Europe Explorer

36 days
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Small Group Tour
Travel from Barcelona to Rome on an epic 36-day odyssey covering 11 countries. Along with the iconic sights offered by Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam, you’ll also venture to the serene Old Town of Salzburg, get a bird’s eye view of Bratislava from UFO Tower and comb the markets of Avignon for locally grown produce. This trip will suit both those looking to disco...
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$11,983
From$9,695
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Gaudi's modern cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is like no other building you've ever seen. Still under construction after over 130 years, this Gothic masterpiece embodies Barcelona's artistic and progressive heart.
    • Now one of the world's most artistic and exciting cities, Berlin has a complex history. See remaining fragments of the famous wall that once divided the city in half.
    • Immerse yourself in the bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic, soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague and sample locally made pilsners.
    • Enjoy a scenic walk along the banks of the River Danube in Budapest. Threaded with bridges and hemmed in by castles and historic city buildings, Europe’s second longest river is also one of its most beautiful.
    • Feast on mouth-watering seafood along Italy's coast, drink fine wine in Tuscany and indulge in the endless pasta dishes on offer in Rome.

What's this trip about?

    Travel from Barcelona to Rome on an epic 36-day odyssey covering 11 countries. Along with the iconic sights offered by Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam, you’ll also venture to the serene Old Town of Salzburg, get a bird’s eye view of Bratislava from UFO Tower and comb the markets of Avignon for locally grown produce. This trip will suit both those looking to discover Europe for the first time and veterans of the region just wanting to revisit their favourite haunts. Steeped in history and stuffed with all your favourite regional cuisines, this small group adventure is the ultimate foray into the European heartlands.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBarcelona
End CityRome

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Germany
  • France
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • Czechia
  • Hungary
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Slovenia

Attractions

  • Amsterdam
  • Antwerp
  • Avignon
  • Bar
  • Barcelona
  • Berlin
  • Berlin Wall
  • Bratislava
  • Bruges
  • Brussels
  • Budapest
  • Cinque Terre
  • Dresden
  • Florence
  • Krakow
  • La Spezia
  • Luxembourg
  • Lyon
  • Pantheon
  • Paris
  • Prague
  • Rome
  • Tuscany
  • Vatican City
  • Venice
  • Vienna

Trip includes

    • Barcelona - Vermouth Aperitivo
    • Barcelona - Orientation Walk
    • Barcelona - Churros Snack
    • Girona - Orientation Walk near the Medieval Walls
    • Nimes - Half Day Trip
    • Avignon - Market Visit and Snack
    • Beaune - Orientation Walk
    • Paris - Orientation Walk
    • Brussels - Belgium Fries Snack
    • Antwerp - Half Day Visit
    • Amsterdam - FEBO Snack
    • Bastei - Hike
    • Prague - Czech Brewery Visit
    • Vienna - Kaffee und Kuchen Experience
    • Bled - Lake Walk
    • Venice - Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Venice – San Marco Square
    • Venice - Cicchetti Snack Stop
    • Cinque Terre - Day Trip, including Cinque Terre Pass
    • Florence - Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Rome – Leader-led Orientation Walk
    • Rome – Trevi Fountain

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Barcelona

Hola! Welcome to Barcelona, Spain. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting around 6 pm followed by a vermouth aperitivo to whet your appetite for the adventure ahead. If you arrive early, why not use this time to get your bearings. There are plenty of galleries, ...

Day 2 Barcelona / Girona

Say good morning to Barcelona before heading out with your group on a leader-led orientation walk of the city, sampling a favourite local treat along the way. Then exploring the city at your own pace, why not visit Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia Basilica – possibly the mo...

Day 3 Girona

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, ...

Day 4 Nimes / Avignon

Leaving the city after breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Nimes. Arriving in the town of southeastern France, your leader will take you on a walk through the town, giving you the lay of the land before your free time to explore at your own pace. Why not...

Day 5 Avignon

Waking up in Avignon, your leader will take you for an orientation walk, through the markets where you’ll find fresh produce that’s locally grown in the fertile soil surrounding the city. After, explore the local sites at your own pace. Maybe comb the city's impressiv...

