Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Fly overnight from Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) to Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG); you land at 2 p.m. After immigration and baggage, allow about 1–2 hours before heading into town. A taxi or ride-hail usually takes around 40–60 minutes, depending on traffic; public transit takes roughly the same, using trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín and then Metro A toward the center. Buy a valid PID ticket before boarding and check the current fare, or use an official airport taxi stand. Check in, drop your bags, and keep the first afternoon gentle after the long flight.
Start with an easy wander around Old Town Square—the grand façades and lively street scene are a fine introduction to Prague, and you can take a break at an outdoor café if the weather cooperates. From there, walk toward the river and cross Charles Bridge; allow about 45 minutes to enjoy the statues and Vltava views without rushing. The bridge is free and open at all hours, though it’s busiest around sunset, so expect company.
For dinner, head to Lokál Dlouhááá in Old Town for Czech comfort food and a well-poured Pilsner Urquell. Budget roughly 300–600 CZK per person before drinks; it’s a popular spot, so reserve if you can, or be prepared for a wait at peak dinner time. Then call it an early night—tomorrow is a better day for a full sightseeing pace.
Start at Old Town Bridge Tower, on the Old Town end of Charles Bridge. In February, check the tower’s current opening time before setting out; winter hours can be later than summer hours. Ask at the ticket desk whether the first-hour discount is running that day—it isn’t guaranteed. Allow about an hour for the climb and views, and budget roughly 150–200 CZK before any discount.
Walk into Old Town Square for the Astronomical Clock. The hourly show draws a crowd, so arrive a little before the hour and keep an eye on your belongings. Then visit Old Town Hall; you can focus on the historic rooms or add the tower if you’d like another view, allowing 1–1½ hours. Check current entry prices and opening hours, as they vary by visit. Continue to the Spanish Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter. Its opening schedule and ticket requirements can change, and Jewish Museum sites may close on certain days, so confirm access for your travel date before building the day around it; allow about an hour if open.
Walk or take a tram toward Café Louvre in the New Town for a relaxed meal in a grand old café setting. It’s a good place to pause after a busy morning; expect around 300–600 CZK per person, depending on what you order. The route from the Jewish Quarter is an easy walk of roughly 15–20 minutes, or you can save your feet with a short tram ride.
Head up to Prague Castle early: tram 22 to Pražský hrad is the easiest approach, or take tram 22 to Pohořelec and walk downhill through Hradčany. The castle grounds generally open early, but historic interiors have shorter winter hours; allow 2–3 hours for courtyards and selected interiors, and check which areas require a ticket or timed entry before you go. Aim to reach the main courtyard by about 11:30 so you can find a good spot for the Changing of the Guard at noon. The ceremony is free to watch, but the courtyard gets busy.
After the ceremony, visit St. Vitus Cathedral inside the castle complex, allowing around an hour. Visitor access and hours can change around services, so check the cathedral’s schedule and ticket requirements that morning; if entry is restricted, enjoy the exterior and return when visitors are admitted. Then head down to Wallenstein Garden in Malá Strana. It is usually closed in winter, so check access rather than counting on getting inside; if the gates are shut, wander the surrounding Malá Strana streets instead.
Finish at Café Savoy for a relaxed meal, coffee, or pastry in its grand dining room. It’s a short downhill walk from the castle area, and a meal or pastry-and-drink stop is roughly 400–800 CZK per person; booking is sensible for a sit-down meal. Allow time to warm up and rest here before heading back to your accommodation by tram or on foot.
Allow 5–6 hours door to door for the train day, including getting to Praha hlavní nádraží, arrival at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, and checking in. If you take a morning train, you should have time for a gentle first walk; drop your bags before heading to the Brandenburg Gate in Mitte, about 10–15 minutes on foot from the station. Give the landmark around 30 minutes, then continue to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe nearby. Set aside about 45 minutes to walk through the outdoor field of stelae, and keep the visit quiet and respectful.
From the memorial, head to NENI Berlin at Bikini Berlin by Zoologischer Garten—roughly 20–25 minutes by public transit, or a longer walk if you’d rather stretch your legs. It’s a lively first-night choice, with a broad city view and sharing-style Middle Eastern dishes; budget about €25–45 per person before drinks. Check the restaurant’s current hours and reserve if you can, especially for a window table. If travel leaves you tired, keep the evening to dinner and save the rest of Berlin for tomorrow.
Start at the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße. Give the outdoor memorial about 1–1½ hours for the preserved border strip, watchtower and viewing platform; allow closer to two hours if you visit the documentation center. The outdoor site is generally accessible daily, while the center has set opening days and hours, so check before you go. Dress for the wind—the memorial is exposed, and February can feel colder than the forecast suggests.
Take the U-Bahn and S-Bahn toward Ostbahnhof (roughly 35–45 minutes, depending on connections), then walk the murals at the East Side Gallery. It’s an outdoor stretch, so you can visit at any time; allow 1–1½ hours, and take your time rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. From there, head to Curry 36 at Mehringdamm for currywurst, usually about €8–15 per person. Expect a casual counter-service stop; it’s popular, but the line generally moves.
