer touring are Normandy and the Loire Valley.

Dramatic white chalk cliffs and arches along the Normandy coast, with blue water and green hills. — Normandy is beautiful in the summer with plenty to see and great beaches to enjoy.

Austria, Switzerland, Germany and the Low Countries

I love visiting these countries in the summer, particularly Austria and the Low Countries. Hiking in the Alps is best (and safest) during the summer months.

And as for the Netherlands, the gloomy skies you’ll find during most of the year tend to clear in summer. A visit to the spectacular Kröller-Müller Museum near Arnhem on a balmy summer afternoon is an Artsy Traveler must.

A white abstract sculpture reflecting on a pond, surrounded by lush green trees and grass. — Don’t miss the outdoor sculptures at the Kröller-Müller Museum near Arnhem if you visit the Netherlands in summer.

United Kingdom

Having traveled frequently in the UK, I can safely say that summer is the best time to visit England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales if you’re hoping for good weather. You may not actually get good weather, but your chances are better during July, August and even early September than at any other time of year.

That said, I’ve toured southern Ireland in August and have needed to buy gloves and a hat.

Artsy Traveler Motto: Be prepared!

I’ve also visited Scotland during September on three separate occasions, and each time, the weather was spectacular. The only thing you can be certain about regarding summer travel in the UK is that if it’s raining in the morning, chances are the sun will come out in the afternoon.

A serene countryside landscape with a river lined by wildflowers and a row of old stone cottages in the distance. — The English countryside in late summer rarely disappoints.

A Note About Garden Tours

One compelling reason to visit the United Kingdom during the summer months is to enjoy the profusion of flowers found both in private and public gardens. I have a soft spot for a good garden tour, and in the UK, you’re spoiled for choice.

Scandinavia

Traveling in the Scandinavian countries in summer is delightful thanks to long days and relatively balmy weather. I spent time in Copenhagen during early September and found the weather a shade cool but mostly dry and perfect for sightseeing.

If you choose to go to Iceland during the summer, you’ll find a lot of fellow travelers. It’s a trade-off.

Visit Iceland in winter and you’ll have many sites to yourself in the semi-darkness. Visit Iceland in midsummer and you’ll jostle for position in front of every waterfall, but on the plus side, you’ll be able to see waterfalls for about 20 hours a day.

Snow-covered mountains in the background and a frozen, rocky terrain in the foreground under a clear blue sky. — Tour Iceland in the summer to experience maximum daylight.

No matter when you travel to Iceland, you’ll experience ferocious weather. I visited in February, so I expected it to be cold, but I know people who visited in June and saw almost nothing of the spectacular scenery. How tragic!

Summer At a Glance

Crowds: Destinations can be extremely crowded, with many popular sites sold out if you don’t purchase tickets in advance.

Activities: Lots of festivals and markets, but fewer blockbuster art shows and concerts

Weather: Unbearably hot in the south; relatively comfortable in the north

Touring Europe: How About Fall?

For many travelers, fall is the best time to tour Europe for culture-focused trips.

I think that fall is the second-best season to tour Europe, or at least most of it. And if you’re wondering, I think spring is the best season (more on touring Europe in the spring below).

Here are the pros of touring Europe in the fall (or autumn for my British friends):

Major Exhibitions

I always check what art and museum exhibitions are going to be on in the destinations I’m planning to visit. While some exhibitions run through the summer, many of the best ones start in September or October.

Concert Season

Whenever possible, I get tickets to as many classical music concerts as I can when I’m traveling in Europe. Some of the world’s best orchestras are located in cities such as Berlin, Paris, and London, with most concert seasons running from September to May.

Modern concert hall with a large orchestra preparing for a performance; multiple levels of seating and warm interior lighting. — Interior of the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, one of the world’s great concert halls

Manageable Crowds

Well, more or less. Even on a cold November day, Venice was crowded, and a recent visit to the Louvre in Paris in October was a nightmare. But overall, the crowds are not nearly as large in the fall as they are in midsummer, or even spring.

Visit popular sites early in the morning and book ahead, and you should be fine.

Pleasant Weather

I’ve visited most countries in Western Europe during the fall at least once and have almost always enjoyed great weather. The temperatures, particularly as you travel farther south, are warm but not too hot, and rainfall is generally scarcer than in spring.

Just make sure you’re equipped with a rain jacket and hat no matter where you plan to travel in the fall (or spring, for that matter).

And if you’re traveling in November, be prepared for chilly temperatures pretty much everywhere in Europe. I froze in Venice in late November, and I wouldn’t recommend venturing north of London after October.

The days get very short by the time you make it to Scotland.

Fall At a Glance

Crowds: Popular destinations are generally less crowded than in summer, although purchasing advance tickets is always a good idea.

Activities: Major exhibitions and concert seasons start, along with some festivals.

Weather: Balmy and warm in the south, growing increasingly chilly as you move north, with rain common everywhere, especially in November

Touring Europe: Winter Wonderland?

Winter is, surprisingly, not a terrible time to visit Europe, although it’s my last choice overall. In winter, you should focus your energies on touring cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome.

I once spent two weeks in Rome in December and loved it. The Vatican Museum was almost empty (that never happens at any other time of year) and the days were clear and crisp.

In winter, the concert season is in full swing, you’ll find plenty of exhibitions to tour, and prices for accommodations will be lower. In northern Europe, the days are shorter, but since you’ll primarily be visiting indoor sites, the lack of daylight isn’t a drawback.

I visited Iceland for ten days in February and enjoyed clear skies every day but one. I also was able to commune with the major scenic sites in relative solitude and even saw the northern lights.

Winter At a Glance

Crowds: Popular destinations will be much less crowded, and purchasing advance tickets typically not required except for the most popular sites such as da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan.

Activities: Major exhibitions and concert seasons are ongoing; also, Christmas celebrations and decorations enliven December all over Europe.

Weather: Chilly in the south, growing increasingly colder as you move north, with rain common and snow likely

Touring Europe: Spring is the Winner!

The spring months are the perfect time to tour Europe if you don’t have your heart set on enjoying beach time or lazy afternoons by the pool. Even in southern Italy, the beaches don’t open until the end of May, and the unheated pools in most resorts are frigid.

A cloudy sky over a beach with rows of wooden lounge chairs and white umbrellas lined up on a sandy shoreline — A breezy beach in southern Italy in early May is still not open for business.

In spring, the crowds are generally larger than in fall or winter (but not as large as in summer!). You won’t be enjoying your favorite sites alone (read about my ill-fated visit to the Colosseum in Rome in May!), but at least the weather won’t be as hot.

Standing in long lines when the temperature is 24 C is manageable. Doing the same thing when the temperature hits 40 C is not.

One caveat about traveling in spring: be prepared for rain. I almost always experience a lot more rain in Europe in spring than in fall. On a recent trip to Italy in May, I wore a dress and sandals only once. The rest of the time, I needed long pants and a warmish jacket.

And in April and May in Paris, expect rain and then sun and then rain on repeat.

Woman in a beige coat and purple scarf standing on a bridge in Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the foggy background.

A woman in a beige coat and turquoise scarf smiling on a bridge in Paris, with the River Seine behind her and the Louvre and surrounding buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.

As with fall and winter, a lot of major exhibitions at museums and galleries start in the spring. In addition, concert seasons are still in full swing.

You’re also more likely to stumble across pageants and processions in spring, particularly around Easter.

A man in a red and yellow medieval costume proudly waving a matching flag featuring a lion and cross emblem, with other people in period clothing walking behind him in a historical setting. — Medieval processions are popular in Tuscany in spring.

Tulips!

And if you can, make a point of visiting the Netherlands in the spring so you can tiptoe through the tulips in the fabulous Keukenhof Gardens. You’ll find plenty of crowds (go early to avoid the tour buses), but the chance to see so many tulips in one gloriously landscaped garden is not to be missed.

I’ve visited Keukenhof Gardens in April twice. It doesn’t get old.

A vibrant garden scene with rows of pink, white, and purple flowers weaving through bright green grass, surrounded by tall trees and spring blossoms. — Tulips in the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands

Spring At a Glance

Crowds: Popular destinations can be crowded, with advance tickets advisable for most sites and required for very popular sites and museums such as the Uffizi and the Louvre.

Activities: Major exhibitions and concert seasons are ongoing.

Weather: Moderate in the south and chilly in the north but generally good weather for sightseeing, although often rainier in spring than in summer and fall

A Note About Costs

Costs vary from place to place and season to season. You’ll pay more when you travel in high season, but high season is not always summer.

At a ski resort in the Alps, for example, the high season is winter.

I’ve generally found that prices are low-ish in winter, relatively affordable in spring and fall, and at their peak in summer, depending on the destination.

