However, the journey would be worth it because there are so many sights and sceneries once you reach Norway. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sevilles history begins long before the Romans, but thats where were going to start this fast-paced meander through history. Its better to travel a bit slower, see fewer places, but be able to enjoy and process everything you have seen and experienced. Madrid feels distinctly more livable, with dense housing and sprawling green spaces, and the biggest difference we noticed is that we heard far, far fewer people speaking languages other than Spanish. It experienced a boom in tourism recently since it implemented a digital nomad visa. To help you plan a trip, in this guide, we share a detailed 2-week Italy itinerary that brings you to all the most famous places in the country: Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, but also the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, Tuscan countryside, Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and a few other destinations that should be at the top of every Italy The way we see it, the answer to this question has two possible paths you could go down. The papacy's former home town is a must-see part of Provence. I saved so many of your tips for museums, walking tours, neighborhoods to stay in and much more. Follow our 18 day journey across 3 countries: Italy, France and Spain (4 including Monaco ). Here is a list of some of the best attractions in Denmark: Nordic and Scandinavia is undeniably the most expensive place to travel around Europe. This guide to planning your Spain itinerary is meant to help you narrow down where to visit, and help you figure out how to organize your visit to Spain based on our personal experience and what we enjoyed. If youre going to Berlin, the best way to see all the top attractions is by buying a hop-on hop-off bus with live a tour guide. Mediterranean Coast Itinerary by Train or Car - TripSavvy Our list of cities to visit is: Madrid, Barcelona, Venice, Cinque Terre, and Rome. Best Spain 2-Week Tours & Itineraries - Compare 21 Trip Ideas Turns out, Colombia, Read More 3 Days in Bogot, Colombia: A Perfect Bogot ItineraryContinue, In early 2020, after years of planning and saving, we quit our jobs to travel the world. All of Spains major cities seem to have one, but Sevilles is the most spectacular, we think. The old port city of Genoagot a faceliftwhen it became the 2004 European Culture Capitalits large Medieval quarter offers plenty churches, palaces, and museums to occupy a couple of days. Apart from that, there are also theme parks you can visit in Poland, such as Engerylandia Theme Park, Rabkoland, and Aquapark Sopot. Its a very, very unique style, and the Prado Museum is one of the best places in the world to see it. We love those funny language quirks. 2 weeks first time in Italy itinerary suggestions please If you do this as a one-way journey working from east to west, that means youll want to fly into Barcelona and out of Seville. For visitors with a passport from the EU or a European country, you should have freedom of movement for unlimited time except for some nationalities such as the UK and countries in East Europe. How To Spend 2 Weeks in Spain: The Perfect Itinerary We see the merits of both approaches, and this one comes down to your personal preferences. Day 6 Barcelona - evening flight to Venice Heres a list of the top attractions in Germany: There are tons of modes of transportation from Germany to Poland, including boarding a plane, using rideshare cars, trains, buses, or driving. Ultimate 2 Weeks in Europe: 6 itineraries (with map) Its going to be crowded at any hour, but its worth braving the crowds for the Modernist architecture. Sure, its massive and monumental, and beautifully decorated with works from famous Spanish artists like Goya, but we think 12 Euros is still steep. Its basically due south, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains make the journey a little longer and more circuitous than it should be. Our recommendation for you is to focus your time on: Barcelona (and Catalonia), Madrid (and the surrounding area), Granada, and Seville. If you're under time constraints, two weeks in Spain is enough time to allow y However, with 2 weeks in Europe, around the Baltics, you can also head to Parnu and Tartu both are located in the south of Estonia. The countries are separated by land borders, however, many of them practice free movement across borders. If you want an apartment, wed recommend it. With 10 days, you have a bit more time, but not quite enough to fit Barcelona, Madrid, and Andalusia all into your trip. We stayed at TOC in Barcelona and enjoyed it, and theyre known for providing a great experience. We would actually skip the interior of the Toledo Cathedral, which, while spectacular, costs more than 12 Euros to enter, and even more if you want to go up into the belltower and cloister. But both are more enjoyable and are more evenly split between tourists and locals going about their shopping.. Spain and Portugal Itinerary, 14 days: A Bucket List Itinerary for Hungary on the other hand is famous for its ruin bars, paprikas, and goulash. Bask in the awe-inspiring natural beauty, immerse yourself in the fascinating cultures, and revel in the rich history that surrounds you by land and sea. There is so much to see, and each village, city and region has something special to offer. Poland and Czechia are both affordable destinations compared to their neighbouring countries. It is famous for its fjords, lakes, and magical skies (Aurora Borealis), as well as Viking culture and folklore. You can take buses, trains, or rent a car to travel between cities. It does not store any personal data. Because before coming to Seville, we had a very different picture in our heads of a city that is distinctly Spanish, more than any other city in Spain. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. You could easily spend a full day here and not see everything. Narbonne was the first Roman colony outside of Italy and was located at the crossroads of the Via Domitia, the Roman road linking Italy to Spain. The main sights the Alczar (whose name itself is a good example of the mixing of cultures) and the Seville Cathedral have elements from both the Islamic period and various Christian periods that came afterwards. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid the huge ticket lines. Before you go book your flight and hotels, take a look at the information below first. If you have never been to Italy, make sure you visit Venice, Rome, Florence, and the southwest coast where you can visit Naples for Amalfi and Sorrento. But wed strongly recommend opting for fewer places and more time in each place, which will give you a deeper understanding of the city, the culture, and the people and allow you to get a level deeper than just seeing the main sights. Pro-tip: Leave the backpack at home youll need to check it in the coatroom, and the lines are notoriously long. That sounds like an incredible trip enjoy! Cheers! Bucharest is known for great nightlife, but apart from that, its also rich in cultural and historical spots. Its honestly possible to travel here for around $1,000 for those on a budget. The prices on those trains only go up, so book as soon as you know your dates. But it doesnt mean non-partygoers cannot enjoy Bulgaria. Most tourists love staying in Reykjavik, but you dont have to. You can get ideas on when to go, how to travel around, and what to pack. If you find a cheap flight deal (we use Scotts Cheap Flights, which sends you flight deals from your home airport to your inbox, and love it! Then the transportation. We have a guide to choosing where to stay in Barcelona that goes through five neighborhoods, in detail, with pros and cons for each to help you find the right place to stay for your group, style, and budget. Granada was one of our favorite stops in Spain for a couple of different reasons. Its going to take you three and a half hours or so to get from Madrid to Granada, but we think its worth it and the train ride is pretty beautiful. Day 2 Arrive in Madrid Here are some of the places you could visit once you reached Romania: Just south of Romania, you can reach Bulgaria by train, bus, or driving. The most recommended option would be to ride a plane as its the fastest, but the cheapest option would be to take the bus. Choose from 8 trips with 46 customer reviews, that range from 11 up to 14 days. We have two sub-options in our first itinerary for your 2 weeks in Europe. It was created to connect the two and modernize Barcelona, which is why it has wide boulevards with multiple lanes of traffic, and a grid layout (versus narrow, winding alleys). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thanks for the kind words hope your trip is amazing. The price might work out though, depending on how cheap the flight is! Linked by hiking trails (and a frequent train) that ascend up the surrounding cliffs through lemon groves and vineyards, each colorful center brings its own identity to the region. The city's Rennaissance and Baroque-style Rolli Palaces were granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2006, and the Genoa's rejuvenated port hostsEurope's second largest aquarium. The world-famous Big Ben, London Eye, and River Thames can all be found here, and thats just in London. First, the walking tour we did with Bradley, an American with a PHD in Spanish history, which covered the origins of Madrid and the evolution of the city over the centuries. We love to cook (and eat, of course), and when we sat down to talk about the best things we did in Spain, our cooking class with Clara where we learned the secrets to a good paella was at the top of the list for both of us. Spain is home to an incredible variety of landscapes, historical monuments, museums, and local culinary delights. Some of the top tourist attractions in this country include: A massive country in East Europe, Romania has a lot to offer. If you feel like this itinerary is a little too expensive, you can instead go to Portugal. There are multiple direct high-speed trains a day running between Barcelona-Sants and Madrid Puerta de Atocha, which are the stations youre going to want. I highly recommend you rent a car to move around easier, but taking a domestic flight or the train is also easy and affordable. You can play around with the number of days in each location to suit your tastes. The museum is free on Sundays! The Baltics are one of the most affordable regions in Europe. But dont panic. You could also do many water activities in France or if you plan to come during winter, you can head to the Alps for some skiing. 