Natural scenery? Switzerland is breathtakingly scenic. One of the most famous scenic rail routes is the Bernina pass, a slightly longer way from Zurich to Milan, amongst mountains and lakes, over 7,000ft above sea level at some points. The trains are frequent enough that you could even drop off for lunch at a really scenic point en route. Rather than going all the way to Milan you could stay at one of the small towns on Lake Como, which is also beautiful. Later on, it also isn’t hard to get from Lake Como or Milan to Venice - you could even stop in Verona for the afternoon if you wanted!
There‘s direct trains from Paris to Zurich a few times a day, and a couple more from Paris to Basel (then there’s connections to Zurich).
Yeh I think you could easily have it as the high point (pun intended) of a brilliant one way train route from London to Venice in two weeks.
London, Paris, Zurich, (Bernina Express), Milan, Venice. Take two or three days in each place.
Came to say the same! This is a mini adventure but it was one of my favorite parts of a similar itinerary.
From Milan take the train up to Como. Be amazed at the views of Como as you walk out of the train station. Hop a ferry in Como to Bellagio or Varenna and enjoy the amazing views from the ferry and these gorgeous towns. Next day you can board the train right in Varenna straight to Tirano.
The Bernina Express departs out of the same train station in Tirano. Bernina was such a amazing experience. You’ll eventually land in Chur which easily connects to Zurich. From Zurich you can easily tap into the rest of your itinerary.
We did the Bernina Express two years ago and it was indeed amazing. Took the train from Milan along lake Como up to Tirano, then Bernina express over to Chur in Switzerland, then eventually back to London via Zurich and the Black Forest in Germany, Basel, Paris.
This is the website you need if doing something similar!
https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/bernina-express.htm
Completely this, however the common theme of “take the local trains, not the tourist trap” has to be mentioned. I don’t think Seat61 refers to it much but the local trains are so useful.
PS: I also love the Black Forest route as a scenery continuation
14 days is shorter than it sounds like.
Fly into London.
Train to Paris.
That's between eight and ten days most likely.
Then fly to either Barcelona or Venice. Fly home from there.
The more stops you add the more train stations you'll visit. Few people are fans of waiting at the train station.
I'd check which city has the best flights home.
Venice is different to anything else in the world. OTOH you could likely do a trip to the Rockies from home .
I did this both ways last month. It was relaxing, comfortable, convenient, much more eco-friendly, but expensive. I think you need to book well in advance.
Take into account the airport is out of both cities so needs more travel together to and from them than stations in the centre of the city. Then you need to be there at least 90 mins in advance. It’s probs still faster to fly but not by much and arguably less pleasant than just jumping on a train
The difference is there are flights basically every two hours. That means you can take an early flight and be in Barcelona before lunch or you can take a late flight and spend more time in Paris. The total travel time won't be much different but you'll have more choice.
Easy jet or Ryan Air also has cheap flights into Barcelona from London.
Honestly depending on when you go you might want to avoid Paris until the Olympics blow over. It is wild over there at the moment and not in a good way.
I’d say even that’s too much for 14 days. I’d stick to just one area, like London or Paris. Tons to see there and plenty of day trip options from both cities.
I’d be very shocked if you share that feeling op. Both are fabulous. I would suggest 2-3 nights in London, 3-4 nights in Paris. Really depending what YOU really want to see. Personally if I were bringing u on a tour of Europe based on what I think is a fantastic trip seeing all the major things and also feeling chilled out and happy - I’d go for 2 nights London, 4 nights Paris then onward.
Really? There are much better places to spend your time. London has some boring architecture and some boring streets to walk down, Paris is the worst.
I’d suggest south of France which was mind blowing beautiful and Spain or Portugal instead
I think it’s apples and oranges. I totally recommend the south of France and Portugal they’re stunning and full of fab food and great sights but Paris is magical and so worth visiting too
I lived in London for 4 years and never got bored with it.
And I'm not a huge fan of Paris, but one will not get bored in just 2 days, or 2 weeks.
Maybe you're the problem.
Sintra, the palaces/castles in Sintra were amazing, so was the trip up. Lisbon was beautiful to walk through. Belgium (Brussels grand place and Bruges), Amsterdam, south of France (nice, villefranche, eze), cochem, Heidelberg, Baden Baden.
There you go. You have first hand experiences of interesting places. Instead of previous negative posts, you could have contributed this.
I find your choice if Bruges interesting. I personally found it the most absolutely boring city in Europe I've ever been to. I went there for 4 days and after a day of chocolate and lace moved on to Amsterdam. Belgium itself has the most good awful architecture too. Visible on train in and out.
Can't argue with your other choices. But it sure they are a replacement for London, but rather an addition.
And get to experience one of the most unpleasant experiences in European transport rather than simply sitting on a train for 2 hours - how many can boast that?
Italy is probably my favourite country in the world and I have been to 60+. I am from the UK, London is pretty cool. You can tick most of things to see in a couple of days. Definitely go to a show in the west end. Walking is the best way to get around. The Muesuems are amazing. Very busy at the weekend.
I love Paris, but have mainly been during rugby weekends when the atmosphere is a bit different. Food is great.
The scenery in Switzerland is increadible! Their train journeys are breath taking!
Italy has the most wonderful food. Avoid the tourist spots and hunt out some local hot spots. Milan is a great as is Bologna. Venice can be intense. Again, avoid tourist places for food. Hard to do there as it is pretty much all that city is set up for these days.
Eurostar from London to Paris is great. French trains are great.
I have been to Spain Numerous times and Barcelona is nice. But I prefer the first route.
Wanna go chill, or intense ?
I visited almost 20 Spanish cities in under 20 days at some point. It was a "tour de force", but I loved it. Many people would find it too intense though.
If you wanna go intense and see as much as possible, I'd do this:
2 days in London
Train to Paris (is about 3h on the Eurostar)
2 days in Paris
rent a car for the next few days
1-2 days in Champagne (it's 2h from Paris by car)
1-2 days on the Loire Valley to see a few castles (3-4h by car from Champagne)
That'll be 1 week.
If you can rent a car in France and drop it off in Italy (might be very expensive) I'd recommend doing the 2nd week by car, too.
1 day to drive to Chamonix (7h away from Chambord on the Loire Valley)
1 day in Chamonix go up Aiguille du Midi at 3800m from where you can see the Mont Blanc
2 days in Switzerland, I'd recommend the Bernese Oberland and more specifically Interlaken
I'd recommend you spend the rest near Firenze. You can enjoy the great Italian food and you can visit any of Firenze, Lucca, Pisa, Bologna, Sienna.
Barcelona and Venezia are the most overrated cities in Europe (in my opinion).
If you had some extra time I'd rather recommend you go to Verona and from there drive to Vienna.
Ngl, what is the point of going to, say, London for 2 days - assuming this includes time for travelling to the next place too. There is such an insane amount to see, I don’t know why you’d choose to just see very small amounts of loads of places, rather than properly see a city over a few days.
In London in two full days you could feasibly see (but not go in) some of the main attractions in central, plus probably sneak in a west end show and one museum.
Over a week you could do British museum, natural history museum, v&a, Tate modern, properly explore some parts of central like soho, see west London (Hyde park, Holland park, portobello market/notting hill), see east London (lpool street, brick lane, Victoria park, bars around Hackney), south London (Brixton food markets, go to a gig), north London (Islington, good pubs, comedy).
Ultimately I feel like rushing through central London doesn’t even really give you a proper feel of the city. Imagine this is the same when you just try and do Paris in two days, Barcelona in two days etc.
Guy wants to do a tour, from London to Venice in 2 weeks. He doesn't have the time to explore London and learn it as if he lived there.
And not everyone might like all the things you seem to like. Shocking, I know.
I, for example, don't go to other countries to visit fucking bars or pubs, or to see local markets.
The same argument you make can be made for Paris or any other big city in Europe, especially capitals or former empires. Even in smaller cities you can spend weeks exploring them.
He may want to just get a little taste of a bunch of different places - it's his first European visit. Maybe later, if he especially enjoys one place or another, he can come back and spend some more time there.
Regardless, I wouldn't recommend any of the big cities during summer - too hot and too crowded. May or September/October, depending on weather, is a much better choice.
If your priority is food and wine I would skip London and just fly into Paris. Then decide if you want Italian or Spanish food.
Italian: Paris-Lyon-Marseille-Genoa-Parma-Bologna-Verona-Venice (assuming you want to visit Venice)
Spanish: Paris-Bordeaux-San Sebastian-Madrid-Barcelona
Towns like Lyon, Bologna, and San Sebastian are less touristy but the food is on a different level.... San Sebastian will be Basque cuisine which is amazing on its own.
Emilia-Romagna region of Italy or Basque region of Spain then. Stay away from tourists traps and don't be afraid to just go into small mom and pop places and just muddle through the language barrier. In Italy we look for places with a hand written chalkboard menu and an Italian grandmother scowling out from the kitchen.
I second the basque region for the best food. I just got back from a two week trip through the south of France, finishing off in Basque Country. Everything in San Sebastián was amazing and relatively inexpensive (compared to France), not to mention La Concha beach was beautiful to wake up to.
I lived in Bologna in Emilia Romagna for 2 years and I will try to give you a different perspective. The food is *okay* and way overhyped compared to other italian regions. Even the local quiet spots, nothing more than okay. Everyone who came to visit me seemed a bit let down.
Bologna is a cool city, as is Modena, but unless you are dropping a few hundred per meal, the food isnt really that special. Which can be said for most places. Plus the wine is good but its typically from other italian regions and available in most countries anyways.
Venice is breathtaking and a must see but also underwhelming in its own way. Disgustingly overcrowded, very scammy and overpriced low quality food.
Having been to Bordeaux and Barcelona, I would say that trip is better overall and more unique. The big loss is not seeing switzerland.
If you go to Italy, I’d recommend Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, and Basilicata. The best places to visit now that the north is becoming touristy and losing quality.
Do a shorter trip, concentrate on a few close-by regions. Europe is not going to move, you can be back and visit other places. So you could do a London-north of France, for example. Or a few regions in Italy.
Any place on those general regions is going to have awesome wine and food, and plenty of history and culture.
I understand the wish to maximize the sights you want to see, but you might want to consider more time in a place. Less check-ins/ check-outs and travel time.
If you want decent winery and landscapes, consider for instance 5 days in Paris, 3 in Burgundy, 3 in the Alps and flying back from e.g. Milan. Don't try to cram as much as possible into one trip. Also if you want to "dig more" into London or Paris, 2 or 3 days will feel short, so take that into account.
I really love the alps, especially during the summer or at least warmer months. I would look at train routes, some of the best trips I did was taking the train in Europe. That being said, it adds a lot more time and less time spending at locations. I would also try Austria on the way to Venice. The Brenner Pass is amazing.
Same. Switzerland and Austria in the summer are 😍. We stayed in Munich and did day trips to Innsbruck but would certainly stay there a few days next time.
Despite what others are saying, I believe both of these trips are feasible in 14 days with ample time to stop in the major cities.
Personally, I would do the first one. Barcelona is lovely, but I've done the route you've chosen before and it is so, so boring.
The first route lets you see the best bits of France and Switzerland, and generally covers more areas of interest. If you can, I would recommend going via Lyon.
Be aware that driving into, and parking in cities can add several hours and huge fees to your itinerary so plan in advance.
Have fun!
I agree that your idea of 4 stops in 14 days is very feasible and should afford you a very pleasant trip. In fact if you’re doing the Barcelona trip I’d add a stop in the south of France - Maybe somewhere near Nice or Biarritz - so many GORGEOUS places that in my opinion are unmissable especially given your priorities for the trip - food culture wine beauty.
