Your First Trip to Europe: A Slightly Classy, Slightly Chaotic Guide for First-Timers

There comes a moment in every person’s life when they stare dramatically out a window, sip something overpriced, and think, “I should go to Europe.” This is your sign. And lucky for you, Europe is basically a collection of bucket-list experiences packed into one very walkable, pastry-filled continent.

But let’s start with the most important decision: where to begin without crying in a foreign train station.

Stop #1: London, England — Where Americans Go to Feel Cultured but Still Understand the Menu! 

London is hands-down the best place to start your European adventure. Why? Because they speak English. Revolutionary concept, I know!

It’s also one of the biggest travel hubs in Europe, and flying into Heathrow is often one of the most cost-effective options. Once you’re there, you can hop on European airlines or trains to other countries for under $100. Yes, that’s less than an USA airport Chick-fil-A for a family of four.

London itself is packed with history, culture, and enough landmarks to destroy your phone storage.

You can:

• Walk through the Churchill War Rooms and pretend you’re making very important wartime decisions.

• Wander the National Gallery and nod thoughtfully at paintings you don’t understand.

• Visit Buckingham Palace and reconnect with your inner princess. Or at least your inner person who wants a tiara. Todd loves wearing a tiara, so this is his favor stop. Yes, I’m dripping with sarcasm!

• See Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London, where history gets delightfully dramatic.

• Ride the London Eye and take photos you’ll post for the next seven years.

If shopping is your cardio, head to Oxford Street and Bond Street, where your credit card goes to die honorably. The cathedral is nearby if you need to have a quick funeral for that plastic  

And of course, soccer…

If you enjoy watching mediocre soccer, you can catch a Chelsea or Arsenal game. If you’d prefer watching actual good soccer, take a quick trip north to Manchester and watch Manchester United, where legends are made and husbands like Todd suddenly become emotional. It’s true, he cried. We’ll save that for another blog.

Stop #2: Paris, France — Where You Become the Main Character

From London, Paris is an easy and iconic next stop. Just take the Chunnel train, which gets you there in about 2½ hours. Book in advance, and it’s surprisingly affordable—and far less stressful than airports. Yes, you can do the Chunnel. Todd and I hate confined spaces, so the Chunnel worried us. It was a piece of cake! Or should I say macarons?! In fact, we slept. Jet lag sets in and that rocking of the train. We were out!

Paris is everything you imagine and more.

You’ve got:

• The Eiffel Tower, which somehow still exceeds expectations.

• The Louvre, home of the Mona Lisa and approximately 400 miles of walking.

• Notre Dame Cathedral, still breathtaking.

• Montmartre, where every corner looks like a painting.

• The Seine River, perfect for romantic strolls or dramatic life reflections.

And then… the shopping.

The Champs-Élysées is where fashion dreams come true and budgets go to die.

Personally, I’d be busy living my best life on an Emily in Paris tour, pretending I have a fabulous Parisian job and zero responsibilities.

Todd, meanwhile, would absolutely be attending a Paris Saint-Germain soccer match, because apparently soccer is a personality trait now.

Stop #3: Rome, Italy — Where History and Pasta Ruin You for Regular Life

From Paris, Rome is just a 2-hour flight, and airlines like Ryanair, ITA Airways, and EasyJet regularly offer tickets for under $100.

You can take a train…

But it takes all day.

And you do not fly to Europe to sit on transportation like you’re commuting to work.

Rome is unforgettable.

You’ll see:

• The Colosseum, which is somehow even bigger in person.

• The Roman Forum, where ancient Rome comes alive.

• The Trevi Fountain, where you’ll toss a coin and guarantee your return.

• The Pantheon, which will make you question modern architecture entirely.

• The Spanish Steps, perfect for people watching.

And of course, The Vatican, which is awe-inspiring whether you’re religious or just appreciate extremely impressive ceilings.

For shopping, walk Via dei Condotti, where luxury boutiques line the streets and you briefly consider becoming someone who wears linen daily. But don’t forget the gelato. We may or may not have had one daily while visiting. Don’t judge! You walk like 10-15 miles a day there, perfectly acceptable! Or at least that’s what I tell myself  

Alternative Stop: Frankfurt, Germany — Europe’s Most Underrated Power Player

If you want something a little different, swap Paris or Rome for Frankfurt. Depending on your taste. We mean that literally and figuratively. I personally would rather have schnitzel and bratwurst in Germany, than duck and steak tartar in Paris. 

Frankfurt offers the perfect mix of old-world charm and modern city energy.

Highlights include:

• Römerberg, the postcard-perfect historic square

• Frankfurt Cathedral, stunning and iconic

• Main Tower, offering incredible city views

• Museumsufer, a riverfront lined with world-class museums

• Palmengarten, beautiful botanical gardens perfect for wandering

And then… the shopping.

Goethestraße is Frankfurt’s luxury shopping street, filled with designer boutiques and the kind of stores where the employees silently judge your shoes.

It’s a character-building experience.

Why This Route is Perfect for First-Timers

This London → Paris → Rome (or Frankfurt) route is ideal because:

• It’s easy to navigate

• Travel between cities is quick and affordable

• Every destination is iconic

• And most importantly, it builds confidence for future trips

By the end, you’ll be ordering coffee like a local, navigating trains like a pro, and wondering why you don’t live in Europe full time.

Final Thoughts: Europe Will Ruin You (In the Best Way)

Europe has a way of getting under your skin.

It’s the history.

The architecture.

The shopping.

The food.

The moments you didn’t plan.

And the realization that the world is so much bigger—and more beautiful—than your routine back home.

You’ll come back different.

More inspired.

More curious.

And already planning your next trip.

Because once Europe gets you…

It doesn’t let go.

Stay tuned! Next we’ll give you some first timer tips, where to stay in these cities, and mistakes we made, so that you don’t have to.