Visit A City - Travel Guide & Itinerary

ExploreCity - Your ultimate companion for planning and executing your urban adventure:

- Craft a personalized schedule and reserve your excursions and leisure activities effortlessly.

- Unveil the must-visit landmarks, historic locations, and hidden treasures of your chosen city using our extensive handbook.

- Peruse a diverse array of guided walks, day trips, and more for your consideration.

- Access in-depth insights and recommendations to pinpoint experiences that align with your preferences.

Consolidate your travel resources with ExploreCity, the all-in-one solution for an enriched exploration. Install now and embark on your journey of discovery!

Trip Planning Tips

The fun of a trip starts before you even set off on your adventure; it begins when you start planning where you'll go, how you'll get there; what you'll see and where you'll stay. Not only is planning a trip exciting it is an essential part of having a successful trip. Research is the most important part of your pre-trip planning followed by vital bookings of the main elements of your trip – flight and hotel. Make a trip planning to do checklist. Get your affairs in order at home (cancel newspaper, get someone to water the plants etc) before leaving on your trip.

Where Do You a Want To Go

Obviously choose destinations which interest you but consider the time of year you are traveling and whether your destination is viable during that season. For example you may have always wanted to go to Scotland but can't stand the cold. So if your vacation is in winter it might be better to choose a European country on the Mediterranean. Some travel destinations in Europe are in close proximity to other major cities so you may be able to fit in more than one port-of-call on your journey. You may decide to land in one European country and travel over land through Europe before departing from a different country. Check out if there are any festivals or special events at the time of your proposed trip so that you can have some extra added value to your adventure.

Deciding When to Go

Obviously you will travel when you can get away from work and other commitments but also consider the cheaper travel seasons which are the "shoulder" seasons before and after summer (May, June, and September). Summer months (July August) are the most expensive and winter travel can be expensive in cities close to ski resorts. Christmas and Easter bring the prices of flights and hotels up but they are an exciting time to visit Europe.  Determine when to travel by the weather, special festivals or events at the travel destination and special travel deals. In several European countries (e.g. France, Italy and Greece) some stores and restaurants close during August. In the low seasons public transport can be less frequent and attractions may have shorter open hours.

What is your budget?

The amount of time you spend on your trip and the things you do and places you stay will be largely determined by your budget. Decide roughly how much you can afford before researching 5 star hotels and first class plane tickets! Research where exchange rates are best – at the airport on arrival, in your home country or at a bank or change-point in your destination city. Convert your travel money into Euros and get your credit card in order.

Documents and Essentials in your Wallet

Check you have a passport which is valid for at least 3 months from your date of return. Make sure you have the necessary visa to enter Europe. US, New Zealand, Canada and Australian citizens can stay visa free up to 90 days in Europe but will need a visa if visiting Russia or Belarus. UK and Irish citizens can travel freely in Europe. A long list of other countries require their citizens to acquire a Schengen Visa which gives free movement in 22 European countries and several member states ( Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichtenstein). The Schengen Visa costs €60-€99. It is recommended to apply for a visa at least 6 weeks before your trip. Apply in your country at the embassy of the first country you will be visiting.

Consult with your bank about an international credit card, where you can use it and how. Also ask the bank about any hidden fees for using your credit card overseas and get the contact number in case of loss or theft of your card. Get travel insurance and decide if you want health coverage only or loss of luggage and canceled trip insurance. Your credit card company or regular health insurance may sell travel insurance. If you are a senior or student take your card along for discounts. If you plan to drive arrange an international driver's license.  Look into buying a CityPass which gives you entrance into a number of attractions and free public transport. Buy this pass online before your trip. Once you have all your documents, hotel vouchers and confirmations of bookings photocopy everything, including your passport. Leave a copy of everything with someone at home and take a copy with you to be kept in a different place to the originals.

Health Concerns

Check with your general practitioner about any recommendations for vaccinations although generally vaccinations are sometimes recommended but not mandatory in Europe. There can be exceptions in Eastern European countries. Get a supply of any medicines you use regularly to take with you on your trip.

How to Get There

Booking flights is an art these days, depending on where you are coming from there is an ideal time and day to book to get the cheapest prices. From the US for example flights to Europe should be booked 3 months to 3 weeks in advance but ideally 151 days before take-off. Start shopping around for flights on a Tuesday. Several travel sites have done in depth research to find the ideal time to buy and the cheapest time and day to fly. Check out the many low budget, no-frills airlines in Europe. If may be cheaper to fly into an adjacent country and continue on to your destination by train or bus. Planning your airport to hotel transport is essential; book a taxi to meet you if necessary or find the bus/train number, departure and arrival point and schedule.

How To Get Around

If you'll be renting a car in Europe research the best options and take in to account companies which offer free insurance, free mileage or free kid's car seats, ski racks or bike racks. Car rental companies tend to have a lot of hidden costs. Check out what happens if you want to rent in one country and drop off the car in another. If you'll be traveling by train investigate the various rail passes. There are several types of EuroRail Passes depending on the length of your stay, countries you'll be visiting and your age.  Most rail passes need to be purchased in your home country online. Although driving a rental car or traveling by train in Europe is very easy and convenient you should check out whether internal flights between European capitals may even be cheaper than taking the train. Invest in a multiple trip public transport card or ticket for the city you'll be visiting. Not only does this save money and time but it makes it a lot easier to just hop on and off public transport. Check if it includes airport transport which it often doesn't and buy your ticket in advance.