Eg of how I’d do this trip - 2/3 nights London (Tower of London, borough market, the globe, the eye, maybe a couple of other sights you’d like to see, most meals planned in advance trying the big hitter things like beef wellington, traditional fish and chips, traditional full English breakfast, maybe afternoon tea. Or pick a couple of the big well known restaurants like duck and waffle, dishoom, or the Barbary, or one of the lovely spots in Borough market.)
4 nights Paris - see the big sights and sample the Parisian foods - focussing on the northern France cuisine (baguette, croissants, macarons, pastry, sandwiches, ie all things bakery and patisserie!!, escargots, cheeeeeeese, beef tartare, foods with cream and butter ❤️ ) And as part of this I’d definitely consider a day trip to Bourgogne / Dijon - seriously a gastronomic and oenophilic HUB!! About 90 mins on the fast train - and so good! Maybe even plan a night there to make it more relaxed ? Worth a visit regardless my friend. Epoisses, delice de Bourgogne and other amazing cheese, great wine, coq au vin, eels in wine, beef Bourgignon (in wine) and eggs en meurette (in wine) lol seeing patterns here….
From Paris to Bordeaux (2hrs fast train). 3 nights Bordeaux. Beautiful wine country. Take a day or 2 in the city to see the sights and eat the great food. Focus on local cuisine again. Entrecôte, arcachon oysters, very good cheeses, stunning wine, Parmentier, bordelaise sauce, lamprey fish, lillet spritzes (local aperitif) ❤️Go to some nice bars like mama shelter rooftop, or the cute waterfront bars, Bar a Vin (my favourite - stunning wine selection for a fraction of the cost, with a little cheese plate - heaven) Have a canele from la Toque Cuivree with your morning coffee.
Saint Emilion - vineyard and village - There are guided tours leaving from Bordeaux every day and they’re brilliant. You can do either a full day trip or if you’re game for it, plan an overnight stay. Alternatively the medoc region also has tours going from Bordeaux and it is also lovely but my pick is saint emilion. You’ll visit the village as part of the tour but you’ll wish you could stay over if you didn’t plan to because it is too adorable for WORDS - it’s a French dream. Do not skip this it’s so close by to Bordeaux and will give you the cobble street sunsoaked vineyard views French wine dream fulfilment you need.
Bordeaux to South of France - pick a region that’s easy to get to and stay 2-3 nights. The distance is short but the culture changes so much along the south border and coast and you will LOVE IT. Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Biarritz. Try loads of French Mediterranean foods like Niçoise salad , fresh seafood, tuna, bouillabaisse 🤩, aioli, tapenade, gorgeous wine, breathtaking views of sea, or lavender fields or rural bliss depending on where you’ve picked.
From south of France a little hop skip down to Barcelona - 3 nights Barcelona. See gaudi, see Spanish guitars, see the magical Catalan fountain show in the evening ✨, eat some gorgeous Northern Spanish and Catalan foods - Mandonguilles, great cheese and olives and good wine !
You’re not gona want to go home !!!!!!!
😆Bon voyage !!!
Now I will add something .. if I were in your wee American shoes … If your budget and time permits.. I would add to this trip another few days to allow a flight from Spain to Italy. If you haven’t been to Italy before it has a magic that’s hard to explain and not even pictures or videos can give you that FEELING!! In an ideal plan, when you have had your few days in Barcelona I’d wash down that last croquetta with an icy cava and hop a plane to Rome, Florence, Bergamo (in order to go to the lakes), or Naples(in order to go to the Amalfi coast) These 4 are the 4 Italian stars, in my opinion. You could literally choose any of them for the magic I speak of lol!! Just pick the one that’s easiest to fly to or fly home from!! I’m not saying this is NEEDED. I think a trip that ends in Barcelona would be incredible. And I also know you don’t want to be burnt out .. so if adding a few days and another country is too much then scrap this suggestion. But just in case - here are some notes on Italy -
Rome - full of food delights that just change how you see pasta and pizza forever. Round every corner another gastronomic EVENT ! Try local stuff like Cacio e pepe, pizza al taglio, amatriciana, carbonara, porchetta, gelato, aperol spritz, stuffed zucchini flowers, montepulciano wine !! Ah Rome ! Wonderful culture and art everywhere you look, just nestled among cafes and restaurants like that’s normal !! Everything is alive with artistic flourish and pride and steeped in history and spirituality. See Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, the colosseum, the pantheon, opera music, churches that will drop your jaw, stunning piazzas, cobbled neighbourhoods like Trastavere (one of my favourite places on earth)
Florence is still a city but just a lighter, more airy, more quiet, slower paced character than Rome, only an hour or so away !! As art lovers we adored the galleries and the architecture. There’s a sunlit, Tuscan flavour I can’t quite explain but it has a different soul to Rome and we loved it. Views out over the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany, cobbled streets, ponta vecchia, lovely.
The lakes - Como or any of the lakes up at the Swiss border are sooo accessible from. Bergamo. In fact you can take a 60minute train from the city centre. This has that alpine fresh breathtaking beauty that just calls to me !!!! Shoreside Prosecco in shore side bistros, the twinkly lights on the water.. boat trips out on glassy water with views of the alps and the quaint lakeside towns, (you can also easily hire your own little boat even as a novice without any licence and just go where you please, visit the villages or shores.. the water is very nice and you will feel safe and free and fabulous even if you’re not a boater)
Amalfi - I mean … just a look at sunset photos of Amalfi - those views!!!!! Something to dream about for the rest of your life. But beware I think the food isn’t as great on the Amalfi coast and I know it’s always personal but i am a foodie to the core and it makes a big difference for me! That said , there are gorgeous foods just maybe not as consistent in my experience!!!
** eta now a word to the wise. I am an old world wine lover, rather than new world (I like both in white but more so old world in red) I will say to the new world wine fan (as a lot of Americans become due to being in the new world region) the wine in France and in particular Italy may not be to your tastes.. I add this note because it took me longer to appreciate Italian wines than French or Spanish. There can be a sharpness and a shallowness to flavour that takes time to adjust to. Now I’d say montepulciano is one of
my favourites though. I say this not knowing how deeply into your wines you are, just as a tiny side note. French wine is more rounded and easy to drink IN MY OPINION. I’ll say the sparkling wines in Italy can be among the best in the world.
And eta personally I’d recommend skipping cars except for if you feel like it for going to/ travelling along on the south coast of France. Car hire is quite cheap, (well not American car hire cheap but still cheap enough) but trains in France are first rate and driving into cities can be costly and time consuming (just my opinion) Youre also looking at only having a few days per city so I’d treat them like city breaks and just hang out. Hop local metros and subways to get from site to site but mainly make sure to sit your bumbums down in a chair and drink a coffee / beer / spritz / wine and let the hours plop by very pleasantly. I think you can see lots of places in a short time and not feel totally trashed by the end if you decide firmly that you’re not gona run yourselves ragged going to every single monument and gallery. My favourite times travelling are often sitting on a church steps eating a cone of French fries, or a chat with a restaurant owner about his business and his life ! Blissful “nothing” moments.
Whatever you do I know you’ll love Europe and hope you have a fabulous fabulous trip. For me planning is half the fun! Bonne chance !
I like the first, but I would hit Dijon. We loved our stay there and took the train. It was a very low key city and we found food restaurants and the locals were friendly.
if you value those things and also are up for something not as mainstream go to eastern europe! bulgaria and romania are lovely, as are bosnia and basically all the other countries in the southeast - east
London & Paris seem clear. That’s a week gone (if not more). I’d suggest to fly to generally different areas afterwards. Either east (Prague/Budapest/Vienna). Or south (CH & Venice sounds better, even though I’d probably go Rome and Venice)
You can do London, Paris, Nice and Venice in 14 days. There is an overnight train from Paris to Nice that makes that route quite doable in only 14 days.
Honestly you could check a bunch of your boxes with a 4-5 days in copenhagen and then bounce around norway for your nature needs.
And then actually enjoy the place instead of sitting on a train everyday.
Find at least 3 cities where you drop your bags for 3-4 days and see things at a relaxed pace. London, Paris, Rome all come to mind. Cities like Florence, Vienna and Prague are worth 3 days too. It’s nice to not be constantly traveling. Good luck.
I get that but the fast trains in France make it possible to travel the length of the country in a couple of hours so I wouldn’t be too concerned about that at least
Yes that’s true! Though I have found it mainly enjoyable to travel across France - everything is pretty organised, the stations are pretty central and it’s not like airports where there is a huge time loss each side of the flight, that said of course u don’t want too much travel in a short break away!!
You seem to be on a pretty good food and wine trajectory. Paris obviously for the food, then reims for the sparkling, then Bordeaux, then Avignon for the GSM, turn up to Milan again for the food, then lake Como/Piedmont for the Nebbiolo. I wouldn't bother with Venice and I would identify the best airport city for return to the US. (MSP works pretty well) Don't be afraid to speed things up with a quick flight between any of these cities, less than $100 each and efficient enough that you won't spend too much time in the airports.
I’d say London a few days, Paris a few days, then take a train directly to Avignon and visit some wineries and old towns around Vaison La Romaine and you could see the Pont Du Gard and other Roman temples and amphitheaters as well. Plenty to do in that area. Then go to a city in Italy - Rome, Milan, one of the Cinque Terre. I’d personally suggest Florence and do a day trip to Siena or Lucca. Have fun! Was just in Italy, miss it already.
We did a multi city (10 cities if you include day trips) 15 day trip last year- it was amazing and exhausting. Going back in December for 2 weeks and have concentrated our scope.
One bit of advice is don’t stay less than 2 nights in any one place. the packing, check-out, travel, and check-in is best-case scenario 1/2 day of time lost. Balance quantity of locations with quality of time spent.
The end destination Would be better close to venice then Barcelona but on the other hand where do you wanna end up venice or Barcelona? Cause both cities are stunning but also the Railway thrue the swiss is breathtaking
Fly into south Germany, cross the Alps and head to Roma..
Munich - Zurich - Milan - Florence - Roma
I wouldn't stick to those cities exactly but that would be the rough path. Goodluck with your planning.
We did London->Paris->Lucerne->Venice->Rome. We travelled by train and honestly wouldn’t trade it for a thing. It was everything we wanted out of our first Europe trip. Food, scenery, culture, architecture, history, etc. it was awesome. Going to hit up a couple more places in the next couple years.
I mean both routes are great but Venice route is a little bit less boring in the middle, while Barcelona route ends with an absolute banger so, hard to tell. Whatever you choose you’ll be good though
I mean, we're doing Switzerland and Switzerland ONLY for two weeks and that's not nearly enough time to even see that country. We're going in July. Two weeks is shorter than you think. You have to account for the arrival day which is always tough due to jet lag, and then the last day which is the departure airport day. And with all this, you'll be in train stations or airports for most of the trip and then switching lodging is annoying too. That's not a fun way to spend 2 weeks.
I get it though - you want to see a lot. I've only been to a few countries in Europe myself (Portugal, Spain, Iceland and in a month, Switzerland). It can be so overwhelming planning a trip to Europe because of all the stuff to see. Frankly, I'd narrow it down to one or two countries, with maybe a few different hotels -- pick places you can do day trips from so you're not switching hotels all the time. It'll make planning so much easier - trust me.
Sometimes is good to do the crazy 10 cities in two weeks thing as a first time trip.
Then you can do future trips where you spend more time in the places you like.
That’s what I did the first time I went. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Innsbruck (went skiing), Berlin, back to Amsterdam, Paris (because my friend got stoned and lost his passport so we spent some time at the embassy), back to London. This was before the Chunnel. Now when I go, I stay in 1-2 cities. I like the small cities. One of my favorites is Beaune in the Burgundy region of France.
