Europe 15-20 Day Travel Guide
Here's a classic European itinerary covering Western, Southern, Central, and Northern Europe, blending history, nature, art, and culinary experiences—perfect for first-time or returning visitors. The schedule can be flexibly adjusted based on interests.
Itinerary Overview (15-20 Day Classic Route)
Recommended Route: France (4 days) → Italy (5 days) → Switzerland (3 days) → Austria/Germany (3 days) → Netherlands/Belgium (2 days)
Theme: Urban Culture + Natural Scenery + Artistic Heritage + Food & Shopping
Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-4: Paris & Surroundings, France
Day 1-2: Paris Highlights
- Must-sees: Eiffel Tower (recommend summit access), Louvre (book in advance), Seine River cruise, Champs-Élysées, Montmartre (Sacré-Cœur).
- Hidden gems: Marais district boutiques, Saint-Ouen Flea Market (weekends only).
- Food: Snails (L'Escargot Montorgueil), crêpes (Breizh Café).
Day 3: Versailles Day Trip
- Transport: RER C line (~40 mins), focus on Hall of Mirrors and gardens (musical fountains in summer).
Day 4: Loire Valley (or Provence)
- Option A: Loire Valley châteaux (train to Tours, then private car to Chambord & Chenonceau).
- Option B: Summer option—fly to Marseille for Provence lavender fields (June-July) + Avignon's old town.
Days 5-9: Italy (Rome + Florence + Venice)
Day 5-6: Rome
- Classic route: Colosseum + Roman Forum (combo ticket), Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish Steps.
- Vatican: St. Peter's Basilica (dome climb), Sistine Chapel (book guided tour to skip lines).
Day 7-8: Florence
- Art tour: Uffizi Gallery (Botticelli's "Primavera"), Duomo (climb for dome frescoes), Piazzale Michelangelo sunset.
- Side trips: Leaning Tower of Pisa (1hr train) or Tuscan wineries (Chianti region).
Day 9: Venice
- Highlights: St. Mark's Square + Basilica, Doge's Palace, Murano (glass) + Burano (colorful houses).
- Experience: Gondola ride (~€80/boat) or local vaporetto waterbus.
Days 10-12: Switzerland (Alpine Scenery)
Day 10: Interlaken
- Activities: Jungfraujoch "Top of Europe" cogwheel train, Lauterbrunnen waterfall village.
- Adventure: Paragliding (summer) or skiing (winter).
Day 11: Lucerne + Rigi Mountain
- Lucerne: Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, old town.
- Rigi: Steam train to summit for Lake Lucerne views.
Day 12: Zurich or Geneva
- Zurich: Shopping on Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich cruise.
- Geneva: UN Headquarters, Jet d'Eau fountain, Patek Philippe Museum.
Days 13-15: Central Europe (Austria/Germany)
Option A: Austria
- Salzburg: Mozart's Residence, Mirabell Palace ("Sound of Music" filming site).
- Hallstatt: "World's most beautiful village" (postcard view by the lake).
Option B: Germany
- Munich: Marienplatz, Neuschwanstein Castle (train to Füssen + bus).
- Romantic Road: Rothenburg (medieval town) or Königssee (Berchtesgaden).
Days 16-17: Netherlands/Belgium (Optional)
Amsterdam, Netherlands:
- Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, canal cruise, Keukenhof Gardens (tulips in Mar-May).
Brussels, Belgium:
- Grand Place, Manneken Pis, Neuhaus chocolate workshop, Ghent's medieval architecture.
Practical Tips
1. Visa: Schengen visa (apply through country with longest stay for first-timers).
2. Transport:
- Cross-border: Eurail Pass or budget airlines (Ryanair).
- City travel: Paris/Rome metro 10-ride passes offer savings.
3. Budget:
- Economy: €80-120/day (hostels + casual meals); Comfort: €150-250/day.
4. Season:
- Best: Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct (avoid peak summer); Skiing: Dec-Feb.
5. Safety: Beware pickpockets (especially Paris/Rome)—wear backpacks in front, use anti-theft locks.
Alternative In-Depth Routes
- Southern Sun: Spain (Barcelona + Andalusia) + Portugal (Lisbon + Porto).
- Eastern Europe: Czechia (Prague + Česky Krumlov) + Hungary (Budapest) + Croatia (Dubrovnik).
- Northern Lights: Norway (Bergen + Tromsø) + Iceland (Reykjavik + Blue Lagoon).
Plan 3 months ahead—booking popular sites (Louvre, Sagrada Família) saves 2hrs in queues! Prioritize slow travel over checklist tourism. 🌍✈️