Our Europe Adventure 2026 ✈️

🗓 Day-by-Day Itinerary

17 magical days across Europe — swipe to explore ←→

Day 1

April 30 Thursday

Paris 🇫🇷 · Arrival

Arrive Paris 7 AM after 11-hour overnight flight! Take it easy — jet lag will hit hard 😴. Drop bags at hotel, stroll Latin Quarter, first croissant & café au lait 🥐. Evening: see the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro (no need to go up!) and enjoy the sparkle show at night.

😴 Rest & recover🥐 First croissant🗼 Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro

Day 2

May 1 Friday

Paris 🇫🇷 · Recovery

Gentle recovery day! Sleep in, no rush 🌿. Walk up to Montmartre — climb Sacré-Cœur for the best Paris view (your wife's pick over Eiffel Tower summit!). Eat crêpes, sidewalk café people-watching. Head to Galeries Lafayette for FREE rooftop terrace — stunning Eiffel Tower view + Opéra Garnier below 📸. Afternoon at Luxembourg Gardens.

🌿 Slow morning⛪ Sacré-Cœur view🎨 Montmartre🏬 Galeries Lafayette terrace🌳 Luxembourg Gardens

Day 3

May 2 Saturday

Paris 🇫🇷

Full Paris day! Louvre Museum morning (book online!), Tuileries Garden. 🎫 Opéra Garnier at 11:30 AM — arrive by 11:00! 🎭 Then walk Champs-Élysées & photo at Arc de Triomphe (no need to go up). Afternoon Le Marais — falafel at L'As du Fallafel. Dinner at Bouillon Chartier!

🖼 Louvre Museum🎫🎭 Opéra Garnier 11:30🏛 Arc de Triomphe🛍 Le Marais🍲 Bouillon Chartier

Day 4

May 3 Sunday

Paris 🇫🇷

Last Paris day! Notre-Dame area, Seine River sunset cruise 🚢, macarons at Ladurée. Musée d'Orsay if time allows. Evening stroll along the Seine — golden hour is unforgettable 🌅

⛪ Notre-Dame🚢 Seine cruise🍬 Ladurée macarons🏛 Musée d'Orsay

Day 5

May 4 Monday

🚂 Paris → Brussels → Amsterdam

Morning train Paris Gare du Nord → Brussels-Midi (~1.5 hrs). Grand Place, Belgian waffles 🧇, chocolate, Manneken Pis, frites! Evening train → Amsterdam Centraal (~2 hrs). Check into hotel for 2 nights.

🏛 Grand Place🧇 Belgian waffles🍫 Belgian chocolate🇳🇱 Arrive Amsterdam

Day 6

May 5 Tuesday

🌷 Keukenhof + Amsterdam

🎫 Keukenhof bus 8:30 AM from Europaplein — arrive by 8:00! 🌷 Morning exploring tulip fields & pavilions. Return ~1 PM. Afternoon: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House (book ahead!), canal cruise at golden hour 🚤

🎫🌷 Keukenhof 8:30 bus🖼 Rijksmuseum🎨 Van Gogh Museum🏠 Anne Frank House🚤 Canal cruise

Day 7

May 6 Wednesday

🚂 Amsterdam → Cologne → Lucerne

Train Amsterdam Centraal → Köln Hbf (~3 hrs). Kölner Dom RIGHT outside — jaw-dropping Gothic cathedral ⛪. Climb 533 steps! Old town, Kölsch beer. Afternoon train → Luzern (~4 hrs). Switzerland! 🇨🇭

⛪ Kölner Dom🌉 Rhine riverfront🍺 Kölsch beer🇨🇭 Arrive Lucerne

Day 8

May 7 Thursday

Lucerne 🇨🇭

Prettiest city in Switzerland! Chapel Bridge — oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe 🌉. Lion Monument, Old Town stroll. Boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Optional: cable car up Mt. Pilatus 🏔

🌉 Chapel Bridge🦁 Lion Monument🚢 Lake cruise🏔 Mt. Pilatus

Day 9

May 8 Friday

🚂 Golden Pass → Interlaken

THE scenic train! 🏔 Luzern–Interlaken Express — 2 hours of spectacular Alpine scenery through panoramic windows. Turquoise lakes, snow peaks, waterfalls, tiny villages. Arrive Interlaken. Evening lakefront walk 🌅

🚂 Panoramic train🏔 Alpine scenery🏞 Lake Thun🌄 Lake Brienz

Day 10

May 9 Saturday

Jungfraujoch 🇨🇭

🎫 Train 8:04 AM from Interlaken Ost — arrive station by 7:30! 🏔 Route UP via Lauterbrunnen. Top of Europe at 3,454m! Walk Aletsch Glacier, Ice Palace, Sphinx Observatory. Return train 12:45 PM via Grindelwald (different scenery both ways!). Dress WARM — freezing ❄️

🎫🏔 Train 8:04 AM⬆️ Up via Lauterbrunnen🧊 Glacier & Ice Palace⬇️ Down 12:45 via Grindelwald

Day 11

May 10 Sunday

🚂 Interlaken → Zurich → Venice

Morning in Zurich — Old Town, Grossmünster, Lake Zurich, Swiss chocolate 🍫. Train south to Venice (~6 hrs via scenic Gotthard). Arrive city of canals! Evening Venice at night = pure magic ✨

⛪ Grossmünster🏙 Zurich Old Town🍫 Swiss chocolate🇮🇹 Arrive Venice

Day 12

May 11 Monday

Venice 🇮🇹

Full Venice day! 🛶 St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, get beautifully lost. Murano or Burano. Sunset gondola ride 💕 Cicchetti at All'Arco and fresh seafood pasta!

🏛 St. Mark's🏰 Doge's Palace🌉 Rialto Bridge🛶 Gondola ride🏝 Murano/Burano

Day 13

May 12 Tuesday

🚂 Venice → Rome

Frecciarossa Venezia Santa Lucia → Roma Termini (~3.5 hrs). Afternoon: Trevi Fountain 🪙, Pantheon, Piazza Navona. Evening passeggiata with gelato 🍦. Supplì & pizza al taglio!

⛲ Trevi Fountain🏛 Pantheon🍦 Gelato!🍕 Pizza al taglio

Day 14

May 13 Wednesday

Rome / Vatican 🇻🇦

Big day! Colosseum & Roman Forum (skip-the-line!) 🏟. Vatican — St. Peter's Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums. Evening: Spanish Steps, cacio e pepe at Mastrociccia, dinner in Trastevere 🌙

🏟 Colosseum⛪ St. Peter's🎨 Sistine Chapel🍝 Cacio e pepe🍷 Trastevere

Day 15

May 14 Thursday

🚂 Rome → Pisa → Milan

Train Roma Termini → Pisa Centrale (~2.5 hrs). Leaning Tower = 15-min walk! "Holding up tower" photo 📸, Piazza dei Miracoli. Lunch, then Pisa → Milano Centrale (~3 hrs).

🗼 Leaning Tower📸 Classic photos⛪ Piazza dei Miracoli🇮🇹 Arrive Milan

Day 16

May 15 Friday

Lake Como + Milan 🇮🇹

Last full day! Morning train to Lake Como (1 hr) 🌊. Bellagio, ferry between villages, lakeside lunch. Return Milan afternoon. Duomo rooftop, Galleria V.E. II, panzerotti at Luini. Aperitivo at Navigli — buy 1 drink = FREE buffet! 🥂

🏘 Bellagio⛴ Lake ferry⛪ Duomo rooftop🥂 Aperitivo Navigli

Day 17

May 16 Saturday

✈️ Milan → Hanoi

Last morning in Europe 😢. Flight at 12 PM — check out early, airport by 9 AM. Goodbye Europe — we'll be back! Pack souvenirs, chocolate, and a million memories ❤️

