Adventure World - Our World. Your Way

Paris to Venice Adventure

Join us on this amazing Central European odyssey, from the museums and landmarks of Paris, to the artistic and bohemian Berlin; from the architectural charm of Prague, to historic and magnificent Vienna; and from the beautiful alps of Slovenia, to romantic Venice and its famous canals. Something for everyone, on this memorable journey through some of Europe's most famous cities.

• Continents Visited: Europe
• Countires Visited: France, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands
• Starting City:
• Finishing City:
• Start Country: France
• Finihsing Country: Italy
• Trip Activities: Culture/History
• Duration: 21
• Physical Rating: 2
• Service Level Rating: Basic

Group Size

Minimum: 5
Maximum: 15
Note: Max 15, Avg 10

Trip Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Paris

   Arrive in Paris at any time. As your fellow travellers are arriving throughout the day, there are no planned activities, so check-in to the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. Please note the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays (Day 2), so you may want to visit it today. In the evening meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip. Check the notice boards or ask at reception for the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the meeting, you can head out for a meal at a local restaurant with the group (optional). If you arrive late, no worries, your Tour Leader will leave you a message at the front desk.

2. Day 2 Paris

   After an orientation walk with your Tour Leader, you are free to explore on your own to discover the ?je ne sais quoi? of the City of Lights. Paris has something for everyone and you can use your days here to picnic under the Eiffel Tower, explore the outstanding museums and churches, float down the Seine on a river cruise or people-watch at one of the charming cafés.
   
   Start your morning with a visit the Arc de Triomphe, listening to the solitary guard?s footsteps on the marble, if you get there before the traffic starts. Then wander down Paris's main boulevard, The Champs-Elysees, until you reach the Egyptian obelisk at Place de la Concorde, and reflect on those who lost their heads on the guillotine there - Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and Robespierre.
   
   A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower, the most recognizable monument in all of Paris. Go up in the elevator for a fabulous view of the city or for some serious bragging rights, take the stairs. Spend your evening in a nice spot underneath with a bottle of wine, a baguette, and the world?s best cheese and wait for the sun to set and the lights to come on.
   
   There?s still time for some church-hopping to see some of the world?s most famous cathedrals. Notre Dame is one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture, complete with gargoyles. If you?re up to it, climb the steps 223 feet to the top! Make time to set eyes on the famous stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and there?s always more to see with a visit to Sacre Coeur and an exploration of the Montmartre district.
   
   If you like museums, Paris has enough to keep you busy for months. Choose a few of your favourites and spend your day with the greats. Spend your afternoon with the Impressionists in Musee D?Orsay and finish your evening with the sculptures in the Musee Rodin.
   
   If all the hopping about is too much to handle, jump on a Seine river cruise for an enjoyable and relaxing experience with much to see and photograph. Many of the major Paris attractions reside close enough to see from the water including Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Royal Palace, Champs Elysee, Eiffel Tower and Orsay Museum. Catch everything from the comfort of the boat! After, ride the famous Paris metro to the cemetery of Pčre?Lachaise where, among others, music lovers can visit the grave of Jim Morrison.

3. Day 3 Bruges

   Estimated Travel Time: 7 hours
   
   We jump on a bus from Paris and head into Belgium, changing in the capital Brussels to a train, to arrive to the small medieval trading town of Bruges. Bruges is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and has remained practically unchanged since its heyday. Once inside the city walls, the town closes in around you with street after street of historic houses and a canal always nearby.
   
   Spend your time marvelling at the works of the Flemish masters at the Groeninge Museum, visiting one or all of the Lace, Frites and Chocolate Museums, cruising leisurely on the romantically-named Lake of Love or maybe work off all the beer, waffles and chocolate you've consumed with a bicycle-ride along the city's canals, a climb of the giant Belfry or a walk along the ramparts, which surround the city. A full circle of the city is about 9 km.
   
   If that sounds a little hectic for you, you can always spend the day eating and drinking to your heart?s content. A gourmand's delight, Bruges is full of fine restaurants, delicious chocolates, waffles and the world's greatest selection of beers. The afternoon and following morning are free for you to enjoy the sights. A tour of the De Halve Maan Brewery to learn about Belgium's famous brew, or a visit the Chocolate Museum will be sure to satisfy what you crave.
   
   We use simple hostel accommodation in Bruges, with multi-share dormitories

4. Days 4-6 Amsterdam

   Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
   
   We have the morning free to finish up our exploration of Bruges before taking an afternoon train to Amsterdam, the "Venice of the North". There is something for every traveller's taste here, whether you prefer art, culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.
   
   Amsterdam is one of the coolest cities in Europe. Beautiful, hip, and laid back, with lots to do, lots to see, many pubs, food from all over the world and friendly people. A visit to this stunning city can feel like stepping back in time, surrounded by the charming architecture dating back to the 17th century. But this city is far from old-fashioned and will be best seen on foot or like the locals, by bicycle.
   
   If you only do one thing in Amsterdam, make it a canal cruise. Amsterdam's canals are its signature and cruising these criss-crossing waterways puts the city in perspective while offering unique views of dozens of spectacular Amsterdam sights in a short period of time. Afterwards, head into a cozy bruin café o ?eetcafé? (to the Dutch what pubs are to the British and Irish), local spots where friends gather to catch up over a beer or glass of house wine.
   
   In summer one of the best places to go for a relaxing afternoon is the Vondelpark. With a bit of luck you can catch a (free) outdoor concert near the water or hang out at one of the trendy places in the park where you can sit and have a beer, such as the Blauwe Theehuis. Head over to the squares of Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, a perfect place for people-watching, both bustling with activity and terraces in summertime.
   
   Amsterdam is also a haven for museum-lovers: two of its best are the Rijksmuseum, whose most famous resident is Rembrandt's The Night Watch and the Van Gogh Museum overflowing with teems of works by Vincent van Gogh, including his famous ?Sunflowers?. After seeing the painted variety, treat your eyes again with a wander through the real thing at the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market).
   
   One of the most dramatic and powerful sights in Amsterdam is the Anne Frank house. As you climb the stairs to the little attic the Frank family was hidden in during WWII, each step becomes heavier and heavier with the realization of what transpired in the middle of this tranquil city.
   
   And then, of course, there is the world famous (or infamous!) Red Light District, which consists of several canals and the side streets between them, south of Central Station and east of Damrak. It is still a residential district, with many bars and restaurants as well as historic buildings and museums. This is, after all, the oldest part of the city and home to the gothic Oude Kerk church on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, the oldest in Amsterdam.
   
   We have the day in Amsterdam to continue our explorations of this magical city, before boarding our overnight bus to Berlin. We travel overnight on Day 6 and arrive into Berlin early in the morning of Day 7.
   
   We use simple hostel accommodation in Amsterdam, with multi-share dormitories

5. Days 7-8 Berlin

   Estimated Travel Time: 10 hours (overnight)
   
   After arriving in Berlin in the morning, we'll head to our hotel to check-in. From there you?ll have almost two full days in Berlin to enjoy all it has to offer before catching the train to Krakow.
   
   Berlin is an amazing city with tangible historical importance and a melting pot of different cultures and flavours.
   
   The very name Berlin conjures images of the famous Berlin Wall. Two sections of the wall still remain on display- the East Side Gallery, where artists have decorated the remaining section of the wall, and the Berlin Wall Memorial (Gedenkstatte Berliner Mauer). Down the street from the Berlin Wall is the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, a museum that documents the history of the wall, and interestingly, many of the different ways people tried to escape. Learn about all of the creative ways used to cross over to the other side. After, you can head over to the Brandenburg Gate, another spot of great historical significance. Here, hundreds of thousands of people were finally able to cross from the East side to the West after the fall of the wall. It has traditionally, and continues to be, a political rallying point for different groups and concerns.
   
   If you are still craving museums, Berlin has plenty! Visit the Pergamon Museum, home to one of the world's greatest collections of ancient architecture and art. Also give the Egyptian Museum (Agyptisches Museum) a try as it houses many old Egyptian artifacts and the Judishes Museum tells the story of the relationship between the Germans and the Jews throughout the last few centuries. Art lovers will enjoy the Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin Museum with plenty of modern art that is sure to spark interest and curiosity. The Berggruen Collection at the Die Sammlung Berggruen is also a must-see. Here, see an extensive art collection of Picasso, as well as paintings by Klee, Cezanne and Van Gogh.
   
