Ultimate Europe trip itinerary for 12 days

by Vaibhav Mehta
Ultimate Europe trip itinerary for 12 days

We have all had a romanticized idea of travelling to Europe. Afterall, where else in the world can you go from lush green plains to pristine river valleys to alpine mountains to gorgeous lake sides in a day-trip by car or a coach? I got the chance to explore Europe in 12 days thanks to an ultimate Europe trip itinerary.

It was a 12 day group tour through MakemyTrip travel agency. And contrary to popular belief against group travel, I had an absolute blast with my group.

We were to cover 7 countries during our trip – Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France. So without further ado, here’s my Ultimate Europe Trip itinerary for 12 days.


12 -DAY ULTIMATE EUROPE TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN ITALY – MILAN – AT LEISURE

Welcome to Italy!

Milan is the city of beautiful architecture and iconic fashion

We landed in Milan – the fashion capital of the world. It’s the second largest city in Italy and also it’s business, design, fashion & music capital.

My first memory of Milan is nothing short of a Fashion Week parade. It’s early morning & stepping down from my coach, I see an elderly but immaculately dressed lady walking her Poodle.

The poodle was wearing (PICTURE THIS) a pink leather jacket with a pink cap, pink shoes & a golden belt.

I pride myself on my dressing but the poodle’s style quotient put me to shame. Be mentally prepared to feel underdressed in every nook & cranny of this wonderful city.

We checked-in at the Idea Hotel Milano San Siro in Milan and had a sumptuous buffet breakfast.

—> Book your stay at the Idea Hotel Milano San Siro by clicking here.

FOOD WALKING TOUR OF BRERA

Delectable desserts in the Food Walking Tour of Brera

We had the rest of the day at leisure so we decided to get a taste of the best foods in Italy and opted for the Milan Food Walking Tour of Brera. WHAT? Don’t judge me. We had an hour of chilling at the hotel post the breakfast.

Besides, it was a walking food tour so we’d be burning calories when we were not consuming them.

  • If you opt for this tour, then you’ll have to get to Central Milan, near Lanza-Bera Underground Station. It’s approximately 10.5 km from the hotel, so you can either take a cab or a 42 min Line 1 subway (cheaper option).
  • From there your guide will take you along the Brera neighbourhood as you sample all kinds of foods -pastries, salami, mortadella, parmesan with a sample of local beer (1 bottle per couple), risotto and an aperitivo (you have non-alcoholic options too).
  • Then you’ll get to taste lasagna and meatballs, followed by two flavours of gelato.
  • The tour finishes with a wine-tasting near Largo la Foppa, central Milan.
  • The tour is a 2.5 km-3 km walk so wear comfortable walking shoes.
  • During the tour, your guide will tell you about the origin of the food, along with stories about how the Brera neighbourhood has evolved during the years besides entertaining stories of Milan city.
  • The tour is a must do if you want to experience authentic Milanese culture. We spent the rest of the day walking the streets and exploring the city.

TIP – Vegetarian options are also available so specify your food choice at the time of booking.


DAY 2 : MILAN CITY TOUR – VENICE

After enjoying our breakfast, we checked out of the hotel & began our city tour of Milan. Our guide for the holiday Mahendosh Daruwalla along with our driver Enzo took us to the grand Duomo di Milano & it’s magnificent square.

Duomo Di Milano is the most famous cathedral in Milan

DUOMO DI MILANO

  • Milan’s cathedral is the symbol of Milan and the 3rd largest church in the world.
  • Our guide Daruwalla tells us that the cathedral had taken 430 years to complete.
  • And right from it’s inception in 1386 to the facade’s finishing touches in 1813 under Napoleon, a Gothic style of architecture was adopted.
  • It has more than 3,500 exterior statues and 52 massive columns supporting it from inside.
  • The stained glass windows create bands of coloured light that light up the otherwise gloomy interior.
  • I suggest you take the lift and get to the rooftop of this incredible cathedral. Enjoy the splendid view of Milan city from there. You can come down walking, using the staircase.
  • The mall area nearby has plenty of shopping places, places to eat and drink. The street musicians also add to the overall charm of the place.

TIP – Do not try to feed the pigeons in jest. You’ll be charged for it.

From there we headed to the Scala Museum & Theatre.

