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Planning Europe in 2026
Why your itinerary pace matters more than you think
Susie Hawkins
December 02, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
FROM MY DESK
Hello Red Tail Travelers,
It’s that time of year! Family and friends gathered around the table, sharing stories, memories, and… talking about their upcoming dream trips.
I see the same trend every year: Europe trips packed full of activities, sightseeing, and checklists. Four cities in seven days. “Packages” themed to include historical sites of x,y,z. Back-to-back tours. No time to breathe, let alone enjoy an afternoon glass of rosé.
A quick story:
Earlier this fall, I was working on a “dream itinerary” for a client heading to Switzerland. We had gone back and forth for a week or so about pacing. And I get it…you want to see everything you can while abroad!
But, eight stops in 12 days? That will not be fun.
On paper, everything looked incredible. In reality, the travel time alone would have eaten up half of their trip. They would have spent more time packing, unpacking, and in transit than they would exploring the charming mountain towns.
Eventually we re-worked it into a slower, more realistic route…and they told me after that was the best decision.
If Europe is on your radar for 2026, keep reading for a few ways to build a trip that feels balanced, not chaotic.
— Susie Hawkins
Hey there,
You’re reading Field Notes from Red Tail Travel — a mix of client stories, travel tips, personal reflections, and updates from behind the scenes. It’s where I share what’s inspiring me, what I’m learning, and the moments that make travel feel meaningful.
Let’s dive in.
— Susie
TRAVEL TIPS
How To Build the Perfect Europe Itinerary
Limit your city count
Keeping two to three “home base” cities is usually the sweet spot. I recommend spending at least 2–3 days in each city. Add an extra day if your first full day in the city is the day you fly in.
Build buffer days
Arrivals, train days, long transfers…they all take more out of your energy than you realize. You might read “train time is only two hours”, but remember: you’re packing your bags in the morning, traveling to the train station, taking the two-hour train ride, transfering to your new hotel, and unpacking on arrival. That is much more than a two-hour transfer. Planning for enough time between major moves keeps your trip enjoyable.
Protect your morinings and evenings
My clients usually say the best moments of their trips weren’t the big-ticket tours. Instead, it’s the sunrise coffee from their balcony, meeting new friends over cocktails, or finding a little shop on a quiet back street. You need space for spontaneity. Make sure you build it into your itinerary.
Bonus tip: Stop telling yourself this is your only opportunity to visit a country. You have no idea what life will hold, and our current mindset around travel is often shaped by consumerism and advertising. “Fit it all in! BOGO! Get everything now!” works for Black Friday sales, but it’s not how meaningful travel works.
Give yourself permission to slow down. I encourage all my clients to let the country show itself to them, and sometimes that takes time.
If Europe is on your list for 2026…
and you want help shaping your itinerary and pacing, I’d love to help you think through it.