How We Ended Up Traveling 12 Countries in 14 Days

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So you want to travel to 12 countries in 14 days? Sure about that…

This trip is not for the faint of heart.

If flying to 1-2 countries is rookie level, going through 12 is pretty insane by comparison. It required planning, the right attitude/personality, and a bankroll of money. Total costs ended up being around $7,775 in total (estimated at $7,250- $8,250). Not bad, considering some of the travel packages for 6 countries were going for $7,000 per person.

Planning it on our own worked.

We were able to tailor the experience and choose the type of experience we wanted from beginning to end. It was super challenging at some points. Some mornings were less sleeping in and opening lavish curtains, and more mission impossible, figure out country X in 10 mins.

We clocked in 12 countries in 14 days. Tons of unique tours. About 20k average steps per day. Great food and tons of ad-hoc changes. Our own pics are available via Instagram (her Instagram) or at Unlaboured Flawless.

In the end, we racked up to $500 of avoidable overages ⇠ unavoidable travel lessons.

Best tips upfront – Get Points!

Travel to countries with similar temperatures to avoid packing for all weather. Work from outside: first, buy the plane ticket(s); second, confirm the hotel (in the vicinity of some action); consider the activities and plan the excursion(s) if need be; and, finally, build in rest or dead time in the program.

Check for baggage fees. Learn a language with Duolingo at least 6 months prior. Make sure you use credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Convert cash through your bank a week before to avoid conversion fees. Opt out of bulky cameras and invest in a DJI Osmo Pocket but be careful, it’s sensitive but the 4k video and incredible slow-mo can’t be beaten. Track down a supermarket as soon as possible for water. Track down a laundry mat while you are at it. Don’t over-pack. H&M is your friend. They likely have better fashion options.

Eat like the locals. Light breakfast, power snack, later lunch, and dinner no later than 7 pm. After all of that enjoy.

It is hard to pick a favorite location, so I won’t. LG

Do grab a Pint in Ireland. Go Castle Hunting in Scotland. Get a bit whimsical in England. Croissant your way through France. Party with Belgium. Re-cycle in the Netherlands. Mix it up with the Pope at the Vatican. Roam in Rome. Try your luck in Monaco-Ville. Fall into the nostalgia of Lisboa (Lisbon), Portugal. Bike it up in Madrid, Spain. Enjoy every place’s uniqueness.

Rule of Thumb: This trip was tailored to the *Cultural + Adventure and Planner types.

Here’s the Itinerary in its entirety:

1. Ireland: Dublin, Galway, and Cliff of Moher (2 Days, 2 Nights) + City Center Hotel

First up, a pint in Ireland. To be honest, Dublin is a bit rough and dreary but that’s the charm.

The city is a bit grimy and the alleys a bit tough. However, the Irish charm makes up for it. You will get a dose of comedy like no other, from the hop on and off tour guides. Even the Uber drivers are gruff but fun to be around.

Land of many pints of Guinness and Jameson Whiskey. While there is food everywhere like Toronto, you shouldn’t miss out on #theWoodenWhisk. The cook is often sitting outside smoking (he acts like he doesn’t work there) but he has the hands of an angel. Think of Dublin as your headquarters and take an excursion North, South, or West.

Attractions to see:

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. And to think I heard Northern Ireland is even more incredible. The Galway boat cruise is awesome but beware if you have a light stomach. The waters are choppy.
Guinness Brewery experience telling the tale of Ireland’s famous beer, with tastings and a rooftop bar. You will be venturing up to work up the thirst. Other places have the Louvre or Big Ben, Dublin has Guinness.
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. Buy the tickets ahead of time for the saving.
Trinity College, officially the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth, you can’t miss it on your way to the Book of Kells.
Jameson Distillery Bow St. is an Irish whiskey tourist attraction located just off Smithfield Square. Being keeping you drunk since 1971. We took a tasting tour. Don’t arrive late. We did and ended up talking our way into their good graces.

Things to see:

Ha’Penny Bridge (walk across), and Temple Bar Area (Food & Sights)

2. Scotland: Castle Hunting and the Wizarding Inspiration (1 Day)

“There be ghost and wizards…”

Edinburgh is Scotland’s compact, hilly capital. It feels like a wide castle. We added it late in the planning phase but turned out to be one of our favorite spots. And we thought it was merely on the way. Nah, put some respect on Edinburgh.

Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers. It’s expensive to get in but it was a fun tour. You can spend a full day there.

Castle Hunting was probably our most dangerous venture. Driving on the other side of the road. Stick shift and with the stick on the left… madness. To go from castle to castle then to find a city in the shape of a medieval castle in the center. Stunning. To the Scots.

Attractions to see:

Blackness Castle, Dundas Castle, Lauriston Castle, Craigcrook Castle, Edinburgh Castle, and Craigmillar Castle. ** Dundas was stunning from the outside. It’s a popular wedding venue so you might not get in.
Grassmarket (Exploration), Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Bobby, Dean Village, St. Giles’ Cathedral, and Scott Monument.

3. England: Whimsical tours of London and something inspired (3 Days, 2 Nights) + Metro Station Hotel

Getting a bit more whimsical. Got to dress appropriately. It does get quite busy so get out early.

London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom, is a 21st-century city with history stretching back to Roman times. At its center stand the imposing Houses of Parliament, the iconic ‘Big Ben’ clock tower and Westminster Abbey, site of British monarch coronations.

You even get to peek behind the curtain at the crown jewels. Across the Thames River, the London Eye observation wheel provides panoramic views of the South Bank cultural complex and the entire city.

Loads to visit.

You could even skip paying and just walk around with an online audio guide and voila. London on the Cheap. Big Ben is closed until 2021. However, St. Paul’s Cathedral was the highlight. It more than made up for it. When you step inside, you will marvel at the Cathedral’s awe-inspiring interior. All set over five levels, the highest of which will give you an epic view of London.

Can’t-miss Full Day Excursion Alert:

Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge Tour. From William the Conqueror all the way through to our current Queen, successive monarchs have lived in Windsor Castle and left their mark on what is now the largest continuously occupied castle in the world. They even have cool War of Roses references which is where JRR Martin grabbed his Game of Thrones inspiration. Bath is a beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces, and architecture. Bath offers the Roman Baths but the line was horrendous. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, two miles west of Amesbury. It consists of a ring of standing stones, with each standing stone around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weighing around 25 tons.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Harry Potter – Platform 9 and 3/4, Buckingham Palace, Tower Of London, London Bridge, Big Ben, Lamberth Palace, The House of Parliament, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour & Exhibition, Westminster Abbey, Red phone Booth Photo Op.
Street Art Walking Tour for $13: Hit the pavement for an exceptional walking tour that reveals East London’s most impressive street art. Admire world-class works and thought-provoking pieces from the likes of Banksy, Space Invader, David Walker, C215, Stik, and D-face as you learn about this controversial and exciting art form.

4. France: a Bit of Romance in Paris (2 Days, 2 Nights) + Subway Accessible Hotel

“A bit of Romance.”

Paris, France’s capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, cuisine, and gastronomy, and culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques.

The city of Paris is pretty chaotic once it gets going at around 9 am. Prior to that, you can enjoy a morning café and pâtisserie at any of the bakeries. We hit up a tour of #Versailles which needs a full day to enjoy, #SacréCœur which needs an entire evening with these steps, la tour Eiffel, you can do solo in the crack of dawn. The River Seine boat rides are available all day. The Louvre is a full day with small to luggage-sized lockers prior to the museum section available for Free. The rest is like Rome.

Walk, talk, drink wine, and eat light. Always get the ham and cheese baguette for the road and bring a big bag of water. Salads and any Greens were hard to find (the same can be said for all of Europe). #teammétro do speak French, they are rude since they live their language a ton.

Can’t-miss Full Day Excursion Alert:

Versailles Skip-the-line Tour (the venue offers free audio tour kits). T he guided Eiffel Tower climb (Duration 2hr) was interesting but I’m sure you can go on your own.
The Louvre Museum (Duration 3hr) was extensive and detailed. It would take you weeks to truly see all the pieces. River Seine Sightseeing Cruise (Duration 1hr). Plan accordingly.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Café Richelieu, Palais Garnier, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Pont Alexandre II bridge, Champs Elysees (walkthrough), Ile de la Cite, Arc de Triomphe, Luxembourg Gardens, Montmartre, Notre Dame (Post Fire), Le Mur des Je T’aime, Marie De Medicine Fountain inside of the gardens, Sainte-Chapelle, and Sacre Coeur with (panoramic views).

Cool Add-Ons:

Shangri la – La Rooftop Lounge (free photo op @ bar terrace [4 pm-11:30 pm], pricey drinks), Avenue de Camoëns (photo op of the Eiffel tower), Printemps Haussmann Dept. Store (free photo op rooftop café La Terrasse) [9:30 am – 8 pm], and Palais Garnier [10 am – 4.30 pm] 12€ purchase months in ADV online.

5. Belgium: Brussels, Waffles, Chocolate and Mannekins (1 Night,1/2 Day) + City Center Hotel

“Too much chocolate sauce.”

Rich Chocolate and Belgium waffle. I still think Brussels was the perfect place for millennials to get lost, have fun, and do it again the next day. Beers, open cityscapes, and the familiar thumping of underground European dance parties. Guaranteed to get pretty wild.

They love international music; so it’s not uncommon to hear Zouk, Kompa, and Salsa too.

There was a surprising amount of Arabic people in the area. An enclave of Algerians and Moroccans. Save your money for the Arabic Market (felt like the only thing open on Sunday). Best chicken flavors ever and I mean ever! The Belgium waffles are pretty much 90% sugar. It was great!

Attractions to see and things to do:

Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, is a region of Belgium comprising 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium

Mannekin Pis, Grand Place, Galeries Royales Saint Hubert, Cathedral of St. Michael, Royal Palace, Parc du Cinquantenaire, and the Triumphal Arc. You can easily forgo all the tours and walk around this city.

6. Netherlands: Red Light, Green Lights in Amsterdam (1/2 Day, 1 Night) + City Center Hostel

“Re-Cycle”

Hostels and Red Lights. Another cool location for millennials. If you have a pension for sex, this is your spot. It’s Carney food but they love to recycle. There are bikes everywhere. If you want to get high, this is for you.

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system, and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Rijksmuseum & the I Am Amsterdam Sign (great photo op), Herengracht Canal, Floating flower market – Bloemenmarkt, Dam square, Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Keizersgracht Canal, Anne Frank House, and A’DAM Lookout.

For lodging try:

ClinkkNoord, is the best hostel in the world but I have only been to one so… a grain of salt.

7. Viva Roma and the Holy Country (2 Days, 2 Nights) + Hotel (Vatican Proximity)

Roaming while in Rome. Loved the lifelong perspective that all that glitters ain’t the USA. Our country is fine but the people are far gone, angsty and emotional. So hook a flight out, and walk through the living museum. Drink fresh water from aqueducts.

Do not order water at the restaurant. They charge you. And make sure you have change for the bathrooms; they also charge. Wait even the hotels charged a city fee like Brussels and Amsterdam.

Grab a gelato. Cool off in the shade and be in awe by years of artistic mastery. Study history. Learn from the greats, venture down the alleys, and up old elevators. And question why Mythology and Christianity merged together.

Vatican City, a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy, is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It’s home to the Pope and a trove of iconic art and architecture. Its Vatican Museums house ancient Roman sculptures, Renaissance frescoes in the Raphael Rooms, floor-to-ceiling tapestries, and the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling.

Attractions to see and things to do:

St. Peters Square, Vatican Gardens, Pincio Promenade, Castel Sant’Angelo, Corte Suprema di Cassazione, and Piazza di Siena.

8. Rome: The Living Museum

Rome, Italy’s capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture, and culture on display.

Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire. You might want to Rent-a-Vespa. The locals hate anything that’s less than 150 years old. Yep, that part makes no real sense.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona (walk around), Fountain of Four Rivers, Visit the Galleria Borghese, and Palazzo Madama.

9. (French Riviera) Monaco, Waterfalls, and Gorges (2.5 Days, 2 Nights) + Hotel (Railway Center)

The French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur) is the Mediterranean coast of southeastern France. It includes famously glamorous beach resorts such as Saint-Tropez and Cannes and the independent microstate of Monaco (extra Country alert).

Blue hues and a mocha expresso. An amazing blend of French, Spanish, and Italian flavors.

If you fancy being sexy and fancy, this is the spot for you. You can rent a boat or even take boat lessons.

The French Riviera is expensive but you will run into the star-studded bunch. Try not to act brand new. Around these parts, everyone just wants a quiet vacation. TRY to act casual. Great location comfortable clean beaches, sand bars, and casual bakeries facing the ocean. Nudity on the beaches is a thing. You were warned.

Do rent a car (likely manual) in Nice and head up to Eze, a castle overlooking the inlet.

Continue for 20 min to Monaco or go 45 minutes the other way to Antibes and Cannes. If you want to see something special, go 3hrs through the Maritime Alps so medieval towns, and Les Gorges de Verdon. *Bring a bathing suit or not.

Attractions to see and things to do:

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Le Negresco Hotel, Fort du Mont Alban, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Prince’s Palace of Monaco, Cathedral de Monaco, Salade Nicoise, Antibes, Waterfalls of Saut du Loup, Les Gorges de Verdon, and even Marseilles. They are just a short car trip away.

10. Portugal: Hop Skit and Some Panoramas (1 Day, 1 Night) + Hotel (Airport)

The San Francisco of Europe. I could close my eyes and it’s still all there… the gentle nostalgic feeling of Lisboa.

Lisbon is Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city. From the imposing São Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the old city’s pastel-colored buildings, Tagus Estuary, and Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. Sweeping panoramas. Old Cafes. The hills are just as steep if not steeper than San Francisco. Bring your walking shoes.

Lisbon has stunning plazas; the best one, Praça do Comércio. Before the earthquake of 1755, it was here where one found the royal palace.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Amoreiras for 360 Panoramic Views, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, Santos Estevao Belvedere, Praca Luis de Camoes, Santa Justa Lift, São Jorge Castle, Rua Augusta Arch, Carmo Convent, Jerónimos Monastery, Belem Tower, and Fado in Chiado.

11. Spain: Ola Espagna! by Bike (1 Day)

“Worth Getting Lost.”

Madrid, Spain’s central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro.

It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez, and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

Underneath Madrid is a vast network of some of the best subway lines that I have ever seen. Additionally, buried under the surface is its Muslim heritage. We ventured by bike. The city and the residences are very bike-friendly. It’s not uncommon to see cars giving you ample time to safely get across.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Puerta de Alcalá, Azotea del Circulo “Tartan Roo Barf” at the Círculo de Bellas Artes (rooftop views), Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Mercado San Miguel, and Palacio Real.

Eatery recommendations:

Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas and Café de Oriente Palacio Real, the latter …I wanted to cry thinking how awesome it was. sad emoji.

Accommodations:

Petite Palace Alcala takes the cake. They offer free iPads for the internet (on request) and free loaner bikes.

12. Iceland: A bit of Relaxation (1 Day)

“R&R Needed.”

Reykjavik, on the coast of Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city. It’s home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history.

The striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills. Exemplifying the island’s volcanic activity is the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, near the village of Grindavik.

New levels of relaxation were achieved. It was impressive to no end. But get there super early.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Blue Lagoon opens at 7 AM and tours Reykjavik

The End

I highly recommend, keeping up with paychecks and balances. The last episode with Chris Hogan is special because it demystifies wealth. We saved up. We planned and budgeted. Also, recommend traveling abroad to get disconnected from …America and to find that people on average speak 3.5+ languages. And people don’t complain about work or being a morning person.

There is a love of life out there that you don’t really find in the big hubs of America anymore. Whole streets shut down on weekends for families. Just less TV and good music.

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