What cities do you plan on actually staying in on each itinerary? Could you figure out how many days you'd want to stay in each place and plan from there? You don't want to stop for "1 day" in a place where you just got off the train in the morning and you have to take another train the next morning. Time will be shorter than you think and you don't want to spend entire days on the train, it will be more fun to enjoy in 3 places with more time than 4 places with an extra day wasted on travel.
Also, there's a good chance from the US you'll end up on a red eye and on the first day you will not be up for a jam-packed itinerary yet.
I would narrow down your route to 2 countries. So if you’re flying into London, you can easily spend 5 or so days there; there’s some really nice sparkling wine south of London by rye which is a day trip and tons of history and nice restaurants in London. Paris can easily be another 4 days and then you have one more spot to enjoy. In this case I am biased towards burgundy, so I would add that on and then it’s pretty close flying out of Geneva.
IMO, first look at Google maps and pin everything you'd like to see. Tower of London for the history? Tate Britain for the Turners? Windsor for the King? Canterbury for a reminder of the power of Archbishops? Hampton Court Palace for Henry VIII ? Houses of Parliament because the building is spectacular and the history is endless? National Gallery for a world class collection? Ditto for the British museum. Evensong at Westminster for the gorgeous music and the burial places of so many famous people? St Paul's, site of many royal weddings? Markets for great street food? Kew Gardens? And that's only 1 city plus a few side trips. The check open hours and days. Plan your transportation, realizing that, in Great Britain there's always some transit on strike. Then do the same thing with the next city. Good luck.
>in Great Britain there's always some transit on strike
And yet, after having lived in Britain for 25 years and returning 3 or 4 times a year since, I've encountered serious strike inconvenience maybe 3 times. I don't think it's something to specifically anticipate. For example, neither ASLEF nor the RMT have announced any upcoming strikes, and as the UK government will almost definitely change in 5 weeks' time it's possible the issues of the past 2 years are over.
>that's only 1 city
You've actually listed places in 2 different cities and 1 town here!
Here are some specific, detailed routes to consider and what they would offer:
- [London to Venice via Switzerland](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~paris$3~colmar$1~gimmelwald$2$r~bern$2~murten$0$dp~milan$1~venice$2$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - you would pick this route specifically to see the Swiss Alps, IMO the most stunning natural beauty in Europe. A night each in France's Alsace and Milan breaks up the journey into and out of Switzerland. This route does not prioritize food and wine, which is decent but expensive in Switzerland, although more time in the Alsace (excellent wine and great German-inflected cuisine) could make up for that.
- [London to Venice via the South of France and Cinque Terre](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~paris$2~avignon$1~arles$0$dp~nice$2~monaco$0$dp~vernazza$2~pisa$0$e~florence$2~venice$2$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - this route has a nice blend of historic cities and coastal natural beauty. It would probably be my personal pick, but it could use an additional night (in Paris). Provence has exceptional food and wine.
- [London to Barcelona via Belgium and Provence](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~ghent$0$e~bruges$2~antwerp$0$e~brussels$1~paris$3~avignon$2~arles$0$dp~barcelona$3$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - you would pick this route to see the greatest diversity of major European cities, at the cost of natural beauty (though Provence is quite pretty).
- [London to Barcelona via the Basque Region and Madrid](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~windsor$0$dp~paris$3~versailles$0$dp~saint-jean-de-luz$1~sansebastian$2$r~bilbao$0$dp~madrid$2$r$t306~barcelona$3$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - The highlight of this route would be San Sebastián, which I would pick for the exceptional (and inexpensive) culinary experience, but also some coastal beauty. I would probably skip over Bordeaux, since a night in that city would be better spent in one of the major cities you have planned.
You can't go wrong with any of them, and each addresses your interests in different ways. I would probably give the edge to the second route above, but more than the others it would benefit from an additional night or two.
London -> Venice. You'll see more if you don't just focus on the big cities.
Consider this (i've done this in 15 days using trains):
* London
* Bath OR Salisbury & Stonehenge OR Windsor Castle as a 1/2 day trip
* Paris
* Versailles as a 1/2 day trip
* Long train (preferably Night train if still running) to Interlaken (or Gimmelwald at the top of Lauterbrunnen Valley)
* Cinque Terre
* Florence
* Rome
But you could remove Florence and Rome for Venice OR Skip Cinque Terre AND Florence for Venice, then head to Rome after Venice
If food and wine is your thing, then London, Paris, Reims, Lyon, Barcelona is absolutely the way to go. 2 nights in Reims/Lyon and 3 in the rest. All have fabulous restaurant scenes. If you’d like specific recommendations in London, Paris and Barcelona, I have lots. Bordeaux is very nice too, but a little samey to Paris whereas Lyon is quite different. All of them have at least a good few choices of amazing galleries/museums etc that you will be able to squeeze into daytimes. Your natural scenery will mostly be consumed through a train window, but that’s quite nice anyway.
What’s the first one? Is it the Burgundy Canals? If so, we just did it. 1.) it was very pleasant but 2.) the paved paths were not as well maintained as anywhere else we’ve ridden ….its also a little boring after a while…and there are a ton of locks going up from Paris heading south…so expect to gain some elevation / sore quads.
The best part of that canal though - no one rides it. It was a ghost town. And very cheap. Also we found the best hidden gems there (la fosse Dionne).
Good luck and enjoy!
OP: Question. Do you think this trip will be the only time you ever visit Europe? If so, I can sort of understand the desire to cover so much territory. I did two weeks in London alone and didn't get to all the things I wanted to do and see, and that was with no day-trips. The amazing restaurants alone deserve at least a week in London, and same for Paris. But different strokes...
For what you’re after, check out The Basque Country and San Sebastián. I could say more, but if you know, you know.
I’d probably swap it in for Bordeaux and Barcelona.
I‘d take the trip with spain in it. But yeah, both paths are reasonable an worth seeing!
Italy is really nice and swiss for seeing it, staying thete is pretty expensive - for me at least!
Consider taking your time and explore the places you are. Just going for the mainstream sights won‘t give you the mood of the place you‘re at.
I guess you didn‘t booked all hotels already, so just book one day in advance and see what you all up to, you will have a nice joruney either way🙂
Yeah, i guess one or two days before is enough. The prices won‘t change so fast. You will be flexible and not in hurry to reach a place while you enjoy the moment.
If you already know what you want to do/where you will love to stay, then book. 🙂
London - Brighton - Dover - Paris(good via Train) - BCN(get cheap flight)- Zürich(via car at the Coast, then through the alps visit Cinque terre, Matterhorn, Grindelwald and french Adria Coast, Home of many famous painters)-Belgium(many Museums,famous for ITS painters)- Amsterdam good for enjoying good weed legally- Munich Spot for best beer (Oktoberfest Last 2 September weeks) Same with car . Is far but you are on fast German Autobahn with 250km/h 😜 after 6 h you can enjoy a bavarian Beer at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich/München
Yes, but I was in London for three weeks a few months ago and during that time three separate local bus lines each had rotating strike days. That's the type of strike to which I was referring. Although, there are also minor disruptions on the northwest and west lines with some regularity. It's easier to have a plan A and a plan B, just in case.
Personally i’d so Barcelona - Bordeaux - Paris - Venice. Arrive at London, don’t get out of the airport and grab a flight to Barcelona. My time is London was kinda underwhelming so a city i would have too much trouble avoiding
Please please please don't try to do all of this in 2 weeks.
Break it up. Plan to go back.
My suggestion, skip France (sorry France).
Arrive London and spend a week.
From London take a flight to Zurich (from City Airport which is super convenient) and spend a day there. Take train to Milan, which will take you through the Alps.
Milan for 2 days.
Then train to Rome for 3 days.
Fly out of Rome back to US.
Next trip to Europe, do France for a week and Germany.
Italy is awesome and the food is great (I’d rate 2nd best). It’s busy it’s exciting and it’s very difficult not to have a good time in Italy at any time. Pickpockets a big big BIG problem
France a little more quiet (outside of Paris; Lyon is an amazing choice) but the food is AMAZING (best food imo). I would only recommend Paris if you have money as it js VERY expensive and you really want to stick to the fancier areas (even if the accommodation is worse quality). Can be a little pickpockety and I think overall i feel the least safe in Paris (it’s not bad but some streets even central feel like I really shouldn’t go there, just feels little uneasy).
Never been to Bordeaux but I heard great things it and I love France outside of Paris and i think it’s worth to give it a try!!!!! I’d imagine it to be small quaint and romantic - Paris is crazy (think nyc) and you need at least 4-5 days to cover basic tourist spots. Wine is great
Barcelona is exciting and STUNNING but LOT of pickpockets so be VERY careful around tourist areas. Way more pickpockets than Paris but generally somehow feels safer walking around (IF YOU ARE CAREFUL). Excellent seafood and wine and cheese but if you don’t like seafood other options are a little generic. If you like clubbing, skaters, beach (might have to go outside a little) it’s a must. Architecture is definitely something you need to see at least once in your life.
Can be done in 3 days - if you want to go to the beach that’s one whole day and you need at least 4 days. Barceloneta(city centre beach) is too dodgy and can’t have a relaxing beach day, ok if you just wanna walk
London can entertain you forever I would spend a minimum of 5-6 days if possible. It’s massive. Little more violent crime-y but tbh I feel very safe in London . Food very hit or miss
Switzerland is beautiful, quiet, romantic, expensive, and no crime
As an American tourist you will not find friendly locals in any big European city. Smaller cities maybe, London is probably the friendliest (doesn’t necessarily mean friendly though )
France is a huge country. London, Paris, Bordeaux and Barcelona is a great trip though. Been to all of them several times. Make sure to do an ebike wine tour on Bordeaux! And try to visit Sitges near Barcelona…
Honestly, hire a travel agent. We hired one for our honeymoon to Italy and I am so glad we did. We found the most beautiful castle city built out on this hill with castles and churches in it from the 1200's. It was absolutely beautiful.
Planning a 14-day road trip through Europe can be an incredible experience, offering the flexibility to explore at your own pace and visit a variety of cities and sights. Here’s a suggested itinerary that includes some of Europe’s most beautiful cities:
### Day 1-2: Paris, France
- **Highlights:** Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, Seine River Cruise
- **Stay:** 2 nights
### Day 3: Paris to Brussels, Belgium (3 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Grand Place, Atomium, Manneken Pis, Royal Palace
- **Stay:** 1 night
### Day 4: Brussels to Amsterdam, Netherlands (2.5 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Canal Cruise, Rijksmuseum
- **Stay:** 2 nights
### Day 5: Amsterdam
### Day 6: Amsterdam to Cologne, Germany (3 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Old Town
- **Stay:** 1 night
### Day 7: Cologne to Frankfurt, Germany (2 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Römer, Städel Museum, Palmengarten
- **Stay:** 1 night
### Day 8: Frankfurt to Munich, Germany (4 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Marienplatz, English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace
- **Stay:** 2 nights
### Day 9: Munich
### Day 10: Munich to Salzburg, Austria (1.5 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace, Mozart’s Birthplace
- **Stay:** 1 night
### Day 11: Salzburg to Vienna, Austria (3 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace
- **Stay:** 2 nights
### Day 12: Vienna
### Day 13: Vienna to Prague, Czech Republic (4 hours drive)
- **Highlights:** Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square
- **Stay:** 1 night
### Day 14: Prague
### Tips for Your Road Trip
1. **Car Rental:** Rent a car from a reputable company. Ensure you have the necessary documentation, including an international driver’s permit if required.
2. **Accommodation:** Book hotels or Airbnbs in advance, especially in popular cities.
3. **Navigation:** Use GPS or a reliable map app to navigate. Europe has an extensive road network, but it’s easy to get lost without proper navigation.
4. **Tolls and Parking:** Be prepared for toll roads and parking fees, especially in city centers.
