Budapest to Rome

Szia! Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s vibrant capital. This city, split into two sides – Buda and Pest – sits right on the banks of the Danube River. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, maybe head out with your fellow travellers for dinner, then take a night walk along the Danube to see the buildings and bridges lit up in lights. Why not keep the night going in one of Budapest’s ruin bars tonight, home to eclectic decor and a popular spot for a night out.

This morning you’ll head to Belgrade – Serbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in Europe. On the way, stop at Novi Sad on the banks of the Danube River. Head out on an orientation walk of the city with your leader, then take a few hours to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to the Petrovaradin Fortress, one of the most important landmarks in the city, and enjoy the view over the river. There are also some great restaurants and cafes at the fortress where you can stop for lunch or a coffee. Then, continue to your destination – sitting at the junction of the Sava and the Danube, Belgrade is an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore the city’s wide boulevards and squares, the historic green heart of Kalemegdan Park and Kalemegdan Fortress, which has overlooked the river for centuries. In the evening, head down to Skadarska Street in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija to sample some authentic local food and enjoy the lively atmosphere in a place where Orthodox churches vie for space next to nightclubs.

Today you’ll have free time to explore Belgrade at your own pace. You might like to take a cruise along the Danube River, passing Kalemegdan Fortress, Pancevo Bridge and Zemun. Otherwise, the local market Zeleni Venac can keep you occupied for hours. Take a stroll through the Nikola Tesla Museum to learn about the life and work of Serbia’s greatest inventor or check out the city’s Ethnographic or Military museums. If the weather’s warm, you could brave the crowds on Ada Ciganlija beach, where you can swim, take up some water sports or soak up the sun. Maybe visit Decje Srce Cafe, which provides employment opportunities for young people with developmental disabilities. Here, you can have a drink and see some of their local handicrafts (that you can purchase if you like!). During summer, Belgrade hosts a variety of musical and cultural events, and the city is abuzz with people and activities.

Travel through the countryside to Sarajevo this morning. The journey is long, so sit back and enjoy the scenery (and grab a window seat if you can!). Sarajevo is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s small but vibrant capital. The city often draws comparisons with Istanbul as a place that mixes east and west – dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee. When you arrive, maybe head on an optional guided tour to gain insight into the history and culture of the city and explore Bascarsija – Sarajevo’s old bazaar. Tonight, maybe grab some of the local speciality – bosanski cevapi (local grilled and spiced meats).

Enjoy a free day in and around Sarajevo today. You can take an optional day trip out to the thermal springs and green parks of Ilidza – the source of the Bosna River. You might prefer to discover local history with a visit to the History Museum, the Sarajevo War Tunnels and Sniper Alley, or learn about the tragedies faced by the city’s Jews at the Jewish Museum. Maybe get cultural with a stroll through the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or return to Bascarsija and get lost in the mosques, caravanserais and stone-vaulted bazaars while snacking on burek. The Pivnica HS brewery and restaurant is a good place to sample local award-winning beer and spend the night with your travel crew.

This morning, travel to Mostar. Thanks to the river Neretva, this city was able to develop in the barren landscape of Herzegovina. When you arrive, maybe head to the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), first built by the Ottomans in 1565 – it was the great architect Mimar Hajrudin who succeeded with the impossible mission to cross the Neretva River with a single span stone bridge. If you’re lucky, you might see the famous brave members of Mostar’s diving club hurl themselves into the icy waters below.

This morning you’ll travel to Kotor. This fifth-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with waterside towns. When you arrive, explore Europe’s most southerly fjord, Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor) and Kotor town, with a free afternoon. Maybe check out the 12th-century Cathedral of St Tryphun, the South Gates of Kotor (the Gurdich Gate) and the Armoury Square (Trg od Oruzija).

Today is another free day to get lost in the crooked alleyways of Kotor. Maybe check out the boutiques and cafes or climb the hills behind the city to visit Kotor’s ruined fortification walls. A 1.5-hour hike up the stone steps, past churches, gates and bastions to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan at the top, rewards you with magnificent views across the town and the Bay of Kotor. Tonight, maybe hang out in a lookout spot and take in the lights – the city walls are lit up in the evening here to provide a unique nighttime perspective.

Leave Montenegro this morning, riding along the beautiful southern coast of Croatia to Dubrovnik. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore this medieval city at your own pace. There is so much to see and do here, so ask your leader if you’re stuck for ideas. You might like to take a boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island, where you’ll find the French-built Fort Royal Castle, a monastery and a botanical garden that dates back to when the Austrian archduke Maximilian had his holiday home on the island. Tonight, maybe find a secluded beach spot to watch the sunset or enjoy a harbourside meal with the group for dinner.

You have a free day in Dubrovnik today. With the sparkling water of the Adriatic in the background, this city is picturesque and full of character, and its Old Town can easily be covered on foot. You’ll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet the new members of your group. After, maybe head out for a walk around town or enjoy a meal with the group to get to know your new travel buddies.

Today, explore Dubrovnik to your heart’s content. Maybe visit Big Onofrio’s Fountain, built by architect Onofrio della Cava in the 15th century to supply water to the city. Or check out the Franciscan Monastery – home to one of the world’s oldest continuously functioning pharmacy, founded in the 13th century. You could take a daytrip to the Elafiti Islands – a small archipelago northwest of Dubrovnik – exploring churches along the way. It’s a gorgeous place to swim or find a coastal restaurant for a long lunch. After a day spent however you like, maybe kick back on Banje Beach as the sun goes down or find a good spot for dinner with a sunset view.

This morning, travel up the coast to Split. If Dubrovnik is considered the heart of Dalmatia, Split is certainly the soul. On a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, it’s the second-largest city in Croatia. Today is a long travel day, so it’s a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. When you arrive, the afternoon is free for you to explore Split at your own pace. Maybe wander through the historic streets, see the UNESCO World Heritage – listed Diocletian’s Palace or join a tour with a local guide. Dinner by the sea is recommended, whether you’re after fresh seafood or you just want to catch the deep colours of the sunset.

Today is a free day in Split. At the heart of its atmospheric Old Town is a fascinating city-within-a-city – the remains of a third-century palace built for Roman Emperor Diocletian. These ancient walls now house a vibrant mix of shops, cafes, restaurants and houses. Maybe step back in time as you stroll the sprawling maze of passageways and courtyards – you’ll also find a 16th-century synagogue and a courtyard often filled with music. This afternoon, why not sample Croatia’s fine coffee culture with a frothy kava from a cafe on the Riva waterfront promenade or climb the Cathedral of Saint Domnius for panoramic views over the city. The rest of the night is free for you to explore Split at your own pace.

Visit one of Croatia’s most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites – Plitvice Lakes National Park. You’ll have free time to explore on your own, or you can follow your leader to see the best spots – all trails in the national park are well marked, so it’s difficult to get lost! Walk through the wooded hills, surrounding turquoise lakes and waterfalls. As you go, you may glimpse local wildlife living in the primeval forest vegetation of beech trees, fir spruce and white pine. Later, drive to Croatia’s capital of Zagreb, where you’ll stay tonight.

This morning, take an orientation walk around Zagreb with your leader. Then, the rest of the day is free – maybe check out the gothic Zagreb Cathedral, with its twin spires that dominate the city’s skyline, or visit one of the excellent museums, like the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships. Perhaps your appetite will lead you to the Dolac Market – the main market in the city – and a great spot to pick up seasonal fruits, vegetables, preserves, olive oil, cheese and meats. Stop by one of the bakeries for a taste of cevapcici (grilled minced meat) – a traditional market snack.

Travel by train this morning across the Slovenian border to the cosmopolitan capital of Ljubljana (pronounced ‘Lyub-Li-Yana'). When you arrive, check into your accommodation before heading out on a short orientation walk with your leader. The rest of the day is then free for you to delve deeper into this beautiful city. Located in the centre of Slovenia, Ljubljana is a city full of style and sophistication, history, monuments, churches, museums and great restaurants. Maybe wander around the old city centre, renowned for its unique architectural appearance. You might like to visit the Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall or the Dragon Bridge, or stop at the central Preseren Square, dedicated to the Slovenian romantic poet France Preseren.

