Berlin to Venice

Guten tag! Welcome to Germany. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Berlin. If you arrive early, maybe take a Spree River cruise, visit the multiple museums and galleries at Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz or stop by the impressive Berliner Dom Cathedral. After your meeting, why not join your newfound travel pals for dinner? Berlin’s food is a mix of classic German with Bavarian, Italian and Middle Eastern influences. But who can go past a traditional currywurst, schnitzel or pretzel together with a stein of beer?

Today is a free day to explore Berlin at your own pace. There are plenty of sites to see, including the Brandenburg Gate, remnants of the Berlin Wall and the imposing Reichstag building, whether on your own, on a bike tour or all at once from the observation deck of the Berlin TV Tower. This afternoon, maybe visit the Jewish Memorial or explore the Topography of Terror. Tonight, why not discover Berlin’s thriving foodie scene with a few dinner suggestions from your leader.

Kick off your day with a train ride to Dresden. Get your bearings on an orientation walk with your trip leader, finding inspiration for your own exploration in the afternoon. Maybe visit the rebuilt Old Town, passing the Frauenkirche, Zwinger and the grand buildings around Neumarkt. For lunch, maybe stay around Neumarkt to try Saxon classics like roast beef in sauerbraten sauce or hearty potato dumplings. Or head to the Elbe for a river cruise and see the city’s Baroque skyline from the water. This evening, maybe gather a few new friends and head to creative Neustad, where street art, independent bars and a more alternative local scene show you a different side of Dresden.

Take a scenic train ride to Prague today, leaving Germany behind. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Labe Valley, with fairytale-like landscapes all around you. When you arrive, join your local leader on an orientation walk through town. Prague’s architecture can be traced from the Middle Ages through to the avant-garde of the Gehry-designed Dancing House (also nicknamed Fred and Ginger). Perhaps finish your walk with a quick visit to a Czech brewery, where you can try a pilsner in its homeland. This afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Prague Castle, the biggest in the Czech Republic, where you’ll find the famous St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. Later today, maybe wander through the old Jewish Quarter to see what remains of the city’s formerly significant Jewish community.

With another free day in Prague, maybe learn how the Bohemian artists, writers and dissidents shaped the nation. Don’t forget to sample some traditional and modern Czech snacks along the way. If you feel like a day trip out of the city, ask your leader to help you organise a trip to Kutna Hora. See the Church of Santa Barbara and Sedlec ossuary or The Church of Bones – a small Roman Catholic chapel that contains skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people! At night, Prague’s Old Town comes alive with many great restaurants and pubs, some in old, vaulted cellars. The nightlife in Prague is also some of the best in Central Europe. Whether you’re after dance clubs, beer halls, jazz clubs or underground absinthe bars, there’s something for everyone.

Say goodbye to Prague as you travel to Bratislava – the capital of Slovakia. Set along the Danube, Bratislava blends past and present with its Old Town and lively boutiques and cafes. Today you have a free day to explore it all at your own pace. Maybe climb to the top of the tower at Michael’s Gate or UFO Tower for a bird’s-eye view of Bratislava, visit the Bratislava City Museum or spot as many of the city’s quirky statues as you can. For dinner, maybe seek out some local delicacies like kapustnica (a sauerkraut and sausage soup) – your leader will have the best recommendations!

After breakfast, travel to Budapest. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the historic Buda Castle or wander through the winding streets of the Castle District, which dates back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, maybe take a cruise along the Danube to see the riverside Parliament Building, the Castle District and the bridges linking Buda and Pest. Tonight, why not head out for dinner with your fellow travellers – a great way to celebrate a trip well-travelled!

Today, you’ll have a second 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). Why not head out to Statue Park to get an insight into the city’s past or take a soak in one of the many thermal bath complexes around town. After the meeting tonight, maybe get a group together for a Hungarian feast of goulash or stroll to the Jewish Quarter and check out some ruin bars – these popular nightlife hubs are great for groups and feature a whole heap of weird and wonderful decor.

Hop on a train this morning to the cosmopolitan city of Vienna. After dropping your bags at your accommodation, take an orientation walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, set off with your own agenda, perhaps visiting the Naschmarkt for food stalls and local produce, seeing the Spanish Riding School or relaxing in the Prater. Or take a tram to Schoenbrunn Palace. If you like, rejoin your group for kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) 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. Have a chat with the friendly staff while enjoying your sweet treat in this warm and welcoming environment.

You’re free to choose your own adventure today, and Vienna has a lot to offer! For art lovers, there’s a vast array of museums, including the Albertina, the Leopold, Kunsthalle Wien and the Museum of Modern Art. Those interested in 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art might like to visit the Belvedere Palace – home to Gustav Klimt’s painting The Kiss. Or check out the colourful Hundertwasserhaus or the dome of the Secession building. Perhaps visit the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the neo-classical Graben or wander through Hofburg Palace – once the imposing winter retreat of Habsburg royals and now the official residence of the Austrian president. For a knock-your-socks-off moment, head to the State Opera House – one of the world’s most important opera houses and the heart of classical Viennese culture.

Travel to Salzburg this morning via train – this Austrian hub on the border of Germany is backdropped by the Eastern Alps and divided by the Salzach River. When you arrive, you’ll have a full free day to explore all this gorgeous city has to offer, from the Old City to the New City. Maybe head to Mirabell Palace and Gardens for a picnic if the weather’s nice or discover Mozart’s birthplace. Consider a walk along the medieval walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg and take in the architecture (you can also pay to get inside) or find a great viewpoint and snap some photos of the city in the shadow of the mountains, with the fortress looming above on the hill. Tonight, why not ask your local leader for the best spot for dinner.

Travel by train this morning from Salzburg to Ljubljana, crossing into Slovenia and continuing to the capital. After checking in to your hotel, head out with your leader on an orientation walk through the compact city centre. Ljubljana’s riverside streets, Central Market and Plecnik-designed bridges make it easy to get your bearings on foot. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore your own way. You might join a local walking tour, ride the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle or wander through Tivoli Park. Maybe browse the stalls around the Central Market or follow the Ljubljanica River past the Triple Bridge and Dragon Bridge. This evening, maybe stay by the river for dinner or ask your leader for a local restaurant recommendation.

After breakfast, board the train again for a daytrip to Bled. The day is yours to discover this natural wonderland. Maybe take a full-day adventure around Triglav Massive – there are many outdoor activities available here to get the heart rate up, like rafting, caving, canoeing and swimming in the warmer months. Or hire a bike and head out of town to Vintgar Gorge, where you can walk through a natural canyon. Perhaps explore Bled Castle, sitting 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 iconic church’s wishing bell. Your leader will have all the best options, so be sure to chat with them for their recommendations. If you’d prefer to have a relaxing day and the sun is out, maybe just find a quiet spot near the lake and spend the day reading or people-watching. Feeling peckish? Try Bled cake (made of vanilla, custard, cream and pastry) – many local cafes and cake shops claim theirs is the best, so maybe try a few and compare! Return to Ljubljana by train this evening.