Stop planning Europe wrong

In partnership with

5 min 30 sec read

Five countries in 10 days? That's not a vacation. That's a death march with jet lag.

You've got 10-14 days of PTO. Two kids who are finally old enough to remember the trip. A household budget that can handle one big international vacation this year.

So you do what everyone does: try to see as much as possible. Five countries in 10 days. Different hotel every two nights. Constant packing, airports, train stations.

Here's what actually happens: Day 3, your kids are exhausted from jet lag and changing locations. Day 5, everyone's burnt out from overstimulation. Day 8, you're just trying to survive until the flight home. Nobody's having fun anymore.

The problem isn't Europe. The problem is trying to see too much of it.

There's a better way: stay longer, see less.

The Only Rule You Need: 5 Days Per Country Minimum

After taking our family to Europe multiple times, here's the formula that actually works:

One country = 5 days minimum

Not 2 days. Not 3 days with "just one night" somewhere. Five full days minimum before you even think about moving to another country.

Why 5 days? Because that's how long it takes to:

• Recover from jet lag (2 days)

• Actually settle into a routine (1 day)

• Enjoy where you are without rushing (2 days)

This means:

• 10 days off work = 2 countries maximum

• 14 days off = 2-3 countries (only if they border each other)

• 7 days off = 1 country only (or skip Europe and go to Mexico)

Every time you switch countries, you lose a full day. Packing, checkout, travel, check-in, getting oriented, finding dinner in a new place. That's 6-8 hours of your vacation spent not actually experiencing anything.

Now here's what most people miss: Not all countries are equal.

Spain has 17 regions that feel like different countries. You could spend 14 days just in Andalusia (Seville, Granada, Córdoba) and barely scratch the surface. Portugal is small but packed—you need 5 days minimum for Porto and the Douro Valley alone.

Croatia's coast needs 10 days if you want to see Split, Zadar, and Dubrovnik properly. Switzerland is tiny but expensive—5 days is perfect. Slovenia you can cover well in 5-6 days. Monaco? You can see it in 4 hours, but you'd pair it with southern France.

The rule isn't about country size. It's about giving yourself enough time to stop rushing and start experiencing.

What this looks like in practice:

Instead of: London (2 nights) → Paris (2 nights) → Rome (2 nights) → fly home exhausted

Do this: Porto (6 nights) → train to Lisbon/Sintra (5 nights) → fly home rested

Instead of: Barcelona (2 nights) → Madrid (2 nights) → Seville (2 nights)

Do this: Seville (5 nights) → Granada (4 nights) → fly home from Málaga

The second option costs less money, creates better memories, and doesn't destroy your family in the process.

Getting There: The Nonstops That Matter

The flight determines everything. One connection with kids means 3+ extra hours of travel, higher chance of lost luggage, and two security checkpoints instead of one.

Your four best hubs for nonstop Europe flights:

Los Angeles (LAX): London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Zurich, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Munich. Most daily frequencies to Europe from the West Coast. LAX-Paris runs $700-900 roundtrip if you book 8-10 weeks out in shoulder season.

Dallas (DFW): London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Dublin on American Airlines. DFW is criminally underrated—often $200-350 cheaper than coastal departures with better schedules for families. DFW-London averages $650-850 roundtrip.

Chicago (ORD): The Midwest's secret weapon. Nonstops to London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Dublin, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Athens. Often $150-280 cheaper than East Coast with more daily flight options. ORD-Rome can be found for $750 roundtrip in April-May.

New York (JFK): Most Europe destinations of any U.S. airport. London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, plus hidden gems like Reykjavik, Athens, Tel Aviv. Premium for convenience but you pay for it—typically $200-400 more than Midwest departures.

Pro tip: If you're not near these four hubs, check connecting flight prices vs nonstop from a nearby major airport. Sometimes the connection saves you $400+ per person and is worth the extra 90 minutes.

Skip Paris and Rome (At Least for Your First Trip)

7 Ways to Take Control of Your Legacy

Planning your estate might not sound like the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but trust us, it’s worth it. And with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning, preparing isn’t as daunting as it may seem.

Inside, you’ll find {straightforward advice} on tackling key documents to clearly spell out your wishes.

Plus, there’s help for having those all-important family conversations about your financial legacy to make sure everyone’s on the same page (and avoid negative future surprises).

Why leave things to chance when you can take control? Explore ways to start, review or refine your estate plan today with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning.

Download your free guide now!

Everyone does Paris-Rome-Barcelona because that's what Instagram tells them to do.

The problem? Those cities are optimized for tourists, not families. Here's what nobody tells you about the "classics":

Paris reality check: Eiffel Tower security line averages 90 minutes in summer. Louvre is so massive your kids will melt down before you see the Mona Lisa. $9 croissants at cafes near Notre-Dame. Metro with strollers is a nightmare. Pickpockets work the tourist areas hard. You'll spend half your budget just existing there.