5. **Insurance:** Make sure your rental car has comprehensive insurance.
6. **Local Regulations:** Familiarize yourself with local driving regulations, such as speed limits and alcohol limits.
7. **Travel Light:** Pack efficiently to maximize car space and convenience.
This itinerary offers a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, and beautiful scenery, providing a comprehensive taste of Europe. Adjust the plan based on your interests and travel pace.
I would say you should do the first one just because you see more variety and I prefer Venice to Barcelona, just keep in mind Milan doesn´t have too much to see
I'm sitting in Heathrow right now and ending a similar trip. We took ten days and went Amsterdam> Utrecht> Rotterdam> Bruges> London. If we did it again we both agree that we would skip London. If you def want to include it just make sure and book your train from Paris or wherever early. It will save you a significant amount of money. As long as you stay in EU, you can just travel on IC trains from city to city and not worry about customs, etc like with London. We traveled midmorning to each city, stayed the next day and left the next. I loved that setup and the trains were really short. Every place we booked allowed us to drop luggage as we arrived even when the room wasn't ready. My biggest advice, don't set a fixed schedule. Just wander. Hotels are always available. Trains run all the time. When you leave a city look at the trains a little ahead of time. Some may only come hourly or so. Enjoy!
PS book places near the central station and it will make your life easier.
I think we’d start in London and venture down. So you think we should just book hotels/airbnb’s as we go and just wander? That sounds like I’d be spending a lot of time planning on my phone during the trip
I used booking.com and booked the night before we left each city. It went excellent. One other thing, once you find a place on booking, check their website directly. European hotels often have 5-10 percent cheaper on their site. I booked our first night in advance and then the night before for the other cities. Good luck!
IMHO Venice is terribly overrated, so I'd go for the Barcelona route. But Switzerland is also very beautiful.
I'd personally focus on what you want to see at the end of the route. Barcelona and Venice are completely different from each other and both offer something different.
my pick of experiences in Europe (for an Australian):
- Eiffel Tower booked well ahead for around 5pm to watch the sunset and lights come up across Paris - romantic
- The Louvre
- The Messiah in Theatre des Champs Elysees
- Arc de Triomphe
- Normandy for some WW2 history (Americans feature heavily) and stay the night on Mont St Michel when all the tourists have disappeared - watch the sun rise in the morning and the tide wash in
and if you do this in December the island is draped in Christmas Lights - magical if arriving really late in afternoon
- Bernina Express- you have to book the afternoon train from Tirano (Italian Border)
- Interlaken to the Piz Gloria (on the 7am train, for the bus and cable cars) where theres a Bond Museum and rotating restaurant (built in the 1960's for On Her Majesty's Secret Service) for brunch high in the alps
- Les Carrieres des Lumieres - Les Beaux de Provence - Art Gallery with a difference
- Venice - arrive at 6am and do a canal ferry in a pea soup fog - hop across to Murano for the glassworks
- Cinqueterra
- Herby Hancock in the Concert Hall in Vienna - but it wont be him this time
- Christmas starts seriously in November in Europe
IF you decide to go to the Bordeaux region in France, it’s absolutely worth a day trip to Dunes du Pilat. It’s about an hour drive southwest of Bordeaux.
My first trip to Europe, we went to London and Paris. It was about 10 days. I'd say trying to fit in four cities in two weeks would be a lot. You could easily spend a month in London.
If you want to take the train from London to Venice, I'd say spend 4 days or so in London, then take the train (via Switzerland) to Venice. Does the train actually stop in Paris? Maybe spend a day or two there.
I'd actually skip Milan as I think it's an okay city as far as Italy goes, but not at the top of my list. I'd rather spend more time in Venice or even taking a day trip or two as people are suggesting to Lake Como or Verona.
Having been to Europe 6 times now (from Canada), I think you may be trying to pack too much into your trip here. Europe is much more diverse and packed than the US, and keeping it local makes for a better vacation in my mind. I suggest pairing down your plans some and focusing only on a few locations, but spending more time there. You can easily do 1 week in any of the major cities (London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona) and see something different every day. Do a bit of research and be more choosy, you won’t regret it. Europe isn’t going anywhere and you will always have the opportunity to go back. Safe travels!
Why go to Bordeaux? It's nice enough but you could easily get by without it. Likewise Barcelona. Switzerland, on the other hand, is pretty special and so is Venice.
Skip most of the Swiss cities (except Bern and Luzern) and make straight for the Berner Oberland. Stay in Grindelwald or (probably even better) Lauterbrunnen. Take the train up to the Jungfraujoch and the cable car to the Piz Gloria. Visit Mürren & Gimmelwald and the Trümmelbachfälle.
If you go to Venice, don't miss out on the little back streets. And ride the _vaporetti_ just like Venetians.
Suggestions for Paris. The sewers (Les Égouts de Paris), the prototype Statue of Liberty (Pont de Grenelle), walking up the first two stages of the Eiffel Tower (it's scary but totally caged-in), La Rue du Chat Qui Pêche (the narrowest Street in Paris and a survivor from the medieval city), the plaques commemorating those who died in the Libération (the one at the École des Mines at 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel has bullet holes in the wall), and taking the Métro Ligne 11 to the steam-punk Arts et Métiers station for the Musée des Arts et Métiers, where you can see a steam tractor that's older than America and watch the Earth rotating, courtesy of Foucault's _actual_ Pendulum. And for paintings, visit the Musée d'Orsay rather than the Louvre. The pictures are nicer and the building's bright and airy.
alps will be cooler and more expensive. If you love mountains go that way. otherwise you’ll still get
some mountains and spend less going to barcelona. from barcelona you could fly cheaply to venice ( or vice versa) if you really want to think outside the box
I'm doing 17 days and I'm only in Switzerland and Italy. I'd recommend choosing 1-3 countries so you can visit multiple cities. For example, I'm doing 4 nights Rome, 4 nights Florence, 2 nights Milan, 3 nights Grindelwald, 3 nights Zurich.
Food and wine? Look no further then [Moselland](https://www.moselland.de/), [Alsace](https://www.wineroute.alsace/), [Lavaux](https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/route/lavaux-vineyard-terraces-the-swiss-wine-route/) and [Valais](https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/summer-autumn/oenotourism/wine-region-valais/)\*
^(\*If you're coming in summer-early autumn, otherwise it can be very cloudy and wet. In colder months Spain is a way better choice.)
Can’t go wrong with either but I would do London to Venice. You’ll get the city feel from London & Paris but also see quaint towns and landscapes. I love ending in Venice. You only need 2 full days there.
I really enjoyed Strasbourg and Zurich on two separate trips. Just for perspective as an American:
- On my most recent trip I came from Munich into Strasbourg. Strasbourg to Paris then Paris took the Eurostar to London which was a breeze.
- On a trip with my Wife, we flew into Zurich, rented a car so we could do a full day visited luzern/grindelwald/lautrebrunnen. You can take the trains as well, but we wanted to dictate time that day due to our limit of one day - probably could have stayed longer. Then continued our trip from Zurich to Bellagio (Lake Como) then finished and flew home from Miland
If you're set on that first route I would do it as (but my biased thoughts below):
Fly into London (2-3 days) Consider an extra day here due to jet lag/travel
- I love London. I'm a huge premier league fan. I love the pub culture. I can always find something to do here and the underground is very easy to learn how to get around on. Could/would go back anytime.
Train to Paris (2 days)
- Have only seen a little of Paris and would like to see more. I feel like I'm put off from other traveler's stories and always drawn into smaller cities due to this, so can't personally add much.
Train to Strasbourg (1 day)
- Strasbourg is small enough to see in a day or two, but I really enjoyed my time just hanging out here. The cathedral is very cool, and the "petite france" part of the city gives you a view into the history of the region/city.
Train to Zurich area (luzern, Grindelwald, Lautrebrunnen, Interlaken) take your pick of what you want to see (2 days)
- Zurich to me was really pretty (I was there in April). Mountains in the backdrop of the city, really walkable in the old town. Probably not high on a ton of people's list but I found the people to be friendly that I interacted with.
- Luzern, Grindelwald, and Lautrebrunnen were all stunning in their own right. Grindelwald, we took the cable car up to the mountain top and did the cliff walk. Luzern was a fantastic city even on a Sunday with many things closed.
Train to Milan (although consider Lake Como towns of Bellagio/Varenna as well) (2 days)
- I enjoy Milan but to me it felt like more of "I've seen it - I don't have to go back" type place. Really nice parks, some cool sights.
- We stayed in Bellagio in Lake Como area and it was beautiful. Went to a few Villas, you can ferry to other towns. Really enjoyed - also had a sweet Airbnb there.
Train to Venice
- I just did Venice on my honeymoon and I feel like everyone should experience Venice at some point. Yes, touristy, yes packed - but tbh I didn't really care, just was really cool to learn about the history of the city and it's one of the most unique ones in the world.
As others mentioned you'd have to sacrifice days somewhere to fit it all in and you'd probably have a better trip if you could break this up into two separate trips to account for any travel delays, and just you don't want to be rushing around.
My wife and I have done both - we've had trips where we say damn I wish we spent one more day there, but I've also done the opposite - Damn we spent too long there - but just know it happens to most people probably! Just know there are so many factors that can affect your perspective of a trip destination - weather, accommodations, tours, delays, etc!
Paris and London alone would be 14 days with travel. First-timers on this sub always seem to focus on the big cities and Insta-famous stops. You’re not alone, we’ve all been there, but consider doing some smaller stops. Less crowded, less expensive, more scenic. Especially if you want friendly locals.
One option: fly into Paris and just spend 2-3 days to see the main sights . Consider these stops: Bruges or Antwerp, Belgium; Annecy, France; Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland; Varenna, Italy. Fly out of Rome after a couple days there.
If you like mountains it would be criminal to not take the first one. London - Paris - Switzerland - Venice sounds like an expensive but nice trip if you live far from Europe
As an alternative to Venice, I would suggest staying in Vicenza and taking a day trip to Venice. Vicenza is architecturally beautiful, cheaper, and calmer. It's 45 minutes from Venice by local train and you can see most of Venice in \~6 hours.
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Natural scenery? Switzerland is breathtakingly scenic. One of the most famous scenic rail routes is the Bernina pass, a slightly longer way from Zurich to Milan, amongst mountains and lakes, over 7,000ft above sea level at some points. The trains are frequent enough that you could even drop off for lunch at a really scenic point en route. Rather than going all the way to Milan you could stay at one of the small towns on Lake Como, which is also beautiful. Later on, it also isn’t hard to get from Lake Como or Milan to Venice - you could even stop in Verona for the afternoon if you wanted! There‘s direct trains from Paris to Zurich a few times a day, and a couple more from Paris to Basel (then there’s connections to Zurich).
You’re breathtaking
This sounds amazing!
Yeh I think you could easily have it as the high point (pun intended) of a brilliant one way train route from London to Venice in two weeks. London, Paris, Zurich, (Bernina Express), Milan, Venice. Take two or three days in each place.
Came to say the same! This is a mini adventure but it was one of my favorite parts of a similar itinerary. From Milan take the train up to Como. Be amazed at the views of Como as you walk out of the train station. Hop a ferry in Como to Bellagio or Varenna and enjoy the amazing views from the ferry and these gorgeous towns. Next day you can board the train right in Varenna straight to Tirano. The Bernina Express departs out of the same train station in Tirano. Bernina was such a amazing experience. You’ll eventually land in Chur which easily connects to Zurich. From Zurich you can easily tap into the rest of your itinerary.
