They say that planning a trip makes you happier than actually taking it. I don’t know that I necessarily agree—I mean, there were definitely some unforeseen frustrations on the trip, but I still loved it. However, I definitely concur that planning the trip brought a great sense of joy and satisfaction. The minutes spent organizing our European itinerary were a welcome break from writing my dissertation, and they gave me something to look forward to as I dealt with the sadness of ending my year abroad and leaving the country I had grown to love.
While there are things that I would change about our itinerary if I were to do it again, I don’t regret one minute of that trip. We saw so many incredible things, met some amazing people, and made memories that we’ll cherish forever. Always the filmmaker, I put together this video recap of many of the things we saw (Leslie gets credit for the cute walking montage idea).
Our Six-Week European Itinerary
For the curious (and those of you trying to plan your own European itinerary), here’s how we spent six crazy weeks traveling through 10 countries in Western Europe.
Note: On the maps, stops marked with a red icon were ones we actually visited/paid to enter, those marked with a blue icon were ones that we enjoyed from the outside, and those marked with a gray icon were those we had planned to visit but couldn’t for one reason or another. Those are not listed on the “What We Saw” lists for each day.
Day 1 – Dublin, Ireland
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Me: Newcastle, England
Leslie: Arizona
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Flew to Dublin
Bus to hostel
Walked around city
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Dublin, Ireland
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Ha’Penny Bridge
Temple Bar District
Christ Church Cathedral
St.Patrick’s Cathedral
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-dublin/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Dublin here[/button]
Day 2 – Irish Castles
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[one_third]
Where We Started:
Dublin, Ireland
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Rental Car
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Killarney, Ireland
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Rock of Cashel
Blarney Castle
Killarney National Park
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-rock-of-cashel/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about the Rock of Cashel here[/button]
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-blarney-castle/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about Blarney Castle and Killarney National Park here[/button]
Day 3 – Dinglehopping
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Killarney, Ireland
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Rental Car
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Ennis, Ireland
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Dingle Peninsula
Conor Pass
Blennervill Windmill
Ennis
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-dinglehopping/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time on the Dingle Peninsula here[/button]
Day 4 – The Cliffs of Insanity Moher
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Ennis, Ireland
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Rental Car
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Letterfrack, Ireland
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
The Cliffs of Moher
Connemara National Park
Kylemore Abbey
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-the-cliffs-of-insanity/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time at the Cliffs of Moher here[/button]
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-connemara-national-park-and-kylemore-abbey/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time at Connemara NP and Kylemore Abbey here[/button]
Day 5 – Travel Day
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Letterfrack, Ireland
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Drove to Dublin
Flew to London
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
London, England
[/one_third_last]
Day 6, 7, and 8 – London
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
London, England
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Metro, Walking, and driving with a friend
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
London, England
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
[one_third]
Day 6
Leslie and I are both LDS and we made sure to plan our trip so that we would be able to attend church every Sunday. We also tried to keep our activities appropriate for the Sabbath.
