7 IncredIble Europe Trips You Can Just Copy 10 Days Each

Europe is amazing. The culture, the food, the history, the architecture, some of the most visited places on earth are in Europe. But so many travelers don't go to Europe because they think they're going to need weeks to pull it off. As a couple who's been exploring Europe together for over 10 years, my wife and I have learned you can have an amazing Europe trip in just 10 days, which usually only requires you to take about one week off work. And early on, we didn't have weeks of vacation time to blow. Typically, we leave on like a Friday night, land on Saturday morning, and then stay through the following weekend, coming home Sunday. We would rarely try to tackle an entire country in 10 days because that's a disservice to you and the country. Assume that you'll come back and go a little deeper by traveling to specific regions. So here are seven of my absolute favorite 10-day Europe trip itineraries. We're kicking things off with one of our favorite trips we've ever taken, the Balkans. This is an incredible mix of cultural depth and wicked affordability. You'll fly into Sarajevo, work your way south through Mostar and Dubrovnik, and finish in Montenegro. We've spent a lot of time in this part of the world, including 30 days exploring Croatia by car, but this trip goes deeper into the neighboring countries. Start in Sarajevo. This city blew us away. Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan influences all layered on top of each other, and you feel it the moment you step into the old town. Cobblestone streets, copper craftsmen hammering away, the call to prayer echoing through the valley, unlike anywhere we've been in Europe. And the food is delicious. We're talking three to five bucks for a full meal of cevapi or burek. I would go back for the food alone. Only a couple hours away is Mostar, known for its iconic starry most, the old bridge. We happened to visit while Red Bull was hosting this diving competition, which was very cool to see. Now you can visit Mostar either as a day trip from Sarajevo or en route to your next destination, the pearl of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik, Croatia. This is one of those places that doesn't feel real until you're standing there. A medieval fortress city with massive stone walls built right on the edge of the sea. You have to walk the city walls. The views from up there are absolutely insane. Wander the old town, grab dinner in an alley, or a glass of wine at Divino. Take the cable car up Mount Serd for a sunset panorama that'll make your jaw drop. And if you have a free afternoon, hop a ferry to Lokrum Island. Give yourself at least a couple days in Dubrovnik. And from there, it's only a couple hours into Montenegro, one of the most underrated destinations in Europe. Roughly the size of Connecticut, but 117 beaches and five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We based ourselves in Parast, which is this quiet little town on the Bay of Kotor. And the bay is easily one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Ending our trip here was a great way to slow down and catch our breath before heading home. Some of our favorite moments were visiting the church on the island, taking a sunset boat ride, and the stunning views from the overlook above the bay. And the affordability here is unreal. A four or five star hotel next to this dinner spot was a hundred bucks a night. In Dubrovnik, which you should visit, but it's very expensive, that place easily would have been $500. Next we're headed to Portugal. Incredible food, some of the friendliest people we've met anywhere, world-class wine that's absurdly affordable, and this warm laid-back energy that makes you want to stay longer than you planned. This itinerary is easy. Two world-class cities connected by a short train ride. Fly into Porto and then hop the train to Lisbon, fly home from there. You could technically do it in any order, but we kicked things off in Porto. Colorful buildings tumble down the hillside to the Douro River, with port wine cellars lining the opposite bank. The whole city is covered in these gorgeous blue and white tiles on churches, train stations, and even random apartment buildings. Hop into the Church of St. Francis and climb the tower for panoramic views of the city. Grab a bafana, which is this incredible pork sandwich that you will be able to find anywhere. One of my favorite things we did was a Douro Valley wine tour. We took a day trip out into the rolling vineyards along the river, tasted all kinds of port and delicious Portuguese wine. We stayed about five nights in this area and we could have stayed longer. Then hop the train south to Lisbon. Grittier, hillier, but full of character. This is a city built for strolling, winding through the Alfama district, ducking into neighborhood bars, and just getting lost. And then when your legs give out from all the hills, and they will, grab a tuk-tuk tour to hit some of the landmarks without the climb. Eat your weight in Pastos de Nada and be sure to catch a photo performance one evening. This hauntingly beautiful traditional Portuguese music that stops you in your tracks. Now if you have more time, there is so much more of Portugal to explore. I'd throw in a dramatic sea destination, the Algarve with its sea caves and cliffs, the Azores if you want something totally off the beaten path, or where we chose to spend about a week, Madeira. Volcanic peaks, waterfalls, hiking trails that look like Jurassic Park. And the one touristy thing I think you actually want to wait in line for is the cable car to the top and riding the basket toboggan back down. So much fun. All right, we're headed somewhere that was never on my radar, but now that I've been, I cannot wait to go back. Poland. You'll fly into Krakow, train north to Warsaw, and then train to Gdansk on the Baltic coast, and fly home. It's pretty much a straight line all connected via easy train rides. Krakow is the centerpiece and quite possibly one of our favorite European cities. A medieval old town centered around one of Europe's largest market squares. It's well preserved, easily walkable, and