Take a daytrip to beautiful Bled today, ranked as one of the most scenic alpine resorts in Europe, and spend the hours as you wish. Bled’s fairytale-like scenery includes a castle, a tranquil lake and an island topped with a church. Maybe take a pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) across Lake Bled to its island, then climb the 99 steps to St Mary’s Church. After, be sure to seek out the famous Bled cream cake – nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims their cream cake is the best! There’s also plenty of action for adrenaline junkies on offer today, so pick what suits you best, from rafting, caving and cycling to canoeing, boating or swimming. Tonight, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner and try two other local specialties – struklji (rolled dumplings) and potica (nut roll) – before returning to Ljubljana.

This morning, travel by bus to Venice – the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, known for its canals and small islands connected by nearly 400 bridges. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore. Maybe visit St Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge or Doge’s Palace (the ruler of Venice), ride a gondola through the romantic canals or seek out some tiramisu (coffee-soaked sponge cake) – the region’s specialty! Tonight, you might like to join your fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the last night of your trip.

Enjoy free time in the watery wonderland of bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas today, practically unchanged for the last 600 years. Rich with artistic masterpieces, modern Venice combines history with contemporary life through food, performance, art and architecture. Take a walk around the maze of streets behind San Marco Square and begin to understand the complex canal system as you find the next delicious thing to eat. You’ll have another meeting tonight at 6 pm to meet the new members of your group.

This morning, head out for an orientation walk of the city, exploring the Classical, Gothic and Baroque styles of architecture that surround San Marco Square. For lunch, maybe get involved in the lively social scene at a local bacaro or simply watch the world go by at a restaurant on the edge of the canals. Then, you’re free to explore Venice at your own pace. There are only two ways to get around this city – on foot or by boat. Maybe take the Vaporetto (water bus) over to the island of San Giorgio to climb the bell tower for views over the city. Or fulfil a bucket list favourite and take a journey down the Grand Canal in a Venetian gondola, if you haven’t already. Along the way, you might like to fuel up with a light bite of cicchetti (a tasty local snack).

Board a morning train through the scenic north of Italy to the once important naval base of La Spezia – known mainly as the gateway to the gorgeous Cinque Terre (Five Lands). The name comes from the five tiny villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – positioned on a series of coves between sheer cliffs. When you arrive in La Spezia, there won’t be much time to explore (that’s what tomorrow is for), but after checking into your hotel, you can take a short walk around the pedestrian zone on Via del Prione. Or, simply head out for dinner with your group.

Spend today exploring winding footpaths and pastel villages with your included Cinque Terre Pass. Your leader will walk you to two of the five villages – the pass gives you access to the paths and trains of the area for 24 hours. Please consult your leader on which walking section is right for you, as some have challenging uphill stretches, narrow paths, steep cliffs and foot bridges. Alternatively, take the train between any of the villages, or back to La Spezia whenever you want. After working up an appetite, maybe take advantage of an optional pesto-making class. Focaccia is also a speciality in this area and makes a great start to lunch.

Depart La Spezia today and catch a train to Florence. When you arrive, 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 to many as the beating heart of Tuscany. The Medicis, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Donatello and Michelangelo all lived in Florence at the height of their creative reign. Food is a major part of the city’s identity and the optional activities on offer reflect this. Maybe explore the city’s culinary history (and taste some local treats) on a Florence Foodies Walk with Urban Adventures. Carnivores might be drawn to try the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (the Florentine Beef Steak, essentially a huge T-bone steak that comes with classic sides).

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’s famous statue of David, or perhaps stop by the Uffizi – one of the world’s oldest art galleries. Active types might want to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo, which is set on a hill on the south bank of the Arno River, to take in beautiful views of the city. There are plenty of optional activities available during your time here, so be sure to grill your leader for the details on each – something is sure to pique your interest!