Why Europe is a common first long trip
For many travellers in Ethiopia, Europe is the first multi-country journey: trains, compact cities, and a single Schengen stay that can cover more than one country.
The mistake is trying to see six capitals in eight days. From Addis Ababa you have already used a night in the air. We keep day one light.
Schengen, briefly
France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and Belgium are in the Schengen Area. One short-stay visa often covers a circuit if the itinerary is coherent.
We build that itinerary so it can sit in a visa file: dates, cities, and where you sleep. The embassy decides. Rules change — check the embassy that will process your application.
Routes that work from Addis Ababa
First Europe trip: France, or Italy, or Germany — one country, seven to ten days.
Second trip: France with Belgium or Switzerland; Italy with Switzerland; Greece with a Turkish opening or close if it fits your visas.
Read the destination pages for France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, and Belgium, then tell us which pace feels right.
When to go
April to June and September to October are kinder for walking cities. July and August are busy and expensive. Winter works if you want markets, snow, or empty museums — we adjust walking time and daylight.