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Europe for the First Time
Suggested Itineraries in Europe for First-time Travelers
Europe for the First Time
Planning your first trip to Europe is not easy. Typical travelers have a mere two weeks of holiday (unless you're one of those lucky Germans with six weeks of annual vacation!). And tying to squeeze the 'best of Europe' into two weeks is like trying to read War & Peace in an afternoon. It simply cannot be done.
So to help you make the most of a first trip to Europe, we've created a handful of suggested itineraries organized by theme. The goal here is to give you a starting point for planning. And depending on your travel interests and budget, you can mix and match the itineraries below to create your very own European mash-up. The good news is this: No matter where you go in Europe, you will have a good time. Just take it slow and don't be tempted to cover too much ground.
Itinerary 1: The Classic European Journey
When most first-timers think of 'Europe', the destinations that come instantly to mind are the classics: London, Paris and Rome. You may want to add in a city like Amsterdam or Barcelona to the mix, no problem there. Our advice is to pick three or four cities, spend 3 or 4 days in each, and use to them as bases for a day trip or two.
From London the 'must do' day trips are Stonehenge, Bath and ? possibly on an overnight visit if you have time ? Edinburgh. Traveling by train is easy within the UK, and nothing is more than 6 hours away from London by rail.
From Paris the 'must do' day trips are a cathedral city such as Chartres; the incredibly stunning abbey complex at Mont St Michel; the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy; and the Loire Valley chateaux and wineries. All of these are easy to reach by train and bus.
From Rome the 'must do' day trips are the ruins of Pompeii, plus an overnight trip to Florence in Tuscany.
Itinerary 2: Europe's Beaches, Islands & Chill-out Spots
The 'Classic' itinerary above is all about Europe's great cities. But Europe has some amazing beaches and islands, and plenty of places to slow down, relax and enjoy the scenery. This itinerary requires you to fly into either Greece or Turkey, and then to make your way west by train.
First stop here is Turkey. Spend a day or two in Istanbul then head straight for the coast: Izmir, Kusadasi and Antalya are top spots to relax along the Turkish coast. While you?re here check out the world-famous ruins of Ephesus and the moving (especially for Aussies and Kiwis) beaches at Gallipoli.
Next up? Cyprus. That?s right, Cyprus. It's not on the radar of most travelers, and that?s a good thing! Hang out in Nicosia for a few days, relax on the beach, and ? if you?re up for adventure ? take a day trip to Cairo.
From Cyprus it's off to Greece. Athens is a must-see city, especially if you are a fan of ancient ruins and top-class museums. Visiting Greece's islands can be a challenge, mainly due to mediocre ferry services and long distances. So consider one of Viator's multi-day Greek Island cruises to cover the main spots.
Final stop? Croatia. It's is no longer the 'undiscovered' destination it was 10 years ago. Yet Croatia has some of Europe's most stunning coastal scenery and gets top marks for it beaches. Aim for Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split and you cannot go wrong.
Itinerary 3: Best of Eastern Europe
Since joining the European Union, the countries of Eastern Europe have become popular weekend-getaway destinations for Brits, Germans, Italians and even Americans. The draws are obvious: cheaper prices, beautiful scenery, friendly people.
A good starting point is Prague. The 'Golden City' is one of Europe's best-preserved and most inviting. Prague's reputation for great beer is well deserved. It's also within day-trip striking distance of the monastery at Kutna Hora; the Terezin Concentration Camp; and the must-see city of Cesky Krumlov.
Traveling by train is quick and easy from Prague to the Hungarian capital of Budapest, which makes a great base for visiting the Danube Bend and the nearby wine-growing regions.
Poland is another must-see destination, and if you only have a few days to spend here head straight for Krakow. This is Poland's most pleasant and easygoing city. It's also a good base for day trips to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Itinerary 4: Europe & the Great Outdoors
There is no chance you can cover everything on this itinerary, but we wanted to give you a few ideas for exploring the great outdoors in Europe.
In the heart of Europe are two countries with world-class outdoor scenery: Switzerland and Austria. Both are blessed with the Alps at their doorsteps, tempting you to hike or enjoy day-long rambles in Alpine meadows.
You'll have a completely different experience in Finland and Norway. These northern European hot spots are all about fjords, hot springs, long walks in the woods and some of Europe's most bucolic scenery.
You may not think of Scotland as an outdoor destination, but in summer the Scottish Highlands provide access to scores of small islands, walking paths and outdoor pursuits. An added bonus ? the local whisky distilleries.
Itinerary 5: Off-the-Beaten Path in Europe
Are you tired of the maddening crowds? Then take your pick of these off-the-beaten path destinations in Europe. We absolutely promise you will encounter smaller crowds, lower prices and people who are genuinely excited to meet foreign travelers.
Bulgaria and Romania? That's right, hang out in Sofia, see the sites in Bucharest, then get out of the cities to explore the stunning ? and virtually untouched ? countryside in both countries. Highlights here include Bulgaria's Rila Monastery and the town of Plovdiv; and Romania's Bran Castle.
Malta is another quiet, peaceful and relatively undiscovered destination in Europe. Ditto Lithuania and Slovenia, if that is what you're looking for.
Also have a look at Morocco. There are plenty of overnight trips to Morocco from southern Spain, which makes it easy to explore Morocco's highlights in a short, safe and budget-friendly manner.
If you're traveling by train in Europe, consider buying a rail pass to help manage your budget:
Driving in Europe is not as hard as it sounds, and you can rent at surprisingly low rates from the following:
Looking for more tips on visiting Europe? Browse our series of 'suggested itineraries' across Europe:
Recent blog posts about Europe:
