Plan a Trip to Europe Your Family Can Afford

Traveling to Europe was always an unrealistic dream to me.

I dreamed of castles, cathedrals, and picturesque landscapes. All that history! 

When I received a small inheritance, I put some money aside to live that dream. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to get to Europe and how many great deals are available. 

Here's how we got to Europe on a shoestring budget. 

First, we made a list of all the places we wanted to see on our trips. We also made a list of "nice to see, but not necessary places." 

We mapped those places out using maps and travel guides. One of my favorite travel guide series is the DK Travel Guides. I have 8 of them!

Then, we started looking for deals. Not for a week or two, but over months, keeping in mind dates that we were available to go.

​We also covered our trip in prayer, asking the Lord for deals, His perfect timing, and more. 

My daughter Julianna and I looked at hundreds of tours before we found the tour we went on when we traveled to Italy. It was all-inclusive for one week and we were blown away at how cheap it was. When we were there, we found the accommodations were beautiful. It was definitely a good find!

The secret is to look so much that you can recognize a good deal when it comes and snatch it up.. 

Here are some places I like to check out for great vacation prices. 

Travel Zoo
Groupon
Gate 1 Travel
Trafalgar
Sherman's Travel

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Travel in the Kitchen

While you are busy saving and planning a trip to Europe, it's fun to read travel guides, classic literature set in Europe, and living books about nations in Europe. I love watching movies set in romantic countries like Austria, France, Switzerland, England, Ireland, and Italy. 

We love to try out some European dishes, too. We have compiled some of our favorite international recipes into one cookbook, Travel God's World Cookbook. Divided by continents with several nations from each continent, every country has its own section with a flag, list of dishes you must try when you visit the country, and places you have to see. It's like taking a quick trip to 33 different countries. 

I hope you get to travel to Europe and enjoy the sights, the food, the people, the history. 

God bless you. 

Warmly, 
​Meredith Curtis 

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