Europe Explorer - 36 Days

Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins in Barcelona with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by a vermouth aperitivo to whet your appetite for the adventure ahead. If you arrive early, there are plenty of galleries, cafes and historic corners to keep you busy. Maybe take the funicular to the top of Montjuic or Tibidabo for panoramic views of the harbour. After the meeting, maybe head out for some tapas with your fellow travellers and get to know each other.

Say good morning to Barcelona before heading out with your group on a leader-led orientation walk through the city, stopping along the way to try a local favourite treat. Then, explore the city at your own pace. Why not visit Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia Basilica – possibly the most iconic landmark in Barcelona! Or head to Park Guell – the largest green space in the city, where you can stroll through the gardens if the weather's nice and explore more of the incredible architectural work by Gaudi. This afternoon, make your way to the train station, where you’ll travel to the city of Girona. Arriving in the early evening, your leader will take you on a walk through the city. Then, you have the chance to explore on your own. This jewel of Catalonia is known for its medieval architecture and sits alongside the Onyar River.

Head off with your group this morning for a walk along the medieval walls of the city. Originally built by the Romans and then rebuilt and extended in the Middle Ages, these walls have stood watch over the city since the 14th century. From the walkway along the top, the city of Girona spreads out beneath you, giving you a birds-eye view over the streets and houses, the river and the iconic cathedral and bell tower of San Felix. This afternoon is yours to explore the city. Why not visit the Arabic Baths, stop at the Rocambolesc Gelateria to grab some of Spain’s finest gelato or take a walking tour, where you’ll be transported to the streets of Braavos and King’s Landing, which featured in the Game of Thrones. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner.

Leaving the city after breakfast, you’ll make your way to Nimes in southeast France. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a walk through the town, giving you the lay of the land. This afternoon is then free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe chat to your leader about visiting the famous Amphitheatre of Nimes – one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in Europe, built around the year AD 100. This evening, take the train to Avignon. When you arrive, check into your hotel and walk around the walled city that was once home to French popes for more than a century.

This morning, set off on an orientation walk through the markets, where you’ll find fresh produce that’s locally grown in the fertile soil surrounding the city. After, maybe comb the impressive collection of art, visit the grand Palais des Papes (Pope's Palace) or cross the iconic bridge of Pont St-Benezet. If the weather is good, maybe hire a bike to see more of this picturesque valley and head to one of the city's amazing bakeries. There are also many small local bistros that serve up great regional cuisine – why not get some of your travel pals together for a French-inspired feast tonight!

Travel to Dijon – the capital city of the historical Burgundy region in eastern France. When you arrive, join a mustard making workshop, where a mustard master will guide you through the traditional process step by step, from grinding the seeds to mixing in wine, vinegar and salt. At the end, you’ll get to take home your very own jar of homemade Dijon mustard, infused with your custom blend of flavours. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore Dijon at your own pace. Maybe visit the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, see the Church of Notre-Dame or walk through the Musee des Beaux-Arts.

This morning, take the train to the city of light and love – Paris, of course! Rich in museums, art galleries, monuments, fashion and delicious food, Paris offers a wealth of major sights and things to do. When you arrive, check into the hotel, then join your leader for an orientation walk through the famous city streets before exploring at your leisure – wandering around the Champs-Elysees, the student-filled Latin Quarter or bohemian Montmartre will give you a good feel for the city. Maybe visit the Louvre, climb the Eiffel Tower or walk through the Musee d'Orsay. Tonight, you might want to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Enjoy another free day to explore Paris. If you didn’t get the chance already, why not spend today checking out the world-famous Louvre, where you can see the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Maybe climb the Eiffel Tower – or take the lift – for some impressive aerial views of Paris. For a simple picnic lunch of baguette and cheese, The Tuileries, Plantes and Jardin du Luxembourg all make excellent backdrops. Later, you’ll have a second meeting with the new members of your group at 6 pm. After you meet your fellow travellers and trip leader, you might choose to head out for an optional dinner at one of the gorgeous local restaurants or explore the surrounding neighbourhoods and further discover why this city is known for its romantic appeal.

Leave Paris behind and jump on a train to Brussels. When you arrive, join your leader on a walk around the city, where you can sample some traditional Belgian fries along the way. After, you have free time to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander down to the Manneken Pis (Little Peeing Man) – an iconic symbol of Belgium. Or, visit the Musical Instrument Museum to get your fix of cultural history. Tonight, maybe explore Ilot Sacre – a great place to find good food and fun bars.

