Athens, Greece - Lisbon, Portugal 12 days trip

Considered the birthplace of Western Civilization, Athens' 3,500 year history is alive today in politics, culture, and philosophy.

Explore this awe inspiring citadel, home to numerous historic buildings, including the Parthenon. Its myths are equally phenomenal.

Explore the ancient lanes north of the Acropolis. It wasn't until the 19C that Athens really expanded beyond his historic center.

Home to all artifacts found at the Acropolis and its environs, this archaeological museum is comprehensive and inspirational.

Built in the 5C BC, this pure Ionic temple was restored in 1834 with many of its original stones and carvings.

Situated high above the Aegean, this 5C BC temple is a great fortress to explore, as are the beach and cafes at the base of its headland.

With a a rare 12C double Byzantine church built into the rock, this fascinating cave is enveloped in rumors of paranormal activity.

One of the world's most important museums, the collections span all of Greek civilization, with over 11,000 artifacts.

This unique museum houses an exquisite collection of art from the ancient cultures of the Greeks, Cypriots, and Cyclades.

Displaying Greek life from antiquity to today, this museum holds 40,000 artifacts, including icons, gems, paintings, and heirlooms.

Home to over 25,000 objects, this world class museum boasts 3C-20C religious artifacts from all over the Greek world.

Learn about the Persian's defeat at this green mound in 490 BC by the vastly outnumbered Athenians.

The Mycenaean Period of Greek history is named for what is now this archaeological site of a center of Ancient Greek civilization.

At 900 ft, this summit offers unparalleled views of Athens. Walking is rewarding but not the only way to the top.

In the middle of the busy city stands Athens' oldest church. Its Byzantine dome casts a mesmerizing interior light.

One of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Athens features churches, historic houses, museums, ancient sites, and great nightlife.

Transport yourself to Ancient Greece when visiting this 5C BC temple, which held some of Greece's holiest relics.

An impressive archaeological site, Epidaurus is home to one of the best preserved and most beautiful ancient Greek theaters.

Climb to the top of the highest point on the island of Hydra for stunning panoramic views of the island and the sea.

Dating to 5C BC, this coastal town offers great beaches, a medieval fortress, and vibrant nightlife.

Once a fishing village, this islet features sandy beaches, charming ambiance, and an elegant hotel favored by the rich and famous.

A medieval fortress housing a small museum and a gallery, as well as providing great views of the area.

Spend your day catching rays on this lovely beach, known for its calm, surrounding beauty, and fine sandy shore dotted with cafes.

Enjoy the medieval charm permeating these winding cobbled streets, as you explore its citadel, churches, embrasures, and more.

Set on Montenegrin and Albanian territory surrounding Lake Skadar, this diverse park is favored by bird watchers.

An artificial islet in the Bay of Kotor, home to a 15C church with an impressive collection of art, a museum, and a gift shop.

Strikingly elegant, this statue overlooks the rocky shoreline, inspiring several romantic origin legends.

Budva's tallest structure is a 7C church, comprised of three separate buildings, including a belfry, a church, and a former palace.

Dating to the 15C, this reconstructed monastery is home to some interesting modern frescoes, and a rich history.

A nice museum containing a lapidarium, an archaeological collection dating to the 5C BC, and an ethnographic exhibit.

This 13C monastery is a great example of Raska architectural school, and home to several exceptional frescoes dating to 13C-16C.

Dotted with 18 glacial lakes, and home to the famous Tara River Canyon, this national park is a must visit for nature lovers.

Famed worldwide for its romantic canals and gorgeous masks, this thriving city offers its visitors a wealth of cultural attractions.

Venice's famous main square is beautifully designed, lined with gorgeous arcaded buildings, and is a great spot for people-watching.

Boasting superb Italian-Byzantine style, this 11C basilica hosts a wealth of gilded mosaics, elegant frescoes, and other decorations.

Lined with a fascinating array of architectural curios, the Grand Canal is the city's largest water transportation vein.

Set on one of Venice's major arteries, this superb museum hosts an array of modern art, from Cubism, to Expressionist, to Futurism.

Pack up your hiking boots because the wild beauty of the Dolomites awaits your exploration, boasting streams, mountains, and rich fauna.

