7 November 2018

Six Weeks in Europe Itinerary & Goals


I'm off to Europe in just a few days and I'm sooo excited! It's been over three years since I last went and I can't wait to return to some favourite much-loved places as well as explore plenty of new ones.

I'll be visiting seven countries in Europe over the space of six weeks as well as a stop-over in Shanghai on the way.

In this order, I'll be exploring Germany, Portugal, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Slovenia and Croatia. What an adventure! I'll be taking trains, planes, buses and staying in a mixture of Airbnb and hotels.

Below you can see on the map everywhere I'm going to before I dive into my plans and goals for my travels.


I hope this peek into my itinerary can give you some inspiration or ideas if you're planning on travelling to any of these places yourself.


Six Weeks in Europe Itinerary

  • Sunday 11 - Tuesday 13 November (2 nights):

Shanghai, China


I've never been to China before so I decided to do a little stopover (and it's going to be my 30th country!). I'm looking forward to experiencing this futuristic city and one of the largest in the world.

On the Agenda:

A half-day Old Shanghai Highlights tour with Jenny's Shanghai Tours
Shanghai Night Eats tour with UnTour Food Tours
Go up the Shanghai Tower - the second highest building in the world
Walk along the Bund waterfront


  • Tuesday 13th - Thursday 15th November (2 nights):

Frankfurt, Germany


I've also never been to Frankfurt so I wanted to spend a couple of nights here in the financial hub of Germany.

On the Agenda:

I miss Germany a lot so first and foremost, eating all the things and drinking all the beer
Frankfurt on Foot walking tour
See the beautiful Römerberg - Frankfurt's Old Town square


  • Thursday 15th - Monday 19th November (4 nights):

Berlin, Germany


I'm looking forward to returning to Berlin, one of my all-time favourite cities!

On the Agenda:

A guided tour of the Bundestag and visit to the Dome
Eating currywurst
Go to The Pub - Möpse trinken Bier (my fave)
Shopping at KaDeWe (largest department store in Europe after Harrod's)
Go to Rausch - the largest chocolate shop in the world
Visit East Side Gallery
Spend some time on Museum Island


  • Monday 19th - Thursday 22nd November (3 nights):

Hamburg, Germany


Hamburg is also somewhere I haven't been to and I'm keen to explore this major port city.

On the Agenda:

Sandeman's free Walking tour of Hamburg
Go to Winter Dom!
Explore the Speicherstadt area
Visit nearby Lüneburg - the historical salt town
Do a harbour boat tour (if the weather's not too bad!)


  • Thurs 22nd - Wednesday 28th November (6 nights):

Lisbon, Portugal


I've always wanted to go to Portugal and it won't be as cold as the other places I'll be going to! I have plenty of time to explore the capital and surrounding must-visit areas.

On the Agenda:

Eating Pastel de Belém!
Lisbon Experience Walk with Inside Lisbon
Explore the Alfama District
Torre de Belém (a UNESCO fortified tower)
Setúbal Region Wine Tasting tour with TakingUThere
Ride the iconic Tram 28
Sintra, Cascais and Estoril day tour with Inside Lisbon


  • Wednesday 28 Nov - Monday 3 December (5 nights):

Paris, France


I am meeting up with Gareth (my husband who is working overseas for 6 months) as well as some family members for a very special occasion. I'm excited to spend more time in one of my top three favourite cities.

On the Agenda:

Many visits to Patisseries
Louvre Museum
Have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower (if the weather's nice!)
Go up the Arc De Triomphe
Champs-Elysées Christmas Market!
Macarons from Ladurée
Half-day trip to Versailles
Go up the Notre Dame Cathedral
See the Christmas decorations at Galeries Lafayette


  • Monday 3rd - Wednesday 5th December (2 nights):

Ypres, Belgium


After Paris, Gareth and I are off to Belgium and the Netherlands together. Ypres is our first stop, to explore the WW1 battle sites in the area.

On the Agenda:

Somme Day Tour with Salient Tours
Visit the war museums, cemeteries and memorials
Try Belgian/Flemish beer and dishes


  • Wednesday 5th - Friday 7th December (2 nights):

Bruges, Belgium


I can't wait to visit beautiful, medieval Bruges, especially since their Christmas Markets will be on! 

