How can I go about planning a Europe vacation?

[MiM]

My mom is taking me on a vacation to Europe for finally graduating college this spring and we want to go in the summer or early fall. How can we go about for planning this? We want to purchase some sort of package that has tours, sightseeing, some backpacking maybe, hotel, food, and transportation all paid for but there are so many online websites so I'm not sure whether to start looking there or maybe going to a travel agency. Anyone have any ideas or tips on how to start planning, what to do, what I would need, or any other info? Thanks!

[wolf_of_grey]

Well I'm sorta in the same boat as you, except I'm planning my whole Euro Trip(no pun inteneded) for this summer (2008) but one of the easiest ways since I'm guessing you have never been and your mum has not either try speaking with a travel agency first to see what deals and packages you can get through them then look for a Europian travel agency that offers packages for Visting tourists and compare, but it is sumtimes best to make your own vaction inteas of a pre set one, there funnier, but again that was not the point of your question so please try the above listed advice and I pray in god it helps.

[dh_0072002]

Couldnt tell you about a package or anything like that. But if your able to find a rent car and hotel on an Idea of around where you'd like to go (that would be better). For you could travel out on your own instead of being on a schedule with a tour.We went one time ran into a group that was on a tour and said they had to be back from certain events by a specific time.Taking your own time to do what you want instead of just what the tour is doing. Much better!!

[t_maia2000]

If you cannot be bothered to do any research, go to a travel agency. If you live for finding things out, get a good guidebook (Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, Rough Guide, Let's Go) and start reading. Once you hold such a book in your hands you'll find that you can do it cheaper and in a way that is much more emotionally rewarding by organising everything on your own. The sense of accomplishment and rise in confidence you get out of it is worth the extra work.Or do it the idiot proof-way and book a tour with Contiki or Rick Steves.

[Willeke]

In addition to Maia's answer, (when she is first I have little to add ;o) )Here is a site that has many package trips on offer:http://www.atlastravelweb.com/europetours.shtmlAnd here is one that is more geared to the people planning their own:http://www.visiteurope.com/world