At popular times of the year, steer clear of resorts and tourist meccas such as Paris and Florence. Instead, seek out off-the-beaten-path destinations. Regardless of the time of year, you’ll encounter fewer crowds, meet more locals, and get better value for your money.

Top Tips for Touring Europe

Planning a trip to Europe is almost as fun as going on a trip to Europe. Keep in mind these three tips and you’re sure to make informed choices:

Tip #1: Choose countries based on the weather: go north in the warmer months and south in the cooler months.

Tip #2: Check when major exhibitions and concerts are scheduled and plan accordingly.

Tip #3: Avoid crowds by visiting popular tourist spots during less popular seasons (fall and winter), or first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Ultimately, the best time to travel to Europe is whenever you have the time. You may have to go to Greece in August.

If so, travel smart by avoiding strenuous activities during the heat of the day, scheduling visits to tourist hot spots such as the Acropolis in the early morning or evening (it stays open quite late), and opting for less sightseeing time and more pool/beach time.

Or you may only be able to visit England in December. No worries! Spend the mornings visiting scenic areas and quaint villages, and then visit museums later in the day when the sun starts to go down.

And in London, spend an evening or two enjoying a West End show.

Best Time to Tour Europe FAQs

What is the best time of year to tour Europe?

For most travelers, spring (April–June) is the best time to tour Europe. The weather is comfortable, major exhibitions and concerts are underway, and crowds are manageable compared to peak summer months.

Is summer a bad time to visit Europe?

Summer isn’t always a bad time, but it depends on where you go. Southern Europe can be uncomfortably hot and crowded, while northern European countries, including the UK, Scandinavia, and the Alps, often have pleasant weather and long daylight hours.

When is the cheapest time to travel to Europe?

The winter months (January–February) are usually the cheapest time to travel to Europe, excluding ski resorts and major holidays. You’ll find lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds, especially in large cities.

Is spring or fall better for touring Europe?

Both seasons are excellent, but spring tends to have slightly better weather and more seasonal events, while fall offers fewer crowds and major cultural exhibitions. Spring can be rainier; fall becomes chilly more quickly in northern regions.

When should I avoid traveling to Europe?

If you dislike crowds and extreme heat, avoid July and August in southern Europe, particularly in popular destinations like Italy, Spain, Greece, and southern France. Heat waves and sold-out attractions are common.

What is the best month to visit Europe for good weather?

May and September are often ideal months for touring Europe. Temperatures are moderate, daylight hours are generous, and most attractions are fully open without peak-season congestion.

Is winter a good time to visit Europe?

Winter can be a great time to visit European cities such as Paris, London, Rome, and Berlin. Museums and concert halls are in full swing, crowds are smaller, and prices are lower, although days are short in northern regions.

What is the best time to tour Europe to avoid crowds?

To avoid crowds, travel in late fall (October–November) or early spring (March–early April). Visiting popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon is a good strategy year-round.

Does the best time to tour Europe depend on activities?

Yes. Beach travel is best in summer, skiing in winter, cultural events in spring and fall, and city sightseeing in cooler months. The best time to tour Europe depends largely on what you want to experience.

Keep Traveling with Artsy Traveler

What advice do you have for someone planning a trip to Europe? In which seasons have you traveled? Which were great? Which are best avoided? Share your experiences in the Comments below.

For more posts about traveling smart check out:

About Carol Cram

Travel Photography As Art: Tips for Taking Great Shots by Guest Poster Julie H. Ferguson

Travel Smart 1 Comment

Last updated on April 5th, 2026 at 04:07 am

For most travelers, taking photgraphs is an integral part of exploring new destinations. Some people snap quick photos with their SmartPhones while others travel with several cameras and apply their training and a good eye to taking memorable, even exhibition-worthy photographs. Guest poster Julie H. Ferguson falls into the latter category.

Julie describes how she discovered her love of photography and shares her travel photography tips to help the Artsy Traveler take great pictures.

The cover photo for this post, previously exhibited, shows an iceberg in Baffin Bay, where Julie sailed on an expedition ship.

How I Got Started with Travel Photography
My Photography Passion Expands
Exhibiting My Travel Photography
What Kind of Camera Should You Use?
My Travel Photography Tips
Editing Your Photographs
Conclusion

How I Got Started with Travel Photography

I believe photography is an art form, while travel is an addiction. Together, they make a magical combination.

My father was an accomplished painter in oils and watercolors who took me to all the great museums and galleries in the UK and some in Europe. A serious amateur, he was good enough to exhibit in the Royal Academy. He also tried hard to get me drawing and painting from an early age.

