They say dreams don’t work unless you do and this story is proof of that. Our Europe trip wasn’t something we planned overnight. In fact, it took five years of saving, planning, and hoping before we finally made it happen.
This wasn’t just any trip. It was our way of celebrating 20 years of friendship, a special kind of bond that even distance couldn’t break. I’ve been living in Europe for several years now, and it has always been our dream to reunite and travel across this continent together. But of course, that dream came with real-life challenges: money, time off work, and visa approvals.
But guess what? We did it. And here’s how.
Step 1: Saving Up
First things first: money 💸. I was honest with them from the beginning that Europe can be expensive, but it’s possible to travel affordably if you plan well. I helped estimate how much we’d need for flights, accommodation, food, transportation, tours and even shopping.
We knew that we’d also have to show proof of financial capability when applying for the Schengen visa, so building enough savings was a must.
Step 2: Planning the Route & Budgeting Everything
We created a shared spreadsheets to organize everything from destinations and activities to estimated daily expenses. It helped us stay on track, see what was realistic, and make smarter choices. We had a long list of countries we wanted to visit (who wouldn’t?), but we eventually had to trim it down to the ones we could reach by bus or train and fit within the budget.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
🇦🇹 Austria
🇩🇪 Germany
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇧🇪 Belgium
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Our entry point? Prague, Czech Republic, where I live, and where one of my bestfriends also had her simple and affordable church wedding during the trip. (I’ll be writing a separate blog post about that magical moment 💒).
We divided the budget into:
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Transport (bus, train, intercity travel)
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Food (groceries + cheap eats + splurge meals)
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Accommodation (mostly budget hotels or shared rooms with pay-at-property options)
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Attractions, tours and pocket money
👉 If you want to see the breakdown of our actual budget, check out this post: My Next Find blog – Europe Trip Budget Breakdown
Step 3: The Visa Application Process (The Nerve-Wracking Part)
The most stressful part? Applying for the Schengen visa. 😬
Since our main destination was the Czech Republic, they had to apply for the visa through the Czech Embassy in the Philippines. And we used the VFS Global Center in Cebu for submission.
Because I live in Prague, I issued an official invitation letter, so they followed the requirements for “Travel with Invitation” instead of regular tourism. But in case you’re applying under regular tourism, here’s what you need to know and prepare:
a) Application Form
Download and fill out the form: 📄 Visa Application Form Link
b) Travel document
Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days after your intended departure from the Schengen area and contain at least two blank pages.
c) One (1) recent photograph
Photo size should be 3.5 x 4.5 cm, with a light-colored background. The photo must be glued to the designated space on the top right of the application form.
d) Accommodation Confirmation
We pre-booked accommodation without paying in advance. Many hotels/hostels allow payment upon arrival. If traveling with others, make sure all names are included in the booking.
e) Official Bank Certificate (proof of financial means)
Must include a bank account statement showing the past 6 months of transactions.
You can also add if you have: a bank book, regular income proof, credit card balance. For minors: financial proof from parents or legal guardian.
➡️ Important: The certificate must include a waiver for the bank to release info to the Czech Embassy. If not, add a signed authorization letter acknowledged by the bank.
f) Round-trip flight reservation
We used a service to reserve flights without paying. It’s best to prebook the day before submitting your documents.
g) Travel medical insurance
Coverage must be valid throughout Schengen and the entire trip. Minimum coverage should be EUR 30,000, and must not exclude pandemic illnesses.
🛡 They used Pioneer Insurance.
h) Detailed travel itinerary
We prepared a spreadsheet showing the full travel plan from arrival to the return date. So, if you remember Step 2 we created a second spreadsheet as well for the final itinerary ready for the immigration.
i) Other supporting documents depending on your status:
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Employees: Certificate of Employment + Approved Leave
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Business owners: DTI or SEC registration
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Students: Certificate of Enrollment
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Minors:
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Affidavit of support and consent (especially from non-traveling parent)
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Copy of parent/guardian’s passport
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PSA Birth Certificate
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DSWD clearance
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⚠️ Note: The Embassy may request additional documents during processing.
This is basically a simplified list of what my friends submitted, but personalized with what worked for us. If you’re planning your own Schengen application, this is a good checklist to start with. Always make sure your documents are complete, updated, and consistent because any missing or mismatched info can delay or deny your visa.
After submission, we waited about two weeks before the passports were delivered. The excitement and anxiety during this time were real. But when they opened their envelopes and saw that beautiful Schengen visa sticker, we all screamed on video call like crazy!😍
🇪🇺 Schengen Visa Quick Tips
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You can apply up to 6 months before your intended trip.
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Make sure your stay is within the 90/180 days rule. What does it mean?
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You’re allowed to stay in the Schengen countries for a total of 90 days (either continuously or spread out) within a rolling 180-day window. After staying 90 days, you must leave and wait until enough days have passed before you can return.
✅ Example:
If you entered the Schengen Area on January 1 and stayed 90 days straight, you’d have to leave by March 31 and you wouldn’t be allowed back until at least July 1 (because that’s when 180 days from Jan 1 have passed). -
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Don’t forget to register with the foreign police in Czech Republic (but most hotels do this for you).
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Bring printed copies of all supporting documents during your trip because immigration officers might ask to see them.
☝Planning a trip to Europe as a group of Filipinas from the Philippines isn’t easy. But with teamwork, spreadsheets, prayers, and a bit of courage, you can do it.
Our DIY Europe trip was not only a dream come true but it was a testament to our friendship and determination. If you’re reading this and dreaming of doing the same, start planning now. It may take time, but trust me the day you board that plane and step into your dream destination will be worth every effort.
👉 Have questions? Drop them in the comments or send me a message on Instagram @mynextfind!