just beautiful. The city also carries profound historical significance. The Schindler Factory Museum is well worth a visit, and Krakow is only about an hour from the Auschwitz concentration camp, which if you're up for it, I think would be very important to pay a visit. Give yourself as much time in Krakow as you possibly can. From here, it's about a three-hour train ride to Warsaw, a modern capital with a reconstructed old town that rose from near total destruction after World War II, and a powerful testament to the resilience of Poland and its people. And the food scene here is excellent. I mean, Polish food in general is amazing. Huge portions and low prices. Be sure to check out a Milk Bar, which are these Soviet-era cafeterias serving massive plates of traditional Polish food for very low prices. Not fancy, but so good. Grab a direct train to Gdańsk on the Baltic coast. Colorful merchant houses, cobblestone streets along the waterfront, and loads of seaside charm. This is where the Solidarity Movement challenged communism from a shipyard. And a day trip away is Malbork Castle, the largest brick castle on earth. Poland punches way above its weight. Now for something completely different. This was a trip my wife and I took, just the two of us, that we affectionately refer to as our fancy trip. Why? Well, the destination itself is not cheap, but I say it's worth every penny. You're on a train cutting through the Alps, and everyone in the car just stops because each view is more breathtaking than the last. The villages look like they belong in a snow globe. The hiking is some of the best on earth. And somehow, every single train runs on time. Switzerland. We flew into Zurich in Swiss business class, booked with points, by the way, which made this whole fancy trip thing a lot more doable. And then we took Swiss rail straight to Wengen. I have to say, Swiss trains are awesome. Everything on time, seamless connections, and the scenery from the train alone is worth the trip. Wengen became our base for exploring the Jungfrau region. We stayed at this hotel that looked like it was straight out of a Wes Anderson film. Now, the absolute highlight was the cogwheel train up to Jungfraujoch, the top of Europe. Highest train station in Europe. And when you step out, you're standing in the middle of the Alps, surrounded by glaciers. Just unreal. And Wengen is the perfect base to explore the Lauterbrunnen Valley. And I was personally very glad we chose to stay here versus a more crowded town in this area. Then we were off to Lucerne. Boat tours on the lake, the famous Chapel Bridge, the Jesuit Church, and a cogwheel train up Mount Pilatus for panoramic views. We had one of those fondue dinners that just felt perfectly Swiss. And this place where they make a schnitzel right at your table. If you're into art, I would also highly recommend the Rosengart collection, which has a huge collection of works from Klee and Picasso. Now, here's the part I love. From Lucerne, you can catch a scenic train south through the mountains into Italy. Alpine peaks giving way to Italian lakes. You can stop and explore Lake Como or head straight to Milan for a delicious Italian meal and your flight home. I told you this trip was fancy. And if you're doing any kind of border crossing travel like this, two or three countries in a single trip, there's one thing you don't want to get caught without. Mobile data. The second you cross a border, your phone signal can drop off. And there's nothing worse than landing in your next country with no maps, no ride share, and no way to look up where you're going. That's why I use Olafly. Olafly makes e-sims with unlimited data in over 200 destinations. So whether you're going Sarajevo to Montenegro or rolling from Switzerland into Italy, your phone just works. No SIM swapping and no surprise roaming charges. Setup is easy. You scan a QR code before you leave home and the moment your plane lands or your train crosses a border, you're connected. And they give you two ways to do it. Travel e-sims where you could just buy a Europe plan for however many days your trip is or a monthly subscription plan if you travel a lot. And no matter which option you choose, you get always on. If your cycle ends mid-trip or you land somewhere new, you automatically get a gig of backup data. So even three countries deep, you're never caught without a connection. Links in the description. You can use the code AWAYTOGETHER for a discount on your e-sim or Olafly monthly plan. Big thanks to Olafly for sponsoring today's video. Now, this next trip might be one of the coolest combos we've ever put together. One of the greatest cities in the world, followed by one of the most peaceful travel experiences you'll ever have. London is the kind of city where you could come back 10 times and not run out of things to do. You want history? How about Westminster Abbey? The Churchill War Rooms? The Tower of London? How about iconic landmarks? Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard? Big Ben? Panoramic view from Sky Garden? How about eating and exploring? My favorite. Earl Market? The street art and food scene in Shoreditch? Leyden Hall Market, which Harry Potter fans are going to recognize as inspiration for Diagon Alley. Do yourself a favor and make sure you get a proper Sunday roast at a good pub. When we visited London, we pounded pavement for four and a half days and barely scratched the surface. There's so much to do here, your time is really going to fly. But when you're done with London, rent a car and head to Chirk in North Wales. We stayed the night at the Hand Hotel, which is a cute inn with a great little pub downstairs. And then the next morning, we picked up a narrowboat. The UK has over 2,000 miles of canals. This is how they moved goods pre-rail. You can rent one of these and drive it yourself through this beautiful countryside. You don't even need a license, which is wild, because it is way harder than it looks. I, in preparation for this trip, watched a bunch of videos beforehand, and seeing people crashing into stuff, I was like, oh man, these guys are dummies. We're going to figure it out. I was wrong. It