Ultimate Europe Winter Itinerary: 2 Weeks By Train (4 Countries)

Welcome to my travel itinerary series. Suppose you’ve been here for a while. In that case, you know how much I love creating unique itineraries so you can get to know the places and countries more in depth, connect with locals, and even learn languages. I’ve spent the past 10 years traveling across Europe on my own, researching every corner, and also guiding travel groups through many European countries.

So I’ve gained a pretty great understanding of the places that are worth visiting and what you guys want from them. I’ve designed this 2-week European winter itinerary to explore the winter wonderlands of Europe, the main cities, and how to combine them effectively.

Have fun!

Overview Of The Europe Winter Itinerary 2 Weeks

Here is a quick overview of the places and countries you’ll visit with this itinerary:

DAY:	DESTINATION:
1.	PARIS
2.	PARIS
3.	PARIS – STRASBOURG – MUNICH
4.	MUNICH
5.	PARIS – ZURICH – LUCERNE
6.	LUCERNE
7.	LUCERNE – MONTREUX
8.	MONTREUX – ZERMATT
9.	ZERMATT
10.	ZERMATT – MILAN
11.	MILAN – FLORENCE
12.	FLORENCE
13.	FLORENCE – ROME
14.	ROME

How To Get Around Europe In Winter & Make This Itinerary

I’ve designed it as an Eurail winter itinerary for you. The easiest and most convenient way to explore Europe, especially in the winter, is by train. And what better way to make your journey more flexible and cost-effective than with a Eurail or Interrail Pass?

The Eurail and Interrail Passes are great for exploring multiple countries in Europe by train. They cover all trains, so you’ll only need 1 pass for all your travel. The only extra thing you’ll have to buy is a seat reservation if it’s a high-speed train, like the Frecciarossa in Italy, a TGV train in France, or a panoramic Swiss train. Otherwise, there are no extra hidden costs.

For this itinerary, you’ll need the 7-day Eurail Pass (if you’re a non-European resident) or Interrail Pass (if you’re from Europe).

The 7-day pass is a flexi pass, which means you can use it for 7 days within a month. With this itinerary, you’ll travel for 7 days out of the 2 weeks, covering all your train travel.

➡ Get your 7-Day Eurail Pass here

DAY 1: PARIS

Welcome to Paris, France. We’ll start our winter European itinerary here. Take your time settling into your accommodation, and when you’re ready, head out to explore the city. Try to visit at least one attraction – I recommend the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.

And if you manage to squeeze in two, even better!

Sightseeng In Paris

Overall, these are the main things I recommend you visit in Paris:

For today, I recommend visiting either the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, and in the evening, enjoying a Seine River Cruise.

📍 Eiffel-Tower – skip-the-line ticket necessary
📍 Notre Dame Cathedral – go early in the morning before the crowds
📍 Île de la Cité – walk around
📍 Musée d’Orsay – skip-the-line ticket necessary
📍 Louvre Museum – skip-the-line ticket necessary
📍 Conciergerie – skip-the-line ticket necessary
📍 Luxembourg Gardens – walk around
📍 Champs-Élysées Avenue – walk through
📍 Arc-de-Triomphe – skip-the-line ticket necessary
📍 Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur Basilica
📍 Center Pompidou – walk in ticket possible
📍 Catacombs – skip-the-line ticket necessary
📍 Moulin Rouge – get tickets in advance

Evening Cruise On The River Seine

In the evening, I recommend taking a Cruise on the River Seine in the evening. It lasts about an hour, and you’ll float past all the iconic sights. You can choose a simple sightseeing cruise, or go all-in and enjoy a Seine cruise with a 3-course dinner.

PRO TIP: Start your cruise around 7:00 pm. The sky is dark – just in time for the Eiffel Tower to begin sparkling. It’s truly magical and the perfect ending to the cruise.

➡ Book your Seine River Cruise with dinner here.

