56 days in Western Europe Itinerary

A small country packing a big punch in terms of tourist attractions, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe, its cities soaked in history and famed for their lively arts, fashion, and dining scenes. Although it advertises itself simply as "A Food Lover's Dream," this country of just 11 million people boasts a rich architectural heritage, world-famous breweries, pristine natural areas, and touching memorials marking major battlegrounds from both World War I and World War II. Put the country's elegant cities of Brussels and Bruges at the top of your itinerary, but don't forget that Belgium's less-explored countryside offers dense forests, rolling hills, and lush valleys.

One of the three richest countries in the world, Luxembourg celebrates its wealth of natural and historical sites as well. Landlocked by Belgium, France, and Germany, this nation represents a blend of cultures, which are evident as you explore the nation's villages, outdoor attractions, and capital. If you prefer city living, discover Luxembourg City's old town, with World Heritage status. This small nation's rolling countryside is equally charming, offering castles and plenty of opportunity for recreation and leisure. Go for a bike ride, hike the country's mountainous region, or spend time at renowned vineyards.

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.

Bordered by the Alps on three sides and often overlooked by casual tourists, the Piedmont region is famous for its wines, including Moscato D'Asti, Barolo, and Barbera, to name just a few. Piedmont's cuisine is renowned throughout Italy. Its exotic white truffles--a precious ingredient used in first-class restaurants around the world--are often compared to gold because of their staggering cost. An ideal holiday destination for foodies, the region is also known for its thriving industries of fresh produce, nuts, and chocolates. There are many places to visit in Piedmont, including several medieval castles, trendy spa resorts, and cities with both historical attractions and modern industries.

France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for decades, and geographically, it is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities are holiday hot spots and contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended, and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, as well as the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy. The country is renowned for its gastronomy, particularly wines and cheeses, as well as its history, culture, and fashion industry.

You'll find that the French people are very polite and may react coldly to you if you forget this. You might be surprised as you're greeted by other customers and the proprieter when you walk into a restaurant or a shop. Be sure to take your sightseeing off the beaten path in France. Besides the famous Eiffel Tower and the chic resorts of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) you'll find many places to visit in the form of museums filled with fine art, crafts, and archaeological relics, wonderful medieval villages and castles, diverse national parks, and local shopping direct from artisans themselves.

Whether you're touring the Christmas Markets or going skiing during winter, viewing the springtime influx of color in Provence, sunbathing on the Mediterranean coast in the summer, or watching the fall foliage against the backdrop of the châteaux in the Loire Valley, you're sure to find just the right place to be. Spring is a time when the tourist attractions are just starting to expand their hours, but it may still be cold in the mountainous regions and the north. Summer is the busiest time in France with the longest hours for many museums and attractions, but it's often when you will experience the most crowds. Winter in France is filled with winter carnivals, Christmas Markets, and of course, skiing. Fall is a time to celebrate the release of Beaujolais nouveau wine in November, as well as experience Nuit Blanche, a day in October when major attractions, museums, galleries, parks, and swimming pools remain open all night.

Home to an impressive 25 World Heritage sites, the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has hundreds of museums to explore, thousands of parks and gardens to stroll through, and tens of thousands of communities to discover. From Land’s End in the south to John O’Groats in the north, the country is packed with tourist attractions that can fill a range of itineraries. With nearly 30 million tourists visiting every year, the UK is ranked among the top ten holiday destinations in the world. Known for its royalty, this country also represents a diverse patchwork of native and immigrant cultures. Although Britannia no longer rules the waves, it possesses a captivating history and a dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential on the rest of the world.

Once the heart of the country’s textile industry, West Yorkshire is now home to thriving cities recognized as major regional financial centers. The county’s biggest and most dominant urban center is Leeds, a city of explosive energy and winner of a string of tourism awards. While Leeds offers a multitude of things to do, including outstanding nightlife, shopping, and dining choices, the city of Bradford is often used as a convenient base for sightseeing in the so-called "Bronte Country," an area of bleak moors and deep valleys vividly described in the works of the famous Bronte sisters. Both of these big cities have reinvented themselves in recent years, replacing the crumbling mills of the Industrial Revolution with outstanding new museums, restaurants, and bars that can easily fill a variety of itineraries.