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Here's How to Map an Epic European Road Trip

Sept. 13, 2018
3 min read
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
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
A 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
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
Lagos has some incredible cove beaches. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
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

Featured image by (Photo by Stefan Widua via Unsplash)

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3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
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  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees