Budapest to Venice

Szia! Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital. This is a city split in two – Buda and Pest – right on the banks of the Danube River. In the evening, after the welcome meeting at 6 pm, perhaps head out with your new travel pals and group leader for dinner, then take a night walk along the Danube to see the buildings and bridges lit up in lights. Why not continue the night going in one of Budapest's quirky ruin bars, full of good vibes and eclectic decor.

This morning you have the option to join your leader on a short orientation walk of the city. Afterwards you have a full free day to explore Budapest. This is a great city to enjoy from the water, so perhaps take a boat trip along the river, or catch a funicular up to the castle for spectacular views of the Parliament Building. With so much to see and do, hiring a bicycle is another great way to move between the sights. You could head to Statue Park to see the communist monuments that were removed from the city after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Alternatively, you might like to take a tour of the beautiful Hungarian State Opera House or check out the Hungarian National Museum. One unmissable activity is a healing soak in one of Budapest's thermal bath complexes, so try and fit that in your schedule, too.

Take private transport and head to Belgrade, Serbia’s surprising capital and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Sitting at the junction of two major rivers – the Sava and the Danube – it’s an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe. Upon arrival, there is the option to join a guided tour, then you'll have plenty of free time to explore the city. Perhaps begin with a wander around the city’s wide boulevards and squares, and the historic and green heart of Kalemegdan Park. The park is home to Kalemegdan Fortress, which has overlooked the river here for centuries. In the evening, head down to Skadarska Street in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija to sample some authentic local food and enjoy the lively atmosphere, in a place where Orthodox churches vie for space next to heaving nightclubs.

Today is another day to discover Belgrade. You might like to take a cruise along the Danube River, passing Kalemegdan Fortress, Pancevo Bridge and Zemun. Otherwise, the local market Zeleni Venac can keep you occupied for hours. Perhaps take a stroll through the Nikola Tesla Museum to learn about the life and work of Serbia's greatest inventor, or check out the city's Ethnographic or Military museums. If the weather is warm, you could brave the crowds on Ada Ciganlija beach, where you can swim, take up some water sports or soak up the sun. During summer months, Belgrade hosts a variety of musical and cultural events and the city is abuzz with people and activities.

Travel by bus through the countryside to Sarajevo. The journey will take around 8 hours in total, so sit back and enjoy the scenery. Sarajevo is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s small but vibrant capital. The city often draws comparisons with Istanbul as a place that mixes east and west – dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee. On arrival, perhaps head on an optional guided tour to gain insight into the history and culture of the city. Sarajevo is one of the few cities in the world that features an Orthodox church, a Catholic church and a mosque (the famous Begova Dzamija) all within close proximity. Make sure you explore Bascarsija – Sarajevo's old bazaar. Out from here the city’s history unfolds – Ottoman-era buildings beside elaborate Austro-Hungarian and communist structures. In the evening, be sure to keep a look out for the local speciality of bosanski cevapi – local grilled and spiced meats.

Enjoy a free day in and around Sarajevo. You could take an optional day trip out to the thermal springs and green parks of Ilidza, the source of the River Bosna. You might prefer to discover local history with a visit to the History Museum, the Sarajevo War Tunnels and Sniper Alley, or learn about the tragedies faced by the city's Jews at the Jewish Museum. Maybe get cultural with a stroll through the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina or return to Bascarsija and get lost in the mosques, caravanserais, and stone-vaulted bazaars while snacking on burek. The Pivnica HS brewery, which also has a restaurant, is a good place to sample local award-winning beer and spend the night with your travel crew.

Early this morning, head out of Sarajevo by train to Mostar (approximately 3 hours). Thanks to the river Neretva, Mostar was able to develop as a city in the barren landscape of Herzegovina. On arrival, perhaps head to the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), first built by the Ottomans in 1565 – it was the great architect Mimar Hajrudin who succeeded with the impossible mission to cross the Neretva River with a single span stone bridge. If you’re lucky, you might see the famous brave members of Mostar’s diving club hurl themselves into the icy waters below. It’s tradition for the young men of the town to make the jump, and it’s now an annual competition. However, it’s definitely not advised to have a go yourself, as the bridge is super high and water freezing. Instead, follow the local custom and hand the divers a few Marks (the local currency). Later today, continue to Kotor where you will spend the night (approximately 4 hours).

