Bohemian beauty and cultural diversity – discover Central Europe in all its glory
Head along the enchanting road through bohemian Europe on this 15-day Lonely Planet Experience from Germany to Italy. Travelling from historical landmarks and medieval squares to magical hilltop castles and romantic canals, this is a cultural crusade that’s teeming with local treasures. Wander beside murals on Berlin’s infamous wall, experience the underground vibes of Prague and Budapest’s bar scenes and stroll through classic Vienna in search of ornate palaces and manicured gardens. With the freedom to choose your own adventure in each city, you'll be captivated by the delightful towns and cities dotted through Central Europe – an adventure of fairytale proportions.
A powerful partnership
Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel share the same philosophy: we help curious people explore the world.
Begin your adventure in Berlin, an exciting city with a complex history. Use your free time to see the remaining fragments of the infamous wall that once divided the city, but now unites it with murals and memorials.
Soak up the royal history of Krakow's Wawel Castle and step back in time with a leader-led stroll through the city’s medieval main square.
Immerse yourself in the bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic, soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague and step right into a fairytale in Cesky Krumlov.
With plenty of free time in classic Vienna and vibrant Budapest, whether you end up eating sachertorte in a neighbourhood cafe or downing a couple of local brews in a ruin bar is totally up to you!
Escape city life on the peaceful shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia. Visit a church on the tiny island in the centre of the lake and treat yourself to a slice of Bled's famous cream cake.
This is a Lonely Planet Experience powered by Intrepid, made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local guide and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to take part in.
As accommodation on this trip is twin or multishare (Cesky Krumlov), you will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be small, especially compared to American or Australian standards, and in most cases bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite. Please note that a single supplement is not available on this trip.
Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Train travel is a fast way to traverse long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. Trains are comfortable and often decked out with air-conditioning, toilets, a snack bar (or vending machine) and power points. Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, as well as some short distances to the hotel (no longer than 30 minutes), so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find details in the 'What to Take' section of the Essential Trip Information.
If you have more time to explore the region you may want to check out our other trips in Europe, such as our ‘Europe Explorer’ (trip code ZMRFC), a 36-day trip taking in the highlights of Europe. It starts in Barcelona and ends in Rome, taking in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia and Italy. This trip can also be booked in individual segments to suit the amount time you have available for your trip in Europe.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is NOT available on this trip.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information