Best of Europe
Explore Europe's most iconic cities
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1693Group Size: Avg 41
Trip code: EECT
Duration: 16 days
Explore the legendary landscapes of Europe on this incredible round-trip to and from London. In a little over two weeks, we’ll discover seven breathtaking countries and visit 11 destinations with scenic stop-offs on the way. On this exhilarating journey around Europe, we’ll explore all the essentials like Amsterdam, Rome, Berlin, Prague and Paris. From learning city secrets while sightseeing to following coastline hiking trails and the chance to explore world-famous nightlife, this trip is packed with memories in the making. And the best part? On this trip, we’ve included enough free time in each destination so that you can make your own plans if you wish to.
Trip Highlights
- Admire Berlin’s East Side Gallery - the world’s largest open-air museum
- Discover Prague’s fairy-tale magic on a river cruise
- Visit the “Sound of Music” city of Salzburg
- Explore Cinque Terre’s 5 villages on an unlimited day pass
- Visit a Parisian perfumery and see the glistening Eiffel Tower from the city’s best vista
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Day 1: Travel to Amsterdam
We'll meet up early in London and get to know each other while on the road to Amsterdam. As part of our journey, we'll visit the enchanting white cliffs of Dover before taking a ferry to Calais and travelling through Belgium. We'll arrive in Amsterdam with plenty of time for you to explore the dazzling nightlife. But first, we'll check into our accommodation and enjoy an included dinner. Afterwards, there's the chance to ride the panoramic Amsterdam Swing at the very top of A'dam Tower! How's that for an adrenaline rush?
Day 2: Explore Amsterdam
Ah, Amsterdam. This gorgeous canal city will weave its way into your heart in no time. Get to know its unusual architecture, winding rivers, inviting bars and effortlessly cool neighbourhoods on this free day to explore. If you would rather stay with the group, you can sign up for two optional activities tonight: an evening special canal cruise and a cosy dinner in Volendam - a vibrant harbour town just north of Amsterdam.
Day 3: Amsterdam to Berlin
Today we're back on the road en route to Berlin. A bustling hub for the arts, culture and nightlife, Berlin is one of the coolest capitals around. We'll have two nights to explore this unforgettable city and, if you wish to, find out why it's called the clubbing capital of Europe. But first, we'll take a tour around Berlin's historical landmarks - from Tiergarten all the way to Alexanderplatz! This evening, dig into an included dinner. If you want to, tonight's a great opportunity to plan an epic night out.
Day 4: Berlin
Ready for more Berlin discovery? While there's plenty of free time today, you won't want to miss our included trip to the world-famous East Side Gallery. Feel free to tag along to the optional sightseeing tours today if you're in a sightseeing mood. From a historical tour where you'll learn all about Hitler's final days in an underground bunker and East German communism, to a trip around Kreuzberg (Berlin's coolest and most artsy district), see as much as possible in one day!
Day 5: Berlin to Prague
Before arriving in Prague we'll go to Dresden first: a fascinating German city with reborn beauty. Then it's time for more exploration, this time in Prague. We'll wander the radiant cobblestone streets and make our way up to the magnificent castle district to overlook this fairytale destination. Enjoy a free evening visiting Prague's cosy beer halls, or planning an epic pub crawl through the city with your travel mates.
Day 6: Prague
Prague's beauty and cosy vibes are irresistible. Whether you want to explore the castle in more depth, wander through palace gardens or discover hidden gems in the Old Town is entirely up to you. We'll admire Prague's breathtaking cityscape on an included boat tour, followed by an optional add-on traditional dinner to get to know Czech culture more intimately. Expect delicious dumplings, local drinks and dancing to live music!
Day 7: Prague to Salzburg
No amount of time in Prague ever feels like enough, but our next destination is one to remember. Made famous by the Sound of Music, the scenic hills of Salzburg sing with wanderlust. After exploring the 800-year-old Hohensalzburg Fortress, you can discover this city at your own pace. If you're into musicals, then why not join a Sound of Music-themed tour? There will also be an optional dinner this evening, where we'll head further into the Alps and visit a local family-run farm with homemade Schnapps.
Day 8: Salzburg to Venice
Easily one of the most romantic places on earth, Italy's allure is one of a kind. We'll ride a boat to reach the floating city of Venice, adorned with gondola-filled canals and a maze of hidden gem alleyways. Today is another free day for you to freely explore Venice, but if you would like to join in optional activities, there will be a few running today - like an iconic Gondola tour (a Venetian rite of passage!), an exceptional Cicchetti tapas tour and a cosy traditional dinner!
