28 days in Europe Itinerary

The allure of the multi-cultural capital, Brussels, stems from its mix of political intrigue, artistic influence, historical significance, and a thriving social scene.

Do some cultural sightseeing at Grand Place and Atomium. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert and St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Michel et Ste-Gudule). There's still lots to do: make a trip to Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles, admire the masterpieces at Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, admire the landmark architecture of Parc du Cinquantenaire, and see the interesting displays at Belgian Comic Strip Center.

For photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Brussels visit planner.

London, UK to Brussels is an approximately 3-hour train ride. You can also fly; or do a combination of car and train. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from London to Brussels due to the time zone difference. Traveling from London in December, expect nights in Brussels to be about the same, around 1°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Tue) so you can drive to Bruges.

The medieval town of Bruges centers around a canal, and the architecture of its historical district has made it a World Heritage Site.

On the 13th (Wed), make a trip to The Markt, get engrossed in the history at Groeningemuseum, don't miss a visit to Belfry of Bruges, explore the activities along Minnewater Lake, then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan, and finally get to know the fascinating history of The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde. On the 14th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: pause for some serene contemplation at Church of Our Lady Bruges, see the interesting displays at Friet Museum, examine the collection at Choco-Story - The Chocolate Museum, then look for gifts at The Old Chocolate House, then contemplate the long history of Historic Centre of Brugge, and finally examine the collection at Bruges Beer Experience (Bruges Beer Museum).

To find traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Bruges online vacation planner.

You can drive from Brussels to Bruges in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. December in Bruges sees daily highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Amsterdam.

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

On the 15th (Fri), hunt for treasures at Albert Cuyp Market, take a stroll through De 9 Straatjes, examine the collection at Anne Frank House, then wander the streets of The Jordaan, and finally see the interesting displays at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. On the next day, explore the world behind art at Van Gogh Museum, then explore the world behind art at Rijksmuseum, then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Heineken Experience, and finally browse the exhibits of Museum Het Rembrandthuis.

To find traveler tips, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Amsterdam trip itinerary maker website.

Traveling by car from Bruges to Amsterdam takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 9°C in December, and nighttime lows around 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Sat) to allow time to fly to Prague.

Prague lures millions of tourists each year with its World Heritage-listed medieval city center--a labyrinth of narrow lanes, bridges, cathedrals, and palaces overlooked by a thousand-year-old castle.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Sun): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Spanish Synagogue, make a trip to Prague Astronomical Clock, snap pictures at Charles Bridge, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St. Vitus Cathedral, then explore the historical opulence of Prague Castle, and finally visit Hradcany. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: admire the striking features of Kostel sv. Mikuláše, take a stroll through Lesser Town, get engrossed in the history at Jewish Museum in Prague, then get to know the fascinating history of Staromestske namesti, and finally learn the secrets of beer at a beer tour and tasting.

For reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Prague planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Amsterdam to Prague takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Amsterdam in December, things will get little chillier in Prague: highs are around 5°C and lows about 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Budapest.

You might consider the city of Budapest, divided by the Danube River into two distinctive cities--Buda and Pest--to be essentially one large World Heritage Site.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Tue): contemplate the long history of St. Gellert Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool, pick up some local products at Central Market Hall, get a sense of history and politics at Hungarian Parliament Building, then steep yourself in history at Heroes' Square, and finally see the interesting displays at House of Terror Museum. Here are some ideas for day two: steep yourself in history at Fisherman's Bastion, admire the striking features of Matthias Church, snap pictures at Szechenyi Lanchid, then take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika), then contemplate the long history of Dohány Street Synagogue, and finally contemplate the long history of Shoes on the Danube Bank.

To find where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Budapest travel itinerary planner.

Fly from Prague to Budapest in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In December, daytime highs in Budapest are 5°C, while nighttime lows are -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Vienna.

The cultural, economic, and political center of the country, Vienna has developed from its early Celtic and Roman roots into a medieval and Baroque city, with an old town that was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001.

Get a sense of the local culture at Schonbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace. Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Vienna Naschmarkt and Graben and Kohlmarkt. And it doesn't end there: explore the world behind art at Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Peterskirche, learn more about the world around you at Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum), and don't miss a visit to Historic Center of Vienna.

