14‑Day Global Adventure: Chicago ➜ Seattle ➜ Japan ➜ Australia ➜ New Zealand ➜ Switzerland ➜ Spain & Portugal ➜ Colombia ➜ Chicago

Day 1: Chicago → Seattle – Arrival & Exploration

Morning: Depart Chicago on an early flight to Seattle, arriving mid‑morning. Transfer to hotel and freshen up.

Afternoon: Stroll through Pike Place Market, sample fresh seafood, and watch the famous fish‑throwing show.

Evening: Enjoy sunset views from the Space Needle and dine at a waterfront restaurant.

Day 2: Seattle → Shibuya (Tokyo) – Culture Immersion

Morning: Flight to Tokyo; land at Haneda and take the express train to Shibuya.

Afternoon: Experience the iconic Shibuya Crossing and explore the trendy boutiques of Harajuku.

Evening: Savor ramen at a local izakaya and enjoy neon‑lit streets of Shinjuku.

Day 3: Shibuya → Queensland – Tropical Adventure

Morning: Fly from Tokyo to Brisbane, Queensland; transfer to the Gold Coast.

Afternoon: Relax on Surfers Paradise beach and take a surf lesson.

Evening: Dine on fresh seafood at a beachfront restaurant and watch the sunset over the Pacific.

Day 4: Queensland → South Island, New Zealand – Boat Cruise

Morning: Board a cruise ship in Auckland (via a short domestic flight) and set sail for the South Island.

Afternoon: Enjoy onboard amenities while crossing the Tasman Sea, with optional lectures on NZ wildlife.

Evening: Arrive in **Christchurch**, disembark, and settle into a boutique hotel.

Day 5: South Island – Scenic Highlights

Morning: Day tour to **Lake Tekapo** and the stunning **Church of the Good Shepherd**.

Afternoon: Visit the **Franz Josef Glacier** for a guided walk.

Evening: Return to Christchurch for dinner at a farm‑to‑table restaurant.

Day 6: South Island → Grindelwald, Switzerland – Alpine Arrival

Morning: Fly from Christchurch to Zurich, then a short connecting flight to Bern and a scenic drive to Grindelwald.

Afternoon: Check‑in and explore the picturesque village, with a cable‑car ride to **First Cliff Walk**.

Evening: Enjoy traditional Swiss fondue with mountain views.

Day 7> Grindelwald → Lucerne – Swiss Train Journey

Morning: Board the historic **Golden Pass Line** train, traveling through alpine valleys.

Afternoon: Arrive in **Lucerne**, wander the **Chapel Bridge** and the lakeside promenade.

Evening: Attend a classical concert in the **Kursaal** and sample local chocolate.

Day 8: Lucerne → Barcelona, Spain – Mediterranean Flair

Morning: Flight to Barcelona, check into a central hotel.

Afternoon: Tour **La Sagrada Família** and stroll along **La Rambla**.

Evening: Tapas dinner in the Gothic Quarter and enjoy a flamenco show.

Day 9: Barcelona → Ronda – Andalusian Charm

Morning: High‑speed train to **Ronda**, crossing the spectacular **Puente Nuevo**.

Afternoon: Explore the historic **Plaza de Toros** and the Arab baths.

Evening: Sunset dinner overlooking the **Tajo Gorge**.

Day 10: Ronda → Sintra, Portugal – Iberian Journey

Morning: Fly from Málaga to Lisbon, then a quick train ride to **Sintra**.

Afternoon: Visit the whimsical **Palácio da Pena** and the ancient **Quinta da Regaleira**.

Evening: Sample Portuguese pastries and enjoy a fado performance.

Day 11: Sintra → Medellín, Colombia – South‑American Arrival

Morning: Flight from Lisbon to Bogotá, then connecting flight to **Medellín**.

Afternoon: Ride the **Metrocable** for panoramic city views and explore **Plaza Botero**.

Evening: Dine on arepas and experience the vibrant nightlife of **El Poblado**.

Day 12: Medellín → Chicago – Return Home

Morning: Relaxed breakfast and last‑minute souvenir shopping.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Chicago.

Evening: Arrive in Chicago, concluding the whirlwind adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Pike Place Market – 2 hrs – $30
• Space Needle – 1.5 hrs – $35
• Shibuya Crossing – 1 hr – Free
• Harajuku – 2 hrs – $20 (shopping)
• Surfers Paradise – 3 hrs – Free
• Cruise to South Island – 2 days – $1 200
• Lake Tekapo – 3 hrs – $25
• Franz Josef Glacier – 4 hrs – $80 (guided)
• First Cliff Walk – 2 hrs – $15
• Golden Pass Line (Grindelwald → Lucerne) – 4 hrs – $120
• Chapel Bridge – 1 hr – Free
• La Sagrada Família – 2 hrs – $30
• La Rambla – 1.5 hrs – Free
• Puente Nuevo (Ronda) – 1 hr – Free
• Palácio da Pena – 2 hrs – $20
• Quinta da Regaleira – 2 hrs – $15
• Metrocable (Medellín) – 1 hr – $10
• Plaza Botero – 1 hr – Free
• All International Flights & Transfers – 10 days – $7 500
• Accommodations (13 nights) – $150/night – $1 950
• Meals & Miscellaneous – $60/day – $840
• Total Estimated Cost: $12 065

Tips

To shorten the trip, consider skipping either the Queensland or South Island segment, which removes two travel days and saves roughly $2 000. If you have extra time, add a day in Lucerne for a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne or extend your stay in Medellín to explore the coffee region, each adding about $300‑$500 to the budget.