Once a thriving hub of the Venetian Republic, this lagoon island features several remarkable churches and a few historic sites.

If you allow yourself one touristy act, let it be this - take a ride on a gondola, exploring the city as it should be explored.

Dating to the 15C, this clock town boasts an ornate facade and fine architectural blend, as well as offering tours behind the mechanism.

Wander around the famed City of Canals, exploring the winding streets by foot or a gondola, soaking up the carnivalesque ambiance.

Located on the long sandbar, this beach rests on the Adriatic Sea, and offers wonderful seaside scenery, clear water, and fine sand.

Immortalized in several Shakespearean plays, Verona lures travelers with its culture, rich history, and unforgettable atmosphere.

With its narrow streets and golden domes, this unique city has a buzzing art scene, lively nightlife and heavenly food.

Stroll the city center and feel the authentic Austrian atmosphere, with historic buildings and winding narrow streets.

Situated on a hill overlooking the Salzach River, this large castle has many rooms to tour and a stupendous view of the Alps.

Narrowly built, but immensely popular, Getreidegasse street is lively and full of shops that need exploring.

This terrace, perched high above the city, offers nice views of modern Salzburg, the ancient city center, and the evergreen Alps.

Feel like you're in another world as you explore these incredible ice caves; don't forget to wear good shoes and warm clothes!

Stretching for over 42km, the world's largest ice cave consists of several successive chambers, boasting unique stone formations.

Home to over 1,200 animals, this small zoo is set among lush hilly landscape and features large enclosures.

Frequently played at by Mozart, this palace is simply breathtaking with ornate golden decorations and checkered marble floors.

Renowned for its collection of art, Salzburg Museum Neue Residenz is also home to many rare archaeological artifacts.

Once the summer home of an archbishop, this Italian style villa features enchanting fountains and gorgeous gardens.

Dazzling visitors with its panoramic views, Untersberg showcases the breathtaking Salzburg basin all the way to the snow-peaked Alps.

Gorgeously set against the majestic Alps, this 11C fortress offers a tour of the weaponry, a falconry museum, and a medieval tavern.

Munich is a fabulous city, known for its rich history, culture, art, as well as modern amenities and great nightlife.

Set in the heart of the city, this lovely public park imitates the style of English landscaping and gardens.

Founded in the 16C, this museum is one of the oldest in the world and boasts a collection of European paintings from the 14CC-18C.

This 21-ha park is a paradise of flora with more than 16,000 species from numerous habitats.

This historic center is a fabulous meeting place, particularly when the workday ends and the locals are out for an evening stroll.

Known for its extravagant interior, this 19C castle was built bu Ludwig II as a hunting palace for Bavarian royals.

This castle beats the Disney copy in every way, from its spectacular interior to the incredible views.

With more than a day's worth of exhibits to explore, this interactive museum traces science and technology since 1925.

This 18C hunting lodge is a beautiful rococo mansion on the grounds of Nymphenburg Castle.

This museum features a comprehensive collection of Bavarian art and artifacts from the Romanesque to the Renaissance periods.

This must-see museum is in fact four museums of 20C art, all located in a spectacular glass building designed by Braunfels.

The City of Lights boasts fascinating architecture, rich culture, and amazing cuisine, making it one of the best destinations in the world.

With its antique shops, art galleries, squares, and great restaurants, the Place des Vosges is an incarnation of charm.

As the most renowned art gallery in the world, with the Mona Lisa as its crown jewel, the Louvre could take a week or more to visit in depth.

This avenue is the most vivid place in Paris, with excellent restaurants, theaters, and luxury boutiques at every turn.

The most iconic monument of Paris, The Eiffel Tower is a Symbol of France and offers the highest observation deck in Europe at 276m high.

The town of Versailles is the symbol of the French monarchy, and considered as the apogee of classical arts in France.

Built in the 17C in typical Classical style, this castle is one of the most prestigious in the region.

These French gardens are some of the most lovely and romantic in all of Paris.

Enjoy an amazing view of Paris at the romantic surroundings this basilica offers.

Stroll through the narrow streets and discover the restaurants and boutiques in the Marais quarter.

One of the most lively quarters of Paris, the nightlife, dining and entertainment options here seem endless.