For traveler tips, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Vienna road trip planning app.

You can drive from Budapest to Vienna in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 5°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sat) so you can go by car to Salzburg.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and boasting a well-preserved city center, Salzburg melds culture and history.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sun): examine the collection at Salzburg Museum, step into the grandiose world of Schloss Hellbrunn, shop like a local with Getreidegasse, get engrossed in the history at Mozarts Geburtshaus, then see the interesting displays at Mozart Residence (Mozart Wohnhaus), and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Mirabell Palace. On the 25th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll the grounds of Petersfriedhof, don't miss a visit to DomQuartier Salzburg, take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Peter's Abbey (Stift St. Peter), then explore the galleries of Fortress Hohensalzburg, then admire the striking features of Salzburg Cathedral, and finally steep yourself in history at Salzburger Altstadt.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read Salzburg online trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Vienna to Salzburg in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. In December, daily temperatures in Salzburg can reach 6°C, while at night they dip to -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Mon) early enough to drive to St. Moritz.

St.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Tue): contemplate the waterfront views at Lake of Staz (Lej da Staz), stroll through Corviglia, take some stellar pictures from Piz Nair, then take in the exciting artwork at Galerie Hauser und Wirth, then steep yourself in history at Leaning Tower, and finally explore the world behind art at Segantini Museum. Here are some ideas for day two: admire the landmark architecture of Chesa Futura, appreciate the views at Engadine, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, take in the spiritual surroundings of Katholische Kirche St. Karl Borromaus, then explore the activities along Lake St. Moritz, and finally see the interesting displays at Museum Mili Weber Haus.

To see more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the St. Moritz visit planner.

You can drive from Salzburg to St. Moritz in 4.5 hours. December in St. Moritz sees daily highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Wed) so you can drive to Florence.

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

Museum-lovers will get to explore Florence Academy of Fine Arts and Pinacoteca Nazionale. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Duomo di Siena and Piazza della Signoria. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Florence: Siena (Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Piazza del Campo, &more). There's much more to do: take some stellar pictures from Basilica San Miniato al Monte, admire the landmark architecture of The Baptistery of St. John, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica of Santa Croce, and steep yourself in history at Palazzo Vecchio.

To find more things to do, photos, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Florence sightseeing planning site.

Traveling by car from St. Moritz to Florence takes 6 hours. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from St. Moritz in December; daily highs in Florence reach 15°C and lows reach 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sat) to allow time to take a train to Rome.

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

Colosseum and Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Visit Roman Forum and Pantheon for their historical value. And it doesn't end there: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cupola di San Pietro, stroll the grounds of Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, pause for some serene contemplation at Church of St. Louis of the French, and explore the world behind art at Galleria Borghese.

To see maps, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Rome route site.

You can take a train from Florence to Rome in 2.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or drive. In December, plan for daily highs up to 16°C, and evening lows to 4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Barcelona.

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

On the 3rd (Wed), contemplate the long history of Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Barcelona Cathedral, wander the streets of Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), don't miss a visit to Casa Batllo, then admire the striking features of Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, and finally wander the streets of Las Ramblas. Keep things going the next day: get a taste of the local shopping with La Boqueria, explore the world behind art at Museu Picasso, then take a stroll through Passeig de Gracia, then walk around Parc Guell, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Casa Mila - La Pedrera.

To see ratings, reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Barcelona online tour itinerary planner.

You can fly from Rome to Barcelona in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in January, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) so you can fly to Paris.

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Fri): take a stroll through Montmartre, then steep yourself in history at Eiffel Tower, then shop like a local with Champs-Elysees, and finally explore the world behind art at Louvre Museum. Here are some ideas for day two: take a stroll through Le Marais, tour the pleasant surroundings at Île de la Cité, admire the masterpieces at Musee d'Orsay, then admire the landmark architecture of Arc de Triomphe, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre.

For traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Paris day trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Barcelona to Paris takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Barcelona in January; daily highs in Paris reach 8°C and lows reach 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) so you can take a train back home.