Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
Your Paris adventure kicks off this evening with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you're arriving early in the day, you'll have time to check out the Louvre, climb the Eiffel Tower, or just hang out in one of the city's beautiful gardens. After you meet up with your group and trip leader, there's an optional group dinner on the table, or you can head into the charming neighborhoods on your own to explore.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo
- Climb or take the lift up the Eiffel Tower for aerial views
- Picnic lunch in The Tuileries, Plantes or Jardin du Luxembourg
- Optional group dinner at a local restaurant
- Explore surrounding neighborhoods
Landmarks/POIs Louvre Eiffel Tower Tuileries Garden Jardin du Luxembourg 
- Day 2
Paris to Strasbourg
You'll catch the high-speed train from Paris to Strasbourg, which sits right on France's border with Germany. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk when you arrive, and then you'll taste a traditional tarte flambée. The afternoon is all yours to wander around. You can see the Cathedral of Notre Dame or check out the museums at Palais de Rohan whenever you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- High-speed train to Strasbourg
- Orientation walk with leader
- Tarte flambée experience
Optional Activities
- Visit Strasbourg's Cathedral of Notre Dame
- Explore the three museums at Palais de Rohan
- Discover dinner spots with leader recommendations
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of Notre Dame of Strasbourg Palais de Rohan 
- Day 3
Strasbourg to Munich
Spend your morning exploring Strasbourg, especially the 16th-century buildings of La Petite France if you didn't catch them yesterday. You'll grab lunch to eat on the train, then head into Germany on the high-speed rail toward Munich. Your leader will walk you through Bavaria's capital when you arrive, and then the evening is yours to do as you please.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Munich via German High-Speed rail network
- Walking tour of Munich with leader
Optional Activities
- Explore La Petite France in Strasbourg
- Visit local restaurants and beer halls
Landmarks/POIs La Petite France 
- Day 4
Munich
This is a full free day in Munich, so you'll have plenty of time to get around at your own pace. Check out the Old Town with its famous Altes Rathaus and the big Neues Rathaus with its Glockenspiel clock. The Transport Museum has everything from Roman history to modern magnetic track rides. Your leader can point you toward great lunch and dinner spots if you ask.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
- Explore Neues Rathaus and watch the Glockenspiel clock
- Tour the Transport Museum
- Lunch and dinner at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Altes Rathaus Neues Rathaus Transport Museum - Day 5
Munich to Vienna
Get up early and catch the train to Salzburg, Austria. Your leader meets you for an orientation walk and you'll try local Austrian pastries like apple strudel or kaiserschmarrn. After that, you'll ride the funicular up to Fortress Hohensalzburg to explore the medieval fortress and take in panoramic views of the city. Later in the day, you'll take a local train to Vienna and settle into your accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Salzburg
- Leader-led orientation walk in Salzburg
- Funicular ride to Fortress Hohensalzburg
- Fortress Hohensalzburg visit
- Train to Vienna
Optional Activities
- Breakfast of apple strudel or kaiserschmarrn in Salzburg
- Explore Salzburg independently
Landmarks/POIs Fortress Hohensalzburg 
- Day 6
Vienna
Start with an orientation walk through Vienna's cultural heritage, passing St Stephens Cathedral and the neo-classical Graben. You'll have coffee and cake at Vollpension, a favorite café where local grandparents share their baking secrets. The afternoon is free to check out museums like the Albertina or Museum Quarter, visit Schoenbrunn Palace, or take a ride on the Prater Ferris Wheel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation walk with leader
- Kaffee and Kuchen experience at Vollpension
Optional Activities
- Visit St Stephens Cathedral
- Explore Graben district
- Tour Albertina museum
- Visit Museum Quarter
- Tour Schoenbrunn Palace with guided audio tour
- Ride the Prater Ferris Wheel
Landmarks/POIs St Stephens Cathedral Graben Albertina Museum Quarter Schoenbrunn Palace Prater Ferris Wheel 
- Day 7
Vienna to Budapest
Spend your final morning in Vienna before the train heads east to Budapest. Budapest is known as the Pearl of the Danube, with grand architecture and historic boulevards throughout the city. Your leader gives you a short orientation walk, then you explore at your own pace. You might take a leisurely Danube cruise to see the Parliament Building and Castle District, wander through the Jewish Quarter, or find a good spot for dinner and nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Budapest
- Short orientation walk
Optional Activities
- Danube cruise viewing Parliament Building, Castle District and bridges
- Explore the Jewish Quarter
- Dinner and nightlife venues
Landmarks/POIs Parliament Building Castle District - Day 8
Budapest
You'll explore the historical Buda Castle and palace complex this morning, walking through winding streets that date back to the 13th century. The funicular takes you up Buda Castle hill. The afternoon is completely open, so you can rent a bicycle and move between sights, wander through historic streets trying local food, or work with your leader to plan the perfect rest of your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Buda Castle and palace complex visit
