Itineraries
First-Time Europe
8 Weeks
This combo of major league countries, such as France and Germany, and left-field destinations like Slovenia and Albania, provides an irresistible mix of world-famous sights and unforgettable experiences for the European novice.
Ease into the first two weeks by concentrating on Ireland and Great Britain. The atmosphere of a Dublin bar provides the perfect introduction, followed by a few days exploring the city's museums and literary haunts. It costs nothing to walk across the Unesco-listed Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, which leaves more money to enjoy your next stop: London. The city is pricey, but focus on the free museums and royal parks and you're sure to stay on budget. Travel west to marvel at Stonehenge and wander the historic streets of Oxford and Bath.
Return to London to board the Eurostar for the next couple of weeks hopping between some of the continent's iconic northern metropolises. In Paris you will be dazzled by the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Versailles. Check out more classic art, plus those cafes, in enchanting Amsterdam. Get a taste of Scandinavia in Copenhagen, the coolest kid of the Nordic bloc. And unleash your inner party animal in Berlin where you can also see the remains of the wall.
Go through the former Iron Curtain to the gorgeous old Polish royal capital of Kraków, which was miraculously spared destruction in WWII. If you thought that was stunning wait till you see the architectural glories of Prague. Continue on to Budapest, where you can freshen up at the thermal baths and enjoy numerous cafes and bars, followed by Slovenia's eco-friendly capital Ljubljana.
The Venetian-style seaside resort of Piran is a good starting point for a journey down the scenic Dalmatian Coast via Split and Dubrovnik both of which have ancient ruins to explore. End up way off the beaten track in Albania where you can sail on a ferry across beguiling Lake Koman and relax at a campsite by the beach in Drymades on the Albanian Riviera.
Cruise across the Adriatic on one of the ferry services to Italy, where your final week's pit stops include hauntingly beautiful Venice, the exquisite Renaissance time capsule of Florence, and the eternal city of Rome.
Itineraries
East to West
8 weeks
This trans-European journey kicks off in the east, a dynamic part of Europe yet where you'll also encounter under-the-radar attractions. Then enjoy a more leisurely pace of life along the balmy Mediterranean coast as you continue west towards to the resorts of Spain and Portugal.
Begin in Russia's capital Moscow, where the imposing Kremlin and adjacent Red Square are guaranteed to strike you with awe. Take an overnight train to St Petersburg, home to the magnificent art collection of the Hermitage and gorgeously restored imperial palaces. Another overnight train will whisk you to Latvia's lovely art-nouveau captial Rīga where you can get a taste of the Baltic. If the weather's fine consider a day trip to the chic beach resort of Jūrmala.
Poland's capital Warsaw is a vibrant city that's survived all that history could throw at it. Continue into Ukraine and spend a few days in Unesco World Heritage–listed Lviv which oozes Central European charm. Move on to Transylvania and sharpen your fangs at 'Dracula's' castle in Bran. Romania's dynamic capital Bucharest is next, with its good museums, parks and trendy cafes.
Sofia, Bulgaria's relaxed capital is another recommended pitstop en-route to the beautiful, chaotic İstanbul: when you've had your fill of sightseeing you can relax in a hamam (Turkish bath).
Time to explore the ancient world staring with the Acropolis in Athens. You could easily spend a couple of weeks island hopping around Greece but with limited time focus on volcanic Santorini, then pick up the pace by flying to Spain for the final leg of your trip.
Admire the genius of Gaudí and wallow in cultural riches and glorious food in supercool Barcelona. Zip north to Basque seaside resort San Sebastián, with its delicious food scene, and then to the shimmering Museo Guggenheim in happening Bilbao. Turn south, making a beeline for energetic Madrid, for some of Europe's best galleries and bars.
Head south to see the beautiful Moorish architecture of the Alhambra in Granada and the stunning Mezquita of Córdoba. Cross over to Portugal, where the fascinating capital Lisbon offers clattering bright-yellow trams, a lamplit old quarter and superb pastéis de nata (custard tarts) in the waterside Belém district.
Itineraries