Where To Stay In Paris: Best Hotels & Areas

These are the hotels I recommend in Paris for you. My favorite areas (around Opera, Louvre, and Concorde) that are close to the attractions:

➡ Hôtel Dress Code
➡ Hotel Duminy-Vendome
➡ Hôtel France d’Antin Opéra
➡ Castille Paris – Starhotels Collezione
➡ Maison Barrière Vendôme

DAY 2: PARIS

Good morning, Paris. Today, you’ve got the entire day to explore Paris and enjoy this wonderful city. So get the most out of it.

In the morning, I recommend visiting Notre Dame Cathedral. If you arrive early in the morning, before the crowds, you won’t have to wait in line. The entrance is free; skip-the-line tickets are available in advance. But if you come early in the morning, it’s not necessary.

After that, continue exploring Île de la Cité. If you want, you can also visit the Conciergerie and/or Musée d’Orsay. Then have some lunch in the area, and relax for a while.

In the afternoon, I suggest heading to the Champs-Élysées (eat some delicious macarons at Ladurée) and visiting the Arc de Triomphe for amazing views of Paris.

Evening Moulin Rouge Can-Can Show

In the evening, head to Montmartre, my favorite area in Paris. It’s a great place to have an authentic Parisian/French dinner and enjoy the local vibe. Visit the Sacré-Coeur Basilica and enjoy the views.

Then, I also suggest the Moulin Rouge show. It’s a classic French Can-Can show filled with dazzling costumes, incredible dancing, and a few acrobatic moments that will absolutely surprise and delight you. Dress up and have a lovely night.

DAY 3: PARIS – STRASBOURG – MUNICH

Today will be a busy travel day. You can make a stop in Strasbourg on your way to Munich by train.

Take your time in the morning and enjoy a Parisian breakfast with delicious croissants and French baguettes before taking a train to Strasbourg.

How To Get From Paris To Strasbourg

The train from Paris to Strasbourg takes 1 hour & 45 minutes. It’s a TGV French high-speed train, so you’ll need an extra seat reservation. Make sure to reserve the seats via the Eurail website in advance. Otherwise, the full train fare is covered by your Eurail Pass.

When you arrive in Strasbourg, store your luggage at the train station and head to the city to explore for a while.

TRAIN PARIS ⇒ STRASBOURG: 1 hour & 45 minutes – included in Eurail Pass + extra seat reservations needed

Strasbourg

Welcome to Strasbourg, a charming town with an interesting blend of French and German styles. You’ve now reached the French region of Alsace, famous for its half-timbered houses, delicious wines, and unique vibe.

Spend about 4 – 5 hours exploring this city before you take the train to Munich. Here are the sights I suggest you see:

📍 La Petite France
📍 Old Town
📍 Strasbourg Cathedral
📍 Alsacian Museum
📍 Try Alsatian food

For the time you have here, walk through the Old Town and admire its cathedral. Enjoy some Alsatian food for lunch. The most popular specialities are flammkuchen, Baeckeoffe (traditional stew), Choucroûte (sauerkraut with meats), or baked potatoes with cheese sauce.

Then, head to the Petite France, which is my favorite area of the town, full of half-timbered houses. Enjoy a nice hot chocolate and even visit the Alsatian museum to learn more about the local history.

Strasbourg also has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. So if you want to experience the magic, make it here in December.

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How To Get From Strasbourg To Munich

There are many train connections to Munich, so check the Eurail website. It takes approximately. 4.5 hours with 1 or 2 changes. There is also a direct TGV train after 5:00 PM that takes only 4 hours. So, check the connections and decide for yourself.

In most cases on this route, you’ll again need an extra seat reservation as these are high-speed special trains.

🚇 Train STRASBOURG ⇒ MUNICH: approx. 4 hours & 30 minutes – included in Eurail Pass + extra seat reservations needed

Where To Stay In Munich

After you arrive in Munich, check into your accommodation. I suggest staying around the train station, as it’s easy to access and close to the center with all sights.