Finish at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, around a 15–20-minute transit ride from Mehringdamm. Browse the historic hall and see what food stalls are serving, but check its calendar and individual vendors’ hours before making it your dinner plan: the lineup varies, and not every stall is open every day. Keep a little flexibility for a nearby Kreuzberg café or restaurant if the hall is quiet.
Start at Topography of Terror in Kreuzberg, where the indoor exhibition and outdoor remains of the former Gestapo and SS headquarters take about 1½–2 hours. Admission is free; allow extra time for the dense displays, and check the current opening hours before you go. From nearby Potsdamer Platz, take the U-Bahn toward Checkpoint Charlie—or walk roughly 20 minutes. The historic crossing point and its open-air displays are worth 30–45 minutes; the street-side displays are free, while nearby private exhibitions charge admission.
Continue by U-Bahn or a 20–25-minute walk to Pergamonmuseum. Das Panorama on Museum Island. Set aside about 1½ hours, but check its current operating status and book ahead if tickets or timed entry are required: the main Pergamonmuseum is undergoing renovation, and the panorama exhibition’s availability can change. Afterward, take the U-Bahn or a taxi to Schnitzelei Mitte for schnitzel and German-Austrian dishes; budget around €25–45 per person and reserve a table, especially for dinner.
The Berlin–Amsterdam travel day will take most of the day once you include getting to the station, the train, and reaching your hotel. Choose an early departure if you can, and keep your first evening flexible: after checking in, head to Dam Square for an easy orientation walk around the National Monument and Royal Palace Amsterdam.
If the Royal Palace Amsterdam is open to visitors, allow about 1–1½ hours inside; it closes to the public on some days for official events, so check its official calendar before you go. Admission is typically around €12–15, but confirm the current price and hours. If it’s closed—or you arrive too late—enjoy the square and save the interior for another day rather than rushing.
For dinner, walk about 10 minutes to Café de Jaren, a roomy canal-side spot near the Amstel with a relaxed atmosphere and light meals; budget roughly €20–35 per person. It’s a good first-night choice after the train, and you can turn in early before a fuller day of exploring.
Start at the Anne Frank House in the Jordaan. You must book a timed ticket through the museum’s official website; tickets are released in advance and entry depends on finding an available slot, so build the rest of the day around the time you secure. Allow about 1–1½ hours inside, plus a little time to arrive and queue.
Afterward, take about an hour to wander the Jordaan’s narrow streets and canals. It’s a lovely neighborhood for an unhurried walk—peek down side streets and pause at a café if the February weather calls for warming up. Then head to the Moco Museum at Museumplein; allow 1½–2 hours, and check its current hours and ticket options before you go. The simplest connection is usually tram or taxi, depending on your starting point and the service running that day.
Have Dutch comfort food at The Pantry in De Pijp; budget roughly €25–40 per person, and check opening hours or reserve if you can. Finish with an early-evening Amsterdam canal cruise, about an hour long. Operators leave from different docks, so choose a departure that fits dinner and your museum timing, and reserve ahead if you want a particular time. In winter, dress warmly on deck even if the boat has a covered cabin.
Start at Begijnhof, a tucked-away historic courtyard in the city center. It’s a peaceful half-hour stop, but remember this is a residential site: keep voices low, don’t photograph residents, and check the entrance hours before you go, as access can be limited. From there, walk through the shopping streets toward Heertje Friet for Dutch-style fries; expect about €5–12 per person and a casual takeaway stop.
Continue to Tony’s Chocolonely Super Store to browse the colorful displays and pick up a chocolate bar. Allow around 30 minutes; opening hours can vary, so check before setting out. You’ll have time to wander the surrounding center or take a breather before the evening rather than trying to pack in another attraction.
Take a respectful 45–60-minute walk through the Red Light District in De Wallen. It’s a working neighborhood, not a show: don’t photograph people in windows, and keep the walk low-key. Finish at Café ’t Smalle in the Jordaan, a cozy canal-side brown café for a drink or meal; budget roughly €20–35 per person. Check its current hours and consider reserving if you want dinner at a busy time. If you’re considering space cakes, remember that cannabis edibles can take a long time to affect you and can feel stronger than expected; avoid them if unsure, and never drive after consuming.
Allow 4–5 hours door to door for the train day, station access, getting from Bruxelles-Midi to your hotel, and checking in. After dropping your bags, head to Grand-Place; it’s especially lovely when the late-afternoon light catches the gilded guildhalls. Give yourself about 45 minutes to look around, and remember the square is free to enter.
From Grand-Place, it’s a short walk to Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, a handsome covered arcade for a relaxed browse—allow around 45 minutes. Finish at Maison Dandoy near the square for a Brussels waffle; check the menu for current prices, as they vary by topping. If you’re arriving later in the day, check the bakery’s closing time and keep the evening flexible: this is a good first taste of the city without trying to cram in too much after the train.
