Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and get checked into your accommodation. The city's known as the Venice of the North, and you'll start to see why once you walk around. Spend the rest of the day getting oriented to the area, maybe grab a bite somewhere local, and take a wander along the canals to get a feel for the place. It's a good chance to adjust and plan what you want to see over the next couple of days.
Landmarks Dam Square 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
This is when you'll dive into Amsterdam's main attractions. The city has more bicycles than people, so you might rent one and explore on two wheels like locals do. Check out craft beer spots, walk through neighborhoods with interesting restaurants, and pop into some of the museums. Whether you're cycling or walking, you'll find plenty to see and experience throughout the day.
Optional Activities
- Visit local craft beer venues
- Explore world-class museums
- Day 3
Amsterdam
You'll continue exploring different parts of Amsterdam with more specific sites in mind. Head to the Heineken Brewery if you're interested in beer history, or visit the Anne Frank House for something more reflective. You could also try something different like an ice bar if that appeals to you. Cycling around to connect these spots keeps you moving through the city's neighborhoods and canals.
Optional Activities
- Visit Heineken Brewery
- Visit Anne Frank House
- Visit ice bar
Landmarks Heineken Brewery Anne Frank House - Day 4
Amsterdam to Berlin
After a few days in Amsterdam, you'll head to the train station and travel by rail to Berlin. The journey takes several hours, so you'll have time to relax, grab food at the station, or just watch the landscape change. Once you arrive in Berlin, you'll get settled in and start experiencing this energetic city with its museums, history, and lively nightlife.
- Day 5
Berlin
You'll spend this day learning about Berlin's complex history. The city has gone through revolution, Nazi occupation, bombing, division, and reunification. Museums throughout the city tell these stories, and you'll find historical sites woven throughout. Between visiting museums and walking around, you'll get a sense of why this city matters so much to understanding modern European history.
Optional Activities
- Visit museums
- Explore beer venues
- Day 6
Berlin
Join a free walking tour with a local guide who knows Berlin inside and out. You'll move through different neighborhoods and historical sites while getting expert context about what you're seeing. These tours usually last a few hours and cover major areas, so by the end you'll have a much better understanding of the city's layout and significance.
Included Activities
- Free walking tour with local guide
- Day 7
Berlin to Prague
You'll head back to the train station and travel by rail to Prague. This journey takes most of the day, but it's a scenic route. Once you arrive in Prague, settle in and take a walk around your accommodation area. The city's known for its architecture and medieval character, and you'll get your first impressions as you explore the streets around where you're staying.
Landmarks Prague Old Town 
- Day 8
Prague
Start in Prague's Old Town where you'll wander through narrow streets that open up onto medieval squares. The main square here has been the city's marketplace for over a thousand years, and you'll see why people gather in these spaces. Spend time walking around, checking out the historic buildings, stopping at cafes, and getting a feel for the Old Town's character and rhythm.
Landmarks Old Town Square - Day 9
Prague
You'll head to Prague Castle and climb the towers for views across the city. The climb is steep and takes some effort, but once you reach the top you'll see why it's worth it. The castle complex itself has interesting history and architecture to explore. Bring water and take your time with the climb, then spend time on the grounds before heading back down.
Optional Activities
- Climb Prague Castle towers for city views
Landmarks Prague Castle - Day 10
Prague to Krakow
It's another travel day by rail from Prague to Krakow. You'll arrive in a city where the Old Town is within walking distance of everything. The cobbled streets, parks, and medieval castle walls are all accessible on foot. After you check in, take a walk around to see the layout and maybe grab dinner somewhere nearby to start experiencing the local food scene.
Landmarks Krakow Old Town 
- Day 11
Krakow
You'll visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, which is one of the most important historical sites on this entire route. Many people make this visit while in Krakow, and tours run regularly from the city. This is a sobering and educational experience that provides crucial context for understanding European history. Plan to spend several hours there and give yourself time to process what you see.
