DAY 1: Arrive in Rome - Venice
![Arrive in Rome - Venice]()
This morning meet your Expat Explore tour leader and other travellers for the start of your tour. Once we've met up we'll leave the churches and basilicas of Rome behind, and head to the canals of Venice! On arrival we’ll take an orientation walking tour with your Expat Explore tour leader, who will show you the sights including the Rialto Bridge and St Marks Square. You’ll also have the option to explore Venice the traditional way - from the canals on a gondola ride, which gives you a completely different perspective and appreciation for the amazing structure of this unique destination.
This tour includes no Rome hotel accommodation and forms the second half of the full-length Best of Europe 22-day tour, which starts and finishes in London - click here to see the full tour. There is an optional pre-tour add-on available on the Best of Eastern Europe tour which includes a 2-night pre-tour stay in Rome - please see the 'Optional Excursions' tab in our Help Section for more information.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will take you into the heart of this unique floating city for an orientation to help you explore and see St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Museum, Campanile, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Market and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Complex Ambasciatori & Delfino
Optional Excursions
- Venice Gondola Ride i €20
- Rome Add-on i €189
- Venice Water Taxi i €20
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 2: Ljubljana - Zagreb
![Ljubljana - Zagreb]()
Our first destination of the day is the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. Often thought of as a hidden gem of Europe, its castles, stunning architecture and natural beauty mean it packs a punch more powerful than its small size would suggest. We then drive on to Zagreb; Croatia’s capital offers an interesting mix of Hapsburg and Communist architecture. We'll check into the hotel and have some time to freshen up before the included dinner this evening.
Experiences
Visit Ljubljana: Enjoy a comfort stop in the Slovenian capital
Orientation walk in Zagreb: Your tour leader will take you on an orientation walk of Croatia’s capital city. See the landmarks like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Maksimir Park, and the Mirogoj.
DAY 3: Zagreb - Budapest
![Zagreb - Budapest]()
Today we’ll cross into Hungary and head for the capital, Budapest. Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it straddles the historic Danube River and boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites - its natural geo-thermal springs are a highlight. Enjoy a driving tour of the city, and then use your free time this evening to explore, or join our optional excursion to the Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, one of the most famous icons of the city and Europe’s largest medicinal bath.
Experiences
Driving tour of Budapest: Meet up with a local guide who will accompany us on a driving tour of the city and point out all the best-loved sights. Learn more about Hungarian culture and language and the city's fascinating history. Drink in incredible views from atop Gellert Hill and the Citadel, take a stop at Heroes Square and get an eyeful of other must-see attractions like Budapest Parliament, St Stephen's Basilica, the State Opera, the castle district, and more.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis Budapest
IBIS Budapest Citysouth
Optional Excursions
- Danube Dinner Cruise i €52
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 4: Bratislava - Vienna
![Bratislava - Vienna]()
Moving on to the Slovakian capital, Bratislava! Located in a country dominated by mountains, vineyards, ski runs and wilderness, Bratislava is a charming city. Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour to see some of the main sights, including a photostop at Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city. Early afternoon we’ll make our way to Vienna, where a local guide will take us on a walking and driving tour of the Austrian capital. As a centre for art and culture in Europe for centuries, Vienna was host to some of the world’s leading musical minds at one time or another – including luminaries like Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. But along with its classical heritage, magnificent concert halls, palaces and museums, Vienna is also a modern city, with a vibrant café, restaurant and nightlife culture.
Experiences
Bratislava Orientation Walk: Your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour to see some of the landmarks and historic sights of the city, including a photo stop at Bratislava Castle, which overlooks the city.
Walking and driving tour of Vienna: On the drive into Vienna, Austria’s capital city, you will see the Schonbrunn Palace before reaching the Inner City and one of the best vistas from Belvedere Hill. Vienna is known as the 'City of Music’ due to its classical heritage and the prodigies that worked there including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms to name a few as your local guide on your walking tour will tell you. The tour starts at the Golden Mile on the Ring Strasse (Parliament, City Hall, Burgtheater). Then discover the courtyards and passages around the Hofburg (Imperial Castle) and St. Stephen’s Cathedral which is Vienna’s geographic and historic centre.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Roomz Vienna
Arion
DAY 5: Vienna: Free Day
![Vienna: Free Day]()
Enjoy a free day to explore Vienna! Awash with imperial splendour, Vienna was once the centre of the powerful Habsburg monarchy, which dominated central Europe from the 16th-18th centuries. History fans should check out the incredible palaces of the era - Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Roomz Vienna
Arion
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 6: Vienna - Prague
![Vienna - Prague]()
Today we’re off to the Czech Republic! Prague is a beautiful city, boasting elaborate baroque, gothic, art nouveau and cubist architecture, and rewarding those who explore it with quirky bars, cobbled lanes and secluded courtyards. Known for its brilliant beer and abundance of history, any exploration of Prague will be a rewarding one. A local guide will take us on a walking tour and introduce us to the must-see sights including the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge, before you have a free afternoon to explore more at your own pace.
