Tour overview

This 29-day small-group rail journey crosses 11 countries of Europe by train, from the Mediterranean at Barcelona to the canals of Venice. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout, and most journeys are on comfortable European trains that arrive in city centres. You stay in a mix of simple hotels, hostels and guesthouses, with breakfast on most days, and the pace allows two or more nights in many cities, leaving plenty of free time to explore on your own. Flights are not included.

The journey begins in Barcelona with a vermouth aperitivo and an orientation walk, then heads to Girona to walk its medieval walls. In France you visit the Roman city of Nîmes and the markets of Avignon, make your own mustard in Dijon and have two days in Paris. Belgium brings Brussels and its fries, the canals of Ghent and a day trip to fairytale Bruges.

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From Amsterdam you take a day trip to Rotterdam to see the world's first floating dairy farm, then ride a long train east to Berlin, with a free day for the Brandenburg Gate and the remains of the Wall. A hike among the sandstone pinnacles of the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland follows, before a scenic train ride along the Elbe valley to Prague and a beer at a local brewery.

The second half travels down the Danube to Bratislava and Budapest, where some travellers join or leave the group, then on to Vienna for coffee and cake at a café run by older members of the community. Salzburg sits beneath the Alps, and a spectacular rail crossing leads to Lake Bled in Slovenia, with a free day for the Julian Alps. The journey ends in Venice, with time for the Grand Canal and St Mark's Square.

The physical rating is low, but you carry your own luggage on and off trains and through stations, and some days involve long journeys. Accommodation is simple, with occasional shared bathrooms and no air-conditioning. This trip suits budget-minded travellers who want to see a great deal of Europe slowly and sustainably, with a sociable group.

Trip highlights

  • Girona's medieval walls and the markets of Avignon (Days 3–5)
  • A mustard-making workshop in Dijon and two days in Paris (Days 6–8)
  • Ghent, Bruges and Amsterdam's canals (Days 11–14)
  • A hike among the Bastei pinnacles in Saxon Switzerland (Day 17)
  • Prague, Budapest and Vienna (Days 18–24)
  • The Alpine rail crossing to Lake Bled, and Venice (Days 26–29)

Your route

22 stops from Barcelona to Venice

29-day route: Barcelona – Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague – Budapest – Vienna – Bled – Venice
  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
  12. Berlin Days 15–16
  13. Dresden Day 17
  14. Bastei Day 17
  15. Prague Days 18–19
  16. Kutná Hora Day 19
  17. Bratislava Day 20
  18. Budapest Days 21–22
  19. Vienna Days 23–24
  20. Salzburg Day 25
  21. Bled Days 26–27
  22. Venice Days 28–29

Why choose this tour

A slow, low-carbon way to see 11 countries, with a leader handling tickets and connections. Plenty of free days to explore Europe's great cities at your own pace.

Best suited to

  • Budget-minded travellers who want to see a lot of Europe
  • Rail enthusiasts and slow travellers
  • Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
  • Independent spirits who enjoy free time in cities
Gaudí's Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain

Day-by-day itinerary

29 days from Barcelona, Spain to Venice, Italy

  1. Day 1 · Barcelona Arrive in Barcelona

    Meet your leader and group at 6pm, followed by a vermouth aperitivo.

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

    An orientation walk through Barcelona with a churros stop, then the train to Girona.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Girona Girona

    Walk Girona's medieval walls, built by the Romans and extended in the Middle Ages, then enjoy free time in the old town.

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

    Travel into France for a walk through Roman Nîmes, then continue to Avignon.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  5. Day 5 · Avignon Avignon

    A walk through the markets with a snack of local produce, then free time for the Palais des Papes.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Dijon Dijon

    Travel to the capital of Burgundy for a mustard-making workshop and an orientation walk.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Paris Paris

    Take the train to Paris for an orientation walk and a free afternoon.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Paris Paris

    A free day for the Louvre, Montmartre or a walk along the Seine.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Brussels Brussels

    Travel by train to Brussels for a walk around the city and a taste of Belgian fries.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Brussels Brussels

    A free day for the flea market, the Magritte Museum or the Grand-Place.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Ghent Ghent

    Travel to Ghent, known for its medieval architecture and art, for an orientation walk.

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

    A day trip to Bruges, with its canals, cobbled lanes and medieval buildings.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Amsterdam Amsterdam

    Travel to Amsterdam for a walk past its narrow canal houses, with a local snack.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Rotterdam Day trip to Rotterdam

    Visit Europe's largest seaport and the world's first floating, self-sufficient dairy farm.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Berlin Berlin

    A long train journey east to Berlin, with the evening free.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Berlin Berlin

    A free day for the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and the Reichstag.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Dresden, Bastei Dresden and the Bastei

    Take the train to Dresden, then hike among the sandstone pinnacles of the Bastei in Saxon Switzerland.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Prague Prague

    A scenic train ride through the Elbe valley to Prague.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Prague Prague

    A free day in Prague, ending with a beer at a local brewery.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  20. Day 20 · Bratislava Bratislava

    Travel to Slovakia's capital on the Danube for its old town and castle.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  21. Day 21 · Budapest Budapest

    Travel to Budapest, with a free afternoon for Buda Castle and the Castle District.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  22. Day 22 · Budapest Budapest

    A free day in Budapest. Some new travellers join the group at a 6pm meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Vienna Vienna

    Take the train to Vienna for coffee and cake at a café run by older members of the community.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  24. Day 24 · Vienna Vienna

    A free day for the Belvedere, Schönbrunn Palace or the museums of the MuseumsQuartier.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  25. Day 25 · Salzburg Salzburg

    Travel to Salzburg beneath the Eastern Alps, birthplace of Mozart.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  26. Day 26 · Bled Lake Bled

    A spectacular train ride across the Alps to Bled, with a walk around the lake.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  27. Day 27 · Bled, Triglav National Park Lake Bled

    A free day for Vintgar Gorge, Bled Castle or the Julian Alps.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
  28. Day 28 · Venice Venice

    A long travel day to Venice, then time for the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  29. Day 29 · Venice Trip ends in Venice

    The trip ends after checkout. Stay on to see St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.

The Eiffel Tower above the River Seine in Paris, France

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
  • Berlin (2 nights) Hostel
  • Dresden (1 night) Hotel
  • Prague (2 nights) Hostel
  • Bratislava (1 night) Hotel
  • Budapest (2 nights) Hotel
  • Vienna (2 nights) Hotel
  • Salzburg (1 night) Hotel
  • Bled (2 nights) Guesthouse
  • Venice (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 28 nights in hotels, hostels and guesthouses
  • Meals 21 breakfasts, plus local snacks and tastings
  • Transport trains, local public transport and some public buses
  • Experiences a vermouth aperitivo in Barcelona, a mustard workshop in Dijon, a floating farm visit in Rotterdam, a Bastei hike, a Prague brewery visit, coffee and cake in Vienna and a walk at Lake Bled
  • Orientation walks in Barcelona, Girona, Nîmes, Avignon, Dijon, Paris, Brussels, Ghent and Amsterdam
  • Day trips to Bruges and Rotterdam
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Barcelona and from Venice
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional activities and entrance fees on free days
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Canal houses and boats in Amsterdam, Netherlands

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfortable hotels — some nights are in hostels with shared bathrooms
  • You want most meals included — breakfasts only, on most days
  • You prefer a coach tour — you carry your bags onto trains
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Austria · UK FCDO travel advice for Belgium · UK FCDO travel advice for Czech Republic · UK FCDO travel advice for France · UK FCDO travel advice for Germany · UK FCDO travel advice for Hungary · UK FCDO travel advice for Italy · UK FCDO travel advice for Netherlands · UK FCDO travel advice for Slovakia · UK FCDO travel advice for Slovenia · UK FCDO travel advice for Spain
Medieval buildings along a canal in Bruges, Belgium

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £5,130 per person, twin share, tour only. 13 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 we travel?

Mostly by train, with some local public transport and buses. Trains usually arrive in city centres and have air-conditioning, toilets and snack bars.

What is the accommodation like?

A mix of simple hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Facilities can be basic, with occasional shared bathrooms and no air-conditioning.

Do I need to carry my own luggage?

Yes. You carry your bags on and off trains and through stations, so pack light, ideally in a backpack or a small wheeled case.

Can I join for part of the journey?

The group changes in Budapest, so some travellers join or leave there. Ask a specialist about shorter sections.

What is the age range?

The trip is suitable for ages 15 to 99, and travellers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

How much free time is there?

Plenty. Most cities have at least one free day, so you can choose your own museums, markets and walks.

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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