Barcelona to Amsterdam

Hola! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins in Barcelona with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by a vermouth aperitivo to whet your appetite for the adventure ahead. 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 to try 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 the incredible architectural work by Gaudi. This afternoon, make your way to the train station, where you’ll travel to the city of Girona. Arriving in the early evening, your leader will take you on a walk through the city. Then, you have the chance to explore on your own. This jewel of Catalonia is known for its medieval architecture and sits alongside the Onyar River.

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 birds-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, 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.

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 AD 100. 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. When you arrive, join a mustard making workshop, where a mustard master will guide you through the traditional process step by step, from grinding the seeds to mixing in wine, vinegar and salt. At the end, you’ll get to take home your very own jar of homemade Dijon mustard, infused with your custom blend of flavours. The rest of the day is then free for you to explore Dijon at your own pace. Maybe visit the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, see the Church of Notre-Dame or walk through the Musee des Beaux-Arts.

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.

You have a free day in Paris today until your next meeting at 6 pm. While you wait, why not check 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 views of Paris. For a simple picnic lunch of baguette and cheese, The Tuileries, Plantes and Jardin du Luxembourg all make excellent backdrops. After your meeting, maybe head out for dinner at one of the local restaurants or explore the surrounding neighbourhoods and discover why this city is known for its romantic appeal.

Leave Paris behind and jump on a train to Brussels. When you arrive, join your leader on a walk around the city, where you can sample some traditional Belgian fries along the way. After, 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 a free day. 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 the network of canals that crisscross it. 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 back 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, 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 visit Anne Frank's House – the former hiding place of the famous child diarist and her family during WWII or explore the De Waag – a 15th-century building on Nieuwmarkt Square first constructed as a gate for the city’s fortified walls. This afternoon, maybe head to the Heineken Museum and learn about the Netherland’s rich beer history.

Set off on a daytrip today to Europe’s largest seaport, Rotterdam. When you arrive, visit the Floating Farm – the world’s first self-sufficient dairy farm. Here you’ll learn about sustainable farming practices and see the resident cows. The afternoon is then free for you to explore Rotterdam at your own pace – maybe walk through Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen or visit Euromast Observation Tower for panoramic views over the city. Then, take the train back to Amsterdam and enjoy a free evening to wander the canals.

As there are no further activities, your adventure comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to stay longer in Amsterdam, just speak to our booking agent ahead of time.