   For those interested in Berlin's government, past and present, visit the Reichstag, home to the German parliament. Here, you can go up to the glass dome for a view of Berlin, or learn about the fascinating history of the building. For more history from this grim period, visit the Topographie des Terrors, a row of old cellars where prisoners were tortured. See the hundreds of pictures from the era and read the newspaper clippings to get a better understanding of what went on in the cellars and throughout Nazi Germany.
   
   Finally, for an amazing view of Berlin, visit the famous Berlin Television Tower with a viewing room and cafe located 203 meters above ground, providing sweeping views of the city.
   
   In Berlin our simple but well-located accommodation may use triple share

6. Days 9-10 Krakow

   Estimated Travel Time: 10 hours
   
   We arrive in the evening to Krakow, arguably the most beautiful of Poland?s cities. Krakow is a thriving European city that still retains the old Eastern European charm. Head first to the centre of everything- the Old Town?s Rynek Glowny square, one of the world?s largest medieval squares. You can sit for hours watching the people wander by over the cobblestoned streets. Make time to indulge in the mighty carbohydrate, Poland?s favorite food group. As the birthplace of the bagel you can sample them from vendors in the square or eat your body weight in the most delicious of Polish delicacies, the pierogie. These little ravioli-like pouches filled with all sorts of things, the best being mashed potato, will tempt you to work your way through each variety during your stay. To really eat like a local, get your Tour Leader to take you to a ?milk bar? where you can line up with the locals for traditional cheap polish food, cafeteria style! When you awaken from your carb-coma, visit the royal castle perched on the Wawel Hill, providing a great view of the city.
   
   For some of the history that makes Krakow so famous, visit the former Jewish district with its 7 synagogues, which was used as the location for filming the movie Schindler?s List. Three gigantic Gothic churches and more than 800 pubs are huddled in nooks and alleyways where time slows down. This is also a good opportunity to take a day trip to learn more about the history of WWII at the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau, sites where some of the worst atrocities were perpetrated during the war.
   
   If you can tear yourself away from the charms of Krakow, make a visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, located only a short distance away. Here, you will be plunged into a deep underground network of tunnels and chambers some 135m below the surface. The Blessed King's Chapel is a highlight not to be missed, with its elaborate salt chandeliers and carvings.
   
   You may want to end your day embracing Polish social traditions in one of Krakow?s many cellar restaurants and pubs. Dive into the thriving social scene over a few vodkas in one of these cheerful establishments, Zubrowka (Bison Grass Vodka) is a must!
   
   In Krakow our simple but well-located accommodation may use triple share.

7. Days 11-12 Prague

   Estimated Travel Time: 7 hours
   
   We head to Prague by train arriving with enough time to experience all the capital of Czech Republic has to offer. The first must-see destination is Old Town Square, where the main attraction is the famous Astronomical Clock, whose tiny mechanical saints deliver an hourly performance when the clock chimes. In the summer, the square is lined with outdoor cafés perfect to do a little leisurely people-watching.
   
   Just a stone's throw away is Charles Bridge, by day cluttered with vendors and street musicians. At night, the bridge is less crowded, and it's much easier to appreciate the scenery as well as the ever-so-slightly sinister quality of the statues looming overhead. Cross the bridge and you'll find yourself in Mala Strana, a far less crowded district that offers the perfect atmosphere for some introspective wandering. If you can handle the stairs, climbing the hundreds of steps to the famous Prague Castle (known as Hradcany), you'll be rewarded with a glorious view of the city. Like Charles Bridge, the castle is best enjoyed at night, when there is dramatic lighting and few visitors. If you're in the area and want to experience traditional Czech pubs, which are guaranteed to be loud, lively, and packed with locals on any night of the week, this is the place to find restaurants serving traditional Czech cuisine such as fried pork cutlets, goulash, and dumplings.
   
