43 days in Europe Itinerary

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

Rome is known for historic sites, sightseeing, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate the long history of Colosseum, delve into the distant past at Pantheon, stroll the grounds of Catacombs of Saint Callixtus, and explore the world behind art at Galleria Borghese.

To see where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Rome online travel planner.

Brisbane, Australia to Rome is an approximately 25-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time to Central European Standard Time is minus 9 hours. Traveling from Brisbane in December, expect Rome to be cooler, temps between 16°C and 4°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Barcelona.

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

On the 8th (Mon), admire the landmark architecture of Casa Mila - La Pedrera, admire the striking features of Casa Batllo, then admire the striking features of Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, and finally stroll around Parc Guell. On the 9th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: browse the fresh offerings at La Boqueria, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, then explore the world behind art at Museu Picasso, then pause for some serene contemplation at Barcelona Cathedral, and finally take a stroll through Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic).

To find reviews, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, read our Barcelona trip itinerary planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Rome to Barcelona takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Barcelona can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can fly to Madrid.

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

Madrid is known for museums, historic sites, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the masterpieces at Prado National Museum, make a trip to Plaza Mayor, examine the collection at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, and admire the natural beauty at Real Jardin Botanico.

To find reviews, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Madrid trip maker app.

Fly from Barcelona to Madrid in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Barcelona in December, expect Madrid to be a bit cooler, temps between 14°C and 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Fri) so you can fly 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.

Paris is known for museums, sightseeing, and historic sites. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the masterpieces at Louvre Museum, take a stroll through Saint Germain des Pres Quarter, get to know the fascinating history of Montmartre, and head off the coast to Île de la Cité.

Planning Paris trip won't be overwhelming when you use Inspirock's itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Madrid to Paris takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. While traveling from Madrid, expect slightly colder days and about the same nights in Paris, ranging from highs of 9°C to lows of 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) early enough to take a train to Bruges.

The medieval town of Bruges centers around a canal, and the architecture of its historical district has made it a World Heritage Site.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Wed): explore the activities along Minnewater Lake, then enjoy breathtaking views from Belfry of Bruges, then admire the masterpieces at Groeningemuseum, and finally make a trip to The Markt. Here are some ideas for day two: pause for some serene contemplation at Church of Our Lady Bruges, indulge your thirst for a good beer at Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan, admire the striking features of Stadhuis, then examine the collection at Choco-Story - The Chocolate Museum, and finally steep yourself in history at Historic Centre of Brugge.

To see ratings, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Bruges sightseeing planning tool.

Getting from Paris to Bruges by train takes about 3 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. In December, daily temperatures in Bruges can reach 9°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Thu) early enough to drive 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.

Brussels is known for historic sites, museums, and sightseeing. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: steep yourself in history at Grand Place, examine the collection at Musical Instruments Museum (MIM), admire the landmark architecture of St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Michel et Ste-Gudule), and get in on the family fun at Mini-Europe.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Brussels day trip planning app.

You can drive from Bruges to Brussels in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 7°C, and evening lows to 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) to allow time to take a train 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: admire the masterpieces at National Gallery, take an in-depth tour of The British Museum, enjoy breathtaking views from Tower Bridge, and stroll around Hyde Park.

For photos, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our London trip builder app.

Traveling by train from Brussels to London takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of car and train. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Brussels to London due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Brussels in December, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in London: temperatures range from 11°C by day to 4°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Salzburg.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and boasting a well-preserved city center, Salzburg melds culture and history.

Start off your visit on the 27th (Sat): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Franziskanerkirche, make a trip to Salzburger Altstadt, explore the historical opulence of Fortress Hohensalzburg, then admire the striking features of Salzburg Cathedral, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Mirabell Palace. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 28th (Sun): contemplate the long history of Mozart Residence (Mozart Wohnhaus), contemplate the long history of Mozarts Geburtshaus, shop like a local with Getreidegasse, then step into the grandiose world of Schloss Hellbrunn, and finally see the interesting displays at Red Bull Hangar-7.

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

Traveling by flight from London to Salzburg takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of car and train. The time zone difference moving from Greenwich Mean Time to Central European Standard Time is 1 hour. Traveling from London in December, things will get little chillier in Salzburg: highs are around 6°C and lows about -1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Sun) so you can catch the flight 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: make a trip to Reichstag Building, take a stroll through Potsdamer Platz, pause for some serene contemplation at Berliner Dom, and contemplate the long history of Memorial of the Berlin Wall.

To see traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Berlin travel route planner.

Traveling by flight from Salzburg to Berlin takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Wed) so you can go by car 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.

Prague is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: get to know the fascinating history of Staromestske namesti, test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, explore the historical opulence of Prague Castle, and get great views at Prague Astronomical Clock.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Prague online travel planner.

Drive from Berlin to Prague in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Prague can reach 5°C, while at night they dip to 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) early enough to catch the flight 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: step into the grandiose world of Schonbrunn Palace, explore the world behind art at Albertina, admire the landmark architecture of Haus der Musik Wien, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Schönbrunn Zoo.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Vienna trip planner.

You can fly from Prague to Vienna in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In January in Vienna, expect temperatures between 3°C during the day and -3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Wed) so you can drive 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 spiritual surroundings of Dohány Street Synagogue, admire the striking features of Matthias Church, and see the interesting displays at House of Terror Museum.

For photos, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Budapest online tour itinerary maker.

Getting from Vienna to Budapest by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: fly; or take a train. In January, plan for daily highs up to 3°C, and evening lows to -4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly 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.

Istanbul is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: admire the striking features of Hagia Sophia Mosque, take an in-depth tour of Topkapi Palace, take in the spiritual surroundings of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, and explore the ancient world of Basilica Cistern.

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

Traveling by flight from Budapest to Istanbul takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference when traveling from Budapest to Istanbul is 2 hours. When traveling from Budapest in January, plan for a bit warmer days in Istanbul, with highs around 10°C, while nights are much hotter with lows around 10°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) so you can fly back home.