Youre in luck! They have glaciers but have volcanically heated pools at the same time, where you could swim all year round. Day 11 Rome : If the link isnt there, it means were still working on it and the guide will be up shortly. Christopher Columbus (or at least part of him), famous for basically making one big mistake, is also buried here. Some things to see and do in The Netherlands: To reach Belgium, you could ride the train, ride a bus, use rideshare, or drive. You can move around 2-3 times for a fast paced trip that checks off Italy bucket list items. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. While there are a bunch of fun, unique places to stay in Madrid (you can read all about them in our guide to the best places to stay in Madrid), two areas rise to the top for very different reasons. The most popular city is Split and Dubrovnik, but Zadar, Hvar, and Pula are an equally stunning area for swimming and other water activities. Its a dive into the history of both Spain and specifically Catalonia, which is something we had never really learned about in school. 7-Day Morocco Itinerary 1: Off the beaten track from Marrakesh. Originally, it was supposed to be the burial place of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand the royal couple responsible for bringing the two Spanish kingdoms together but they ended up deciding on Granada later in life after they conquered the last Muslim kingdom in Granada in 1492. Days 12 - 14: Rome. Its a great compromise between location (and therefore, convenience) and calmness. 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. Madrid has fewer major tourist attractions than, say, Barcelona, but its an equally enchanting city, with fun, lively neighborhoods full of people that actually live there (versus Barcelona, which feels like it might actually just be 100% tourists in places like the Gothic Quarter). 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. Thanks everyone! It sits right on the Black Sea as well, a popular spot during summer. We loved Girona, which is 100km northeast of Barcelona and is a deeper dive into Catalonia and its unique culture. Bulgaria is the oldest country in Europe, and it also has tons of hot springs. Best Spain & Italy Tours 2023-2024 | Zicasso Luckily though, most countries in Europe use Euro, except in the UK, Nordic countries, and maybe some countries in East Europe. Spain is well-known for its lively culture, flamenco, arts, literature, as well as its wines, beaches, and of course, football. Please note that were assuming you arrive on the first day of this itinerary, probably sometime in the afternoon depending on where youre coming from. This also applies to non-EU countries such as Switzerland and Norway. Crdoba is a perfect place to spend a day, and the Mosque-Cathedral is sure to be one of the most interesting places youll visit on your trip to Spain. So, without further ado, let's see how to spend two weeks in Spain and have the trip of a lifetime. The Albaicn is the most romantic and charming part of Granada, at least in our view. First, the Alhambra is an impressive feat of architecture, and its well worth half a day exploring the former fort turned palace at the top of the hill. For a more relaxed pace, spend the night and see the city once all the day trippers have gone home. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". If youre coming from outside of the EU, that means youre going to have some jetlag to deal with, which means that the first day is largely lost. We know that not everyone has the privilege to travel non-stop or even longer than two weeks a year.Whether you are in a traditional workspace, business entrepreneur, freelancer, retiree, or student, we want to show you how you can explore the world and make the most out of your 14-day vacation. But for luxury, your trip cost will really skyrocket up to $5,000. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox, Nadia Isakova/ AWL Images Ltd./Getty Images. The world-famous Big Ben, London Eye, and River Thames can all be found here, and thats just in London. If you want to save money, you can stay outside the city and rent a car instead. However, there is one place where it might be nice to rent a car and have a little more flexibility to explore at your own pace, and that place is Andalusia. Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona (sleep in Barcelona) Day 2: Barcelona (sleep in Barcelona) Day 3: Barcelona, evening train to Madrid (sleep in Madrid) Day 4: Madrid (sleep in Madrid) I have no idea where to start, where to go, etc. Day 3 Madrid/Toledo Take the bus or train when travelling to the next country or ride a plane. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. $1,000 will be fine for southern-east Europe, and $1,500 will be decent for central Europe. 2 Weeks in Spain. The Perfect Train Itinerary for Culture Lovers Malasaa is the hipster haven just north of Gran Va, the main artery running east to west through the heart of Madrid. Taste of Italy! 