36 days in Europe Itinerary

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.

Istanbul is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate the long history of Hagia Sophia Mosque, get engrossed in the history at Galata Tower, browse the eclectic array of goods at Kapali Carsi, and admire the landmark architecture of Dolmabahce Palace.

To find where to stay, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Istanbul trip planner.

Brisbane, Australia to Istanbul is an approximately 23.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Turkey Time (TRT), which is usually a -7 hour difference. Expect cooler temperatures when traveling from Brisbane in December; daily highs in Istanbul reach 7°C and lows reach 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Mon) so you can 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.

Budapest is known for historic sites, sightseeing, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate the long history of Fisherman's Bastion, take in the views from Szechenyi Lanchid, get a sense of history and politics at Hungarian Parliament Building, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Matthias Church.

To see more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Budapest day trip planner.

Fly from Istanbul to Budapest in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Turkey Time to Central European Standard Time is minus 2 hours. Traveling from Istanbul in December, plan for a bit cooler nights in Budapest, with lows around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) to allow enough 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.

Vienna is known for historic sites, museums, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: explore the historical opulence of Schonbrunn Palace, make a trip to St. Stephen's Cathedral, see the interesting displays at Hofburg, and admire the masterpieces at Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien.

To see more things to do, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Vienna trip maker tool.

You can drive from Budapest to Vienna in 2.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a train. In December in Vienna, expect temperatures between 5°C during the day and 0°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) early enough 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.

On the 24th (Tue), test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, get to know the fascinating history of Staromestske namesti, then take in the views from Charles Bridge, then get great views at Prague Astronomical Clock, and finally get in on the family fun at Thrill Park - Prague's Horror Theme Park. On your second day here, enjoy breathtaking views from Petrin Tower, explore the historical opulence of Prague Castle, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Vitus Cathedral, and finally take a stroll through Lesser Town.

Use Inspirock's suggestions to plan your Prague trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.

Fly from Vienna to Prague in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In December, plan for daily highs up to 5°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to 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 sightseeing, museums, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: ponder the world of politics at Reichstag Building, don't miss a visit to Alexanderplatz, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and see the interesting displays at Topography of Terror.

To find traveler tips, maps, photos, and other tourist information, use the Berlin trip builder app.

You can drive from Prague to Berlin in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to fly to Copenhagen.

Founded in the 10th century as a Viking fishing village, Copenhagen has morphed into the cultural, political, and economic powerhouse of the country.

Copenhagen is known for historic sites, sightseeing, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in nature's colorful creations at Tivoli Gardens, enjoy breathtaking views from Rundetarn, take an in-depth tour of National Museum of Denmark, and pause for some serene contemplation at Frederiks Kirke (Marmorkirken).

To find maps, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Copenhagen tour itinerary maker app.

Fly from Berlin to Copenhagen in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In December in Copenhagen, expect temperatures between 7°C during the day and 2°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to fly 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.

London is known for museums, sightseeing, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get a new perspective on nature at Natural History Museum, stroll around Hyde Park, enjoy breathtaking views from Coca-Cola London Eye, and make a trip to Big Ben.

For more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, read London travel route planner.

Fly from Copenhagen to London in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and train; or take a train. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time to Greenwich Mean Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. When traveling from Copenhagen in December, plan for a bit warmer days and about the same nights in London: temperatures range from 11°C by day to 4°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) to allow enough time to take a train 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Brussels: Bruges (Minnewater Lake, The Markt, &more). Next up on the itinerary: contemplate the long history of Grand Place, examine the collection at Belgian Comic Strip Center, explore the world behind art at Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, and get in on the family fun at Mini-Europe.

For traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Brussels online attractions planner.

You can take a train from London to Brussels in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of car and train. The time zone difference when traveling from London to Brussels is 1 hour. Traveling from London in January, you will find days in Brussels are little chillier (5°C), and nights are about the same (0°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Tue) early enough 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.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, admire the landmark architecture of Sainte-Chapelle, then admire the landmark architecture of Arc de Triomphe, and finally explore the world behind art at Musee d'Orsay. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 9th (Thu): take a stroll through Île de la Cité, then make a trip to Eiffel Tower, and then don't miss a visit to Louvre Museum.

For traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Paris tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by train from Brussels to Paris takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In January, daytime highs in Paris are 8°C, while nighttime lows are 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can fly to Madrid.

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

Start off your visit on the 10th (Fri): examine the collection at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, then steep yourself in history at Plaza Mayor, and then explore the world behind art at Prado National Museum. Keep things going the next day: stroll around Parque del Retiro, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Mercado San Miguel, then make a trip to Puerta del Sol, and finally admire the striking features of Royal Palace of Madrid.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Madrid using our trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Paris to Madrid takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Paris in January, expect nights in Madrid to be about the same, around 2°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 12°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly to Barcelona.

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

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sun): admire the landmark architecture of Casa Mila - La Pedrera, admire the landmark architecture of Casa Batllo, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, and finally stroll around Parc Guell. On the 13th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: pick up some local products at La Boqueria, take a stroll through Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Barcelona Cathedral, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa de La Barceloneta.

For photos, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Barcelona attractions planner.

Fly from Madrid to Barcelona in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Madrid in January: high temperatures in Barcelona hover around 17°C and lows are around 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) early enough to catch the flight to Rome.

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

Start off your visit on the 14th (Tue): explore the different monuments and memorials at Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, explore the ancient world of Colosseum, then delve into the distant past at Palatine Hill, and finally test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms. On your second day here, admire the local landmark of Trevi Fountain, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Pantheon, pause for some serene contemplation at Church of St. Louis of the French, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Piazza Navona, then browse the exhibits of Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo, and finally don't miss a visit to St. Peter's Basilica.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Rome tour itinerary maker app.

Fly from Barcelona to Rome in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect little chillier evenings in Rome when traveling from Barcelona in January, with lows around 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 16th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly back home.