Tour overview

This 15-day trip travels from Barcelona to Amsterdam almost entirely by train, arriving in each city centre. It starts in Barcelona and Girona, crosses into southern France for Nîmes and Avignon, heads north through Burgundy to Dijon and Paris, then continues to Brussels and Ghent in Belgium before finishing in Amsterdam.

Your leader runs orientation walks in Barcelona, Girona, Nîmes, Dijon, Paris, Brussels, Ghent and Amsterdam, and the rest of each day is yours. Included visits are short and practical: a walk on Girona's medieval walls, a market visit in Avignon, a mustard-making workshop in Dijon where you take home your own jar, and day trips to Bruges and to Rotterdam's Floating Farm, a self-sufficient dairy farm in the harbour.

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Small tastings come along the way, including vermouth and churros in Barcelona, Belgian fries in Brussels and a FEBO snack in Amsterdam. Breakfast is included on 11 mornings.

Groups are up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over. You stay in a mix of hotels and hostels, some without private bathrooms or air-conditioning, and you carry your own luggage on and off trains.

Trip highlights

  • Girona

    walk along the medieval walls for views over the city, the river and the cathedral (Day 3)

  • Nîmes and Avignon

    an orientation walk in Nîmes, then Avignon's markets, the Palais des Papes and the Pont Saint-Bénézet (Days 4–5)

  • Dijon

    make your own mustard with a mustard master and take the jar home (Day 6)

  • Paris

    an orientation walk with your leader and a full free day (Days 7–8)

  • Brussels

    a walk with your leader and Belgian fries (Day 9)

  • Bruges

    a day trip to the UNESCO-listed old town and its canals (Day 12)

  • Rotterdam

    visit the Floating Farm, the world's first self-sufficient floating dairy farm (Day 14)

  • Amsterdam

    a walk with your leader and a stop at FEBO for a traditional snack (Day 13)

Your route

11 stops from Barcelona to Rotterdam

15-day route: Barcelona – Girona – Nîmes – Avignon – Dijon – Paris – Brussels – Ghent – Bruges – Amsterdam – Rotterdam
  1. Barcelona Day 1
  2. Girona Days 2–3
  3. Nîmes Day 4
  4. Avignon Days 4–5
  5. Dijon Day 6
  6. Paris Days 7–8
  7. Brussels Days 9–10
  8. Ghent Days 11–12
  9. Bruges Day 12
  10. Amsterdam Days 13–14
  11. Rotterdam Day 14

Why choose this tour

This trip crosses four countries by train, so you go from city centre to city centre without airports or long coach days. It suits independent travellers: your leader handles tickets and orientation in each city, and most afternoons and several full days are free.

Best suited to

  • Travellers who enjoy train travel and exploring cities on foot
  • Independent-minded travellers who want plenty of free time
  • Food lovers, with small tastings and a mustard workshop included
  • Anyone aged 15 or over comfortable carrying their own luggage through stations
The Palais des Papes in Avignon, France

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Barcelona, Spain to Amsterdam, Netherlands

  1. Day 1 · Barcelona Arrive in Barcelona

    The trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, followed by a vermouth aperitivo. If you arrive early, you could take the funicular up Montjuïc or Tibidabo for views over the harbour, or visit one of the city's galleries.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  2. Day 2 · Barcelona, Girona Barcelona to Girona

    Your leader takes you on an orientation walk through Barcelona, with a stop for churros. The rest of the morning is free. You could visit Gaudí's Sagrada Família or Park Güell (pre-booking advised). In the afternoon, take the train to Girona.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Girona Girona

    Walk along Girona's medieval walls, first built by the Romans and extended in the Middle Ages, for views over the streets, the river and the cathedral. The afternoon is free. You could visit the Arab Baths or the Jewish History Museum.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  4. Day 4 · Nîmes, Avignon Nîmes to Avignon

    Take the train to Nîmes for an orientation walk with your leader. The afternoon is free. One option is the Roman amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in Europe, built around AD 100. In the evening, travel on to Avignon, the walled city that was home to the popes for more than a century.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  5. Day 5 · Avignon Avignon

    Start with an orientation walk through the markets and a snack of local produce. The rest of the day is free. You could visit the Palais des Papes, walk onto the Pont Saint-Bénézet or hire a bike to explore the valley.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Dijon Dijon and mustard-making

    Travel to Dijon, the historic capital of Burgundy. At a mustard-making workshop, a mustard master guides you from grinding the seeds to mixing in wine, vinegar and salt, and you take home your own jar. The rest of the day is free. You could visit the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy or the Church of Notre-Dame.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Paris Train to Paris