Explore Europe’s most southerly fjord, Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor) and Kotor town, with free time to discover the city’s narrow alleyways by yourself today. This fifth-century World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with pretty waterside towns. Check out the 12th-century Cathedral of St Tryphun, the South Gates of Kotor (the Gurdich Gate) and the Armoury Square (Trg od oruzija). Afterwards, you might like to get lost in the crooked alleyways, checking out the boutiques and cafes, or climb the hills behind the city to visit Kotor's ruined fortification walls. A 1.5-hour hike up the stone steps, past churches, gates, and bastions to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan at the top rewards you with magnificent views across town and the Bay of Kotor. In the evening, the city walls are lit up to provide a unique night-time perspective.

Leave Montenegro by bus, riding along the beautiful southern coast of Croatia to Dubrovnik (approximately 2.5 hours). Once arrived, the day is free for you to explore Dubrovnik at your own pace. Take a walk along the city walls of ‘Game of Thrones’ fame, enjoying views of the sparkling Adriatic Sea in this renowned jewel of the Dalmatian Coast. Perhaps check out the 13th-century Franciscan monastery or the Sponza and Rector's palaces – the only Renaissance buildings in the city to survive a devastating earthquake and fire in 1667. You might like to check out the city's War Photography Museum, or if you have time, even take a boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island, where you will find the French-built Fort Royal Castle, a monastery, and a botanical garden that dates back to when the Austrian archduke Maximilian had his holiday home on the island. Otherwise, find a secluded beach spot and have some time to unwind. Tonight, why not enjoy a harbourside meal with the group and toast to your adventures.

Today is a free day to explore the beaches and scenery of this idyllic coastal city that overlooks the Adriatic. The walled city of Dubrovnik is a great place to discover on foot, with its cobblestone streets, tiled roofs, white washed walls and stone buildings. Stroll down the main street of Stradun that runs straight through the World Heritage listed Old Town, with its baroque monuments and gothic buildings.

Today is free to explore the beaches and scenery of this idyllic coastal city. Take a walk along the city walls of ‘Game of Thrones’ fame, enjoying breathtaking views of the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Visit Big Onofrio's Fountain, built by architect Onofrio della Cava in the 15th-century to supply water to the city. Perhaps check out the Franciscan monastery, home to one of the world's oldest continuously-functioning pharmacies, founded in the 13th-century, or the Sponza and Rector's Palaces, the only Renaissance buildings in the city to survive a devastating earthquake and fire in 1667. You might like to check out the city's War Photography Museum, or if you have time, take a boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island, where you will find the French-built Fort Royal Castle, a monastery, and a botanical garden that dates back to when the Austrian archduke Maximilian had his holiday home on the island. Otherwise, Banje beach is an ideal spot to relax and savour the Adriatic views.

Take a public bus up the coast to Split. If Dubrovnik is considered the heart of Dalmatia, Split is certainly its soul. Situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, it's the second largest city in Croatia. Enjoy a free afternoon in this stunning seaside town, exploring the historic streets, and make sure you see the World Heritage-listed Diocletian's Palace. Alternatively, for a more in-depth introduction to this fascinating city why not join an optional guided tour with a local guide.

Enjoy a free day in Split. At the heart of its atmospheric Old Town is a fascinating city-within-a-city – the remains of a third-century palace built for Roman Emperor Diocletian. Some places might have protected such an impressive complex in a museum, but not enigmatic Split. These ancient walls now house a vibrant mix of shops, cafes, restaurants and houses. Step back in time strolling its sprawling maze of passageways and courtyards and you’ll also find a 16th-century synagogue and a courtyard often filled with music. If your feet get tired, why not sample Croatia’s fine coffee culture with a frothy kava from a cafe on the Riva waterfront promenade, a prime spot for people watching. In the evening, Split boasts an increasingly bustling nightlife scene.