SCALA MUSEUM AND THEATRE

  • It has an interesting collection of Opera related memorabilia It has exhibits which depict the history of La Scala & Opera.
  • If you climb up the stairs, then you’ll see many posters of performances at the La Scala.
  • At the entrance of the museum, going left will give you a chance to see the Royal Theatre from one of the upper boxes.
  • Going right you’ll see exhibits & artefacts related to famous composers and opera singers.
  • The exhibits include musical instruments, costumes, stage decorations and paintings of the artists.
  • There is a gift shop in the museum where you can buy souvenirs if you’re an Opera enthusiast.
The Royal Theatre as seen from one of the Boxes

Photo courtesy – TripAdvisor @David H

Subsequently, we proceeded to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE

  • It connects the two famous landmarks Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala.
  • The structure is formed by two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagon.
  • Daruwalla tells us that the Galleria is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of United Italy.
  • It was originally designed in 1861 & built by Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1877.
  • The stunning gallery is elaborately decorated with wonderful frescoes and arches. You can also spot Da Vinci’s statue facing La Scala.
  • A collection of high-end stores and boutiques welcomes you along with several restaurants & cafes.
  • Don’t forget to spin your heels on the private parts of the Bull mosaic. People say that it brings wealth and good luck.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is a stunning shop cum eat gallery in Milan

VENICE

After the city tour of Milan we departed for Venice. Also known as the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice is built on 180 islands. These islands are connected by over 400 bridges with hundreds of canals criss-crossing the town.

Enjoying Venice views from a water taxi

I remember seeing  Bollywood chartbuster songs that had been shot here. It was finally the time to experience them, not in reel but in real.

Sailing in a special water taxi, we reached the St. Mark’s square.  Daruwalla tells us that Napoleon had called this place – “Drawing room of Europe“.

And we could see why. Boutiques, museums, traditional cafes, historic buildings – were all well organized and arranged around the square.

St. Mark's Square is a happy hangout spot for Pigeons

The place was full of pigeons and people. Clearly the heart of Venice was everybody’s favourite.

The best thing to do here is sit in a cafe and enjoy the free live music that’s playing around you.

The coffee was a bit expensive I must admit. It didn’t feel good to pay 2 Euros per person to pee either. But then the place more than makes up for it.

My parents walking through the streets of Venice

If you don’t like touristy places, then get lost in the alleys and walk across canals on beautiful bridges. Enjoy the architectural genius that is on display everywhere.

Church ofĀ San MoisĆ© was my favourite place in Venice. You can see why!

You can see various sights in the city tour like Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, Clock Tower & the Murano glass showroom. But my favourite place was the Church of San MoisĆ©.

A ferry ride is the best way to explore the beauty of Venice

Take a ferry ride from the ferry wharf near St. Mark’s square. And then explore the buildings and beauty of Venice sailing through the supposed “romantic city”. To be honest, the water had a stench to it so I was a bit let down.

The surroundings however were beautiful and compensated for the unpleasant smell. You might be pestered by tall black guys to buy cheap imitations of big brands but just refuse politely and do your thing.

After exploring Venice we returned to the city and checked-in at B&B Hotel Padova in Italy.

—> Book our stay at the B&B Hotel Padova by clicking here.


DAY 3 : AUSTRIA – INNSBRUCK – SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL MUSEUM AND SHOWROOM

Post a hearty breakfast, we made our way to Innsbruck (the capital of Tyrol) in Austria. The alpine scenery of Innsbruck together with it’s charming meadows set against snowy peaks is a sight to behold.

Nestled amidst snow-capped mountains, the city of Innsbruck is spread out along the banks of the River Inn.

Innsbruck provides heavenly views like this, thus making Austria my favourite country is the Ultimate Europe trip itinerary

Upon arrival, we proceeded to an orientation tour of Innsbruck seeing sights such as Goldenes Dachl – Golden Roof, Hofburg, Hofkirche, St. Anne’s Column, Stadtturm, Triumphpforte, and Helblinghaus.

I remember walking on the streets of Innsbruck and seeing a university campus with snow capped mountains in the background.

I can’t tell you how jealous I was, of the students there. Who wouldn’t like it if education seemed like a day-trip in nature’s lap!

Then came the time to visit the world famous Swarovski Crystal Museum & showroom at Wattens.

Unique entrance of Swarovski Crystal Museum & showroom in Wattens.

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL MUSEUM AND SHOWROOM

Swarovski Kristallwelten was built in 1995 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the crystal brand Swarovski. The absolutely unusual gorgeous green entrance to the museum will catch your attention. It truly is a jaw dropping sight.

Stunning crystal work in the Swarovski museum

There are stunning crystal works on demonstration in the museum.

Centenar - the largest jewellery stone in the world.

Don’t forget to see the Centenar – largest jewellery stone in the world.

