Europe Sampler Itinerary

This trip is specifically for sightseeing, visiting tourist attractions and experiencing the trains ofEurope. The route from the first two weeks (days 1 to 15) was planned before the start of the trip while the route from the second two weeks (days 16 to 28) was spontaneous and I used this time to meet up some friends. The first route is more efficient and has more time dedicated for sightseeing while the second route is for the experience of extensive train travel.

Itinerary

DAY 1 ARRIVE PARIS

After Check-in, visit the Louvre. Take a stroll through the city, see Notre Dame, Pont Neuf and the Pantheon.  Sleep: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

DAY 2 PARIS - MADRID

Climb the Eiffel tower, see Sacre Coeur. Take the night train to Madrid.  Sleep: train, Elipsos

DAY 3 MADRID

Wake up at Madrid. Walk around Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España, view Palacio Real, visit Prado Museum. Sleep: The Living Roof Hostel.

Palacio Real, Madrid

DAY 4 MADRID

Visit Reina Sofia Museum, Eat tapas, paellas and churros. Sleep: The Living Roof Hostel.

DAY 5 MADRID - BARCELONA

Travel by train to Barcelona. Visit Casa Mila/La Pedrera and relax at Parc Güell, Stroll around La Rambla. Sleep: Lullaby Hostel

DAY 6 BARCELONA – NICE

View Sagrada Familia before leaving Barcelona. At noon, travel by train to Nice. See the Alps while on the train. Sleep: Train. You have an Option to sleep at Nice, or stroll around Nice until morning.

DAY 7 NICE – PISA - FLORENCE

Wake up in Italy. See the Italian coast while on the train. In Pisa, view the Leaning Tower. Explore Florence, eat gelato. Sleep: Ostello Centrale

DAY 8 FLORENCE - ROME

Travel by train to Rome. Visit Vatican City, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Square, Basilica and Sistine Chapel. View the Colosseum at night. Sleep: Ma Hostel

DAY 9 ROME

Visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum. View the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps. Eat pizza and pasta. Sleep: Ma Hostel

DAY 10 VENICE DAY TRIP (ROME – VENICE – VIENNA)

Travel to Venice by train. Walk around St. Mark’s Square. Explore the city and the canals. Take the night train to Vienna. Sleep: train, Euronight

DAY 11 VIENNA

Wake up at Vienna. Visit the Schönbrunn Palace. Sleep: Hostel Ruthensteiner

DAY 12 VIENNA

Visit the Hofburg Palace, Jewish quarter. View St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the State Opera House. Sleep: Hostel Ruthensteiner

DAY 13 VIENNA - MUNICH

Take the train from Vienna to Munich. Relax at the English Garden. Eat pretzels and sausages. Sleep: Wombats Hostel

DAY 14 MUNICH – FÜSSEN – MUNICH - AMSTERDAM

Take the train to Füssen and ride a bus to Schwangau to visit Neuschwanstein castle. Back in Munich, drink beer at Hofbrahaus. Take the night train to Amsterdam. Sleep: train, City Night Line

DAY 15 AMSTERDAM

Wake up in Amsterdam.  Relax at Musuemplein. Take a Canal Cruise. See the red light district. Sleep: Shelter Jordan Hostel

Amsterdam Canal Cruise

DAY 16 BERLIN

Take the train to Berlin. View the Brandenburg gate, Reichstag, Platz des 18 Marz. Drink beer.  Sleep:  Meininger Hotel

DAY 17 BERLIN – COPENHAGEN

Take different trains to Copenhagen, including one that embarks a ferry. Walk around Copenhagen. Sleep: Friend’s place

Day 18 COPENHAGEN

Take a canal cruise. See the little mermaid and the royal palace. Eat a Danish burger. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 19 COPENHAGEN – STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI

Take the train to Stockholm. From Stockholm, take a ferry to Helsinki. Sleep: ferry, Viking Line

DAY 20 HELSINKI, SUOMENLINNA

Wake up at Helsinki. View the Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki Cathedral, and Olympic Stadium. View Helsinki from top of the Stadium tower. View the Sibelius monument. Visit Suomenlinna, a sea fortress 15 minutes away by boat. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 21 TURKU DAY TRIP

Travel by train to Turku. Visit the Turku Castle. View the Turku Cathedral. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 22 TALLINN DAY TRIP

Travel by boat to Tallinn, Estonia. Walk around the old town. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Climb the Toompea hill. See St. Nicholas' Church, St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Olav’s Church. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 23 HELSINKI – AMSTERDAM

Travel by air to Copenhagen then travel by train to Amsterdam. Enjoy the night at Amsterdam. Sleep: Hostelle(Option to spend the day at Copenhagen and take the night train to Amsterdam)

DAY 24 AMSTERDAM – BRUGES

Travel by train from Amsterdam to Bruges. Drink Belgian beer. Stroll along the romantic Bruges at night. Sleep: St. Christopher's Inn Bauhaus

DAY 25 BRUGES – LUXEMBOURG

View the Belfry Tower and Church of Our Lady. Buy chocolates, eat Belgian fries and waffles. Travel by train to Luxembourg (Originally planned to continue to Paris but train to Luxembourg got delayed). Sleep: Friend’s house

DAY 26 LUXEMBOURG – PARIS

Take a bus and see Luxembourg. Travel by the train to Paris. Stroll around Paris at night. Sleep: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

DAY 27 PARIS

Visit Arc de Triomphe. Walk along Champ Elysees and eat crepes. Relax at Luxembourg Garden and view the Luxembourg Palace.  View the Eiffel Tower at night. Sleep: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

Sparkling Eiffel Tower

DAY 28 LEAVE PARIS

Au revoir Europe!