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Here's How to Map an Epic European Road Trip

Sept. 13, 2018
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3 min read
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Here's How to Map an Epic European Road Trip
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Road tripping around Europe has landed a top spot on many bucket lists, but finding the means to do so and figuring out the most efficient plan can make the trip more difficult than imaginable. However, University of Michigan professor Randy Olsen calculated the fastest way to circle all of Europe — and still hit the major tourist spots.

The entire trip hits 41 cities, takes two weeks of nonstop driving and some ferrying to compete and covers 16,287 miles. To maximize this mega road trip, you would definitely want to set aside a few months to get the most out of each stop.

This map takes you around all the most Instagramable places in Europe like the Venice canals, Amalfi Coast in Italy, Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, hotspots like Paris and London and coastal cities like Lagos, Portugal.

The full list of cities (in order) on this European track include:

  1. Innsbruck, Austria
  2. Munich, Germany
  3. Pag, Croatia
  4. Venice, Italy
  5. Amalfi, Italy
  6. Gozo, Malta
  7. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Photo by John Weinhardt on Unsplash
  1. Santorini, Thira, Greece
  2. Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
  3. Istanbul, Turkey
  4. Sighisoara, Mures County, Romania
  5. Budapest, Hungary
  6. Vienna, Austria
  7. Prague, Czech Republic
  8. Krakow, Poland
  9. Jägala Waterfall, 74205 Harjumaa, Estonia
  10. Lapland, Finland
  11. ICEBAR, Marknadsvägen, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
  12. Bergen, Norway
  13. Copenhagen, Denmark
  14. Berlin, Germany
  15. Amsterdam, Netherlands
traditional view of Amsterdam with bicycles on a bridge above the canals and some ancient typical Dutch style houses on a sunny summer day in the Netherlands capital city. Photo by @ Didier Marti/Getty Images
  1. Keukenhof, Stationsweg, Lisse Netherlands
  2. Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  3. Inverness, United Kingdom
  4. Ballybunion, Ireland
  5. Cliffs of Moher, Clare, Ireland
  6. Cornwall, United Kingdom
  7. Stonehenge, Amesbury, United Kingdom
  8. London, United Kingdom
  9. Brussels, Belgium
  10. Paris, France
  11. Pamplona, Spain
  12. Lagos, Portugal
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
  1. Granada, Spain
  2. Ibiza, Spain
  3. Barcelona, Spain
  4. Luberon, Bonnieux, France
  5. Nice, France
  6. Monte Carlo, Monaco
  7. Interlaken, Switzerland

Whether you're planning a Euro trip by yourself or with your friends, getting to Europe via points and miles is one of the best ways to save some money.

H/T: The Culture Trip

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.