Rome reality check: Colosseum tickets must be booked months in advance or you're waiting 2+ hours in brutal sun with restless kids. Vatican Museums are so crowded you can't actually see the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Restaurants near Trevi Fountain charge $35 for mediocre pasta. Everyone's exhausted and cranky by day 3.

Barcelona reality check: Sagrada Familia is incredible but tickets sell out 8-10 weeks ahead. Las Ramblas is pickpocket central. Beach is packed shoulder-to-shoulder in summer. Your 8-year-old doesn't care about Gaudí architecture, they just want to play somewhere.

Are these cities worth visiting eventually? Absolutely. But for your first Europe trip with kids, when you're learning how international travel works and testing if your family can handle it? They're expensive trial-by-fire destinations that will exhaust you.

Here are the cities that deliver better experiences for families—less crowded, cheaper, more memorable:

Ljubljana, Slovenia - Medieval old town, dragon bridge legend kids love, castle with funicular railway, pedestrian-only streets perfect for strollers. Fly into Venice or Zagreb and train in. 1/3 the cost of Paris with zero crowds.

Seville, Spain - Birthplace of flamenco, incredible tapas at half Madrid prices, entirely walkable old town, Real Alcázar palace that looks like a fairy tale. Direct flights from JFK. Day trips to Cádiz beaches. Summer gets hot (100°F+) so go April-May or September-October.

Gdańsk, Poland - Baltic coast beauty, colorful merchant houses, World War II history at Solidarity Museum, authentic Polish food for $8/meal. Direct flights from ORD on LOT Polish. Kids eat pierogi and żurek soup for $3. Hotel rooms $70/night.

Porto, Portugal - River views, port wine cellars (parents) and Harry Potter bookshop (kids), beach access, tile-covered buildings. Half the tourists of Lisbon, 40% cheaper. Nonstop from JFK and Newark on TAP. Day trip to Douro Valley vineyards.

Zadar, Croatia - Adriatic coast, Sea Organ that makes music from waves (kids go crazy for this), Roman Forum, nearby national parks. Way cheaper than Dubrovnik with better beaches and fewer cruise ship crowds. Fly into Zagreb and drive 2 hours.

Lake Como, Italy - Yes, it's in Italy, but it's nothing like Rome's chaos. Mountain views, ferry hopping between villages, apartment rentals with kitchens, kids can play by the water. Fly into Milan (1 hour away). We stayed 6 nights and it's our favorite Europe trip ever.

Sintra, Portugal - 30 minutes from Lisbon but feels like another world. Colorful Pena Palace kids think is from a cartoon, mystical Quinta da Regaleira with hidden tunnels, castles everywhere. Do Lisbon (3 nights) + Sintra (4 nights) for an amazing 10-day trip.

These places cost 40-60% less than Paris or Rome. Your hotel budget goes further. Your food budget stretches. Your kids aren't constantly overstimulated by crowds. And you'll have stories nobody else has.

Where to Stay: Hotels vs Airbnbs (The Real Answer)

For families, this depends entirely on how long you're staying in one place.

Choose Airbnbs when: Staying 5+ nights in one city, you want a kitchen to save $40-60/day on meals, kids need separate sleeping spaces, you're doing laundry mid-trip (huge for families).

Choose hotels when: Staying 2-3 nights only, you want daily housekeeping, you need flexibility with easier cancellations, location matters more than space.

The hybrid approach that works best: Airbnb for your longer stay (5-6 nights), hotel for your shorter stop (2-3 nights). Gets you the best of both without committing to one strategy.

European Hotel Chains Americans Don't Know About (But Should)

Americans default to Marriott and Hilton in Europe because they recognize the names. But Europeans use completely different chains that offer 30-50% better value for families.

Which chain for your family?

Tight budget + kids under 10: Ibis Budget - Family rooms with bunk beds, $70-95/night even in major cities. 600+ locations across Europe. Think Holiday Inn Express but cheaper and more consistent.

Moderate budget + want reliability: Premier Inn - "Good Night Guarantee" means they refund you if the room isn't spotless. Kids eat free at attached restaurants. $95-140/night. Mostly UK but expanding to Germany.

Teens who need their own space: Book 2 rooms at Motel One - Stylish German chain, small rooms but great locations. Two rooms here ($160 total) beats one U.S. hotel family room ($220+).

Short stays in expensive cities: CitizenM - Compact rooms, huge beds, cool design. Not ideal for kids under 12 (rooms are tiny), but works if you have teens. City center locations. $110-170/night.

