How to Plan an Affordable European Vacation

A European vacation is more affordable than most people realize—especially now. In 2022, the value of the euro reached its lowest levels against the dollar in 20 years. And while the exchange rate is constantly fluctuating, forecasts suggest shopping in Paris, dining in Rome, and island hopping in Greece will be easier on your wallet than in pre-pandemic years.

With proper planning, you can easily visit 2 or more European countries in a single trip. Here are surprisingly affordable ways to craft a dream vacation in Europe.

Guided group vacations

Overlooking the Gatehouse at Park Guell in Barcelona

Beautiful art and architecture in Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain. Photo courtesy Costsaver.

If you seek the biggest bang for your buck and don’t mind exploring alongside other travelers, join a guided group tour of Europe. Tour companies not only weave together multi-day European itineraries that can prove complicated to organize on your own, but they also secure better rates on hotels, transportation, and more. You realize those savings in one inclusive, upfront price.

Costsaver, a global tour company, offers 35 unique itineraries across Europe. Those include iconic destinations like Italy, Great Britain, and Croatia as well as less-touristy countries like Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland.

For less than $130 per day, vacationers can take a 15-day tour of Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Trying to recreate this tour on your own could cost an additional $300 per person, plus you’d have all the hassle of arranging your logistics including meals, transport, and activities.

A highland bagpiper in Scotland. Photo courtesy Costsaver.

Its European itineraries, which range from 7 to 28 days, also offer a perk that many structured group tours don’t: The flexibility to explore what interests you. Every itinerary includes ample free time so you can explore on your own or choose from a selection of optional experiences themed around nature, history, food, culture, adventure, and wellness. You can opt to cruise the Seine in Paris, watch Flamenco in Spain, or take a guided tour of Vatican artwork in Rome. AAA members will also receive a credit towards optional experiences to use on the trip.

Group tours and excursions typically prove more economical than private tours at museums and famous sites. You’ll be accompanied by a Travel Director during your entire trip to ensure your vacation runs smoothly (they can even share some local secrets along the way!). Plus, you may befriend new travel companions in your group.

Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy. Photo courtesy Costsaver.

Here are a few itineraries to inspire armchair exploration of the diverse possibilities:

Splendours of Italy (13 days): Experience la dolce vita with this journey that bundles Rome, Venice, Pisa, and Florence into a single trip.
Best of the Balkans (10 days): Discover an up-and-coming region of Europe, including Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Split in Croatia, before it becomes a mainstream destination.
Britain and Ireland Delight (10 days): Explore England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Wales, 5 destinations steeped in history, poetry, and fairy tales.
Highlights of Bohemia (15 days): History and folklore come alive during this sampling of Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

Ocean cruises

The Holland America MS Rotterdam anchored off the coast of Norway

The Holland America MS Rotterdam off the coast of Norway. Photo courtesy Holland America Line.

European cruises are popular for a reason: They allow you to visit many countries in a single trip without the hassle of packing and unpacking and making travel arrangements yourself. Your biggest decisions will be selecting a cruise itinerary and your shore excursions.

Holland America Line and Princess Cruises offer particularly attractive incentives for those who book during the first part of the year, known as “wave season.” From January through March, most cruise lines roll out the best deals of the year. Often-offered booking perks can make a European cruise even more affordable. Find 7-day itineraries from $800 per person (based on double occupancy).

Because AAA Travel Advisors are up-to-date on special deals and limited-time offers, they can get AAA members additional, exclusive perks or amenities. These might include steep discounts, free stateroom upgrades, kids-sail-free offers, reduced deposits, and onboard credit.

Naples, Italy is a popular port for European cruises. Photo courtesy Princess Cruises.

Generally, European cruises are divided into several regions:

Western Mediterranean (Italy, France, Monaco, Spain, and Tunisia)
Eastern Mediterranean (Balkan countries, Greece, Italy, and Turkey)
Northern Europe (Baltic countries, Iceland, Norway, Scotland and the United Kingdom )

Holland America Line offers more than 60 departures on 47 unique itineraries across Europe. Princess offers more than 150 on 85 unique itineraries across Europe.

Visit iconic landmarks on excursions in Athens, Greece. Photo courtesy Princess Cruises.

Consider the available shore excursions before committing to a cruise. That precious time in each European port will make your trip special.

Perhaps you’re a movie enthusiast and want to make a pilgrimage to The Godfather film locations in Sicily. Or maybe you’re a history buff eager to visit the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France. Are you a culture connoisseur? An excursion to enjoy music and Guinness in a Dublin pub might suit. An adventurer? Ride a Fiat through Tuscany while in Florence, Italy.

Your AAA Travel Advisor can confirm that your cruise line can arrange something that interests you. Foodies, take note: Holland America Line's partnership with Food & Wine magazine means expertly curated culinary-themed shore tours across Europe’s top foodie spots.

