15 days in Spain, Greece & Italy Itinerary

Barcelona, the country’s second-largest city, is a cosmopolitan urban center known for its throbbing youthful energy and stellar architecture.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Mon): pause for some serene contemplation at Barcelona Cathedral, then take a stroll through El Barri Gòtic, then explore the galleries of Casa Batlló, and finally admire the landmark architecture of La Sagrada Familia.

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Knoxville, USA to Barcelona is an approximately 19-hour combination of car and flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central European Time (CET), which is usually a 6 hour difference. Expect a daytime high around 83°F in July, and nighttime lows around 71°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Tue) early enough to travel to Athens.

One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.

On the 11th (Tue), wander the streets of Plaka District. On the 12th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the long history of Acropolis of Athens and then delve into the distant past at Parthenon.

For more things to do, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, read Athens trip itinerary builder.

Getting from Barcelona to Athens by combination of train, flight, and subway takes about 6.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train and bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Barcelona to Athens due to the time zone difference. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Barcelona in July: highs in Athens hover around 93°F, while lows dip to 74°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 13th (Thu) to allow time for travel to Heraklion.

Crete's largest city, Heraklion remains best known for its proximity to a sprawling Bronze Age archaeological site, once the center of a vanished Minoan civilization.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Fri): enjoy the sand and surf at Stalis Beach and then do some rugged touring at local off-road trails. On your second day here, explore the world behind art at Heraklion Archaeological Museum, then contemplate the long history of The Palace of Knossos, and then learn about winemaking at Lyrarakis Winery.

For photos, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read Heraklion custom trip planner.

You can do a combination of subway, flight, and bus from Athens to Heraklion in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and ferry; or take a bus. When traveling from Athens in July, plan for slightly colder days in Heraklion, with highs around 84°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 72°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sun) so you can travel to Venice.

Virtually unchanged for the last six centuries, Venice is actually a group of islands made famous by a series of canals, bridges, monuments, piazzas, and narrow pedestrian lanes.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Sun): get to know the fascinating history of St. Mark's Square and then contemplate the waterfront views at Canal Grande. On your second day here, explore the world behind art at Peggy Guggenheim Collection, then admire the landmark architecture of St Mark's Campanile, and then admire the striking features of Doges' Palace.

For ratings, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Venice vacation builder.

Getting from Heraklion to Venice by combination of bus and flight takes about 7 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and train; or do a combination of ferry and car. The time zone changes from Eastern European Time (EET) to Central European Time (CET), which is usually a -1 hour difference. In July, daytime highs in Venice are 83°F, while nighttime lows are 68°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to take a train to Florence.

Considered a cultural, artistic, and architectural jewel of Italy, Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Kick off your visit on the 18th (Tue): see the interesting displays at Uffizi Gallery, get engrossed in the history at Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, and finally examine the collection at Galleria dell'Accademia. Keep things going the next day: snap pictures at Ponte Vecchio, take some stellar pictures from Piazzale Michelangelo, then see the interesting displays at Pitti Palace, and finally enjoy breathtaking views from Campanile di Giotto.

To find other places to visit, ratings, maps, and tourist information, read Florence trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by train from Venice to Florence takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and flight. While traveling from Venice, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Florence, ranging from highs of 89°F to lows of 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) to allow time to take a train to Rome.

Aptly nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is the birthplace of the Roman Empire, one of the world's greatest civilizations ever.

Get a sense of the local culture at Palatine Hill and St. Peter's Basilica. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Venture out of the city with trips to Tivoli (Villa d'Este & Villa Adriana). There's still lots to do: delve into the distant past at Colosseum, admire the masterpieces at Vatican Museums, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Piazza Navona.

To see more things to do, photos, maps, and other tourist information, use the Rome trip itinerary builder.

Traveling by train from Florence to Rome takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus, flight, and train. In July in Rome, expect temperatures between 88°F during the day and 69°F at night. On the 23rd (Sun), you're off tohome.