60 days in Europe Itinerary

Germany is the home of high culture, fine art, classical music, world-class sports, award-winning cuisine--and some of the world's best beers. It's also one of the major economic and political powers of the European continent. One of the founding members of the European Union, Germany is a federation of 16 states. Each boasts its own distinct culture, art, cuisine, regional traditions, and array of things to do. The country is known worldwide for its precision engineering and high-tech products. Equally, though, Germany is admired for its old-world charm and what is locally known as gemutlichkeit (coziness). This is one of the easiest countries in the world to explore, offering an abundance of sightseeing opportunities. German transportation runs with German efficiency. Therefore, getting around the various regions is almost always easy, quick, and pleasant. Visit the cities to explore museums, art galleries, modern restaurants, and trendy shops. Also be sure to venture deeper into the countryside. Here, you can discover ancient castles and bustling little villages. Often in these off-the-beaten-path areas, the main tourist attraction remains the simple hospitality of the friendly locals.

Known for its old-fashioned charm, Denmark often is referenced as a fairy-tale setting by visitors and locals alike. With quaint cobblestone streets leading the way to art galleries, museums, and historical sights, plus a modern and easily accessible public transportation system, Denmark seamlessly blends its rich history with modern advancements. Be inspired by the works of local legends, including the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, the symphonies of Carli Nielsen, and the astronomy work of Tycho Brahe, then play a bit at amusement parks like Legoland. Visitors often find themselves developing "hygge," the untranslatable Danish trait that encapsulates a sense of coziness and contentment, which is thought to have a great deal of influence on Denmark's standing as one of the happiest nations on the planet.

A massive country in eastern Europe, Poland offers much to those who venture beyond the continent's more traditional touristic destinations. Dating back to the first millennium, the republic has over a thousand years of heritage to explore, including an abundance of World War II history. Bordered by Germany to the west and Ukraine and Belarus to the east, Poland was the rope in a game of tug of war between German Nazis and the Soviet Allied forces. Major cities like Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Lodz, Poznan, and Lublin are offer an array of cultural attractions. The infamous concentration camp Auschwitz, near Krakow, is a difficult experience but a must for anyone visiting the area. Be sure to sample hearty comfort foods rich in meat, cabbage, and spices--the Polish secret to making it through harsh winters.

Situated in the Central European Alps, Austria combines an alluring bundle of elegant urban architecture, cultural centers, and dramatic landscapes. This German-speaking country of 8.5 million residents is known for its rich history, dating back to the Hapsburg Empire, as well as its art, music, and scenery. Along with the neighboring country of Switzerland, Austria serves as the winter sports capital of Europe and is home to some of the continent's most popular ski resorts. This landlocked nation draws visitors from across the globe to its mountains, historical villages, and culturally rich cities. Experience trekking in the Alps one day and drinking regional wine at a crowded pub after a day of sightseeing in the capital Vienna the next.

Rich in culture and customs and brimming with hospitality, natural beauty, and historical heritage, Turkey serves as a crossroads between Asia and Europe. The landmass known as Anatolia on which Turkey thrives has been home to numerous civilizations and their faiths and cultures, as attested by the 13 World Heritage Sites and countless religious sites you'll find here. Relive the ancient world through the ruins, customs, and traditions that are among the nation's most precious heritages. Adventure-seekers have plenty do to here, including mountain climbing, scuba diving, rafting, and skiing. A holiday to Turkey is incomplete without a cup of Turkish coffee, the pinnacle of Turkish cuisine inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Few places manage to capture the world's imagination quite like Greece, a land of sun-kissed coastlines, tranquil whitewashed villages, lively seaside towns, and well-preserved ancient sites. One of the world's top tourist destinations since ancient times, the country draws nearly 20 million visitors each year. Athens, the birthplace of Western civilization, continues to attract the biggest crowds and serves as a base for exploring the country and its 227 inhabited islands. Away from its cities, Greece features a picturesque countryside of olive groves, vineyards, and tiny settlements nestled against rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges. Explore the old mainland on foot and discover the islands on a guided boat or ferry tour.

Immerse yourself in a snow-capped mountain wonderland in Switzerland's serene Alpine setting. See the world-renowned Matterhorn, Switzerland's second-highest mountain at 4,478 m (14,962 ft) tall, or zoom down the mountains on toboggan, ski, or snowboard. In the warmer seasons hike around the rolling green hillsides covered with pine trees and picturesque aqua blue lakes. Luxurious cities dotted with cozy wooden chalets and colorful flowerbeds balance quaintness with first-class cultural offerings. Indulge in the country's opulence of milk chocolate, cheese fondue, and keg-carrying St. Bernard dogs.

France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for decades, and geographically, it is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities are holiday hot spots and contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended, and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, as well as the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly wines and cheeses, as well as its history, culture, and fashion industry.

You'll find that the French people are very polite and may react coldly to you if you forget this. You might be surprised as you're greeted by other customers and the proprieter when you walk into a restaurant or a shop. Be sure to take your sightseeing off the beaten path in France. Besides the famous Eiffel Tower and the chic resorts of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) you'll find many places to visit in the form of museums filled with fine art, crafts, and archaeological relics, wonderful medieval villages and castles, diverse national parks, and local shopping direct from artisans themselves.

Whether you're touring the Christmas Markets or going skiing during winter, viewing the springtime influx of color in Provence, sunbathing on the Mediterranean coast in the summer, or watching the fall foliage against the backdrop of the châteaux in the Loire Valley, you're sure to find just the right place to be. Spring is a time when the tourist attractions are just starting to expand their hours, but it may still be cold in the mountainous regions and the north. Summer is the busiest time in France with the longest hours for many museums and attractions, but it's often when you will experience the most crowds. Winter in France is filled with winter carnivals, Christmas Markets, and of course, skiing. Fall is a time to celebrate the release of Beaujolais nouveau wine in November, as well as experience Nuit Blanche, a day in October when major attractions, museums, galleries, parks, and swimming pools remain open all night.

As part of the French Riviera, Monaco offers the sparkling aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean Sea on its doorstep. The country has long been known for its panache--fast cars, big casinos, and expensive boutiques surround you here. While there are less luxurious activities for travelers, this is not the country for tourists on a budget. Many cruise ships make this a port of call in this region, so expect to see these vessels and large yachts as part of the landscape here.

A colorful country known for its relaxed lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, excellent food, and world-famous folklore and festivals, Spain boasts a huge number of World Heritage Sites and other spectacular places to visit. It also deserves its reputation as a beach vacation destination; the Western edge of the Mediterranean Sea is home to some of the world’s top beaches. But Spain’s geography is so much more than just soft, sandy shores. Its landscapes are as diverse as its people, ranging from lush meadows and snowy mountains to huge marshes and sprawling deserts. The countryside bursts with unspoiled villages of timeless beauty and old-world charm, as well as vast and varied nature preserves.

Small in size but rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, Portugal features contrasting landscapes that include long beaches, lush vineyards, verdant valleys, and rolling hills dotted with tiny settlements where old traditions still prevail. The country's serene interior, often overlooked by foreigners, remains largely unspoiled by mass tourism and offers visitors a chance to discover this less-trodden part of Europe at their own pace. Ripe for leisurely adventures on foot or by bicycle, Portugal's fertile countryside boasts well-preserved medieval castles and outstanding wineries, producing some of the world's finest ports. The country's cities offer a lively culinary scene known for its many award-winning restaurants, topping the itineraries of foodies from around the globe.

A small country packing a big punch in terms of tourist attractions, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe, its cities soaked in history and famed for their lively arts, fashion, and dining scenes. Although it advertises itself simply as "A Food Lover's Dream," this country of just 11 million people boasts a rich architectural heritage, world-famous breweries, pristine natural areas, and touching memorials marking major battlegrounds from both World War I and World War II. Put the country's elegant cities of Brussels and Bruges at the top of your itinerary, but don't forget that Belgium's less-explored countryside offers dense forests, rolling hills, and lush valleys.

The Netherlands literally means "Low Country", inspired by the country's low and flat geography, where only about 50 percent of the land exceeds one meter (three feet) above sea level. Since the late 16th century, large, flat land areas called "polders" have been reclaimed from the sea and lakes and protected by dikes, amounting to nearly 17 percent of the country's current land mass. The Netherlands is. This is small, densely populated country lies mainly in Western Europe but also includes three islands in the Caribbean; it's the main constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The European part of the Netherlands borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the northwest, sharing maritime borders with Belgium, the United Kingdom and Germany. Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam serve as the three largest and most important cities in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is the country's capital, while The Hague holds the Dutch seat of government. The port of Rotterdam claims the title as the largest port in Europe, in fact, it's as large as the next three ports combined.

Home to an impressive 25 World Heritage sites, the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has hundreds of museums to explore, thousands of parks and gardens to stroll through, and tens of thousands of communities to discover. From Land’s End in the south to John O’Groats in the north, the country is packed with tourist attractions that can fill a range of itineraries. With nearly 30 million tourists visiting every year, the UK is ranked among the top ten holiday destinations in the world. Known for its royalty, this country also represents a diverse patchwork of native and immigrant cultures. Although Britannia no longer rules the waves, it possesses a captivating history and a dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential on the rest of the world.