43 days in Europe Itinerary

A history spanning over a thousand years, vibrant nightlife, and a mix of Georgian and modern architecture make Dublin a popular European tourist destination.

Start off your visit on the 13th (Mon): kick back and relax at Portmarnock Beach and then wander the streets of Temple Bar. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 14th (Tue): make a trip to Merrion Square, enjoy the sand and surf at Shankill Beach, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Sandycove Beach.

To find maps, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Dublin online day trip planner.

Christchurch, New Zealand to Dublin is an approximately 29-hour flight. Traveling from Christchurch to Dublin, you'll gain 12 hours due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Christchurch in December, plan for much colder days and slightly colder nights in Dublin: temperatures range from 10°C by day to 3°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) early enough to travel to Bruges.

The medieval town of Bruges centers around a canal, and the architecture of its historical district has made it a World Heritage Site.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Belfry of Bruges and St Bonifacius Bridge. There's lots more to do: make a trip to The Markt, see the interesting displays at Choco-Story - The Chocolate Museum, trek along Bruges Art Route, and contemplate the waterfront views at Minnewater Lake.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read Bruges trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Dublin to Bruges takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and train; or do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Dublin to Bruges due to the time zone difference. In December, daytime highs in Bruges are 9°C, while nighttime lows are 3°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can travel to Berlin.

The country's capital and largest city, Berlin is a diverse urban center boasting a lively nightlife and countless things to do.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Gendarmenmarkt and Schmetterlingshorst. Step out of Berlin to go to Lubben and see Spreewaldfahrt, Familie Goertz, which is approximately 1h 20 min away. There's much more to do: wander the streets of Potsdamer Platz, stop by Mitte, take in the spiritual surroundings of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and walk around Kurfurstendamm.

For maps, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Berlin road trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Bruges to Berlin takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Mon) early enough to 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Beach and St. Vitus Cathedral. Spend the 22nd (Wed) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Lesser Town, contemplate the long history of Prague Astronomical Clock, explore the engaging exhibits at Gallery of Steel Figures, and see the interesting displays at Speculum Alchemiae Museum.

To find reviews, traveler tips, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Prague trip planner.

Traveling by car from Berlin to Prague takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Prague are 5°C, while nighttime lows are 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Historic Center of Vienna and St. Stephen's Cathedral. There's much more to do: explore the historical opulence of Schonbrunn Palace, don't miss a visit to Rathausplatz, explore the world behind art at Belvedere Palace, and contemplate the long history of Karlskirche.

For more things to do, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Vienna trip maker app.

You can fly from Prague to Vienna in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In December, daily temperatures in Vienna can reach 5°C, while at night they dip to 0°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive 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.

Discover out-of-the-way places like St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika) and Szechenyi Lanchid. There's much more to do: steep yourself in history at Fisherman's Bastion, admire the landmark architecture of Hungarian Parliament Building, make a trip to New York Palace, and learn about winemaking at Faust Wine Cellar.

To see where to stay, maps, photos, and other tourist information, read Budapest online route planner.

You can drive from Vienna to Budapest in 2.5 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Budapest can reach 5°C, while at night they dip to -1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) to allow time to travel to Florence.

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

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Campanile di Giotto and Ponte Vecchio. There's still lots to do: get great views at Basilica San Miniato al Monte, contemplate the long history of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, and admire the masterpieces at Florence Academy of Fine Arts.

To find other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Florence online route maker.

Fly from Budapest to Florence in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Budapest in January: high temperatures in Florence hover around 13°C and lows are around 3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Thu) to allow enough time to take a train to Rome.

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

Step off the beaten path and head to Wine Tours & Tastings and La Pieta. And it doesn't end there: explore the ancient world of Pantheon, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cupola di San Pietro, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli, and take an in-depth tour of Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini.

To see reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Rome attractions website.

Take a train from Florence to Rome in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. In January, daytime highs in Rome are 15°C, while nighttime lows are 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Mon) early enough to travel to Barcelona.

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

Your itinerary includes some good beach time at Playas de Calella and La Playa de Sitges. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Fundacio Mona, Centre de Recuperacio de Primats and Fishing Charters & Tours. Get out of town with these interesting Barcelona side-trips: La Fageda d'en Jorda (in Olot), Patronat Call de Girona (in Girona) and Castillo de Cardona, Conjunto (in Cardona). The adventure continues: admire the landmark architecture of Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, wander the streets of El Barri Gòtic, walk around Parc Guell, and enjoy the sand and surf at Beach Castelldelfels Barcelona.

For ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Barcelona sightseeing planner.

Traveling by flight from Rome to Barcelona takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In January, plan for daily highs up to 17°C, and evening lows to 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.