60 days in Europe Itinerary

Proud of its distinctive culture, the Basque Country is known to its local population as Euskadi or Euskal Herria, "Land of Basque Speakers." Widely regarded as one of the world’s best destinations for gastronomic itineraries, this region includes several major culinary centers, not the least of which is San Sebastián, known for its singular tapas or "pintxos," as the locals call them. The region’s big cities boast not only award-winning restaurants, but also numerous galleries, museums, and historical attractions. Beyond these urban centers, Basque culture thrives in villages dotting the rolling foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains, which are home to a multitude of world-class wineries and innovative cider cellars.

A favorite vacation spot for more than a century, Lake Como was once an exclusive retreat for local aristocrats and wealthy people. It is not only one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, but also one of the deepest at more than 400 m (1,300 ft). Surrounded by elegant villas, the lake has become a popular holiday destination for tourists because of its range of attractions, from landscapes, wildlife, and spas, to activities like sailing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. The area has been an inspiration for artists since Roman times. English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty…It is long and narrow and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests."

Characterized by a landscape of green hills, attractive towns, and World Heritage-listed monuments, Umbria is the only region in the country with neither a coastline nor an international border. Umbria is home to the town of Assisi, a World Heritage Site and a major religious center that houses a number of attractions. Its Franciscan church has one of the world's finest medieval collections of frescos, a must-see on any itinerary here. Umbria is one of Italy's smaller regions, yet what it lacks in size, it more than makes up in the natural beauty of its agricultural lands and quaint villages.

Renowned for its beautiful landscape and medieval fishing villages that cling precariously to the Mediterranean cliffs, the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's top vacation destinations. This World Heritage Site stretches for about 50 km (30 mi) on the southern side of the Sorrentine peninsula and offers numerous places to visit, from terraced lemon gardens and whitewashed villas to cliff-top views of the sea. Explore the coastline's towns, bays, and resorts. During the peak tourist season, the Amalfi Coast's single seaside road is often jammed with dozens of buses. For that reason, the ubiquitous scooter may be the best way to get around and sightsee. You can also access quite a bit by bicycle.