A sixteen-day Europe
From Amsterdam's canals to Kraków's Old Town to a sunset on the walls of Dubrovnik, then south to Rome, Pompeii, Florence and Venice. The full plan for everyone joining the Griswolds.
Sixteen days, day by day
- Day 1 of 16 · Friday, August 6Netherlands
Atlanta, USA
Travel day
Depart Atlanta this afternoon on a nonstop Delta flight and fly overnight to Amsterdam.
— in AtlantaDaytime high 68–73°F · evening / night low 55–60°F. - Day 2 of 16 · Saturday, August 7Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arrival day
Land in Amsterdam at dawn — the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.
— in AmsterdamDaytime high 68–73°F · evening / night low 55–60°F.What to bring- A light, packable rain jacket or compact umbrella — Amsterdam can shower without warning.
- Broken-in walking shoes for the canals and cobbles.
- Day 3 of 16 · Sunday, August 8Poland
Amsterdam → Kraków
Travel day
A free morning in Amsterdam, then an afternoon flight to Kraków.
— in KrakówDaytime high 72–77°F · evening / night low 55–59°F. - Day 4 of 16 · Monday, August 9Poland
Kraków, Poland
Auschwitz-Birkenau
A guided visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum — Viator tour booked.
— in KrakówDaytime high 72–77°F · evening / night low 55–59°F.What to bring- Only a small day bag — large bags and backpacks are turned away at Auschwitz (max ~30×20×10 cm).
- Dress respectfully and for the weather; much of the visit is outdoors and can be cool or wet.
- Day 5 of 16 · Tuesday, August 10Poland
Kraków, Poland
Salt Mine & Golf Cart WWII Tour
Wieliczka Salt Mine in the morning, free time in Kraków's Old Town, then a Golf Cart WWII tour in the evening — both Viator tours booked.
— in KrakówDaytime high 72–77°F · evening / night low 55–59°F.What to bring- A warm layer — the Wieliczka Salt Mine stays around the mid-50s°F underground.
- Comfortable shoes: the Salt Mine alone is about 800 steps.
- +1 more →
- Day 6 of 16 · Wednesday, August 11Hungary
Kraków → Budapest
Travel day
A free morning in Kraków, then a connecting flight to Budapest via Warsaw.
— in BudapestDaytime high 78–82°F · evening / night low 58–62°F. - Day 7 of 16 · Thursday, August 12Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
City highlights
A full day across Buda and Pest — Parliament, the castle district, and the Jewish Quarter.
— in BudapestDaytime high 78–82°F · evening / night low 58–62°F.What to bring- Covered shoulders and knees for the Parliament interior and Matthias Church — carry a scarf or shawl.
- One smart-casual outfit for the Borkonyha Winekitchen dinner (collared shirt; no athletic wear).
- Day 8 of 16 · Friday, August 13Croatia
Budapest → Dubrovnik
Travel day
A morning in Budapest, a midday flight to Dubrovnik, the afternoon by the Adriatic.
— in DubrovnikDaytime high 80–82°F · evening / night low 75–77°F. - Day 9 of 16 · Saturday, August 14Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Open day
A full, open day in Dubrovnik — no fixed plan yet.
— in DubrovnikDaytime high 80–82°F · evening / night low 75–77°F.What to bring- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat — Dubrovnik is hot and exposed.
- A refillable water bottle and good shoes for the City Walls.
- Day 10 of 16 · Sunday, August 15Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Open day
A second open day in Dubrovnik — your last full day before the Italy leg.
— in DubrovnikDaytime high 80–82°F · evening / night low 75–77°F. - Day 11 of 16 · Monday, August 16Italy
Dubrovnik → Rome
Travel day
A full last day in Dubrovnik, then a late-evening flight to Rome.
— in RomeDaytime high 82–84°F · evening / night low 75–77°F. - Day 12 of 16 · Tuesday, August 17Italy
Rome, Italy
Vatican & Colosseum
Rome's big three — the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum.
— in RomeDaytime high 82–84°F · evening / night low 75–77°F.What to bring- Covered shoulders and knees — strictly enforced at the Vatican (St. Peter's & Sistine Chapel); carry a scarf.
- Only a small bag: large bags must be checked at the Vatican and aren't allowed at the Colosseum (airport-style screening, no glass bottles).
- Day 13 of 16 · Wednesday, August 18Italy
Rome / Pompeii, Italy
Pompeii day trip
A booked day trip to the ruins of Pompeii — by Frecciarossa to Naples and back, on a GetYourGuide tour.
— in RomeDaytime high 82–84°F · evening / night low 75–77°F.What to bring- Photo ID that matches the ticket name exactly — IDs are checked at Pompeii entry.
- Sunscreen, a hat, and water; large luggage isn't allowed on site.
- Day 14 of 16 · Thursday, August 19Italy
Rome → Florence
Florence
A morning train to Florence, a full day in the cradle of the Renaissance, overnight in Florence.
— in FlorenceDaytime high 82–84°F · evening / night low 75–77°F.What to bring- Covered shoulders and knees for the Florence Duomo and churches.
- Day 15 of 16 · Friday, August 20Italy
Florence → Venice → Rome
Venice
A big day — a morning train to Venice, the city in a day, then an evening train to the Rome airport.
— in VeniceDaytime high 82–84°F · evening / night low 75–77°F.What to bring- Covered shoulders and knees for St. Mark's Basilica — strictly enforced; carry a scarf.
- Day 16 of 16 · Saturday, August 21Travel
Rome → Atlanta
Fly home
Check out, then the nonstop Delta flight home from Rome.
— in Rome
One trip, one line on the map
7 of 7 hotels booked · 6 flights booked · Italy trains identified. See the open items →