First time in Europe

Who it is for

For a first trip to Europe with museums and monuments, combining rail and air travel between bases.

Not for anyone who wants few hotel changes, since this means four bases in two weeks.

The strategy

London comes first, followed by Paris on the train under the Channel, allowing time for checks before boarding. Compare flights from Paris to Florence, including airports and transfers; then continue to Rome by train on your chosen service. Allow base-change days for the journey, luggage and an arrival without a timed visit immediately afterwards.

What you will see

• British Museum, London. Founded in 1753, it is the world’s oldest public museum and is still free.
• Eiffel Tower, Paris. Raised in 26 months for the 1889 World's Fair, it stands 330 m with the antennas, made of 7,300 metric tons of puddled iron, 18,038 parts, and 2.5 million rivets, and is hand-repainted every seven years.
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the dome, Florence. Begun in 1296 by Arnolfo di Cambio and closed by Brunelleschi's dome between 1420 and 1436: a 45.5 m span, herringbone brickwork, two shells and no wooden centering.
• Colosseum, Rome. Opened in AD 80 under Titus: an ellipse 188 by 156 m, 48 m tall, with an estimated capacity of 50,000 spectators.

Day by day

London

1. 1
   Day 1: Westminster, the river and the Tower of London

   1. 3Westminster AbbeyEssential
   2. 2Tower of LondonEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: Free museums and the south bank

   1. 1British MuseumEssential
   2. 4Tate ModernEssential
3. 3
   Day 3: East, market, and meridian

   1. 7GreenwichWorth a visit
4. 4
   Day 4: Windsor and Eton (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Paris

1. 5
   Day 5: The island, the river, and the Left Bank

   1. 4Sainte-ChapelleUp to half an hourEssential
2. 6
   Day 6: Museum in the morning, the Marais in the afternoon

   
3. 7
   Day 7: Montmartre, a cemetery, and the Eiffel Tower

   1. 1Eiffel TowerEssential
4. 8
   Day 8: Giverny (day trip)

   
5. 9
   Day 9: Versailles (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Florence

1. 10
   Day 10: The religious axis and the civic axis

   1. 2Baptistery of San GiovanniUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 4Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della SignoriaWorth a visit
2. 11
   Day 11: Michelangelo in the morning, Oltrarno in the afternoon

   1. 8Galleria dell'AccademiaOne to two hoursIf there is time
   2. 9Ponte Vecchio and the Vasari CorridorUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 7San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale MichelangeloWorth a visit
3. 12
   Day 12: Sculpture, cells and the hill · if you have more time

   

Rome

1. 13
   Day 13: Ancient Rome, from the Colosseum to the Capitoline

   1. 1Coliseu (Anfiteatro Flávio)2hEssential
   2. 2Foro Romano2hEssential
   3. 4Palatino e Horti Farnesiani1hWorth a visit
   4. Circo Máximo20minIf there is time
   5. Monti1h30Worth a visit
2. 14
   Day 14: The Vatican and the right bank

   1. 5Museus Vaticanos e Capela Sistina3h30Worth a visit
   2. 6Basílica de São Pedro1h30Worth a visit
   3. Castel Sant'Angelo1h15If there is time
   4. Trastevere e Santa Maria2hWorth a visit
3. 15
   Day 15: Baroque, Borghese, and Appia Antica

   1. 3Panteão45minEssential
   2. 8Piazza Navona30minWorth a visit
   3. Campo de' Fiori40minWorth a visit
   4. Fontana di Trevi20minIf there is time
   5. 7Galleria Borghese2hWorth a visit
   6. 9Via Appia Antica e catacumbasmeio diaWorth a visit
   7. Mercato Testaccio1hWorth a visit
4. 16
   Day 16: Ostia Antica (day trip) · if you have more time

   
5. 17
   Day 17: Tivoli (day trip) · if you have more time