Beautiful dome structure inside the Swarovski Museum

One of a kind dome ceiling inside & spectacular scenery outside the museum are the highlights of the place. Admire and shop from one of the largest Swarovski crystal collections in the world.

I couldn’t resist from buying some Swarovski crystal work myself. You’ll absolutely love the place. Post the museum love, we checked-in at Hotel Tyrol for a comfortable overnight stay.

—> Book your stay at Hotel Tyrol – Alpenhof by clicking here.

TIP – There’s a small cable ride outside the museum. So if your inner kid or your actual kid wants to have some fun, you know what to do.


DAY 4 : SWITZERLAND – MT. TITLIS, ICE FLYER, SNOW PARK AND LUCERNE

We had our breakfast and proceeded to Switzerland. Renowned for it’s snow-capped Alps, lush green meadows & freshwater lakes, Switzerland is blessed with a distinct character & dynamism.

It’s Alps form the bucket list of many a first time traveller. Your adventure begins with an interesting journey to Mt. Titlis.

Picture postcard view of the gorgeous Switzerland!

MT. TITLIS

It’s a hair-raising and unforgettable 45 minute long ride to the top. You’ll be switching 3 different cable-cars in the process. Witness the scenery change from green meadows and scenic lakes to snow clad mountains.

Snow-clad peaks of Switzerland

The last leg of the ride is on the famous Rotair, which is the world’s first revolving cable-car.

Snowy view from Mount Titlis!

Enjoy beautiful panoramic views of surrounding glaciers, mountains & scenery.

When you make a friend enroute to throw snowballs at later

Once atop Mt. Titlis, witness the breathtaking views of the Alps from either the sun terrace or the “south face window” of the mountain.

The intimidatingly hazy surreal view of Mount Titlis from the cable car

Also enjoy a thrilling ride on the famous “Ice Flyer” along with the snow park. After the Mt. Titlis experience, we made our way towards Lucerne.

LUCERNE

Lucerne is a beautiful city located at the north tip of Lake Lucerne. Here you’ll see the Lion Monument called Lowendenkmal built in memory of the loyal Swiss guards.

Lion Monument called Lowendenkmal built in memory of Swiss guards.

Then you can stroll around the banks of Lake Lucerne to experience attractions like Kapellbrucke – The Chapel Bridge & the Spreuerbrucke, the 2 traditional wooden bridges of Switzerland.

The alluring Kapellbrucke - Chapel Bridge in Lucerne

You can also shop for Swiss watches, jewelry & souvenirs at the famous “Bucherer”. Spend the evening walking along the streets of this peaceful city. You’ll notice that everything in the city shuts down pretty early.

People can be seen enjoying their meal and a glass of wine/beer around 6:30. We checked-in at Das Hotel Panorama and had some quality Indian dinner to end the day.


DAY 5 : SWITZERLAND – JUNGFRAUJOCH AND INTERLAKEN

We had the option to either have a day at leisure or embark on a day trip to visit Jungfraujoch. We chose the latter.

So the plan was that we were to firstly visit Jungfraujoch referred to as the “Top of Europe” and then the charming town of Interlaken.

Paradisiacal views like this make Switzerland a tourist's dream

If playing with snow has been your childhood fantasy, then Jungfrau is the place to go to. A train ride takes you to the location.

You’ll be amazed at the scenic splendour you’ll witness from the “Cog-Wheel” train. The train climbs up to a height of 11,333 feet to reach Jungfraujoch, the railway station at the highest altitude in Europe.

Desktop wallpaper like surreal scenery during the cog-wheel train journey.

The Cog-Wheel train is one of the most scenic and incredible train journeys in the world. All you’ll see around you is desktop wallpaper like surreal scenery. Picture postcards all over.

Ice & Snow museum going towards Jungfraujoch was all sorts of epic

Don’t forget to go through the ice & snow museum with stunning life-like figures.

Humongous snow-peaked mountains of Jungfraujoch - "Top of Europe"

Post that enjoy witnessing the humongous white mountain peaks all around you.

I truly enjoyed myself at Jungfraujoch - one helluva place

I remember playing in the snow for atleast an hour and doing the touristy Swiss-flag hoisting stunt for cameras.

Me feeling like a diplomat fake-hoisting the Swiss flag!

Surprisingly, it wasn’t all that cold. The sun was out and I could have done even with a t-shirt.

Jungfraujoch is one of the must-do places in Europe

After getting tired of smashing each other with playful snowballs of fury, we drove on to Interlaken.

Interlaken is a famous Swiss town located in the Bernese Oberland Mountains, between the lakes of Thun & Brienz. We enjoyed some leisurely time in the town & returned to our hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.