    Take the train to Paris and join your leader for an orientation walk. The rest of the day is free to explore the Champs-Élysées, the Latin Quarter or Montmartre, or to visit the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower or the Musée d'Orsay.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Paris Free day in Paris

    A free day until a 6 pm meeting that introduces new travellers joining the group. You could see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, go up the Eiffel Tower, or have a picnic in the Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg. A trip to Versailles is another option.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  9. Day 9 · Brussels Train to Brussels

    Take the train to Brussels for a walk with your leader and a portion of Belgian fries. The rest of the day is free. You could see the Manneken Pis or the Musical Instruments Museum, then head to the Îlot Sacré area for dinner.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Brussels Free day in Brussels

    A free day. You could browse the Jeu de Balle flea market, visit the Cantillon Brewery or the Magritte Museum, see the Grand Place, or visit Mini-Europe, with its 1:25 scale models of European landmarks.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Ghent Ghent

    Take the train to Ghent, known for its medieval architecture and art, for an orientation walk with your leader. The rest of the day is free. You could visit Gravensteen Castle, take a boat trip on the canals or try gentse waterzooi, the local stew.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Bruges, Ghent Day trip to Bruges

    Take the train to Bruges for a day exploring its UNESCO-listed old town and canals at your own pace. You could visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood or climb the Belfry. Return to Ghent in the evening.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Amsterdam Amsterdam

    Take the train to Amsterdam for a walk with your leader, stopping at FEBO for a traditional Dutch snack. The rest of the day is free. You could visit the Anne Frank House (pre-booking advised), De Waag on Nieuwmarkt or the Rijksmuseum.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Rotterdam, Amsterdam Rotterdam day trip

    A day trip to Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport. Visit the Floating Farm, the world's first self-sufficient floating dairy farm, to learn how it works and see the cows. The afternoon is free. You could visit the Markthal or the Cube Houses, or go up the Euromast. Return to Amsterdam for a free evening.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Amsterdam Trip ends in Amsterdam

    The trip ends after breakfast in Amsterdam, with no activities planned, and you can leave at any time. Extra nights in Amsterdam can be arranged when you book.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Colourful houses along the Onyar River in Girona, Spain

Where you stay

  • Barcelona (1 night) Hostel
  • Girona (2 nights) Hotel
  • Avignon (2 nights) Hotel
  • Dijon (1 night) Hotel
  • Paris (2 nights) Hotel
  • Brussels (2 nights) Hotel
  • Ghent (2 nights) Hotel
  • Amsterdam (2 nights) Hostel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in hotels and hostels
  • Meals 11 breakfasts, plus a vermouth aperitivo and churros in Barcelona, a market snack in Avignon, Belgian fries in Brussels and a FEBO snack in Amsterdam
  • Transport trains between cities, with some public bus sections and local transport in cities
  • Leader throughout, with orientation walks in Barcelona, Girona, Nîmes, Dijon, Paris, Brussels, Ghent and Amsterdam
  • Activities Dijon mustard-making workshop, day trip to Bruges, and day trip to Rotterdam with a visit to the Floating Farm

Not included

  • Flights to Barcelona and home from Amsterdam
  • Airport transfers at the start and end
  • Meals and drinks not listed
  • Entry fees and optional activities, such as museums, canal tours and bike hire
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Travel insurance, visas and personal spending
Canal houses and boats in Amsterdam, Netherlands

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luggage handled for you — you carry your own bags on and off trains
  • You want comfortable hotels throughout — some nights are in hostels and private bathrooms are not guaranteed
  • You want most meals included — 11 breakfasts and small tastings are included
  • You need a single room — there is no single supplement on this trip
Historic guild houses on the Graslei waterfront in Ghent, Belgium

Departures & prices

From £2,855 per person, twin share, tour only. 15 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

How do you travel between cities?

Mainly by train, city centre to city centre. Trains usually have air-conditioning, toilets, power points and a snack bar or vending machine. A few sections use public buses.

How much walking is involved?

Expect orientation walks in most cities and plenty of exploring on foot. Girona's walls have staircases and a high walkway, and Bruges and Ghent have cobbles and uneven surfaces. You also need to manage your luggage through stations.

Can I book a single room?

No. A single supplement is not available on this trip. Solo travellers share a room with another traveller of the same sex at no extra cost.

Should I book anything in advance?

Yes, for popular sights you plan to visit in your free time, such as the Sagrada Família, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. These are not included in the price.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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