✈️ Fly home🧳 Souvenirs❤️ Unforgettable

🏨 Hotel Booking Quick Reference

Use these exact check-in / check-out dates when booking

City	Check-in	Check-out	Nights
🇫🇷 Paris	Apr 30 (Thu)	May 4 (Mon)	4
🇳🇱 Amsterdam	May 4 (Mon)	May 6 (Wed)	2
🇨🇭 Lucerne	May 6 (Wed)	May 8 (Fri)	2
🇨🇭 Interlaken	May 8 (Fri)	May 10 (Sun)	2
🇮🇹 Venice	May 10 (Sun)	May 12 (Tue)	2
🇮🇹 Rome	May 12 (Tue)	May 14 (Thu)	2
🇮🇹 Milan	May 14 (Thu)	May 16 (Sat)	2

💡 Total: 16 hotel nights. Brussels, Cologne, Keukenhof, Zurich, Pisa & Lake Como are day trips — no hotel needed!

💎 Local Gems — Avoid Tourist Traps

Budget-friendly restaurants & spots recommended by locals — swipe ←→

Paris 🇫🇷

🥘 Bouillon Chartier

Classic French — beef bourguignon, steak-frites, escargot in a gorgeous 1896 dining hall. Mains €10–15. Always busy, no reservations, but queue moves fast.

7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre

🧆 L'As du Fallafel

Best falafel in Paris. Huge pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hummus, cabbage. ~€8–12. Line moves fast. Take to Place des Vosges for a picnic.

34 Rue des Rosiers, Le Marais

🍜 Phở Tài

Fresh Vietnamese food — when you miss Asian food! Phở, bánh cuốn, crispy chicken. Packed with locals. ~€9–12.

13th District (Chinatown)

🥐 Le Progrès

Cozy bistro in Montmartre. Looks touristy but locals love it. French onion soup, steak tartare, escargots. All-day food.

7 Rue des Trois Frères, Montmartre

⚠️ AVOID: Restaurants on Place du Tertre (Montmartre) & directly on Champs-Élysées — overpriced, frozen food, tourist menus.

Brussels 🇧🇪

🍟 Maison Antoine

Best frites in Brussels since 1948. Double-fried, crispy, paper cone with mayo. ~€3–5. Worth the queue.

Place Jourdan

🧇 Maison Dandoy

Authentic Belgian waffles since 1829. Both Brussels (thin, crispy) and Liège (thick, caramelized) style. ~€4–7.

Rue au Beurre 31 (near Grand Place)

⚠️ AVOID: Any restaurant ON Grand Place — walk 2 streets away for half the price.

Amsterdam 🇳🇱

🐟 Stubbe's Haring

Iconic herring stand since 1938. Raw herring with onions & pickles. The real Dutch experience. ~€4–5.

Near Central Station, Haarlemmersluis bridge

🧀 Albert Cuyp Market

Best street food market. Stroopwafels, kibbeling (fried fish), poffertjes, cheese. Daily except Sunday. Budget heaven!

Albert Cuypstraat, De Pijp

🍟 FEBO

Iconic Dutch vending machine fast food! Put coins in, pull out a kroket or frikandel. Fun, cheap, unique. ~€2–4.

Multiple locations citywide

⚠️ AVOID: Restaurants on Leidseplein & Rembrandtplein — overpriced tourist zone.

Venice 🇮🇹

🍤 All'Arco

Tiny bàcaro near Rialto. Best cicchetti in Venice — sardines, octopus, anchovies on bread. €1.50–3 each. Standing only, closes early.

San Polo 436 (near Rialto Bridge)

🍕 Pizza a Volo

Pizza by the slice. Large, fresh, cheap. ~€3/slice. Great for quick lunch between exploring.

Campo Santa Margherita

☕ Caffè del Doge

Best coffee in Venice — hard to find good coffee here. Rich espresso, local roaster. Steps from Rialto.

Calle dei Cinque, near Rialto

⚠️ AVOID: Any restaurant with photos on the menu, staff pulling you inside, or menus in 10 languages. Walk 2 streets off St. Mark's Square.

Rome 🇮🇹

🍝 Da Enzo al 29

Tiny trattoria in Trastevere. Best cacio e pepe & carbonara in Rome. No reservations — arrive 30 min before opening! ~€12–15/pasta.

