Europe, a continent rich in history, culture, and charm, was the backdrop for a remarkable journey through the cities of London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and Paris. This comprehensive travel guide is a meticulously detailed exploration of each destination, following a day-by-day itinerary that promises a perfect blend of iconic landmarks, culinary delights, and unforgettable cultural experiences. Our European adventure unfolds, offering a glimpse into the magic and diversity of this extraordinary continent.
Day 1: A Grand Entrance to Europe – Exploring London
Our European adventure began when we touched down at London Heathrow Airport. After a smooth arrival, we easily made our way to our hotel, Lost Property St. Paul’s London. Excitement filled the air as we kicked off our exploration of London with visits to iconic landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the charming Leadenhall Market. We capped off the night with Italian eats at Terra Rosa St. Paul’s, which was conveniently located within distance to our hotel.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Heathrow Express to Lost Property St. Paul’s London
– St. Paul’s Cathedral
– Tower of London
– Leadenhall Market
– Dinner at Terra Rosa St. Paul’s
Day 2: Exploring Iconic London
Day two was a whirlwind of quintessential London experiences. We started our morning with a traditional English breakfast in the heart of Trafalgar Square. A royal spectacle awaited us at Buckingham Palace, with the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11 am (be sure to arrive early!). Afterwards, we quickly booked a tour of the Royal Mews and stopped by the Bag O’ Nails pub around the corner before our entry time. After exploring the Royal Mews, we indulged in an exquisite afternoon tea at the renowned Sketch, which is absolutely worth the hype! Be prepared for bottomless tea, a delicious array of tea cakes and sandwiches, and opt for a bottle of champagne if you’re into bubbles! In the evening, we ventured to the West End for a spectacular performance of “Phantom of the Opera” at His Majesty’s Theatre. The night ended with a traditional plate of fish ‘n’ chips at nearby Salisbury Pub.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Breakfast in Trafalgar Square at Caffe Concerto
– Buckingham Palace: Changing of the Guards
– Drinks at Bag O’ Nails
– Royals Mews
– Afternoon tea at Sketch
– Phantom of the Opera
– Dinner at Salisbury Pub
Day 3: A Day in Notting Hill
Day three promised a more relaxed, yet equally fascinating, London experience. We explored the picturesque streets of Notting Hill and fueled up with a delightful breakfast at Cherry On. Our day included visits to the Notting Hill bookshop, the famous colored houses, Kensington Palace, and the awe-inspiring Westminster Abbey. Kensington Palace was truly breathtaking, most notably the Princess Diana memorial. For Westminster Abbey, be sure to pre-book your entry tickets; I would recommend dedicating at least an hour to walk through the entire self-guided tour. We savored pub drinks and traditional British fare before an evening of laughter and entertainment at the Top Secret Comedy Club.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Explored Notting Hill neighborhood
– Breakfast at Cherry On
– Notting Hill Bookshop
– Kensington Palace
– Westminster Abbey
– Top Secret Comedy Club
Day 4: Exploring the Cotswolds
Day four brought us a taste of the English countryside as we departed for a Cotswolds Day Tour with Evans Evans Tours. We were enchanted by the picturesque villages and scenic beauty of the region. Our tour took us to Bibury (“The Most Beautiful Village in England”), Burford (“Gateway to the Cotswolds”), and Bourton-on-the-Water (“The Venice of the Cotswolds”). Bibury was a bucket list spot to see the famous lined houses, and Bourton-on-the-Water was truly breathtaking with homes weaved around the canals. All towns offered a plethora of bakeries, restaurants, pubs, and shops. Upon returning to London in the evening, we concluded the day with a scrumptious dinner at The Ivy, one of our favorite dining stops during the trip.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Cotswolds Day Tour
– Dinner at The Ivy Victoria
Day 5: Departure to Edinburgh
We bid adieu to London as we checked out and embarked on a swift train journey to Scotland from Kings Cross Station. Of course, we had to stop for a Harry Potter photo op at Platform 9 ¾! Upon arrival in Edinburgh, we checked in to The Scotsman Hotel, our home in the heart of the Scottish capital. We explored the historic Palace of Holyroodhouse, St. Giles Cathedral, and the iconic Edinburgh Castle. As evening fell, we soaked in the local atmosphere with dinner, drinks, and shopping along the Royal Mile.
Daily Recap With Links:
– LNER speed train to Edinburgh from Kings Cross Station (Platform 9 ¾)
– The Scotsman Hotel
– Palace of Holyroodhouse
– St. Giles Cathedral
– Edinburgh Castle
– Dinner, drinks, and shopping along the Royal Mile, including World’s End Pub + Copper Still + The Canons’ Gait
Day 6: Embracing the Scottish Charm
On day six, we immersed ourselves in the essence of Scotland. We began the morning with a scenic walk to Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano that offered breathtaking views of the city. After breakfast in Old Town, we checked out from The Scotsman Hotel and made our way to Dalhousie Castle, a luxury castle hotel. That evening, we had dinner and drinks in town at Foundry 39. It was trivia night, and we had a blast with the locals!
Daily Recap With Links:
– Arthur’s Seat
– Breakfast in Old Town at Mor Bakehouse
– Dalhousie Castle
Day 7: A Fairytale Wedding in Scotland
Day seven was a day of celebration as we attended a beautiful wedding at Dalhousie Castle. From a meet and greet to a heartwarming ceremony, followed by drinks, a sumptuous wedding breakfast, and a lively reception, the day was filled with love and joy. Dalhousie Castle is a wonderful place to stay, with on-site restaurants and activities, such as hiking, archery, falconry, and a spa. This castle was also the perfect venue for a wedding!
Day 8: Relaxation or Exploration in Edinburgh
Day eight offered us the freedom to relax and rejuvenate. Within our group of three, two of us opted for a spa day at Dalhousie Castle, while I ventured out to explore the mystical Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin, Scotland, famous for its intricate stone carvings. I also had the chance to enjoy lunch in this enchanting area. For dinner, we dined at the famous dungeon restaurant at Dalhousie Castle, which was the perfect end to our stay in this magical hotel.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Spa Day at Dalhousie Castle
– Lunch at The Original Rosslyn Inn Gastropub
– Rosslyn Chapel
– Dinner at Dalhousie Castle’s Dungeon Restaurant
Day 9: Departure to Amsterdam
As our Scottish adventure came to a close, it was time to embark on the next leg of our journey. We began by checking out from Dalhousie Castle. A KLM flight quickly took us from Edinburgh to Amsterdam, where we checked into the Park Centraal hotel. This hotel was conveniently located within walking distance to the attractions we had in mind. We enjoyed a meal along the canal at Haven Van Texel and explored the bars and cafes that lined the charming streets of Amsterdam.
Daily Recap With Links:
– KLM flight from EDI to AMS
– Park Centraal hotel
– Explored the streets of Amsterdam
– Dinner at Haven Van Texel
Day 10: Discovering Amsterdam’s Charm
Day ten brought us another day in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. We delved into its history with a visit to the Anne Frank House, followed by a leisurely brunch at one of the city’s delightful cafes. We explored the world of modern art at the Moco Museum and in the evening, we took a cruise down the famous Amsterdam canals. A highlight of our stay here!
Daily Recap With Links:
– Anne Frank House
– Brunch at Pluk
– Moco Museum
– Drinks at Bambino
– Canal cruise with Pure Boats
Day 11: En Route to the City of Love, Paris
Day eleven marked our transition from Amsterdam to the City of Love, Paris. We left our Amsterdam hotel and made our way to the train station. A Thalys train transported us swiftly from Amsterdam to Paris. After our arrival in Paris, we checked into the charming Hotel Chateau Frontenac. Our evening was filled with iconic Parisian landmarks, including visits to the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the peaceful Tuileries Garden.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris
– Hotel Chateau Frontenac
– Arc de Triomphe
– Eiffel Tower
– Tuileries Garden
Day 12: Parisian Wonders
Day twelve was dedicated to exploring the artistic and cultural treasures of Paris. Our day included a visit to the world-famous Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and countless other masterpieces. We enjoyed lattes at the Louvre Cafe and then walked to Stohrer Patisserie, the oldest patisserie in Paris, for some sweet treats before carrying on with our full day. Nearby, we discovered the elegant Palais-Royal for a quick photo op. A trip to Notre Dame (under renovations at our time of visit) and the historic Pantheon offered insight into Paris’s rich history. For lunch, we dined at Terra Nera, the restaurant featured in the popular Netflix show “Emily in Paris” (Emily’s apartment is also nearby!). In the afternoon, we took a leisurely stroll through the serene Luxembourg Gardens. The day concluded with dinner at Beefbar. It’s safe to say, we were happy to have packed our walking shoes because we logged some serious miles in Paris!
Daily Recap With Links:
– Louvre Museum
– Stohrer Patisserie
– Palais-Royal
– Notre Dame
– Lunch at Terra Nera
– Pantheon
– Luxembourg Gardens
– Dinner at Beefbar
Day 13: A Day of Splendor in Versailles
Day thirteen was dedicated to the opulent Palace of Versailles. We took a car to Versailles to experience the grandeur of this historical site. We began our day with breakfast at Ore Versailles, a fitting prelude to the splendors of the palace. Big tip! Book your breakfast in Ore, which includes front-of-the-line entrance into the Palace. The breakfast is primarily a set menu, but it was delicious and the lattes were top notch! Returning to Paris in the afternoon, we indulged in some shopping. We made one more stop at the Arc de Triomphe for some photos. Our evening was a culinary delight with dinner at a local bistro where I finally enjoyed some french onion soup.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Breakfast at Ore Versailles
– Palace of Versailles
– Arc de Triomphe
– Dinner at Chez André
Day 14: Returning to London
On day fourteen, it was time to bid adieu to the beautiful city of Paris. We took a train back to London, where we checked into the Hilton London Paddington, which is conveniently connected to Paddington Station, where we would be venturing out the following morning to head to the airport. With some time left in London, we explored the city, particularly the West End and Covent Garden. This afternoon to evening included a showing of “Frozen” and then a visit to the Marquess of Anglesby for espresso martinis. We meandered through the vibrant streets of Covent Garden and enjoyed a delightful Italian dinner. We ended our day with the excitement of another show, “Mrs. Doubtfire.” A double feature in the West End was a great way to spend our final night on this European adventure!
Daily Recap With Links:
– Train from Paris to London
– Hilton London Paddington
– Frozen: The Musical
– Drinks at Marquess of Anglesby Pub
– Covent Garden
– Dinner at Prima Sapori d’Italia
– Mrs. Doubtfire Musical
Day 15: Farewell Europe
On our final day in Europe, we took a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park, London’s iconic green oasis. We then made our way to Heathrow Airport by taking the convenient Heathrow Express from Paddington Station for a short 15-minute train ride. With cherished memories of our European adventure, we boarded our flight home in the early afternoon.
Daily Recap With Links:
– Hyde Park
– Heathrow Express to London Heathrow Airport
As we concluded this extraordinary European journey, we carried with us a treasure trove of memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. Whether we were captivated by the historic wonders of London, the cultural charm of Edinburgh, the picturesque canals of Amsterdam, or the romantic streets of Paris, our adventure was a testament to the beauty and diversity of Europe.
Resources and Tips:
Train Options:
– Eurostar: Connects London, Paris, and Amsterdam
– Lumo: Ideal for London to Edinburgh journeys with fewer train options
– LNER: Offers London to Edinburgh routes
– Thalys (now Eurostar): Connects Amsterdam to Paris in approximately 3.5 hours
– Heathrow Express: Convenient for travel between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington
Useful Apps to Download:
– Heathrow Express
– LNER
– Thalys (now Eurostar)
– Eurostar
– Trainline
– Bolt (taxi service in Paris)
– Central Taxis (taxi service in Edinburgh)
– Out of Office: We utilized this app to pinpoint all of the attractions and restaurants we wanted to visit and then mapped everything out for each day. It was super helpful and made planning out the itinerary a breeze!
– CBP MPC: If you don’t have Global Entry, this is a Customs app that allows a traveler to bypass the “regular” line upon entering your home airport (this is offered at my home airport, IAH in Houston); I’ve also used this app when coming back from trips to/from Mexico.
Other Hotel Options Considered:
London:
– The Waldorf Hilton
– The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton
Edinburgh:
– Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
– Kimpton Charlotte Square
– Hotel Indigo
– Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
– Radisson Blu
Paris:
– Olysee Hotel
– Hotel du Collectionneur
– Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadero
– Maison Astor Paris, Curio Collection by Hilton
Amsterdam:
– Mr. Jordaan
– Monet Garden
– Renaissance Amsterdam
– Canal House
– Banks Mansion
Additional Hotel Tips:
– Many hotels offer discounts, perks, and/or upgrades when you sign up for their free rewards programs.
– Look for discounts and promo codes on social media and through online searches to secure better rates for your stay.
I hope this Europe travel guide has inspired and enriched your own future exploration. Safe travels!