Start at the Old England Building in Mont des Arts and take in its elaborate Art Nouveau ironwork before going inside to the Musical Instruments Museum if you’re interested in the collection. Set aside around 1½–2 hours; museum hours and admission can vary, so check before you go. From here, it’s roughly a 15-minute walk to Notre-Dame du Sablon.
Give Notre-Dame du Sablon 30–45 minutes to admire its Gothic interior, then stroll around Place du Grand Sablon and browse the antique shops. Shops may keep shorter hours or close on certain days, so treat browsing as flexible rather than the main event. For lunch, head to Fin de Siècle in central Brussels for hearty Belgian cooking; budget about €25–45 per person, and expect a popular, informal atmosphere that can mean a wait at busy times.
Finish at Mont des Arts, where the garden terraces make a lovely place to pause and take in the rooftops and city views. It’s an easy walk back from the Sablon area; allow about 30 minutes to wander, longer if you’d like a café stop nearby.
Allow 3–4 hours door to door for the Brussels–Paris train day, including getting to the station, the train, reaching your hotel and checking in. Once you’ve dropped your bags, head to Île de la Cité; from Gare du Nord, the Métro is the easiest option, with a short walk at either end. Keep your first afternoon flexible in case the train or check-in takes longer than expected.
Take a relaxed loop around the island and admire Notre-Dame Cathedral from outside; access to the interior and services can be subject to restrictions, so check current visitor information before you go. Then visit Sainte-Chapelle, just a few minutes’ walk away. Its stained glass is the highlight, and timed entry should be reserved ahead—leave room for security and arrive at the time on your ticket. Check the latest hours before setting out, as closing times vary by season.
Finish at Bouillon Chartier in Grands Boulevards for a bustling, old-school Paris dinner; budget roughly €20–35 per person. It’s a straightforward Métro ride from the island, or a longer walk if you’d like to see the city streets on the way. The restaurant is popular and queues are possible, so don’t plan a tight evening around it.
Take the RER A from a central station such as Châtelet–Les Halles or Auber toward Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy. The train ride is about 40 minutes, but allow roughly an hour each way from your hotel once you include station access and the walk into the parks. Leave early, and buy dated Disneyland Paris tickets in advance; check the official park calendar for opening hours and whether your ticket covers one or both parks.
Spend the day at Disneyland Park, then add Walt Disney Studios Park if your ticket includes it and you still have time and energy. It’s a lot to cover in one day, so prioritize a few rides or shows you’re excited about rather than trying to do everything. Park hours, entertainment and ride availability vary, especially in winter, so check the schedule shortly before your visit.
Have a relaxed dinner at Disney Village before heading back; casual meals are generally around €20–40 per person. Then take the RER A from Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy back toward central Paris. Allow extra time for crowds leaving the parks and for your final walk or connection to the hotel.
Start at Palais Garnier when visitor access begins; self-guided visits usually take about 1–1½ hours, but rehearsals or performances can restrict access, so check the official schedule and buy tickets ahead if possible. From there, walk a few minutes to Rotisserie Sébastien for the chicken sandwich or a casual lunch—budget roughly €10–20 per person, and check its current hours before relying on it.
Take the Métro or a taxi to Arc de Triomphe. Allow about 1½ hours for security, the climb and the rooftop; tickets are typically around €16, with discounts and free-entry rules varying by age and eligibility. Then continue to the Eiffel Tower by Métro or taxi. This is the day’s longest stop: reserve a timed ticket well in advance, and allow 2–3 hours for security, queues and the visit. If the schedule starts slipping, keep your booked tower entry as the anchor and shorten the time at the arch rather than rushing between them.
Finish at Café de Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés for coffee or a light meal; expect roughly €20–40 per person, and prices reflect its famous address. The day is full, especially if tower queues are long, so head there directly after your visit rather than adding extra stops.
For a 1:30 p.m. flight, plan to reach Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) around 10:30 a.m.—and leave central Paris around 9:00 a.m., allowing roughly 1–1½ hours for the trip plus a buffer. The RER B is usually the most predictable option from a station on its route; a taxi is easier with bulky luggage but can be slowed by traffic. Check for service disruptions before setting out, and confirm your airline’s recommended airport arrival time.
There isn’t a safe window to go to Sacré-Cœur Basilica and see the exterior of the Moulin Rouge after heading to the airport: both are in Montmartre, away from CDG, and a return trip would put your flight at risk. Even a brief stop would mean leaving central Paris much earlier, and wouldn’t fit the planned airport-first order. Treat those two sights as missed unless your flight time changes; don’t rely on a quick detour.
At CDG, follow your airline’s terminal and check-in instructions, then leave time for bag drop, security and any passport control. From Paris, you’ll fly home to Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU); verify the terminal and check-in deadline with your airline before departure.
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