Best of Europe FLASHPACKING Group Tour

Welcome to Berlin! Check into the hotel in the afternoon and meet your tour leader and the rest of your group. The first organised activity starts in the evening where you’ll head to one of Berlin’s most famous beerhalls to experience traditional German music, lederhosen and hear the sound of clinking beer steins and lively conversation filling the air! Enjoy a traditional meal while getting get to know your group and all the friendly locals! Dancing on the tables later in the night is completely optional!

Inclusions:

- Entrance to beer hall with meal and a drink.

​After breakfast, you will go on a 2 hour private guided tour of Berlin. Your knowledgeable local guide will take you through the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the majestic Brandenburg Gate and the poignant Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The tour also includes a segment of the notorious Berlin Wall. As you wander through Berlin’s historic streets, you’ll gain insights into the events that uniquely shaped the 20th century in this city.

You will also get top tips and advice on where to spend the rest of your time in Berlin and with the afternoon free, you can explore anywhere that takes your fancy!

Inclusions:

- Breakfast
- Walking Tour

End your time in Berlin with some breakfast and get ready for a magical journey to the heart of Prague. The direct train will take you alongside the Elbe and Vlatava rivers, through serene countryside, and past charming cities like Bad Schandau and Decin. There is even a restaurant cart if you fancy it!

Arrive into the “City of a Hundred Spires” in the afternoon and enjoy a few hours to relax or explore the city centre around the hotel. In the evening you will indulge in an incredible, contemporary 5 course Czech tapas menu with unlimited drinks. You are then free to explore the town at your own pace, visiting quirky Czech bars, or if you prefer, head with your tour leader to our favourite Jazz bar!

Inclusions:

- Breakfast
- Train travel
- 5 course tapas and unlimited drinks experience

After breakfast you have the morning to explore the city at your own pace before taking an unforgettable ‘Communism History and Nuclear Bunker’ Guided Tour, giving the opportunity to see a completely different side to the city! You then have the rest of the day to tick off all the must-see sights such as Prague castle, Charles Bridge and the famous astronomical clock.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Guided Tour

After breakfast, travel by train to Bratislava – the capital of Slovakia! The 4.5 hour journey offers a unique opportunity to see the natural beauty and rural life of these regions up close.

You will arrive in the early afternoon, giving you time to walk around this small capital city which is brimming with charm, culture, and history. In the evening, visit one of Slovakia’s best culinary schools for a 4 hour cooking experience. Dive into the world of Slovak and international cuisines learning to cook alongside experienced chefs. You’ll gain insights into essential ingredients and the best culinary techniques while learning some recipes to take back home and impress your friends and family! And of course you get to eat what you make and more!

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Train to Bratislava
- Cooking Lesson

Following breakfast, you’ll embark on a swift direct train journey to Austria, setting our sights on the beautiful city of Vienna. Arriving around lunchtime, we’ll check into our accommodation and soon after, delve into Vienna’s rich culture and history with a 2-hour private tour, expertly guided by a local. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore the beautiful palaces and gardens of the city, or if music is more your thing, then why not visit the state opera house.

Inclusions:

- Breakfast
- Train to Vienna
- Guided Walking Tour

Today you can explore Vienna at your own pace, with the option to visit the many palaces, before meeting in the late afternoon to visit the Schlumberger (Austria’s answer to Champagne) Cellar World for a tour of the cellars followed by a Sclumberger sparking wine tasting session. These wine cellars are the oldest of their kind in Austria and extend for kilometres underground!

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Wine Tour and Tasting

Leaving the big cities behind, you will take a direct 4-5 hour train to Innsbruck. As you head west, you’ll pass through the Wachau valley (a UNESCO world heritage site), alongside alpine lakes and charming villages before reaching the towering Alps mountain range.