This small town is dominated by its massive castle and amazing forest, and is a popular weekend destination for Parisians.

This romantic town in the Picadry region proudly displays its Medieval heritage, architecture, monuments, and art.

This breathtaking museum in an old train station focuses on 19C art, and holds concerts and other performance on an ongoing basis.

At more than 900 ha, this is a welcome greenspace in Paris, including its lakes, fountains, zoo, and more.

With its "Fontaine des Fleuves" and obelisk, this is one of the most picturesque sites in Paris.

Dedicated to the work of Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, this museum is home to "The Thinker". 

Considered the capital of the Centre region, this city is excellent for lovers of history and quality dining.

This small town is famous for its magnificent attractions: Chantilly Castle and the vast park and forest that surround it.

A vibrant metropolis set on the Mediterranean Sea, famed for its brilliant architecture, rich culture, and captivating history.

Recognized as the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi, this incomplete church is an exquisite blend of Gothicism and Art Nouveau.

In the heart of the city center, this historic quarter is full of Gothic architectural gems, as well as artifacts dating to the 4C.

A marvel of landscaping by Antoni Gaudi, this park blends lush gardens with architectural curios, and is full of whimsical statues.

The center remains the heart of Barcelona, combining historic sites and cultural monuments with cafes, shops, and fun activities.

Dating to the 11C, this cliffside monastery boasts Romanesque features and is surrounded by the breathtaking nature of the Cingles de Berti.

A beautiful mountaintop abbey that offers breathtaking views over the whole of Catalonia, and houses a famed image of Black Madonna.

Once the city's infamous Chinatown, today the neighborhood is best known for its nightlife and a myriad of diverse eateries.

Located centrally in the Gothic Quarter, this cultural square is surrounded by some of Barcelona's most grand medieval buildings.

Walk down this major avenue, admiring fantastic architectural gems, browsing the various shops, and enjoying the local cafes.

Established in the 15C, this famous avenue is lively, colorful, and manic, with ever-changing commerce, nature, and celebrations.

Take a guided tour through the salt mines to explore the breathtaking caves and learn about salt mining in the region.

Heavenly visions guided two young shepherds to this cave in the 9C, where they discovered a relic of the Virgin Mary.

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a lively city filled with restaurants, shops, buzzing nightlife, and historical sites.

A 16C architectural gem of Manueline art, the UNESCO World Heritage Site monastery features an ornate facade and a peaceful courtyard.

Wander through the lively streets of Lisbon and discover beautiful architecture, historical sites, and stunning viewpoints.

An art museum displaying a vast collection of ancient Oriental and Classical art, as well as 11C-20C European art.

A 17C palace, formerly used as hunting pavilion, it boasts a 16C chapel and beautiful artwork decorating the different rooms.

Its structures melt into the wild natural surroundings, this 16C convent embodies the spirit of the minimalism its order practiced.

A majestic 19C Romanticist hilltop palace, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A museum dedicated to the history of carriages in Portugal, it displays an exquisite collection of 16C-20C carriages.

These winding cobbled streets are where you’ll find the city's trendiest restaurants, bars and shops.

A 5C hillside castle that has been modified throughout the centuries. It boasts beautiful scenic views of the surrounding area.

This 16C garden is the ideal spot for enjoying a peaceful afternoon in the sun or a short walk in the woods.

Surrounded by lush gardens, this 19C villa is famed for a superb mixture of Gothic, Indian, and Moorish architectural elements.

An impressive and majestic 17C Baroque palace and monastery, containing a basilica, two main towers, a convent and a library.

An art museum set in a 17C palace dedicated to presenting the history of Portugal through collections of 12C-19C art.

Lisbon’s oldest church was built in the 12C. Its continuous reconstruction resulted in an intriguing mix of architectural styles.

A 16C Romanesque-Gothic tower, originally built to serve as a lighthouse. It offers beautiful views of the river and the city.

A wide pedestrian avenue, lined with architectural gems, it is the perfect spot for enjoying a shopping trip and a pleasant meal.

A scenic viewpoint at 500m above sea level in a natural park, home to a large cross and spectacular panoramic views.

Home to a wealth of beautiful flora and fauna, this park is especially popular due to its proximity to the city of Lisbon.