The Great European Journey

Days 1 - 2: Paris (France). Meet the gang in London and cross the Channel to France. Destination - Paris! Spend your days in chic boutiques, join the art lovers at the Louvre, or just kick back with a cafe au lait. At night we’ll take an unforgettable tour of the city’s highlights, feast on French delicacies in a traditional bistro, and enjoy an evening of can-can and champagne at a classic cabaret!

Days 3 - 4: Swiss Alps (Switzerland). Swap the city life for mountains as we coast to the magical Swiss Alps. We’re spending two nights in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, surrounded by soaring cliffs, and snow-capped mountains. Load up on Swiss chocs, go up Jungfrau Mountain (AKA ‘the Top of the World’) and get ready for some food and fun after dark – raclette washed down with gluhwein anybody?

Days 5 - 6: Beaulolais (France). We’ll make a quick stop in cosmopolitan Geneva, before continuing to the Beaujolais region where we’re living like royalty with a stay in our very own 16^th Century chateau! Kick off with dinner and wine tasting, before partying the night away in the on-site club. Start day 6 with a yoga session on the chateau lawns before a countryside picnic. Please note: Occasionally, departures will be moved from our Beaujolais chateau to the French gastronomic capital of Lyon.

Days 7 - 8: Barcelona (Spain). Journey through the Pyrenees to bustling Barcelona where we’ll take a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas and pay a visit to Gaudi’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. The nightlife in Barcelona is something to remember! Expect tapas, flamenco, sangria, and dancing ‘til the sun comes up.

Days 9 - 10: French Riviera (France) & Monaco. Head towards the glamourous French Riviera on day 9. Stop in charming Arles for a peek at its Roman arena before arriving in the playground of the rich and famous. Spend your time celeb spotting, swimming in the Med, visiting perfumeries, and exploring Nice by bike. On day 10 we’re living like the 1% as we hop over to Monaco for a glam night out.

Days 11 - 12: Venice (Italy). The ‘Floating City’ is one of those places that everybody should visit in their lifetime. Catch your first glimpse of its marble palazzos and shimmering lagoon. On day 12 take a private motoscafo boat ride before opting for a traditional gondola ride, or a guided cruise to Burano.

Day 13: Florence & Pisa. Head to the capital of Tuscany stopping on the way to see the world’s most famous architectural mistake and take THAT selfie in Pisa! Arriving in Florence, take a stroll down the Arno, visit the local markets, and check out the Duomo Cathedral. Florence is one of Italy’s top foodie destinations so don’t miss out on our optional Tuscan dinner.

Days 14 - 15: Rome. Journey to Rome where we’ll kick off our stay with a walking tour. On day 15, walk in the footsteps of gladiators with an optional visit to the Colosseum, explore historical treasures in Vatican City, or dive into the past with a tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. After a day filled with history and culture, head out for a meal at a local trattoria with your mates.

Day 16: Mt Vesuvius & Pompeii. Next stop Mt Vesuvius! See the iconic volcano before travelling to the legendary archaeological site at Pompeii. Take a guided tour of this remarkably well preserved city before continuing to Bari, where we’ll board the overnight ferry to Greece.

Day 17: Athens (Greece). Wake up as we sail up to Greece’s rugged coastline. Pull up in Patras before sailing down the Corinth Canal. Dock here before heading overland to Athens where we’ll dive straight into the city with a sightseeing tour including the dazzling Acropolis.

Days 18 - 19: Ios. Swap the city for island life as we take the ferry to Ios. You’ve got a couple of days to enjoy the pleasures of this Greek island paradise. Spend your time stretched out on the beaches, and partying with your mates. There’s also an optional speedboat safari on offer too.

Days 21 - 23: Santorini. Set sail for stunning Santorini, an Aegean gem of white-washed buildings, blue-domed churches, and stunning sunsets. Soak up the sun on the black and red sand beaches, try local delicacies in the tavernas, and join our optional volcano cruise which starts with a visit to Oia.

Day 24: Athens. Head back to Athens today where you’ll have time to join an optional traditional Greek experience including a three-course meal in a typical taverna, Greek dancing, and bouzouki music.

