58 days in Western Europe Itinerary

Gentle green hills, Guinness, leprechauns, and friendly folks characterize this small isle of a country. From the busy big city of Dublin to cozy countryside, the emerald isle harbors a varied natural landscape and is steeped in tradition. Visitors can immerse themselves in the native Irish language by visiting a Gaeltacht, or Irish-speaking region of the country, where traditional culture thrives. The Irish are known for being open and welcoming: from the moment you land to the moment you leave, you'll be greeted with "cead mile failte"--a hundred thousand welcomes.

A land packed with thousands of years of history, Scotland is home to numerous thriving cities and a vibrant population proud of its distinct culture, heritage, and art. The Scottish people are fond of saying "Good things come in small packages," and nowhere is that more true than in their compact homeland. Despite its relatively small size, the country is crammed full of attractions, not the least of which are numerous world-famous golf courses and whiskey distilleries. Though the sun may not always shine here, Scotland is a stunning country renowned for its dramatic scenery of mountains, valleys, hills, green fields, and rugged coastlines, guaranteeing a diverse holiday. While most tourists restrict their itinerary to the historic Highlands, where they search for the mysterious Loch Ness monster, you can also explore the Lowlands’ outstanding natural wonders and flourishing cultural scene.

A trip through England is a trip through world history, and few places in the world offer such a diverse variety of places to visit, activities, and experiences. The sprawling urban areas surrounding the capital city offer countless sightseeing opportunities, such as museums and historical sites, as well as some of the best shopping, nightlife, and culinary options in the world. To truly experience this country steeped in centuries of history, try to make time to explore the sweeping countryside, where you can enjoy the warm hospitality of small villages and explore the ancient remains of once-powerful societies. England boasts an outstanding transportation system, and many visitors find that even a short train ride through the country’s landscape of rolling hills and plains can be a highlight of their entire vacation. However you choose to move about, remember that in this compact country you’re never very far from a bustling town, where modern pubs, shops, and restaurants await to be explored.

Small in size but rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, Portugal features contrasting landscapes that include long beaches, lush vineyards, verdant valleys, and rolling hills dotted with tiny settlements where old traditions still prevail. The country's serene interior, often overlooked by foreigners, remains largely unspoiled by mass tourism and offers visitors a chance to discover this less-trodden part of Europe at their own pace. Ripe for leisurely adventures on foot or by bicycle, Portugal's fertile countryside boasts well-preserved medieval castles and outstanding wineries, producing some of the world's finest ports. The country's cities offer a lively culinary scene known for its many award-winning restaurants, topping the itineraries of foodies from around the globe.

A colorful country known for its relaxed lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, excellent food, and world-famous folklore and festivals, Spain boasts a huge number of World Heritage Sites and other spectacular places to visit. It also deserves its reputation as a beach vacation destination; the Western edge of the Mediterranean Sea is home to some of the world’s top beaches. But Spain’s geography is so much more than just soft, sandy shores. Its landscapes are as diverse as its people, ranging from lush meadows and snowy mountains to huge marshes and sprawling deserts. The countryside bursts with unspoiled villages of timeless beauty and old-world charm, as well as vast and varied nature preserves.

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.

Germany is the home of high culture, fine art, classical music, world-class sports, award-winning cuisine--and some of the world's best beers. It's also one of the major economic and political powers of the European continent. One of the founding members of the European Union, Germany is a federation of 16 states. Each boasts its own distinct culture, art, cuisine, regional traditions, and array of things to do. The country is known worldwide for its precision engineering and high-tech products. Equally, though, Germany is admired for its old-world charm and what is locally known as gemutlichkeit (coziness). This is one of the easiest countries in the world to explore, offering an abundance of sightseeing opportunities. German transportation runs with German efficiency. Therefore, getting around the various regions is almost always easy, quick, and pleasant. Visit the cities to explore museums, art galleries, modern restaurants, and trendy shops. Also be sure to venture deeper into the countryside. Here, you can discover ancient castles and bustling little villages. Often in these off-the-beaten-path areas, the main tourist attraction remains the simple hospitality of the friendly locals.