Planning a European holiday begins with one important question: what kind of trip do you actually want?

Europe offers almost unlimited possibilities. You can spend a week relaxing beside a Mediterranean pool, visit several countries on a cruise or explore a major European city from a centrally located hotel.

Choosing the right style of holiday can make planning much easier.

Before comparing flights and hotels, decide what you want to get from the trip.

Do you want relaxation?

Sightseeing?

Food and culture?

Adventure?

Family entertainment?

A combination of everything?

Your answer will help determine the best type of holiday.

A city break is ideal for travelers who want culture, history, restaurants and entertainment.

Cities such as Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Lisbon offer enough attractions to fill several days.

City breaks also provide flexibility.

You can choose accommodation based on your budget and decide how much you want to spend on restaurants and attractions.

A cruise is ideal for travelers who want to see several destinations.

You can unpack once while travelling between ports.

Mediterranean cruises can provide a combination of European cities, islands and coastal destinations.

Cruising also offers plenty to do onboard, making the journey itself part of the holiday.

The main compromise is that port visits are usually relatively short.

An all-inclusive resort is often the easiest option for travelers who want to relax.

Meals, selected drinks, entertainment and activities may all be included.

This can be particularly appealing for families who don't want to organize every meal or activity independently.

The downside is that some travelers may feel limited if they prefer to explore a new destination every day.

You don't necessarily have to choose one.

A combination holiday can offer the best of several experiences.

For example, you could spend several nights exploring Barcelona before joining a Mediterranean cruise.

Alternatively, you might spend a few days in Rome after a cruise.

Another option is to combine an all-inclusive resort with several independent day trips.

Your holiday budget should include more than accommodation.

Consider flights, airport transfers, transportation, meals, attractions, excursions, insurance and spending money.

Cruises and all-inclusive holidays can make budgeting simpler because more costs may be paid upfront.

City breaks provide more control over where you spend your money but can have higher daily costs.

A common mistake when planning Europe is trying to visit too many destinations.

Constantly moving between cities can make a holiday exhausting.

Instead, choose a manageable number of destinations and allow time to enjoy each one.

Quality is usually more important than quantity.

The time of year can influence your choice.

Summer is excellent for Mediterranean beach holidays but can be hot and crowded in major cities.

Spring and autumn can be particularly appealing for sightseeing.

Winter can provide a completely different European experience, with Christmas markets, museums and seasonal events in many destinations.

A good itinerary provides structure without controlling every minute.

Book the things that genuinely require advance planning, but leave some free time.

You might discover a restaurant you love, find a neighborhood worth exploring or simply decide to spend an afternoon relaxing.

The perfect European holiday isn't the one with the longest itinerary.

It's the one that gives you enough time to enjoy where you are.