Where To Stay

Having worked out your budget you will have a general idea of whether you are looking for a hostel or a 5 star hotel. Hotels and flights are the two things which you should book ahead of time. Travel passes; entrance tickets and other extras you can probably get on the spot if you have to but don't be left without somewhere to sleep. These days booking a hotel online is the cheapest and most convenient way. Use a hotel search engine which will do the work of scanning the Internet for you and bringing you a list of the best deals online. Then compare those results with the hotel's official site. It can turn out cheaper to book directly with the hotel. When selecting a hotel consider your budget, your personal taste in hotel style, any needs you may have (breakfast included, wheelchair access, family room etc) and most importantly consider location. If you are looking for an unusual place to stay then you may have to use other online sources other than hotel search engines. 

Location, location, location! If the hotel is cheaper because it is in the suburbs how much will transport into the center cost you every day and how much of your vacation time will the commute eat up? Find out how to reach the hotel from the airport. Check what is the hotel's cancelation policy and if you book through a third-party site (like Booking, Orbiz, Agoda or Priceline where you can bid on your ticket) will you be subject to that sites policies or the policy of the hotel. Do you pay up-front when booking or at the hotel?

So you've chosen a hotel that appeals to you, is within your budget, provides everything you need and which you have considered how to get to and from the city center. The next step is to pay and print out your hotel voucher. Like your other important travel documents copy the voucher and leave a copy at home and in a different place in your luggage from the original. Contact the hotel directly to arrange any special extras and ask any questions you have. Print up their email replies so that you have proof that they made certain promises or claims and take the emails with you. Some travelers prefer to book a hotel only for the first and last night of their trip and to find other accommodation once they arrive. This is only for the brave at heart and the super spontaneous.

What To Eat

If you have special dietary needs you can find appropriate restaurants online. The Happy Cow is a great site where vegetarian and vegan restaurants from around the world are listed and pin pointed on a map. Kosher Delight lists kosher restaurants worldwide and Zabihah lists Halal restaurants. Do research into the local delicacies, top restaurants and must-try eateries.

Planning Your Itinerary and What To See

Map out your basic itinerary, leaving wiggle room, then start filling in the blanks to see that you can fit in all you want to see and do and on what days. Start with the top 10 attractions in your destination city, there are usually sites which just shouldn't be missed like Big Ben in London and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. After you have those scheduled into your travel plan add some attractions which interest you personally. If you are into art, design, beaches, architecture or clubbing plan accordingly. If you have enough time plan a day trip or two to another city close by or travel from one country to another and fly back from a different country. With each attraction check online when it is open and if it has any free days. There is nothing worse than arriving at a museum to find it is closed or that if you'd come yesterday it would have been free! Have a basic plan but remain flexible. To really get a feel of Europe include both large cities and rural communities in your itinerary.

Guide Books

You can go old school and take an actual book with you; use a mobile app as your guide or use online resources to print up and create your own personal trip plan.

Special Experiences

Make your journey extra special by including a special activity, experience or day tour. Research wine tastings, barge cruises, cooking classes, horse riding or whatever your special interest is. This kind of activity is usually date-specific and has to be booked in advance but do not book date-specific activities before you have booked your air ticket.

Travel Gadgets and Apps

These days travel can be enhanced with a few simple gadgets and technical tricks. There are endless apps which you can download to make your trip easier for example currency conversion, metric conversion, translation apps and map apps. Organize your smart phone plan so you can use your phone abroad at minimum cost, double check you can access the Internet from your phone and make sure your phone recharger is compatible to the European plug system. Enter the phone numbers of your airline and hotel into your contacts. If you prefer to take photos with a camera rather than your phone then get hold of a good camera and make sure you have remembered the camera recharger or batteries.  Equip yourself with a good pair of earphones and enough music to provide the soundtrack to your European adventure.

Luggage and Packing List

Get hold of some strong luggage; check with your airline the permissible dimensions of hand luggage. Start making a packing list; as you remember things to bring just jot them down to refer to when you come to pack. 

Planning Your Trip Should Be Simple And Fun!

Planning a long vacation or just a weekend getaway?

We believe that planning the details of your trip can be as enjoyable as the trip itself. We believe that your own personal trip requires you to have your own personal travel guide. We know that the plans can change as you go and that your personal travel guide should be easily adjustable in order to help you modify your plans when that happens.

Create Your Personal Travel Guide

Starting with one of the adjustable itineraries is the easiest way to decide where to spend your time and how to get there.

The itinerary will help you find what to see, what to do, where to dine and where to put your head down after an enjoyable day.

Planning a trip was never this easy.

Take Your Travel Guide With You

Print your travel guide, download it for offline use or access it online while you travel, anywhere, anytime.

Your Plans are always there, accessible from any mobile phone, tablet or laptop.

Learn From Other Travelers

Visit A City is the only website that tells you the real popularity of all the activities in every destination along with how much time people usually spend in each.

No biased opinions or fake reviews, only real plans by real travelers.

What’s New

Visit A City, the ultimate travel companion, just got even better! We've added new features to enhance your travel experience, including:

• Up-to-date attraction information, so you can plan your itinerary with confidence

• Purchase tours and tickets directly through the app

• Smart nearby information gives you suggestions for things to do and see based on your location

• Opening hours, so you can make the most of your time in the city