However, I didn’t have his talent and got frustrated when I couldn’t reproduce what I was seeing. And then, when I was ten, Dad had a brainwave and bought me a Kodak Brownie camera.

Finally, I found a way to reproduce what I was seeing! Since then, I always have a camera in my hand.

Guest poster Julie H. Ferguson in Croker Bay on a cruise to Canada's Arctic in 2022 — Guest poster Julie H. Ferguson in Croker Bay on an expedition to Canada’s High Arctic (Nunavut) in 2022 (Courtesy: Susan Dixon)

My Photography Passion Expands

For years, I employed what my father taught me about composition, color, and light, especially after I acquired my first single lens reflex camera. I bought my first digital camera in 1999 and was hooked. I joined a camera club in 2005, practised a lot, and learned how to edit my images on a computer.

Now, I own four cameras — two Nikons and lenses, one small but mighty Lumix that fits in my pocket when I’m doing active things like riding camels, and an old GoPro.

I have about 50,000 images in the Cloud and have not stopped practising.

Selection of cameras used by guest poster Julie H. Ferguson when taking travel photographs — Julie’s cameras go everywhere with her when she travels

Exhibiting My Travel Photography

Our visual, connected world has seen an explosion in photography recently but, oddly enough, not much of an increase in photography exhibitions.

Go to any small or large gallery, and you will rarely see photographs on display. I try to find photography exhibitions wherever I am in the world and am not always successful, but at least I can enjoy the world’s best travel photographers’ work online. Here are two of my favorite websites:

The excellent art gallery near where I live in Penticton, BC, asked my camera club, the Penticton Photography Club, to mount a small exhibition in collaboration with fibre artists in 2021.

This was the first photography exhibit the gallery had mounted in its ninety-nine-year existence. I sold my first image at this exhibition — a thrilling moment for me after over twelve years of exhibiting. It was validating, and I felt I had honored my father’s long ago training sessions.

Guest poster Julie h. Ferguson next to photographs she exhibited — Julie next to the first photograph (R) she sold at an exhibition of the Naramata Inn near Penticton, BC (Courtesy: Merle Kindred)

What Kind of Camera Should You Use?

The best camera you have is the one in your hand is an old saying but it’s spot on! Today, the newer phone cameras are exceptional, and I use mine when I’m stuck without one of my cameras.

It takes very sharp images with true colors, and manages low light quite well. The video is good too, although I prefer taking stills because I enjoy the challenge.

My Travel Photography Tips

Do you, like me, view photography as more than a snapshot? Perhaps even art? If so, here are some simple travel photography tips to up your game for taking great travel shots.

Travel Photography Tip 1: Keep it straight

Here’s how to avoid shooting wonky horizons and leaning buildings

Line up the horizon to be parallel with the top or bottom of the screen; line up the side of buildings with the side of the screen.
Don’t tip your camera up or down—keep it parallel to the ground.

An iceberg near Baffin Island in Canada's Arctic--an example of good travel photography — Keeping the horizon line straight and focusing on the foreground

Travel Photography Tip 2: Avoid fuzzy images

Fuzzy images are generally caused by camera shake or poor focussing. Here’s how to fix:

Camera shake (everything is fuzzy): Never hold your camera or phone at arm’s length as it bounces when you click the shutter down. Wedge it against something or fix your elbows on a wall, your chest, or your knees before pressing the shutter.

Out of focus (the subject is fuzzy): Press the shutter halfway down and wait for the camera to focus on the subject. If using a phone, tap the screen over the subject. When shooting people or animals focus on the eye closest to you.

Travel Photography Tip 3: Find great light

Don’t shoot into the sun. The best light is during the golden hour after sunrise and before sunset.

Travel Photography Tip 4: Take great people shots

Light people effectively: Take portraits in the shade or on an overcast day to avoid ugly shadows on faces and squinty eyes in bright sunlight. Dark or silhouetted portraits are caused by bright light behind them from skies, sun, sea, or snow.

Close-up hotograph of a woman whosing how to take people photos without harsh shadows. — An example of a portrait that demonstrates harsh shadows under the nose, deep wrinkles, and squinty eyes in bright midday sun.

Put your focus point on the subject by holding down the shutter halfway while the camera focuses. If your camera has an interactive screen, tap over the subject, or tap the subject on your phone’s screen.