DAY 6 : SWITZERLAND & GERMANY – TOUR OF ZURICH, RHINE FALLS AND BLACK FOREST

Firstly we headed for an orientation tour of Zurich after a scrumptious breakfast. The orientation tour included sights such as Bahnhofstrasse, the GrossmĆ¼nster, the FraumĆ¼nster, the Rathaus & St. Peter’s Church.

St. Peters Church was particularly eye-catching. Most noteworthy feature of the church being the 8.7m diameter of the clock face, making it the largest in all of Europe.

Thereafter, we proceeded to Schaffhausen to witness the grandeur of the magnificent Rhine Falls. 

The spectacular Rhine Falls in Switzerland

RHINE FALLS

  • Rhine falls are the biggest waterfalls in Europe.
  • Daruwalla tells us that they were formed 17,000 years ago during the ice age.
  • Boat trips can be taken up the Rhine to the falls and the Rheinfall Felsen. We took one and when we approached the waterfall, the scene seemed straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean without the VFX.
  • There are also viewing platforms on both sides of the Rhine to enjoy multiple perspectives of the Falls.
  • With a height of 23 metres and a width of 150 metres, thousands of litres of water cascades over the rocks every second.
Sitting in a boat cruising towards the waterfall was a thrilling experience!

Next stop was in Germany so we drove to the majestic Black Forest in the southwest region of Germany.

BLACK FOREST

  • You’ll not only see rolling hills dotted with old farmhouses but also traditional wineries & valleys with lakes, rivers & waterfalls.
  • The place is home to some of the world’s best quality wood products.
  • Furthermore, they’re also the prettiest and best-preserved forests in this region.
  • Almost 200 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide, they are the most stunning and favourable holiday region in Germany.
  • Black Forest farms, Black Forest gateau, Bollenhun hats & cuckoo clocks – the Black Forest embodies everything that one might expect of a picture-perfect German holiday.
  • We took a stop at Hofgut Sternen in the heart of the Black Forest to witness how their famous & original Cuckoo clocks are made.
Black Forest is one of the most beautiful & visited destinations in Germany

After exploring the Black Forest, we checked-in at the Mercure Bensheim hotel in Germany.


DAY 7 : GERMANY & BELGIUM – COLOGNE & ORIENTATION TOUR OF BRUSSELS

We drove off to Cologne after having our breakfast. The reason to visit Cologne specifically? To visit the city’s UNESCO World Heritage site, the Cologne Cathedral.

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL

View of the Cologne cathedral from a distance

The cathedral is one of Europe’s most spectacular cathedrals. It has to it’s credit the title of being the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps.

  • The twin spires (standing 157 metres tall) and the beautiful stained glass windows are the highlights of this place.
  • Daruwalla tells us that it is a monument amalgamating German Catholicism & Gothic architecture.
  • The place became a World Heritage site in 1996. It’s two huge towers form an essential part of Cologne’s skyline.
  • The architecture is so mind boggling that you’ll be wondering how on Earth did they make it!
  • World War II post bombing pictures outside the main building are heart wrenching. Besides that, there’s also a beautiful fountain outside the cathedral.
  • It has the reputation of being the most visited tourist destination in Germany. And I could see why, with hundreds of people around looking at it in awe.
The magnificent Cologne Cathedral in Germany

Our next stop was in Belgium as we proceeded to Brussels – capital of the European Union.

Upon arrival, we began our orientation tour which included visiting sites like Grand Place & it’s famous guild houses, City Museum, Town Hall, House of the Dukes of Brabant, Manneken Pis, Royal Palace, Royal Park, Palace of Justice & the Museum of Fine Arts.

My favourite places however, were the Grand Place & the Manneken Pis.

GRAND PLACE

  • It is the central square of Brussels and forms the heart of the city.
  • Being one of the most gorgeous squares in Europe, you can spot captivating medieval architecture in the buildings around the square. The place is a beautiful living breathing piece of history.
  • Walking through the Grand Place in Brussels, you’ll see the hustling marketplace and the opulent guild halls.
  • There’s a constant buzz throughout. People are walking around, sitting in open air restaurants & cafes, enjoying their beer, coffee, wine & waffles.
  • Just the smell of the place still lingers in my mind. I distinctly remember a concert was taking place that day at the Grand place courtyard and there were bands playing live music with bubbly being popped. People had an easy breezy vibe and were just having a good time.
  • If you’re in Belgium, then you have to spend time exploring this place. You’ll dig the festive celebratory vibe of the place.
  • Portuguese food, English beer and Belgian waffles – what else can anyone ask for?
Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium has the most amazing vibe in Europe

My other favourite place was the Manneken Pis.

