25 days in Europe Itinerary

Geneva brings the world to one small city with a huge expat population and the highest number of international organizations in any one city.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Mon): stroll through Bains des Paquis, then get engrossed in the history at Musee d'histoire des sciences de la Ville de Geneve, and then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Notre Dame Basilica. On your second day here, take a peaceful walk through l'Arboretum du Vallon de l'Aubonne, then step into the grandiose world of Prangins Castle, and then get a new perspective on nature at MEG Musee d’ethnographie de Geneve.

For maps, reviews, and tourist information, read our Geneva trip planner.

If you are flying in from France, the closest major aiports are Geneva Cointrin International Airport, Bern Belp Airport and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport. In December, plan for daily highs up to 6°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Basel.

Situated where the Swiss, German, and French borders meet, Basel is considered the hub of Dreilandereck, this "three countries corner." Its location makes Basel a center of culture and history, brimming with important theaters and museums.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Wed): see the interesting displays at Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel, get to know the resident critters at Tierpark Lange Erlen, and then wander the streets of Basel's Old Town.

For reviews, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read our Basel online trip planner.

Traveling by car from Geneva to Basel takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of bus and train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 7°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Thu) so you can go by car to Freiburg im Breisgau.

In the heart of a major wine-producing region, Freiburg im Breisgau serves as the primary entry point for tours into the scenic Black Forest mountain range.

On the 21st (Thu), steep yourself in history at Historisches Kaufhaus, then explore the world behind art at Augustiner Museum, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Narrengilde Geisterwölfe St. Peter e.V., and finally take in the dramatic scenery at Todtnau Waterfalls. Keep things going the next day: step into the grandiose world of Burg Badenweiler, look for all kinds of wild species at Vogelpark Steinen, and then step into the grandiose world of Rotteln Castle.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Freiburg im Breisgau trip maker app.

Getting from Basel to Freiburg im Breisgau by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. December in Freiburg im Breisgau sees daily highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Colmar.

Situated along the Alsatian Wine Route, Colmar is renowned for its German and French culture, well-preserved old town, numerous architectural landmarks, and its museums.

Do some cultural sightseeing at La Grand-Rue and Vauban Fortifications. Escape the urban bustle at La Montagnes des Lamas and La Bresse-Hohneck. Go for a jaunt from Colmar to Wattwiller to see Hartmannswillerkopf about 38 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: do a tasting at Vin d'Alsace HORCHER, appreciate the extensive heritage of Vieille Ville de Turckheim, and explore the historical opulence of Chateau de Kaysersberg.

For maps, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Colmar online road trip planner.

Drive from Freiburg im Breisgau to Colmar in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 9°C in December, and nighttime lows around 1°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 26th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Strasbourg.

Strasbourg is famous for its beautiful historical center, the Grande Île, which was the first city center classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Strasbourg is one of the nine largest cities in France with nearly half a million inhabitants in the metropolitan area crossing the river to the German city of Kehl, on the eastern bank of the Rhine River.

On the 26th (Tue), contemplate the long history of Cave Historique des Hospices de Strasbourg and then laugh and play at Parc Animalier Friedel. Here are some ideas for day two: step into the grandiose world of Citadelle de Bitche and then identify plant and animal life at Domaine Departemental de Lindre.

For maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Strasbourg vacation builder.

You can drive from Colmar to Strasbourg in an hour. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 7°C, and evening lows to 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Thu) early enough to drive to Innsbruck.

Nestled in a valley between snowcapped peaks, Innsbruck evokes visions of a winter wonderland.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Rattenberg - Medieval pedestrian zone and Seekirchl. Discover out-of-the-way places like Leutascher Geisterklamm and Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Innsbruck: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental (in Soll) and Zillertal Arena (in Zell im Zillertal).

To see traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Innsbruck trip itinerary planning site.

You can drive from Strasbourg to Innsbruck in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of train, shuttle, and flight. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Strasbourg in December since evenings lows in Innsbruck dip to -3°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Salzburg.

Surrounded by mountain ranges and boasting a well-preserved city center, Salzburg melds culture and history.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Mon): examine the collection at Red Bull Hangar-7, contemplate the long history of St. Peter's Abbey (Stift St. Peter), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Franziskanerkirche, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Petersfriedhof, then make a trip to Stiegl Brauwelt, and finally view the masterpieces at Residenzgalerie Salzburg. On the next day, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour.

Make your Salzburg itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by car from Innsbruck to Salzburg takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Expect a daytime high around 6°C in December, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Tue) so you can drive to Ljubljana.

Sitting astride the Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana is marked with picturesque bridges and a marketplace, designed by the famous architect Jože Plečnik.

On the 3rd (Wed), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Franciscan Church of the Annunciation, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Cathedral of St. Nicholas, and then stroll through Straža Bled. Here are some ideas for day two: steep yourself in history at Old Town Centre of Radovljica, then explore the activities along Ljubljanica River, then test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, and finally take a stroll through Metelkova.

To see where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Ljubljana travel route website.

You can drive from Salzburg to Ljubljana in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. January in Ljubljana sees daily highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly to Brussels.

The allure of the multi-cultural capital, Brussels, stems from its mix of political intrigue, artistic influence, historical significance, and a thriving social scene.

Popular historic sites such as Cogels Osylei and National Basilica of the Sacred Heart are in your itinerary. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Sonian Forest and Hallerbos. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Brussels: Collegiale Sainte-Waudru (in Mons), Abbaye de Maredsous (in Denee) and Saint Nicholas Church (in Ghent). There's still lots to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Abbaye de Villers and take an in-depth tour of Museum of the City of Brussels (Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles).

To see where to stay and more tourist information, use the Brussels travel planner.

You can fly from Ljubljana to Brussels in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Traveling from Ljubljana in January, Brussels is a bit warmer at night with lows of 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sun) early enough to travel to Montpellier.

"Montpellier is a modern, compact, and fast-growing city about 10 km (6 mi) inland from the Mediterranean coast with an active, youthful vibe.

Get a sense of the local culture at Eglise Notre-Dame des Sablons and Les Alyscamps. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Ile De La Barthelasse and Notre-Dame-des-Auzils. Explore Montpellier's surroundings by going to La Maison des Vautours (in Saint-Pierre-des-Tripiers), Chateau de Peyrelade (in Riviere-sur-Tarn) and Moulin CastelaS (in Les Baux de Provence). And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Musee du Petit Palais, do a tasting at Maison Noilly Prat, kick back and relax at Plage de la Grande Conque, and contemplate the long history of Tour Carbonniere.

To see maps, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Montpellier trip itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by combination of train and flight from Brussels to Montpellier takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Brussels in January; daily highs in Montpellier reach 14°C and lows reach 4°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Thu) to allow time to drive back home.