27 days in Europe Itinerary

Barcelona, the country’s second-largest city, is a cosmopolitan urban center known for its throbbing youthful energy and stellar architecture.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Sat): admire the striking features of Casa Batllo, admire the striking features of Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, and then walk around Parc Guell. On the next day, take a stroll through El Barri Gòtic, contemplate the long history of Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, then make a trip to Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, and finally admire the striking features of Casa Mila - La Pedrera.

For traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Barcelona trip planner.

Madrid to Barcelona is an approximately 3.5-hour train ride. You can also fly; or drive. Traveling from Madrid in December, plan for a bit warmer nights in Barcelona, with lows around 7°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Meribel.

Step off the beaten path and head to SnowLimits Ski School and ULM Valmeinier. Get outdoors at Oxygene Ski & Snowboard School La Tania and Raquett'Evasion.

To find photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Meribel online trip builder.

Getting from Barcelona to Meribel by car takes about 8 hours. Other options: do a combination of flight and car. Traveling from Barcelona in December, things will get slightly colder in Meribel: highs are around 6°C and lows about 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Wed) early enough to travel to Paris.

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre and Sainte-Chapelle. Get some cultural insight at Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower. When in Paris, make a side trip to see Palace of Versailles in Versailles, approximately Versailles away. There's still lots to do: admire the striking features of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, contemplate the long history of Arc de Triomphe, and explore the world behind art at Musee d'Orsay.

For reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, use the Paris itinerary maker site.

Getting from Meribel to Paris by combination of shuttle and flight takes about 6 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. In December in Paris, expect temperatures between 9°C during the day and 3°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can catch the train to Amsterdam.

Known as one of the greatest small cities in the world, Amsterdam charms visitors with its cool and cozy atmosphere.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Sun): explore the world behind art at Rijksmuseum, then explore the world behind art at Van Gogh Museum, and then explore the world behind art at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Keep things going the next day: learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at ARTIS, admire the masterpieces at Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House), and then don't miss a visit to Anne Frank House.

To find traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Amsterdam journey planner.

Getting from Paris to Amsterdam by train takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. In December, daily temperatures in Amsterdam can reach 9°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) to allow time to travel to Prague.

Prague lures millions of tourists each year with its World Heritage-listed medieval city center--a labyrinth of narrow lanes, bridges, cathedrals, and palaces overlooked by a thousand-year-old castle.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Tue): explore the galleries of Powder Tower, take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Vitus Cathedral, then step into the grandiose world of Prague Castle, and finally don't miss a visit to Staromestske namesti. Keep things going the next day: take in the views from Charles Bridge, then take some stellar pictures from Prague Astronomical Clock, then indulge in some culinary diversions at Prague for Two, and finally visit Lesser Town.

To find traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Prague holiday planner.

Getting from Amsterdam to Prague by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Amsterdam in December; daily highs in Prague reach 5°C and lows reach 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to travel to Vienna.

The cultural, economic, and political center of the country, Vienna has developed from its early Celtic and Roman roots into a medieval and Baroque city, with an old town that was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Historic Center of Vienna and Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien. Get a sense of the local culture at Belvedere Palace and Haus der Musik Wien. And it doesn't end there: explore the historical opulence of Schonbrunn Palace, get to know the resident critters at Schönbrunn Zoo, make a trip to St. Stephen's Cathedral, and see the interesting displays at The Hofburg.

To see maps, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Vienna tour itinerary tool.

Traveling by flight from Prague to Vienna takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In December, daytime highs in Vienna are 5°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sat) so you can go by car to Budapest.

You might consider the city of Budapest, divided by the Danube River into two distinctive cities--Buda and Pest--to be essentially one large World Heritage Site.

On the 29th (Sun), appreciate the history behind Heroes' Square, examine the collection at House of Terror Museum, explore the world behind art at Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galeria), then steep yourself in history at Matthias Church, and finally steep yourself in history at Fisherman's Bastion. On your second day here, get a sense of history and politics at Hungarian Parliament Building, step into the grandiose world of Vajdahunyad Castle (Vajdahunyadvar), then contemplate the long history of Dohány Street Synagogue, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika).

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, use the Budapest vacation builder.

Drive from Vienna to Budapest in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 5°C in December, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Mon) so you can travel to Istanbul.

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Basilica Cistern. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Hagia Sophia and Ortakoy. There's much more to do: get engrossed in the history at Topkapi Palace, admire the masterpieces at Chora Museum, examine the collection at Rahmi M. Koc Museum, and admire the landmark architecture of Dolmabahce Palace.

To find more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Istanbul travel itinerary planner.

You can fly from Budapest to Istanbul in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Budapest to Istanbul is 2 hours. Traveling from Budapest in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Istanbul, with lows of 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Thu) so you can travel to Rome.

Aptly nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is the birthplace of the Roman Empire, one of the world's greatest civilizations ever.

Explore hidden gems such as Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore and Galleria Borghese. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Colosseum and Catacombs of Saint Callixtus. The adventure continues: take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Peter's Basilica, delve into the distant past at Palatine Hill, admire the masterpieces at Vatican Museums, and admire the landmark architecture of Pantheon.

To see other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Rome trip planner.

You can fly from Istanbul to Rome in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Istanbul to Rome is minus 2 hours. When traveling from Istanbul in January, plan for a bit warmer days in Rome, with highs around 15°C, while nights are little chillier with lows around 4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sun) to allow enough time to take a train to Florence.

Considered a cultural, artistic, and architectural jewel of Italy, Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Centro Storico and Campanile di Giotto. Do some cultural sightseeing at Piazza del Campo and Piazza del Duomo. Change things up with a short trip to Duomo di Siena in Siena (about 1h 15 min away). The adventure continues: appreciate the extensive heritage of Piazza della Signoria, contemplate the long history of Basilica of Santa Croce, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and don't miss a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo.

To see photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Florence trip itinerary builder app.

Traveling by train from Rome to Florence takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. In January, daytime highs in Florence are 13°C, while nighttime lows are 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.