The historic Carmo Convent in Lisbon

Whenever I’m talking with friends about travel or helping plan a trip for a friend, I often end up recommending a European destination.

A perfect day at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark

There are three good reasons I recommend Europe.

1. It’s fast.

With just one stop, you can fly to many cities in Europe in less time than it takes to drive to Florida. It’s often quicker to fly to European destinations than to Hawaii.

2. There are so many flight options.

By using one of CVG’s flights to London on British Airways or Paris aboard Delta, you can open up your trip to dozens of incredible destinations when you connect through Heathrow or Charles de Gaulle airports. There are additional one-stop options on carriers like American, Air Canada, and United offering connections at airports in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Toronto, Chicago, and more.

3. It’s affordable.

People are often surprised to learn how affordable their dream vacation can be! We’ve flown to Europe many times and generally pay between $450 and $650 for round trip tickets. (Yes, really.)

A beautiful day in the El Born neighborhood of Barcelona

An easy way to find one-stop trips

One of the most useful tools to locate one-stop trips is Google Flights. Enter CVG as your starting point in the “Where From?” box. Leave the “Where To?”, “Departure”, and “Return” boxes blank. Then press the blue “Explore” button.

From there, click the drop-down that says “Stops”, and select the “1 stop or fewer” button.

Then slide on over to Europe and check out all of the places you can visit over the next six months with just one stop from CVG. It will also display the best price. If you have specific dates or a specific month you’d like to travel, choose the calendar button and adjust your search accordingly.

The Douro Valley is a must-visit location in Portugal.

So where should you go? Here are a few of my favorites.

Parc Guell provides outstanding views (and occasionally messy hair)!

Barcelona, Spain Just one stop away on British Airways, Delta, American, United, and Air Canada

If you’ve been following the Jet with Jay blog over the years, you might wonder why I mention this city so much. There are so many reasons! It’s easy to get to, and prices are often low because of competition from multiple airlines. During the summer, there are as many as 40 one-stop options every day from CVG to Barcelona. Getting from the airport to the city center is easy via bus or taxi. And once you’ve arrived, there is so much to enjoy: tasty tapas, outstanding musical productions, breathtaking architecture, and wonderful people.

Toasting a beautiful day on the canals of Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark Just one stop away on Delta, Air Canada, and British Airways

If your ideal vacation involves riding a bike, walking through beautiful parks and along scenic waterways, and enjoying a clean and vibrant city loaded with lots of charming shops and restaurants, then you’ll love Copenhagen. There are about a dozen one-stop options to get you there from CVG. We really enjoyed our summertime visit. The weather was perfect, and the days were long. (The sunset on June 21 is nearly 11 p.m.!) A stop at Tivoli Gardens theme park is a blast for the entire family.

Even overcast days in Amsterdam are magical.

Amsterdam, Netherlands Just one stop away on Delta, British Airways, Air Canada, United, or American

There are so many one-stop flight options to Amsterdam. If you’re browsing for Christmastime, you’ll find many days with 50+ ways to get to a city filled with gorgeous architecture, loads of historic sites, and world-class museums. On Christmas Eve a few years ago, my wife and I treated each other to an early gift; she bought a 24-hour unlimited museum pass and went to as many as possible while I booked a fishing charter in the big canal. Be sure to enjoy a fresh stroopwafel too!

A relaxing afternoon in Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal Just one stop away on British Airways, Air Canada, Delta, United, or American

We visited Portugal last year and had a blast. A September trip ended up being a great choice. Flight prices were very low, crowds were smaller than the busy summer season, and the weather was pleasant. Be sure to try the famous pastel de nata, a tart made of sweet egg custard and cinnamon. If you’d like to add another stop to your itinerary, take a high-speed train to Porto, and spend a few days exploring; then fly home with just one stop! With more than 20 one-stop flight options, you’ll be able to decide if you want to leave around lunchtime or later after work.

The history of the Colosseum in Rome is incredible.

Rome, Italy Just one stop away on British Airways, Delta, American, United, or Air Canada

Combining the hustle and bustle of a major city with 2000-year-old architecture, amazing food, festivals, and more history than you can handle, Rome is a perfect year-round destination. With many famous sites to see, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain, make sure you bring a comfortable pair of shoes. We visited in December, and the holidays were magical. We enjoyed the festive decor and visited Vatican City during the Pope’s Christmas Day message.

I’d fly across an ocean for a fresh stroopwafel in Amsterdam.

Got your passport?

• Make sure you have a valid passport with enough time remaining (many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your trip), and have blank pages to be stamped. Don’t forget that children need a passport, too!

• Getting or renewing a passport isn’t too hard. Many US Post Office locations are great one-stop shops who have the documents you’ll need, can assist with taking your photo, and ensure you use the correct envelopes and postage. Soon, it’ll be even easier, as the U.S. State Department recently announced that a Passport Agency Office will be opening in Cincinnati.

• Updated passport processing times are always available here.

Also, be sure to check visa requirements for your destination before embarking on any international trip. Check out this page, or visit embassy webpages for the latest guidelines and application links to ensure smooth travels.

Lisbon is lovely at night.

So go on…book that trip! And share your photos with me when you do! You can find me @JayKruzOfficial on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

-Jay