- Funicular ride up Buda Castle hill
Optional Activities
- Explore winding streets of Buda Castle
- Hire a bicycle for sightseeing
- Sample local delicacies
Landmarks/POIs Buda Castle - Day 9
Budapest to Belgrade
A private transfer takes you from Budapest to Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city, which takes about 4 hours. Along the way, you'll have an included traditional Serbian lunch at a Salas property. Once you arrive in Novi Sad on the Danube's banks, you'll see how Austro-Hungarian architecture blends with Serbian heritage. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk, then you catch a local train to Belgrade, which is about 1 hour away. The evening is yours to relax or explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Serbian lunch at a Salas property)
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Novi Sad
- Traditional Serbian lunch at a Salas property
- Orientation walk in Novi Sad
- Local train to Belgrade
Optional Activities
- Explore Novi Sad independently
- Explore Belgrade in the evening
- Day 10
Belgrade
Your leader takes you on an orientation walk through Belgrade, known as the White City and one of Europe's oldest cities. You'll visit Kalemegdan Park and its fortress overlooking the Danube River. The afternoon is free to check out the imposing Hram Svetog Save (St Sava Church), explore the Nikola Tesla Museum, or just prepare for the evening. Belgrade is famous for its legendary nightlife with hundreds of floating bars, restaurants, and nightclubs along the rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
- Kalemegdan Park visit
- Kalemegdan Fortress visit
Optional Activities
- Visit Hram Svetog Save (St Sava Church)
- Tour Nikola Tesla Museum
- Explore floating bars, restaurants and nightclubs along the Danube and Sava rivers
Landmarks/POIs Kalemegdan Park Kalemegdan Fortress Hram Svetog Save Nikola Tesla Museum - Day 11
Belgrade to Nis
Get up early for a long train ride through southern Serbia to Nis, one of Europe's oldest cities. You'll want to grab snacks and settle in for the journey. When you arrive in the afternoon, your leader takes you on a walk around this historic city so you can stretch your legs. The rest of the day is yours. History buffs can visit Mediana, the remains of an opulent palace that once belonged to Constantine the Great.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train to Nis
- Leader-led walk in Nis
Optional Activities
- Visit Mediana palace ruins
- Explore Nis independently
Landmarks/POIs Mediana - Day 12
Nis to Plovdiv
A private transfer gets you to Sofia, Bulgaria's cosmopolitan capital with its tree-lined boulevards and pleasant parks. Your leader orients you to the city using the metro and trams, then the rest of the day is open for exploring. You can visit the National History Museum, National Archaeological Museum, or National Art Gallery. Later, you'll take a local train to Plovdiv on the Maritsa River and enjoy local cuisine known for grilled meats and vegetables on skewers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private transfer to Sofia
- Leader-led orientation walk in Sofia
- Metro and tram experience with leader
- Local train to Plovdiv
Optional Activities
- Visit National History Museum
- Explore National Archaeological Museum
- Visit National Art Gallery
- Local grilled meats and vegetables dinner in Plovdiv
Landmarks/POIs National History Museum National Archaeological Museum National Art Gallery - Day 13
Plovdiv to Istanbul
Your leader takes you on an orientation walk through Plovdiv's main sights and history. The real highlight is the remarkable ancient Roman theatre, built in the 2nd century BC during Trajanus' reign and it can seat about 6,000 people. You'll wander up to Nebet Tepe hilltop fortress for great city views. The afternoon is free to freshen up and grab snacks before your overnight train to Istanbul this evening. Keep in mind train delays can happen and there's a border stop after midnight for passport processing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk
- Ancient Roman theatre visit
Optional Activities
- Visit Nebet Tepe fortress
- Explore Plovdiv independently
- Purchase snacks and wine for overnight train
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Roman Theatre of Plovdiv Nebet Tepe 
- Day 14
Istanbul
You'll arrive in Istanbul around 7 am, drop your luggage at the hotel, and then there's an optional group breakfast if you want it. Your leader then takes you out to explore the Old City. You'll see historical treasures including the Blue Mosque, the ancient Hippodrome, and the Million, a stone road marker that's been in use since the 4th century. The afternoon is free to explore Istanbul's mix of cultures and traditions on your own. Just ask your leader for restaurant recommendations.
Included Activities
- Leader-led Old City exploration tour
- Blue Mosque viewing
- Hippodrome visit
- Million stone marker visit
Optional Activities
- Optional breakfast with group
- Independent afternoon exploration
- Dinner at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Blue Mosque Hippodrome Million - Day 15
Istanbul
Your trip officially wraps up this morning. If you'd like to extend your time in Istanbul, additional accommodation can be set up, though it depends on availability.
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Istanbul with additional accommodation (subject to availability)