Today is a free day. Maybe wander the Jeu de Balle Flea Market, visit the Cantillon Brewery or walk through the Magritte Museum – an art museum in the Royal Quarters, dedicated to the work of the Belgian artist, Rene Magritte. This afternoon, maybe explore the Grand Palace or discover the miniature world at Mini Europe Attraction Park, where monuments in the European Union and other countries have been reproduced and are on display at a scale of 1:25. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

After breakfast, take the train to Ghent – a port city northwest of Belgium, known for its medieval architecture and artwork. When you arrive, set off on an orientation walk around the city with your local leader. Then, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Gravensteen Castle, take a guided boat tour on the canal or find a restaurant for dinner and try a local dish like gentse waterzooi (fish or chicken stew).

This morning, take the train to Bruges. This city on the coast of Belgium looks like it's been plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale book with its medieval buildings and the network of canals that crisscross it. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe stroll through the UNESCO Protected Old Town, discover the Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassicism architecture or visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which is said to be home to a vial of cloth stained with a drop of the blood of Jesus. When you return back to Ghent, maybe find the best bowl of moules-frites (a Flemish classic of mussels cooked in white wine and served with a side of crunchy fries) for dinner.

Travel to Amsterdam this morning. When you arrive, your leader will show you around the city, best known for its narrow houses and artistic heritage. Along the walk, stop at FEBO – an iconic local food stop where you can buy traditional snacks. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. Maybe visit Anne Frank's House – the former hiding place of the famous child diarist and her family during WWII or explore the De Waag – a 15th-century building on Nieuwmarkt Square first constructed as a gate for the city’s fortified walls. This afternoon, maybe join a tasting tour and learn about the Netherland’s rich beer history.

Set off on a daytrip today to Europe’s largest seaport, Rotterdam. When you arrive, visit the Floating Farm – the world’s first self-sufficient dairy farm. Here you’ll learn about sustainable farming practices and see the resident cows. The afternoon is then free for you to explore Rotterdam at your own pace – maybe walk through Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen or visit Euromast Observation Tower for panoramic views over the city. Then, take the train back to Amsterdam and enjoy a free evening to wander the canals.

Rise bright and early this morning before jumping on the train to Berlin. Today is a long travel day, so grab a window seat if you can. Berlin has plenty of impressive sites and is known for a great bar scene. Get some of the best recommendations and must-see spots from your leader while you make your way towards the city. Tonight, you’ll have another meeting with the new members of your group at 6 pm. After, why not join your newfound travel pals for dinner? Berlin’s food is a mix of classic German with Bavarian, Italian and Middle Eastern influences. But who can go past a traditional schnitzel or pretzel together with a stein of beer?

Set out to discover more of Berlin today, as you’ll have free time to enjoy it as you please. There are plenty of impressive sites for you to check out – the Brandenburg Gate, remnants of the Berlin Wall and the dominating Reichstag building – either on your own, during a bike tour or all at once from the observation deck of the Berlin TV Tower. There are also a couple of unique memorials, like the Jewish Memorial and the Topography of Terror, which are well worth your time. Tonight, maybe explore Berlin’s thriving foodie scene with a few dinner suggestions from your leader.

This morning, say goodbye to Berlin and hop on an early train to Dresden. After checking in to your accommodation, travel to Rathen, where you can enjoy a hike to the sandstone pinnacles of Bastei. The unique rock formation offers some of Germany’s best views and is home to the remnants of the medieval Neurathen Castle. If a hike doesn’t take your fancy, you’re welcome to join in on the journey to Rathen and spend your time exploring the riverside village or stay in Dresden, immersing yourself in the city’s history and heritage.

Leave Germany behind and board the train to Prague. You'll travel through the Labe Valley, with fairytale-like landscapes to the right and left. This is a gorgeous train journey, so grab a window seat if you can and get lost in the scenery! When you arrive, check-in at your hotel and then see the highlights on a leader-led orientation walk. Prague's architecture can be traced from the Middle Ages through to the avant-garde of the Gehry-designed Dancing Building (also called the Fred and Ginger Building). Finish with a visit to a Czech brewery, where you can sample a pilsner in its homeland. Spend your free afternoon at Prague Castle – the biggest in the Czech Republic – where you'll find the famous St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. Continue to wander through the old Jewish Quarter to see what remains of the city's formerly significant Jewish community.

With another free day in Prague, maybe learn how the Bohemian artists, writers, dissidents and the Bohemian mentality shaped the nation. Don’t forget to sample some traditional and modern Czech snacks along the way. If you feel like a daytrip out of the city, ask your leader to help you organise a trip to Kutna Hora. See the Church of Santa Barbara and Sedlec ossuary or The Church of Bones – a small Roman Catholic chapel that contains skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people! At night, Prague’s Old Town comes alive with many great restaurants and pubs, some in old vaulted cellars. The nightlife in Prague is also some of the best in Central Europe. Whether you're after dance clubs, beer halls, jazz clubs or underground absinthe bars, there's something for everyone.

Leave Prague and travel to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Set along the Danube, Bratislava blends past and present with its charming Old Town and lively boutiques and cafes. You have a free day to explore it all today. You could climb to the top of the tower at Michael’s Gate or UFO Tower for a bird’s eye view of Bratislava, visit the Bratislava City Museum to learn about the country’s communist past or spot as many of the city’s quirky statues as you can. For dinner, maybe seek out some local delicacies like kapustnica (a sauerkraut and sausage soup) – your leader will have the lowdown on the best spots.

Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest and enjoy a free day in the self-proclaimed Pearl of the Danube. Perhaps explore the historical Buda Castle and palace complex. Forget about the bustling city and lose yourself in the history of the winding streets of the Castle District, which dates back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, you could take a slow cruise along the Danube for some pretty epic views of the riverside Parliament Building, the Castle District and the bridges linking Buda to Pest. The spectacle is particularly beautiful, especially at sunset and at night.

Today, you’ll have another meeting with the new members of your group at 6 pm. Before then, the day is yours. Why not stroll around the grand architecture and boulevards to get your bearings? Maybe explore one of the local markets and pick up a langos (a deep-fried Hungarian pastry with an assortment of different toppings). Why not head out to Statue Park to get an insight into the city’s past or take a soak in one of the many thermal bath complexes around town? After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a group of friends together for a Hungarian feast of goulash or stroll to the Jewish quarter and check out some ruin bars – unique nightlife hubs that are great for groups and feature a whole heap of weird and wonderful decor.

Hop on a train this morning to the cosmopolitan city of Vienna. After dropping your bags at your accommodation, you’re in for a real treat! Stop for Kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) with your group at Vollpension – a local cafe that empowers older members of the community by providing them with employment and purpose, while bridging the gap between the staff and the younger patrons who visit the cafe. Have a chat with the friendly staff while enjoying your sweet treat in this warm and welcoming environment. 

You’re free to choose your own adventure today, and Vienna has a lot to offer! For art lovers, there's a vast array of museums, including the Albertina, the Leopold, Kunsthalle Wien and the Museum of Modern Art. Those interested in 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art should visit the Belvedere Palace – home to Gustav Klimt's painting 'The Kiss'. Check out the colourful Hundertwasserhaus or the dome of the Secession building. Perhaps visit Hofburg Palace – once the imposing winter retreat of Habsburg royals and now the official residence of the Austrian president, or visit the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the neo-classical Graben. If you want to see something impressive, head to the State Opera House – one of the world's most important opera houses and the heart of classical Viennese culture. 

Travel to Salzburg this morning via train – this Austrian hub on the border of Germany is backdropped by the Eastern Alps and divided by the Salzach River. When you arrive, you’ll have a full free day to explore all this gorgeous city has to offer, from the Old City to the New City. Maybe head to Mirabell Palace and Gardens for a picnic if the weather's nice or discover Mozart’s birthplace. Head to the medieval walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg and marvel at the architecture (you can also pay to get inside), or find a great viewpoint and snap some photos of the city in the shadow of the mountains, with the fortress looming above on the hill. Tonight, why not ask your local leader for the best spot for dinner.

Hop on a train to the Slovenian resort town of Bled. Sitting at the edge of the Julian Alps, this place is full of picturesque sights that are sure to take your breath away and the rail journey from Salzburg is a great way to start! Grab a window seat if you can, as you'll be crossing the Alps through a tunnel that sits 1300 m above sea level, with mountain vistas on every side. When you arrive, follow your leader to the shore of glistening Lake Bled, where many of the town’s attractions can be seen. After soaking in the sights with your group, you’ll have a free afternoon to choose your own route. For a taste of the local cuisine, try some Bled cake made of vanilla, custard, cream and pastry (many local cafes and cake shops claim theirs is the best, so if you must, maybe try a few and compare). After settling into your accommodation tonight, why not head out for a group dinner.

