Europe, Eight Four-City Routes
All routes connected by train! (except one)
MULTI-COUNTRY
BUDAPEST/VIENNA/PRAGUE/BERLIN OR KRAKOW
A popular European route! If you’re a huge fan of opera, very clean cities, chocolate cake photos and classical music, spend an extra day in Vienna. Otherwise, Budapest and Berlin have enough for at least four full days - when it’s not winter. My traveling sister spent her first time in Berlin during wintertime and had much to complain about. It was because it was cold. You’d be surprised how much weather affects your mood and patience. Happy booking!
AMSTERDAM/BRUSSELS/PARIS/LONDON
I almost completed this route during Christmas but we ended up staying in Brussels the whole time. Christmas Markets, waffles, and things. We just had plans to make day trips. I say this to say do not underestimate Brussels. Though it will be outshined by the other three.
COPENHAGEN/STOCKHOLM/GOTHENBURG/OSLO
Book through Rail Ninja. You can add Iceland if you don’t mind getting on a three-hour flight from Oslo.
SOLO-COUNTRY
DONEGAL/DUBLIN/CORK/KILLARNEY
I LOOOOVVEEEDDDD Dublin. This time I’d discover more of the Emerald Isle. When you tell someone you’ve been in Dublin for more than three days they’ll name everywhere else in Ireland you should be. It’s the reason why it’s the first country on this solo list :). Donegal is beautifully scenic, Cork is not-Dublin, and I keep reading about Killarney as one of the favorite day trips from Dublin after Cliffs of Moher.
PARIS/COLMAR/LYON/BORDEAUX
“I’ve only had crepes in Paris” - my friend. Paris is the interim city between Lyon and Bordeaux via train, and it is also the stopover city if going directly to any of the other three cities by plane. You can play around with the logistics. Take many pictures in Colmar, drink in Bordeaux, and restaurant hop in Lyon.
ATHENS/SIFNOS/NAXOS/SANTORINI
A ferry will take you between Athens and the Greek islands. Sifnos, Naxos, and Santorini caught my eye but there’s an island for everybody.
CORDOBA/GRANADA/MALAGA/SEVILLE
Spain’s Andalucía region is known for warmth, Islamic architecture, and bullfighting. Granada is home to the famous palace, Alhambra - visitors make a day trip when visiting Seville. Before knowing the history, I was sold on the size and backdrop.
VENICE/BOLOGNA/FLORENCE/ROME
Many would have much to say if I ended this list without romance and Bolognese sauce.
Cover Photo: Roman Kraft/Unsplash
