It has sort of been said but I would add with regards to weather and despatch rates -
as a novice we often base our perception on the despatch rates of commercial aircraft - pretty much as good as 100% (well ignoring the usual excuses about slots and aircraft out of place).
The reality is that light aircraft and their pilots are far more weather sensitive. The reality is that without an instrument rating (true of most private pilots) long distance flights in the winter will suffer from a very poor dispatch rate and there may well be days in a row when it would not be sensible to fly. The dispatch rate improves considerably with an instrument rating BUT delays of more than a day are still likely. Summer of course brings better weather but again without an IR there maybe several days when flight is not possible.
In addition it is rare for clubs and schools to allow rental aircraft to go "away" for an unspecified period of time (almost always necessary unless you can "guarantee" a same day return) and they are rarely de-iced which has draw backs for predictable winter flying even with an IR.
So in short, and sadly to be realistic, light aircraft are far from a guaranteed way of traveling any distance unless you are willing to make a substantial committment to training and purchasing your own aircraft (or share). Its just the way it is and it would be wrong to think otherwise.
On the other hand if you are happy to fit in with the weather, be very flexible and buy into a group then trips around Europe are realtively straight forward and very enjoyable.