43 days in Europe Itinerary

A small country packing a big punch in terms of tourist attractions, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe, its cities soaked in history and famed for their lively arts, fashion, and dining scenes. Although it advertises itself simply as "A Food Lover's Dream," this country of just 11 million people boasts a rich architectural heritage, world-famous breweries, pristine natural areas, and touching memorials marking major battlegrounds from both World War I and World War II. Put the country's elegant cities of Brussels and Bruges at the top of your itinerary, but don't forget that Belgium's less-explored countryside offers dense forests, rolling hills, and lush valleys.

One of the most developed and prosperous regions in the country, the Province of Barcelona is located in the center of Catalonia. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees, it offers a broad range of tourist attractions and places to visit, from modern cities with distinguished cultural heritage to some of Europe’s most popular beaches. Its countryside, somewhat conquered by commercial interests, boasts Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning vineyards, and trendy spas. In its urban centers, expect hundreds of historic sites, as well as numerous museums, galleries, bars, cafes, and shops.

Immerse yourself in a snow-capped mountain wonderland in Switzerland's serene Alpine setting. See the world-renowned Matterhorn, Switzerland's second-highest mountain at 4,478 m (14,962 ft) tall, or zoom down the mountains on toboggan, ski, or snowboard. In the warmer seasons hike around the rolling green hillsides covered with pine trees and picturesque aqua blue lakes. Luxurious cities dotted with cozy wooden chalets and colorful flowerbeds balance quaintness with first-class cultural offerings. Indulge in the country's opulence of milk chocolate, cheese fondue, and keg-carrying St. Bernard dogs.

Central Greece became a major travel destination thousands of years ago, known around the ancient world as the home of the famous oracle of Apollo. Today, the small town of Delphi and its eponymous archaeological site top the itinerary of most visitors to Central Greece. Sightseers visit this site by the thousands to admire the mastery of ancient Greek builders, who constructed a vast complex of buildings to mark what they thought of as the center of the universe. The rest of the region remains a less-trodden land of pristine mountains, rivers, forests, ravines, and caves. Central Greece also contains a long coastline and boasts some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean.