This is the big one, the trip you have been dreaming about since the word “Europe” first fell into your brain. Experience Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands in this whirlwind trip that will leave you speechless.

Europe is a special place where you can eat croissants in Paris for breakfast, brats and kraut in Germany for lunch, and have fondue for dinner under the shadow of the Swiss Alps. But with so many wonders to pack in, why would you rush? The most important thing to remember when planning a big trip to Europe like this is NOT to cram too much in, and make sure you take lots of time to do nothing except wander around gardens, get lost on medieval streets, spend a few more moments at the viewpoint, and have another coffee while you watch the beautiful circus that is Europe swirl around you in bright colors and through the warm sounds of the past.

Note: This trip can be done in any direction, but arriving in London is a good way to ease into Europe with the English-speakers. The most important thing is to know what you like; if you are not an art fan then don’t spend three days at the Louvre. This is your world and your trip! Adding in a couple of budget flights will make your trip a little easier if you can plan ahead.

Highlights

Eat fish and chips with your ale at a pub in London, then check out the ancient Roman muffin pans at the British Museum. Dally in the green spaces of Paris, from Luxembourg Gardens to Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Have a glass of Bordeaux in Bordeaux. Dip your toes in the twin crescent beaches of San Sebastian. Walk along the boardwalk of Nice and pretend to be rich. Spend a whole day roaming Rome and celebrate your dirty feet that evening with a bowl of spaghetti Bolognese. Ride in a gondola in Venice, and shop for green glass bead necklaces. Bungy jump in Switzerland over an alpine river, white from the glacial flour. Learn to love sauerkraut in Austria, and try on a pair of lederhosen in Munich. End your trip in Amsterdam with a canal-side picnic and a bicycle ride around the beautiful city. Return home, and start planning your next trip to Europe.

Suggested Route:

Starting Point: London
Ending Point: Amsterdam
Time Frame: 1 to 3 months

England: Fly into London, spending at least three days in the city itself. Excursions to Stonehenge, Cornwall, or the Cotswolds may be in order.

France: Fly or take the Eurostar to Paris, spending at least three days. Take the train down to Bordeaux, then dip over the border to visit the paradise town of San Sebastian in Spain. Continue to the French Riviera, and take your time exploring the small villages along the way.

Italy: Take the train into Italy, stopping in Pisa for a night, and then hitting Florence for a few. Continue down to Rome for several days; return back up through Tuscany and spend a couple of nights in Siena. Continue to Venice, and then on to Milan.

Switzerland: Enjoy the magical train ride from Milan across the Italian Alps and into the small chalet towns of Lucerne, Bern, and Interlaken.

Austria: Sidle over to Austria, hitting Innsbruck and Salzburg, and Vienna if you have time.

Germany: Train back up into Germany, staying in Munich for a few days and exploring the Black Forest area and Bavaria. If you have the time, add in Berlin in the northeastern part of the country.

The Netherlands: Finish your journey in Amsterdam with some much needed relaxation and pickled herring!