These are my favorite hotels:

➡ Flemings Hotel München-City
➡ Aloft München
➡ Le Meridien Munich
➡ Boutique Hotel Germania
➡ Sofitel Munich Bayerpost

DAY 3: MUNICH

Good morning to Munich. Take some time today to wander and explore the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider a day trip to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle or to Nuremberg.

For me, Munich’s standout experience has to be the Hofbräuhaus, the city’s legendary beer hall. It’s the perfect place to soak up Bavarian culture and get that traditional Oktoberfest vibe. Imagine people dressed in dirndls and lederhosen, enjoying liters of beer, while a local band plays lively tunes – it’s truly a must-see. You can drop in for lunch or dinner here.

Another highlight is the BMW Museum. You can explore with an audio guide on your own or join a group tour. Tip: buy tickets online in advance, as it can get busy.

And of course, don’t miss the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz – the little show at the Town Hall happens at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 5:00 pm and is a charming must-see.

Other things to check out in Munich include:

📍 Munich Residence – the main palace where the Bavarian royals used to live
📍 Frauenkirche – iconic church, climb up to enjoy stunning views of the Alps
📍 Main shopping street between Karlsplatz and Marienplatz

TIP: To be honest, I think Munich isn’t the nicest city, especially in the winter. But it’s a great stop in this itinerary to enjoy the beer house. I would spend only half a day in Munich and, in the morning, explore Neuschwanstein Castle or Nuremberg.

Half-Day Trip To Neuschwanstein Castle

If you have a bit of extra time, why not visit the famous Disney-inspired castle in Bavaria, Neuschwanstein Castle – can you even pronounce that, lol?

It’s nestled at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, near the charming town of Füssen, almost at the border with Austria. You can easily reach it by train from Munich, or join an organized day tour for a stress-free visit.

The castle was commissioned in 1869 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the ‘Mad King’. Visiting the castle is like stepping into his world – you’ll learn all about his fascinating, sometimes tragic, life. Sadly, he only lived here for 172 days and passed away just before it was fully completed.

Fun fact: when Walt Disney visited, he was so inspired that Neuschwanstein became the model for the iconic Cinderella Castle at Disneyland!

The journey from Munich to Füssen by train takes about 2 hours, and then a short 10-minute bus ride gets you close to the castle. Tip: allow about 30 minutes to walk from the bus stop up to the castle, and book your tickets online in advance – it can get really busy!

➡ Join this guided day trip from Munich to Neuschwastein Castle.

Half-Day Trip To Nuremberg

Nurember is such a beautiful city, only 1 hour & 15 minutes away by train from Munich. So, you can take any train (included in your Eurail Pass), no need to get extra seat reservations here.

It used to be one of the most important medieval cities in the Holy Roman Empire – it even housed the empire’s crown jewels! Today, you can explore the impressive Imperial Castle and imagine what life was like back then.

The city is also a hub of innovation: the first German railway started here, along with inventions like pocket watches and pencils. Plus, it’s the hometown of the famous Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer.

For a more modern slice of history, you can visit the Palace of Justice, where the legendary Nuremberg Trials took place after WWII.

Here are the sights you can explore:

📍 Handwerkerhof (Craftsmen’s Courtyard) – beautiful medieval market
📍 Old Town (Altstadt) & Pegnitz River – stroll through and see the stunning half-timbered houses
📍 Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg)
📍 City Walls & Towers – walk on the 4-km-long walks and enjoy the city views
📍 Albrecht Dürer House – visit his home and admire his artwork
📍 Memorium Nürnberger Prozesse – see the room where the Nuremberg Trials took place
📍 Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds – a bit further away from the center, but worth the visit – you’ll get an audio guide and learn so much about Nazi Germany and WWII

DAY 4: MUNICH – ZURICH – LUCERNE

I hope you had a lovely time in Munich. Today, we’ll be crossing to a new country – Switzerland, yaay!

In the morning, take a train from Munich to Zurich. There are many train connections again, so choose the one that suits you best. There are usually 1 or 2 changes. But you don’t need any extra seat reservations for this section.

🚇 Train MUNICH ⇒ ZURICH: approx. 5 hours – included in Eurail Pass

Zurich

Hello in Zurich and welcome to Switzerland – one of the best places to visit in Europe in winter, thanks to its true winter wonderland.

I don’t recommend staying in Zurich; I think Lucerne is much nicer and offers so much more. But I know you might be interested in seeing Zurich, too, with its chocolate factory.

So that’s why we’ll make a short visit here. Store your luggage at the train station in Zurich (in the lockers; you can pay by card), then head to the city to explore.

Here are the sights I recommend you visit:

📍 Zurich Old Town
📍 Bahnhofstrasse – main shopping street with high-end shops
📍 Lindenhof – hilltop place (used to be a Roman fort) with views, outside chess
📍 Grossmünster – main protestant church (landmark of the city)
📍 Bürkliplatz
📍 Opera House
📍 WOW Museum
📍 FIFA Museum

Visit Lindt Chocolate Factory

If you have a bit of extra time and a love for chocolate, I highly recommend visiting the Lindt Chocolate Factory nearby. It’s in Kilchberg, just a quick 10-minute train ride from Zurich. Bonus: all trains are included with your Eurail Pass, so just hop on and go!

Once you arrive in Kilchberg, follow the signs and take a short 10-minute walk to the factory.

Enjoy your visit, taste some delicious Swiss chocolate, and don’t forget to pick up a few pralines for the journey back (my personal favorites? pistachio and coconut!).

➡ Get your tickets to the Lindt Chocolate factory here.

How To Get From Zurich To Lucerne

Whenever you’re ready, take a train from Zurich to Lucerne. There are so many trains running regularly, and it only takes about 50 minutes. All trains are again included in your Eurail Pass (no extra reservations are required).

Then check into your accommodation, and relax for the day. You can have your first Swiss dinner in Lucerne at the Rathaus Brewery in the Old Town or at a nearby cheese fondue restaurant.

🚇 Train ZURICH ⇒ LUCERNE: approx. 50 minutes – included in Eurail Pass

NOTE: Here in Switzerland, you can also use the SBB website to look up train connections. It’s very accurate and shows you the platforms from which your train departs.

Where To Stay In Lucerne

These are my favorite hotels in Lucerne (especially the first one):

➡ Hotel Des Alpes
➡ Hotel des Balances
➡ Hotel Baslertor
➡ Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern

DAY 5: LUCERNE

Hello in Lucerne. I hope you slept well, because today, you’ll be exploring this beautiful Swiss city.

The perfect plan for your time in Lucerne is to start by admiring the Chapel Bridge, then wander through the Old Town and along the lakefront.

Next, hop on the funicular to Chateau Gütsch – the station is called Gütsch and is just a 5-minute walk from the city center. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the city, the lake, and the surrounding mountains.

Afterwards, don’t miss the Lion Monument and the Glacier Garden, where you can learn all about glaciers and how they shaped the breathtaking Swiss landscape.

I also recommend joining a free walking tour (if it’s available on the day you’re there) to learn more about the local history.

In summary, here are the sights you can see in Lucerne:

📍 Chapel Bridge
📍 Old Town
📍 Lion Monument
📍 Glacier Garden
📍 Chateau Gütsch
📍 Lakeside Promenade
📍 Walk on the medieval walls and see the Zytturm Tower

Boat Ride On Lake Lucerne

One of the best activities in the city is to take a boat ride on Lake Lucerne. Yes, you can do this even in the winter, which is perfect. So, don’t miss it. The boats depart from the pier close to the train station.

I suggest taking a boat to Vitznau, walking around there, and then taking another boat back to Lucerne. Or, if you want a full-day mountain excursion, you can also visit Mt. Rigi from Vitznau and even relax in the local thermal spa in Rigi Kaltbad.

➡ Check out the boat schedule on Lake Lucerne here.

DAY 6: LUCERNE – MONTREUX

Today, you’ll cross from the German-speaking part of Switzerland to the French-speaking part.

