Summer is slowly creeping up on us, and now is the time to start making those travel plans before flights and hotels get too expensive. One of the biggest movements on social media has been the concept of having a hot girl summer. Sure having a hot girl summer in the United States could be fun, but why not take it one step further and have a hot girl summer in Europe. As somebody who has had the opportunity to live and travel through Europe, I think everybody needs to explore Europe in their 20’s. With a solid plan and some travel tips, being able to achieve that may be more possible then you would believe.

Let's address the one major downside to this. Summer is definitely the busiest time to travel and by far the hottest time of the year. Places that seem to not be so crowded suddenly are packed shoulder to shoulder with people. Asides from the crowds there really aren't many other turnoffs, in fact there are still so many ways to see the beauty of Europe.

To kick off this summer journey you first need to figure out if you want to travel to multiple countries or one. Then from there you can begin planning your flights as well as the rest of your trip. Majority of my time in Europe was spent in Italy, which is one of the more expensive and in demand destinations. Hitting those top destination places is ideal, but if crowds aren't your thing there are plenty of incredible countries that are appealing. I would recommend Croatia, Austria (on the right) or Portugal (on the left).

Google Flights and Expedia were my two go to sites for finding flights. Of course when traveling across the Atlantic the flight will be the most expensive, but when traveling within Europe, those two sights provide cheap and easy to book flights. Another great place to find transportation is Omio. Trains are a huge and simple way to get from one place to another, and Omio makes it so easy to find trains for a low cost. Moreover, Uber is not used as frequently in Europe. Instead they use an app called FeeNow, which is essentially the same thing as Uber.

When packing for your trip, I really advise using a bag that does not have wheels. That's definitely hard to do, but using a Cotapaxi Travel Bag not only makes you more conscious of what you pack, but it is also easier to travel with. When traveling between countries you are going to want a bag that is easy for you to lift, as you will need to put it into overhead bins on airplanes and trains. Moreover, paying for a checked bag can add up. With lots of stairs, cobblestone streets and busy sidewalks having something easy to carry is ideal. Moreover, if you are checking out of hostels/hotels you are going to have to carry that bag around with you. Packing light is also so important. There are so many unique shops, and there will be lots of shopping done no matter where you go.

Finding a place to stay is the hardest part of the whole journey. Personally Hostelworld was my go-to for finding inexpensive and functional housing when I was traveling to different countries. Although sharing a space with strangers is not ideal, and I was only doing weekend trips, giving me a different experience than a longer week trip. If hostel culture isn't for you I would recommend looking on Airbnb before booking a hotel. If you are going with a bigger group of people the cost will be significantly cheaper if you are splitting it with others, and you can save some money by cooking meals there instead of eating out for every meal.

Now that the flight and the housing is booked, the itinerary can begin to get built. I am all for doing the touristy things in every country you go to. I've been to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Keukenhof, Netherlands to go see the tulip fields, and to Pompeii. Yes, these are very popular “overhyped” activities, but I think it can still be fun regardless of what people on social media may seem to think. When planning to do these things make sure you are buying your tickets in advance, and triple check the date and times.

While exploring make sure you are still aware of your surroundings. There is a risk of pickpocketing and theft everywhere. Fortunately, it is not as extreme as you think it is, but being cautious is still super important. Wanting to have the perfect trip is ideal no matter where you go, but make sure you let loose and have fun. Many countries in Europe are slow paced compared to America. There is no need to rush through everything, or have plans for every hour of the day. Allowing yourself to have free time to roam around is the best way to explore!