Optional Activities
- Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
Landmarks Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial - Day 12
Krakow to Vienna
Another train journey takes you from Krakow to Vienna. You'll arrive in a city that feels like it came from a storybook, with wide clean boulevards and large green spaces. The transport system is efficient, so getting around is straightforward. After settling in, wander around your neighborhood and get a sense of Vienna's elegant character and architecture.
- Day 13
Vienna
Today you'll explore Vienna's coffee house culture, which has been central to the city's social life since 1685. These aren't just cafes, they're gathering places where people come to sit, talk, and enjoy Sacher Torte and other treats. Spending time in different coffee houses is one of the best ways to experience Vienna. Find a few you like and visit them at different times of day.
Optional Activities
- Visit traditional Viennese coffee houses
- Day 14
Vienna to Budapest
You'll travel by rail to Budapest, known as the City of Spas. After you arrive and get settled, explore the thermal baths and the architecture around them. The city has a mix of architectural styles, and you'll notice the distinctive Art Nouveau design throughout. Wander the streets and start to get familiar with different neighborhoods and how the city is organized.
Optional Activities
- Visit thermal baths
- Day 15
Budapest
Budapest's food scene is worth dedicating time to, so you'll check out various restaurants and cafes trying local dishes like goulash. Take walks through different areas to see how the architecture changes and notice the Art Nouveau details on buildings. This is a good day to eat well, explore neighborhoods on foot, and just spend time soaking in the city's character.
Optional Activities
- Explore restaurants and cafes serving local cuisine
- Day 16
Budapest
You'll take a Danube river cruise, which comes in different lengths depending on what you choose. Short sightseeing cruises last about an hour, while dinner cruises with live music take longer. From the water you'll see the Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and the Chain Bridge. This perspective shows you the city from a completely different angle and is something you can't experience on foot.
Optional Activities
- Danube river cruise
- Dinner cruise with live music and entertainment
Landmarks Hungarian Parliament Building Buda Castle Fisherman's Bastion Chain Bridge - Day 17
Budapest to Ljubljana
The train takes you from Budapest to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital and a city that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. You'll notice right away how green the city is and how different the architecture and urban design feel compared to Budapest. The bridges and distinctive lampposts give the city character. After arriving, walk around and discover what makes this place special.
- Day 18
Ljubljana
You'll head to Lake Bled, which is one of the most picturesque places in the region. The lake sits near the Alps and features an island church, a clifftop castle, and mountains in the background. You can walk around the lake, take a rowboat out, or hike up to get different views. Spend the day here and then return to Ljubljana for the night or stay nearby if you prefer.
Optional Activities
- Visit Lake Bled
Landmarks Lake Bled - Day 19
Ljubljana
You'll visit Ljubljana Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. Take the walk or funicular up to the top for views across the area. Once there, you can take a guided tour to learn the castle's history or just walk around the grounds exploring at your own pace. The vantage point from up here really helps you understand how the city is laid out below.
Optional Activities
- Visit Ljubljana Castle
- Guided tour of Ljubljana Castle
Landmarks Ljubljana Castle - Day 20
Ljubljana to Venice
The train takes you from Ljubljana to Venice, arriving in a city unlike anywhere else you've been on this trip. Built on a lagoon with canals instead of streets, Venice feels like stepping into another era. Wander the streets and bridges, find cafes and bars where locals hang out, and grab dinner somewhere with a view if you can. Just exploring and getting lost is part of the experience here.
Landmarks Venice Lagoon 
- Day 21
Venice
Today you'll take a gondola ride, which is one of those experiences that feels very Venetian and somewhat touristy at the same time. Your gondolier will navigate the canals, and you'll float under bridges and past historic buildings. It's a chance to sit back, relax, and take in the architecture and water that make Venice so different. Afterward, grab coffee or a bite and continue exploring the city on foot.
Optional Activities
- Gondola rides through Venice
- Day 22
Venice
This is your final day. If you have an early departure, you might spend some last moments walking through Venice's streets one more time or having breakfast at a cafe. If your departure is later, take time to revisit a spot you liked or just sit by the water and reflect on the journey. Then head to the station or airport for your journey home.