Via dei Vascellari 29, Trastevere

🍕 Forno Campo de' Fiori

Famous bakery. Pizza bianca (just olive oil & salt) is legendary. Pizza al taglio sold by weight. ~€3–5.

Campo de' Fiori 22

🥪 Trapizzino

Triangle pizza pockets stuffed with slow-cooked meats — chicken cacciatore, meatballs, stewed beef. Genius street food. ~€3.50–5.

Multiple locations (Testaccio, Trastevere, Termini)

🍦 Fatamorgana

Best gelato in Rome — all natural, creative flavors. No artificial colors. Multiple locations. ~€3–5.

Via Lago di Lesina 9 (+ other locations)

⚠️ AVOID: Restaurants around Trevi Fountain & near Colosseum entrances. Walk to Monti or Trastevere neighborhoods instead.

Milan 🇮🇹

🥪 Luini Panzerotti

Deep-fried calzone stuffed with mozzarella & tomato. Always a line near Duomo — it's the Milan must-eat. ~€3–4.

Via Santa Radegonda 16 (near Duomo)

🍹 Navigli Aperitivo

Milan invented aperitivo! Buy 1 Spritz/Negroni (~€8–10) = FREE unlimited buffet food. Basically a free dinner! Go 6–8 PM.

Navigli canal district (multiple bars)

🍝 Trattoria Milanese

Classic Milanese cuisine since 1933. Risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco, cotoletta. Family-run, locals only. ~€12–18.

Via Santa Marta 11

⚠️ AVOID: Restaurants right next to Duomo — walk 5 min in any direction for better food at half the price.

Lucerne & Interlaken 🇨🇭

🛒 Migros / Coop Supermarkets

Switzerland is EXPENSIVE. Best budget strategy: buy bread, cheese, cold cuts, and chocolate at Migros or Coop. Meal ~CHF 8–12 vs €30+ at restaurants.

Found everywhere near train stations

🧀 One Fondue Dinner

Splurge on ONE fondue or raclette dinner — it's the quintessential Swiss experience. Share a pot. ~CHF 25–35/person.

Ask your hotel for a local recommendation

💡 TIP: Eat supermarket lunch + one nice dinner = smartest budget strategy in Switzerland!

🗣 Survival Phrases

You don't need to learn the language — just these few phrases. Locals love it when you try!

🇫🇷

French Paris · Brussels

Hello	Bonjour	bong-ZHOOR
Good evening	Bonsoir	bong-SWAHR
Thank you	Merci	mehr-SEE
Please	S'il vous plaît	seel voo PLEH
Yes / No	Oui / Non	wee / nong
Excuse me	Excusez-moi	ex-koo-zay MWAH
How much?	C'est combien ?	say kong-bee-YANG?
The bill please	L'addition, SVP	la-dee-see-YONG seel voo PLEH
Where is...?	Où est...?	oo EH...?
I don't speak French	Je ne parle pas français	zhuh nuh PARL pah frang-SEH
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais ?	par-lay VOO ong-LEH?
Delicious!	Délicieux !	day-lee-see-UH!

💡 Always say "Bonjour" when entering ANY shop or restaurant — not saying it is considered rude in France!

🇳🇱

Dutch Amsterdam

Hello	Hallo	HAH-loh
Hi (casual)	Hoi	hoy
Thank you	Dank je wel	dahnk yuh VEL
Please	Alstublieft	al-stoo-BLEEFT
Yes / No	Ja / Nee	yah / nay
How much?	Hoeveel kost dit?	hoo-VALE kost dit?
The bill please	De rekening, alstublieft	duh RAY-kuh-ning al-stoo-BLEEFT
Goodbye	Doei	doo-EE
Cheers!	Proost!	prohst!

💡 Almost everyone in Amsterdam speaks excellent English — but saying "Dank je wel" gets you a big smile!

🇩🇪

German Cologne

Hello	Hallo	HAH-loh
Good day	Guten Tag	GOO-ten tahk
Thank you	Danke	DAHN-kuh
Please	Bitte	BIT-tuh
Yes / No	Ja / Nein	yah / nine
How much?	Wie viel kostet das?	vee feel KOS-tet das?
The bill please	Die Rechnung, bitte	dee REKH-noong BIT-tuh
Cheers!	Prost!	prohst!
One beer please	Ein Bier, bitte	ain beer BIT-tuh
Goodbye	Tschüss	choos

💡 In Cologne, locals say "Kölle Alaaf!" as a cheers. Also useful: "Ein Kölsch, bitte" = one Cologne beer please!

🇨🇭

Swiss German Lucerne · Interlaken · Zurich

Hello	Grüezi	GROO-et-see
Thank you	Merci / Danke	mehr-SEE / DAHN-kuh
Thank you very much	Merci vielmal	mehr-SEE feel-MAHL
Goodbye	Uf Wiederluege	oof VEE-der-loo-guh
Yes / No	Ja / Nei	yah / nay
Excuse me	Entschuldigung	ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
How much?	Wie viel kostet das?	vee feel KOS-tet das?
Beautiful!	Wunderschön!	VOON-der-shurn!

💡 Swiss German sounds very different from standard German. Say "Grüezi" (not "Guten Tag") — it's the Swiss hello and locals love hearing it from tourists!

🇮🇹

Italian Venice · Rome · Pisa · Milan

Hello / Bye (casual)	Ciao	CHOW
Good morning	Buongiorno	bwon-JHOR-noh
Good evening	Buonasera	bwoh-nah-SEH-rah
Thank you	Grazie	GRAT-see-eh
Please / You're welcome	Prego	PREH-goh
Yes / No	Sì / No	see / noh
Excuse me	Scusi	SKOO-zee
How much?	Quanto costa?	KWAHN-toh KOS-tah?
The bill please	Il conto, per favore	il KON-toh pair fah-VOH-reh
Delicious!	Buonissimo!	bwoh-NEE-see-moh!
Two gelatos please	Due gelati, per favore	DOO-eh jeh-LAH-tee pair fah-VOH-reh
Where is the station?	Dov'è la stazione?	doh-VEH lah stat-see-OH-neh?
I don't speak Italian	Non parlo italiano	non PAR-loh ee-tah-lee-AH-noh
Water please	Acqua, per favore	AH-kwah pair fah-VOH-reh

💡 In Italian restaurants, say "Buonissimo!" to the chef — they LOVE it. Also: coffee at the BAR (standing) costs €1, at a TABLE costs €3–5. Always order at the bar!

🧳 Packing Checklist

23kg checked bag + 7kg carry-on each · May in Europe: 12–22°C

🌡 May Weather Guide: Paris 8–20°C · Amsterdam 8–17°C · Switzerland 5–18°C · Jungfraujoch -5–0°C ❄️ · Rome 12–24°C · Venice 12–22°C · Milan 13–23°C

🛂 Documents — DO NOT FORGET

Passports — valid at least 6 months beyond May 16, 2026
Schengen visa (if required for Vietnamese passport) — check validity dates
Printed copies — passport info page, visa, travel insurance, all hotel bookings
Travel insurance — must cover Schengen zone, min €30,000 medical (Schengen requirement)
Flight tickets — e-tickets / booking confirmations (Hanoi→Paris, Milan→Hanoi)
Eurail Pass — downloaded in Eurail app + screenshot backup
Hotel booking confirmations — all 7 accommodations printed/screenshotted
Return ticket proof — border control may ask for proof of return flight
Cash — €200–300 EUR + CHF 100–150 for Switzerland
Credit/debit cards — Visa/Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees (notify bank!)