The Albert Memorial
Hyde Park
Kensington Palace
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Day 7
King’s Cross Station (Platform 9 3/4)
St. Pancras Station
British Museum
Picadilly Circus
Buckingham Palace
The Guards Museum
Trafalgar Square
Big Ben
Houses of Parliament
Attended Evensong at Westminster
Millennium Bridge
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Day 8
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Watched at play at the Globe
Borough Market
Windsor Castle
[/one_third_last]
[one_third][button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-hyde-park/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about day 6 here[/button][/one_third]
[one_third][button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-london-day-1/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about day 7 here[/button][/one_third]
[one_third_last][button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-much-ado-about-london/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about day 8 here[/button][/one_third_last]
Day 9 – Portsmouth
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
London, England
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train to Portsmouth
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Ferry bound for France
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Portsmouth Historic Dockyards
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-portsmouth/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Portsmouth here[/button]
Day 10 – Mont Saint-Michel
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Ferry Port at St. Malo, France
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Taxi to Saint-Marcan
Hosts provided transportation to and from Mont Saint-Michel
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Saint-Marcan, France
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Mont Saint-Michel
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-mont-saint-michel/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time at Mont Saint-Michel here[/button]
Days 11 & 12 – Paris
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Saint-Marcan, France
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Hosts provided transportation to train station in Pontorson
Train to Paris
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Paris, France
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
The Louvre
Notre Dame
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
Sacre Coeur
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-mais-oui-paris/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Paris here[/button]
Day 12 part II – Travel
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Paris, France
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Metro
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Lisbon, Portugal
[/one_third_last]
Day 13 – Sunday in Belém
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Lisbon, Portugal
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Bus and Walking
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Lisbon, Portugal
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Padrão dos Descobrimentos (the Monument to the Discoveries)
Torre de Belém (Tower of Belém)
Palácio Foz
25 de Abril Bridge
Sanctuary of Christ the King
Jerónimos Monastery
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-discovering-belem/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Belém here[/button]
Day 14 – Day Trip to Sintra
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Lisbon, Portugal
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Lisbon, Portugal
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Pena Palace
Quinta de Regaleira
Palácio Nacional de Sintra
Palácio de Queluz
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-spectacular-sintra/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Sintra here[/button]
Day 15 – Lisbon
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Lisbon, Portugal
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Metro and Tram
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Night train to Madrid
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Castelo de São Jorge
Alfama district
Igreja de Santa Catarina
Igreja de São Roque
Livraria Bertrand
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-lovely-lisboa/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Lisbon here[/button]
Day 16 – Madrid
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Chamartín train station, Madrid
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Walking
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Madrid, Spain
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Madrid Atocha train station
Palacio Real
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-tiempo-de-tortugas/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Madrid here[/button]
Day 17 – The Alhambra
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Madrid, Spain
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train and Bus
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Granada, Spain
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
The Alhambra
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-alhambra-palace/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time at The Alhambra here[/button]
Day 18 – Travel Day
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Granada, Spain
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Barcelona, Spain
[/one_third_last]
Day 19 – Barcelona
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Barcelona, Spain
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Metro
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Barcelona, Spain
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
La Boqueria
Sagrada Familia
Park Güell
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-bad-luck-barcelona/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Barcelona here[/button]
Day 20 – Church and Travel
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Barcelona, Spain
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Bus
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Carcassonne, France
[/one_third_last]
Day 21 – Carcassonne
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Carcassonne, France
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Walking
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Carcassonne, France
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
The Medieval City of Carcassonne
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-carcassonne/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Carcassonne here[/button]
Day 22 – Avignon
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Carcassonne, France
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Avignon, France
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Le Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes)
Had plans to visit two churches, but both were closed
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/jeslie-does-europe-avignon/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Avignon here[/button]
Day 23 – Travel
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Avignon, France
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Milan, Italy
[/one_third_last]
Day 24 – Milan
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Milan, Italy
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Metro
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Milan, Italy
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Duomo di Milano
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
La Scala Theatre
Sforza Castle
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/musical-milan/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Milan here[/button]
Day 25 – Venice
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Milan, Italy
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Venice, Italy