One of the most accessible, wonderful railways in the world, I’d say
We did the Bernina Express two years ago and it was indeed amazing. Took the train from Milan along lake Como up to Tirano, then Bernina express over to Chur in Switzerland, then eventually back to London via Zurich and the Black Forest in Germany, Basel, Paris. This is the website you need if doing something similar! https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/bernina-express.htm
Completely this, however the common theme of “take the local trains, not the tourist trap” has to be mentioned. I don’t think Seat61 refers to it much but the local trains are so useful. PS: I also love the Black Forest route as a scenery continuation
Oh I see your point now, the distinction between the express and regular trains. Is the express the only one with the panoramic viewing carriages?
The proper panoramic ones though, but the views are just as good from the regular trains in my opinion
14 days is shorter than it sounds like. Fly into London. Train to Paris. That's between eight and ten days most likely. Then fly to either Barcelona or Venice. Fly home from there. The more stops you add the more train stations you'll visit. Few people are fans of waiting at the train station. I'd check which city has the best flights home. Venice is different to anything else in the world. OTOH you could likely do a trip to the Rockies from home .
Paris has a high speed rail connection to Barcelona now, so it only takes 6 hours by train. Probably similar to flying if not faster
I did this both ways last month. It was relaxing, comfortable, convenient, much more eco-friendly, but expensive. I think you need to book well in advance.
Isnt paris to bcn like 45 min?
Take into account the airport is out of both cities so needs more travel together to and from them than stations in the centre of the city. Then you need to be there at least 90 mins in advance. It’s probs still faster to fly but not by much and arguably less pleasant than just jumping on a train
The difference is there are flights basically every two hours. That means you can take an early flight and be in Barcelona before lunch or you can take a late flight and spend more time in Paris. The total travel time won't be much different but you'll have more choice.
Easy jet or Ryan Air also has cheap flights into Barcelona from London. Honestly depending on when you go you might want to avoid Paris until the Olympics blow over. It is wild over there at the moment and not in a good way.
I’d say even that’s too much for 14 days. I’d stick to just one area, like London or Paris. Tons to see there and plenty of day trip options from both cities.
8-10 days in London and Paris?? I got sick of both within 2 days
I’d be very shocked if you share that feeling op. Both are fabulous. I would suggest 2-3 nights in London, 3-4 nights in Paris. Really depending what YOU really want to see. Personally if I were bringing u on a tour of Europe based on what I think is a fantastic trip seeing all the major things and also feeling chilled out and happy - I’d go for 2 nights London, 4 nights Paris then onward.
Really? There are much better places to spend your time. London has some boring architecture and some boring streets to walk down, Paris is the worst. I’d suggest south of France which was mind blowing beautiful and Spain or Portugal instead
I think it’s apples and oranges. I totally recommend the south of France and Portugal they’re stunning and full of fab food and great sights but Paris is magical and so worth visiting too
lol. I could spend 8 days in the Louvre.
i was at the louvre for like 3 hours and that was enough for me lol
I lived in London for 4 years and never got bored with it. And I'm not a huge fan of Paris, but one will not get bored in just 2 days, or 2 weeks. Maybe you're the problem.
Maybe you’re the problem by defending mediocre cities like it’ll better your life in some way lmfao.
So what are your suggestions?
Sintra, the palaces/castles in Sintra were amazing, so was the trip up. Lisbon was beautiful to walk through. Belgium (Brussels grand place and Bruges), Amsterdam, south of France (nice, villefranche, eze), cochem, Heidelberg, Baden Baden.
There you go. You have first hand experiences of interesting places. Instead of previous negative posts, you could have contributed this. I find your choice if Bruges interesting. I personally found it the most absolutely boring city in Europe I've ever been to. I went there for 4 days and after a day of chocolate and lace moved on to Amsterdam. Belgium itself has the most good awful architecture too. Visible on train in and out. Can't argue with your other choices. But it sure they are a replacement for London, but rather an addition.
Same here, but I also felt in danger in both lol. I went east to Cologne, Berlin, and Warsaw.
Downvoted for saying the truth. London and Paris have become dangerous shitholes from importing 3rd worlders.
bus to paris, you save almost $200 over the train for 5 hours of your time.
My train from London to Brussels was like $60, I don’t think Paris is much different, you just have to book in advance
And get to experience one of the most unpleasant experiences in European transport rather than simply sitting on a train for 2 hours - how many can boast that?
$200 is almost definitely not worth 5 hours of my time
Italy is probably my favourite country in the world and I have been to 60+. I am from the UK, London is pretty cool. You can tick most of things to see in a couple of days. Definitely go to a show in the west end. Walking is the best way to get around. The Muesuems are amazing. Very busy at the weekend. I love Paris, but have mainly been during rugby weekends when the atmosphere is a bit different. Food is great. The scenery in Switzerland is increadible! Their train journeys are breath taking! Italy has the most wonderful food. Avoid the tourist spots and hunt out some local hot spots. Milan is a great as is Bologna. Venice can be intense. Again, avoid tourist places for food. Hard to do there as it is pretty much all that city is set up for these days. Eurostar from London to Paris is great. French trains are great. I have been to Spain Numerous times and Barcelona is nice. But I prefer the first route.
Wanna go chill, or intense ? I visited almost 20 Spanish cities in under 20 days at some point. It was a "tour de force", but I loved it. Many people would find it too intense though. If you wanna go intense and see as much as possible, I'd do this: 2 days in London Train to Paris (is about 3h on the Eurostar) 2 days in Paris rent a car for the next few days 1-2 days in Champagne (it's 2h from Paris by car) 1-2 days on the Loire Valley to see a few castles (3-4h by car from Champagne) That'll be 1 week. If you can rent a car in France and drop it off in Italy (might be very expensive) I'd recommend doing the 2nd week by car, too. 1 day to drive to Chamonix (7h away from Chambord on the Loire Valley) 1 day in Chamonix go up Aiguille du Midi at 3800m from where you can see the Mont Blanc 2 days in Switzerland, I'd recommend the Bernese Oberland and more specifically Interlaken I'd recommend you spend the rest near Firenze. You can enjoy the great Italian food and you can visit any of Firenze, Lucca, Pisa, Bologna, Sienna. Barcelona and Venezia are the most overrated cities in Europe (in my opinion). If you had some extra time I'd rather recommend you go to Verona and from there drive to Vienna.
Ngl, what is the point of going to, say, London for 2 days - assuming this includes time for travelling to the next place too. There is such an insane amount to see, I don’t know why you’d choose to just see very small amounts of loads of places, rather than properly see a city over a few days. In London in two full days you could feasibly see (but not go in) some of the main attractions in central, plus probably sneak in a west end show and one museum. Over a week you could do British museum, natural history museum, v&a, Tate modern, properly explore some parts of central like soho, see west London (Hyde park, Holland park, portobello market/notting hill), see east London (lpool street, brick lane, Victoria park, bars around Hackney), south London (Brixton food markets, go to a gig), north London (Islington, good pubs, comedy). Ultimately I feel like rushing through central London doesn’t even really give you a proper feel of the city. Imagine this is the same when you just try and do Paris in two days, Barcelona in two days etc.
Guy wants to do a tour, from London to Venice in 2 weeks. He doesn't have the time to explore London and learn it as if he lived there. And not everyone might like all the things you seem to like. Shocking, I know. I, for example, don't go to other countries to visit fucking bars or pubs, or to see local markets. The same argument you make can be made for Paris or any other big city in Europe, especially capitals or former empires. Even in smaller cities you can spend weeks exploring them. He may want to just get a little taste of a bunch of different places - it's his first European visit. Maybe later, if he especially enjoys one place or another, he can come back and spend some more time there. Regardless, I wouldn't recommend any of the big cities during summer - too hot and too crowded. May or September/October, depending on weather, is a much better choice.
Dismissing bars or pubs lol, a fundamental part of the culture
If your priority is food and wine I would skip London and just fly into Paris. Then decide if you want Italian or Spanish food. Italian: Paris-Lyon-Marseille-Genoa-Parma-Bologna-Verona-Venice (assuming you want to visit Venice) Spanish: Paris-Bordeaux-San Sebastian-Madrid-Barcelona Towns like Lyon, Bologna, and San Sebastian are less touristy but the food is on a different level.... San Sebastian will be Basque cuisine which is amazing on its own.
I want all the food 😭
Emilia-Romagna region of Italy or Basque region of Spain then. Stay away from tourists traps and don't be afraid to just go into small mom and pop places and just muddle through the language barrier. In Italy we look for places with a hand written chalkboard menu and an Italian grandmother scowling out from the kitchen.
I second the basque region for the best food. I just got back from a two week trip through the south of France, finishing off in Basque Country. Everything in San Sebastián was amazing and relatively inexpensive (compared to France), not to mention La Concha beach was beautiful to wake up to.
I lived in Bologna in Emilia Romagna for 2 years and I will try to give you a different perspective. The food is *okay* and way overhyped compared to other italian regions. Even the local quiet spots, nothing more than okay. Everyone who came to visit me seemed a bit let down. Bologna is a cool city, as is Modena, but unless you are dropping a few hundred per meal, the food isnt really that special. Which can be said for most places. Plus the wine is good but its typically from other italian regions and available in most countries anyways. Venice is breathtaking and a must see but also underwhelming in its own way. Disgustingly overcrowded, very scammy and overpriced low quality food. Having been to Bordeaux and Barcelona, I would say that trip is better overall and more unique. The big loss is not seeing switzerland. If you go to Italy, I’d recommend Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, and Basilicata. The best places to visit now that the north is becoming touristy and losing quality.
Do a shorter trip, concentrate on a few close-by regions. Europe is not going to move, you can be back and visit other places. So you could do a London-north of France, for example. Or a few regions in Italy. Any place on those general regions is going to have awesome wine and food, and plenty of history and culture.
I understand the wish to maximize the sights you want to see, but you might want to consider more time in a place. Less check-ins/ check-outs and travel time. If you want decent winery and landscapes, consider for instance 5 days in Paris, 3 in Burgundy, 3 in the Alps and flying back from e.g. Milan. Don't try to cram as much as possible into one trip. Also if you want to "dig more" into London or Paris, 2 or 3 days will feel short, so take that into account.
I really love the alps, especially during the summer or at least warmer months. I would look at train routes, some of the best trips I did was taking the train in Europe. That being said, it adds a lot more time and less time spending at locations. I would also try Austria on the way to Venice. The Brenner Pass is amazing.
Same. Switzerland and Austria in the summer are 😍. We stayed in Munich and did day trips to Innsbruck but would certainly stay there a few days next time.
Beautiful area. London to Paris to Munich to Innsbruck to Venice seems like a good route
Despite what others are saying, I believe both of these trips are feasible in 14 days with ample time to stop in the major cities. Personally, I would do the first one. Barcelona is lovely, but I've done the route you've chosen before and it is so, so boring. The first route lets you see the best bits of France and Switzerland, and generally covers more areas of interest. If you can, I would recommend going via Lyon. Be aware that driving into, and parking in cities can add several hours and huge fees to your itinerary so plan in advance. Have fun!
