Why Rick Steves Cautions Travelers To Avoid Staying Too Long In This Part Of Europe

You've been eyeing the world map sprawled across your living room floor for months, excited about your upcoming European adventure. You're looking forward to experiencing jaw-dropping scenery, eating local dishes that you'll attempt to mimic when you return home, and of course, seeing historic sites and landmarks. As you comb over your list of northern destinations like Norway, Sweden, and Iceland, you quickly realize that you've added some of the 5 most expensive countries in Europe for travel to your list. This can easily be avoided with some strategic planning, and this is why travel expert Rick Steves cautions travelers to avoid staying too long in the Northern European countries.

If we're going to listen to anyone's travel advice, it'll definitely be from Steves. With decades of experience, including how best to use your hard-earned dollars on the road, Steves knows a thing or two about budget travel. In his list of "cheap tricks" for saving money, he urges travelers who want to city-hop around Europe to spend less time exploring the expensive northern countries, and head to the more affordable countries in the southern and eastern parts of the continent instead. And as Steves eloquently states in another blog post, "the goal is not to save the most money. It's to have the more efficient and enjoyable experience, to use my time as wisely as my vacation dollar."

Yes, the northern countries of Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland are teeming with epic scenery, clean cities, and a unique cultural quirk where babies sleep outdoors in their prams during the snowy winter months. And while they are great countries to explore with vibrant cultures to immerse yourself into, they aren't very kind on the wallet. Spending a lengthy amount of time traveling through them can actually be a major budget killer.

The Norwegian region Steves says boasts the best of the nation's natural beauty is located in the western part of the country, and as vast as Norway is, spending a lot of your vacation exploring every cute village and dining out in cozy restaurants can drain your savings in no time. Even if your pockets aren't as deep as the majestic fjords, there are ways to stretch out your money in Northern Europe without having to extend your stay past a week or two.

While Northern European countries may not be the most budget-friendly destinations to visit for an extended amount of time, they are certainly worth visiting — and saving money there isn't entirely out of the question. Accommodations are the most costly portion of traveling, and if you spend too much time in the north, you'll pay the price ... literally. One of the budget accommodations Steves recommends is to travel Europe in a camper van, and renting one in Iceland from a place like Happy Campers could save you money for the rest of your travels.

Northern European countries have a strong economy, and with a strong economy come higher wages, resulting in higher prices. Tourists who come from countries with a weaker dollar will certainly feel the pinch while dining out, filling up, or booking activities, such as tours. And while the experiences can be incredible, the amount of money it may cost you, not so much. In a blog post titled "Cheap Tricks in Norway," Steves talks about the noticeably higher pricing within the Scandinavian country: "While the rest of Europe seems to be holding prices steady during these tough economic times, everything here costs more kroner."

Like Rick Steves, we love a good travel deal, especially saving money while visiting epic places. Steves urges travelers to spend more time exploring the southern and eastern European countries for good reason: You'll be able to stretch your dollar further for longer. Much like how stronger economies have higher wages and prices, weaker economies swing in the opposite direction. With lower wages come lower pricing, which in turn makes traveling for a lengthy amount of time more affordable and easier on your budget.

More southern and eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovakia, Albania, Romania, and Croatia all boast incredible scenery, delicious food, interesting history, and a lively culture. Spending more time in any of these countries not only offers cheaper accommodations, food, and even luxe spa treatments, it also allows you to fully explore the country while delving into some hidden gems along the way, without having to rush and experience major FOMO.

Some of the most budget-friendly travel destinations can be found in Eastern Europe, with some costing less than $50 a day. "Eastern Europe is both a fine value and a new frontier for many travelers," Steves says in his blog. "A mug of Czech beer — the best in Europe — costs $2 (versus $6 in Britain or Ireland, or $8 in Oslo)." Visiting southern and eastern European countries that aren't filled to the brim with tourists also provides travelers with a more local and authentic experience without the crowds and higher costs, so you can enjoy a slower pace of travel for an extended amount of time, and at a fraction of the price.