60 days in Europe Itinerary

On the Mediterranean Sea coast, the French Riviera-Côte d'Azur has the glitz and glamour rivaled by few places on earth. It is a modern resort area with luxury shopping, seaside cafés for people watching, and several marinas for yachts and super-yachts along its coast. Although the Riviera is famous for the glamour of St. Tropez, Monaco, and the Cannes Film Festival, there are many other lesser known attractions and places to visit, such as the perched villages of Gourdon and Eze, the perfumeries in Grasse, the potters of Vallauris, and the glassblowers of Biot.The Riviera has been the inspiration for many works by artists, such as Picasso and Renoir, which are on display in local museums. Sea-front hotels and holiday resorts are the most expensive options, with smaller, modest, more affordable accommodations available as you move away from major cities or further inland. Cafés, bars, and restaurants are diverse enough to respect your vacation budget and tastes, with the vast majority of eateries serving food local to the area--Provençal cuisine with Italian influences, and Cassis and Bandol regional wines.The small independent state of Monaco is surrounded on three sides by France, and the fourth by the Mediterranean. It has been ruled by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century and is a major center for tourism on the Mediterranean. The glamor of Monaco has been replaced by Monte Carlo for its opulence, designer and luxury shopping, and its casino.The busiest travel season is in July and August, when crowds and prices both skyrocket. But, with 300 days of sunshine per year, 115 km (71 mi) of warm blue coastline and beaches, 18 golf courses, 14 ski resorts, and 3,000 restaurants, you're sure to have a wonderful time and find plenty of things to do whenever you plan to stay.

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.

Local tradition claims that Mykonos, the trendiest of the Cyclades group of islands, came into existence from the petrified bodies of giants killed by the mythological hero Hercules. Named after the grandson of the god Apollo, this cosmopolitan "Ibiza of Greece" offers modern tourists a blend of glamour and simplicity. Be prepared for hip and loud dance clubs along the coastline and quieter areas farther from the water. Avoid cruise ship crowds thronging the narrow streets by exploring the small villages located in the center of the island. The easiest way to discover the island's golden beaches is by guided boat tour, private car, or motorcycle.

Known for dramatic views and romantic sunsets, the island of Santorini draws visitors with its long string of black, white, and red beaches. The largest and most significant of a small group of volcanic islands located just 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland, Santorini boasts just over 15,000 permanent residents. Created by a massive volcanic eruption that likely destroyed a single large island, the archipelago still features an active volcano, which saw its last eruption in the 1950s. The easiest way to explore Santorini's craggy coastline is on foot. Start by visiting the archaeological sites on the island's southwestern side, which offer a chance to discover the area's ancient past with unobstructed views of the famed volcano.