Here's your complete 15-week European holiday, now including the 2 nights in Lagos, Portugal, as part of Week 13:
Week 1: Paris & Surroundings, France
Week 2: Loire Valley & Brittany, France
Week 3: Dordogne & Southern France
Week 4: Provence & French Riviera
Week 5: Northern Italy (Liguria & Tuscany)
Week 6: Tuscany & Umbria, Italy
Week 7: Lake District, Italy & Switzerland
Week 8: Swiss Alps & Austria
Week 9: Germany (Bavaria & Nuremberg)
Week 10: Czech Republic & Austria
Week 11: Spain - Madrid & Toledo
Week 12: Spain - Andalusia
Week 13: Portugal - Lisbon, Sintra & Lagos
Week 14: Portugal - Porto & Douro Valley
Week 15: Spain - Barcelona & Costa Brava
Summary of Your 15-Week Road Trip:
Week 1: Paris & Surroundings, France
- Days: 7
- Base: Paris (4 nights)
- Things to do: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre, Musée d'Orsay, Champs-Élysées, Seine River cruise, Latin Quarter.
- Things to do: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre, Musée d'Orsay, Champs-Élysées, Seine River cruise, Latin Quarter.
- Day Trips:
- Versailles (1 hour) - Explore the grand palace and gardens.
- Giverny (1.5 hours) - Monet’s gardens.
- Fontainebleau (1 hour) - Château de Fontainebleau.
- Versailles (1 hour) - Explore the grand palace and gardens.
- Why: Explore the art, culture, and beauty of Paris, then venture to nearby royal estates and gardens.
Week 2: Loire Valley & Brittany, France
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Loire Valley (3 nights)
- Things to do: Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Amboise, Tours.
- Things to do: Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Amboise, Tours.
- Base 2: Nantes (2 nights)
- Things to do: Explore the modern city, the "Machines of the Isle of Nantes," Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
- Things to do: Explore the modern city, the "Machines of the Isle of Nantes," Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
- Base 3: Saint-Malo (2 nights)
- Things to do: Walk the city walls, visit the beaches, and take a ferry to Îles Chausey.
- Things to do: Walk the city walls, visit the beaches, and take a ferry to Îles Chausey.
- Why: A perfect blend of medieval history, coastal beauty, and vibrant city life.
Week 3: Dordogne & Southern France
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Dordogne (3 nights)
- Things to do: Sarlat, Lascaux caves, canoe on the Dordogne River, and villages like Domme and La Roque-Gageac.
- Things to do: Sarlat, Lascaux caves, canoe on the Dordogne River, and villages like Domme and La Roque-Gageac.
- Base 2: Carcassonne (2 nights)
- Things to do: Visit the medieval fortified city, Château Comtal, and walk through the cobbled streets.
- Things to do: Visit the medieval fortified city, Château Comtal, and walk through the cobbled streets.
- Base 3: Toulouse (2 nights)
- Things to do: Basilica of Saint-Sernin, Capitole de Toulouse, Cité de l'Espace (space museum).
- Things to do: Basilica of Saint-Sernin, Capitole de Toulouse, Cité de l'Espace (space museum).
- Why: Explore the history and charm of medieval towns, with a mix of adventure and culture.
Week 4: Provence & French Riviera
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Avignon (2 nights)
- Things to do: Palais des Papes, Pont Saint-Bénézet, and explore the medieval streets.
- Things to do: Palais des Papes, Pont Saint-Bénézet, and explore the medieval streets.
- Base 2: Gordes & Roussillon (2 nights)
- Things to do: Explore these charming hilltop villages, wander through lavender fields, and enjoy local food.
- Things to do: Explore these charming hilltop villages, wander through lavender fields, and enjoy local food.
- Base 3: Nice (3 nights)
- Things to do: Visit the Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, take a day trip to Eze and Monaco, relax by the Mediterranean.
- Things to do: Visit the Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, take a day trip to Eze and Monaco, relax by the Mediterranean.
