Make sure that you book your international flights in advance. Take the time to research different options, luggage allowances, and which airlines have good track records. Google flights is a helpful tool. Personally, we flew on Swiss Air and loved our experience.

Invest in a proper guidebook (if you book a Rick Steves' tour you'll get one as an added bonus). Take the time to research online and to learn about the different places you'll be visiting. 

Popular attractions, tours and restaurants can get really busy and book up fast. We recommend making reservations in advance. You can print out reservation confirmations ahead of time, at home, or take a screen shot of the reservation on your smart phone. 

There are several options you can take to stay connected. One option is to talk to your phone company about international roaming options, including a temporary data pass. Another option is to get a SIM card at a local telecom store. These are often called "pay-as-you-go", and are usually good for a month and include more data than you'll probably use. Another cool option is renting or purchasing a hotspot. This small device creates a little zone of W-Fi for you and your family. You can connect all of your devices to it, then turn it off when you don't need it. And of course, there is the option of using the local Wi-Fi at your different destinations. 

It can be very tempting to take the house with you. "What if I need this? Or what if I'll need that?" Rest assured that if there's something you need, you'll be able to find it in Europe. And packing light will make your life a whole lot easier when traveling from town to town. Your arms and back with thank you later, in my case I couldn't handle a heavy suitcase since I was pregnant. Make sure you pack a good pair of walking shoes, (you'll be doing a lot of walking)! My mom and I used mesh packing cubes to tightly pack our clothes, which also kept our suitcases nice and organized. Worried about having space for souvenirs? Every time I travel overseas, I either bring or purchase a lightweight bag, that folds easily, which could be used to stuff souvenirs for the trip home. This bag will usually serve as my carry-on, and I can just put it in the overhead compartment for the flight home.

Make sure that you have a valid passport. If it's due to expire within six months of your return date, you'll need to renew it. Please give yourself plenty of time to do this, because it can take several weeks to process. And don't forget to triple check that you have it before leaving on your trip!

Figure out ahead of time how you'll be getting around, whether it will be via rail pass, renting a car, taking a shuttle or flying. You can purchase rail tickets as you go, but it may be helpful to buy a day pass or a pass that includes several days. Trains can get full, so reserving seats ahead of time will guarantee you a spot and will give you peace of mind.

If renting a car, you may want to consider getting an International Driving Permit. They're not too hard to get, I purchased mine at our local AAA branch.

Make sure that you make copies of important documents, such as your passport and diver's license. Also notify your bank and credit card agencies that you'll be traveling overseas. Several banks allow you to do this online now. I actually had my wallet stolen before, on a previous trip to Paris, so having copies of important documents is essential. What really helped me too was having apple pay on my phone. This linked to my credit card accounts, and I was so impressed that several large and small businesses in Europe accepted it. This might be something to consider while on your travels.

Be mindful of pickpockets and thieves, they're clever and slick. As I mentioned before, I was pickpocketed before in Paris and had no recollection of anyone bumping into me or getting near my purse. I definitely learned my lesson on that trip, and moving forward I made sure that my valuables were secure with a money belt or a small crossbody purse with zippers that could be locked together using a small luggage lock.

I know that planning for a trip can feel overwhelming at times, but don't stress over it and don't forget to have fun! This is your vacation after all :)

To make things less stressful, you can always arrive a few days before your Rick Steves' tour starts. It'll give you the chance to explore a different city or country, if you decide to fly into a location different from where your tour starts. Enjoy and happy travels!!