72-hour escapes to Europe: Six itineraries to see the best sights

A European trip of a lifetime is possible over a long weekend – with careful planning - (Getty Images)

How much can you pack into a long weekend in Europe? With a bit of smart planning, an awful lot, it turns out.

Here, we’ve paired 12 European cities in six itineraries that reveal how to tick off some of the best landmarks, the go-to restaurants and the most memorable museums over just 72 hours in each destination combo — allowing for flights in and out on either side.