MANNEKEN PIS

The Mannekin Pis statue in Brussels has a legendary tale to it!

This was one weird attraction in Belgium that I absolutely loved thanks to the legend associated with it.

  • Manneken Pis is basically a landmark bronze statue. It depicts a naked little boy urinating in a fountain’s basin.
  • There are several legends behind Manneken Pis, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven.
  • In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen, in Ransbeke. The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung the basket in a tree to encourage them. From there, the boy urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle. Amazing! Isn’t it?
  • A nearby statue of the Manneken Pis eating a waffle caught my eye. It had me wondering what was the boy doing holding a waffle in 1 hand & his junior in the other.
  • Nevertheless, do enjoy eating the amazing waffles in the local patisseries. Belgian chocolate is something that’ll win you over!
Me dazzled by the statue boy's swagger handling a waffle & a genital

ATOMIUM

Finally, to end the day, we visited the Atomium. You must have seen it on banknotes, coins, guide books, postage stamps. The landmark site is a model statue of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times!

The famous Atomium in Brussels, Belgium

The place is celebrating 60 years this year in 2018, so it’s a place worth visiting. Do visit Adam’s exhibition inside the iconic structure too!

Post the sightseeing and exploration, we checked-in at the Novotel Mechelen Centrum hotel and enjoyed a comfortable overnight stay.

—> Book your stay at the Novotel Mechelen Centrum by clicking here.


DAY 8 : NETHERLANDS – AMSTERDAM

We embarked on our journey to Amsterdam, the financial & cultural capital of the Netherlands.

Experiencing Amsterdam through the amazing traditional Canal Cruise

The best way to experience Amsterdam is through the characteristic traditional canal cruise.

The canal cruise trip offering views highlighting Amsterdam's splendour

And so we opted for a canal cruise to explore Amsterdam. The glass topped boats offer unobstructed views highlighting the splendour of Amsterdam.

Me chilling outside the famous shoe factory in Holland

After the cruise, we visited one of the most famous shoe factories of Holland. There we witnessed a demonstration of the history, tradition & making of the authentic Dutch wooden shoes.

After the demonstration, we made a pit-stop at a windmill. Now there were 2 observations about Amsterdam that stayed with me.

Firstly, the country had a separate driving lane for cyclists running parallel to the highway throughout the country. So witnessing adorable little kids in cycle baskets being driven by their parents was quite a sight.

Visiting the windmill was a fun experience in itself

And secondly, nobody ever honked in the country. The only time we saw someone honking was when a fleet of cars was celebrating a marriage near the windmill.

So it was more a sign of joyous celebration than a sign of restlessness to get ahead of the traffic.

Then we proceeded to visit Madurodam. The other option was to visit Tulip Gardens in Keukenhof but since the gardens are only open from late-March to mid-May we chose the former.

MADURODAM

The beautiful miniature model of a typical Dutch town in Madurodam.
  • It is a fantasy land of sorts as you witness a beautiful miniature model of a typical Dutch town.
  • The miniature model is downsized from the original size in the ratio 1:25.
  • There were several miniature buildings, historical monuments & museums besides which you feel like a standing Godzilla.
  • My personal favourite were the miniature airports, with little runways and miniature planes & the simulated miniature flyover bridge.
  • Do sit in the famous miniature shoe model and enjoy a beer or two at the cafe inside.
  • The designing and implementation of the model Dutch town is immaculate. It is such an impressive copy of the real town that it takes you a while after stepping out of the place, to come to terms with the actual dimensions of things in real life.

From there we enjoyed a scenic drive to Paris, France and checked-in at the Novotel Paris Coeur d’Orly Airport hotel.

—> Book your stay at Novotel Paris Coeur d’Orly Airport hotel by clicking here.


DAY 9 : FRANCE – EIFFEL TOWER, PARIS CITY TOUR AND LIDO DE PARIS

Day 9 and the time of experiencing the most famous landmark in Europe – The Eiffel Tower, had finally come.

The royal and majestic Eiffel Tower in Paris!

EIFFEL TOWER

Firstly we reached the landmark and saw a line which was atleast a kilometre long. It seemed more like a college admission line with students waiting to submit applications than a aspirational tourist line.

A close-up view of the Eiffel Tower's interiors

Fact : Built in 1889 & designed by the young engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the tower stands 324 metres tall.

Panoramic view of the city of Paris from the topmost floor

We took the elevator and enjoyed panoramic views of the entire city of Paris from the 3rd & topmost level of the Tower.

Canals, bridges, buildings, everything seemed like a tiny speckle at the top

Right from churches, to canals, to bridges to buildings, the view encapsulated everything the city had to offer.

It’s another feeling to literally be on top of the world and live a first timer’s European dream. Therefore, reaching the top of the Eiffel Tower is when you realise why the place is so hyped up.

Visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower is a must do to enjoy views like these

Furthermore, there are grass banks and gardens around the place where people can have a picnic of sorts whilst enjoying the view.

The Eiffel Tower comes to life at night as it sparkles for 5 minutes every hour post sunset till 1am. I’d come back to the place after the city tour just to witness this man-made marvel glitter with the backdrop of the night sky.

About 20,000 bulbs (5000 each side) create a sparkling effect over the original golden lighting superimposed on the Tower making it a sight to remember!

PARIS CITY TOUR AND THE LIDO SHOW

We proceeded to explore the rest of Paris on a city tour. It was a delight visiting sights such as Arc de Triomphe, Champs ElysĆ©es, Grand Palais, Petit Palais, National Assembly, Alexander Bridge, Concorde Square, Magdalene Church, Opera Garnier, Louvre Palace, Cite Island, French Academy, Orsay Museum, Church of the Invalides, Military Academy, Trocadero Square, Palais de Chaillot & the Notre Dame cathedral.  

The iconic Champs Elysees in Paris

What’s most noteworthy about each sight besides obviously the intricate architecture is the respect they have towards their history & culture. Everything is well-maintained and clean.

Thankfully there were no lover’s names imprinted on the walls to tarnish the glorious image of the place. People in Paris appreciate history. Therefore, the place commands respect from others too.

Dazzling night-time views during the Paris illumination tour

We returned to our hotel to freshen up and chose the optional illumination tour to see the famous buildings dazzling at night along with one of the most spectacular night shows, not just in Europe but the world – Lido de Paris. 

The show is grand with Lido Boys and Bluebell Girls in dazzling costumes giving a scintillating performance for 2 hours. You get to experience the show like a true blue Parisian, sipping a bottle of Champagne and enjoying the royal treatment.


DAY 10 : PARIS – RIVER SEINE CRUISE AND DISNEYLAND

Mum & dad enjoying the scenic views from Seine cruise in Paris

After a delectable breakfast, we went on a cruise in the river Seine. It is one of the most unique ways to explore Paris as you sail past many of the city’s historical monuments.

You can view many historic monuments during the Seine cruise journey

Enroute you can get another glimpse of the Eiffel tower as you enjoy a drink on a sunny afternoon in the city of romance.

Post the cruise experience, we got the chance to satiate the fantasies of the little ambitious kid within us. As a result, we made our way to Disneyland. It was an adventurous and fun-filled day as we enjoyed thrilling rides & fascinating shows.

Visiting Disneyland in Paris was a dream come true for the kid in me!

We got to meet our favourite cartoon characters and I personally got to fulfill my Disney dream since I was a 90’s kid brought up on the staple diet of Disney cartoons on television.

The resort offers a plethora of attractions & theme parades from the magical world of Disney.

At night we sauntered on the streets wondering why were the closed stores lit up too? Perhaps that’s what made Paris a city in Europe that never slept!


DAY 11 : GENEVA

We checked-out from the hotel after having our breakfast & drove through the various mustard fields of Dijon & the famous vineyards of the Burgundy region to arrive in the city of Geneva.

It was one of the most organized and serene cities I had seen in Europe.

Fabulous 130-metre high jet of water called the Jet D'Eau in the garden

Upon arrival, we proceeded to the orientation tour of Geneva. Firstly we made a stop at the English gardens Jardin Des Anglais for a leisurely stroll along the beautiful lakefront.

One of the highlights of the place was witnessing the 130 metre-high jet of water on the lake called the “Jet D’Eau“.

European headquarters of the UNO in Geneva, Switzerland

Thereafter we savoured a drive past the Brunswick Monument & saw the Palais De Nations,the European headquarters of the UNO, the Red Cross Museum & the Botanical Gardens.

Finally, we checked-in at the Mercure Annemasse Porte De GenĆØve hotel for an overnight stay.

—> Book your stay at Mercure Annemasse Porte De GenĆØve hotel by clicking here.


DAY 12 : GENEVA – MILAN – DEPARTURE

It was the last day of my fairy-tale European holiday as we proceeded from Geneva to Milan. In Milan, we spent some time shopping at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and then, feeding pigeons in the square outside Duomo di Milano.

Shopping in Milan is a therapeutic experience

After enjoying lunch at an open-air restaurant/cafe, we received a transfer back to the airport from our travel agency. From there we boarded our flight back to India and bid adieu to the wonderful continent of Europe!


PARTING THOUGHTS

It was tough bidding goodbye to Europe after having spent a memorable first 12 days outside my country. This was a vacation I’d taken in the year 2012 but surprisingly still remains fresh in my memory.

Europe opened me up as a person and gave birth to this flame of wanderlust within me which has remained ignited ever since.

Europe is one of the most beautiful continents on the planet

So that was Europe and it’s beauty as seen from my eyes. Hopefully my itinerary helps you plan your first Europe trip and you have as much fun exploring Europe as I did.

Make no mistake, I didn’t travel solo but thoroughly enjoyed the trip thanks to the extended family I ended up making at the end of it all.

Me with the friends I had made during our European sojourn

Being accompanied by a group of travellers didn’t reduce the fun quotient even one bit. I have so much more to explore in Europe, but as a first-timer I was completely satisfied and overwhelmed with the Europe I had seen & experienced.


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40 comments

Peter - FunnelXpert September 22, 2018 - 12:45 pm

Europe is just beautiful. Especially Switzerland, it is like traveling in a dream world. That is my favorite.

Reply
Vaibhav Mehta September 24, 2018 - 10:20 am

I know Peter. Switzerland is a one of a kind dreamy destination for any traveller. My personal favourite was Austria though.

Reply
MiamiGirlFoodie September 22, 2018 - 2:11 pm

These pictures are wonderful! I can’t believe you were able to visit so many places in just 12 days! I’d love to go to Paris Disneyland some day!

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Vaibhav Mehta September 24, 2018 - 10:21 am

A lot of hardwork that was, wasn’t it? Jokes apart, thoroughly enjoyed the trip and didn’t feel rushed anywhere. Disneyland was a childhood dream come true for me!

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Lauren Forsythe September 22, 2018 - 5:25 pm

What a great travel plan! I’ve been to Germany but no where else in Europe. My husband and I dream of traveling Europe at some point, and a itinerary like this would be super helpful!

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Vaibhav Mehta September 24, 2018 - 10:22 am

Glad to be of help. I hope you embark on your European sojourn soon!

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Monidipa Dutta September 22, 2018 - 6:37 pm

These is definitely a great list for someone who is planning a Europe trip. Can’t believe you visited so many places in just 12 days. Great post.

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Betsy Ball September 22, 2018 - 8:15 pm

Great job on your itinerary and on your post! Sounds like you had an amazing first time in Europe. What will you do differently next time? Thanks for sharing!

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Vaibhav Mehta September 24, 2018 - 10:23 am

I’d eat more waffles and drink more beer the next time.

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Sanu Aulakh September 23, 2018 - 1:03 am

That was a jam-packed trip. I felt like I travelled right along with you. I could totally relate to the honk free environment. Lol. I am born in India but live in Toronto and honestly this place is soooo quiet when you come back from a trip from India.

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Vaibhav Mehta September 24, 2018 - 10:24 am

Honking, the people, general warmth, cleanliness and respect for their own history – took back a lot of things and felt the difference when living in India. Fellow Indian myself.

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Rebecca Bailey September 23, 2018 - 4:31 am

The description of the architecture allowed me to appreciate the craftmanship and quality of each of these remarkable landmarks. Also the seemingly turn by turn description of what could be found at each of the locations allows the casual traveler insight on must see attractions. A tour of Europe is now definitely on our bucket list.

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Vaibhav Mehta September 24, 2018 - 10:27 am

I hope you experience the wonders of Europe real soon Rebecca!

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Erica September 23, 2018 - 6:54 am

I’m down for a food walking tour to experience the milanese culture šŸ™‚ I think this is a great combo – eating and walking šŸ™‚ Gotta burn all those calories and keep my body balanced!

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Ola @ WanderWithOla September 24, 2018 - 4:08 am

Wow, thank you for sharing such your beautiful experience with us! This post made me recall my own Europe trip several years ago. It’s funny that we actually spent only few minutes taking photos of Manneken Pis and spent more time on trying the city’s yummy waffles, LOL. We did not make it to Switzerland and Austria that time, but they are on our bucket list, and we hope to visit these places next year, along with Prague.

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Vaibhav Mehta September 24, 2018 - 10:26 am

The waffles and pizza there were indeed a good bet. I loved the various legends that my guide and a couple of locals told me regarding the Mannekin Piss! Czech Republic is on my radar too!