👨

His Pack

EU veteran · practical & clean

👕 Clothes

5 t-shirts / casual shirts (neutral tones — easy to mix)
2 long-sleeve shirts (layering for cool evenings)
2 pairs of jeans / chinos
1 pair of shorts (for warmer Italy days)
1 light waterproof jacket / windbreaker
1 warm hoodie or fleece (for Jungfraujoch + Swiss trains)
7 underwear
5 pairs of socks (1 pair warm wool for Jungfraujoch)
1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (the MOST important item!)
1 pair of flip-flops / slides (hostel/hotel)
Sleepwear

🧴 Toiletries & Gear

Toiletry bag (shampoo, bodywash, deodorant — travel size)
Sunscreen SPF50 (May sun is deceptive!)
Sunglasses
Phone charger + EU adapter (Type C)
Power bank (20,000mAh — full day out)
Earphones
Small daypack / crossbody bag (anti-pickpocket)
Reusable water bottle
Neck pillow + eye mask (for overnight flight)

👩

Her Pack

First time in Europe · dress to impress 📸

👗 Clothes — Photo-ready & Layerable

3–4 dresses (midi/maxi — flowy for photo poses, warm enough for spring)
2 skirts (pair with different tops for more outfits)
3–4 tops / blouses (mix & match with skirts)
1–2 cardigans or light knit sweaters (layer over dresses)
1 pair of jeans or trousers (for travel & cold days)
1 light trench coat or jacket (chic + warm — great for Paris photos!)
1 warm layer — fleece or puffer vest (Jungfraujoch is FREEZING)
1 scarf / pashmina (for churches — must cover shoulders in Vatican/Italian churches)
7 underwear + bras
5 pairs of socks (1 warm pair for Jungfraujoch)
1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (cute but comfy — you WILL walk 20k steps!)
1 pair of nicer shoes / low heels (for dinner or photo spots — not for walking all day)
Sleepwear

💡 Outfit tip: Pick 2–3 color palettes (e.g. beige/white/cream or blue/navy/denim) so everything mixes. Bring clothes that layer — a dress + cardigan + scarf = 3 different looks! Flowy dresses look amazing in front of European architecture 📸

💄 Beauty & Toiletries

Skincare set (travel size — cleanser, toner, moisturizer, sunscreen SPF50)
Makeup essentials (foundation, concealer, lipstick, mascara, brow)
Hair tools — mini curling iron / straightener (check voltage! 220V in EU)
Hair ties, clips, bobby pins
Perfume (travel size)
Sunglasses (a must for photos!)
Sheet masks (for post-flight recovery — Asian skincare essential!)

📸 Gear

Phone charger + EU adapter (Type C)
Power bank (20,000mAh)
Mini tripod / phone stand (for couple selfies!)
Small crossbody bag (daily — anti-pickpocket)
Foldable tote bag (for shopping / souvenirs)
Neck pillow + eye mask (overnight flight)

🤝 Shared / Optional Items

Small first-aid kit (painkillers, band-aids, allergy meds, motion sickness pills)
eSIM cards — Airalo or Holafly (install before departure!)
Packing cubes (saves space + organizes suitcase)
Ziplock bags (for wet clothes / liquids)
Laundry bag (separate dirty clothes)
Travel umbrella (compact — May rain is common!)
Snacks from home (instant noodles, dried snacks — for nights when you miss Asian food 🍜)
Small padlock (for train station luggage lockers)
Souvenir space — leave ~3–5kg empty in each bag for shopping!

⚖️ Weight Strategy (23kg checked + 7kg carry-on)

✅ Checked bag (23kg):
All clothes, shoes, toiletries (full size ok), hair tools, souvenirs on the way back. Pack ~18–20kg outbound → leaves 3–5kg for souvenirs on return!

✅ Carry-on (7kg):
Passport, wallet, phone, charger, power bank, meds, 1 change of clothes (in case luggage is delayed), neck pillow, snacks, earphones. Liquids under 100ml in zip bag.

EuropeA Journey Together

✈️ Our Flights

🗓 Day-by-Day Itinerary

🏨 Hotel Booking Quick Reference

🏨 Where We're Staying

💱 Currency Converter

✅ Bucket List Tracker

Overall Progress

💎 Local Gems — Avoid Tourist Traps

🗣 Survival Phrases

🚂 Eurorail Route

💡 Eurail Pass Tip

🧳 Packing Checklist

🛂 Documents — DO NOT FORGET

His Pack

Her Pack

🤝 Shared / Optional Items

⚖️ Weight Strategy (23kg checked + 7kg carry-on)