Epic 6-Week Autumn to Early Winter European Trip: Northern Lights, Dolomites, and Cultural Gems

Day 1: London Arrival

London, England on October 1, 2026

9:00am

Breakfast at Dishoom

Start your London adventure with a flavoursome breakfast at Dishoom, inspired by Bombay cafés. Try their famous bacon naan roll to fuel your day.
GBP15, 1h

10:30am

Visit Tower of London

Explore the iconic Tower of London, learning about its historic role and viewing the Crown Jewels. Opens at 9am daily.
GBP30, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Borough Market

Enjoy a vibrant variety of fresh, artisanal foods at Borough Market. Grab some British cheese and charcuterie or global street food.
GBP20, 1h

2:30pm

Walk along South Bank and visit Tate Modern

Stroll along the Thames South Bank and explore contemporary art at Tate Modern, which is free entry.
Free, 1.5h

6:00pm

Dinner at Flat Iron Soho

Relish quality steak at a great mid-range price in the Soho district. Popular spot, so booking ahead is recommended.
GBP35, 1.5h
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Day 2: Edinburgh City Highlights

Edinburgh, Scotland on October 2, 2026

7:00am

Train from London to Edinburgh

Enjoy a scenic 4.5-hour train ride north, departing early to maximise your Edinburgh exploration.
GBP70, 4h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at The Elephant House

Dine where J.K. Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter. Offers great coffee and light meals.
GBP15, 1h

1:30pm

Edinburgh Castle Visit

Visit Scotland’s historic fortress with spectacular views over the city. Opens 9:30am to 6pm.
GBP19.50, 2h

4:00pm

Explore Royal Mile and Shops

Wander the famous Royal Mile with its shops, street performers, and show some Scottish souvenirs.
Free, 1.5h

7:00pm

Dinner at Howies Victoria

Enjoy traditional Scottish cuisine in friendly surroundings, specializing in local ingredients.
GBP30, 1.5h
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Day 3: Scottish Highlands Drive

Scottish Highlands, Scotland on October 3, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast at local café in Edinburgh

Grab a hearty Scottish breakfast before your drive to the Highlands.
GBP12, 1h

9:30am

Drive to Glencoe

Hire a car and take a picturesque 3-hour drive to Glencoe, experiencing some of Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes.
Car hire approx. GBP50/day, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Clachaig Inn, Glencoe

Enjoy traditional pub fare with fantastic mountain views in this historic inn.
GBP20, 1h

2:30pm

Explore hiking trails around Glencoe

Spend the afternoon on short hikes like the Lost Valley or nearby scenic spots; open access anytime.
Free, 3h

6:00pm

Dinner at your accommodation or local restaurant

Relax with a warming meal in the Highlands, enjoying local game and produce.
GBP30, 1.5h
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Day 4: Ireland Arrival & Dublin Sights

Dublin, Ireland on October 4, 2026

8:00am

Flight from Glasgow to Dublin

Catch an early flight to Dublin (approx 1 hour) and get ready to explore Ireland’s vibrant capital.
GBP40, 1h

10:00am

Breakfast at Bewley’s Grafton Street Café

Enjoy classic Irish breakfast fare in this historic and atmospheric café.
EUR15, 1h

11:30am

Visit Trinity College & Book of Kells

Explore Ireland’s oldest university and view the world-famous illuminated manuscript exhibit. Open 9:30am to 5pm.
EUR16, 2h

2:00pm

Lunch at The Woollen Mills

Sample modern Irish cuisine in a historic building close to the River Liffey.
EUR25, 1h

3:30pm

Stroll through Temple Bar

Discover the lively arts and entertainment district with colourful streets, galleries, and shops.
Free, 1.5h

7:00pm

Dinner at Chapter One

Dine at an acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant showcasing seasonal Irish produce. Book ahead for evening slots.
EUR60, 2h
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Day 5: Berlin Urban Exploration

Berlin, Germany on October 5, 2026

7:00am

Flight to Berlin from Dublin

Fly to Berlin early to maximise your time in Germany’s dynamic capital city.
EUR50, 2h30m

10:00am

Breakfast at Café Einstein Stammhaus

Enjoy Viennese-style breakfast in an elegant setting, perfect for starting your Berlin day.
EUR15, 1h

11:30am

Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building

Visit these iconic symbols of Berlin’s history. The Reichstag dome visit requires prebooking but is free.
Free (prebook Reichstag visit), 2h