If you don’t want to spend too much time on the trains, you can make a shortcut, look up the fastest connections via the SBB website, and head to Montreux straight away.

However, to have a bit more fun and explore more of Switzerland, I recommend you take the 2 panoramic trains. For the experience!

So, in the morning, take the Luzern-Interlaken Express to Interlaken Ost. The main point here isn’t to visit Interlaken, but to take the iconic GoldenPass Express panoramic train to Montreux.

How To Get From Lucerne To Interlaken

Take the stunning Luzern-Interlaken Express to Interlaken Ost. Even though it’s a panoramic train, you won’t need any extra seat reservations. And it’s fully included in your Eurail Pass.

NOTE: It might get crowded, though, so I recommend showing up 30 minutes before the departure to find good seats. Sit on the right-hand side (direction of travel) for the best views.

🚇 Train LUCERNE ⇒ INTERLAKEN: 2 hours – included in Eurail Pass

Once you reach Interlaken, switch to the panoramic GoldenPass Express train, which will take you to Montreux.

If you want to visit Interlaken, feel free to do so. But there isn’t as much to see and do. I would recommend visiting Grindelwald or even Jungfraujoch instead, if you want to experience some of the most beautiful mountain towns in Switzerland and the best mountain excursion.

GoldenPass Express Panoramic Train

Hop on one of the most beautiful panoramic trains in Switzerland that will take you to Montreux. Since it’s a panoramic train, you’ll need to make an extra seat reservation.

Go to the GoldenPass website, and make the seat reservation. Your Eurail Pass covers the ride.

If you don’t want to take this train, you can also take regular trains to Montreux.

🚇 Train INTERLAKEN ⇒ MONTREUX: approx. 3.5 hours – included in Eurail Pass

Montreux

Welcome to Montreux. You’ve now made it to the French-speaking part of Switzerland!

FUN FACT: Switzerland actually has four official languages – German, French, Italian, and a very old language called Romansh.

Once you check into your hotel, take a little time to relax. Then head into town and stroll along the lake promenade to soak up the cozy atmosphere.

Montreux is a small town, so you’ll only need about 4 hours to see it all, including the Chillon Castle.

You can plan a bit around it: either spend the day in the Jungfrau region and arrive in Montreux in the evening. Then you can explore Montreux the next day. Or you can explore the city this afternoon.

Here are the sights I suggest enjoying:

📍 Montreux Lakeside Promenade
📍 Chillon Castle – walk alongside the lake for about 40 minutes (entrance is free with your Swiss Travel Pass)
📍 Queen The Studio experience
📍 Montreux Museum

Where To Stay In Montreux

I suggest the following hotels in Montreux for you:

➡ Hotel Eden Palace au Lac
➡ Hotel Mona
➡ Royal Plaza Montreux

DAY 7: MONTREUX & GENEVA

Take the time today to enjoy the Swiss Riviera.

If you didn’t manage it today, enjoy Montreux with its sights. Also, definitely walk alongside the lake promenade towards Chillon Castle. It’s an amazing walk, and the view of the castle is special.

You can also make a day trip to Geneva, which is just an hour away from Montreux.

Geneva is famous as a global banking hub and is actually the second-most-expensive city in Switzerland.

But there’s more to it than luxury and money – it’s also one of the most international cities in the world, with around 40% of its residents born abroad! The city is home to 40 international organizations and is the historic birthplace of Swiss watchmaking.

Of course, many visitors come for the high-end shopping, but there are also some really cool things to explore:

📍 Lake Geneva & Jet d’Eau – its a giant fountain in the lake
📍 Old Town (Vieille Ville) & St-Pierre Cathedral
📍 Patek Philippe Watch Museum
📍 English Garden & Flower Clock
📍 Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanique
📍 Palais des Nations (UN & International Organisations)

Take some time to wander through Geneva’s Old Town, exploring its charming cobblestone streets and the stunning cathedral.

Afterward, stroll along the shores of Lake Geneva – or as the locals call it, Lac Léman – and check out the famous Jet d’Eau.

