Europe is always a good idea. Take a curiosity-driven, culture-inspired, and adventure-infused trip across Europe (in my case, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Belarus) and find out why for yourself.
Last updated: November 4, 2025
Traveling across Europe
“We packed two backpacks and flew to Europe, spending two days in various cities in different countries”, my manager had enthusiastically detailed his big European trip a few summers ago.
Several years ago, we had a similar experience, traveling – mostly by bus – across Central and Northern Europe for a week. Since it was summer and our clothes were not as chunky as cold weather attire, one backpack was enough to hold all our belongings. Looking back at that trip, I knew we could better, slow down more, and explore various regions in depth.
So, when I traveled back to Europe a few months later, I took an entirely different approach. Filling my itinerary with four different countries across Western and Eastern Europe – Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Belarus – I stayed in Europe for two weeks. The second smallest continent is culturally and naturally diverse, with iconic and hidden treasures in every town and around every corner. I wanted to savor it at a slower pace.
2-WEEK TRIP ACROSS EUROPE: IRELAND, THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, AND BELARUS
This 2-week Europe trip was nothing I normally do. While for a long road trip, I usually fly into one city and book a return flight from another place, often miles away, this time I traveled in the exact same order from the start to the end.
I flew into Dublin, took two budget flights to Amsterdam and then Minsk. After spending a few days in each of these cities and diving deeper into the respective countries, I retreated my steps. From Belarus, my European adventure took me back to the Netherlands and finally Ireland.
The reason behind this round route was quite banal. After hours of planning and searching, I found the best deal ever, roughly $260 for a round trip from the U.S. to Europe. You couldn’t beat it even if you tried really hard. The only catch was I had to fly into and out from the same airport.
What appeared to be a little annoyance at first turned out to have far more advantages than just price. During this 2-week trip across Europe, I’ve been to the same country twice. The second time around, the place looked familiar. I felt more confident, like a traveler returning home.
Without further ado, let’s travel to Europe and spend 2 weeks exploring different cities, towns, and remarkable natural sites.
IRELAND
Day 1-2: Dublin
My plane landed in Dublin late in the evening. The only thing I wanted and could do at this time was to get to my home away from home for the next four days. (I returned to the same hotel on my last day of this Europe trip as well).
Dublin is a relatively small European capital. It’s walkable and lets you see some main landmarks and hidden nooks and crannies in a day or two.
Start your city exploration by taking a walk in the historic center, stepping inside Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Once you’ve learned enough of the history of the city, head to its bustling O’Connell Street, check out the 15-meter-tall Spire of Dublin, walk across the historic Ha’penny Bridge, and make your way to the famous Temple Bar district.
If beer is your drink of choice, this is the place you absolutely must visit. Lined with pubs, restaurants, and galleries, the cobbled streets of the Temple Bar neighborhood are filled with traditional Irish music and are the epitome of Dublin’s nightlife.
Make Room for Books
Book lovers should make room in their 2-week Europe itinerary for the world-famous Trinity College Library, a place that inspired J.K. Rowling on creation of Hogwarts in her bestselling series about the wizard boy Harry Potter.
TIP: Be sure to reserve your spot in advance as the place is one of the most visited in Dublin and one of the most popular libraries in Europe.
I had two tries to get inside the Old Room of the Trinity College Library where you can see the Books of Kells, one of the oldest surviving illuminated manuscripts, displayed in a glass box. The first time, on a sunny afternoon, the line to the library stretched from one end of the courtyard to the other. It would take hours before you could get a chance to step inside. So, I skipped it and gave myself a self-guided tour of the Trinity College campus instead.
The second time around, when an early morning drizzle reminded everybody of the changeable weather of Ireland, I entered the Trinity College Library without any slow-downs at the front door.
Day 3-4: The Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains
For the next two days, I would leave Dublin before dawn and return when the dusk grasped the city in a firm embrace. Since this part of Europe is known for its narrow roads and unconventional rules – driving on the left side of the road wasn’t my strongest suit – I shifted the responsibility of getting around to local guides.