Photograph of two camel traders in Morocco as an example of Travel Photograph Tip 4: keeping the focus point on the subject. — In 2018 at the Pushkar Camel Fair, two chiefs haggle good-naturedly over the price of one camel.

If you’re shooting inside and using flash, move your subjects away from the walls by at least a metre to avoid unsightly shadows behind them.

Travel Photography Tip 5: Apply effective composition principles

Avoid placing your subject (focus point) in the middle of the frame. Use the “Rule of Thirds” and put your subject in the area of one of the red dots in the diagram — it’s more pleasing to the eye.

Diagram showing the Rule of Thirds - Travel Photograph Tip 5.

This photograph of an Inu elder in Canada's Arctic demonstrates the trave; photography tip related to the principle of thirds — This photograph of an Inuk elder in Canada’s Arctic demonstrates the Rule of Thirds and the need for space in front of her.

Travel Photograph Tip 6: Avoid shooting where you are standing

Walk around your subject if possible; move right and left, forward and back, and up and down to find the best angle for your shot.

Ziz Gorge in Morocco - an example of photograph tip 6: avoid shooting where you are standing. — Making this huge rock the focal point using the Rule of Thirds with leading lines in this shot of the Ziz Gorge in Morocco

Travel Photography Tip 7: Practise often!

It’s digital, so you can take as many photos as you like, and your “eye” will begin to improve, and the above tips will become more automatic.

Avoid taking a new camera on vacation without taking 2001+ photographs before you go!

Editing Your Photographs

I always endeavour to get the picture I want right in the camera, but I do appreciate the creativity that the digital darkroom affords. In fact, I love the editing as much as taking the photographs. This is where the magic happens for me.

Once you start getting comfortable with your camera, you might want to take the next step and get an editing app for your phone or computer. There’s plenty of suggestions online or from camera club members to get you started . For example, my favourites are Adobe Photoshop and the Nik Collection, the first of which has a steep learning curve (check out this guide to learning Photoshop). Other apps are effective and easy to use.

Conclusion

Upping your photography game when travelling takes some practice and thought. It’s well worth the effort both for personal satisfaction and as a means of preserving your memories.

Safe travels!

Read about Julie H. Ferguson on the Artsy Traveler Guest Posters page.

About Carol Cram

Table of Contents

A Tool I Built to Help You Plan

Blogs Worth Bookmarking

Museum Discovery Tools

Museum Membership Programs

Individual Museum Websites

Finding Major Exhibitions

Museum Websites Directly

Third-Party Ticketing Platforms

Concerts and Performances

London Theatre and Official London Theatre

Venue Websites Directly

Local Tourist Office Listings

Facebook Groups

Small Group and Specialty Tours

Online Searching

For Your Reading List

Newsletters Worth Subscribing To

Frequently Asked Questions

A Final Note

Table of Contents

Cards vs Cash in Europe

What Cards to Take

Choosing a Credit Card

Take At Least Two Cards

Foreign Transaction Fees

PIN Requirements

Travel Reward Cards

Have Sufficient Funds

ATM Strategy

Use Bank ATMs

Security

Choose Local Currency

Paying with Credit Cards: Avoiding the DCC Trap

Tipping

Budgeting and Currency Apps

Wise

Revolut

Google Maps and Currency

XE Currency

Your Bank’s App

Expense Tracking Apps

FAQs About Money in Europe

The Bottom Line About Money in Europe

Keep Traveling Smart with Artsy Traveler

Table of Contents

What Is an eSIM?

The Single Most Important Thing to Know: Set It Up Before You Leave

What About My Home Number?

How Much Data Should I Buy?

My Experience: The Honest Version

eSIM Pros and Cons

Pros:

Cons:

How to Get Started

Keep Traveling Smart with Artsy Traveler

Table of Contents

What I Mean by “Artsy Travel”

Start With Your Interests, Not the Destination

Museums

Architecture

Music

Dance

Literature

Theater

How To Decide What’s Truly Worth Your Time

Does This Sight/Experience/Performance Add Something New?

Is There Context or Story?

Will I Remember This a Year From Now?

Does It Fit My Energy?

Why Skipping Major Sites Is Not a Failure

Developing A “Worth-It” Filter

The Role of “Perfect Days” and Slower Itineraries

What’s Your Perfect Day?

How This Approach Changes the Way You Travel

FAQs: Artsy Travel in Europe

An Invitation

Perfect Day Itineraries for Culture Rich Cities

Museum Guides that Focus on Depth Rather Than Volume

Guides to Planning Meaningful Cultural Travel