22 days in Europe & Africa Itinerary

Make it your trip
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1
Lisbon, Portugal
— 3 nights
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2
Rome, Italy
— 3 nights
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3
Athens, Greece
— 4 nights
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4
Istanbul, Turkey
— 4 nights
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5
Goreme, Turkey
— 2 nights
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6
Cairo, Egypt
— 4 nights
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Lisbon, Portugal — 3 nights

City of Seven Hills

Built on seven hills, Lisbon has experienced a renaissance in recent years, making it the cultural star of Portugal.
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and Miradouro de Santa Luzia will appeal to history buffs. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Castelo de S. Jorge and Mae D’Agua Amoreiras Reservoir. Next up on the itinerary: take a stroll through Chiado, don't miss a visit to Belém Tower, step into the grandiose world of Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, and pause for some photo ops at Arco do Triunfo.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Lisbon driving holiday app.

New York City, USA to Lisbon is an approximately 11-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 5 hours traveling from New York City to Lisbon. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from New York City in May: highs in Lisbon hover around 75°F, while lows dip to 55°F. You'll set off for Rome on the 21st (Sun).
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Rome, Italy — 3 nights

Eternal City

Aptly nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is the birthplace of the Roman Empire, one of the world's greatest civilizations ever.
Get some historical perspective at Colosseum and Pantheon. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Cupola di San Pietro and Piazza del Campidoglio. There's still lots to do: contemplate the long history of St. Peter's Basilica, ponder the design of Trevi Fountain, explore the world behind art at Sistine Chapel, and pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.

For ratings, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, go to the Rome trip planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Lisbon to Rome takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Lisbon to Rome. In May, plan for daily highs up to 75°F, and evening lows to 58°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Athens.
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Athens, Greece — 4 nights

The Birthplace of Democracy

One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.
Acropolis of Athens and Temple of Hephaestus will appeal to history buffs. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Temple of Athena Nike and Anafiotika. There's still lots to do: take a stroll through Plaka, appreciate the history behind Erechtheion, steep yourself in history at Ancient Agora of Athens, and visit Monastiraki.

For ratings, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Athens travel itinerary planner.

Getting from Rome to Athens by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, ferry, and bus. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Eastern European Standard Time is 1 hour. Traveling from Rome in May, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Athens, with lows around 64°F. On the 28th (Sun), you're off to Istanbul.
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Historic Sites · Neighborhoods · Nature · Parks
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Istanbul, Turkey — 4 nights

Queen of Cities

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.
Get a sense of the local culture at Hagia Sophia Mosque and Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Museum-lovers will get to explore Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower. Next up on the itinerary: delve into the distant past at Basilica Cistern, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Corlulu Ali Pasa Medresesi, admire the landmark architecture of Eyüp Sultan Mosque, and get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To see maps, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Istanbul visit site.

Fly from Athens to Istanbul in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Eastern European Standard Time to Turkey Time is 1 hour. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Athens in May: high temperatures in Istanbul hover around 71°F and lows are around 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 1st (Thu) to allow time for the flight to Goreme.
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Goreme, Turkey — 2 nights

Famed for its landscape of unusually shaped stone formations and churches cut into the natural rocks, Goreme sits in the central part of the country, an area originally settled during Roman times.
Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Fri): don't miss a visit to Kaymakli Underground City and then get to know the fascinating history of Goreme National Park.

To see reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read Goreme tour planner.

Getting from Istanbul to Goreme by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Istanbul in June, expect a bit cooler with lows of 55°F in Goreme. On the 3rd (Sat), you're off to Cairo.
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Nature · Historic Sites · Parks
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Cairo, Egypt — 4 nights

City of a Thousand Minarets

More than 20 million people call Cairo their home and, as soon as you set foot in the sprawling metropolis, it's evident they make it crowded and chaotic, but also exuberant and charming.
You'll discover tucked-away gems like Safaris and Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Mari Girgis). Popular historic sites such as Pyramids of Giza and Mosque of Ibn Tulun are in your itinerary. Step out of Cairo to go to Giza and see Great Sphinx, which is approximately 34 minutes away. The adventure continues: look for gifts at Golden Bird Bazaar.

For ratings, more things to do, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Cairo trip itinerary planner.

Fly from Goreme to Cairo in 8 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. The time zone difference moving from Turkey Time (TRT) to Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Goreme in June, expect Cairo to be a bit warmer, temps between 94°F and 73°F. You will leave for home on the 7th (Wed).
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Italy travel guide

4.6
Landmarks · Ruins · Beaches
Italy is a land of high fashion, fine art, exquisite architecture, luxury sports cars, outstanding cuisine--and an insatiable taste for "la dolce vita." It's also home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites in the world, making it an ideal place for your next holiday. The country boasts a varied landscape of mountain ranges, alpine lakes, and coastal towns, so it's no wonder travelers often refer to it as the bel paese (beautiful country). With so many places to visit, visitors often have a difficult time planning their itinerary. The smaller villages each feature a distinct character and a blend of architecture, art, and cuisine. In the country, you'll find countless archeological sites dating back to Roman times and beyond. The country's cities and seaside resorts are cosmopolitan powerhouses with museums, galleries, restaurants, shops, open-air markets, and pedestrian-friendly historic areas.
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Greece travel guide

4.3
Few places manage to capture the world's imagination quite like Greece, a land of sun-kissed coastlines, tranquil whitewashed villages, lively seaside towns, and well-preserved ancient sites. One of the world's top tourist destinations since ancient times, the country draws nearly 20 million visitors each year. Athens, the birthplace of Western civilization, continues to attract the biggest crowds and serves as a base for exploring the country and its 227 inhabited islands. Away from its cities, Greece features a picturesque countryside of olive groves, vineyards, and tiny settlements nestled against rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges. Explore the old mainland on foot and discover the islands on a guided boat or ferry tour.
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Turkey travel guide

4.4
Rich in culture and customs and brimming with hospitality, natural beauty, and historical heritage, Turkey serves as a crossroads between Asia and Europe. The landmass known as Anatolia on which Turkey thrives has been home to numerous civilizations and their faiths and cultures, as attested by the 13 World Heritage Sites and countless religious sites you'll find here. Relive the ancient world through the ruins, customs, and traditions that are among the nation's most precious heritages. Adventure-seekers have plenty do to here, including mountain climbing, scuba diving, rafting, and skiing. A holiday to Turkey is incomplete without a cup of Turkish coffee, the pinnacle of Turkish cuisine inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
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