Day 6 Beaune

This morning, you’ll be heading by train to the city of Beaune. In the heart of France’s Burgundy wine region, this little town packs a punch. Following a leader led walk through the town, this afternoon you can explore the town's rich history of food and wine product...

Day 7 Paris

Leaving Beaune, travel by 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 and then join your le...

Day 8 Paris

Enjoy another free day to explore Paris. If you didn’t get the chance already, why not spend today checking out the world-famous Louvre, where you can see the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Maybe climb the Eiffel Tower – or take the lift – for some impressive aerial...

Day 9 Brussels

Leave Paris behind and jump on a train to Brussels, where your leader will take you on a walk around the city, and you can enjoy some traditional Belgian fries. After, explore at your own pace. Maybe wander down to the Manneken Pis (Little Peeing Man) – an iconic symb...

Day 10 Bruges

This morning, enjoy some free time in Brussels, before making your way to the train station in the early afternoon to head to your next destination – Bruges. Arriving mid-afternoon, your leader will take you around the city to give you the lay of the land before you e...

Day 11 Bruges

Today you have a free day to explore Bruges. This town on the coast of Belgium looks like it's been plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale, and there’s so much to see and explore. Why not take a stroll through the UNESCO Protected Old Town, starting in the ico...

Day 12 Antwerp - Amsterdam

Bid Bruges a fond farewell as you hop on the train and head to Antwerp. Your leader will take you around the city to help you get your bearings before you have the chance to explore on your own. Why not visit the Het Steen Castle – a medieval fortress in the Old City ...

Day 13 Amsterdam

This morning, your leader will show you around Amsterdam before your free day to explore. You could visit Anne Frank's House – the former hiding place of the famous child diarist and her family during WWII, which has now been preserved as a museum. Or, perhaps visit t...

Day 14 Berlin

Rise bright and early this morning before jumping on the train to Berlin. Today is a long travel day, so grab a window seat if you can. Berlin has plenty of impressive sites and is known for a great bar scene. Get some of the best recommendations and must-see spots fr...

Day 15 Berlin

After yesterday’s late arrival, today is free for you to get your bearings in Berlin. You may like to take a Spree River cruise, visit the multiple museums and galleries at Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz or stop by the impressive Berliner Dom Cathedral. Tonight, you’ll h...

Day 16 Berlin

Set out to discover more of Berlin in detail today, as you’ll have free time to enjoy it as you please. There are plenty of impressive sites for you to check out – the Brandenburg Gate, remnants of the Berlin Wall and the dominating Reichstag building – either on your...

Day 17 Dresden - Bastei

This morning, say goodbye to Berlin and hop on an early train to Dresden. After checking in to your accommodation, another quick train trip will take you to Rathen, where you can enjoy a hike to the sandstone pinnacles of Bastei. The unique rock formation offers some ...

Day 18 Prague

Leaving Germany behind, board the train to Prague. When you arrive, check-in at your hotel and then see the highlights of this beautiful city on a leader-led orientation walk. Prague's architecture can be traced from the Middle Ages through to the avant-garde of the G...

Day 19 Prague

Another day in Prague and so many possibilities! Perhaps learn how the Bohemian artists, writers, dissidents and the Bohemian mentality 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...

Day 20 Bratislava

Leave Prague and travel to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Set along the Danube, Bratislava blends past and present with its charming Old Town and lively boutiques and cafes. You have a free day to explore it all today. You could climb to the top of the tower at ...

Day 21 Budapest

Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest and enjoy a free day in the self-proclaimed Pearl of the Danube. Perhaps explore the historical Buda Castle and palace complex. Forget about the bustling city and lose yourself in the history of the winding streets of the Castle Di...

Day 22 Budapest

Today, you’ll have another 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 Hu...

Day 23 Vienna

Hop on a train this morning to the cosmopolitan city of Vienna. After dropping your bags at your accommodation, you’re in for a real treat! Stop for kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) with your group at Vollpension – a local cafe that empowers older members of the com...