2 Week Italy Itinerary from North to South You will have to choose 2-3 countries to cover during your visit and perhaps next time, you go to new places. Heres a list of travel tools I use. Itll be more expensive and once youve gotten to the airport a couple of hours in advance, itll likely take longer than the train, where you can show up 20 minutes ahead of time and still have time to grab coffee before boarding (in most cases). Its a church! For budget travellers, $1,700 is required for your 2-week trip and most likely requires you to stay in a youth hostel. Aside from that, they also have stunning waterfalls and gorgeous Adriatic Islands, among other landscapes. We think this is a huge mistake! It's one of those places that I find myself returning to time and time again. Theres a small (former) mosque in the center of Toledo near Puerta del Sol that was built in 999 AD. The city has historically served as a hub for African immigrants entering France, thus boasts strong North African influences and a fascinating fusion of cultures. Download Free Packing List for 2-week Trip. We also have two itineraries specifically for 2 weeks in the Baltics only. Spending 2 weeks in Europe will cover plenty of amazing places. If you are on a budget, you can probably do it for $1,700 but no less. It has a great food and drink scene, plenty of fun neighborhoods to explore, and is a hub for some great day trips. Also along for the ride were my parents which made this an extra fun time. Most people go to Madrid, the capital of Barcelona, a coastal city. Many foreigners get confused and think Krakow is the capital of Piland, but its actually Warsaw. Instead, wed recommend taking the time in the places you do visit to really get a feel for each place and go deeper on the unique histories and cultural quirks, which is what makes each place special. You can take buses, trains, or rent a car to travel between cities. There are infinite fascinating places to see, foods to taste, and activities to try out during your 2 weeks in Europe. Just down the street from the two synagogues is a nice monastery whose main attraction and highlight is undoubtedly the multi-floor cloister in the middle. 2 weeks in Spain and Italy Itinerary - Rick Steves Travel Forum For the south, head to Naples, Sicily, and all the way to Palermo. If its warm enough, head to Constanza, while Brasov and Cluj-Napoca are the areas to go to during winter for skiing and other winter activities. Rely on using public transportation in all countries, such as buses and trains, instead of renting a car or flying. Like the nearby towns of Arles and Avignon, Nimes is ahistoric center that shares space with remarkable Roman ruins. Take the high-speed AVE train from Barcelona-Sants to Girona, which takes just 40 minutes each way. Even the walk to the center from the train station is gorgeous you cross a bridge with the center of Toledo across the river from you, towering above you. [DEAL ALERT] 13D10N ITALY SWITZERLAND FRANCE FROM S$2,988 WITH 2 EXTRA NIGHTS IN DUBAI FREE*! Cultura RM Exclusive/Anthony Charles/Getty Images. We have two personal recommendations here. Check first if your drivers license is valid in Europe and check what type of cars each country you are going to have. You will stop for: 1, 2 or 3 days in Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples! 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. From Granada, there are high speed trains that will take you to Seville in about two and a half hours. One might want to visit Romania since its famous for being the home of Dracula. These sample 7 day Italy itineraries offer both options. The most famous of the things to do in Madrid is the Museo del Prado, a collection of mainly paintings that was shaped by the Spanish royal family at the peak of their power between the 16th and 19th Centuries. Accommodation will be the most expensive cost while food is quite affordable in these places. Day 6 Barcelona - evening flight to Venice For more information on Granada, make sure to check out our guide to 2 days in Granada, which has everything you need to know to spend a couple of days in the city, including how to see the Alhambra.. 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! Flemish art is imaginative, vibrant, and dark. Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Norway: To reach Denmark from Norway, the best would be to take a plane. Here's what that looks like in map form. Allow 2-3 weeks to make the most of each destinationconsider a rail pass if you're going to travel the entire route! 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. You will stay in a hostel and consume street food or grocery store meals. The papacy's former home town is a must-see part of Provence. How to Plan an Epic 2 Week Europe Trip (+ Europe Itinerary Ideas!) Its not much, but a good start especially if its your first time here. I hope that you found these 2 weeks in Europe itineraries helpful in planning your own. Granada is relatively compact, though wed recommend staying somewhere near Plaza Nueva, which will give you access to everything youll want to see within about 15 minutes on foot. There are many hiking trails and to ski here, you dont have to spend too much. Seville was an important city in Roman times, and if you dont believe me, emperors Hadrian and Trajan were actually born in nearby Italica. Our list of cities to visit is: Madrid, Barcelona, Venice, Cinque Terre, and Rome. Its cheaper and gives you freedom of your time. After visiting, we realized that this quintessentially Spanish city is a product of a rich history with a diverse cast of characters, which has resulted in a fascinating city.. This depends on what you plan to do. Its technically no longer a synagogue after it was confiscated when the Jews were expelled in 1492. He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip. Dont forget to go try different beers and waffles which are two of my favourite part of my visit. Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up. They have high-quality chocolates, hence the name Belgian chocolate. Spain in 2 weeks Day 1 to 3: Barcelona We have each been to Rome multiple times including a full ten days in 2021 and, Read More 4 Days in Rome: How to Plan an Amazing Rome ItineraryContinue, We visited Sedona this spring on our Arizona road trip and fell in love with the juxtaposition of red rock canyon walls and the lush greenery thriving below. Plus, its generally more expensive and time consuming to get from the airport to the city center (or vice versa). Youll get to see the city at its best, when only a fraction of the days tourists are around, and youll have a little more time to go a level deeper and really appreciate the coming together of the three cultures in Toledo.. You can walk down into the crypt to see where theyre buried beneath the ornamental mausoleums in the center of the Chapel. Romania is famous for its Carpathian Mountains, Salt Mines, and Medieval Fortresses. Poland also has the biggest castle in the world, and many believe that vodka originated in Poland. $800 in eastern Europe will not work for Scandinavia. The reason? 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. While west Europe and the Nordics, plan to spend around $3,000. Two Weeks In Italy By Train | Interrail.eu Even better, you can get to all the places via train if you don't want to rent a car! 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. Youll learn about how Madrid wasnt much of a big city until the 16th Century when it became the capital, and all the shenanigans that have happened since. We love those funny language quirks. 7 days in Italy itinerary: How to spend one week in Italy You can probably spend one less day in Barcelona, and take that day and use it somewhere else later in the itinerary.. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you. You should geat a hop-on hop-off bus that will take you to the top attractions of Paris. You will need to ride a plane to reach Norway if youre coming from Iceland. In order to make the most out of your trip, the recommended duration of stay is at least five days. Indulge in a remarkable 17-day adventure through Italy, France, and Spain, and explore the jewels of the Mediterranean. Spain is home to an incredible variety of landscapes, historical monuments, museums, and local culinary delights. Denmark is a small country but popular not only in Europe but around the world. Check Get Your Guide to see if they have any skip-the-line tickets available. Here is a list of the best places to see in Lithuania: You can go to Latvia from Lithuania by driving, riding a bus, plane, or taking the train. With 10 days, you have a bit more time, but not quite enough to fit Barcelona, Madrid, and Andalusia all into your trip. From national parks, vibrant cities, historical sites, and beach access to the Black Sea. With that in mind, we strongly recommend that you focus on picking four to five cities or regions in Spain rather than spending a night in each place and trying to fit it all in. Vueling, Ryan and Iberia all have cheap direct flights to Venice. 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. In this way, you'll have a chance to experience many of the most popular places to visit in Italy over the course of 2 weeks, without doubling back or over-stuffing your schedule. 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. Last but definitely not least is Estonia, which is famous for its dense woods, thousands of uninhabited islands, and rich history. If you are coming during the warm months, you can still go to the Black Sea by heading toward Varna. Im set on Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian and a bit torn between Granada, Valencia & Seville. After that we would like to spend 2 weeks visiting Italy and may be Barcelona, Spain if time permits. And our first stop was Colombia. Thats pretty fascinating. Today, its owned by the Catholic Church, who has yet to return it to the Jewish community despite them asking the church to do so. To understand the context around Madrid and its role in Spanish history, wed recommend connecting with a local expert. Great, let's delve into this two weeks in Portugal and Spain itinerary. Show up on the day you want to go when the ticket office opens to buy tickets for that day. To ensure that you will enjoy your 2 weeks in Europe around this region, plan to spend about $2,000. From Barcelona to Madrid, you definitely want the train, as it's much faster than the flight when you take into account getting to the airport early, and getting to and from the airports at each end. The most recommended option is to ride a plane, but if you have plenty of time, you should consider renting a car and driving on your own. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, the Alhambra was built by the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim territory on the Iberian Peninsula. Itinerary #1 South Europe: Spain and France or France and Italy We have two sub-options in our first itinerary for your 2 weeks in Europe. 5 great itineraries among the east coast of Australia per campervan. It experienced a boom in tourism recently since it implemented a digital nomad visa. The highlight is climbing the bell tower, known as the Giralda, for a nice view over the city. Best Spain 2-Week Tours & Itineraries - Compare 21 Trip Ideas My husband and I are planning a vacation in Spain and Italy for two weeks at the beginning of September. If you have 10 days, wed expand that to three cities (e.g. Wed highly recommend spending an extra day to do a day trip to Toledo from Madrid, where youll see a city shaped by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures over the course of centuries. Right now, well only cover 4 destinations for your 12-day in Europe itinerary; Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria. 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. From the dramatic Alpine cliffs and fashionable streets of Northern Italy to the ancient ruins of Rome to the sun-soaked Sicilian beaches, Italy is a place of staggering contrasts and beauty. Nice is the urban capital of the flashy Cote d'Azur. The trip can easily be done by car or traineach of the cities and villages included have central train stations. 2 weeks in Spain and Italy - Need help with itinerary Youll pay a small service fee, but we think its worth it.. All of Spains major cities seem to have one, but Sevilles is the most spectacular, we think. If you feel like this itinerary is a little too expensive, you can instead go to Portugal. There are entire rooms dedicated to the Flemish masters, and we would make sure to cover it on your visit. Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. You should plan a basic itinerary yourself after going through some guidebooks and websites. It would take you almost 3 hours to reach your destination. Most people go to Europe during summer, but f course, if you want to ski, come between December and February. Perhaps, you can focus on hiking instead of being in the city or just spend 14 days in England only, especially if its your first time. Its full of narrow streets and open plazas, some of which have spectacular views of the Alhambra across the valley. Other than Bucharest, you have to go to the Transylvanian region, known as the home of Dracula. How To Spend 2 Weeks in Spain: The Perfect Itinerary In February of 2020, we packed up all our stuff in San Francisco, left our corporate jobs, and set off on what was supposed to be a year of traveling around the world before we decided where we wanted to settle down (whoops!). Because this guide is based on our experience, it is essentially a southern Spain itinerary. Sure, its massive and monumental, and beautifully decorated with works from famous Spanish artists like Goya, but we think 12 Euros is still steep. We do think that you should devote one day to Crdoba, which is a 40 minute train ride away and is home to one of the most important Muslim sites in Spain the Mosque Cathedral. Just like its neighbouring country of Italy, Croatia is also a fantastic beach destination and so much more affordable. Florence -- Uffizi Gallery, Bargello Gallery, the Baptistry, the Duomo museum, and the church of San Miniato al Monte. Italy Itinerary: See All the Musts in 2 Weeks (+Map & Planning Tips) Theres a reason why I think its important to know Sevilles history going into your trip. Youll pay a small service fee, but we think its worth it for the significantly better experience. You could also spend the night in Toledo, but it is going to mean extra time on your trip to Granada.. The Seville Cathedral was built on the site of a mosque, and provides a contrast between the part of the building that used to be a mosque a humble place of worship made of affordable materials and the addition of a massive cathedral that is equal parts worship and power projection. 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. Seville has a very important place in world history, and the city is a fascinating example of multiple cultures coming together, mixing and blending over time. If you have 7 days, wed focus on two cities (e.g. Im planning a trip to Spain next summer and have really enjoyed your blog! Even with over a month in Spain we still had to put some places on the list for our next trip.. Poland and Czechia are both affordable destinations compared to their neighbouring countries. Check under each itinerary to see the average cost of a 2-week trip in Europe. Youre not going to be able to see even close to everything in two weeks. Plus, Plaza Mayor is going to be just a few minutes away (its inside the boundaries of the neighborhood). Then the transportation. 