Day 9: Venice to Rome
Today we'll follow the footsteps of emperors and gladiators on a scenic tour around the Eternal City. Make a positive impact as you dine today, whether that is supporting a family-run farm with local ingredients in the Umbrian countryside (summer), or enjoying a dinner in the heart of Rome (winter). This restaurant provides job opportunities in hospitality for those with disabilities while receiving a professional support network. Authentic Italian food does not get better than this!
Day 10: Rome
Embrace "La Dolce Vita" on this free day to explore Rome. World-famous for its ancient history and outstanding food, there will be two optional activities today centred around the best of Rome! Test your Roman Empire knowledge on a sightseeing tour as you enter the Forum and the Colosseum (tickets subject to availability). And then you can stay with the group for a pasta-making class!
Day 11: Rome to Florence
Today we'll travel to the inspirational city of Florence, where the Renaissance era was born. After taking an included walking tour through Florence's most iconic sites - the Dumo and Basilica included - you could spend the rest of the day exploring magnificent artwork at the Uffizi or Accademia Galleries: home to the 'Birth of Venus' and Michelangelo's 'David' respectively. This evening, you could join a culinary tour around Florence's dazzling food scene - from schiacciata sandwiches to Bistecca alla Fiorentina steak (dietary alternatives are available) and a glass of Chianti!
Day 12: Pisa, Cinque Terre & Parma
This morning we'll leave Florence behind in search of more Italian beauty - this time on the Cinque Terre coast. But first, we'll stop by Pisa! We'll spend around 90 minutes here, so there's more than enough time for you to get the best angle, plus pick up a cappuccino or snack. Then enjoy a full day exploring Cinque Terre's five villages, hiking trails and beaches with an unlimited day pass. We'll leave Cinque Terre at 8pm and reach Parma at around 10pm. It won't take you long to fall asleep after all the places you discovered today!
Day 13: Parma to Lucerne
Our time in Italy has come to an end, and the next country on our list is stunning Switzerland! Today we'll escape to the enchanting city of Lucerne, located in the centre of four valleys. After sightseeing on an included cultural gems tour, you have the option to book a river cruise and an easy escape to the mountains where you can overlook glacial lakes and snowy peaks from a panoramic cable car.
Day 14: Lucerne to Paris
It's one romantic destination to the next on this trip, as today we'll be travelling to the quintessential city of love. We'll discover city secrets and glistening scenery on an included tour around all the landmark destinations, including one of the world's most famous monuments: the Eiffel Tower. We'll climb up to the 56th floor of the Montparnasse Tower for awe-inspiring vistas of the 'City of Light' then join us for an included dinner.
Day 15: Paris
If there is one thing Paris is known for, it's glitz and glamour. After breakfast, we'll visit a Parisian perfume house where you'll get to judge a variety of fragrances and learn about the art of perfume before having the chance to pick up a signature scent. Discover Paris at your own pace this afternoon, whether you want to visit The Louvre or get to know its neighbourhoods better - may we suggest Le Marais or Montmartre? This evening, you won't want to miss out on the optional trip to a cabaret show for cancan dancing, comedy and more!
Day 16: Paris to London
Enjoy a final dose of Parisian scenery as our journey through Europe to an end. As we travel back to the city where we first met, reminisce about all the unforgettable moments you've experienced on this trip and the amazing people you've gotten to know on the ride.
Please note activities and itineraries are subject to change.
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Online booking is unavailable for this trip
Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.The trip begins in London, at 4.45am in the morning, travellers are expected to make their own way to London before the trip’s start. As you will be meeting up with your group and trip leader very early in the morning, we encourage travellers to book accommodation in London for the night before. This trip finishes in London on day 16 in the evening at around 6:30 pm, so we encourage travellers to book an extra night in London in case there are travel delays.
Accommodation
15 nights’ accommodation is included in this trip. You will stay in triple-share rooms in comfortable and centrally located hotels and hostels, with the option to upgrade to twin or single rooms at an extra cost.
We also recommend booking an extra night of accommodation on day 16. While we aim to be back in London at around 6:30pm, due to travel delays, this cannot be guaranteed.
Meals
15 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners are included in this trip. There will be an exciting range of optional activities which you can book and many of these will be food-themed: from traditional Czech and Austrian dinners to Italy food tours and making pasta from scratch! Our trip is designed this way to give travellers the chance to make their own plans on certain days if they wish to. So, if there’s a hotspot bar, cafe or restaurant that you’re desperate to try, you can.
As we travel to eight countries, you’ll get to try multiple cuisines on this trip. World-famous Italian cuisine, the inviting cosiness of Dutch food and the international flavours of Berlin are just a taster of all the amazing food you’ll get to try.
This trip is designed for people between the ages of 18 to 35.
British citizens can visit the EU for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without applying for a visa. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU and be valid for at least 3 months after the date of your departure.
Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassies before you travel.
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