Barcelona to Amsterdam

Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins in Barcelona with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there are plenty of galleries, cafes and historic corners to keep you busy. Maybe take the funicular to the top of Montjuic or Tibidabo for panoramic views of the harbour. After the meeting, maybe head out for some tapas with your fellow travellers and get to know each other.

Say good morning to Barcelona before heading out with your group on a leader-led orientation walk through the city, stopping along the way for a local favourite treat. Then, explore the city at your own pace. Why not visit Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia Basilica – possibly the most iconic landmark in Barcelona! Or head to Park Guell – the largest green space in the city, where you can stroll through the gardens if the weather’s nice and explore more of Gaudi’s incredible architectural work. This afternoon, make your way to the train station, where you’ll travel to the city of Girona – the jewel of Catalonia known for its medieval architecture and set alongside the Onyar River. Arrive in the early evening, then your leader will take you on a walk through the city. After, you have the chance to explore on your own.

Head off with your group this morning for a walk along the medieval walls of the city. Originally built by the Romans and then rebuilt and extended in the Middle Ages, these walls have stood watch over the city since the 14th century. From the walkway along the top, the city of Girona spreads out beneath you, giving you a bird’s-eye view over the streets and houses, the river and the iconic cathedral and bell tower of San Felix. This afternoon is yours to explore the city. Why not visit the Arabic Baths or stop at the Rocambolesc Gelateria to grab some of Spain’s finest gelato. Or take a walking tour, where you’ll be transported to the streets of Braavos and King’s Landing, which featured in the Game of Thrones. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have some recommendations.

Leaving the city after breakfast, you’ll make your way to Nimes in southeast France. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a walk through the town, giving you the lay of the land. This afternoon is then free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe chat to your leader about visiting the famous Amphitheatre of Nimes – one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in Europe, built around the year AD100. This evening, take the train to Avignon. When you arrive, check into your hotel and walk around the walled city that was once home to French popes for more than a century.

This morning, set off on an orientation walk through the markets, where you’ll find fresh produce that’s locally grown in the fertile soil surrounding the city. After, maybe comb the impressive collection of art, visit the grand Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) or cross the iconic bridge of Pont St-Benezet. If the weather is good, maybe hire a bike to see more of this picturesque valley and head to one of the city’s amazing bakeries. There are also many small local bistros that serve up great regional cuisine – why not get some of your travel pals together for a French-inspired feast tonight!

Travel to Dijon – the capital city of the historical Burgundy region in eastern France. Take an orientation walk through the city famous for its mustard, wine and gingerbread, then venture out on your own. Perhaps you’ll visit the preserved medieval centre, or the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. Maybe see the Church of Notre-Dame or walk through the Musee des Beaux-Arts. Feeling tangy? Maybe join a mustard-making workshop and learn the traditional process, from grinding the seeds to mixing in wine, vinegar and salt – you get to take home your very own jar of homemade Dijon mustard, infused with your custom blend of flavours. More of a wine person? Attend a local Burgundy tasting.

This morning, take the train to the city of light and love – Paris, of course! Rich in museums, art galleries, monuments, fashion and delicious food, Paris offers a wealth of major sights and things to do. When you arrive, check into the hotel, then join your leader for an orientation walk through the famous city streets before exploring at your leisure – wandering around the Champs-Elysees, the student-filled Latin Quarter or bohemian Montmartre will give you a good feel for the city. Maybe visit the Louvre, climb the Eiffel Tower or walk through the Musee d’Orsay. Tonight, you might want to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Today, you’ll have a second meeting with new members of your group at 6 pm. Until that time, Paris is yours to do as you wish. If you didn't have time yesterday, maybe check out the Louvre, where you can see the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, or do as the locals do and take a picnic lunch of baguettes and cheese to the Tuileries, Plantes or the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Leave Paris behind and jump on a train to Brussels. When you arrive, join your leader on a walk around the city. Craving some traditional Belgian fries? Grab some along the way to eat as you go, true local style. After your walk, you have free time to explore at your own pace. Maybe wander down to the Manneken Pis (Little Peeing Man) – an iconic symbol of Belgium. Or visit the Musical Instrument Museum to get your fix of cultural history. Tonight, maybe explore Ilot Sacre – a great place to find good food and fun bars.

Today is another free day in Brussels. Maybe wander the Jeu de Balle Flea Market, visit the Cantillon Brewery or walk through the Magritte Museum – an art museum in the Royal Quarters, dedicated to the work of the Belgian artist, Rene Magritte. This afternoon, maybe explore the Grand Palace or discover the miniature world at Mini Europe Attraction Park, where monuments in the European Union and other countries have been reproduced and are on display at a scale of 1:25. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations.

After breakfast, take the train to Ghent – a port city northwest of Belgium, known for its medieval architecture and artwork. When you arrive, set off on an orientation walk around the city with your local leader. Then, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Gravensteen Castle, take a guided boat tour on the canal or find a restaurant for dinner and try a local dish like gentse waterzooi (fish or chicken stew).

This morning, take the train to Bruges. This city on the coast of Belgium looks like it’s been plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale book with its medieval buildings and crisscrossing network of canals. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe stroll through the UNESCO-protected Old Town, discover the Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassicism architecture or visit 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. When you return to Ghent, maybe find the best bowl of moules-frites (a Flemish classic of mussels cooked in white wine and served with a side of crunchy fries) for dinner.

Travel to Amsterdam this morning. When you arrive in the Netherlands capital, your leader will show you around the city, best known for its narrow houses and artistic heritage. Along the walk, stop at FEBO – an iconic local food stop where you can buy traditional snacks. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. Maybe head to the Heineken Museum and learn about the Netherlands’ brewing history, wander along the canals, visit a gallery or settle into a cosy cafe and count the number of bikes that roll by.