2 weeks in Spain and Italy - How does this itinerary look? A deep dive into Andalusia's warm culture and sunny beaches is a great way to discover many of Spain's classic highlights. We had heard from the guide on our walking tour that the Royal Chapel was the best part of the Cathedral complex to visit, and wed have to say we agree with that assessment. The Museo del Prado is the premier attraction in Madrid, and it made its way onto our list of our favorite art museums in Europe. Allow 2-3 weeks to make the most of each destinationconsider a rail pass if you're going to travel the entire route! There are great options from affordable hostels all the way to luxury hotels, and just about everything in between. The tours also dont cost that much. It would take you almost 3 hours to reach your destination. After you book your place to stay in Barcelona, those should be the next things you book if you want to see them. If you have 7 days, wed focus on two cities (e.g. There are tons of iconic places in the Netherlands despite it being a small country. Spending 2 weeks in Europe will cover plenty of amazing places. Don't miss a walk through the historic La Lonja silk exchange building, and if you time things right, throw tomatoes at your friends duringthe annualLa Tomatinafestival. Join a free walking tour where you will be expected to give a tip based on the tour guide and the tour itself. There are entire rooms dedicated to the Flemish masters, and we would make sure to cover it on your visit. It takes roughly three hours and costs around 40 Euros per person to start, more if you book closer to your travel dates. I will show your six itinerary options to choose from for your 14-days in Europe. If you want to see Fjords, you have to head west; from Trondheim all the way down to Stavanger. You will need to ride a plane to reach Norway if youre coming from Iceland. Youll cover three amazing cities Rome, Florence, and Venice with some stops, Read More 10 Days in Italy: How to Plan an Amazing Italy ItineraryContinue, Wondering where to stay in Madrid? This country has over 1,000 natural springs water, hence, the popularity of its thermal baths. Tickets sold out for your dates? But wait, your holiday doesn't have to end just yet! It has stunning lakes, UNESCO sites, and rather interesting cuisine, and it is in the top 20 safest countries in the world a great place to discover if you are travelling alone. Being the home of four different countries; England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can easily say that its worth a visit. Click here to see prices and timetables for the journey from Barcelona to Madrid on Omio. We loved Crdoba, and have a guide to a day trip to Crdoba that you should read if youre interested. While Balaton Uplands National Park is the spot to you want to go hiking, join wine tours, and be around nature. Otherwise, here are the highlights. Tallinn, the capital, is obviously the most popular destination. Of all the churches we saw on our three month European adventure that took us to Italy (including Sicily), Spain, and Portugal, this was our favorite of them all. Whether you're interested in art, culture, history, or foodor all of the above Italy has you covered! The last itinerary option for your 2 weeks in Europe includes the countries the UK, Netherlands, and Belgium, also known as the west of Europe. Lithuania is famous for its natural scenery, including forests, lakes, flatlands, and other landscapes. After the Muslims invaded Spain in 711 AD, they called the . Packing sucks, so do it as little as possible! If you have been here before, perhaps, you can now explore less popular areas. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 2 Weeks in Europe - The Perfect Europe Itinerary - Finding the Universe Youre not going to be able to see even close to everything in two weeks. Our point is that trains are easier in almost every way. If you have somewhere between 7-10 days in Spain, you can do a condensed version of this itinerary, so youll be able to use the detailed information in the relevant sections to plan your trip. Accommodation will be the most expensive cost while food is quite affordable in these places. We plan (and pay for) all of our own travels, and we use our first hand knowledge to write detailed travel guides to the places we love to help, Heres what that looks like in map form, Click here to check prices, reviews, and availability, Click here to see prices and timetables for the journey from Barcelona to Madrid on Omio, Jaimes version of a similar walking tour, Two Weeks in Spain: How to Plan an Amazing 14 Day Spain Itinerary, 4 Days in Barcelona: How to Plan the Perfect Barcelona Itinerary, Where to Stay in Barcelona: A Complete Guide to 5 Great Areas, Gluten Free Barcelona: A Complete Guide for Celiacs, 2 Days in Madrid: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Madrid Itinerary, Where to Stay in Madrid: A Complete Guide to 5 Great Areas, Gluten Free Madrid: A Complete Guide for Celiacs (Restaurants + Bakeries), 2 Days in Granada: A Complete Guide to the Best Things to Do in Granada, 2 Days in Seville: A Complete Guide to Planning a Seville Itinerary, How to Plan an Incredible 7 Day Tuscany Itinerary, 9 Incredible Coffee Shops in Vancouver (for Coffee Nerds), 7 Days in Italy: 6 Ways to Spend an Amazing Week in Italy, 9 Spectacular Day Trips from Florence to Plan Now, One Day in Florence: The Best of Florence