was pretty tricky. The good news is you're going like three miles an hour, so people are literally walking faster than your boat. But that's kind of the fun of it. You wake up, make coffee on the boat, cruise for a few hours, stop at a pub for lunch, tie up somewhere for the night, and repeat. That's the whole trip. Green hills, old stone bridges, sheep everywhere. Operating the locks is actually pretty fun once you get the hang of it. And if you take the route we did, you're going to cross a couple of aqueducts, 126 feet above a river, with one sheet of metal between you and the drop. That part was a little stressful, but the trip itself is 10 out of 10. From there, you're not far at all from Manchester, which is an easy place to grab a flight home. It's no secret, Italy is one of our absolute favorite places. We've spilled a lot of ink in other videos about our favorite Italy itineraries and destinations. So here's a new take for all you foodies out there, centering around two regions, Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Now, truthfully, you can fly in and out of any of Italy's major central or northern airports, but we're kicking things off in Florence. See Michelangelo's David at the Accademia, get lost in the Uffizi Gallery, and climb the Duomo for city views that'll stay with you forever. Don't forget to wander across the river to Otrano, and trust me on this, dine at Chingale Bianco, because your taste buds will thank you. If you ask politely, the owner may even take you through the kitchen to their speakeasy-style bar next door. Now, is Florence crowded? Oh my gosh, yes, it's packed. It's getting out of hand, honestly, but it's still a must-see. That's fine though, because we're going to go catch our breath somewhere way less crowded and way more chill. Bologna. Bologna is a working-class city with incredible history. Nearly 40 kilometers of these beautiful covered porticos line the streets, medieval towers dot the skyline, and there's plenty to see and do. But this trip is about food, remember, and the food in Bologna is ridiculous. I'm not even talking about the sit-down restaurants. I'm talking about walking down the street, ducking into some random shop, and having a mortadella sandwich that rewires your brain. I recently spent almost two weeks here with my family, and by the end, our blood was basically ragu. Now, this also perfectly situates you to explore Italy's Emilio-Romagna region. Parmesan cheese tours, balsamic vinegar in Modena, prosciutto in Parma, take a cooking class, or take day trips to places like San Marino to scratch another country off your list, and Verona, which I really, really want some more time in. From here, it's an easy train ride to whichever airport you flew into to head home. Most travelers on whirlwind tours throughout Europe overlook this next region in favor of more heavy-hitting destinations, or they just rush through it to party for a few days in Amsterdam. We slowed way down, and it made all the difference. Here's how we explored Belgium and the Netherlands. Fly into Brussels and train to Ghent for your first base, and then you'll work your way north through Antwerp and settle into Harlem for the second half, flying home from Amsterdam. Brussels. Grand Place is stunning, and the frites, waffles, and chocolate are definitely worth your time. But if you're short on days, once you land, I would head straight to Ghent. Ghent is one of our favorite stops from any trip we've ever taken. It's a university town with a vibe that's both historic and youthful, a place where real people live, which is increasingly hard to find in more touristy destinations. We rented an apartment from a local family right on the Vrijdagmarkt, this bustling square that's been the heart of the city for centuries. Wandering Graffiti Street, dining on Oudberg Street, and an evening at De La Griet with Belgian beer and a cheese plate. Ghent feels less like a tourist destination and more like a city where you can just slow down, enjoy a good meal, and just be. Now take a day trip to Bruges for sure, which is only 30 minutes by train. Fairy tale cobblestone streets, winding canals, and oozing medieval charm. It lives up to the hype for sure, but we were very glad we based ourselves in Ghent instead. On your way north, stop in Antwerp. The central station alone is jaw-dropping. They call it the And the zoo right next door is surprisingly excellent. We were only supposed to change trains here, but turned it into a couple hour stopover, and it was so worth it. Then head to Haarlem. This is only 20 minutes from Amsterdam by train, but it's a completely different world. Quiet, cute, and walkable. We had dinner under a windmill on the Sparne River one night, and I would say if you don't love staying somewhere noisy, crowded, and outrageously expensive, Amsterdam. This is the move. Stay here, and then just train into Amsterdam whenever you want. The canals, the Anne Frank House, the Jordan neighborhood. Amsterdam is incredible, and it's right there. Try a rice taffle while you're in the city. This massive Indonesian feast, that's one of the best meals you'll have on the trip. And then at the end of the day, you'll come back somewhere peaceful. Fly home from the major airport in Amsterdam. And of course, if you have more time, this whole region rewards slowing down. We originally did this trip over two weeks, and the smaller towns along the way were real highlights. If you can make the time to visit towns like Leiden or Delft, do it. Now, something we hear a lot is, Nick, these destinations look incredible, and a lot of them seem pretty affordable once you're there, but actually getting to Europe is ridiculously expensive. Well, you might've noticed we were in some pretty great airplane seats on quite a few of those flights. Many of those trips, we flew business class using points and miles. And in this video right here, I walk you through step-by-step how I've booked multiple different business class seats from the USA to destinations all over Europe using points and miles, points that you likely already have. So check that video out right here. Thanks so much for watching. Happy travels.