After checking into our hotel, you have the afternoon to explore or simply relax and admire the views. In the evening you will experience authentic Austrian culture at a Tyrolean Folk Show and dinner. This traditional folk performance features centuries-old music, dance, and yodelling traditions and includes a 3 course meal.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Train to Innsbruck
- Tyrolean Folk Show and Meal

Today is full-on but can be adapted to your interests. We make use of the Innsbruck card which includes a walking tour of the city but also access to the hop-on hop-off guided tour bus, 22 museums, transport and even some lifts and cable cars if you have a head for heights!

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Innsbruck Card

After a good night rest, board a 4-hour train taking you directly to Verona via the Austrian and Italian Alps, the historic Brenner Pass, the South Tyroll Region with its rolling hills and vineyards and along the Adige River valley. Arrive in Verona and take a short connecting train to Lake Garda – one of the most breath-taking places in Italy! You will stay in the most central area close to the lakeside, with plenty of opportunities to explore the lake and surrounding villages. In the evening, the group comes together to experience a tasting menu dinner with wine.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Trains to Lake Garda
- Tasting Menu Dinner

Start your day with a guided boat tour of the Lake from Sirmione to Isola Del Garda – the centrepiece of the Lake with a magnificent villa to explore. The rest of the day is free to explore the area either by foot, bike or boat. In the summer months it is also very popular to go swimming in the beautiful fresh water.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Boat Tour to Garda Island

Take a morning train to Lugano via the magnificent city of Milan. Totalling about 2-3 hours, there will be the opportunity to briefly see the city of Milan before continuing on into the mountains and crossing the border into Switzerland.

Lugano is renowned for its stunning natural surroundings and situated on the shores of Lake Lugano, surrounded by lush hills and the majestic Swiss Alps. The combination of the lake, mountains, and Mediterranean-style architecture gives the city a unique and charming atmosphere.

Once in Lugano, check into your hotel before taking a boat to Gandria. This village has retained its traditional charm and architecture, and it’s a great place to explore narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and local culture. You then have the option to either hike back for around 1 hour along the olive trail, or to take the bus back into Lugano before heading for a traditional meal in town later that evening.

Inclusions:

Breakfast
- Train to Lugano
- Boat to Gandria
- Dinner in Lugano

After breakfast, explore the allure of Monte Brè during a full-day guided excursion to its sunlit peak. We begin the journey with a brief cruise on Lake Ceresio before transitioning to the scenic funicular, which will take you up the mountain. Here, explore the village of Brè and then venture to the Museo Wilhelm Schmid to delve deeper into the cultural legacy of the area.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Monte Bre Tour with funicular

Today starts with a breath-taking train journey along the Gotthard Panorama Express route which is one of the most scenic in Switzerland and arguably the world! The journey to Interlaken takes just under 5 hours with a change in Lucerne. We will see crystal-clear lakes, rugged mountain peaks, deep valleys, lush green forests, historic villages and the Gotthard Base Tunnel – one of the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnels in the world.

Arrive in Interlaken in the afternoon and check into your hotel with the rest of the afternoon free until dinner time. In the evening, head for an unforgettable traditional Swiss fondue experience.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Train to Interlaken
- Fondue Experience

This morning is free for you to explore the area at your own pace, take part in any of the numerous outdoors activities, maybe go for a swim, walk or cycle. In the afternoon, we walk over to the beautiful village of Bönigen to take part in a half-day kayaking tour of the area. You will be in groups of 6 with an expert kayaking instructor and guide, so whether you have never kayaked before or you’re already an expert, you are guaranteed to have a brilliant time. Alternatively, you can chill by the outdoor heated pool or enjoy a bite to eat at the beachside café. There are even canoes and stand-up paddleboards available for rental! If you haven’t already fallen in love with Interlaken then you will have by the evening as this is one of the coolest and most idyllic spots in the whole of Switzerland.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Kayaking Tour

Today is departure day. There are direct trains that you can take to Zurich airport or you can also take a train to Geneva. Alternatively, why not extend your trip and travel on your own independent rail trip booked through Euroventure or add extra post-trip accommodation in Interlaken.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast