22 days in Europe Itinerary

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Thu): appreciate the extensive heritage of Old Town, then explore the activities along Lake Zurich, and then see the interesting displays at Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: don't miss a visit to Bahnhofstrasse, visit Altstadt Luzern, then snap pictures at Chapel Bridge, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Jesuitenkirche.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Zurich itinerary planner.

Melbourne, Australia to Zurich is an approximately 24.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Central European Standard Time (CET) is minus 9 hours. Expect a daytime high around 21°C in May, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) early enough to catch the train to Bern.

The capital and political center of Switzerland, Bern sits on a peninsula formed by the U-shaped River Aare.

Explore Bern's surroundings by going to Chateau de Chillon (in Veytaux), Trümmelbachfälle (in Lauterbrunnen) and Parasailing & Paragliding (in Interlaken). There's still lots to do: make a trip to Clock Tower - Zytglogge, steep yourself in history at Einstein House (Einsteinhaus), ponder the design of Ryfflibrunnen, and wander the streets of UNESCO-Altstadt von Bern.

For other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Bern day trip planning tool.

Getting from Zurich to Bern by train takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In May, daytime highs in Bern are 22°C, while nighttime lows are 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Nice.

Well-known for the beautiful views of its famous Promenade des Anglais waterfront, Nice is an ethnically-diverse coastal port city on the French Riviera and the fifth most populated city in France.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): admire the natural beauty at Le Jardin Exotique d'Eze, make a trip to Promenade des Anglais, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedrale Saint-Nicolas a Nice, then test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms, and finally don't miss a visit to Place Massena. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a stroll through Old Town, get great views at Colline du Chateau overlook, and then see the interesting displays at Musée Marc Chagall.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Nice trip itinerary builder site.

Traveling by flight from Bern to Nice takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Nice when traveling from Bern in May, with lows around 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Marseille.

The 2013 European "Capital of Culture," Marseille is the largest port city on the breezy Mediterranean coast and the second largest city in France.

Change things up with these side-trips from Marseille: Avignon (Palais des Papes & Pont d'Avignon), Carrieres des Lumieres (in Les Baux de Provence) and Chateau de la Gardine (in Chateauneuf-du-Pape). Next up on the itinerary: don't miss a visit to Randonnees theatrales Marcel Pagnol Cie Dans la cour des Grands, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, stop by The Panier, and steep yourself in history at Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provence.

For maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Marseille online vacation planner.

You can drive from Nice to Marseille in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In May, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) early enough to 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.

Barcelona is known for sightseeing, parks, and nightlife. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: stroll around Parc Guell, admire the landmark architecture of Casa Mila - La Pedrera, ponder the design of The Magic Fountain, and admire the masterpieces at Museu Picasso.

To see more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Barcelona tour itinerary planner.

Fly from Marseille to Barcelona in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 25°C in May, and nighttime lows around 16°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Valencia.

A charming old city originally founded as a Roman colony, Valencia is the country’s third-largest urban center.

Kick off your visit on the 31st (Wed): admire nature's wide array of creatures at Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and then test your problem-solving skills at popular escape rooms. On the 1st (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: browse the eclectic array of goods at Central Market of Valencia, contemplate the long history of Valencia Cathedral, then contemplate the long history of La Lonja de la Seda, and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Jardi del Turia.

For ratings, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, you can read our Valencia driving holiday planner.

Fly from Barcelona to Valencia in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Barcelona in May: highs in Valencia hover around 29°C, while lows dip to 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Thu) early enough to catch the train to Madrid.

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

On the 2nd (Fri), admire the striking features of Royal Palace of Madrid, then admire the masterpieces at Prado National Museum, and then steep yourself in history at Plaza Mayor. Here are some ideas for day two: make a trip to Puerta del Sol, then stroll around Parque del Retiro, and then browse the eclectic array of goods at Mercado San Miguel.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Madrid journey builder website.

Take a train from Valencia to Madrid in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In June, daytime highs in Madrid are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 19°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sat) so you can fly to Lisbon.

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

On the 4th (Sun), take in the spiritual surroundings of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, then make a trip to Belém Tower, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Lisbon Oceanarium, and finally steep yourself in history at Castelo de S. Jorge. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Mon): stop by Alfama, don't miss a visit to Elevador de Santa Justa, then make a trip to Praca do Comercio (Terreiro do Paco), and finally admire the natural beauty at Quinta da Regaleira.

For other places to visit, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Lisbon route planner.

You can fly from Madrid to Lisbon in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Madrid to Lisbon, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Madrid in June: highs in Lisbon hover around 32°C, while lows dip to 18°C. You will have some time to spend on the 6th (Tue) before leaving for home.