2:00pm

Lunch at Mustafas Gemüse Kebap

Taste one of Berlin’s famed street food kebabs in Kreuzberg.
EUR8, 1h

3:00pm

Museum Island Tour

Explore several world-class museums such as Pergamon and Altes Museum with a single ticket. Open 10am-6pm.
EUR19, 3h

7:00pm

Dinner at Zur letzten Instanz

Eat in Berlin’s oldest restaurant offering traditional German dishes in a historic setting.
EUR30, 1.5h
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Day 6: Munich & Bavarian Charm

Munich, Germany on October 6, 2026

8:00am

Train to Munich

Comfortable 4-hour train journey south through Bavaria’s countryside.
EUR40, 4h

12:30pm

Lunch at Viktualienmarkt

Explore this famous open-air market and sample Bavarian sausages and pretzels.
EUR20, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Marienplatz and New Town Hall

Watch the Glockenspiel show and explore the lively city centre. Free and open access throughout the day.
Free, 1.5h

4:00pm

Relax in English Garden

Spend a peaceful afternoon in one of Europe’s largest urban parks, perhaps with a beer at the Chinese Tower beer garden.
EuR7 for drinks, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Hofbräuhaus

Experience lively Bavarian atmosphere and classic dishes in this famous beer hall.
EUR35, 2h
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Day 7: Dolomites Arrival

Dolomites, Italy on October 7, 2026

8:00am

Flight from Munich to Venice with hire car pickup

Fly to Venice then collect your hire car for the scenic 2.5-hour drive to the Dolomites region where you’ll stay with friends’ family.
EUR70 + EUR50 for car hire/day, 4h30m

1:00pm

Lunch with Friends' Family in Dolomites

Enjoy an authentic home-cooked Italian lunch with your friends’ extended family, soaking up local hospitality and cuisine.
Included, 1.5h

3:00pm

Afternoon walk around Cortina d'Ampezzo

Explore this charming alpine town’s shops and lakeside paths in autumnal colours.
Free, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Rifugio Averau

For something special, head up to this mountain hut offering spectacular views and hearty Ladin cuisine. Check seasonal opening times ahead.
EUR40, 2h
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Day 8: Dolomites Hiking & Culture

Dolomites, Italy on October 8, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast at accommodation

Fuel up with local cheeses, bread, and fresh fruit for your hikes.
Included, 30m

9:00am

Hiking the Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Spend the day hiking one of the Dolomites’ most iconic trails with breathtaking mountain vistas. Open all day, bring packed lunch and gear.
Free, 6h

4:00pm

Return to accommodation and rest

Relax and enjoy the alpine scenery and conversations with friends’ family.
Free, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at a local pizzeria

Enjoy classic Italian pizza and local wines in a cozy mountain town setting.
EUR25, 1.5h
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Day 9: Prime Northern Lights in Tromsø

Tromsø, Norway on November 10, 2026

10:00am

Fly from Venice to Tromsø via Oslo

Travel to Norway’s Arctic city Tromsø, ideal for seeing the Northern Lights during late autumn to early winter.
EUR150, 7h

6:00pm

Dinner at Emma’s Dream Kitchen

Dine on local Arctic cuisine featuring fresh seafood and reindeer specialties.
NOK400 (approx EUR40), 1.5h

8:30pm

Northern Lights Guided Tour

Join an expert guide on a nightly aurora hunt with warm gear provided. Check availability and book ahead.
NOK1200 (approx EUR120), 5h
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Day 10: Tromsø Culture & Adventure

Tromsø, Norway on November 11, 2026

9:00am

Breakfast at Kaffebønna

Start the day with expertly brewed coffee and pastries in Tromsø’s popular café.
NOK80 (approx EUR8), 1h

10:00am

Visit Polaria and Arctic Cathedral

Explore the northernmost aquarium and the striking Arctic Cathedral, both open from 10am.
NOK300 (approx EUR30), 3h

1:30pm

Lunch at Smørtorget

Enjoy healthy, Nordic-inspired light meals and excellent coffee.
NOK150 (approx EUR15), 1h

3:00pm

Fjord sightseeing or dog sledding

Choose a scenic fjord cruise or early dog sledding experience, depending on weather and season.
NOK1000-1500 (approx EUR100-150), 3h

7:00pm

Dinner at Mathallen Tromsø

Savour innovative dishes made from Arctic ingredients in a stylish setting.
NOK400 (approx EUR40), 1.5h
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