Today you have a free day to enjoy all the fun activities Bled has to offer (calling all nature lovers!) Maybe take a full-day adventure around Triglav Massive – there are many outdoor activities available here to get the blood pumping, such as rafting, caving, canoeing and swimming in the warmer months. Why not hire a bike and head out of town to Vintgar Gorge, where you can walk through a natural canyon. Perhaps explore Bled Castle, sitting atop the cliff overlooking the lake, or catch a pletna (small wooden boat) over to the island in the middle of the lake to ring the wishing bell. Your leader will have all the best options, so be sure to chat with them for their recommendations. If you’d prefer to have a relaxing day and the sun is out, maybe just enjoy the beauty of Lake Bled, find a quiet spot near the lake and spend the day reading or people-watching.

This morning, travel to Venice. A city of canals, Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader – the best way to see Venice is by foot – passing by the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Palace of the Doge, Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. There are shops, markets, galleries and churches around every corner here, so there’s plenty to explore. Tonight, what better to do than tuck into some iconic Italian cuisine (and maybe a big glass of vino?).

Today you’re free to dive deeper into Venice. You might browse the endless amounts of boutique shops in Piazza San Marco that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware, sample the sweet Venetian treats on sale at Ca Grifalconi Market or venture back to the stores that line Rialto Bridge. Later, you’ll have a final meeting at 6 pm. After, maybe enjoy an optional dinner with your new travel companions at a local restaurant.

This morning, head out for an orientation walk of the city, exploring the Classical, Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture that surround San Marco Square. Your leader will show you where to get the best cicchetti today (a tasty local snack that Venice is famous for). For lunch, maybe get involved in the lively social scene at a local bacaro or simply watch the world go by at a restaurant on the edge of the canals. Then, you’re free to explore Venice at your own pace. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Maybe take the Vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for views over the city. Ore, fulfil a bucket list favourite and take a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola if you haven’t already.

Board a morning train through the scenic north of Italy to the once important naval base of La Spezia – known mainly as the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – positioned on a series of coves between sheer cliffs. When you arrive in La Spezia, there won't be much time to explore (that’s what tomorrow is for), but after checking into your hotel you can take a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione or head out for dinner with the group.

Spend today exploring winding footpaths and pastel villages with your included Cinque Terre Pass. Your leader will walk you to two of the five villages, and the pass gives you access to the paths and trains of the area for 24 hours. Please consult your leader on which walking section is right for you, as some have challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. Alternatively, take the train between any of the villages, or back to the group's base in La Spezia whenever you want. After working up an appetite, maybe take advantage of an optional pesto class. Focaccia is also a speciality in this area and makes a great start to lunch, if you’d prefer.

Depart La Spezia today and catch a train to Florence. When you arrive, check into the hostel and go for a brief walk around the immediate area to get your bearings. Florence is one of the most culturally rich and beautiful cities in Italy, known to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. Food is a major part of the city's identity and the optional activities on offer reflect this. Maybe explore the city’s culinary history (and taste some local treats) on a Florence Foodies Walk with Urban Adventures. Carnivores might be drawn to try the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (the Florentine Beef Steak, essentially a huge T-bone steak that comes with classic sides).

Enjoy another day in beautiful Florence. It's impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland, so the best idea is to relax and pick a few things you really want to do. Maybe start with a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo's famous statue of David, or perhaps stop by the Uffizi – one of the world's oldest art galleries. Active types might want to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city. There are plenty of optional activities on offer during your time here, so be sure to grill your leader for the details on each so you can get a sense of what interests you.

Take the morning train to Rome and join your leader on an orientation walk around the city to see icons such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. After all that walking it’s probably time for lunch! Maybe grab a slice of the good stuff and a strong espresso at the Piazza Navona. You can spend your afternoon how you wish and there are plenty of heavy hitters to choose from. Maybe enter the Vatican and check out St Peter's Basilica. Within the Vatican, art lovers could visit the Sistine Chapel to admire the timeless work of Michelangelo, while history buffs may enjoy a walk through the ancient halls of the Pantheon. Rome is packed full of trattorias that cater to every taste and budget, so this evening maybe link up with the group for dinner.

Your adventures come to an end today. There are no activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. As there is so much to see in Rome, it’s recommended that you stay a little longer to soak it up. If you need help booking additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent at the time of booking.