Day 24 Vienna

You’re free to choose your own adventure today, and Vienna has a lot to offer! Art lovers will be delighted by the vast array of museums, including the Albertina, the Leopold, Kunsthalle Wien and the Museum of Modern Art. Those interested in 19th- and 20th-century Aus...

Day 25 Salzburg

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 t...

Day 26 Bled

Travel to the stunning Slovenian resort town of Bled today. Sitting at the edge of the Julian Alps, this place is full of picturesque sights that are sure to take your breath away. When you arrive, follow your leader to the shore of glistening Lake Bled, from which ma...

Day 27 Bled

There’s no better place to get active than in Bled! Today you have a free day to enjoy all the fun activities Bled has to offer (calling all nature lovers!) Maybe take a full-day adventure around Triglav Massive – there are many outdoor activities available here to ge...

Day 28 Venice

Travel by train and local bus through stunning scenery to one of the world's most unique cities today – postcard-perfect Venice. A city of canals, Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk ...

Day 29 Venice

Today you’re free to dive deeper into Venice. You might browse the endless amounts of boutique shops in Piazza San Marco that sell Venetian masks and handmade Murano glassware, sample the sweet Venetian treats on sale at Ca Grifalconi Market or venture back to the sto...

Day 30 Venice

This morning, head out for an orientation walk of the city and marvel at the Classical, Gothic, and Baroque styles of architecture surrounding San Marco Square. Your leader will show you where to get the best cicchetti today, a tasty local snack that Venice is famous ...

Day 31 La Spezia

Board a morning train through the scenic north of Italy to the once important naval base of La Spezia (approximately 6–7 hours). La Spezia is known mainly as the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages – Monterosso...

Day 32 Cinque Terre / La Spezia

Spend today exploring winding footpaths and pastel coloured villages with your included Cinque Terre Pass. Your leader will walk you to two of the five villages, and the pass gives you access to the paths and trains of the area for 24 hours. Please consult your leader...

Day 33 Florence

Depart La Spezia today and catch a train to Florence (approximately 2.5 hours). On arrival, check into the hostel 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 t...

Day 34 Florence

Enjoy another day in beautiful Florence. It's impossible to see everything in this Renaissance wonderland, so the best idea is to relax and pick a few things you really want to do. Maybe start with a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo'...

Day 35 Rome

Take the morning train to Rome (approximately 2 hours). Join your leader on an orientation walk around the city to see icons such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Phew. After all that walking it’s probably time for lunch. Maybe grab...

Day 36 Rome

Your adventures come to an end today. There are no activities planned and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time after check-out. As there is so much to see in Rome, we recommend you stay a little longer to soak it up. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Please speak to an agent at the time of booking.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $9,695
Price per day$269
Last Updated: 3/19/2024
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27 Apr 2024
01 Jun 2024
$10,635
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22 Jun 2024
$10,260
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25 May 2024
29 Jun 2024
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17 Aug 2024
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14 Sep 2024
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10 May 2025
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Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hostel (7 nights),Hotel (24 nights),Guesthouse (4 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Train,Public bus,Metro,Private vehicle,Tram,

Transportation & flights

Train,Public bus,Metro,Private vehicle,Tram
Guides
All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines VENICE GONDOLAS Please note, life jackets are not provided on Gondolas in Venice. FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. TRAFFIC AND DRIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD: Depending on where you come from please note that drivers in this part of the world may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to. Look both ways before crossing any road. Traffic can be a little more chaotic than you might be used to at home. Be aware! PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. SCAMS Common scams operating in Europe include ploys to get you fined on the metro without a validated ticket. Ensure that you always travel with a validated ticket (have your ticket stamped). Another common scam is used by children who distract you with a map or a newspaper and while you are attending to them, steal your valuables. You may also come across players offering you to participate in the so-called "shell game". This is a scam and you will most certainly lose your money.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information
Finish point B&B Hotel Roma San Lorenzo Termini Via dei Sabelli, 177 Rome 00185 ITALY
Trip ID
intrepid-ZMRFC

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