Gap Year Travel Guide to Europe

Paris, Berlin, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden; Europe is your oyster and there's plenty of gap year fun to be had!

As the comedian Eddie Izzard says, “This is Europe, where the history comes from”. You can’t avoid it and nor would you want to, not when it’s in the shape of fairy tale castles, medieval villages and Roman amphitheatres. Huge diversity reigns here with 750 million people enjoying hundreds of cultures in 45 different countries. Are you sure one year is enough?

From the icy shores of the Norwegian fjords to the sun-baked resorts of the Mediterranean, it’s sometimes hard to imagine that this is all one continent. Throw in the best shopping, most exclusive restaurants and the liveliest collection of cities in the world and you’ve got yourself a gap year to remember. To paraphrase, “Europe is like a box of chocolates, a little expensive but you’ll keep coming back for more”! Read on to see how it ranks on our Gapometer.

***** Gaptastic
**** Great for gappers
*** Worth a look
** Too much else to see
* Never mind the Gap

Things to see and do

The cities alone will keep you busy for a year, as you navigate your way out of the cavernous back alleys that lurk behind even the most modern metropolises. It’s no wonder the Hansel and Gretel fairy story was written here; the author had obviously tried to find a hostel in the middle of Prague. However, with such unique streetscapes no footstep is wasted; original architecture that gave birth to so many imitators nestles snugly besides rustic bistros and cafes. Cities here are no slouches though; escape the old towns and you’ll find cloud-troubling skyscrapers bursting out of the crowds.

Europe offers plenty to soothe the weary gapper; from climbing in the eye-rubbingly beautiful Alps and island hopping in the crystal blue Med to a refreshing chardonnay amongst the rolling French hills. Planning is crucial here because there’s just so much to see. Pick a selection of countries rather than spreading yourself too thinly and decide on your priorities. Try and squeeze in Rome, Venice, Bavaria, Paris and at least one visit to the Alps.

***** Literally too much choice!

Travelling around

There is good and bad news; crossing borders here is easier than in any other continent in the world and you can hop across most with relative ease. In much of mainland Europe you won’t even notice you’ve crossed a border until you arrive at the next town to find a different sort of speciality in the cafes! The bad news is that travel in Europe is generally not as cheap as Asia or Africa. There are plenty of things to do to ease your passage though.

Buying a rail pass for Europe has long been a popular way of getting around and is generally a more efficient alternative to coach travel, and much more fun! The whole continent is connected by generally very reliable trains that can save you time and money. If you’re not a rail enthusiast then air travel is worth bearing in mind. It’s getting cheaper and cheaper and internal flights can be bought at a snip. Watch out for hidden extras like airport tax and you should be fine.

**** Travel is easy and reliable with plenty to see out of the window

Cost

The received wisdom is that unless you stay in crowded dorms, sharing with 12 men of debateable personal hygiene, Europe is beyond most people’s economic reach. This really doesn’t need to be the case. Firstly, Western Europe and Eastern Europe are completely different places; if you head East and you can eat Goulash, drink beer and wander around ancient towns without even troubling a cash point. The west, while a larger drain on your resources is still worth every penny. What’s more, with careful planning the pennies can go a long way.

Europe has 6 entries in the Top 10 most expensive cities list, so if money is an issue for you, plan to spend less time here! That doesn’t mean the best things are beyond you though; for example entry to the Louvre, possibly the world’s greatest museum costs around £6 and bicycles are a handy way of dodging the traffic! Food is another good example of careful budgeting; markets, rural restaurants and bakeries offer great food at low prices so if you come back fat, so can your bank account.

*** Huge East/West divide so careful planning is needed to make the most of your budget

Earning Money

There is a large demand for English teachers in Europe so if things do get a little pricey you can always head for the safety of the classroom. It’s certainly a cheap way to live in some great cities and learn a set of skills that could earn you money when you get back too! A small investment of time and money before you leave may allow you to spend more time travelling at a fraction of the cost!

**** Big demand for teachers and a good way to learn a language yourself

The wow factor

People tend to avoid Europe in search of more exotic and far flung destinations, but excitement isn’t the sole preserve of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Anyone who walks the Alps, visits Bavaria’s castles or tastes proper Italian cooking knows that Europe can match anything the rest of the world has to offer.