   The Prague Ghetto, which includes the Jewish Cemetery and Synagogues is one of the famous areas of Europe where the Jews of the city lived and thrived before WWII and definitely worth a visit.
   
   Prague certainly has no shortage of breathtaking views and the next hill over from the castle, Petrin Hill, offers a less obstructed panorama-style view. If you're not in the mood for hiking uphill, you can always take a cable car all the way to the top. An alternative is an evening watching the sunset from the heights of the Letna Beer Garden, where you can sample Czech beer, world-famous for its superb quality and low cost, on a warm summer evening.
   
   PLEASE NOTE: Day 12 is both departure and arrival day for different tour segments making up this combination trip. Your Tour Leader and/or fellow travellers may change today - get ready to meet some new people and welcome them aboard our journey!
   

8. Day 13 Cesky Krumlov

   Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
   
   Today we depart Prague by local bus to our next stop, the medieval town of Český Krumlov in Southern Bohemia, with its fairytale castle set above a loop in the river Vltava River. After we check-in to our little pension, you might want to head out for lunch with your Tour Leader in one of the many beautiful restaurants offering fantastic local treats, sitting on a terrace overlooking the river.
   
   This picturesque medieval town on the UNESCO World Heritage list, dates back to the thirteenth century and is straight out of a storybook. Its name means 'crooked meadow', which is befitting as the town is nestled in a sharp bend of the Vltava River. The charming old town boasts a collection of beautiful old buildings and a confusion of cobbled alleyways, which will have you waxing romantic as you stroll its streets. There are several small museums and local galleries to explore here. Check out the Jewish synagogue built in 1909 by the local Jewish community, featuring an eight-sided tower with Torah-shaped windows.
   
   Alternatively, you can explore the castle, which is one of the largest in central Europe. It has forty buildings and palaces, situated around five castle courts and a castle park with a fabulous Masquerade Hall, and a nearby tower you can climb for aerial views of the town. For something more active, why not spend the afternoon cycling across the rolling hills of the Bohemian countryside, enjoying the scenery.
   
   There is also the option of a relaxing 2-3 hour raft/canoe trip on the river that winds right through the centre of Český Krumlov - a favourite summer pastime for locals and visitors alike.
   
   We use comfortable and well-located hostel accommodation in Cesky Krumlov. Rooms may be triple or quad share

9. Days 14-15 Vienna

   Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours
   
   We jump on a shuttle bus to the Austrian capital Vienna, former home of the Hapsburg court, still furnished with the trappings of the imperial capital it once was. Take a wander with your Tour Leader to check out the highlights, including the grand St Stephen's church towering at the heart of the historical centre, encircled by the Ringstrasse and filled with magnificent buildings, gardens and museums. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure, marvelling at the Hofburg (the winter palace), the Lipizzaner ?dancing? horses of the famous Vienna Riding School, or perhaps experience a mass with the Vienna Boys Choir. Later, why not head out to Schoenbrunn, for a guided audio tour of the summer palace designed by Empress Maria Theresa herself. The palace gardens are free to all visitors.
   
   St. Stephen?s Cathedral, is one of Vienna?s main landmarks complete with a 343-step climb up a spiral staircase to look out over the city. For a little child-like fun, visit the Wurstelprater, an amusement park and home to one of the best-known attractions of Vienna, the ?Riesenrad?, a Giant Ferris wheel which provides great views across the city from 200ft in the air.
   
   After tiring yourself out with sightseeing, pop into a café, a Viennese institution. For a slice of local life, the cafés are good places to relax and get your bearings while deciding what to do next. A delicious café experience involves Gugelhupf, one of Vienna?s specialty cakes, and a cup of Melange (half coffee, half milk).
   
   For a small trip outside the bustling city, head into the heart of one of Austria?s wine-producing regions, the Wachau, just under an hour from Vienna. Feel free to indulge in the local wine in taverns called Heuriger.
   
   Hotel rooms in Vienna may have shared bathroom and on occasion we use triple share.

10. Days 16-17 Budapest

    Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours
    
    Travelling from Vienna by train, we arrive in Budapest with time to explore the ?Queen of the Danube? with her beautiful turrets and architecture. Rent a bike and make your way across the city the local way!
    