If you’re curious, you can also visit one of the city’s gardens or the watch museum to discover more about Geneva’s rich watchmaking history.

DAY 8: MONTREUX – ZERMATT

What’s a trip to Switzerland in winter without stepping into a true winter wonderland? I’d love to take you to a charming mountain town where the magic comes alive.

Are you ready to gaze at the majestic Matterhorn and have some fun on the Swiss slopes? Let’s head to Zermatt today!

🚇 Train MONTREUX ⇒ ZERMATT: takes 2 hours & 40 minutes – change trains in Visp (included in your Eurail Pass)

Zermatt

Welcome to Zermatt — Switzerland’s famous car-free village! You can only reach the town by train, so anyone driving must leave their car in Täsch and hop on the train to Zermatt.

Once you arrive, check into your hotel and take a little time to relax.

In the afternoon or evening, I recommend strolling around the village and enjoying a cozy dinner. Head to the city center for some mulled wine or hot chocolate, visit the Matterhorn Museum, and wander along the charming Hinterdorfstrasse.

Don’t miss walking up to the Matterhorn Viewpoint – the views of the village and the iconic Matterhorn are absolutely breathtaking.

Zermatt also has a fantastic food scene. It’s the perfect place to try classic Swiss fondue, raclette, or enjoy a fine-dining experience. My top picks:

• Whymper Stube: for authentic Swiss fondue
• Schäferstube: amazing raclette
• Potato Fine Food Restaurant: for a refined, gourmet meal

Tomorrow, you’ll have the entire day to explore Zermatt and its mountains with fun activities. So, enjoy the town today and relax for a while.

Where To Stay In Zermatt

Zermatt has incredible hotels – just imagine yourself in a heated outdoor pool or a hot tub, surrounded by a snowy winter wonderland, with the breathtaking Matterhorn as your backdrop.

It’s an experience all on its own, so I highly recommend booking a hotel with a spa here.

Here are my favorite hotels in Zermatt that can give you this magical experience:

➡ Alpine Hotel Perren
➡ la couronne Hotel & Spa
➡ 22 Summits Boutique Hotel
➡ Relais & Chateaux Schönegg

DAY 9: ZERMATT

Take a day to fully soak up the magical atmosphere of Zermatt and the stunning surrounding mountains.

You’ve got a few exciting options to choose from:

📍 Go skiing in Zermatt
📍 Visit Gornergrat & enjoy sledding
📍 Head up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

If you’re a skier or snowboarder, I highly recommend go skiing in Zermatt – it’s my favorite ski resort in Switzerland, and the skiing here is on another level. I had the absolute best time ever! You can even cross from Switzerland to Italy in a single day. Have fun!

Not into skiing? No problem – you can go sledding! Take the Gornergrat train, enjoy the massive glaciers, and sled between Rotenboden and Riffelberg stations. Treat yourself to a delicious Swiss lunch in Riffelberg with stunning Matterhorn views, then head back to Zermatt to relax in a spa.

Or, go on a mountain adventure to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise. Hop on the 3S cable car above the glaciers to the highest cable car station in Europe, walk through an ice cave, take in the views, and just soak it all up.

TIP: If none of these trips appeal to you, head to Findeln village for a special fondue lunch on the slopes at Chez Vrony – it’s very popular, so make a reservation!

Enjoy your day in Zermatt and make the most of it! Finish off the afternoon at a spa with an outdoor pool and just relax.

👉 READ ALSO: Best Ski Resorts In Europe & My Experience

DAY 10: ZERMATT – MILAN

I hope you had an amazing time in Zermatt and got the most out of your visit.

Today, we’ll be heading to Milan – it’s more of a middle stop as we travel south to Florence and the rest of Italy. I personally don’t like spending much time in Milan, but it’s a good stop to cut down on train times.

The trains to Milan usually take over 5 hours, which is crazy long. But there is a direct train from Brig (a city close to Zermatt) that leaves twice a day (in the morning after 8:00 AM and in the afternoon after 2:00 PM). So, I suggest taking this connection, then it only takes 3 hours to Milan.

