Saunter through some of Europe’s finest cities and landscapes on this memorable trip from sultry Spain to ever-alluring Italy. Be romanced by enchanting scenery, seduced by stunning sights and beguiled by wining and dining experiences that know no rival. Crossing 12 countries in an easily paced 36 days, this trip will suit both those looking to discover Europe for the first time and veterans of the region just wanting to revisit their favourite haunts. Steeped in history, with regional cuisines to die for, this classic and quirky adventure is the ultimate foray into the European heartlands.
Barcelona, Spain – Rome, Italy
Gaudi’s modern cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is like no other building you’ve ever seen. Still under construction after over 130 years, this Gothic masterpiece embodies Barcelona’s artistic and progressive heart.
Now one of the world’s most artistic and exciting cities, Berlin has a complex history. See remaining fragments of the famous wall that once divided the city in half.
Immerse yourself in the history, architecture and bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic. Soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague before stepping right into a fairytale in the World Heritage-listed town of Cesky Krumlov.
Enjoy a scenic walk along the banks of the River Danube in Budapest. Threaded with bridges and hemmed in by castles and historic city buildings, Europe’s second longest river is also one of its most beautiful.
Feast on mouth-watering seafood along Italy’s coast, drink fine wine in Tuscany and indulge in the endless pasta dishes on offer in Rome.
This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
As this is a combination of three trips, your group leader and the composition of your group may change in Berlin and Venice.
As accommodation on this trip is twin or multi-share, you will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. Also, hotels in Europe often don’t have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially compared to American or Australian standards, and in most cases bathroom facilities will be shared rather than en-suite. Please note that a single supplement is not available on this trip.
Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Train are a fast way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets, however can sometimes be quite busy. Please note that you’ll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, as well as some short distances to the hotel (no longer then 30min), so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find this information in the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
In many of the location we will be using different modes of local transport; trams, buses or metro; as this is often an adventure in itself, it may also bring some challenges – running up and down the stairs in metro stations or sharing a busy bus ride with local commuters. Please make sure you’ll prepare yourself for that!
There are no meals included on this day.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can’t arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you’re able to attend the meeting. We’ll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
There are no meals included on this day.
If you wish to tour La Sagrada Familia during your Lonely Planet Experience, the best time to visit is today. It’s best to pre-book your tickets before the tour. Check tickets.sagradafamilia.org for updated information on availability.
There are no meals included on this day.
To avoid queuing at the ticket windows of the Louvre you can buy your ticket in advance. For more information go to louvre.fr.
Learn more about Urban Adventures in Amsterdam at urbanadventures.com/destination/Amsterdam-tours or through an Intrepid booking agent.
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you’re welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.
If you would like to learn more about the history of World War II at the former Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz, tomorrow is your best option to do so. Please note that tickets for the mandatory guided tour sell out well in advance so need to be pre-booked as early as possible. To do so, please visit the official museum website. You can also ask your leader to help you at the beginning of the trip, but there’s no guarantee that tickets will be available then. Transfers to and from Auschwitz can be booked at shorter notice.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
Today’s accommodation is multishare. In the atmospheric hostel in Cesky Krumlov, we use quadruple, triple and some twin rooms as well as small apartment-like lodgings.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
If you wish to visit the Schoenbrunn Palace today, be aware that the gardens are free to all visitors but there is a charge for entrance and tours of the palace. Avoid long queues by pre-booking your tickets at schoenbrunn.at.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you’re welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.
There are no meals included on this day.
There are no meals included on this day.
Please remember to bring comfortable footwear such as trainers or light hiking shoes. Due to recent landslides in the area it is currently not possible to walk the Via dell’Amore and the coastal section between Manarola and Corniglia. There are alternative inland routes, however these are of a higher physical rating and involve steep ups and downs. It’s possible to take the train for these sections. Due to safety reasons some sections of any path can be closed at short notice.
The individual Florentine State Museums have slightly different opening times and closing days between them, but the website firenzemusei.it has everything you need to know about all of them, including the option to purchase tickets. We suggest that you pre-book your visit to the Uffizi, as this museum experiences enormous queues (up to 5 hours) all year round. Make your reservations for these museums for any time today. To book an Urban Adventure in Florence go to urbanadventures.com/destination/florence-tours or speak to your booking agent.
There are strictly enforced dress codes that apply to those wishing to enter the churches of the Vatican City. Men must wear long trousers (no shorts) and cover their shoulders and women must cover from shoulder to below the knee. Check the Vatican website (vatican.va) for updated information on when you can visit. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can and should be booked online at: biglietteriamusei.vatican.va. The Vatican Museum is closed on some days, including most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month, it’s open and free (but expect large crowds). Tickets for Galleria Borghese can also be booked online at galleriaborghese.it. In order to allow enough time in the museum and to avoid the crowds it is recommended to start the museum visit as doors open. Please note that pre-booked tickets are not required if you just want to visit St Peter’s Basilica and the dome.
There are no meals included on this day.
If you have some more time in Rome, why not check out the day trips offered by Urban Adventures. Speak to your booking agent or go to urbanadventures.com/destination/Rome-tours for more information.