The first excursion included a trip the the west coast of Ireland to explore the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and its surroundings. Similar to the Trinity College Library, the massive bluffs towering over the Atlantic Ocean are affixed to the Harry Potter movies. The site not only inspired, but was also used as the exterior location for the Horcrux cave scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
On the return trip to Dublin, we stopped for lunch at the charming Doolin village and later gazed in awe at the moon-like terrain of the Burren.
On the last day of this stretch of my two-week Europe trip, I stayed closer to Dublin. The itinerary for the day included a visit to the picturesque Glendalough region, a short but delightfully drive to the Wicklow Mountains, and a quick stop at Baltinglass to see the historic Baltinglass Abbey.
THE NETHERLANDS
Day 5: Amsterdam
I arrived in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, in the late afternoon the following day. It was drizzling. But the city was so gorgeous that I went wandering around as soon as my carry-on was securely dropped off in the hotel room.
When in Amsterdam, it’s easy to forsake all itineraries and just dawdle around. The city is pleasantly walkable, with more than a thousand bridges across some 165 canals to perch alongside and admire the views.
At this time, I had only a day to enjoy the Netherlands before heading to Eastern Europe. I would return for a longer stay a few days later.
BELARUS
Day 6-7
If it’s your first trip to Belarus, a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, Minsk and its surroundings are the most common places to start your exploration.
The capital of Belarus, Minsk is a city of contrasts. Jam-packed with architecture and monuments from the soviet era, it keeps decorating itself with endearing murals and trendy coffee shops and bars. One of the most remarkable libraries, the National Library of Belarus, can also be found in Minsk.
For quick day trips to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Belarus, visit Mir Castle and Nesvizh Castle. Both structures have been inspired on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
READ MORE: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belarus You Need to Visit
BACK IN THE NETHERLANDS
Day 8-11: Amsterdam
After just a few days in Belarus, I traveled back to the Netherlands for the second round. With more time on my hands, I dived into Amsterdam’s food scene, took a ride along its canals, wandered across the arty Jordaan, and searched for the city’s hidden courtyards.
On those days when the rain prevented me from staying outside longer (I took this two-week trip across Europe in late fall, when the continent started getting ready for Christmas), I took refuge in Amsterdam’s many museums.
The famous Rijksmuseum lured me not only with its expansive painting and sculpture collections, but also the Cuypers Library. The oldest and largest art history library, the Cuypers Library is located on the ground floor of the museum.
Day Trips from Amsterdam
While Amsterdam was astonishing, offering more to explore than one could possibly do in two weeks, I long to see Northwestern Europe beyond its famous cities. Thus, quite spontaneously, I joined a guided tour headed to Zaanse Schans. An open door museum, the charming village is located roughly 20 minutes (20 kilometers) northwest of Amsterdam.
The next day, I took a train to Utrecht. Known as the “little sister of Amsterdam”, the city is a quick, 45-minute trip from the capital of the Netherlands. In many ways similar to Amsterdam, Utrecht enjoys a quieter atmosphere and offers plenty of cozy cafes along its extended canals to warm up on a chilly day and people-watch.
BELGIUM
Day 12: Antwerp
On my last day in Amsterdam, I crossed the border by bus and visited Belgium. The journey took two hours. The final destination was Antwerp.
Often named the artistic capital of the country, the city is famous for its fairytale-like buildings, exquisite cathedrals and churches, and more than 50 museums and galleries.
I returned to Amsterdam at the end of the day, ready for the final leg of this 2-week European adventure.
BACK IN IRELAND
Day 13-14: Dublin
As required by the budget airline I flew with from the U.S. to Europe, I had to depart from the same city I had arrived in almost two weeks ago. Thus from Amsterdam, I flew back to Dublin and checked into the same hotel I had stayed at the first time. This got a sign of recognition and a smile from the manager on duty, “Oh, you are back.”
It was raining in Dublin this time. Not a heavy downpour, but enough to keep Irish notorious “forty shades of green” vibrant and fresh. This enforced period of idleness gave me a welcoming opportunity to step inside Christ Church Cathedral.
One of Dublin’s oldest structures, the cathedral is famous for its exquisite decor and the largest cathedral crypt in Ireland. Inside the crypt you can even find the mummified cat and rat, something to look forward to if you are planning a fun Europe trip with kids.
I left Ireland the next morning on a direct flight from Dublin to LA.
