Guten Tag! Welcome to Germany. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on the first day of the trip. There are no activities planned until this important meeting so feel free to arrive at any time during the day. Please check the hotel notice boards or with reception about where and when it will take place. If you cant arrange a flight that will have you arriving at the hotel by early evening you may wish to arrive a day early so youre able to attend the meeting. Well be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If youre going to be late please inform the hotel reception. Well be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. In the evening you might like to get out and mix with the local hip young things in one of the citys many bars.
The most of the day today is free so perhaps check out the remaining fragments of the Wall scattered around the city dropping by Checkpoint Charlie to see where the main gate between East and West Berlin used to stand. Or visit the Brandenburg Gate the iconic Reichstag building or the powerful Holocaust Memorial. There also is some great street art in Berlin especially around the neighbourhoods of Mitte Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain (where our hotel is).In the evening youll board an overnight train for Krakow in Poland. Don’t be late!
Arrive into Krakow your base for the next two nights. Step back in time as your wander the World Heritage-listed old town shopping for amber jewellery or local crafts. Discover Wawel Royal Castle which sits atop a hill next to the Vistula River. Check out the 13th-century town square of Rynek Glowny and get a glimpse of the impressive St Marys Basilica (which features an extraordinary wood-carved Gothic altarpiece). Another beautiful church is the neo-Gothic St Francis Basilica which boasts some of Polands best Art Nouveau. This city is also home to the second oldest university in Central Europe Jagiellonian Univeristy (the oldest is in Prague). It counts Copernicus and Pope John Paul II among its alumni.
If you can tear yourself away from Krakow head out to the Wieliczka Salt Mines a network of tunnels and chambers some 135 metres below the ground. This is a salt mine that has been in operation for over 700 years. The mine has a labyrinth of tunnels pits and chambers all hewn by hand from solid salt with beautifully adorned chapels and underground lakes. Dont miss a look at the elaborate salt chandeliers and carvings in the Blessed Kinga Chapel. Alternatively you might like to take a sobering day trip out to Auschwitz and Birkenau the sites of some of the Holocausts worst atrocities. Perhaps end the day in one of Krakows many cellar restaurants for a plate of pierogis and a drink.
Take a minivan trip to the town of Ostrava (approximately 2.5 hours) then board the train to Prague (approximately 3 hours). Pragues 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). Spend time at Prague Castle the biggest in the Czech Republic where youll find the famous St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. Wander through the old Jewish Quarter to see what remains of the citys formerly large Jewish community. Please note that during your stay in Prague the group will stay in private separate apartments in the city centre. You may be a short walk from other group members or your leader. Each apartment has 2-3 rooms with one or two shared bathrooms. Most of the apartments have fully equipped kitchens if youd like to cook. Note that the apartments are not hotels – theres no reception room service daily cleaning service televisions or washing machines. What they do feature is plenty of charm in an unbeatable location.
Another day in Prague and so many possibilities. Discover the Bohemian Prague; extravagant political passionate and fueled with Czech Water. Learn how the Bohemian artists writers dissidents and the Bohemian mentality shaped the nation. Don’t forget to sample some of the best Czech beers and traditional and modern Czech snacks along the way. If you feel like going for a day trip out of the city ask your leader to help you organise a trip to Kutna Hora. See Church of Santa Barbara and Sedlec ossuary or The Church of Bones if you like a small Roman Catholic chapel that contain the skeletons of between 40.000 and 70.000 people. Back in Prague remember that the Old Town at night is truly special. There are many great restaurants and pubs some in old vaulted cellars. The nightlife in Prague is some of the best in Central Europe. Whether dance clubs beer-halls or underground absinthe bars are your thing theres something for everyone. The city also boasts one of Europes most respected jazz scenes. If you find yourself out until the early hours in a jazz club have a wander along Charles Bridge or the Old Town Square as the sun rises for magical photo opportunities.
Depart Prague and travel by bus to Cesky Krumlov (approximately 4 hours). This picturesque medieval town dates back to the 13th century and appears to be plucked straight out of a fairytale. Wander the cobbled alleyways of the old town and admire the buildings. Climb up to the castle perched on a hill and check out its fabulous Masquerade Hall. Sensational views can be seen from the tower. Weather and time permitting take a relaxing 2–3 hour rafting or canoeing trip along the river that runs right through town. A tour of the historic brewery is recommended – it will give you a glimpse into brewing traditions that have existed here for centuries.
Take a minivan and a bus to the cosmopolitan city of Vienna. Art lovers will be delighted by the vast array of museums on offer including the Albertina the Leopold Kunsthalle Wien and the Museum of Modern Art. Those with an interest in 19th and 20th century Austrian art should visit the Belvedere Palace home to Gustav Klimts painting The Kiss. Check out the colourful Hundertwasserhaus or admire 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. Apparently no visit to Vienna is complete without attending an opera or concert. Check what Vienna State Opera House has on offer (worth doing that in advance) and immerse yourself in the city’s immense musical pedigree.
Free day in Vienna will give you more time to visit places you didn’t manage to get to yesterday. Climb the tower of St Stephens Cathedral take a spin on the Prater Ferris Wheel or catch a dressage show at the Spanish Riding School. Head to Schoenbrunn Palace which was designed by Empress Maria Theresa herself. 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. After all this sightseeing you might like to indulge in a traditional Viennese coffee and Sacher torte before capping off the evening with a spot of Mozart Bach or Schubert at the opera house. Note: The Spanish Riding School doesnt operate throughout the summer months. You will need to book tickets in advance to see the performance of the Lipizzaners. Phone +43 (0)1 505 77 66 55 or e-mail info@viennaticketoffice.com to arrange tickets.
Travel from Vienna to Budapest by train (approximately 3 hours). Known as the Pearl of the Danube Budapests grand architecture and boulevards evoke a bygone era. With so much to see and do hiring a bicycle is a great way to move between the sights. Head out to Statue Park to see the communist monuments that were removed from the city after the fall of the Iron Curtain. One unmissable activity is a soak in one of the citys many hot thermal baths. The baths feature pools of varying degrees; some even have whirlpools or built-in seats where you can relax or play a game of chess. Dinner comes best way to feats in Budapest is to grab a bowl of hearty Hungarian goulash.
Enjoy another day in the Pearl of the Danube. Perhaps explore the historical Buda castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings. Forget about the bustling city and lose yourself in the history of the winding streets of Castle District which dates back to the 13th century and soak up the atmosphere of a beloved mid-19th century local pastry shop. In the afternoon perhaps take one of the tourist boat trips along the Danube River for spectacular views of the Parliament Building the Castle District and the bridges linking Buda to Pest. The spectacle is particularly beautiful at night.
Take a train (approximately 8 hours) to the town of Bled situated on Slovenias stunning Lake Bled at the edge of the Julian Alps. There are many outdoor activities available here to get the blood pumping such as rafting caving canoeing and swimming. Why not hire a bike and head four kilometres out of town to Vintgar Gorge where you can take a walk through a beautiful natural canyon. Perhaps explore Bled Castle perched 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. Another option is to take a day trip to Lake Bohinj situated in a glaciated valley. There you can ascend Mt Vogel by cable car for awesome views of the ranges. If the weather is clear you may even see out to Triglav the highest peak in Slovenia (note that the weather on top of Mt Vogel varies greatly; its a ski resort in the winter). For a taste of the local cuisine some Bled cake is a must made of vanilla custard cream and pastry.
No better place to get active then in Bled. Go for a lake walk (or run if you feel like!) in the morning and perhaps enjoy a full day adventure around Triglav Massive including some water rafting. Check with your leader for all the options and book in advance not to miss out. If you don’t feel like going crazy just enjoy the beauty of the place; perhaps find a quite spot near the lake and spend a day reading your book.
Travel by train through stunning scenery to one of the worlds most unique cities Venice (approximately 5.5 hours). A city of canals Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. Enjoy free time to explore. The best way to do this is by foot taking in all the famous sights – the Grand Canal the Rialto Bridge the Palace of the Doge (the ruler of Venice) the Piazza San Marco with its golden Basilica and of course the evocative Bridge of Sighs. Wander the cobblestone streets and spacious piazzas crossing hundreds of tiny bridges. There are shops markets galleries and churches around every corner. Dont miss taking a gondola trip through the romantic canals or sampling a slice of regions desert speciality tiramisu (coffee-soaked sponge cake).
Today is free for you to enjoy as you please. Set out to discover more of Venice in detail. Venice being described as the most beautiful city built by man and one of Europe’s most romantic cities is never short of things to discover. 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 youre welcome to attend as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.
Today venture out and explore more of Venice with possibly new set of your fellow travellers. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Some of the more popular sights include Doges Palace the Piazza and Basilica di San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Take the vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for the best view of Venice. No trip here would be complete without a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola. Its a common way for visitors to see the major canal routes from an immersive perspective. While away your day in the busy San Marco square and be sure to try the local tiramisu and Italian coffee thats on offer. There’s creativity everywhere overflowing into the canals; see it in the venetian glass in Dorsoduro or down the streets spreading out from Campo Santo Stefano lined with unique galleries and small boutiques. Visit the Palazzo Ducale overflowing with paintings by Italian masters and contrast it with the modern Guggenheim. Simply enjoy getting lost crossing the hundreds of bridges and uncovering your own slice of Venice. In the evening perhaps join your fellow travellers for a group dinner at a local restaurant. Venice is famous for its specialities of fresh lobster and squid ink spaghetti dishes so make sure you give one a try.
