​European Travel Planning — Culture, Food, Wine, Art & Family
​​
​
While Europe is united in many ways, it does not have a single story; each country, city, region, village operates at its own tempo within its own culture. A morning market in Bordeaux, a river walk in Munich, a foggy arrival into Venice, a port city shaped by tides all require a little planning and a willingness to wander to experience them as the unique entities they are. The pleasure of visiting comes not from stringing these places together quickly, but from understanding how to let them unfold.
​
I plan European travel for people who are curious about how places actually work — how history shows up in daily life, how food reflects geography, and why certain cities invite wandering while others reward stillness.
​
I am Jody Holman, founder of Viewfinder Travel, a boutique travel advisory based in Pacifica, California. I design custom European itineraries for travelers who value culture, food and wine, history, and pacing — including families traveling with teens — and who prefer trips that feel considered rather than constructed.
​
How I Approach Europe
Europe is an area of contrast, and it is rewarding to embrace both when traveling. I plan itineraries where we allow time for cities and countryside, for busy days followed by deliberately empty ones, or to visit grand institutions followed by modern hot spots. ​
I build itineraries that are about coherence, not breadth.. Perhaps we will anchor a trip around one city and let the surrounding region do the rest of the work, or choose a route where the drive itself — coastal, alpine, or agricultural — is part of the experience.
​
Where I Work Most Often
My planning experience is rooted in places I return to personally, which call me to write about and recommend- walkable cities with strong food cultures, and a sense of continuity between past and present- regions lend themselves well to thoughtful travel:
-
France — Paris neighborhoods, wine regions, and provincial cities
-
Italy — art-forward cities, coastlines, and mountain regions
-
Germany & Austria — historically layered cities, cultural itineraries, and alpine landscapes
-
Northern & Central Europe — port cities, short stays, and routes shaped by trade and geography
​​​
Strolling in Strasbourg's historic center reveals history and beautiful surprises. Photo © Holman Photography
Jody exploring the beautiful Dolomites. Photo courtesy of Mia Hartley
Breakfast in Salzburg. © Holman Photography
Market in Munich © Holman Photography
Food, Wine & Cultural Context
Meals matter in Europe as anchors to the day. I plan trips that revolve naturally around markets, bakeries, small producers, and restaurants that reflect where you are. Wine itineraries are designed with restraint, pairing tastings with context, landscape, history, and the time to absorb it. Art, architecture, and historical sites are approached selectively. Often, a single well-chosen site says more than a full checklist.
​
Traveling with Teens
Europe works exceptionally well for families with teens when itineraries respect their intelligence and independence. I incorporate experiences that connect history to real places — revolutionary streets, working ports, civic squares, food cultures — and allow space for exploration without constant supervision. The result is travel that feels shared and purposeful.
​
Planning Together
I offer fully customized European travel planning, including:
-
Thoughtful itinerary design and pacing
-
Boutique and character-driven hotel selection
-
Food, wine, and cultural recommendations
-
Logistics designed for ease, not excess
Trips are built collaboratively, shaped by how you prefer to move through the world and what you want to take away from the experience.
​
Beginning a European Journey
The most memorable European trips are rarely the most ambitious. They are often the ones where you stay put long enough to notice patterns in how people gather, how meals unfold, how things are done differently here.
​
If you are considering a European trip and want it to feel personal, grounded, and quietly rich in detail, I’ would be happy to help.
​
​
“The traveler sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.” — G. K. Chestert
Frequently Asked Questions
​
What types of European trips do you plan?
I design custom itineraries for travelers interested in culture, food and wine, art, history, and place-based travel. Trips range from city-focused stays to regional journeys that combine cities with countryside, coastlines, or mountain areas.
Do you plan travel for families with teens?
Yes. Europe works especially well for families with teens when itineraries allow for independence, walking, food exploration, and real historical context. I plan trips that feel engaging rather than instructional, with space for shared discovery.
Do you only plan luxury travel?
I plan thoughtful travel rather than a specific price point. That often includes boutique hotels, well-located properties with character, and meaningful dining experiences—but luxury, to me, is pacing, access, and coherence rather than excess.
Can you help plan food and wine–focused itineraries in Europe?
Absolutely. Food and wine are central to how I plan European travel. Tastings, markets, bakeries, and regional cuisine are woven naturally into itineraries, with attention to geography, history, and time to enjoy them.
Which European destinations do you specialize in most?
My planning experience is strongest in France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and parts of Northern and Central Europe, including port cities and culturally layered regions I return to personally and write about often.
How far in advance should European trips be planned?
Ideally, 6–12 months in advance, depending on the season and destination. Some trips—particularly summer travel or popular cultural regions—benefit from earlier planning, while shoulder-season travel allows more flexibility.
Do you book hotels and logistics, or just design itineraries?
I provide full-service planning, including itinerary design, hotel selection, and logistics planning. My role is to simplify the process while ensuring the trip feels personal and well-paced.