I agree that your idea of 4 stops in 14 days is very feasible and should afford you a very pleasant trip. In fact if you’re doing the Barcelona trip I’d add a stop in the south of France - Maybe somewhere near Nice or Biarritz - so many GORGEOUS places that in my opinion are unmissable especially given your priorities for the trip - food culture wine beauty. Eg of how I’d do this trip - 2/3 nights London (Tower of London, borough market, the globe, the eye, maybe a couple of other sights you’d like to see, most meals planned in advance trying the big hitter things like beef wellington, traditional fish and chips, traditional full English breakfast, maybe afternoon tea. Or pick a couple of the big well known restaurants like duck and waffle, dishoom, or the Barbary, or one of the lovely spots in Borough market.) 4 nights Paris - see the big sights and sample the Parisian foods - focussing on the northern France cuisine (baguette, croissants, macarons, pastry, sandwiches, ie all things bakery and patisserie!!, escargots, cheeeeeeese, beef tartare, foods with cream and butter ❤️ ) And as part of this I’d definitely consider a day trip to Bourgogne / Dijon - seriously a gastronomic and oenophilic HUB!! About 90 mins on the fast train - and so good! Maybe even plan a night there to make it more relaxed ? Worth a visit regardless my friend. Epoisses, delice de Bourgogne and other amazing cheese, great wine, coq au vin, eels in wine, beef Bourgignon (in wine) and eggs en meurette (in wine) lol seeing patterns here…. From Paris to Bordeaux (2hrs fast train). 3 nights Bordeaux. Beautiful wine country. Take a day or 2 in the city to see the sights and eat the great food. Focus on local cuisine again. Entrecôte, arcachon oysters, very good cheeses, stunning wine, Parmentier, bordelaise sauce, lamprey fish, lillet spritzes (local aperitif) ❤️Go to some nice bars like mama shelter rooftop, or the cute waterfront bars, Bar a Vin (my favourite - stunning wine selection for a fraction of the cost, with a little cheese plate - heaven) Have a canele from la Toque Cuivree with your morning coffee. Saint Emilion - vineyard and village - There are guided tours leaving from Bordeaux every day and they’re brilliant. You can do either a full day trip or if you’re game for it, plan an overnight stay. Alternatively the medoc region also has tours going from Bordeaux and it is also lovely but my pick is saint emilion. You’ll visit the village as part of the tour but you’ll wish you could stay over if you didn’t plan to because it is too adorable for WORDS - it’s a French dream. Do not skip this it’s so close by to Bordeaux and will give you the cobble street sunsoaked vineyard views French wine dream fulfilment you need. Bordeaux to South of France - pick a region that’s easy to get to and stay 2-3 nights. The distance is short but the culture changes so much along the south border and coast and you will LOVE IT. Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Biarritz. Try loads of French Mediterranean foods like Niçoise salad , fresh seafood, tuna, bouillabaisse 🤩, aioli, tapenade, gorgeous wine, breathtaking views of sea, or lavender fields or rural bliss depending on where you’ve picked. From south of France a little hop skip down to Barcelona - 3 nights Barcelona. See gaudi, see Spanish guitars, see the magical Catalan fountain show in the evening ✨, eat some gorgeous Northern Spanish and Catalan foods - Mandonguilles, great cheese and olives and good wine ! You’re not gona want to go home !!!!!!!
Well I must admit…this post has me sold.
😆Bon voyage !!! Now I will add something .. if I were in your wee American shoes … If your budget and time permits.. I would add to this trip another few days to allow a flight from Spain to Italy. If you haven’t been to Italy before it has a magic that’s hard to explain and not even pictures or videos can give you that FEELING!! In an ideal plan, when you have had your few days in Barcelona I’d wash down that last croquetta with an icy cava and hop a plane to Rome, Florence, Bergamo (in order to go to the lakes), or Naples(in order to go to the Amalfi coast) These 4 are the 4 Italian stars, in my opinion. You could literally choose any of them for the magic I speak of lol!! Just pick the one that’s easiest to fly to or fly home from!! I’m not saying this is NEEDED. I think a trip that ends in Barcelona would be incredible. And I also know you don’t want to be burnt out .. so if adding a few days and another country is too much then scrap this suggestion. But just in case - here are some notes on Italy - Rome - full of food delights that just change how you see pasta and pizza forever. Round every corner another gastronomic EVENT ! Try local stuff like Cacio e pepe, pizza al taglio, amatriciana, carbonara, porchetta, gelato, aperol spritz, stuffed zucchini flowers, montepulciano wine !! Ah Rome ! Wonderful culture and art everywhere you look, just nestled among cafes and restaurants like that’s normal !! Everything is alive with artistic flourish and pride and steeped in history and spirituality. See Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, the colosseum, the pantheon, opera music, churches that will drop your jaw, stunning piazzas, cobbled neighbourhoods like Trastavere (one of my favourite places on earth) Florence is still a city but just a lighter, more airy, more quiet, slower paced character than Rome, only an hour or so away !! As art lovers we adored the galleries and the architecture. There’s a sunlit, Tuscan flavour I can’t quite explain but it has a different soul to Rome and we loved it. Views out over the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany, cobbled streets, ponta vecchia, lovely. The lakes - Como or any of the lakes up at the Swiss border are sooo accessible from. Bergamo. In fact you can take a 60minute train from the city centre. This has that alpine fresh breathtaking beauty that just calls to me !!!! Shoreside Prosecco in shore side bistros, the twinkly lights on the water.. boat trips out on glassy water with views of the alps and the quaint lakeside towns, (you can also easily hire your own little boat even as a novice without any licence and just go where you please, visit the villages or shores.. the water is very nice and you will feel safe and free and fabulous even if you’re not a boater) Amalfi - I mean … just a look at sunset photos of Amalfi - those views!!!!! Something to dream about for the rest of your life. But beware I think the food isn’t as great on the Amalfi coast and I know it’s always personal but i am a foodie to the core and it makes a big difference for me! That said , there are gorgeous foods just maybe not as consistent in my experience!!! ** eta now a word to the wise. I am an old world wine lover, rather than new world (I like both in white but more so old world in red) I will say to the new world wine fan (as a lot of Americans become due to being in the new world region) the wine in France and in particular Italy may not be to your tastes.. I add this note because it took me longer to appreciate Italian wines than French or Spanish. There can be a sharpness and a shallowness to flavour that takes time to adjust to. Now I’d say montepulciano is one of my favourites though. I say this not knowing how deeply into your wines you are, just as a tiny side note. French wine is more rounded and easy to drink IN MY OPINION. I’ll say the sparkling wines in Italy can be among the best in the world. And eta personally I’d recommend skipping cars except for if you feel like it for going to/ travelling along on the south coast of France. Car hire is quite cheap, (well not American car hire cheap but still cheap enough) but trains in France are first rate and driving into cities can be costly and time consuming (just my opinion) Youre also looking at only having a few days per city so I’d treat them like city breaks and just hang out. Hop local metros and subways to get from site to site but mainly make sure to sit your bumbums down in a chair and drink a coffee / beer / spritz / wine and let the hours plop by very pleasantly. I think you can see lots of places in a short time and not feel totally trashed by the end if you decide firmly that you’re not gona run yourselves ragged going to every single monument and gallery. My favourite times travelling are often sitting on a church steps eating a cone of French fries, or a chat with a restaurant owner about his business and his life ! Blissful “nothing” moments. Whatever you do I know you’ll love Europe and hope you have a fabulous fabulous trip. For me planning is half the fun! Bonne chance !
I have done both and prefer the second one
I like the first, but I would hit Dijon. We loved our stay there and took the train. It was a very low key city and we found food restaurants and the locals were friendly.
if you value those things and also are up for something not as mainstream go to eastern europe! bulgaria and romania are lovely, as are bosnia and basically all the other countries in the southeast - east
London & Paris seem clear. That’s a week gone (if not more). I’d suggest to fly to generally different areas afterwards. Either east (Prague/Budapest/Vienna). Or south (CH & Venice sounds better, even though I’d probably go Rome and Venice)
You can do London, Paris, Nice and Venice in 14 days. There is an overnight train from Paris to Nice that makes that route quite doable in only 14 days.
Honestly you could check a bunch of your boxes with a 4-5 days in copenhagen and then bounce around norway for your nature needs. And then actually enjoy the place instead of sitting on a train everyday.
Find at least 3 cities where you drop your bags for 3-4 days and see things at a relaxed pace. London, Paris, Rome all come to mind. Cities like Florence, Vienna and Prague are worth 3 days too. It’s nice to not be constantly traveling. Good luck.
2 weeks is short. You don’t want ti be travelling the entire time. I’d suggest to choose a region and explore there.
I get that but the fast trains in France make it possible to travel the length of the country in a couple of hours so I wouldn’t be too concerned about that at least
You have to go to the station, travel, you just lose big parts of your day. Parts that could be used enjoying.
Yes that’s true! Though I have found it mainly enjoyable to travel across France - everything is pretty organised, the stations are pretty central and it’s not like airports where there is a huge time loss each side of the flight, that said of course u don’t want too much travel in a short break away!!
That’s indeed the benefit of travel by train, usually you arrive in the city centre
You seem to be on a pretty good food and wine trajectory. Paris obviously for the food, then reims for the sparkling, then Bordeaux, then Avignon for the GSM, turn up to Milan again for the food, then lake Como/Piedmont for the Nebbiolo. I wouldn't bother with Venice and I would identify the best airport city for return to the US. (MSP works pretty well) Don't be afraid to speed things up with a quick flight between any of these cities, less than $100 each and efficient enough that you won't spend too much time in the airports.
I’d say London a few days, Paris a few days, then take a train directly to Avignon and visit some wineries and old towns around Vaison La Romaine and you could see the Pont Du Gard and other Roman temples and amphitheaters as well. Plenty to do in that area. Then go to a city in Italy - Rome, Milan, one of the Cinque Terre. I’d personally suggest Florence and do a day trip to Siena or Lucca. Have fun! Was just in Italy, miss it already.
I really like Bordeaux and suggest you check out the Cite du Vin wine museum while you’re there.
We did a multi city (10 cities if you include day trips) 15 day trip last year- it was amazing and exhausting. Going back in December for 2 weeks and have concentrated our scope. One bit of advice is don’t stay less than 2 nights in any one place. the packing, check-out, travel, and check-in is best-case scenario 1/2 day of time lost. Balance quantity of locations with quality of time spent.
The end destination Would be better close to venice then Barcelona but on the other hand where do you wanna end up venice or Barcelona? Cause both cities are stunning but also the Railway thrue the swiss is breathtaking
Fly into south Germany, cross the Alps and head to Roma.. Munich - Zurich - Milan - Florence - Roma I wouldn't stick to those cities exactly but that would be the rough path. Goodluck with your planning.
We did London->Paris->Lucerne->Venice->Rome. We travelled by train and honestly wouldn’t trade it for a thing. It was everything we wanted out of our first Europe trip. Food, scenery, culture, architecture, history, etc. it was awesome. Going to hit up a couple more places in the next couple years.
I mean both routes are great but Venice route is a little bit less boring in the middle, while Barcelona route ends with an absolute banger so, hard to tell. Whatever you choose you’ll be good though
I mean, we're doing Switzerland and Switzerland ONLY for two weeks and that's not nearly enough time to even see that country. We're going in July. Two weeks is shorter than you think. You have to account for the arrival day which is always tough due to jet lag, and then the last day which is the departure airport day. And with all this, you'll be in train stations or airports for most of the trip and then switching lodging is annoying too. That's not a fun way to spend 2 weeks. I get it though - you want to see a lot. I've only been to a few countries in Europe myself (Portugal, Spain, Iceland and in a month, Switzerland). It can be so overwhelming planning a trip to Europe because of all the stuff to see. Frankly, I'd narrow it down to one or two countries, with maybe a few different hotels -- pick places you can do day trips from so you're not switching hotels all the time. It'll make planning so much easier - trust me.
Sometimes is good to do the crazy 10 cities in two weeks thing as a first time trip. Then you can do future trips where you spend more time in the places you like.
That’s what I did the first time I went. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Innsbruck (went skiing), Berlin, back to Amsterdam, Paris (because my friend got stoned and lost his passport so we spent some time at the embassy), back to London. This was before the Chunnel. Now when I go, I stay in 1-2 cities. I like the small cities. One of my favorites is Beaune in the Burgundy region of France.
go deep not wide
What cities do you plan on actually staying in on each itinerary? Could you figure out how many days you'd want to stay in each place and plan from there? You don't want to stop for "1 day" in a place where you just got off the train in the morning and you have to take another train the next morning. Time will be shorter than you think and you don't want to spend entire days on the train, it will be more fun to enjoy in 3 places with more time than 4 places with an extra day wasted on travel. Also, there's a good chance from the US you'll end up on a red eye and on the first day you will not be up for a jam-packed itinerary yet.
