60 days in Europe Itinerary

Madrid is known for its cultural and artistic heritage, lively nightlife, and a dynamic culinary scene.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at The Walls of Avila and Catedral Primada. There's still lots to do: see the interesting displays at Prado National Museum, explore the world behind art at Royal Palace of Madrid, contemplate the long history of Plaza Mayor, and take in nature's colorful creations at Retiro Park.

To find traveler tips and other tourist information, go to the Madrid online travel route planner .

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Madrid is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of shuttle and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 5 hours traveling from Santo Domingo to Madrid. August in Madrid sees daily highs of 92°F and lows of 66°F at night. On the 27th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can take a train to Barcelona.

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

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Casa Mila - La Pedrera and PortAventura. There's much more to do: don't miss a visit to Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, take a stroll through El Barri Gòtic, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Barcelona Cathedral, and appreciate the history behind Casa Batllo.

For photos, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Barcelona trip planner .

Take a train from Madrid to Barcelona in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. When traveling from Madrid in August, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Barcelona: temperatures range from 83°F by day to 71°F at night. On the 31st (Mon), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Lisbon.

Built on seven hills, Lisbon has experienced a renaissance in recent years, making it the cultural star of Portugal.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Quinta da Regaleira and Alfama. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Lisbon: Park and National Palace of Pena (in Sintra) and Praia da Aberta Nova (in Grandola). There's lots more to do: take a stroll through Belém Tower, take in the spiritual surroundings of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, explore the world behind art at Museu Nacional do Azulejo, and don't miss a visit to Elevador de Santa Justa.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read Lisbon trip maker .

Traveling by flight from Barcelona to Lisbon takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Barcelona to Lisbon is minus 1 hour. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Lisbon when traveling from Barcelona in August, with lows around 63°F. On the 5th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Dublin.

A history spanning over a thousand years, vibrant nightlife, and a mix of Georgian and modern architecture make Dublin a popular European tourist destination.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Kilkenny Castle and Croke Park Stadium Tour & GAA Museum. Step out of Dublin to go to Jenkinstown and see Jenkinstown Wood Loop, which is approximately 1h 55 min away. Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at Kilmainham Gaol, contemplate the long history of Guinness Storehouse, don't miss a visit to Temple Bar, and get lost in a book at The Book of Kells and the Old Library Exhibition.

For ratings, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Dublin trip itinerary planner .

Traveling by flight from Lisbon to Dublin takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or take a bus. Traveling from Lisbon in September, things will get little chillier in Dublin: highs are around 62°F and lows about 48°F. On the 11th (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Edinburgh.

World Heritage-listed Edinburgh combines ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere.

Step off the beaten path and head to Walking tours and National Museum of Scotland. The adventure continues: wander the streets of Edinburgh Old Town, see the interesting displays at Royal Yacht Britannia, visit a coastal fixture at Calton Hill, and engage your brain at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.

For other places to visit, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Edinburgh trip planner .

Traveling by flight from Dublin to Edinburgh takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of bus and flight. In September, daytime highs in Edinburgh are 62°F, while nighttime lows are 47°F. On the 15th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Rome.

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

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Food Tours and Palatine Hill. There's still lots to do: explore the ancient world of Colosseum, admire the landmark architecture of Pantheon, explore the world behind art at Vatican Museums, and ponder the design of Trevi Fountain.

To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Rome travel planning tool .

You can fly from Edinburgh to Rome in 6.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and flight; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Edinburgh to Rome. In September, Rome is a bit warmer than Edinburgh - with highs of 81°F and lows of 60°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) to allow enough time to take a train to Florence.

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

Explore hidden gems such as Piazza del Campo and Siena Cathedral. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Florence: Leaning Tower of Pisa (in Pisa) and Le mura di Lucca (in Lucca). The adventure continues: get to know the fascinating history of Piazza del Duomo, admire the masterpieces at Uffizi Galleries, make a trip to Piazza della Signoria, and see the interesting displays at Academy Of Florence Art Gallery.

For photos, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Florence itinerary planner .

Getting from Rome to Florence by train takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or fly. In September in Florence, expect temperatures between 78°F during the day and 59°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Thu) to allow time for the train ride to Venice.