🚇 Train ZERMATT ⇒ MILAN: takes 3 hours & 45 minutes – change trains in Brig (included in your Eurail Pass)

Milan

Welcome to Italy! Milan is a mix of history, fashion, great food, and that cool, creative vibe you only find in big Italian cities. Italy is overall a very diverse country; the northern part is economically well off, while the southern part has been struggling and is simpler.

Milan is one of the main Italian city hubs and it’s mainly famous for its fashion. I think 1 afternoon is enough here. So pick things you want to do and see, and you can easily manage them within a few hours.

I personally think the Duomo is beautiful and worth seeing, but aside from that, the city doesn’t have much to offer compared to others. So take it easy, relax a bit, have a nice aperitivo, and prepare for the next busy days of exploring.

Here are the main things to explore:

📍 Duomo
📍 Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
📍 Castello Sforzesco
📍 Teatro Alla Scala & Piazza Della Scala
📍 Santa Maria Delle Grazie – The Last Supper painting

Where To Stay In Milan

Here are my hotel recommendations for Milan for you. They’re all around the train station, so you don’t have to travel much:

➡ Hotel Folen
➡ Starhotels Anderson
➡ Glam Milano

DAY 11: MILAN – FLORENCE

Next up, we’re heading to Florence, one of my favorite Italian cities. Take some time in Milan in the morning, and then take the train.

You can take the Italian train ‘Frecciarossa’ – it’s a high-speed train, so you’ll need extra seat reservations. Otherwise, it’s covered by your Eurail Pass.

🚇 Train MILAN ⇒ FLORENCE: takes approx. 2 hours (included in your Eurail Pass)

Florence

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and the seat of the Medici family, offers stunning architecture, delicious food, and incredible views. That’s pretty much what we’re going to do here for the next 2 days.

Florence is rather small, yet it has so much to see and do. But I think the almost 2 days you have here are enough. Here is what I recommend you explore:

📍 Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
📍 Giotto’s Campanile
📍 Basilica of Santa Croce
📍 Uffizi Galleries
📍 Ponte Vecchio
📍 Pitti Palace
📍 Boboli Gardens
📍 Palazzo Vecchio
📍 Accademia Gallery
📍 Piazzale Michelangelo

Try to divide the sights evenly across the 2 days. I generally recommend seeing the Duomo with the Campanile and the Uffizi Galleries in 1 day. Then in the evening, head to Piazzale Michelangelo (my favorite place in Florence), and enjoy the stunning views.

Then, on the second day, choose to see David at the Accademia Gallery, walk around the Boboli Gardens, and enjoy delicious food like focaccia and pasta with truffle.

👉 Check out my article about Florence with detailed tips, sights, and places to eat here.

Where To Stay In Florence

I suggest these hotels for your stay in Florence:

➡ Hotel Jolì
➡ The Market Urban Hotel
➡ Hotel Palazzo Benci

DAY 12: FLORENCE

On the second day in Florence, you can either stay in the city and enjoy its sights or take a half-day trip to Tuscany.

I recommend enjoying the city and the rest of the sights in the morning, and then joining a tour to Tuscany with some delicious wine tasting in the afternoon.

Join this guided trip to Tuscany with a local guide. You’ll visit 2 wineries in Tuscany and taste cheese, salami, bruschetta, and various local wines. Transportation is also included, and you’ll get to enjoy this beautiful Italian region with other travelers.

DAY 13: FLORENCE – ROME

Good morning to Florence. I hope you got the most out of this city, enjoyed the sights and the wine-tasting. Today, we’re heading to our last stop – the impressive ancient capital, Rome.

In the morning, take the Frecciarossa, the Italian high-speed train: it only takes 1.5 hours. You’ll need extra seat reservations.

🚇 Train FLORENCE ⇒ ROME: takes approx. 1.5 hours (included in your Eurail Pass)

Rome

Welcome to the capital city of Italy. And when in Rome, we’ll get to do it all. This city is just timeless, honestly. I’ve been to Rome over 6 times now, and I still love coming back. Even the crowds don’t really disturb me there (well, when in Rome, I am part of the crowds anyway).