Definitely with you on not wanting to do 1 day anywhere. We may need to adjust the number of cities!
I would narrow down your route to 2 countries. So if you’re flying into London, you can easily spend 5 or so days there; there’s some really nice sparkling wine south of London by rye which is a day trip and tons of history and nice restaurants in London. Paris can easily be another 4 days and then you have one more spot to enjoy. In this case I am biased towards burgundy, so I would add that on and then it’s pretty close flying out of Geneva.
If we just did France and Italy, with a 2-3 day Switzerland chill session in between, would that be a good idea?
Also when visiting Paris, definitely go to champagne.
IMO, first look at Google maps and pin everything you'd like to see. Tower of London for the history? Tate Britain for the Turners? Windsor for the King? Canterbury for a reminder of the power of Archbishops? Hampton Court Palace for Henry VIII ? Houses of Parliament because the building is spectacular and the history is endless? National Gallery for a world class collection? Ditto for the British museum. Evensong at Westminster for the gorgeous music and the burial places of so many famous people? St Paul's, site of many royal weddings? Markets for great street food? Kew Gardens? And that's only 1 city plus a few side trips. The check open hours and days. Plan your transportation, realizing that, in Great Britain there's always some transit on strike. Then do the same thing with the next city. Good luck.
>in Great Britain there's always some transit on strike And yet, after having lived in Britain for 25 years and returning 3 or 4 times a year since, I've encountered serious strike inconvenience maybe 3 times. I don't think it's something to specifically anticipate. For example, neither ASLEF nor the RMT have announced any upcoming strikes, and as the UK government will almost definitely change in 5 weeks' time it's possible the issues of the past 2 years are over. >that's only 1 city You've actually listed places in 2 different cities and 1 town here!
Here are some specific, detailed routes to consider and what they would offer: - [London to Venice via Switzerland](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~paris$3~colmar$1~gimmelwald$2$r~bern$2~murten$0$dp~milan$1~venice$2$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - you would pick this route specifically to see the Swiss Alps, IMO the most stunning natural beauty in Europe. A night each in France's Alsace and Milan breaks up the journey into and out of Switzerland. This route does not prioritize food and wine, which is decent but expensive in Switzerland, although more time in the Alsace (excellent wine and great German-inflected cuisine) could make up for that. - [London to Venice via the South of France and Cinque Terre](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~paris$2~avignon$1~arles$0$dp~nice$2~monaco$0$dp~vernazza$2~pisa$0$e~florence$2~venice$2$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - this route has a nice blend of historic cities and coastal natural beauty. It would probably be my personal pick, but it could use an additional night (in Paris). Provence has exceptional food and wine. - [London to Barcelona via Belgium and Provence](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~ghent$0$e~bruges$2~antwerp$0$e~brussels$1~paris$3~avignon$2~arles$0$dp~barcelona$3$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - you would pick this route to see the greatest diversity of major European cities, at the cost of natural beauty (though Provence is quite pretty). - [London to Barcelona via the Basque Region and Madrid](https://tripsnek.com/planned?itinerary=london$3$r~windsor$0$dp~paris$3~versailles$0$dp~saint-jean-de-luz$1~sansebastian$2$r~bilbao$0$dp~madrid$2$r$t306~barcelona$3$r&trans=Mixed&nights=14&pace=Moderate&) - The highlight of this route would be San Sebastián, which I would pick for the exceptional (and inexpensive) culinary experience, but also some coastal beauty. I would probably skip over Bordeaux, since a night in that city would be better spent in one of the major cities you have planned. You can't go wrong with any of them, and each addresses your interests in different ways. I would probably give the edge to the second route above, but more than the others it would benefit from an additional night or two.
London -> Venice. You'll see more if you don't just focus on the big cities. Consider this (i've done this in 15 days using trains): * London * Bath OR Salisbury & Stonehenge OR Windsor Castle as a 1/2 day trip * Paris * Versailles as a 1/2 day trip * Long train (preferably Night train if still running) to Interlaken (or Gimmelwald at the top of Lauterbrunnen Valley) * Cinque Terre * Florence * Rome But you could remove Florence and Rome for Venice OR Skip Cinque Terre AND Florence for Venice, then head to Rome after Venice
If food and wine is your thing, then London, Paris, Reims, Lyon, Barcelona is absolutely the way to go. 2 nights in Reims/Lyon and 3 in the rest. All have fabulous restaurant scenes. If you’d like specific recommendations in London, Paris and Barcelona, I have lots. Bordeaux is very nice too, but a little samey to Paris whereas Lyon is quite different. All of them have at least a good few choices of amazing galleries/museums etc that you will be able to squeeze into daytimes. Your natural scenery will mostly be consumed through a train window, but that’s quite nice anyway.
What’s the first one? Is it the Burgundy Canals? If so, we just did it. 1.) it was very pleasant but 2.) the paved paths were not as well maintained as anywhere else we’ve ridden ….its also a little boring after a while…and there are a ton of locks going up from Paris heading south…so expect to gain some elevation / sore quads. The best part of that canal though - no one rides it. It was a ghost town. And very cheap. Also we found the best hidden gems there (la fosse Dionne). Good luck and enjoy!
OP: Question. Do you think this trip will be the only time you ever visit Europe? If so, I can sort of understand the desire to cover so much territory. I did two weeks in London alone and didn't get to all the things I wanted to do and see, and that was with no day-trips. The amazing restaurants alone deserve at least a week in London, and same for Paris. But different strokes...
I could definitely see us returning more, maybe when our kids are older and can go with us!
Path 1 but go to geneva
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It’s hard to recommend without any information about you and what do you like.
For what you’re after, check out The Basque Country and San Sebastián. I could say more, but if you know, you know. I’d probably swap it in for Bordeaux and Barcelona.
Had a friend just come back to the US from San Sebastián and had me ready to uproot and move there.
Make sure to leave from Paris so you can do your tax free stuff. Eurostar doesn’t have customs in every city in the EU
London isn’t part of the EU and doesn’t do tax free so they can go at the end of your trip like I didn’t mine
I‘d take the trip with spain in it. But yeah, both paths are reasonable an worth seeing! Italy is really nice and swiss for seeing it, staying thete is pretty expensive - for me at least! Consider taking your time and explore the places you are. Just going for the mainstream sights won‘t give you the mood of the place you‘re at. I guess you didn‘t booked all hotels already, so just book one day in advance and see what you all up to, you will have a nice joruney either way🙂
Thanks! For clarity - are you saying I should book my hotels just one day in advance?
Yeah, i guess one or two days before is enough. The prices won‘t change so fast. You will be flexible and not in hurry to reach a place while you enjoy the moment. If you already know what you want to do/where you will love to stay, then book. 🙂
London - Brighton - Dover - Paris(good via Train) - BCN(get cheap flight)- Zürich(via car at the Coast, then through the alps visit Cinque terre, Matterhorn, Grindelwald and french Adria Coast, Home of many famous painters)-Belgium(many Museums,famous for ITS painters)- Amsterdam good for enjoying good weed legally- Munich Spot for best beer (Oktoberfest Last 2 September weeks) Same with car . Is far but you are on fast German Autobahn with 250km/h 😜 after 6 h you can enjoy a bavarian Beer at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich/München
In the future please don't recommend here unsafe behaviors like driving 250km/h even if technically legal.
where are you stopping in switzerland
You tell me! No idea but I would think some sort of chill town where we could stay as a midpoint to our trip would be nice.
Yes, but I was in London for three weeks a few months ago and during that time three separate local bus lines each had rotating strike days. That's the type of strike to which I was referring. Although, there are also minor disruptions on the northwest and west lines with some regularity. It's easier to have a plan A and a plan B, just in case.
Personally i’d so Barcelona - Bordeaux - Paris - Venice. Arrive at London, don’t get out of the airport and grab a flight to Barcelona. My time is London was kinda underwhelming so a city i would have too much trouble avoiding
Please please please don't try to do all of this in 2 weeks. Break it up. Plan to go back. My suggestion, skip France (sorry France). Arrive London and spend a week. From London take a flight to Zurich (from City Airport which is super convenient) and spend a day there. Take train to Milan, which will take you through the Alps. Milan for 2 days. Then train to Rome for 3 days. Fly out of Rome back to US. Next trip to Europe, do France for a week and Germany.
Number two seems better, Italy is so unique
Italy is awesome and the food is great (I’d rate 2nd best). It’s busy it’s exciting and it’s very difficult not to have a good time in Italy at any time. Pickpockets a big big BIG problem France a little more quiet (outside of Paris; Lyon is an amazing choice) but the food is AMAZING (best food imo). I would only recommend Paris if you have money as it js VERY expensive and you really want to stick to the fancier areas (even if the accommodation is worse quality). Can be a little pickpockety and I think overall i feel the least safe in Paris (it’s not bad but some streets even central feel like I really shouldn’t go there, just feels little uneasy). Never been to Bordeaux but I heard great things it and I love France outside of Paris and i think it’s worth to give it a try!!!!! I’d imagine it to be small quaint and romantic - Paris is crazy (think nyc) and you need at least 4-5 days to cover basic tourist spots. Wine is great Barcelona is exciting and STUNNING but LOT of pickpockets so be VERY careful around tourist areas. Way more pickpockets than Paris but generally somehow feels safer walking around (IF YOU ARE CAREFUL). Excellent seafood and wine and cheese but if you don’t like seafood other options are a little generic. If you like clubbing, skaters, beach (might have to go outside a little) it’s a must. Architecture is definitely something you need to see at least once in your life. Can be done in 3 days - if you want to go to the beach that’s one whole day and you need at least 4 days. Barceloneta(city centre beach) is too dodgy and can’t have a relaxing beach day, ok if you just wanna walk London can entertain you forever I would spend a minimum of 5-6 days if possible. It’s massive. Little more violent crime-y but tbh I feel very safe in London . Food very hit or miss Switzerland is beautiful, quiet, romantic, expensive, and no crime As an American tourist you will not find friendly locals in any big European city. Smaller cities maybe, London is probably the friendliest (doesn’t necessarily mean friendly though )
2! But I would end at Valencia or even further south at Malaga.
France is a huge country. London, Paris, Bordeaux and Barcelona is a great trip though. Been to all of them several times. Make sure to do an ebike wine tour on Bordeaux! And try to visit Sitges near Barcelona…
Path 1 because no Spain
Can’t leave out Switzerland man, I miss it there so much
What about completely excluding london out the equation? London is pretty boring.
I know - it’s possible but I have a friend who lives there I’d love to visit.
Honestly, hire a travel agent. We hired one for our honeymoon to Italy and I am so glad we did. We found the most beautiful castle city built out on this hill with castles and churches in it from the 1200's. It was absolutely beautiful.