    Since the collapse of communism, Budapest has experienced something of a renaissance. The grand architecture and boulevards evoke a time gone by, retaining that Eastern charm, while glamorous stores and glitzy restaurants make this one of the truly great cities of Europe. If you need a break after your biking, take a boat trip down the river to see the magnificent buildings that line the banks of the Danube River and the bridges linking the older section of Buda to the newer part of town, Pest, or cross the Chain Bridge for a spectacular view of the Parliament Building and the Castle District. Be sure to head back down to the river after dark to enjoy the floodlit spectacle.
    
    Stop by the Central Market Hall, where the daily life of the city buzzes with vibrant activity. Whether you?re looking for colourful Kalosca embroidery, Hungarian strudel, or just fresh, locally grown vegetables, this is the place to come. To learn a little about the Hungarian experience of WWII and the Cold War, visit the House of Terror Museum (Terror Haza) devoted to the more horrific realities of life during this period. The building in which the museum is housed was at times the centre of Gestapo activity and later, the KGB?s central office. A powerful experience for visitors, the museum has kept the prison cells and other rooms as they were found.
    
    To relax after a busy day, do not fail to stop into the Széchenyi Bathhouse, a favorite with locals and in-the-know visitors alike. Swim in one of the two open-air pools, lounge in the Swedish or Turkish sauna, or even sunbathe in the nude on the gender-segregated rooftop areas here at Europe's largest complex of medicinal baths.
    

11. Days 18-19 Bled

    Estimated Travel Time: 11 hours
    
    We travel by train across the Central European countryside on a long but scenic travel day to the lakeside town of Bled, situated at the edge of the Julian Alps in Slovenia, the gateway to Triglav National Park. With an abundance of activities in Bled and the surrounding area, such as easy walks and more demanding hikes, mountain biking, rafting, canyoning, fishing, climbing, riding, panoramic flights, tandem paragliding and adrenaline parks, there will be plenty to keep you busy!
    
    You can explore Bled Castle high on a bluff, with a crystal clear lake underneath, snow capped alps in the background or catch a pletna (small wooden boat) over to the island in the middle of the lake to ring the wishing bell. Otherwise, just walk, cycle or rollerblade the lake's 6 km circumference and admire the stunning scenery that has made Bled famous.

12. Day 20 Venice

    Estimated Travel Time: 5.5 hours
    
    A scenic train ride along the Soca Valley takes us to the dream-like city of Venice, one of the few places in the world that can truly be described as unique. This "floating" city is best explored on foot, wandering through labyrinthine alleys and streets, over bridges and into squares, discovering opulence and beauty at every turn.
    
    Venice is teeming with world-class museums, like the Accademia or the Scuola di San Rocco, playing host to the greats of the renaissance like Jacopo Tintoretto, Vittore Carpacio and Tiziano. For a more contemporary take, visit the Peggy Guggenheim gallery, located inside her former home, right on the Grand Canal itself. The fantastic smattering of works of every major contemporary artist competes with the lapping waters and floating gondalas just outside.
    
    To capture all Venice has to offer go out the door of the hotel and keep walking. Wind around, check in with the map occasionally, and see if you can find your way to the major sites! Wander over the Ponte Rialto (Bridge of Lovers) and stroll on down to Piazza San Marco. From here you get spectacular views of the Grand Canal, you can visit the famous Basilica San Marco, climb the Campanile or take a tour of the Palazzo Ducale and Bridge of Sighs. Once you?ve tired yourself out jump on one of the vaporetto (water bus) and make your way home, or stop off to take a gondola ride through the backalleys of Venice.
    
    Venezia, as they say in Italian, is an indescribable place you have to see to believe. It has a magical, mystical quality that can?t be captured or replicated. After just a few moments, this city will capture your heart and leave you thinking dreamily of your time in Venice for the rest of your life.
    

13. Day 21 Departure

    Arrivederci e buon viaggio! Depart Venice at any time.

Pricing Information

A grey background denotes that the trip is guaranteed to depart.