It’s super important to plan your stay here strategically and get skip-the-line tickets for the major sights, so you won’t waste a single minute. And it will also give you some spare time without rushing, so you can enjoy and soak up the atmosphere.

So, here is a list of the sights you can explore, and below, I’ll tell you how I’d organize them into the next 2 days:

📍 Vatican City (Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel + St. Peter’s Basilica)
📍 Lunch around Campo di Fiori
📍 Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill
📍 Piazza del Popolo & Villa Borghese Park
📍 Spanish Steps
📍 Trevi Fountain
📍 Pantheon
📍 Piazza Navona
📍 Dinner in Trastevere

After you arrive in the afternoon, I recommend visiting the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, then walking through Piazza Navona, seeing the Pantheon, and enjoying dinner in Trastevere. You can explore the rest on the next full day in Rome.

You’ll need skip-the-line tickets for the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, so get these asap in advance.

➡ Get tickets for Colosseum & Roman Forum here, incl. audioguide.

Where To Stay In Rome

These are the hotels I recommend for you in Rome:

➡ Hotel Elite
➡ Condotti Boutique Hotel
➡ Margutta 19 – Small Luxury Hotels of the World

DAY 14: ROME

Today, head to Vatican City and explore the museums, including St. Peter’s Basilica. Then make it up to the viewing point of the Basilica, it’s super nice.

Enjoy lunch around Campo di Fiori, then walk from Piazza Navona to the Trevi Fountain, throw a coin in there, and keep walking to the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. This is my favorite part of the city.

Grab a gelato and spend a peaceful afternoon strolling through Villa Borghese.

Another great way to spend time in Rome is to join a cooking class. This is my favorite cooking class in the city, and I always recommend it to my travelers in the groups I guide.

➡ Join this cooking class in Rome & learn how to prepare fresh fettuccine with tiramisu.

Practical Tips For Visiting Europe In Winter

I also have some tips for visiting Europe in winter. So check them out below:

What To Pack

Europe in winter can be very cold. I’ve found that each winter is very different; some are warm, so I might only wear light jackets or sweaters. Recently, it’s been very cold, so definitely pack a warm jacket with a hat, gloves, and warm sweaters, and good shoes.

TIP: It’s especially difficult to pack for a winter trip, because everything is so big and bulky. So my advice is to always bring similar colors of clothes so you can mix and match them with everything you bring.

Best Time To Visit Europe In Winter

December and January are the best winter months for Europe. December is busy but amazing, thanks to the Christmas season and its markets. Everything feels more wintery, and the vibe of the places is just next level.

January is great because you’ll often get discounts for accommodation and flights, and it’s also less crowded. It’s also the month when snow is most likely, so you can enjoy a winter wonderland.

Europe Winter Itinerary 2 Weeks Budget

Opt for about 3000 – 3500 USD for the entire 2-week trip through Europe. That includes the train pass, extra seat reservations, accommodation, food and drinks, and a few extras like mountain excursions.

The accommodation will make the biggest difference, especially in Switzerland. So that’s where you can cut costs or increase them.

BONUS: How Many Countries Can You Visit In Europe In 2 Weeks?

I’ve also created another European travel itinerary for those who want to see as much of Europe as possible in 2 weeks. It’s a bit faster-paced, but you’ll get to visit 9 different countries. Check it out by clicking on the image below:

WRAP-UP: Europe Winter Itinerary 2 Weeks

This is my 2-week European winter itinerary for you. You’ll see so much, go through different countries and cultures, and experience various activities. Take as much time in each place as you can and immerse yourself into the places.

If you need help planning your trip to Europe, I also plan customized travel itineraries for my clients. Write me an email at info(at)voicesoftravel.com, and we can discuss the details. Or book this 1-on-1 travel chat with me and I’ll help you plan in real time.

Have a great trip!