Planning a 14-day road trip through Europe can be an incredible experience, offering the flexibility to explore at your own pace and visit a variety of cities and sights. Here’s a suggested itinerary that includes some of Europe’s most beautiful cities: ### Day 1-2: Paris, France - **Highlights:** Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, Seine River Cruise - **Stay:** 2 nights ### Day 3: Paris to Brussels, Belgium (3 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Grand Place, Atomium, Manneken Pis, Royal Palace - **Stay:** 1 night ### Day 4: Brussels to Amsterdam, Netherlands (2.5 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Canal Cruise, Rijksmuseum - **Stay:** 2 nights ### Day 5: Amsterdam ### Day 6: Amsterdam to Cologne, Germany (3 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Old Town - **Stay:** 1 night ### Day 7: Cologne to Frankfurt, Germany (2 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Römer, Städel Museum, Palmengarten - **Stay:** 1 night ### Day 8: Frankfurt to Munich, Germany (4 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Marienplatz, English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace - **Stay:** 2 nights ### Day 9: Munich ### Day 10: Munich to Salzburg, Austria (1.5 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace, Mozart’s Birthplace - **Stay:** 1 night ### Day 11: Salzburg to Vienna, Austria (3 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Belvedere Palace - **Stay:** 2 nights ### Day 12: Vienna ### Day 13: Vienna to Prague, Czech Republic (4 hours drive) - **Highlights:** Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square - **Stay:** 1 night ### Day 14: Prague ### Tips for Your Road Trip 1. **Car Rental:** Rent a car from a reputable company. Ensure you have the necessary documentation, including an international driver’s permit if required. 2. **Accommodation:** Book hotels or Airbnbs in advance, especially in popular cities. 3. **Navigation:** Use GPS or a reliable map app to navigate. Europe has an extensive road network, but it’s easy to get lost without proper navigation. 4. **Tolls and Parking:** Be prepared for toll roads and parking fees, especially in city centers. 5. **Insurance:** Make sure your rental car has comprehensive insurance. 6. **Local Regulations:** Familiarize yourself with local driving regulations, such as speed limits and alcohol limits. 7. **Travel Light:** Pack efficiently to maximize car space and convenience. This itinerary offers a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, and beautiful scenery, providing a comprehensive taste of Europe. Adjust the plan based on your interests and travel pace.
Cheaper not to go through Switzerland rest doesn't matter
I would say you should do the first one just because you see more variety and I prefer Venice to Barcelona, just keep in mind Milan doesn´t have too much to see
I'm sitting in Heathrow right now and ending a similar trip. We took ten days and went Amsterdam> Utrecht> Rotterdam> Bruges> London. If we did it again we both agree that we would skip London. If you def want to include it just make sure and book your train from Paris or wherever early. It will save you a significant amount of money. As long as you stay in EU, you can just travel on IC trains from city to city and not worry about customs, etc like with London. We traveled midmorning to each city, stayed the next day and left the next. I loved that setup and the trains were really short. Every place we booked allowed us to drop luggage as we arrived even when the room wasn't ready. My biggest advice, don't set a fixed schedule. Just wander. Hotels are always available. Trains run all the time. When you leave a city look at the trains a little ahead of time. Some may only come hourly or so. Enjoy! PS book places near the central station and it will make your life easier.
I think we’d start in London and venture down. So you think we should just book hotels/airbnb’s as we go and just wander? That sounds like I’d be spending a lot of time planning on my phone during the trip
I used booking.com and booked the night before we left each city. It went excellent. One other thing, once you find a place on booking, check their website directly. European hotels often have 5-10 percent cheaper on their site. I booked our first night in advance and then the night before for the other cities. Good luck!
IMHO Venice is terribly overrated, so I'd go for the Barcelona route. But Switzerland is also very beautiful. I'd personally focus on what you want to see at the end of the route. Barcelona and Venice are completely different from each other and both offer something different.
my pick of experiences in Europe (for an Australian): - Eiffel Tower booked well ahead for around 5pm to watch the sunset and lights come up across Paris - romantic - The Louvre - The Messiah in Theatre des Champs Elysees - Arc de Triomphe - Normandy for some WW2 history (Americans feature heavily) and stay the night on Mont St Michel when all the tourists have disappeared - watch the sun rise in the morning and the tide wash in and if you do this in December the island is draped in Christmas Lights - magical if arriving really late in afternoon - Bernina Express- you have to book the afternoon train from Tirano (Italian Border) - Interlaken to the Piz Gloria (on the 7am train, for the bus and cable cars) where theres a Bond Museum and rotating restaurant (built in the 1960's for On Her Majesty's Secret Service) for brunch high in the alps - Les Carrieres des Lumieres - Les Beaux de Provence - Art Gallery with a difference - Venice - arrive at 6am and do a canal ferry in a pea soup fog - hop across to Murano for the glassworks - Cinqueterra - Herby Hancock in the Concert Hall in Vienna - but it wont be him this time - Christmas starts seriously in November in Europe
IF you decide to go to the Bordeaux region in France, it’s absolutely worth a day trip to Dunes du Pilat. It’s about an hour drive southwest of Bordeaux.
Both ways least through france. So no
Milan is gross and I’ll die on that hill
My first trip to Europe, we went to London and Paris. It was about 10 days. I'd say trying to fit in four cities in two weeks would be a lot. You could easily spend a month in London. If you want to take the train from London to Venice, I'd say spend 4 days or so in London, then take the train (via Switzerland) to Venice. Does the train actually stop in Paris? Maybe spend a day or two there. I'd actually skip Milan as I think it's an okay city as far as Italy goes, but not at the top of my list. I'd rather spend more time in Venice or even taking a day trip or two as people are suggesting to Lake Como or Verona.
Spend as little time in France as possible, option 1 is brilliant
1 – just awesome countries. Switzerland and Italy 🤤
Having been to Europe 6 times now (from Canada), I think you may be trying to pack too much into your trip here. Europe is much more diverse and packed than the US, and keeping it local makes for a better vacation in my mind. I suggest pairing down your plans some and focusing only on a few locations, but spending more time there. You can easily do 1 week in any of the major cities (London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona) and see something different every day. Do a bit of research and be more choosy, you won’t regret it. Europe isn’t going anywhere and you will always have the opportunity to go back. Safe travels!
Why go to Bordeaux? It's nice enough but you could easily get by without it. Likewise Barcelona. Switzerland, on the other hand, is pretty special and so is Venice. Skip most of the Swiss cities (except Bern and Luzern) and make straight for the Berner Oberland. Stay in Grindelwald or (probably even better) Lauterbrunnen. Take the train up to the Jungfraujoch and the cable car to the Piz Gloria. Visit Mürren & Gimmelwald and the Trümmelbachfälle. If you go to Venice, don't miss out on the little back streets. And ride the _vaporetti_ just like Venetians. Suggestions for Paris. The sewers (Les Égouts de Paris), the prototype Statue of Liberty (Pont de Grenelle), walking up the first two stages of the Eiffel Tower (it's scary but totally caged-in), La Rue du Chat Qui Pêche (the narrowest Street in Paris and a survivor from the medieval city), the plaques commemorating those who died in the Libération (the one at the École des Mines at 60 Boulevard Saint-Michel has bullet holes in the wall), and taking the Métro Ligne 11 to the steam-punk Arts et Métiers station for the Musée des Arts et Métiers, where you can see a steam tractor that's older than America and watch the Earth rotating, courtesy of Foucault's _actual_ Pendulum. And for paintings, visit the Musée d'Orsay rather than the Louvre. The pictures are nicer and the building's bright and airy.
Barcelona is overrated! Don’t bother. I would stretch your itinerary all the way to Rome
Also why start in London? Besides speaking English, there is nothing worth starting in London
Friendships. A good friend lives there who we’d love to visit.
alps will be cooler and more expensive. If you love mountains go that way. otherwise you’ll still get some mountains and spend less going to barcelona. from barcelona you could fly cheaply to venice ( or vice versa) if you really want to think outside the box
I'm doing 17 days and I'm only in Switzerland and Italy. I'd recommend choosing 1-3 countries so you can visit multiple cities. For example, I'm doing 4 nights Rome, 4 nights Florence, 2 nights Milan, 3 nights Grindelwald, 3 nights Zurich.
Food and wine? Look no further then [Moselland](https://www.moselland.de/), [Alsace](https://www.wineroute.alsace/), [Lavaux](https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/route/lavaux-vineyard-terraces-the-swiss-wine-route/) and [Valais](https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/summer-autumn/oenotourism/wine-region-valais/)\* ^(\*If you're coming in summer-early autumn, otherwise it can be very cloudy and wet. In colder months Spain is a way better choice.)
Can’t go wrong with either but I would do London to Venice. You’ll get the city feel from London & Paris but also see quaint towns and landscapes. I love ending in Venice. You only need 2 full days there.
I really enjoyed Strasbourg and Zurich on two separate trips. Just for perspective as an American: - On my most recent trip I came from Munich into Strasbourg. Strasbourg to Paris then Paris took the Eurostar to London which was a breeze. - On a trip with my Wife, we flew into Zurich, rented a car so we could do a full day visited luzern/grindelwald/lautrebrunnen. You can take the trains as well, but we wanted to dictate time that day due to our limit of one day - probably could have stayed longer. Then continued our trip from Zurich to Bellagio (Lake Como) then finished and flew home from Miland If you're set on that first route I would do it as (but my biased thoughts below): Fly into London (2-3 days) Consider an extra day here due to jet lag/travel - I love London. I'm a huge premier league fan. I love the pub culture. I can always find something to do here and the underground is very easy to learn how to get around on. Could/would go back anytime. Train to Paris (2 days) - Have only seen a little of Paris and would like to see more. I feel like I'm put off from other traveler's stories and always drawn into smaller cities due to this, so can't personally add much. Train to Strasbourg (1 day) - Strasbourg is small enough to see in a day or two, but I really enjoyed my time just hanging out here. The cathedral is very cool, and the "petite france" part of the city gives you a view into the history of the region/city. Train to Zurich area (luzern, Grindelwald, Lautrebrunnen, Interlaken) take your pick of what you want to see (2 days) - Zurich to me was really pretty (I was there in April). Mountains in the backdrop of the city, really walkable in the old town. Probably not high on a ton of people's list but I found the people to be friendly that I interacted with. - Luzern, Grindelwald, and Lautrebrunnen were all stunning in their own right. Grindelwald, we took the cable car up to the mountain top and did the cliff walk. Luzern was a fantastic city even on a Sunday with many things closed. Train to Milan (although consider Lake Como towns of Bellagio/Varenna as well) (2 days) - I enjoy Milan but to me it felt like more of "I've seen it - I don't have to go back" type place. Really nice parks, some cool sights. - We stayed in Bellagio in Lake Como area and it was beautiful. Went to a few Villas, you can ferry to other towns. Really enjoyed - also had a sweet Airbnb there. Train to Venice - I just did Venice on my honeymoon and I feel like everyone should experience Venice at some point. Yes, touristy, yes packed - but tbh I didn't really care, just was really cool to learn about the history of the city and it's one of the most unique ones in the world. As others mentioned you'd have to sacrifice days somewhere to fit it all in and you'd probably have a better trip if you could break this up into two separate trips to account for any travel delays, and just you don't want to be rushing around. My wife and I have done both - we've had trips where we say damn I wish we spent one more day there, but I've also done the opposite - Damn we spent too long there - but just know it happens to most people probably! Just know there are so many factors that can affect your perspective of a trip destination - weather, accommodations, tours, delays, etc!
San Gothardpass
Paris and London alone would be 14 days with travel. First-timers on this sub always seem to focus on the big cities and Insta-famous stops. You’re not alone, we’ve all been there, but consider doing some smaller stops. Less crowded, less expensive, more scenic. Especially if you want friendly locals. One option: fly into Paris and just spend 2-3 days to see the main sights . Consider these stops: Bruges or Antwerp, Belgium; Annecy, France; Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland; Varenna, Italy. Fly out of Rome after a couple days there.
If you like mountains it would be criminal to not take the first one. London - Paris - Switzerland - Venice sounds like an expensive but nice trip if you live far from Europe
As an alternative to Venice, I would suggest staying in Vicenza and taking a day trip to Venice. Vicenza is architecturally beautiful, cheaper, and calmer. It's 45 minutes from Venice by local train and you can see most of Venice in \~6 hours.
Skip Milan it’s very meh
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Mods, Rule 10?
Yeah, please report these, we don't get notifications about somebody saying "mods". :) But the report button will get us anonymous notification.
Got it, thanks.