Today you will visit one of Croatia's most beautiful sites – Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park was given World Heritage status 20 years ago and is 19 hectares of wooded hills that surround 16 stunning turquoise lakes, all connected by a series of waterfalls. The area is populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and some rare bird species, and the thick, primeval forest vegetation of beech trees, fir spruce and white pine adds another element to the park's beauty. You’ll have free time to explore here or simply follow your leader to see the best spots – all trails in the national park are well marked so it's difficult to get lost, but please follow the national park rules, which your leader will outline to you. A series of wooden walkways pass over the landscape, ensuring that there's as little impact on the park as possible. Look to the canopy for over 120 species of birds, including hawks and owls. After your memorable visit to the lakes, drive to Croatia's capital, Zagreb (approximately 3 hours).

Take a morning orientation walk with your leader who will point out local amenities and attractions you may want to visit along the way. The rest of the day is free, so check out both the upper town and the lower town to understand the city's culture. The tallest building in town is the gothic Zagreb Cathedral, with twin spires that dominate the city's skyline. Ban Jelacic Square is the city's central point, which is surrounded by multiple structures that reflect different periods of Zagreb's past. There is so much to see and do here, the hard thing is deciding what to choose. There are a number of excellent museums to visit including the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships.

Travel by train across the Slovenian border and arrive in the cosmopolitan capital (pronounced 'Lyub-Li-Yana'). On arrival into Ljubljana, check-in to your accommodation and then head out on a short orientation walk with your leader. The rest of the day is free for you to delve deeper into this beautiful city. Located in the centre of Slovenia, Ljubljana is a city full of style and sophistication, history, monuments, churches, museums and great restaurants. In your free time, you can wander around the old city centre, renowned for its unique architectural appearance. The Old Town consists of three main squares and Baroque houses, and you can visit the Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas, and the Dragon Bridge. Stop at the central Preseren Square, dedicated to the Slovenian romantic poet, France Preseren. With views of the Triple Bridge and Ljubljana Castle on one side, and a magnificent Franciscan church on the other, you’ll feel like you’ve walked right into a scene from a beautiful postcard. Maybe also drop by the open market under the arcade.

Today is a free day to further explore Ljubljana. You have the option of heading on a day trip to Bled. Gifted with immense natural beauty, Bled ranks among the most beautiful of alpine resorts. Its fairy tale-like scenery which includes a castle, a stunning lake and a picturesque island topped with a church, is a dream to explore. Maybe head to the 11th-century cliff-top Bled Castle. Take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) across sparkling Lake Bled to its island, then climb the 99 steps to St Mary's Church. Be sure to seek out the famous Bled cream cake. It isn’t hard to find; nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims their cream cake is the best. There's also plenty of action for adrenaline junkies: rafting, caving, cycling, canoeing, boating and swimming are all on offer.

This morning, travel by bus to one of the world's most unique and romantic destinations – Venice. Renowned for its canals, Venice is comprised of hundreds of small islands connected by nearly 400 bridges; a watery wonderland of towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas. Rich with artistic masterpieces, modern Venice combines history with contemporary life through food, performance, art and architecture. Its famous sights – such as the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge, Doge's Palace (the ruler of Venice), the Piazza San Marco and the evocative Bridge of Sighs – are easily explored by foot. Wander the cobblestone streets and spacious piazzas, crossing hundreds of tiny bridges and you’ll find shops, markets, galleries and churches around every corner. Don't miss the chance to take a gondola ride through the romantic canals and sample a slice of tiramisu (coffee-soaked sponge cake), the region’s specialty. In the evening, perhaps join your fellow travellers and try two other local specialities, fresh lobster and squid ink pasta.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out times. Venice is a charming city with much to do, and so it is highly recommend staying an extra day or two. If you would like to spend more time in Venice, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).