The Holland America MS Konigsdam sailing to Geiranger, Norway. Photo courtesy Holland America Line.

Some standout itineraries on Princess Cruises and Holland America:

10-Day Grand Mediterranean: Sail round-trip from Rome to the Greek Islands of Santorini and Corfu, along with stops in Athens and Naples, aboard the new Sun Princess, which boasts cleaner-burning fuel and debuts in 2024. Book Now
14-Day Norwegian Fjords & Islands of Iceland & Scotland: Sail round-trip from Copenhagen, Denmark aboard the Holland America Nieuw Statendam. Highlights include sailing the fjords of Norway and Iceland, as well as stopping in the capital cities of Oslo, Reykjavík, and Edinburgh. Book Now
8-Day European Splendor: Sail from Barcelona to Amsterdam aboard the Holland America Nieuw Statendam. Focusing on western Europe, this cruise includes stops in Cartagena, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Brest, France. Book now
7-Day Scandinavia: Sail round-trip from London aboard the Sky Princess, stopping at 4 cities across Norway and Denmark, including Oslo and Copenhagen. Book Now

Customized vacations

The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. ©scaliger/Adobe Stock

Craft a one-of-a-kind European adventure that gives you freedom and flexibility to explore on your own, as you please. Just do it with a little help to optimize savings and minimize your travel-planning headaches.

First things first: Take your travel wish list and budget to a local AAA Travel Advisor. This service for AAA members can save you time and money. Along with tapping insider expertise and AAA’s exclusive deals and perks with global travel providers, you get built-in stress reduction. AAA Travel Advisors stay on top of the evolving rules and requirements of airlines, hotels, cruises, and destinations, and will be your go-to before, during, and after your vacation.

AAA Travel Advisors work with Pleasant Holidays to customize European vacations to suit any budget. This team will listen to your “musts”, then bundle an itinerary with your flights, accommodations, excursions, and other services in a way that is more economical than reserving each component on your own.

View of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy. ©tichr/Adobe Stock

Pleasant Holidays says Italy has been one of its most popular travel destinations lately.

An itinerary designed by Pleasant Holidays and your AAA Travel Advisor might start with a round-trip flight into Rome. Stay at The Westin Excelsior Rome, which is centrally positioned between the Spanish Steps and the Borghese Gallery and Museum, and experience a robust itinerary that includes your pre-selected city tours and train excursions with overnight stays in Florence, Tuscany, Venice, or the Amalfi Coast. You might even pair a land journey in Italy with a European cruise or river cruise, where you can visit a different city (or country!) each day.

This is just an example, of course; your customized trip can be as active or relaxing as you decide.

Madeira island is a less-visited destination in Portugal. ©strekoza64Adobe Stock

In addition to bucket-list destinations like Italy, Pleasant Holidays has noticed an increase in requests for the not-so-obvious European destinations, too, especially from travelers who’ve traveled to the continent before. It has started booking travelers at 4- and 5-star hotels on Madeira, a subtropical Portuguese archipelago often compared to Hawai'i. Madeira pairs well with a larger Portugal itinerary that includes vibrant Lisbon and Porto, and the Douro Valley, a wine region popular with river cruises.

If you’re not on a tour or cruise where meals are included, seek hotels that include breakfast in the nightly rate so you can fuel up each day. Consider splurging on just 1 table-service meal daily, and avoid touristy areas at mealtime that tend to serve overpriced and underwhelming cuisine.

Plan your European vacation with Pleasant Holidays

Money-saving travel planning tips

Eastern European countries, such as Hungary, can be affordable alternatives to more popular destinations. ©TTstudio/Adobe Stock

Keep these cost-saving strategies in mind when crafting your dream European vacation. A few money-saving tips to consider when working with your AAA Travel Advisor.

Travel during shoulder season. In Europe, this is generally late fall through early spring. The weather may not be as warm as in late spring and summer, but you'll save money on flights and accommodations. You’ll also face fewer crowds at top attractions.
Consider Eastern Europe. Western nations such as France, Italy, and Britain have a reputation for being pricey. Touring Eastern European nations like Poland, Romania, or Hungary costs less and offers fascinating (and underrated) culture, history, and cuisine.
Take advantage of group discounts. Traveling with a big group? Ask your AAA Travel Advisor about group discounts. Travel companies may extend a sweeter deal to secure your sizable business.
Save on flight costs. For international flights, you’re more likely to yield extra savings by flying midweek. Belong to an airline loyalty program? Apply points to your flight. Sometimes credit card loyalty points can be applied toward travel, too.

Whatever is on your European bucket list, the continent has never been more attractive to budget-conscious travelers. AAA-vetted vacation opportunities, coupled with a strong U.S. dollar, make now the time to plan—and go.