16 days in Europe Itinerary

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

You've now added Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia to your itinerary. Prado National Museum and Catedral Primada are good opportunities to explore the local culture. You'll explore and learn at Royal Palace of Madrid and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Madrid: Segovia (Acueduct of Segovia, Alcazar de Segovia, & more) and El Transito Synagogue and Sephardic Museum (in Toledo). There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Plaza Mayor, explore the world behind art at National Archaeological Museum of Spain, delve into the distant past at Templo de Debod, and pause for some serene contemplation at Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida.

To find more things to do and tourist information, you can read our Madrid trip site .

If you are flying in from Australia, the closest major airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. In December, daily temperatures in Madrid can reach 14°C, while at night they dip to 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 22nd (Sun) to allow time for the car ride to Burgos.

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.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Fri): contemplate the long history of La Madeleine, then admire the striking features of Arc de Triomphe, and then contemplate the long history of Eiffel Tower.

To see where to stay, photos, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Paris trip itinerary builder tool .

Fly from Madrid to Paris in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Madrid in December, expect nights in Paris to be about the same, around 3°C, while days are slightly colder, around 9°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to catch the train to Amsterdam.

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

Kick off your visit on the 22nd (Sun): take a stroll through The Jordaan, explore the world behind art at Rijksmuseum, contemplate the long history of Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House), don't miss a visit to Anne Frank House, then explore the world behind art at Van Gogh Museum, and finally walk around Vondelpark. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon): appreciate the extensive heritage of Grote Markt, get to know the fascinating history of Begijnhof, see the interesting displays at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, then sample the tasty concoctions at Heineken Experience, then have fun and explore at NEMO Science Museum, and finally examine the collection at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.

Make your Amsterdam itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by train from Paris to Amsterdam takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In December in Amsterdam, expect temperatures between 9°C during the day and 3°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Bilbao.

A city of stunning architectural and artistic heritage, Bilbao is situated on the banks of the Nervión River.

Your day-by-day itinerary now includes Museum of Sacred Art (Museo de Arte Sacro), Iglesia de San Nicolas and Iglesia de los Santos Juanes. On the 23rd (Mon), take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón, then take a stroll through Casco Viejo, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica of Begona. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: make a trip to Vizcaya Bridge, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Parroquia de San Francisco de Asis, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Catedral de Santa Maria, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia de los Santos Juanes, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Iglesia de San Nicolas, and finally admire the masterpieces at Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

To see maps, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Bilbao trip itinerary app .

You can drive from Burgos to Bilbao in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Burgos in December, expect Bilbao to be a bit warmer, temps between 15°C and 6°C. You will have some time to spend on the 25th (Wed) before leaving for Barcelona.

Barcelona, the country’s second-largest city, is a cosmopolitan urban center known for its throbbing youthful energy and stellar architecture.

Get some historical perspective at Basilica of the Sagrada Familia and Barcelona Cathedral. Get some cultural insight at Parc Guell and El Barri Gòtic. And it doesn't end there: don't miss a visit to Casa Batllo, explore the world behind art at Museu Picasso, see the interesting displays at Museu Maritim de Barcelona, and pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar.

To see reviews, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Barcelona tour planner .

You can fly from Bilbao to Barcelona in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in December, and nighttime lows around 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Fri) so you can travel to Zurich.

The financial hub of Switzerland, Zurich is most often associated with money and banks.

Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich) and Museum Rietberg will appeal to museum buffs. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Fraumünster Church and Uhrenmuseum Beyer Zürich. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Zurich: Appenzeller Brachtummuseum Urnaesch (in Urnaesch), Bern (Kindermuseum Creaviva & Galerie Rigassi by SOON) and Appenzell (St Mauritius Church & Kunstmuseum Appenzell). The adventure continues: wander the streets of Old Town, examine the collection at Appenzeller Volkskunde-Museum Stein AR, pause for some serene contemplation at Grossmunster, and shop like a local with Foundation E. G. Buhrle Collection.

For traveler tips, photos, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Zurich trip planner .

You can fly from Barcelona to Zurich in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and train; or drive. In December, Zurich is a bit cooler than Barcelona - with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to travel to Zaragoza.

The city of Zaragoza is known as the City of Four Cultures for its interwoven history of Iberian, Roman, Moorish, and Christian influences.

You'll explore and learn at Museo del Labrador and Museo Casa Jenaro. Get some cultural insight at Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar and Museo del Jamon y la Cultura Popular. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Zaragoza: Luis Bunuel Film Centre (in Calanda), Casa Natal de Goya (in Fuendetodos) and Museo de Juguetes (in Urrea de Gaen). There's still lots to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza, examine the collection at Museo de la Colegiata, admire the masterpieces at Museo Goya Coleccion Ibercaja, and step into the grandiose world of Palacio Real de Olite.

For ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Zaragoza trip planner .

Traveling by combination of flight and train from Zurich to Zaragoza takes 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. Traveling from Zurich in December, things will get a bit warmer in Zaragoza: highs are around 12°C and lows about 3°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) early enough to catch the train back home.