Day 25: Kavala via Thermopylae. Our next stop is the coastal city of Kavala. We’ll take a scenic drive past Mount Olympus before stopping at the legendary site of the Thermopylae Battle. Walk in the footsteps of Spartan warriors, before hopping back on the coach to Kavala.

Day 26: Canakkale & Troy (Turkey). Cruise across the Strait of Gallipoli by ferry before arriving in the ancient city of Troy. Take a guided tour of the city, including a replica of the iconic Trojan Horse. Then continue on to vibrant Canakkale.

Days 27 - 29: Istanbul & Gallipoli. We’re making tracks to Istanbul with an important stop on the way at the battlegrounds of Gallipoli, where we’ll see the site of the ANZAC troop landings, visit Lone Pine Cemetery and take a cruise around the Sea of Marmara. You’ve got two full days to enjoy Istanbul. Take a tour of some of the city’s biggest attractions, hit the bazaars, unwind at a hammam, and join our optional belly dancing evening for a taste of Turkish culture.

Day 30: Black Sea (Bulgaria). Cross the border to Bulgaria today, arriving on the shores of the land-locked Black Sea in the late afternoon. Explore coastal towns, bar-lined waterfronts, and scenic landscapes before we stop for the night and enjoy some dinner together.

Day 31: Bucharest (Romania). Enjoy a free morning on the beach before we set our sights for Romania’s dynamic capital. We’ll arrive in time for an afternoon of self-guided exploration, from street art and street food to ornate architecture and open-air museums. 

Day 32: Transylvania. Head to the land of folklore and legend today – Transylvania! A trip here wouldn’t be complete without driving to Bran Castle, the real life setting that inspired Dracula. After seeing the historic building, continue to Cluj-Napoca where we’ll spend the night.

Days 33 - 34: Budapest (Hungary). Spend the next couple of nights in brilliant Budapest. Explore the quirky ruin bars, join our optional evening river cruise, and take a guided tour of the historical highlights, including a soak in the famous Széchenyi thermal baths.

Day 35: Salzburg (Austria). Follow the sound of music to Salzburg, former home of Mozart. Explore the city’s musical heritage, café culture, and alpine beauty this afternoon, ahead of an optional dinner in a working farm in the surrounding hills.

Days 36 - 37: Austrian Tyrol. Travel into the Austrian Tyrol, where we’ll be staying in a Gasthof in a cute little Austrian village. Discover the countryside on an optional bike ride, blast through some rapids on a rafting experience, or see the area from the air with a thrilling tandem paraglide. If you’re not an adrenaline junkie you can explore the town at your leisure with a hot chocolate.

Day 38: Munich (Germany). Travel to the lively capital of Bavaria and discover its best bits on an optional guided bike tour before heading out to a traditional Bavarian beer hall for a few steins.

Days 39 - 40: Prague (Czech Republic) & Dachau. We’ve got an important stop to make at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site before we leave Germany. After some time here for reflection, journey on to Prague where we’ll take an optional tour of hidden Prague, then head out for some of Europe’s best beers. On day 40 we’ll take you on a guided tour of the city’s attractions ahead of an optional Czech evening with live music and dancing.

Days 41 - 42: Berlin & Dresden (Germany). Head back into Germany today. We’ll stop on the way to Berlin in Dresden, where we’ll soak in the beauty of the architecture. Spend the next couple of days getting under Berlin’s skin with an optional historical tour, an alternative walking tour, and an included visit to the East Side Gallery. After dark, explore the city’s hipster nightspots.

Days 43 - 44: Amsterdam (Netherlands). Head to our last stop on the continent today – Amsterdam! We’ve lined up an included dinner on day 43. Then on day 44, take an optional cruise down the canals, and treat yourself with an optional dinner at a quirky restaurant set in the old waiting rooms of Amsterdam’s Central Train Station.

Day 45: Amsterdam to London (UK) & trip end. Say goodbye to the ‘dam and hop over the border into France before crossing the channel back to the UK. We’ll leave you in London, where you can start planning your next big adventure.