Architecture Trips in Europe

This itinerary shows Germany's cities, and precisely what they have to offer. You'll tipple to your hearts content in the beer gardens of Munich, see the magnificent architecture of Dresden—much of it restored since the fall of communism—before finishing up in Berlin, the design center of Germany and home to many of its modern architectural masterworks.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• History
• Food and Wine
• Art and Culture
• Architecture

This itinerary has all that you need from a circuit of Britain. You've got the big city pleasures of museums, parks and shopping in London and Edinburgh, the smaller town vibes of Bath and North Wales, and some fine outdoor activities in the Lake District and the Cotswolds.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Natural Beauty
• Great Drive
• Shopping
• Architecture
• History

This itinerary shows that there is some fine walking afoot in England and Wales. It starts in the Lake District, famous for its varied hikes and beautiful mountains, moves to the grand house gardens and rugged trails of the Peak District, and finishes on the ground of Wales' windswept castles. For travelers who like to take it slow, this trip is a fine way to explore distinctive British landscapes.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Architecture
• Natural Beauty
• History

This itinerary gives the flavor of Central Europe. There's plenty to see, including castles in Bratislava and Krakow, bathhouses in Budapest, and libraries in Warsaw. It's best and most easily undertaken by train.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Architecture
• Shopping
• Nightlife
• Great Train Ride
• History

This trip follows the Romantic Road, one of Germany's oldest tourist routes. Created after World War II to lure visitors, it includes sweeping vistas, fairy-tale castles, and ancient cathedrals—the most romantic sights of Germany on one car trip.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Great Drive
• Food and Wine
• History
• Architecture

This classic northern trip starts in Helsinki's saunas and castles, then heads east to St. Petersburg. There you'll explore the Hermitage before traveling to the busy streets of Moscow, where the trip ends. Try this trip in summer, when the days seem to stretch forever. Both St. Petersburg and Helsinki have festivals celebrating the season.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• History
• Architecture
• Great Train Ride

This itinerary showcases some of the best that Portugal has to offer, at a relaxed pace. Start your journey exploring Lisbon, before heading north to discover hilltop towns, castles, and fishing villages. Burn off all the rustic food by hiking in the massive Serra da Estrela, and don't miss the port-making region before heading south again to Lisbon and back home.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Food and Wine
• Architecture
• History
• Shopping
• Nightlife

Got kids? Then they—and you—will love this family itinerary to France. This trip is designed with their short attention spans and interests in mind. It has a good dose of fun, including a visit to Euro Disney, as well as just the right amount of time dedicated to museums and churches.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Food and Wine
• History
• Art and Culture
• Architecture
• Museums

This trip, true to its moniker, gives you all the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Start among Amsterdam's canals, see the seaside by The Hague, and check out Rotterdam's busy nightlife. In Belgium, you'll see Brugge's medieval splendor, the artistry of Ghent, and the street life of Brussels before heading home.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• History
• Food and Wine
• Natural Beauty
• Nightlife
• Architecture

Traveling Ireland by rail is one of the best ways to tour the country. There are no white-knuckle rides as you face large tour buses on narrow, winding roads (and not to mention the stress of driving on the left). You can just sit back, relax, and take in the brazenly scenic landscape while enjoying a picnic lunch on the train. Starting from Shannon, this itinerary hits some of the most popular sites in Ireland, from Limerick and Blarney Castle to the famed Ring of Kerry and Kilkenny, before ending your trip in Dublin.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Food and Wine
• Natural Beauty
• Art and Culture
• Architecture

Starting in Barcelona and gently curving east, this itinerary showcases the highlights of northern Spain, along with Madrid. You'll explore fishing villages in San Sebastián and rocky beaches along the Basque Coast before hitting the museums of Bilbao. The trip winds down in Madrid, where you can tour the Prado and dance the night away.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Natural Beauty
• Food and Wine
• Museums
• Architecture
• Art and Culture

This tried-and-true river cruise itinerary takes you through a long cross-section of Europe. Touching the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland, it allows you to experience the Rhine's best, from the leafy canals of Amsterdam to the contemporary art mecca of Basel.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Natural Beauty
• History
• Great River Cruise
• Architecture
• Art and Culture

Kick off your trip in Madrid, where you can soak up the art at the Prado and get into the Spanish way of life. Then follow in the footsteps of El Greco to Toledo, before heading to Córdoba to explore its unique architecture. Catch a flamenco show in Seville before ending your trip with arguably Spain's greatest monument —the Alhambra palace in Grenada.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Architecture
• Art and Culture
• Food and Wine
• History

Try the Switzerland Sampler for a taste of this tiny country's wares. From cosmopolitan Zurich and Geneva to the quaint charms of Luzern and Zermatt to Bern's sleepy appeal, this itinerary gives you a good sense of what's to be seen here.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Natural Beauty
• Shopping
• Architecture

Beginning in London, this trip highlights some of the quintessential attractions and cities in both England and Ireland. You'll see treasures ancient and new, from the Tower of London and the Roman spas at Bath to the Book of Kells and one of Ireland's liveliest cities.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• History
• Food and Wine
• Art and Culture
• Architecture

Cypress trees, vineyards, and rolling hills characterize this gorgeous region of central Italy. Wine and olive oil have been produced here for centuries, and they help make meals something special. On this road trip, you'll see lots of important art in Pisa and Florence, then wind your way through the scenic countryside of Chianti, ending up in Siena.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Natural Beauty
• Food and Wine
• Art and Culture
• Architecture

"Mezzogiorno" means "midday"; it's the informal name given to southern Italy, a region where a blazing sun heats up villages (sometimes making it imperative to remain indoors during peak summer hours) and casts a commanding glow. This is a magical land whose "Renaissance" happened in the 13th century during the reign of Frederick II. A car is usually the best way to get around, as train service can be slow and erratic. A quick overnight in Rome kicks off this road trip. You then go south to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, after which you'll head to Puglia, known for its mysterious trulli and its phenomenal food. From Puglia, you'll turn back north to bustling Naples, and wrap things up with another day in Rome.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Architecture
• Food and Wine
• Beaches
• Museums
• Great Drive

Venice truly is a city unlike any other. You can't begin to get a real sense of its unique beauty and complexity in a day or two—which is why this itinerary devotes four days to it. When you move away from the city, you'll continue to feel its influence in the "Venetian Arc," the swathe of northeastern Italy that was once under Venice's rule.

This Trip's Top Experiences:

• Architecture
• Art and Culture
• Food and Wine
• Natural Beauty