39 days in Europe Itinerary

One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Temple of Hephaestus and Anafiotika. Next up on the itinerary: take an in-depth tour of Acropolis Museum, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, get to know the fascinating history of Philopappos Hill, and admire the masterpieces at Museum of Cycladic Art.

For reviews, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Athens trip itinerary maker tool.

Dunedin, New Zealand to Athens is an approximately 33-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 10 hours traveling from Dunedin to Athens. In January in Athens, expect temperatures between 15°C during the day and 7°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) early enough to travel to Patras.

Patras is Greece's third-largest city and the regional capital of Western Greece, in the northern Peloponnese, 215km west of Athens. Step off the beaten path and head to The Municipal Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust and Gorge of Vouraikos. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Patras: Kalavrita (Topos Thysias & Folclore and Historic Museum) and Mega Spilaio Monastery (in Kato Zachlorou). And it doesn't end there: explore the historical opulence of Castle of Patras, pause for some serene contemplation at Agios Andreas Church, get engrossed in the history at Archaeological Museum of Patras, and examine the collection at Museum of Science and Technology.

To find photos, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Patras travel route website.

Getting from Athens to Patras by car takes about 2.5 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 16°C, and evening lows to 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Split.

Experience an authentic Adriatic lifestyle in Split, the largest city along the sea's coast.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Off-Road Tours and Marjan Park. Next up on the itinerary: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral of Saint Domnius, appreciate the extensive heritage of Diocletian's Palace, stop by Break Time, and kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

For reviews, other places to visit, maps, and other tourist information, read Split trip planner.

Drive from Patras to Split in 14 hours. Traveling from Patras to Split, you'll gain 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In January, daily temperatures in Split can reach 15°C, while at night they dip to 7°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to travel to Rome.

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

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Abbey of St. Paul Outside the Walls and La Pieta. There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cupola di San Pietro, make a trip to Centro Storico Associazione Centro Storico, browse the exhibits of Vatican Museums, and steep yourself in history at St. Peter's Basilica.

To find ratings, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Rome online day trip planner.

Getting from Split to Rome by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and train. In February in Rome, expect temperatures between 16°C during the day and 5°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Tue) early enough to travel to Venice.

Virtually unchanged for the last six centuries, Venice is actually a group of islands made famous by a series of canals, bridges, monuments, piazzas, and narrow pedestrian lanes.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Scala Contarini del Bovolo. Get out of town with these interesting Venice side-trips: Treviso (I Buranelli & Passeggiata lungo la restera). There's much more to do: get to know the fascinating history of Centro Storico di Venezia, examine the collection at Doge's Palace, admire the landmark architecture of Basilica di San Marco, and don't miss a visit to Torre dell'Orologio.

To see photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Venice trip itinerary website.

You can fly from Rome to Venice in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Traveling from Rome in February, you will find days in Venice are little chillier (11°C), and nights are about the same (3°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) so you can go by car to Tirano.

Tirano is a town in Valtellina, located in the province of Sondrio in northern Italy. Kick off your visit on the 13th (Sun): hit the slopes at Comprensorio Sciistico Aprica-Corteno, then get engrossed in the history at Museo Etnografico Tiranese, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Santuario della Beata Vergine di Tirano, and finally take in the architecture and atmosphere at Chiesa di San Martino. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy breathtaking views from Torre della Bajona, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Monte Scorluzzo, then stroll through Sertorelli - Scuola Sci, then fly down the slopes at Santa Caterina, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Chiesa di Santo Spirito.

To see maps, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, read Tirano trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Venice to Tirano in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of train and bus. Prepare for little chillier weather when traveling from Venice in February: high temperatures in Tirano hover around 2°C and lows are around -5°C. On the 15th (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Chur.

Chur or Coire is the capital and largest town of the Swiss canton of Grisons and lies in the Grisonian Rhine Valley, where the Rhine turns towards the north, in the northern part of the canton. Start off your visit on the 16th (Wed): learn more about the world around you at Bundner Naturmuseum, wander the streets of Old Town Chur, then admire the masterpieces at Forum Wurth Chur, then fly down the slopes at Alpen Arena, and finally explore the world behind art at Das Gelbe Haus Flims.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Chur road trip website.

Traveling by car from Tirano to Chur takes 3 hours. You will have some time to spend on the 17th (Thu) before leaving for Lucerne.

In north-central Switzerland, Lucerne represents a small city boasting a well-preserved old town.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Gurten and The Cathedral of Bern. Venture out of the city with trips to Zurich (Lake Zurich, Church of St. Peter, &more), Bernisches Historisches Museum - Einstein Museum (in Bern) and Kloster Engelberg - Benediktinerabtei (in Engelberg). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Lucerne, admire the striking features of KKL Luzern - Lucerne Culture and Convention Centre, make a trip to Tinguely-Brunnen, and snap pictures at Spreuer Bridge (Spreuerbrucke).

For ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Lucerne sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Chur to Lucerne in 2 hours. In February, daytime highs in Lucerne are 7°C, while nighttime lows are -1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Wed) early enough to travel back home.