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. The tours also dont cost that much. There are actually three structures here, along with a nice set of gardens where theres a water organ one of only a few in the world that plays every hour, on the hour. There are two synagogues in Toledo that are worth visiting, and they represent two of very few old synagogues left in Spain. The second is the Sinagoga del Trnsito, which is very different far less ornate and has a small but mighty museum (the Sephardi Museum) on the history of Judaism on the Iberian Peninsula. Learn how your comment data is processed. Poland, on the other hand, is famous for its food, stunning geography, folklore, history, and friendly locals. 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.. The best way to get around Europe is to rent a car especially if the country youre visiting are next to each other or have an open border agreement. This means you'll basically spend a total of 14 days (and 16 nights) traveling through Spain. Buses and trains are quite reliable and affordable. Day 2 Arrive in Madrid 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. Most tourists love staying in Reykjavik, but you dont have to. We know we won't be able to hit every major city/site, but plan on returning!! The next option would be the Nordic countries, which consist of Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Like most of the main art museums across Europe, we think the Prado is best experienced with a knowledgeable guide who knows something about art history. Budget around $2,000 for a 2-week trip around Spain, France, and Italy not including the flights from your location and back. What is the average cost for 2 weeks in Europe, Itinerary #1 South Europe: Spain and France or France and Italy, Itinerary #2 Central Europe: Germany and Poland, Itinerary #3 Baltics: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Itinerary #4 East Europe: Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria, Itinerary #5 Nordic: Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, Itinerary #6 West Europe: The UK, Netherlands, and Belgium. It is worth noting that you have a somewhat long train ride down to Granada, and to do it from Toledo youd actually have to go back to Madrid (even though Toledo is located towards Granada) and connect from there. Rather than stairs, which is what you find at most cathedrals, youll climb 35 ramps. Accommodation in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria is costly but affordable in Poland and Czechia. Once you reach the Netherlands, you could experience the biggest ice skating tour in the world, or join a cycling tour. We really like the range of places to stay in lEixample too. 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. Credit: map data: Google. Before Madrid rose to prominence in the 16th Century, Toledo was actually the most important city in the region. Outside of town, take the opportunity totaste Mulsum, an ancient Roman wine that's still being made today. 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! The most recommended option would be to ride a plane as its the fastest, but the cheapest option would be to take the bus. Nimes is more Spanish than Arles; you'll find bullfighting and plenty of tapas here. Check prices and book on AutoEurope, which is our go-to rental car company in Europe. You should be able to get around with English but its important to also learn basic words to show respect for each countrys culture and have ease in communicating with locals. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Required fields are marked *. There are also historical spots here to visit, and you must try their local ciders. The way we see it, the answer to this question has two possible paths you could go down. Sometimes months in advance. So thats four full days in and around Barcelona. Two Weeks In Italy By Train Planning a two-week trip in Italy by train can seem overwhelming. Its charming, hip, and full of amazing places to eat and drink at all hours of the day, from morning coffee to midnight mojito. There are 7 of us in the family so is it a good idea to rent a minivan to drive to Italy and Spain or is it better to get to our destinations via rail/ plane? They also have two other properties in the city, one in Arenal (near the river) and one on the border of Santa Cruz.. This country has over 1,000 natural springs water, hence, the popularity of its thermal baths. Just like in Spain and France, wine in Italy is world-class and their historical sites are well preserved. Here are some of the things to do in Barcelona that we think should be staples on your trip. $2,000 is the average cost where you get to have a private room and try out a few local restaurants. I want to preface this section with the fact that were not really art museum people. Its particularly popular around lunchtime and in the late afternoon before dinner.. The first path is adding more places along this general route, which is the one wed recommend (and is essentially what we did on our trip). Here are some of the top attractions n France: To reach Italy from France, you could either take the train or fly but taking the train is preferred by most tourists and locals alike because youll be able to reach your destination in less than five hours anyway.
Are Bangles Cultural Appropriation, Torch_sparse Sparsetensor, Articles S