On the Agenda:

The famous Bruges Christmas Markets
Legend's Best of Bruges half-day tour
A canal boat tour
Exploring the UNESCO Historic Centre of Brugge


  • Friday 7th - Saturday 8th December (1 night):

Antwerp, Belgium


The main reason we actually happen to be in Belgium is because our favourite band A Perfect Circle are playing in Antwerp on the 7th! (So we based our trip around that!)

On the Agenda:

A Perfect Circle live in concert!
Visit the Old Town Square


  • Saturday 8th - Tuesday 11th December (3 nights):

Amsterdam, Netherlands


I've wanted to go to Amsterdam for the longest time - I can't wait!

On the Agenda:

Wander through the main square and pretty canals
Visit the Anne Frank House
I Amsterdam sign
Tour the Heineken Brewery
Try their famous Dutch pancakes
Possibly go to the Van Gough Museum


  • 11th - 13th and 17th - 19th December (4 nights):

Ljubliana, Slovenia


I'll be flying solo east to Slovenia. I can't wait to visit Ljubljana, another bucket list place.

On the Agenda:

Ljubljana Free Tour
Visit Ljubljana Castle
Walk across the Triple and Dragon Bridges
Try Slovenian food
Night Sledding!


  • Thursday 13th - Saturday 15th December (2 nights):

Lake Bled, Slovenia


I'm looking forward to spending time at Lake Bled. I'm hoping I'll get lucky and it will snow!

On the Agenda:

Walk around the entire lake
Pletna boat tour of the lake
Enjoy the beautiful scenery


  • Saturday 15th - Monday 17th December (2 nights):

Zagreb, Croatia


Croatia is only a couple of hours away so I thought it was a great opportunity to explore this neighbouring capital city. I wish I had the time to visit Dubrovnik and the coast but definitely next time (and during warmer months!).

On the Agenda:

Free Spirit Walking Tour
Zagreb Cathedral and St Mark's Church
Hear the daily canon blasts at Lotrščak Tower


After Zagreb, I'm returning to Ljubljana for my second lot of two nights, and then I'm flying to Frankfurt for my final night before heading home. I return to New Zealand on the 22nd of December, just in time to have Christmas with my family.

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Six Weeks in Europe Goals:

  • Learn about the culture and history of each new place visited
  • Indulge in the traditional dishes and local cuisines
  • Learn and use basic polite phrases in the local language
  • Figure out the public transportation of each place and try not to get lost (too many times!)
  • Don't miss any flights/trains/buses
  • Take fantastic photos
  • Explore new places and get off the beaten path
  • Talk to locals
  • Soak up the magic of each place
  • Be friendly, attentive, curious and patient
  • Work hard and play hard
  • Have an amazing time!


That's my trip in a nutshell! I look forward to creating plenty of detailed guides and travel tip posts from my upcoming travels.

Leave me a comment if you have any tips and recommendations for me, I'd really appreciate it! Also, if you happen to be in any of these places while I am, let me know! I'd love to hang out.

Happy Travels,


This post contains images that are not my own.
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7 comments

  1. You have such an amazing trip planned! My husband and I want to do something like this when our boys are a little bit older. I would have to add London and Dublin to the trip. I've been to both before but loved the cities and really want to visit again!

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  2. Wow Europe is awesome. How I wish I have a chance to travel around the world in future.

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  3. I am so jealous that you are going to Paris. That is my dream vacation location. I hope europe is a magical trip for you!

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  4. This looks like such a wonderful trip! Amsterdam is such a wonderful city. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

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  5. What an amazing-sounding itinerary you have planned out! Paris is the only one of these cities I have ever been to, and I love it. You have me inspired to visit more!

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  6. Wow! What a wonderful itiniary you have there! Just the places you listed in Germany, Belgium and France alone are storybook perfect. We will just all live through you right now. lol

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  7. Amazing destinations and so many wonderful places. I have been to a few of these but Paris is always in my heart. Have a wonderful time.

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