61 days in Europe Itinerary

Aptly nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is the birthplace of the Roman Empire, one of the world's greatest civilizations ever.

Let the collections at Vatican Museums and Stanze di Raffaello capture your imagination. Get a sense of the local culture at Colosseum and Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore. There's much more to do: make a trip to Centro Storico Associazione Centro Storico, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Santa Maria in Trastevere, delve into the distant past at Pantheon, and steep yourself in history at St. Peter's Square.

To see ratings, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Rome online route planner.

Cape Town, South Africa to Rome is an approximately 17-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Cape Town to Rome is minus 1 hour. Prepare for cooler weather when traveling from Cape Town in January: high temperatures in Rome hover around 15°C and lows are around 4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) to allow enough time to take a train to Florence.

Considered a cultural, artistic, and architectural jewel of Italy, Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Get a sense of the local culture at Piazza della Signoria and Piazza del Duomo. Visit Centro Storico di Siena and Basilica San Miniato al Monte for their historical value. Venture out of the city with trips to Pisa (Museo Aviotruppe Esercito Italiano, Leaning Tower of Pisa, &more), Le mura di Lucca (in Lucca) and Siena (Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Piazza del Campo, &more). There's lots more to do: enjoy breathtaking views from Campanile di Giotto, examine the collection at Pitti Palace, steep yourself in history at Basilica of Santa Croce, and don't miss a visit to Palazzo Vecchio.

For where to stay, maps, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Florence travel route planning tool.

Take a train from Rome to Florence in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In January in Florence, expect temperatures between 13°C during the day and 3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Budapest.

You might consider the city of Budapest, divided by the Danube River into two distinctive cities--Buda and Pest--to be essentially one large World Heritage Site.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika) and Matthias Church. Museum-lovers will appreciate House of Terror Museum and Hungarian National Museum. There's much more to do: contemplate the long history of Shoes on the Danube Bank, take in the exciting artwork at Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galeria), ponder the world of politics at Hungarian Parliament Building, and don't miss a visit to Fisherman's Bastion.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read Budapest itinerary planner.

You can fly from Florence to Budapest in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Traveling from Florence in January, expect Budapest to be slightly colder, temps between 3°C and -4°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Vienna.

The cultural, economic, and political center of the country, Vienna has developed from its early Celtic and Roman roots into a medieval and Baroque city, with an old town that was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Schonbrunn Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral. You'll explore and learn at Belvedere Palace and Hofburg. There's lots more to do: explore the world behind art at Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Peterskirche, get a new perspective on nature at Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum), and make a trip to Historic Center of Vienna.

Quickly create a custom-made itinerary for Vienna using our trip planner.

Traveling by car from Budapest to Vienna takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a train. In January, daytime highs in Vienna are 3°C, while nighttime lows are -3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) early enough to drive to Salzburg.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and boasting a well-preserved city center, Salzburg melds culture and history.

Fortress Hohensalzburg and Salzburg Cathedral are good opportunities to explore the local culture. The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) and Mozarts Geburtshaus will appeal to museum buffs. Explore Salzburg's surroundings by going to Innsbruck (Maria-Theresien-Strasse & Altstadt von Innsbruck). There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Salzburger Altstadt, take in the spiritual surroundings of Nonnberg Convent, examine the collection at Salzburg Museum, and admire the landmark architecture of DomQuartier Salzburg.

To see where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Salzburg road trip site.

Drive from Vienna to Salzburg in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. In January, daily temperatures in Salzburg can reach 4°C, while at night they dip to -3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) so you can drive to Prague.

Prague lures millions of tourists each year with its World Heritage-listed medieval city center--a labyrinth of narrow lanes, bridges, cathedrals, and palaces overlooked by a thousand-year-old castle.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like St. Vitus Cathedral and Lesser Town. Do some cultural sightseeing at Staromestske namesti and Lobkowicz Palace. And it doesn't end there: stop by Hradcany, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, get great views at Vyšehrad National Cultural Monument, and steep yourself in history at Prague Astronomical Clock.

For more things to do, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Prague trip planner.

Traveling by car from Salzburg to Prague takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or do a combination of train and bus. January in Prague sees daily highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Sat) so you can fly to Amsterdam.

Known as one of the greatest small cities in the world, Amsterdam charms visitors with its cool and cozy atmosphere.

Museum-lovers will get to explore Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Do some cultural sightseeing at Anne Frank House and Museum Het Rembrandthuis. And it doesn't end there: wander the streets of The Jordaan, see the interesting displays at De Nieuwe Kerk, explore the world behind art at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and indulge your thirst for a good beer at Heineken Experience.

For traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, use the Amsterdam tour itinerary planner.

Getting from Prague to Amsterdam by flight takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Traveling from Prague in January, things will get a bit warmer in Amsterdam: highs are around 7°C and lows about 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) early enough to drive to Brussels.

The allure of the multi-cultural capital, Brussels, stems from its mix of political intrigue, artistic influence, historical significance, and a thriving social scene.

Get a sense of the local culture at Grand Place and Groeningemuseum. Get some historical perspective at Historic Centre of Brugge and St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Michel et Ste-Gudule). Change things up with a short trip to Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan in Bruges (about 1h 30 min away). There's still lots to do: examine the collection at Atomium, explore the world behind art at Magritte Museum, get engrossed in the history at Museum of the City of Brussels (Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles), and don't miss a visit to Belgian Comic Strip Center.

To see where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Brussels tour planner.

Traveling by car from Amsterdam to Brussels takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or fly. In January in Brussels, expect temperatures between 5°C during the day and 0°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) early enough to catch the train to London.

Vibrant and noisy, London is one of the world’s leading cities, an international capital of culture, education, fashion, music, finance, trade, and politics.

Explore hidden gems such as Blenheim Palace and National Gallery. You'll explore and learn at Natural History Museum and Churchill War Rooms. Change things up with a short trip to Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford (about 1h 30 min away). Next up on the itinerary: admire the masterpieces at Victoria and Albert Museum, ponder the world of politics at Houses of Parliament, admire the landmark architecture of Tower of London, and take an in-depth tour of The British Museum.

To see more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our London trip planning app.

You can take a train from Brussels to London in 3 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of car and train. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time to Greenwich Mean Time, which is usually a -1 hour difference. In February, daily temperatures in London can reach 9°C, while at night they dip to 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Fri) early enough to take a train to Paris.

A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.

Museum-lovers will get to explore Louvre Museum and Centre National d'Art et de Culture George Pompidou. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Eiffel Tower and Île de la Cité. Go for a jaunt from Paris to Versailles to see Palace of Versailles about 48 minutes away. The adventure continues: pause for some serene contemplation at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, shop like a local with Saint Germain des Pres Quarter, take a stroll through Le Marais, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Champs-Elysees.

For photos, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Paris online tour builder.

Take a train from London to Paris in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or do a combination of car and train. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from London to Paris. In February in Paris, expect temperatures between 9°C during the day and 1°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) so you can 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and Passeig de Gracia. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and Barcelona Cathedral. The adventure continues: wander the streets of Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), make a trip to Las Ramblas, tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa de La Barceloneta, and admire the landmark architecture of Casa Mila - La Pedrera.

For photos, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Barcelona travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Paris to Barcelona takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Paris in February; daily highs in Barcelona reach 17°C and lows reach 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 17th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Madrid.

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

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Alcazar of Segovia and Catedral Primada. Royal Palace of Madrid and Templo de Debod will appeal to history buffs. Get out of town with these interesting Madrid side-trips: Calle Real de Segovia (in Segovia) and Toledo (Church of Santo Tomé, Museo del Greco, &more). And it doesn't end there: explore the world behind art at Prado National Museum, make a trip to Puerta del Sol, stroll around Parque del Retiro, and examine the collection at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza.

For where to stay, photos, and tourist information, go to the Madrid road trip planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Barcelona to Madrid takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Barcelona in February; daily highs in Madrid reach 13°C and lows reach 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Thu) to allow time to fly to Maspalomas.

Fondly referred to as “El Sur” by the locals, Maspalomas serves as a hub of entertainment and beach activity on Gran Canary Island.

Get some historical perspective at Vegueta and Paroquia de San Bernardo. Get outdoors at Playa de Maspalomas and Playa de Mogan. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Maspalomas: Las Canteras Beach (in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), La Fortaleza Centro de Interpretation (in Santa Lucia de Tirajana) and Buceo Sur Gran Canaria (in Cruce de Arinaga). There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa de Amadores, visit a coastal fixture at El Faro de Maspalomas, tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa De Las Burras, and take in the dramatic natural features at Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas.

To find where to stay, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Maspalomas trip website.

You can fly from Madrid to Maspalomas in 4.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, ferry, and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 1 hour traveling from Madrid to Maspalomas. Traveling from Madrid in February, you will find days in Maspalomas are somewhat warmer (24°C), and nights are warmer (17°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Fri) so you can catch the flight back home.