- Why: A mix of historical exploration and relaxation on the French Riviera.
Week 5: Northern Italy (Liguria & Tuscany)
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Cinque Terre (3 nights)
- Things to do: Hike between the villages, visit Monterosso, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, and take a boat ride.
- Things to do: Hike between the villages, visit Monterosso, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, and take a boat ride.
- Base 2: Lucca (2 nights)
- Things to do: Stroll along Renaissance city walls, climb Guinigi Tower, and bike around the town.
- Things to do: Stroll along Renaissance city walls, climb Guinigi Tower, and bike around the town.
- Base 3: Pisa (2 nights)
- Things to do: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
- Things to do: Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
- Why: Enjoy the Italian coastline, scenic hill towns, and the world-famous Leaning Tower.
Week 6: Tuscany & Umbria, Italy
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Florence (3 nights)
- Things to do: Uffizi Gallery, Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria.
- Things to do: Uffizi Gallery, Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria.
- Base 2: Siena (2 nights)
- Things to do: Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral, and the historic city center.
- Things to do: Piazza del Campo, Siena Cathedral, and the historic city center.
- Base 3: Perugia (2 nights)
- Things to do: Visit the medieval city, explore Perugia’s Etruscan ruins, and sample the local chocolate.
- Things to do: Visit the medieval city, explore Perugia’s Etruscan ruins, and sample the local chocolate.
- Why: Experience the art, history, and food of Tuscany and Umbria, with fewer crowds than Florence.
Week 7: Lake District, Italy & Switzerland
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Lake Como (3 nights)
- Things to do: Visit Bellagio, Varenna, Como, and Villa Carlotta.
- Things to do: Visit Bellagio, Varenna, Como, and Villa Carlotta.
- Base 2: Lugano, Switzerland (2 nights)
- Things to do: Walk along Lake Lugano, visit Parco Ciani, and explore the Old Town.
- Things to do: Walk along Lake Lugano, visit Parco Ciani, and explore the Old Town.
- Base 3: Zermatt, Switzerland (2 nights)
- Things to do: Matterhorn, Gornergrat Railway, car-free town.
- Things to do: Matterhorn, Gornergrat Railway, car-free town.
- Why: A mix of stunning lakeside views in Italy and Alpine beauty in Switzerland.
Week 8: Swiss Alps & Austria
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Lucerne, Switzerland (3 nights)
- Things to do: Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, Old Town.
- Things to do: Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, Old Town.
- Base 2: Innsbruck, Austria (2 nights)
- Things to do: Golden Roof, Imperial Palace, Nordkette cable car.
- Things to do: Golden Roof, Imperial Palace, Nordkette cable car.
- Base 3: Salzburg, Austria (2 nights)
- Things to do: Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart’s birthplace, and Mirabell Gardens.
- Things to do: Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart’s birthplace, and Mirabell Gardens.
- Why: Explore Swiss lakes, Alpine landscapes, and Austrian cultural gems.
Week 9: Germany (Bavaria & Nuremberg)
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Munich (3 nights)
- Things to do: Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, English Garden, beer halls.
- Things to do: Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, English Garden, beer halls.
- Base 2: Füssen & Neuschwanstein Castle (2 nights)
- Things to do: Visit the fairy-tale castle, explore Füssen's Old Town.
- Things to do: Visit the fairy-tale castle, explore Füssen's Old Town.
- Base 3: Nuremberg (2 nights)
- Things to do: Nuremberg Castle, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Old Town.
- Things to do: Nuremberg Castle, Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Old Town.
- Why: Bavarian culture, stunning castles, and medieval towns.
Week 10: Czech Republic & Austria
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Prague (3 nights)
- Things to do: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Things to do: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Base 2: Brno (2 nights)
- Things to do: Visit Špilberk Castle, Brno’s Old Town, and the Moravian Karst caves.
- Things to do: Visit Špilberk Castle, Brno’s Old Town, and the Moravian Karst caves.
- Base 3: Vienna (2 nights)
- Things to do: Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Museum, Naschmarkt.