This morning spend the day travelling by train to the once important naval base of La Spezia now the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre or ‘Five lands’ in English. The name comes from the five tiny villages – Monterosso Vernazza Corniglia Manarola and Riomaggiore – whose position wedged into a series of coves between sheer cliffs makes it one of the highlights of the whole of Italy. The journey usually takes between five and seven hours either via Milan or via Florence (depending on the best available connection) and is a very scenic trip through the north of Italy. On arrival in La Spezia there wont be too much time to explore yet but after checking into your hotel perhaps get your bearings of the area with a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione to the gardens along the harbour or head out for dinner with the group.
Today it is highly recommended to venture out on the footpaths of Cinque Terre (Five Lands) a region of Italy famed for its coastline and pastel villages. The footpaths that run between the villages were once the only way to travel in the region and take you through olive groves vineyards and on to idyllic vistas. Walking the entire network of paths can take around five hours (12 kilometres in total) and you will need a good level of fitness. You can also choose to walk just a few sections which will still unveil a great amount of majestic scenery. Some sections of path can be difficult as there are challenging uphill stretches narrow paths steep cliffs and foot bridges. Please remember to bring comfortable footwear such as trainers or light hiking shoes. Its also possible to take the train between any of the villages or back to the groups base in La Spezia whenever you want. After working up an appetite take advantage of the foods of the Liguria region with a pesto class. Focaccia is also a speciality in this area and makes a great start to lunch. Upon return to La Spezia in the evening theres no better way to recover from your day of walking with more indulgence in delicious Mediterranean food. Notes: Due to recent landslides in the area it is currently not possible to walk the Via dellAmore 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 is possible to take the train or a bus for these sections. Due to safety reasons some sections of any path can be closed at short notice.
Depart Cinque Terre today and catch a train to Florence (approximately 3.5 hours). On arrival check into the hotel 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 citys identity so perhaps explore some of the culinary delicacies on offer from across Tuscany. Regional specialities are noted for their simplicity and fine flavour and the use of high-quality olive oil cannellini beans and fresh herbs. Meat lovers should try the bistecca alla fiorentina a huge T-bone steak thats usually shared between two people or ribollita a thick delicious vegetable soup with bread beans and greens. Panforte is the signature sweet treat.
Head out into the centre of Florence. Its impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland however so take your time and enjoy it. Be captivated by the culture-rich atmosphere of Florence from family-run vineyards on the outskirts of the city to the Duomo’s magnificent marble facade. Maybe start with a visit the Galleria dellAccademia where you can see Michelangelos famous statue of David. Stop by the Uffizi one of the worlds oldest art galleries or 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 – a lovely way to while away the day. There are plenty of sights to see during your time in Florence. Note: Florentine State Museums can all be booked in advance. You can online at www.weekendafirenze.com. We suggest that you book in advance (your leader can be of assistance) especially for the Uffizi as this museum experiences enormous queues (up to 5 hours) all year round. The individual museums have slightly different opening times and closing days between them but the website (www.firenzemusei.it) has everything you need to know about all of them. Make your reservations for these museums for any time on Day 6 of this itinerary.
In the morning take the train to Rome (approximately 1.5 hours) and remember that while here the best attitude is ‘when in Rome’! Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city where you see some of the iconic sights such as the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine the Forum (centre of ancient Rome) the Victor Emmanuel Monument the Pantheon Spanish Steps Via Dei Condotti and Piazza Venezia. Recharge with a slice of pizza and a strong espresso at the Piazza Navona or throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish to return to the Eternal City. No visit would be complete without a trip to Vatican City and St Peters Basilica. Entry to the Basilica is free and theres a small charge to climb the dome for a panorama over the city. Art-lovers should visit the Sistine Chapel to admire the timeless work of Michelangelo while history buffs will enjoy a jaunt through the ancient halls of the Pantheon. Rome is packed full of restaurants and trattorias that cater to every taste and budget. Local specialities tend to be quite heavy and include pastas such as carbonara (egg cheese and bacon) and amatriciana (tomato bacon and chilli). Eating in trattorias will give you a chance to sample some Italian wines with house choices usually very good and affordable. Head out in the evening with the group for a final farewell gastronomic fling.
Your Berlin to Rome trip comes to an end on the final morning. There are no activities planned for today and youre free to depart the accommodation at any time. As there is so much to see in Rome we recommend you to stay a little longer. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Please speak to your agent at the time of booking. Notes: Check the Vatican website (vatican.va) for updated information on when you can visit. Tickets for the Vatican Museum can be booked online at: biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do. Alternatively the Galleria Borghese can be booked online at: galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/einfo.htm. The Vatican Museum is closed on some days including most Sundays. On the last Sunday of the month its open and free (but expect large crowds)..
