18 to 35s Essential Europe Loop

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Barcelona

   Barcelona Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Visit La Sagrada Familia (must be prebooked in advance)
   • Explore Casa Batllo (advance booking required)
   • Take cable car to Montjuic (one way)
   • Join tapas tour in El Raval Urban Adventure
   • Visit Contemporary Art Museum
   • Explore Old Santa Creu Hospital
   • Visit Museum of City History
   • Explore National Art Museum of Catalonia
   • Visit Ethnological and World Cultures Museums
   • Visit Museum of Gaudi
   • Explore Guell Palace (must be prebooked in advance)
   • Visit Barcelona Cathedral
   • Explore Picasso Museum
   • Take funicular to Montjuic or Tibidabo for panoramic views

   Landmarks
   La Sagrada Familia
   Casa Batllo
   Picasso Museum
   National Art Museum of Catalonia
   Museum of City History
   Ethnological and World Cultures Museums
   Montjuic
   Tibidabo

   

3. Day 2

   Barcelona to Logroño

   Barcelona to Logroño Show on map

   Included Activities

   • High-speed train to Logroño
   • Pintxo crawl with leader on Calle Laurel

   Landmarks
   Calle Laurel

4. Day 3

   Logroño to San Sebastian

   Logroño to San Sebastian Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Public bus to San Sebastian
   • Orientation walk through Old Town

   Optional Activities

   • Catamaran boat trip
   • Visit Catedral del Buen Pastor
   • Explore San Telmo Museum
   • Take surfing lesson
   • Join city bike tour
   • Take cable car to Mt Igueldo
   • Book Basque cooking experience and market tour
   • Visit Santa Clara Island
   • Relax on the beach
   • Explore local seafood restaurants

   Landmarks
   Bay of Biscay
   Catedral del Buen Pastor
   San Telmo Museum
   Mt Igueldo
   Santa Clara Island

5. Day 4

   San Sebastian

   San Sebastian Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Visit Catedral del Buen Pastor
   • Explore San Telmo Museum
   • Take surfing lesson
   • Join city bike tour
   • Book Basque cooking experience and market tour
   • Take boat ride to Santa Clara Island
   • Take catamaran boat trip
   • Ride cable car to Mt Igueldo

   Landmarks
   Catedral del Buen Pastor
   San Telmo Museum
   Santa Clara Island
   Mt Igueldo

6. Day 5

   San Sebastian to Bordeaux

   San Sebastian to Bordeaux Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Train to Bordeaux
   • Orientation walk through historic centre

   Optional Activities

   • Visit local markets for fresh produce
   • Explore cafes for French pastries
   • Sample Caneles (Bordeaux specialty)

   Landmarks
   Garonne River

7. Day 6

   Bordeaux

   Bordeaux Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Winery visit and tasting with tour of vineyards and cellars

   Optional Activities

   • Visit La Cite du Vin interactive museum
   • Explore Darwin Eco-systeme
   • Dine on the banks of the Garonne River

   Landmarks
   La Cite du Vin
   Darwin Eco-systeme
   Garonne River

8. Day 7

   Bordeaux to Paris

   Bordeaux to Paris Show on map

   Meals

   Dinner (Dinner at Le Reflet - typical French fare made with fresh, seasonal produce)

   Included Activities

   • Train to Paris
   • Orientation walk through the city
   • Dinner at Le Reflet

   Landmarks
   Le Reflet restaurant

   

9. Day 8

   Paris

   Paris Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Visit Eiffel Tower (must be prebooked in advance)
   • Explore Notre-Dame Cathedral
   • Visit Arc de Triomphe
   • Explore Musee D'Orsay
   • Visit the Louvre (must be prebooked in advance)
   • Explore Picasso Museum
   • Visit Rodin Museum
   • Stroll along the Seine
   • Wander through Champs-Elysees
   • Explore Latin Quarter
   • Visit bohemian Montmartre
   • Visit Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy
   • Explore Fragonard Perfume Museum
   • Explore city catacombs on guided tour (must be prebooked in advance)
   • Visit Napoleon's tomb
   • Watch a show at Paradis Latin cabaret (must be prebooked in advance)
   • Visit Centre Pompidou (must be prebooked in advance)
   • Join Da Vinci Code walking tour
   • Visit Sainte Chapelle & Conciergerie