Virtually unchanged for the last six centuries, Venice is actually a group of islands made famous by a series of canals, bridges, monuments, piazzas, and narrow pedestrian lanes.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Fri): admire the landmark architecture of Doge's Palace, admire the landmark architecture of Basilica di San Marco, enjoy breathtaking views from St Mark's Campanile, then contemplate the waterfront views at Canal Grande, and finally take in the views from Ponte di Rialto.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read Venice trip planner .

You can take a train from Florence to Venice in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. September in Venice sees daily highs of 77°F and lows of 59°F at night. On the 26th (Sat), you'll travel to Istanbul.

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

On the 27th (Sun), admire the masterpieces at Istanbul Modern, then take an in-depth tour of Topkapi Palace, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque. On your second day here, wander the streets of Ortakoy, then delve into the distant past at Basilica Cistern, then take in panoramic vistas at Galata Tower, and finally admire the masterpieces at Kariye Museum (The Chora Church).

For reviews, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Istanbul trip builder .

You can fly from Venice to Istanbul in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and flight; or drive. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Venice to Istanbul due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Venice in September, plan for little chillier days and somewhat warmer nights in Istanbul: temperatures range from 72°F by day to 72°F at night. On the 29th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel 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 30th (Wed): steep yourself in history at Halaszbastya, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Matthias Church, then snap pictures at Szechenyi Chain Bridge, and finally ponder the world of politics at Hungarian Parliament Building.

To see more things to do, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Budapest online driving holiday planner .

Traveling by flight from Istanbul to Budapest takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. The time zone difference moving from Eastern European Time to Central European Time is minus 2 hours. Traveling from Istanbul in September, plan for cooler nights in Budapest, with lows around 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Thu) to allow time for travel 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.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Katedrala Svateho Vita and Vyšehrad National Cultural Monument. There's still lots to do: snap pictures at Charles Bridge, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Prague Zoo, step into the grandiose world of Prague Castle, and take an in-depth tour of Jewish Museum in Prague.

To find photos, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Prague trip itinerary planner .

You can fly from Budapest to Prague in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Budapest in October, plan for a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Prague: temperatures range from 56°F by day to 43°F at night. On the 4th (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Berlin.

The country's capital and largest city, Berlin is a diverse urban center boasting a lively nightlife and countless things to do.

Berlin is known for museums, historic sites, nightlife, parks, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the striking features of Reichstag Building, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Zoo Berlin, steep yourself in history at Charlottenburg Palace, and admire the masterpieces at Pergamonmuseum.

To find photos, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Berlin trip itinerary planner.

Getting from Prague to Berlin by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 7th (Wed) to allow time for travel to Amsterdam.

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

You'll discover tucked-away gems like The Jordaan and Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam. There's much more to do: explore the world behind art at Van Gogh Museum, browse the exhibits of Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House), take a stroll through Brouwersgracht, and stroll around Vondelpark.

For reviews, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Amsterdam day trip website .

Traveling by flight from Berlin to Amsterdam takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or drive. In October in Amsterdam, expect temperatures between 59°F during the day and 47°F at night. On the 11th (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to London.

Vibrant and noisy, London is one of the world’s leading cities, an international capital of culture, education, fashion, music, finance, trade, and politics.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like National Gallery and Natural History Museum. There's lots more to do: snap pictures at Tower Bridge, walk around Hyde Park, admire the landmark architecture of Houses of Parliament, and explore the world behind art at Victoria and Albert Museum.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, read our London day trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Amsterdam to London takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight and train. Traveling from Amsterdam to London, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In October in London, expect temperatures between 61°F during the day and 48°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) to allow enough time to take a train 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Luxembourg Gardens and Sainte-Chapelle. When in Paris, make a side trip to see Palace of Versailles in Versailles, approximately 48 minutes away. There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Eiffel Tower, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, admire the masterpieces at Louvre Museum, and admire the landmark architecture of Arc de Triomphe.

To find traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Paris trip planner .

Getting from London to Paris by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from London to Paris due to the time zone difference. In October, daytime highs in Paris are 62°F, while nighttime lows are 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) early enough to travel back home.