18 to 35s Essential Barcelona to Berlin

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins in Barcelona with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s so much to see and do in this Mediterranean hub of food, culture and architecture. You could start by exploring some of the city’s most iconic monuments like La Sagrada Familia – the tallest church in the world at 172.5 m high – or the multi-coloured Casa Batllo, with its facade decorated using a typical Catalan mosaic technique called trencadis. Both were designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, whose work has become synonymous with this city. If you’d rather dive into local history and culture, there's the Museum of City History and the Ethnological and World Cultures Museums. Or you could check out some art at the Picasso Museum or the National Art Museum of Catalonia. For panoramic views of the city, take the funicular to the top of Montjuic or Tibidabo. After the meeting, why not get to know your new travel friends over some tapas.

This morning, board a high-speed train for a scenic journey north to Logrono. Known for its laidback vibe, charming Old Town and cuisine, Logrono is a great spot to dig into Spain’s sensory delights. When you arrive, you’ll do just that by heading out on a pintxo crawl with your leader. Make your way down Calle Laurel – Logrono’s famous pedestrian street lined with pintxo bars. Pintxo is the equivalent of tapas up here in the north, and you’ll sample as many of these delightful bite-sized snacks as you can as you make your way down the street. Some popular local pintxos you might try are tortilla de patatas, patatas bravas, grilled mushrooms, grilled chistorra (chorizo) and croquetas. Many of these bars are known for a particular specialty, so have fun working your way through the dishes, maybe pairing them with a corto (small glass of beer), a glass of txakoli (Basque sparkling wine) or rioja. After, you’ll have free time to keep exploring the city’s streets by night.

Leave Logrono behind and travel by public bus to the seaside city of San Sebastian. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk through the Old Town, then you have a free afternoon to spend as you wish. A popular surfing destination blessed with good beaches, San Sebastian is the perfect place to slow down and soak up the breezy atmosphere. Maybe kick back on the sand with a good book, take a dip in the refreshing waters of the Bay of Biscay or stroll along the promenade. This city is also known for its cuisine, particularly its seafood – for dinner, maybe go out in search of local favourites like baked spider crab, hake a la donostiarra (hake in green sauce) or squid cooked in its own ink.

Today is a free day for you to experience the sides of San Sebastian that interest you the most. The 19th-century neo-Gothic Catedral del Buen Pastor is a great place to start, and you can dig deeper into Basque culture and history at the San Telmo Museum. Get your blood pumping with a surfing lesson (Basque country is considered one of the best regions for surfing in all of Spain) or a tour of the city by bike. If you’ve been loving the local cuisine and are keen to learn some Basque cooking secrets to take home to your own kitchen, consider taking a cooking class using fresh ingredients that you’ll pick up from the market. Or you could take a boat ride to Santa Clara Island, located right in the middle of the city’s main bay (Bahia de La Concha) or take a boat trip on a catamaran. For views over the city, take the cable car to the top of Mt Igueldo.

Cross into France on the train to Bordeaux. When you arrive, go on an orientation walk with your leader to see the city’s historic centre and lively public squares. Bordeaux is famous for its wine, but you’ll also find plenty of 18th-century architecture, riverside promenades perfect for an afternoon stroll and a fun atmosphere owing to the city’s large student population. Ask your leader for some of their recommendations to help you plan your ideal day. There are plenty of markets where you can sample fresh produce and cafes serving up classic French pastries. Caneles are a Bordeaux specialty – these delightful bite-sized treats have a soft, custardy interior and a caramelised outer shell.

Hop on a local bus, headed to a winery for a tasting and tour where you’ll see for yourself why this wine region is so acclaimed. Learn about the production process, explore the vineyards and cellars and taste some of the region’s celebrated varietals. Return to the city in the afternoon, where the rest of the day is free. You might like to visit La Cite du Vin – an interactive museum showcasing wine culture and history through immersive, sensory exhibitions and classes. Maybe explore the Darwin Eco-systeme, a former military barracks that’s been converted into a creative hub. Or find a spot for dinner on the banks of the Garonne River.

Wave goodbye to Bordeaux and take a train to Paris this morning. Over the next two days, you’ll discover why this city has captivated visitors for centuries. Arrive in the afternoon and head out on an orientation walk with your leader. Walk streets lined with cafes, peer into bakery windows to see displays of fresh bread and pastries and pass the historic monuments and world-class museums that make this city a top global destination for art and culture. Tonight, you’ll have dinner at Le Reflet – a restaurant run in partnership with Intrepid Foundation partner Les Extraordinaires, which works to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities in mainstream workplaces. Dine on typical French fare made with fresh, seasonal produce and raise a glass to the ‘City of Lights’!

Arrive in Berlin early this morning. Disembark from your train and take the metro to your accommodation where you can freshen up and have some breakfast. Then, head out with your leader for an orientation walk through this capital city that’s full of historic sites, cutting-edge galleries and iconic architecture. The rest of the day is up to you. Maybe take a cruise down the Spree River, visit the impressive Berlin Cathedral, browse the museums and galleries at Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz or take in views of the city from the TV Tower. Ask your leader for the best spots to refuel with a classic currywurst, schnitzel or pretzel along the way.

Visit Refugio Cafe for a cake and coffee this morning. This community space brings together refugees and Berlin locals through food, conversation and shared experiences, promoting inclusion and cultural exchange. Your afternoon is free for you to explore. You might like to visit Museum Island, the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Wall Memorial or Brandenburg Gate, or simply relax in one of the city's many parks before enjoying another evening in Germany's dynamic capital. Consider gathering some of your newfound travel friends for dinner and a toast to your European adventure.

With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.