Europe Explorer

Travel by train to Beaune, a charming town in the heart of France's Burgundy wine region. After a guided walk, spend the afternoon exploring the town's rich history of food and wine production. Visit the Caves Patriarche, the largest cellars in the Bourgogne wine region, or the Hospices de Beaune, a former hospital now a museum and host of an annual charity wine auction.

Enjoy some free time in Brussels before heading to the train station in the early afternoon to travel to Bruges. Arriving mid-afternoon, your leader will guide you around the city before you explore at your own pace. Wander along the picturesque river this evening, watching the city illuminate around you in the setting sun. Your leader will provide the best recommendations for dinner spots or where to find the best beer in town.

Today, you have a free day to explore Bruges. This fairytale-like town on the coast of Belgium offers much to see and explore. Take a stroll through the UNESCO Protected Old Town, starting in the iconic Burg square. Don't forget to check out 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. Once you've worked up an appetite, hunt down the best bowl of moules-frites, a Flemish classic of mussels cooked in white wine and served with a side of crunchy fries.

Rise early and take the train to Berlin. Today is a long travel day, so grab a window seat and enjoy the journey. Berlin is known for its impressive sites and vibrant bar scene. Upon arrival, your leader will show you around and share insider tips, like where to find the best schnitzel for dinner and the best beers to celebrate a trip well-travelled.

Say goodbye to Berlin and hop on an early train to Dresden. After checking in to your accommodation, take a quick train trip to Rathen, where you can enjoy a hike to the sandstone pinnacles of Bastei. If a hike doesn't take your fancy, you're welcome to explore the riverside village of Rathen or stay in Dresden, immersing yourself in the city's history and heritage.

Leave Dresden and travel by train to Prague. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and then see the highlights of this beautiful city 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. Your walk will finish with a visit to a Czech brewery, where you can sample a pilsner in its homeland.

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. Climb to the top of the tower at Michael’s Gate or UFO Tower for a bird’s eye view of Bratislava, or visit the Bratislava City Museum to learn about the country’s communist past.

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.

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. 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.

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.

Travel to the stunning Austrian resort town of Salzburg. Sitting at the edge of the Julian Alps, this place is full of picturesque sights that are sure to take your breath away. When you arrive, follow your leader to the shore of glistening Lake Bled, from which many of the town’s attractions can be seen, and walk along the shoreline. After soaking in the sights with your group, you’ll have a free afternoon to choose your own route.

Spend the day exploring Salzburg. Visit the Mirabell Palace and Gardens for a picnic or discover Mozart's birthplace. Head to the medieval walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg and marvel at the architecture or find a great viewpoint and snap some epic photos of the city in the shadow of the mountains, with the fortress looming above on the hill.

Travel by train and local bus through stunning scenery to one of the world's most unique cities today - postcard-perfect Bled. Sitting at the edge of the Julian Alps, this place is full of picturesque sights that are sure to take your breath away. Upon arrival, your leader will guide you to the shore of glistening Lake Bled, from which many of the town’s attractions can be seen, and walk along the shoreline.

There's no better place to get active than in Bled! Today you have a free day to enjoy all the fun activities Bled has to offer. Maybe take a full-day adventure around Triglav Massive, hire a bike and head to Vintgar Gorge, explore Bled Castle, or catch a pletna (small wooden boat) over to the island in the middle of the lake to ring the wishing bell.

Travel by 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. On arrival in Venice, head out for an orientation walk with your tour 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.

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 with the new members of your group at 6 pm. After, why not enjoy an optional dinner with your new travel companions at a local restaurant.

Board a morning train through the scenic north of Italy to the once important naval base of La Spezia. La Spezia is known mainly as the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). On arrival in La Spezia there won't be too much time to explore (that's what tomorrow is for), but after checking into your hotel perhaps get your bearings with 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 coloured 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.

Depart La Spezia today and catch a train to Florence. On arrival, 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.

Take the morning train to Rome. 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. Phew. 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 jaunt 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.

Set out to discover more of Berlin in detail 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.