39 days in Europe Itinerary

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.

Istanbul is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hagia Sophia Mosque, take an in-depth tour of Galata Tower, explore the world behind art at Chora Museum, and browse the eclectic array of goods at Kapali Carsi.

For photos, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Istanbul trip maker.

Sydney, Australia to Istanbul is an approximately 22.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time to Turkey Time is minus 7 hours. In May in Istanbul, expect temperatures between 25°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) so you can catch the flight 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.

Start off your visit on the 26th (Fri): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika), admire the landmark architecture of Dohány Street Synagogue, then steep yourself in history at Shoes on the Danube Bank, and finally ponder the world of politics at Hungarian Parliament Building. On the 27th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the long history of Fisherman's Bastion, steep yourself in history at Matthias Church, then snap pictures at Szechenyi Lanchid, then contemplate the long history of Heroes' Square, and finally see the interesting displays at House of Terror Museum.

To see maps, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, read Budapest travel planner.

You can fly from Istanbul to Budapest in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Istanbul to Budapest. Traveling from Istanbul in May, plan for little chillier nights in Budapest, with lows around 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sat) so you can catch the flight 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 28th (Sun): get engrossed in the history at Jewish Museum in Prague, take in the spiritual surroundings of Spanish Synagogue, then get to know the fascinating history of Staromestske namesti, then take some stellar pictures from Prague Astronomical Clock, and finally snap pictures at Charles Bridge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a stroll through Lesser Town, explore the historical opulence of Prague Castle, then take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Vitus Cathedral, and finally take in panoramic vistas at Petrin Tower.

To find ratings, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, read Prague visit planning app.

Traveling by flight from Budapest to Prague takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. Traveling from Budapest in May, expect nights in Prague to be about the same, around 10°C, while days are slightly colder, around 20°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) so you can catch the flight to Amsterdam.

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

Amsterdam is known for museums, nightlife, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at Rijksmuseum, admire the landmark architecture of Royal Palace Amsterdam, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Heineken Experience, and examine the collection at Anne Frank House.

To find photos, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read Amsterdam planner.

Traveling by flight from Prague to Amsterdam takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In May, daytime highs in Amsterdam are 20°C, while nighttime lows are 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) 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.

When in Paris, make a side trip to see Palace of Versailles in Versailles, approximately Versailles away. There's still lots to do: make a trip to Eiffel Tower, explore the world behind art at Musee d'Orsay, take a stroll through Le Marais, and stroll around Luxembourg Gardens.

To find traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Paris day trip tool.

Traveling by train from Amsterdam to Paris takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. While traveling from Amsterdam, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Paris, ranging from highs of 27°C to lows of 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Dublin.

A history spanning over a thousand years, vibrant nightlife, and a mix of Georgian and modern architecture make Dublin a popular European tourist destination.

Dublin is known for museums, nightlife, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: browse the exhibits of Guinness Storehouse, sample the fine beverages at Jameson Distillery Bow St., stroll around St Stephens Green, and ponder the world of politics at Dublin Castle.

Plan trip to Dublin with our itinerary maker to find out where to go and what to do.

Getting from Paris to Dublin by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of train and ferry; or do a combination of car and ferry. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Paris to Dublin. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Paris in June, with highs in Dublin at 20°C and lows at 10°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Lisbon.

Built on seven hills, Lisbon has experienced a renaissance in recent years, making it the cultural star of Portugal.

Change things up with a short trip to Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra (about 36 minutes away). And it doesn't end there: take in the spiritual surroundings of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, contemplate the long history of Castelo de S. Jorge, stop by Alfama, and admire the masterpieces at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian.

To find ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Lisbon trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Dublin to Lisbon takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and car; or take a bus. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Dublin in June, with highs in Lisbon at 32°C and lows at 18°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Barcelona.

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

Barcelona is known for sightseeing, parks, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the landmark architecture of Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Barcelona Cathedral, browse the fresh offerings at La Boqueria, and make a trip to Casa Batllo.

To find where to stay, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Barcelona driving holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Lisbon to Barcelona takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Lisbon to Barcelona, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Lisbon in June, Barcelona is a bit warmer at night with lows of 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can fly 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 17th (Sat), take in panoramic vistas at St Mark's Campanile, take in the views from Ponte dei Sospiri, don't miss a visit to Peggy Guggenheim Collection, then take in the views from Ponte di Rialto, and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Canal Grande. Keep things going the next day: get to know the fascinating history of Piazza San Marco, examine the collection at Doge's Palace, then don't miss a visit to Basilica di San Marco, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at San Giorgio Maggiore.

To see maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Venice trip maker.

You can fly from Barcelona to Venice in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In June in Venice, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 20°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Florence.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Florence side-trips: Siena (Duomo di Siena, Piazza del Campo, &more). Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at Florence Academy of Fine Arts, admire the natural beauty at The Boboli Gardens, ponder the world of politics at Palazzo Vecchio, and steep yourself in history at Basilica of Santa Croce.

For more things to do, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Florence online tour itinerary maker.

You can drive from Venice to Florence in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 33°C in June, and nighttime lows around 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) to allow time to take a train to Rome.

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

Rome is known for historic sites, sightseeing, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the ancient world of Colosseum, contemplate the long history of St. Peter's Basilica, explore the world behind art at Vatican Museums, and visit Trastevere.

To see other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Rome driving holiday planner.

Traveling by train from Florence to Rome takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In June, daily temperatures in Rome can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 21°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) early enough to catch the flight to Athens.

One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.

Athens is known for historic sites, museums, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: delve into the distant past at Acropolis of Athens, admire the masterpieces at National Archaeological Museum, make a trip to Ancient Agora of Athens, and get engrossed in the history at Acropolis Museum.

For traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Athens online journey maker.

Fly from Rome to Athens in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, ferry, and bus. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Eastern European Standard Time is 1 hour. In June in Athens, expect temperatures between 35°C during the day and 24°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to catch the flight back home.