   Landmarks
   Eiffel Tower
   Notre-Dame Cathedral
   Arc de Triomphe
   Musee D'Orsay
   Louvre
   Picasso Museum
   Rodin Museum
   Seine River
   Champs-Elysees
   Latin Quarter
   Montmartre
   Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy
   Fragonard Perfume Museum
   Catacombs of Paris
   Napoleon's Tomb
   Paradis Latin
   Centre Pompidou
   Sainte Chapelle
   Conciergerie

10. Day 9

    Paris to Bruges

    Paris to Bruges Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Moules frites - Belgium's national dish made with mussels cooked in a sauce of butter, garlic, shallots, white wine and parsley, typically served with frites and mayo)

    Included Activities

    • Train to Bruges
    • Check-in to accommodation
    • Orientation walk through Old Town
    • Waffle tasting

    Optional Activities

    • Take chocolate workshop
    • Join boat tour through the canals
    • Visit Belfry of Bruges
    • Visit Museum St John's Hospital
    • Visit Sint-Janshuis Mill
    • Take cycle trip to Damme

    Landmarks
    UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Bruges
    Belfry of Bruges
    Museum St John's Hospital
    Sint-Janshuis Mill

11. Day 10

    Bruges to Amsterdam

    Bruges to Amsterdam Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Train to Amsterdam

    Optional Activities

    • Take chocolate workshop to learn about Belgium's chocolate-making history
    • Join boat tour through the canals
    • Visit Belfry of Bruges
    • Visit Museum St John's Hospital
    • Visit Sint-Janshuis Mill
    • Take cycle trip to Damme

    Landmarks
    Belfry of Bruges
    Museum St John's Hospital
    Sint-Janshuis Mill

12. Day 11

    Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Orientation walk through historic centre
    • FEBO snack stop

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Anne Frank House (must be prebooked in advance)
    • Visit Van Gogh Museum (must be prebooked in advance)
    • Visit Heineken Museum (must be prebooked in advance)
    • Visit Rijksmuseum (National Museum)
    • Hire a bike to explore the city
    • Take canal boat tour

    Landmarks
    Anne Frank House
    Van Gogh Museum
    Heineken Museum
    Rijksmuseum

13. Day 12

    Amsterdam to Berlin (Overnight Train)

    Amsterdam to Berlin (Overnight Train) Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Overnight train to Berlin

    Optional Activities

    • Visit traditional Dutch village on daytrip
    • Daytrip to Rotterdam to explore harbourfront and modern architecture

    Landmarks
    Rotterdam Harbourfront

14. Day 13

    Berlin

    Berlin Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Metro to accommodation
    • Orientation walk through the city

    Optional Activities

    • Cruise down the Spree River
    • Visit Berlin Cathedral
    • Browse museums and galleries at Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz
    • Take in views from TV Tower
    • Sample currywurst, schnitzel or pretzel

    Landmarks
    Spree River
    Berlin Cathedral
    Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz
    TV Tower

15. Day 14

    Berlin

    Berlin Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Visit Refugio Cafe for cake and coffee

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Museum Island
    • Explore East Side Gallery
    • Visit Berlin Wall Memorial
    • Visit Brandenburg Gate
    • Relax in city parks
    • Gather with travel friends for dinner

    Landmarks
    Refugio Cafe
    Museum Island
    East Side Gallery
    Berlin Wall Memorial
    Brandenburg Gate

16. Day 15

    Berlin

    Berlin Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Berlin by bike
    • Visit Charlottenburg Palace
    • Visit Reichstag Building dome and roof terrace

    Landmarks
    Charlottenburg Palace
    Reichstag Building

17. Day 16

    Berlin to Wroclaw

    Berlin to Wroclaw Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to Wroclaw
    • Check-in to hotel
    • Orientation walk around the city

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island)
    • Explore Old Town Square
    • Visit Four Denominations District
    • Enjoy River Oder from a different perspective
    • Picnic with travel buddies

    Landmarks
    Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island)
    Old Town Square
    Four Denominations District
    River Oder

18. Day 17

    Wroclaw to Krakow

    Wroclaw to Krakow Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Train to Krakow
    • Orientation walk through Old Town
    • Zapiekanka snack

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Wawel Royal Castle
    • Visit St Mary's Basilica
    • Visit St Francis' Basilica
    • Explore medieval architecture and churches

    Landmarks
    UNESCO World Heritage Old Town
    Wawel Royal Castle
    St Mary's Basilica
    St Francis' Basilica
    Vistula River

19. Day 18

    Krakow

    Krakow Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Traditional bar mleczny (milk bar) - Polish home-cooked meal with authentic local atmosphere)

    Included Activities

    • Visit traditional bar mleczny (milk bar) for dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Walk the 'Royal Route'
    • Visit Florianska Gate
    • Visit Barbican
    • Explore Old Town treasures

    Landmarks
    Florianska Gate
    Barbican

20. Day 19

    Krakow to Prague

    Krakow to Prague Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Bus to Ostrava
    • Train to Prague
    • Check-in to hotel
    • Orientation walk

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Jewish Quarter
    • Visit oldest surviving synagogue in Europe
    • Visit Franz Kafka Museum
    • Stroll Charles Bridge
    • Watch Astronomical Clock
    • Explore on foot

    Landmarks
    Jewish Quarter
    Franz Kafka Museum
    Charles Bridge
    Astronomical Clock

21. Day 20

    Prague

    Prague Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Prague Castle
    • Take day trip to Kutna Hora
    • Visit Sedlec Ossuary
    • Visit St Barbara Church
    • Explore Old Town by night
    • Visit cellar hangouts
    • Explore Absinthe bars
    • Catch jazz music

    Landmarks
    Prague Castle
    Sedlec Ossuary
    Church of St Barbara

22. Day 21

    Prague to Cesky Krumlov

    Prague to Cesky Krumlov Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to Cesky Krumlov
    • Leader-led walk around town

    Optional Activities

    • Climb Castle Tower for views
    • Explore castle and gardens
    • Browse riverfront shops
    • Ask about rafting and canoeing activities (weather permitting)

    Landmarks
    Cesky Krumlov Castle

    

23. Day 22

    Cesky Krumlov to Vienna

    Cesky Krumlov to Vienna Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Private transfer to Vienna
    • Orientation walk through the city

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Leopold Museum for modern Austrian art
    • Visit Albertina for paintings by Monet, Degas and Picasso
    • Visit Belvedere Palace for Gustav Klimt collection
    • Watch performance at Vienna State Opera House
    • Sample Sachertorte (famous pastry)

    Landmarks
    Leopold Museum
    Albertina
    Belvedere Palace
    Vienna State Opera House

24. Day 23

    Vienna

    Vienna Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace)
    • Visit Schoenbrunn Palace
    • Visit Hofburg Palace complex
    • Visit Schnapps Museum
    • Visit Sigmund Freud Museum
    • Visit Globe Museum
    • Climb St Stephen's Cathedral tower
    • Ride Prater Ferris Wheel
    • Watch dressage show at Spanish Riding School
    • Catch Mozart, Bach or Schubert performance at opera house

    Landmarks
    Schloss Belvedere (Belvedere Palace)
    Schoenbrunn Palace
    Hofburg Palace
    St Stephen's Cathedral
    Prater Ferris Wheel
    Spanish Riding School
    Vienna State Opera House

25. Day 24

    Vienna to Budapest

    Vienna to Budapest Show on map

    Meals

    Snack (Langos - Hungarian fried dough specialty)

    Included Activities

    • Train to Budapest
    • Orientation walk through the city
    • Langos snack

    Optional Activities

    • Explore hip bars
    • Visit trendy cafes
    • Experience ruin bars
26. Day 25

    Budapest

    Budapest Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Tour Buda Castle palace complex
    • Visit Hungarian National Gallery
    • Visit Budapest History Museum
    • Visit Fisherman's Bastion
    • Stroll Castle District cobbled streets
    • Boat trip along Danube River
    • Experience ruin bars
    • Visit Great Synagogue
    • Visit House of Terror
    • Visit Hungarian National Museum
    • Tour Hungarian State Opera House
    • Tour Parliament
    • Join pub crawl
    • Visit Szechenyi Thermal Baths
    • Explore Statue Park
    • Visit Central Market

    Landmarks
    Buda Castle
    Hungarian National Gallery
    Budapest History Museum
    Fisherman's Bastion
    Castle District
    Danube River
    Parliament buildings

27. Day 26

    Budapest to Bled

    Budapest to Bled Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to Bled via Ljubljana

    Optional Activities

    • Try Bled's famous cream cake
    • Join optional dinner of Slovenian specialties

    Landmarks
    Lake Bled
    Bled Castle
    Island in Lake Bled
    Julian Alps

28. Day 27

    Bled

    Bled Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Hire a bike to explore surroundings
    • Hike through Vintgar Gorge
    • Go rafting along Soca River
    • Visit Bled Castle
    • Take pletna boat to island church
    • Ring the wishing bell
    • Day trip to Bohinj
    • Mountain bike hire
    • Canoeing activities

    Landmarks
    Lake Bled
    Bled Castle
    Vintgar Gorge
    Soca River
    Island Church in Lake Bled
    Bohinj
    Triglav National Park

    

29. Day 28

    Bled to Venice

    Bled to Venice Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to Venice

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Grand Canal
    • Shop at Rialto Bridge
    • Visit Palace of the Doge (Doge's Palace)
    • Explore Piazza San Marco
    • Visit St Mark's Basilica
    • Try tiramisu

    Landmarks
    Grand Canal
    Rialto Bridge
    Palace of the Doge
    Piazza San Marco
    St Mark's Basilica

30. Day 29

    Venice

    Venice Show on map

    Meals

    Dinner (Dinner at Orient Experience - menu inspired by refugee and migrant journeys to Europe)

    Included Activities

    • Welcome meeting at 6 pm
    • Dinner at Orient Experience

    Optional Activities

    • Window shop at Ponte di Rialto
    • Visit Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop
    • Take a gondola ride
    • Explore Venice's canals

    Landmarks
    Ponte di Rialto
    Libreria Acqua Alta
    Orient Experience restaurant

31. Day 30

    Venice to Verona - Lake Garda

    Venice to Verona - Lake Garda Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Train to Verona
    • Orientation walk around the city
    • Visit Juliet's balcony
    • View Arena di Verona
    • Train to Lake Garda

    Optional Activities

    • Sample Sfogliatine di Villafranca dessert
    • Dine at lakeside restaurant

    Landmarks
    Juliet's Balcony
    Arena di Verona
    Lake Garda

32. Day 31

    Lake Garda

    Lake Garda Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Orientation walk at Peschiera del Garda

    Optional Activities

    • Swim in lake waters
    • Explore Peschiera del Garda fortress
    • Dine at lakeside restaurants
    • Watch sunset over the water with aperitivos

    Landmarks
    Lake Garda
    Peschiera del Garda
    Peschiera del Garda fortress

33. Day 32

    Lake Garda to Parma

    Lake Garda to Parma Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to Parma
    • Orientation walk through the city

    Optional Activities

    • Sample Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano
    • Explore Duomo di Parma
    • Visit Labirinto di Franco Maria Ricci (largest labyrinth in the world)

    Landmarks
    Duomo di Parma
    Labirinto di Franco Maria Ricci

34. Day 33

    Parma to La Spezia

    Parma to La Spezia Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to La Spezia

    Optional Activities

    • Spend day at the beach
    • Take day trip to Portovenere
    • Visit Doira Castle
    • Visit Grotta di Lord Byron
    • Sample Mediterranean seafood

    Landmarks
    Cinque Terre
    Portovenere
    Doira Castle
    Grotta di Lord Byron

35. Day 34

    Cinque Terre - La Spezia

    Cinque Terre - La Spezia Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Leader-led hike through Cinque Terre tracks
    • Cinque Terre day pass

    Optional Activities

    • Visit beach club
    • Join pesto making demonstration
    • Take boat cruise along the coast

    Landmarks
    Cinque Terre
    Mediterranean Sea

    

36. Day 35

    Cinque Terre to Pisa - Florence

    Cinque Terre to Pisa - Florence Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to Pisa
    • Half-day trip to Pisa
    • Travel to Florence
    • Orientation walk through Florence

    Optional Activities

    • Sample local salami and cheeses
    • Taste Tuscan wine
    • Try Cecina Toscana (traditional flatbread)
    • Join optional food tour
    • Experience Italian aperitivo

    Landmarks
    Piazza del Duomo
    Battistero di San Giovanni
    Cattedrale di Pisa
    Leaning Tower of Pisa

37. Day 36

    Florence

    Florence Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Orientation walk through Florence
    • Sunset aperitivo in Piazzale Michelangelo

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Accademia Gallery to see David
    • Explore Piazza della Signoria
    • Climb Duomo for 360 views
    • Find wine windows throughout the city
    • Visit additional museums and galleries

    Landmarks
    Accademia Gallery
    Piazza della Signoria
    Duomo
    Piazzale Michelangelo

38. Day 37

    Florence to Rome

    Florence to Rome Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Travel to Rome
    • Orientation walk through the city

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Roman Colosseum
    • Explore the Forum
    • Visit Vatican City
    • Climb St Peter's Dome
    • Visit Vatican Museum
    • See Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
    • Gather for farewell dinner with group

    Landmarks
    Roman Colosseum
    Roman Forum
    Vatican City
    St Peter's Basilica
    Sistine Chapel

39. Day 38

    Rome

    Rome Show on map