- Things to do: Schönbrunn Palace, Belvedere Museum, Naschmarkt.
- Why: Explore the cultural riches of Prague and Vienna, both iconic European capitals.
Week 11: Spain - Madrid & Toledo
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Madrid (3 nights)
- Things to do: Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Royal Botanic Garden.
- Things to do: Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Royal Botanic Garden.
- Base 2: Toledo (2 nights)
- Things to do: Alcázar of Toledo, Toledo Cathedral, Jewish Quarter.
- Things to do: Alcázar of Toledo, Toledo Cathedral, Jewish Quarter.
- Base 3: Segovia (2 nights)
- Things to do: Roman aqueduct, Alcázar of Segovia, Segovia Cathedral.
- Things to do: Roman aqueduct, Alcázar of Segovia, Segovia Cathedral.
- Why: Discover the art, history, and architecture of Spain’s vibrant cities.
Week 12: Spain - Andalusia
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Seville (3 nights)
- Things to do: Alcázar Palace, Seville Cathedral, Plaza de España, Flamenco show.
- Things to do: Alcázar Palace, Seville Cathedral, Plaza de España, Flamenco show.
- Base 2: Córdoba (2 nights)
- Things to do: Mezquita, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.
- Things to do: Mezquita, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.
- Base 3: Granada (2 nights)
- Things to do: Alhambra Palace, Generalife Gardens, Albaicín neighborhood.
- Things to do: Alhambra Palace, Generalife Gardens, Albaicín neighborhood.
- Why: Explore the beauty and history of Andalusia, famous for its Moorish architecture.
Week 13: Portugal - Lisbon, Sintra & Lagos
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Lisbon (3 nights)
- Things to do: Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Alfama district, Tram 28.
- Things to do: Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Alfama district, Tram 28.
- Base 2: Sintra (2 nights)
- Things to do: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Moorish Castle.
- Things to do: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Moorish Castle.
- Base 3: Lagos (2 nights)
- Things to do:
- Beaches: Praia Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo, Ponta da Piedade.
- Historic Sites: Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, Mercado de Escravos.
- Old Town: Explore the charming cobbled streets and enjoy the local restaurants.
- Beaches: Praia Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo, Ponta da Piedade.
- Things to do:
- Base 4: Cascais (2 nights)
- Things to do: Explore the beaches, visit Boca do Inferno, and wander the town center.
- Things to do: Explore the beaches, visit Boca do Inferno, and wander the town center.
- Why: Lisbon offers rich history, Sintra’s palaces are iconic, and Lagos adds coastal beauty with cliffs and stunning beaches.
Week 14: Portugal - Porto & Douro Valley
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Porto (3 nights)
- Things to do: Ribeira district, Livraria Lello, Porto Cathedral, wine tasting.
- Things to do: Ribeira district, Livraria Lello, Porto Cathedral, wine tasting.
- Base 2: Braga (2 nights)
- Things to do: Visit Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga Cathedral.
- Things to do: Visit Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga Cathedral.
- Base 3: Douro Valley (2 nights)
- Things to do: Vineyards, boat ride on the Douro River, wine tasting.
- Things to do: Vineyards, boat ride on the Douro River, wine tasting.
- Why: Explore the historic cities and wine regions of northern Portugal.
Week 15: Spain - Barcelona & Costa Brava
- Days: 7
- Base 1: Barcelona (4 nights)
- Things to do: Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter.
- Things to do: Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter.
- Base 2: Tossa de Mar (3 nights)
- Things to do: Tossa de Mar beach, medieval castle, visit the charming old town.
- Things to do: Tossa de Mar beach, medieval castle, visit the charming old town.
- Why: End your trip with the modernist beauty of Barcelona and the stunning beaches of the Costa Brava.
Summary of Your 15-Week Road Trip:
- Total Duration: 15 weeks
- Driving Time: Max 4 hours per day
- Stay in Each Place: 3–4 nights
- Highlights: A grand European adventure across France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Portugal, blending history, culture, nature, and food along the way.