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
The Grand Canal
Basilica di San Marco
La Fenice Theatre
The Doge’s Palace
The Bridge of Sighs
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/the-floating-city/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Venice here[/button]
Days 26 & 27 – Florence
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Venice, Italy
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Taxi, Train, and Bus
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Florence, Italy
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
[one_half]
Day 26
Markets
Da Vinci Museum
Florence Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
Palazzo della Signoria
Il Porcellino
Ponte Vecchio
[/one_half]
[one_half_last]
Day 27
Church
Piazzale Michelangelo
[/one_half_last]
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/florence-and-the-machines/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Florence here[/button]
Day 28 – Rome
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Florence, Italy
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train and Metro
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Rome, Italy
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Colosseum
Palatine Hill
The Roman Forum
The Altar of the Fatherland
Foro Traiano
Mercati di Traiano
The Pantheon
The Trevi Fountain
Giolitti
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/when-in-rome/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Rome here[/button]
Day 29 – Day trip to Pompeii
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Rome, Italy
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Tour Bus, but we did a self-guided tour
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Rome, Italy
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Pompeii
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/oh-hey-pompeii/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Pompeii here[/button]
Day 30 – The Vatican City and Rome Part II
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Rome, Italy
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Metro
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Rome, Italy
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
The Vatican Museums
Sistine Chapel
St. Peter’s Square
Castel Sant’Angelo
The Spanish Steps
Borghese Gardens
Giolitti again
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/the-vatican-museums/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in The Vatican City here[/button]
Day 31 – Travel
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Rome, Italy
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Flew
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Vienna, Austria
[/one_third_last]
Day 32 – Vienna
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Vienna, Austria
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Metro
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Vienna, Austria
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Schönbrunn Palace
Stephensplatz Church
Museum Quarter
Austrian Parliament Building
Rathaus
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna (Me)
Hofburg Palace (Leslie)
Donnerbrunnen Fountain
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/vienna-the-city-of-horses/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Vienna here[/button]
Days 33 & 34 – Salzburg
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Vienna, Austria
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Salzburg, Austria
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Schloss Mirabel
Dwarf Garden
Holy Trinity Church
Mozart’s Birthplace
Dom zu Salzburg
Horse Fountains
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Stift Nonnberg (Nonnberg Abbey)
Sebastianfriedhof
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/tag/salzburg/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Salzburg here[/button]
Day 35 – Neuschwanstein Castle
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Salzburg, Austria
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Bus and Train and Bus again
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Hohenschwangau, Germany
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Füssen, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle
Alpsee
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/neuschwanstein-castle/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time at Neuschwanstein here[/button]
Days 36 & 37 – Munich
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Hohenschwangau, Germany
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Bus, Train, and Metro
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Munich, Germany
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Rathaus Cuckoo Clock
The Munich Residencz (including the Royal Theater and the Treasury)
King’s Square
Wittelsbach Fountain
Feldherrnhalle
Frauenkirche
Altes Rathaus
St. Peter’s Church
Heiliggeistkirche
Viktuals Market
The Deutsches Museum
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/marvelous-munich/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Munich here[/button]
Day Day 38 – Geneva
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Munich, Germany
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Geneva, Switzerland
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Jet d’Eau
L’horloge fleurie
St Pierre Cathedral
The Arsenal
Reformation Wall
Promenade des Bastions
Skatepark of Plainpalais
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/insiders-look-geneva-switzerland/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Geneva here[/button]
Day 39 – Day trip to Gruyères
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Geneva, Switzerland
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Host drove
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Geneva, Switzerland
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory
La Maison du Gruyère
Gruyères Castle
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/a-culinary-tour-of-gruyeres-switzerland/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Gruyères here[/button]
Day 40 – Day trip to Montreux and the Chateau de Chillon
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Geneva, Switzerland
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Train
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Geneva, Switzerland
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Montreux, Switzerland
The Chateau de Chillon
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/montreux-switzerland-and-the-chateau-de-chillon/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Montreux here[/button]
Day 41 – Flying Back to the US
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Geneva, Switzerland
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Flights
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Solvang, CA
[/one_third_last]
Day 42 – Solvang, CA
[map type=”code”][/map]
[one_third]
Where We Started:
Solvang, CA
[/one_third]
[one_third]
Transportation:
Walking and Driving
[/one_third]
[one_third_last]
Where We Ended:
Solvang, CA
[/one_third_last]
What We Saw:
Solvang, CA
Jalama Beach
Santa Barbara, CA
[button href=”http://www.jestkeptsecret.com/solvang-ca-the-danish-capital-of-america/” style=”flat” size=”large” color=”#568c99″ hovercolor=”#b9e4ee” icon=”star”]Read about our time in Solvang here[/button]
After that, we both headed home, her to Arizona and me to Idaho. It was a whirlwind trip for sure and there are certainly lots of things we missed. But I feel like we did a pretty good job of seeing as much as we could while we were in Europe.
Stay tuned for next week, when I’ll have a post about how to tackle the often overwhelming task of planning a European itinerary of your own. See you then!
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[1] Which I’ve never seen, so please don’t take this as an endorsement…
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