Experiences
Prague walking tour: A local guide will introduce you to the must-see sights of Prague including the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Charles Bridge.
Optional Excursions
- Traditional Czech Folk Music & Dance Evening i €40
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 7: Dresden - Berlin
![Dresden - Berlin]()
Our first destination today is a lunch stop in the German city of Dresden. Virtually rebuilt from the ground up after bombing attacks in WW2 destroyed the city centre, Dresden is immaculate and stylish. Try some of the local German food - such as Bratwurst, and have a wander around the beautifully paved streets. We’ll then carry on to the capital of Germany, Berlin. Your tour leader will introduce you to the city on a driving tour - visiting such poignant locations as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and Checkpoint Charlie.
Experiences
Explore the streets of Dresden: Enjoy a lunch stop in Dresden. During WW2 the city was almost completely destroyed by bombing attacks. Luckily, most of its treasures were removed beforehand and today, Dresden has been carefully rebuilt. It is full of beautiful and striking architecture and is home to amazing museums, arts and culture. Take a walk through the city centre and choose a local spot to enjoy lunch.
Driving tour of Berlin: Your tour leader will explain the amazing history of this vibrant city and show you all the must-see sights, including Alexanderplatz, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and Reichstag. Take a note of those you want to explore further on your free day tomorrow!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis Ostbahnhof
DAY 8: Berlin: Free Day
![Berlin: Free Day]()
Enjoy a free day to further explore the history of the German capital. The Berlin Wall stands as a sombre reminder of the controls imposed on Berlin during and after WW2, however the bright street art that adorns it today seems to give it a peaceful purpose. Berlin also offers numerous free museums and galleries to visit, which all contribute to the understanding of this city's modern history.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis Ostbahnhof
Optional Excursions
- Hop on hop off bus tour i €28
- Berlin+ Tour i €50
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 9: Berlin - Amsterdam
![Berlin - Amsterdam]()
This morning, we’ll say our goodbyes to Germany as we journey on to the Netherlands, where you will notice the landscape change to windmills and waterways, as you approach the city of Amsterdam. This evening we’ll enjoy a canal cruise, which includes dinner and is accompanied by interesting commentary about the cities development and history. Afterwards, you are free to hit the cafés, bars and coffee shops!
Experiences
Amsterdam Canal Cruise: sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals at twilight and enjoy a delicious pizza as you cruise. A perfect introduction to Amsterdam you will cruise along Amsterdam's atmospheric canals. Choose from six types of pizza, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and you can also upgrade to include unlimited soft drinks, beer and wine.
DAY 10: Amsterdam: Free Day
![Amsterdam: Free Day]()
You have a full free day to experience the delights of Amsterdam! There are numerous museums and art galleries to choose from - why not visit Anne Frank’s house, the Van Gogh museum, take a bicycle tour or simply wander the streets and canals? Alternatively, you can join your Expat Explore tour leader on a Dutch countryside tour optional excursion and experience three icons of the Netherlands - cheese, clogs and windmills!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hampton by Hilton Schipol Airport
Holiday Inn Express Schipol Airport
Park Inn Plaza Amsterdam Airport
Crowne Plaza Amsterdam Schiphol
Lake land Hotel
Optional Excursions
- Farewell dinner i €30
- Dutch Countryside Tour i €40
- MOCO Museum & House of Bols i €20
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 11: Bruges - London
![Bruges - London]()
After your Amsterdam adventure, you have one more stop before you set off for the UK. The Belgian city of Bruges is small but picturesque, with breathtaking architecture and a wonderful personality. Described as the ‘Venice of the North’, take some time to stretch your legs and indulge in a spot of sightseeing. After your visit, you will then be on your way back to London, crossing the English Channel on the way. This is the perfect time to exchange contact details with new friends and travel buddies as you prepare to disembark in the capital. Make sure you upload the highlights of your Best of Europe tour onto our Facebook page, and we look forward to having you on tour with us again soon.
Experiences
Visit Bruges: A brief stop in this beautiful medieval town with some free time so you could try the signature national dish of frites and moules, see or even climb the Belfry Tower, have a Belgian beer or buy some amazing Belgian chocolate.