How We Plan Trips Across Europe
We travel Europe differently than most guides assume. We live here, we return to the same places and we plan trips based on what actually works after doing this over and over again.
People often assume we travel Europe on impulse. We don’t. What looks spontaneous from the outside is usually the result of planning, rerouting and learning what actually works after years of doing this repeatedly.
The getAwayZ exists because we have been traveling since 2017 as US expats. Not as a once in a lifetime trip. Not as a single itinerary. But as repeat travelers who live here, move around often and return to the same places in different seasons. This site is built from that experience. What worked, what did not and what we would do again.
This post explains how we plan trips across Europe and how our guides are created. It is the foundation behind everything you see on this site.
Why We Focus on Europe
Europe works especially well for repeat travel. Distances are manageable. Borders are easy to cross. Landscapes, food and culture can change completely within a few hours of driving.
Living in Europe also changes how you travel. We are not trying to see everything in one trip. We plan around seasons and how places actually feel when you are there for more than a few days. That perspective shapes every recommendation we make.
How We Choose Destinations
We rarely plan trips around trends. Most destinations come from one of three places.
First, places we already know and want to revisit differently. A city we saw in summer might feel completely different in winter. A region we rushed through once deserves more time.
Second, places that fit into a logical driving route. We plan trips where moving between destinations feels manageable rather than exhausting. Europe works well for this because towns, regions and even countries connect naturally by road.
Third, practical timing. Weather, school schedules, local events and shoulder seasons matter more than hype. We would rather visit a popular destination at a quieter time than chase peak season just because it looks good online.
How We Plan Routes and Timing
We usually start by deciding where we want to end up. From there, we map out the route based on places we actually want to stop, not what gets us there the fastest.
We keep driving days reasonable. Four to five hours max if we can help it. That gives us time to arrive, check in, eat somewhere local and feel settled.
We book the main stops ahead of time and leave the rest open. Some days we add a night. Other times we skip a stop completely. That flexibility is part of how we travel and why our trips rarely feel rushed.
How We Choose Where to Stay
Accommodation decisions shape the entire trip. We do not book randomly.
Location comes first. When driving, parking access and ease of arrival matter more than being in the exact center of town. We often choose places just outside historic centers if it makes logistics easier.
Second is layout and functionality. We look for places that allow us to settle in, not just sleep. Space to unpack, regroup and stay organized matters, especially on longer trips.
Third is value, not price. Expensive does not always mean better. We mix hotels and airbnb stays depending on the destination and length of the trip.
Our hotel and accommodation guides reflect this. They are not sponsored lists. They are places we have stayed, researched for our own trips or confidently recommend based on location and experience.
How We Travel Repeatedly, Not Once
Traveling the same regions more than once changes how you plan.
You stop trying to do everything. You get better at recognizing what is actually worth your time. You also become more honest about what you enjoy and what you do not.
We plan trips that allow for downtime. That might mean fewer destinations, longer stays or building trips around one region instead of several countries. This approach makes travel sustainable and far more enjoyable.
It also means our guides evolve. A destination page might start with one trip and expand over time as we return, stay in different areas or explore new routes.
How Our Guides Are Researched and Updated
Every guide on this site is built from a combination of firsthand experience and ongoing research.
When we visit a place, we take notes. Where we stayed. How long it took to get around. What surprised us. What we would skip next time. Those details matter more than generic lists.
After trips, we cross check information. Opening hours change. Parking rules shift. Restaurants close or move. We update posts to reflect current conditions rather than leaving outdated information live.
If we recommend something we have not personally used, we say so clearly. That transparency is intentional. This site is meant to feel crafted, not scraped.
Who This Site Is For
The getAwayZ is for people who want to travel Europe realistically.
That includes travelers planning their first big trip and those returning for the fifth time. People who want structure but not rigid itineraries. People who care about logistics, timing and how travel actually feels once you arrive.
If you want overly polished highlight reels, this is probably not the right place. If you want practical guidance built from real travel across Europe, you are in the right spot.
How to Use This Site
Start with a country or city guide. Read the planning sections. Use the hotel and food posts as a framework, not a checklist.
Travel plans change. Ours always do. The goal is not perfection. The goal is a trip that works for you.
This is how we plan trips across Europe. Everything else on this site builds from that foundation.
Explore destination guides by country and city:
→ Destinations
Find places to stay we’d actually consider booking again:
→ Where to Stay in Europe