17 days in Europe Itinerary

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.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Île de la Cité and Musee d'Histoire de la Medecine. Museum-lovers will get to explore Louvre Museum and Musee d'Orsay. There's much more to do: admire the landmark architecture of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, make a trip to Champs-Elysees, contemplate the long history of Eiffel Tower, and enjoy some classic entertainment at Moulin Rouge.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read Paris itinerary planner.

New Orleans, USA to Paris is an approximately 16-hour flight. You can also fly. The time zone difference when traveling from New Orleans to Paris is 7 hours. When traveling from New Orleans in December, plan for a bit cooler days in Paris, with highs around 9°C, while nights are much colder with lows around 3°C. On the 27th (Sun), you'll travel to Brussels.

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

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Sun): steep yourself in history at Grand Place, then appreciate the history behind Manneken Pis, then steep yourself in history at St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Michel et Ste-Gudule), and finally browse the different shops at Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 28th (Mon): contemplate the long history of Historic Centre of Brugge and then indulge your taste buds at Food & Drink.

To find maps, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Brussels travel planning app.

Traveling by train from Paris to Brussels takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive; or fly. Expect a daytime high around 7°C in December, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Tue) so you can go by car to Amsterdam.

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

Do some cultural sightseeing at Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House. Museum-lovers will appreciate Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House) and Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam. There's lots more to do: take a stroll through The Jordaan, see a show at Dutch National Opera & Ballet, take a spin around town with We Bike Amsterdam, and visit Red Light District.

To find maps, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Amsterdam trip builder app.

Traveling by train from Brussels to Amsterdam takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or fly. In December, plan for daily highs up to 9°C, and evening lows to 3°C. On the 1st (Fri), you'll travel to Zurich.

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Fri): get engrossed in the history at Landesmuseum, pause for some serene contemplation at Grossmunster, and then wander the streets of Old Town.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, read Zurich online journey builder.

You can fly from Amsterdam to Zurich in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. January in Zurich sees daily highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Mon) so you can drive to Munich.

Often described as the city of laptops and lederhosen, Munich is an international center of business, engineering, research, and medicine that still maintains a rich cultural heritage and age-old traditions.

Get a sense of the local culture at St. Peter's Church and Deutsches Museum. Explore hidden gems such as Nymphenburg Palace and BMW Welt. And it doesn't end there: learn the secrets of beer at a beer tour and tasting, don't miss a visit to Marienplatz, and wander the streets of Haidhausen.

Plan a Munich trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can take a train from Zurich to Munich in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly; or take a train. In January, daily temperatures in Munich can reach 3°C, while at night they dip to -3°C. On the 7th (Thu), you're off to Frankfurt.

A global center of finance and transportation, Frankfurt is perhaps best known for its futuristic cityscape.

On the 7th (Thu), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Dreikonigskirche and then ponder the design of Fountain of Justice.

To see reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Frankfurt online vacation planner.

Getting from Munich to Frankfurt by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Traveling from Munich in January, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Frankfurt, with lows around 0°C. On the 8th (Fri), you're off to home.