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Evelyn Hernandez September 24, 2018 - 3:49 pm

That is one amazing itinerary. I love Europe and hope to spend a month there in the summer.

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Katie September 24, 2018 - 11:03 pm

Such a wonderful trip! Some of those big churches are just amazing. I feel like they don’t build buildings like that anymore.

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Vaibhav Mehta September 25, 2018 - 2:49 am

True that. That skill in creating architecturally beautiful buildings just isn’t there!

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Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen September 24, 2018 - 11:16 pm

I haven’t been to Europe and judging by the photos, it must be amazing. I hope I can visit it someday.

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Alaina Monster September 26, 2018 - 5:15 pm

This sounds like a fully packed 12 days. But such a great way to see so much in a little bit of time.

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Arleene September 27, 2018 - 3:11 am

It must be amazing to travel to Europe. I have so many places on my bucket list. One day, one day…

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Vaibhav Mehta September 27, 2018 - 5:45 am

You will, one day..

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Mommy Sigrid October 1, 2018 - 1:38 am

This is a lovely itinerary! My friend did this 12-day Europe tour and my gosh, it costs an arm, a leg, and perhaps all of the organs combined hahaha If we were to do this as a family, it would be around US$20,000 and it’s such a big amount in the Philippines.

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Priya Florence Shah October 1, 2018 - 4:00 am

A great list for a Europe bucket list. I definitely want to see the Black Forest and a bunch of castles in Europe.

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Audrey Lee October 1, 2018 - 1:04 pm

This is really helpful and informative! My boyfriend is heading over to Europe at the end of the year, I’ll send him this link! Keep up the good work! I really enjoy reading your articles

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Mae October 1, 2018 - 1:16 pm

This is amazing.I would love to see Europe someday

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Desiree October 1, 2018 - 1:45 pm

This looks absolutely amazing. I would love to do this as a family trip when my children are a little bit older. What a great bucket list. You had me a Milan Food Walking Tour lol.

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Vaibhav Mehta October 1, 2018 - 2:04 pm

hahaha Milan Food Tour is worth it. Food’s the best way to blend in with another culture, isn’t it?

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Lauren October 1, 2018 - 6:48 pm

That looks like such a fun trip! I have only been to Italy but would love to see more of Europe!

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Tammy Staley October 1, 2018 - 10:40 pm

Great post, very detailed and through! I absolutely love Europe, I am leaving for Italy tomorrow morning and I can not wait to see it! Thanks for sharing!

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Ashley October 2, 2018 - 1:07 am

I have never been to Europe but I know one day I will make it there. SO beautiful. Great post.

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Geetha Priyanka October 2, 2018 - 9:08 am

This is such a detailed post, being in UK I must say even local travel agents doesn’t come closer to your plan. Wish I would have come across this post earlier this summer. Missed few places in Germany.šŸ˜

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Vaibhav Mehta October 2, 2018 - 10:03 am

Yeah it was pretty well rounded as a trip for a first timer overseas. I’m sure I must have missed a few as well. There’s always a next time to cover it up. What say! šŸ™‚

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Ntensibe Edgar Michael October 2, 2018 - 9:56 am

Dddaaammmmnnnnnnnnnn! I must visit Europe, before I leave this earth! You make me wanna buy tickets right now lol

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Anna October 24, 2018 - 3:03 am

My dream place to visit one. Those are beautiful view, great pictures as well. Europe has always been my dream destination..too bad it’s too expensive to cover all of it in a lifetime!

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[…] country and a traveller’s delight. It isĀ less marketed and underrated compared to the biggies of Europe like Switzerland, Italy & France. That’s the reason it’s unexplored by the majority.Ā Armenia isĀ pocket friendly for […]

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Jane February 20, 2023 - 3:35 am

Thanks for sharing. Tip.

Thanks for sharing your itinerary, it sounds amazing! How much would you say your trip cost once you arrived in Europe? And how did you conform city to city/Countries?

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Vaibhav Mehta March 16, 2023 - 7:57 am

Hey Jane, did this trip about 12 years back so the costs then definitely would be half of what the costs would be today. So it’d be unfair of me to float a random number for you. But all I can say to assure you is that every experience listed was well curated and worth visiting Europe so you can easily follow, pick some things, and add a few of your own bucketlist experiences to your Europe itinerary.

As for commuting between city to city/countries, if I got you right, it was through a group traveller van. Very convenient, safe as it was the agency’s responsibility to follow the country specific guidelines so those headaches were saved on behalf of the travellers.

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