27 days in Europe Itinerary

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.

To see other places to visit, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Venice online day trip planner.

Trieste to Venice is an approximately 2-hour car ride. You can also take a shuttle; or take a train. In June, daily temperatures in Venice can reach 32°C, while at night they dip to 20°C. On the 1st (Wed), you'll travel to Verona.

The famous setting for Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, Verona is one of northern Italy's main tourist destinations, largely owing to its incredibly rich artistic heritage.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Wed): make a trip to Piazza Bra and then take in nature's colorful creations at Parco Giardino Sigurta. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: catch a live performance at Arena di Verona, take an in-depth tour of Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano, don't miss a visit to Piazza delle Erbe, enjoy breathtaking views from Torre dei Lamberti, then see the interesting displays at Casa di Giulietta, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore.

For where to stay, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Verona trip planning website.

Drive from Venice to Verona in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a train. In June, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) to allow time to drive to Sirmione.

Sirmione is a comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy (northern Italy). To see reviews, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Sirmione road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Verona to Sirmione takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. June in Sirmione sees daily highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C at night. On the 3rd (Fri), you'll travel to Milan.

In many ways the most modern of Italian cities, Milan is a busy, elegant metropolis with an impressive list of grand palaces, fine churches, and important museums.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Milan: Basilica di San Giacomo (in Bellagio) and Villa del Balbianello (in Tremezzina). There's still lots to do: pause for some serene contemplation at Duomo di Milano, stroll the grounds of Monumental Cemetery, admire the striking features of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Il Cenacolo.

To find ratings, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, read Milan day trip planning website.

You can drive from Sirmione to Milan in 1.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and train. In June, plan for daily highs up to 33°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Mon) so you can fly to Marseille.

The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Mon): wander the streets of The Panier, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathédrale La Major, and then take a leisurely stroll along Le Vieux Port. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, then examine the collection at Musee Granet, then wander the streets of Cours Mirabeau, and finally steep yourself in history at Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence.

To find ratings, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, use the Marseille driving holiday site.

Getting from Milan to Marseille by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. In June, plan for daily highs up to 33°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) so you can fly to Carcassonne.

Best known as a fortified town, Carcassonne is a walled city that provided the inspiration for the castle in Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" and the location for many scenes in Kevin Costner's movie "Robin Hood." For a daily dose of excitement, medieval jousting tournaments are held twice per day between the two walls--while this may sound like a typical touristy show, it's actually an entertaining display of combative competition and horsemanship.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Cathar Castles, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Eglise Saint-Nazaire, and then get to know the fascinating history of Cité de Carcassonne. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 9th (Thu): explore the historical opulence of Chateau Comtal, then contemplate the waterfront views at Canal du Midi, and then learn about winemaking at O'Vineyards.

To find photos, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Carcassonne driving holiday planning site.

Getting from Marseille to Carcassonne by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. In June, daily temperatures in Carcassonne can reach 30°C, while at night they dip to 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Biarritz.

A popular holiday destination with world-class surfing, Biarritz has interesting coastal rock formations and stellar waves that make this luxurious seaside town popular with tourists and surfers alike.

Step out of Biarritz to go to Hendaye and see Plage d'Hendaye, which is approximately 36 minutes away. The adventure continues: take in the spiritual surroundings of Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne, don't miss a visit to Port des Pecheurs, and visit a coastal fixture at Phare de Biarritz.

Start your trip to Biarritz by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Drive from Carcassonne to Biarritz in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. While traveling from Carcassonne, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Biarritz, ranging from highs of 26°C to lows of 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) so you can go by car to Bordeaux.

With a long history of producing regional wines since the Romans brought grapevines here during the first century, so many people consider Bordeaux to be the wine capital of the world.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Bordeaux: La Grande Dune du Pilat (in Pyla-sur-Mer) and Chateau de Reignac (in Saint-Loubes). And it doesn't end there: appreciate the extensive heritage of Place de la Bourse, examine the collection at La Cite du Vin, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Andre Cathedral, and make a trip to Place du Parlement.

For where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Bordeaux trip itinerary tool.

You can drive from Biarritz to Bordeaux in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. June in Bordeaux sees daily highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Toulouse.

On the Garonne River, Toulouse is on the site of an ancient Roman settlement, and even today, many of the smaller streets follow their Roman counterparts, while many of the red brick buildings are built in a pseudo-Roman style.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Fri): don't miss a visit to Le Capitole, admire the masterpieces at Musee des Augustins, then contemplate the long history of Church of Les Jacobins, then admire the natural beauty at Jardin Japonais, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Saint-Sernin.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Toulouse vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In June, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) so you can fly to Lyon.

Lyon is a historical city with a vibrant cultural scene as the birthplace of cinema, the silk capital of the globe, and the second biggest Renaissance city following Venice.

Lyon is known for sightseeing, museums, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, see the interesting displays at Musee Miniature et Cinema, appreciate the extensive heritage of Colline de Fourviere, and explore the world behind art at Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Lyon vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

You can fly from Toulouse to Lyon in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. In June, plan for daily highs up to 30°C, and evening lows to 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) early enough to drive to Lausanne.

Lausanne contains several distinct neighborhoods, each offering a different side of the French-speaking Swiss town.

On the 21st (Tue), see the interesting displays at The Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique), go for a stroll along the water at Le Port d'Ouchy, and then contemplate the long history of Cathedrale de Lausanne.

For ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Lausanne day trip planning site.

Drive from Lyon to Lausanne in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) to allow time to drive to Lucerne.

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Wed): take in the views from Chapel Bridge, then fly down the slopes at Mt Pilatus, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Lucerne.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Lucerne trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Lausanne to Lucerne takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. In June, daytime highs in Lucerne are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Thu) early enough to drive to Zurich.

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Uetliberg Mountain, then wander the streets of Bahnhofstrasse, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Rhine Falls. On the 24th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take a stroll through Old Town, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Zurich, and then make a trip to Zurich Succulent Plant Collection.

For ratings, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Zurich tour planner.

Traveling by car from Lucerne to Zurich takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. June in Zurich sees daily highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sat) early enough to drive to Vaduz.

As the capital of Liechtenstein, Vaduz is the country's financial and economic hub.

To find where to stay, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Vaduz trip itinerary planner.

You can drive from Zurich to Vaduz in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. You'll set off for Innsbruck on the 25th (Sat).

Nestled in a valley between snowcapped peaks, Innsbruck evokes visions of a winter wonderland.

On the 25th (Sat), have some family-friendly fun at Bergisel Ski Jump and then examine the collection at Swarovski Kristallwelten. On your second day here, contemplate the long history of Altstadt von Innsbruck, take an in-depth tour of The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), then meet the residents at Alpenzoo, and finally hit the slopes at Rosshutte.

For ratings, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Innsbruck trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by car from Vaduz to Innsbruck takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In June, daily temperatures in Innsbruck can reach 28°C, while at night they dip to 14°C. You will have some time to spend on the 27th (Mon) before leaving for home.