in 24 Hours, During the siesta, where the entire city basically shuts down for a few hours in the afternoon, hit the. Spain evokes images of castanets and flamenco dancers, tapas and late night dinners, and the Alhambra in the moonlight. This was our first stop in Seville, and its a great introduction to the history of the city because its a palace (with an Arabic-inspired name) built for a Christian king predominantly by Muslims, in a style that blends Muslim and Christian characteristics. Granada was the last Muslim stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula, falling in 1492 to the Christian monarchs after many centuries as part of a Muslim caliphate. But youll have to organize your time in a way where you make your way back to the airport youre flying out of, which is going to mean extra train time and cost over the course of your trip.. Any advice on which might be better for us? Youll visit Spains major cities Madrid and Barcelona along with some of the highlights in Andaluca, which is our favorite part of Spain. Bouillabaissethe famous French seafood stew dishoriginated here, so come with plenty of room for snacking. Or do you figure out a west and east coast circular route? ), you can absolutely fly in and out of the same city. For young travellers who love to dance and party, Ibiza is a top spot, while Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria are awesome islands to explore and spend your vacation in. Founded by the Greeks, colonized by the Romans, made famous again by Van GoghArles is the essence of Provence, completewith a great Roman arenaright in the center. 2 Week France, Italy and Spain Tours & Trips Filter for departure dates and price to find the right 2 week France, Italy and Spain tour with TourRadar. Theres a small (former) mosque in the center of Toledo near Puerta del Sol that was built in 999 AD. All of this happened immediately after said Christian king conquered the city from the Muslim rulers who had been there for five centuries before he arrived. Still, the architecture is spectacular, with two towers, canals, and four bridges each bridge representing a former kingdom of Spain.. It used to be a separate town from the city of Barcelona, and has very much retained its own unique character despite being swallowed up by the Catalonian capital. Throughout our time in Spain, particularly in Andaluca, we were struck by the contrast between the grandeur of cathedrals and churches, which were very much meant to project power first and foremost, and mosques, which are more humble places of worship. If that sounds like something youre interested in, our advice is to pick up the car as youre leaving Madrid, and drop it in Seville the day you arrive. Iceland is not a big country, but spending four days here is plenty. Its easy to pay with credit cards but its still advisable to carry cash with you for emergencies. Sienna -- the Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen. To find the cheapest flight options from your city, you can use the search form below This is the guide for you. Youll need to choose a timeslot for your visit we heard that the later afternoon times tend to be the least busy, but its generally always full in peak season. Day 1 - 2 of Italy itinerary: Arrive in Milan and explore. For example, Italy, Spain, and France are known for using a stick or manual transmission. Day 1 Depart US After being frustrated several times, we turned to Omio, a private company that presents all the bus and train options in a significantly more user-friendly package (an app with tickets available offline, no glitches with payments, and its all in English). Sweeping up over the Tizi n Tichka pass in the Atlas Mountains, this itinerary takes you from the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh into solitary outposts amid alien rock formations.You'll see palm-lined retreats, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, underground cities and, of course, those burnt orange desert sands. Latvia is also a great destination during summer. Founded almost 3,000 years ago, Rome is absolutely stuffed full of historical wonders and attractions. One of the unique things youll find in Granada (and other parts of Andalusia, though not nearly as prominently as in Granada), are tea houses, which are a clear example of the influence of the seven centuries of Muslim rule in Granada. Im set on Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian and a bit torn between Granada, Valencia & Seville. Four days sounds too little but you can actually do a lot while in the Netherlands. Day 13 Rome We found Naples to be authentic, charming, vibrant, and full of some of the most incredible food during our time in Italy. For the south, head to Naples, Sicily, and all the way to Palermo. The Cathedral, Alczar, and Archivo de Indias (the latter of which isnt really worth visiting) form a three-part complex that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.. East Europe is one of the most affordable regions in Europe. Mingle with locals at the Mercado Central and eat plenty of paellathis is where the famous rice dish originates. If you've ever thought about taking a road trip around southern Europe, here's the ultimate guide to get you started. The next option would be the Nordic countries, which consist of Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Youll pay a small service fee, but we think its worth it for the significantly better experience. Personally, I prefer a mix of large cities and smaller towns or sights nearby that offer day trip opportunities. Read about the EU reopening. Today, its one of the best examples (outside of Andaluca, I suppose) of the coming together of the three prominent religions and cultures in Spanish history Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. Show up on the day you want to go when the ticket office opens to buy tickets for that day. Im planning a trip to Spain next summer and have really enjoyed your blog! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. There are two itineraries to choose from. The budget for 14 days in Europe depends on a few things such as the countries, type of tours, accommodation, and how you plan to move around. You can also know more about world-famous painters like Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Explore 21 trips and itineraries created by kimkim local specialists in Spain. Tickets are available on their official website.. Tapas qualify as a must-do in Madrid, and theres a particular street in La Latina, a very fun neighborhood just south of the main center, that is famous for tapas bars. That, my friends, is when the Umayyad Caliphate arrived, which kicked off a period of Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula that lasted for almost eight centuries in total, though Seville was conquered by the Spanish Christians in 1248.. Afterwards, spend the rest of your time wandering the old town and stopping into any place that catches your eye before catching your train home! Theres a reason why I think its important to know Sevilles history going into your trip. Iceland is also famous for a lot of natural wonders such as geysers, active volcanoes, and glaciers. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Here are some specific places to consider: Sol-Gran Va is much more about the central location than how charming it is. You can also save more money by looking at ready-to-eat meals at grocery stores or cooking in the hostel is possible. If you have 10 days, wed expand that to three cities (e.g. 2 for 1 Italy, Spain & France | TripADeal Dont forget to go try different beers and waffles which are two of my favourite part of my visit. We like Omio because its a more user-friendly experience, giving you all the train and bus options in one place, and its all in English. For context, we did not rent a car, used exclusively trains, and had a lovely time exploring the country. While west Europe and the Nordics, plan to spend around $3,000. You wont need a car in Barcelona or Madrid, and the day trips to Toledo and Girona are very easily accessible using the train. DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. Its not much, but a good start especially if its your first time here. LEixample is the area between the Ciutat Vella (old town), the site of the original Roman city dating back two thousand years, and the outlying neighborhoods like Grcia that used to be separate towns. Then, to top it all off, your Italian escape will end with a couple of days of beach and sun, sipping homemade limoncello on the Amalfi Coast. This one-week itinerary includes three of Italy's most famous and popular destinations and is perfect for anyone visiting the country for the first time. The street food in all these countries is fun, globally diverse, and easy to find. 2 Week Italy Itinerary: The Perfect Travel itinerary 2022 - Urban Abroad Exactly How to Take an Amazing Day Trip to Girona From Barcelona, Taking A Day Trip to Toledo From Madrid: A Complete Guide. The popular cities in Belgium are Brussels which is the capital, Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges. The entire thing is one big mashup of different architectural styles, cobbled together over several centuries with Gothic, Renaissance, Mudejar, and other styles all blended together. Taste of Italy! 2 Week Italy Itinerary from North to South With five days in Lithuania, you can do and see a lot of things. You shouldnt fly domestically between Spanish cities. Best Spain Itinerary for 2023: Where to Go in Spain for 2 Weeks Take a look at Skyscanner.net. P.S. Its charming, full of locals with their kids and dogs (or both), and has a great selection of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops and cafes. Barcelona and Madrid, or Madrid and Granada). Spain in 2 weeks Day 1 to 3: Barcelona The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". France on the other hand is well-known for macarons, wine, champagne, great pastries, as well as fashion, museums, and other historical sites. Here's a very comprehensive tutorial from TripAdvisor on how to do it with the official RENFE site, as well as some other sites that may charge a bit more but are easier to use: http://tinyurl.com/cu48wk5. It also has sought-after outdoor and public thermal bars and great nightlife. Avignon is also a launch pad for day trips to other Provence towns,so plan for at least three days there. In Poland is where youll find Europes most ancient forest, Medieval Castle, the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp, amazing museums, and more. Latvia, on the other hand, is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and art nouveau architecture. Unforgettable Europe in 3 Weeks: Your Essential Guide to Must-see