26 days in Europe Itinerary

Madrid is known for its cultural and artistic heritage, lively nightlife, and a dynamic culinary scene.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Madrid: Toledo (Casco Historico de Toledo, Catedral Primada, &more). There's still lots to do: explore the world behind art at Prado National Museum, examine the collection at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, walk around Parque del Retiro, and take in nature's colorful creations at Real Jardin Botanico.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read our Madrid travel planner.

Monterrey, Mexico to Madrid is an approximately 18-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 7 hour difference. September in Madrid sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 17°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) so you can catch the flight to Barcelona.

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

Start off your visit on the 16th (Sat): kick back and relax at Playa de La Barceloneta, take a stroll through Las Ramblas, stroll around Parc de Montjuic, then ponder the design of The Magic Fountain, then examine the collection at Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - MNAC, and finally make a trip to Palau Guell. Keep things going the next day: test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, walk around Parc Guell, admire the landmark architecture of Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, then admire the striking features of Casa Mila - La Pedrera, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Casa Batllo.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Barcelona trip planner.

You can fly from Madrid to Barcelona in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Madrid in September since evenings lows in Barcelona dip to 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) early enough to fly to Rome.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Rome side-trips: Macchina di Santa Rosa (in Viterbo) and Culture Discovery Vacations - Cooking Classes & Vacations (in Soriano nel Cimino). There's still lots to do: delve into the distant past at Colosseum, don't miss a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, savor the flavors at Food & Drink, and wander the streets of Trastevere.

For ratings, maps, photos, and more tourist information, read our Rome route builder site.

You can fly from Barcelona to Rome in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Barcelona in September, expect little chillier with lows of 18°C in Rome. You'll set off for Florence on the 21st (Thu).

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

On the 21st (Thu), learn about winemaking at Castello del Trebbio, admire the landmark architecture of Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, contemplate the long history of The Baptistery of St. John, then steep yourself in history at Basilica of Santa Croce, then explore the world behind art at Florence Academy of Fine Arts, and finally look for gifts at Via de' Ginori, 23r. Keep things going the next day: get to know the fascinating history of Piazza della Signoria, enjoy breathtaking views from Campanile di Giotto, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, then get to know the fascinating history of Piazza del Duomo, then snap pictures at Ponte Vecchio, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at The Boboli Gardens.

To find maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Florence holiday planner.

You can take a train from Rome to Florence in 2.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. In September in Florence, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 17°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat) early enough to drive to Venice.

Virtually unchanged for the last six centuries, Venice is actually a group of islands made famous by a series of canals, bridges, monuments, piazzas, and narrow pedestrian lanes.

On the 23rd (Sat), don't miss a visit to Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, contemplate the waterfront views at Canal Grande, snap pictures at Ponte di Rialto, admire the striking features of Basilica di San Marco, then make a trip to St Mark's Campanile, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Doge's Palace.

To see more things to do, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read our Venice trip planning site.

You can drive from Florence to Venice in 3 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In September, daytime highs in Venice are 29°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Munich.

Often described as the city of laptops and lederhosen, Munich is an international center of business, engineering, research, and medicine that still maintains a rich cultural heritage and age-old traditions.

Go for a jaunt from Munich to Dachau to see Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site about 32 minutes away. There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at Nymphenburg Palace, sample some tasty brews at a beer tour and tasting, engage your brain at Deutsches Museum, and take in nature's colorful creations at English Garden.

For reviews, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Munich trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Venice to Munich takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of car and train. Traveling from Venice in September, expect Munich to be little chillier, temps between 22°C and 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Wed) early enough to fly to Amsterdam.

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

Change things up with these side-trips from Amsterdam: Delft (Nieuwe Kerk & Beestenmarkt), Haarlem (Stadhuis Haarlem, Sint-Bavokerk (Church of St. Bavo), &more) and The Hague (Louwman Museum The Hague, Madurodam, &more). Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at Van Gogh Museum, wander the streets of Leiden Square (Leidseplein), contemplate the long history of Museum Het Rembrandthuis, and see the interesting displays at Anne Frank House.

To find where to stay, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Amsterdam online trip maker.

Getting from Munich to Amsterdam by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. In September, daytime highs in Amsterdam are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to London.

Vibrant and noisy, London is one of the world’s leading cities, an international capital of culture, education, fashion, music, finance, trade, and politics.

London is known for museums, sightseeing, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate the long history of Buckingham Palace, walk around Hyde Park, get a new perspective on nature at Natural History Museum, and take in panoramic vistas at Tower Bridge.

To find photos, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the London trip itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Amsterdam to London takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of car and train. Traveling from Amsterdam to London, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in September, and nighttime lows around 12°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Tue) early enough to take a train 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.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Paris: Evasion Canine (in Fontainebleau), Versailles (Palace of Versailles, The Water Parterres, &more) and Pimentine (in Barbizon). Next up on the itinerary: make a trip to Louvre Museum, explore the world behind art at Musee d'Orsay, get a taste of the local shopping with Champs-Elysees, and walk around Luxembourg Gardens.

To find reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Paris tour itinerary builder site.

Take a train from London to Paris in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of car and train. The time zone changes from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to Central European Standard Time (CET), which is usually a 1 hour difference. In October, daytime highs in Paris are 19°C, while nighttime lows are 10°C. You will have some time to spend on the 7th (Sat) before leaving for home.