Real example: Seville for 3 nights, family of 4. Marriott downtown: $168/night ($504 total). Ibis Styles same area: $94/night ($282 total). Savings: $222. That's four incredible tapas dinners plus flamenco show tickets.

Maximizing Your PTO and Budget (The Exact Structure)

Most families overthink this. Here are the only two itineraries that work:

The 10-day trip:

• Day 1: Fly overnight, arrive morning (you're a zombie)

• Days 2-6: First city (5 full days)

• Day 7: Travel day to second city

• Days 8-11: Second city (4 full days)

• Day 12: Fly home

You get 9 full days of actual vacation with only one country switch.

The 14-day trip (the sweet spot):

• Day 1: Fly overnight, arrive morning

• Days 2-7: First city (6 nights, ideally Airbnb with kitchen)

• Day 8: Travel day

• Days 9-13: Second city (5 nights)

• Day 14: Fly home

You get 11 full days of vacation. This is ideal for families—enough time to settle in, adjust to time zones, and not feel rushed.

Budget breakdown for a family of 4, 14-day trip:

Flights: $3,200-4,000 (book 8-10 weeks out, nonstops only)
Accommodations: $1,300-1,800 (mix of Airbnb and European chains, $95-130/night average)
Food: $1,300-1,700 ($95-120/day, cooking breakfast and some dinners)
Activities: $700-1,000 (museums, trains between cities, experiences)

Total: $6,500-8,500 for a family of 4 for two weeks in Europe.

Five ways to cut $1,500 from this:

1. Travel shoulder season—April/May or September/October saves $600-800 on flights

2. Cook breakfast and pack lunches 5 days/week—saves $300-400

3. Skip U.S. chains for European hotels—saves $250-350

4. Use trains instead of intra-Europe flights—saves $200-300

5. Book museums online in advance—saves 15-20% per ticket, about $80-120 total

Want the exact Airbnbs we stayed at in Lake Como and Lauterbrunnen? I share links to all our accommodations, the specific ferry routes we took, and the gelato shops worth the line in my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here.

The Two-Country Combinations That Actually Work

Pick countries that border each other or have train connections under 4 hours. Anything else eats too much time.

For first-timers (skip the tourist traps): Slovenia + Croatia (Ljubljana to Zadar), Portugal only (Porto + Sintra/Lisbon), Spain (Seville + Granada or Barcelona + Costa Brava)

For mountain lovers: Switzerland + Austria (less crowded than Swiss Alps alone), Northern Italy + Switzerland (Lake Como to Lauterbrunnen)

For coastal beauty without Amalfi Coast prices: Croatia coast (Split + Zadar + Dubrovnik via ferry), Greek islands (pick ONE island + Athens), Portugal (Porto + Algarve beaches)

The mistake people make: Trying to do "a little of everything." Your kids won't remember six countries. They'll remember the Sea Organ in Zadar that makes music from waves, or the dragon bridge legend in Ljubljana, or the hidden tunnels at Quinta da Regaleira.

What This Actually Looks Like

The trip that breaks families:
London (2 nights) → Paris (2 nights) → Amsterdam (2 nights) → Rome (2 nights) → Barcelona (2 nights). Five cities, four flights, constant packing. Kids are miserable by day 6. Total cost: $9,200 for family of 4.

The trip that works:
Porto (6 nights in apartment with kitchen, day trips to Douro Valley) → train to Sintra (5 nights exploring palaces and beaches) → fly home from Lisbon. Two Portuguese cities, one train, zero stress. Kids remember the port wine cellar tour boat and finding secret passages at Quinta da Regaleira. Total cost: $7,100 for family of 4.

Stop Counting Countries, Start Counting Memories

Your kids are young once. Your PTO is limited. Your budget matters.

The biggest mistake families make? Thinking more countries = better trip. It's the opposite.

Two countries for 5-6 days each beats five countries for 2 days each. Every single time.

Your kids won't remember six countries. They'll remember the gelato shop in Como you went to three times. The cow bells in Lauterbrunnen. The apartment where they had their own room and you cooked breakfast together. The ferry ride. The specific waterfall. Not the museum in city number four whose name they can't remember.

Five days minimum. Two countries maximum. That's the formula.

Next time someone tells you they're doing "London-Paris-Rome-Barcelona in 8 days," forward them this newsletter.

Then book your two-country trip and send me a photo when your kids are actually smiling instead of melting down in another airport.

Ready to plan your trip the right way? Every Thursday I send one email with practical travel strategies for families—flight deals from U.S. hubs, underrated destinations, exact budgets, and what actually works with kids. Subscribe free at theworldunfolding.com

Know someone planning Europe with kids? Forward this to them. They'll thank you when they're not burnt out by day 5.

Until next Thursday,
Jeff