All Around Europe - 2022

Today we will leave Italy behind and continue on our tour across Europe, crossing not 1 but 2 different borders. From Italy we will pass through Slovenia, a country that used to belong to Yugoslavia. We will travel through little villages full of traditional and fascinating architecture. On this route, as we are crossing the mountains between Trieste and Ljubljana, you will be able to admire the incredible views from the windows of the bus. What´s more, you will be able to find the incredible Postjana caves here, caves that have been formed over millions of years thanks to the Karstic phenomenon, stalagmites and stalactites which have been slowly growing throughout history.

Curiously, Ljubljana is the city with the largest density of students… and by spending the night here, you´ll be able to enjoy its young atmosphere.

*Optional Activity:

• Caves of Postojna: Trip to the caves in an old mine train

Ljubjana is a rich and prosperous city, that was able to rise from the ashes of World War II and balcanic conflicts and now can be considered  an elegant european capital, with a very unique style that combines the influences of its geographical neighbours. From mediterranean architecture, through to gothic, germanic  or balcanic style…

You can get lost in the old town, on the Prezeren square, walk across the same bridge three times and visit Saint Nicolas´ cathedral. If you have energy, you can also climb up to the castle which is on a hill that dominates the city.

Did you know…

• People greet each other by shaking hands, even among friends.
• In Slovenia, all plates of food in restaurants are thought to be shared.
• The capital of Slovenia was created thanks to a legend related to a dragon that was terrorising the city, and the mayor of the town battled against the dragon and freed all of its citizens.

More info about Slovenia:

Thins to know before going to Slovenia

After stopping in Ljubljana, we will travel  through Slovenia and the Alps on our way to another country Austria and its stunning capital: Vienna.

Today we will have breakfast in Slovenia and dinner in Austria!

Did you know…

• Vienna was the cultural capital of the 19th century. the Hapsburgs financed all kinds of artists, and this is why today its somewhere you have to visit in your lifetime.
• Vienna managed to gain independence from Russian occupation and become a neutral country in 1955. This is why nowadays it is a much richer and more developed country than its neighbours.
• Make sure you take a look at the traffic lights, you´ll notice something very curious.

Guten morgen!

Today, on our tour around Europe, we will have to wake up early to make the most of the day, because Vienna has a lot to offer.

You will have a chance to choose whether to join the optional bus tour around Vienna or to go walking around the centre.

On the bus tour, you will visit all the main tourist spots in Vienna, from Prater and its oldest ferris wheel in Europe, across the Danube to Ringstrasse, admiring some beautiful monuments from the nineteenth century.

You will also see a Russian soldier or two and the incredible Belvedere palace (which, today, houses the Klimt museum)… and you will have the opportunity to feel like Princess Sissi in the gardens of the Schonbrunn palace.

*Optional Activity

• Tour Viena en bus opcional por Ringstasse y Schonbrunn (con guía local profesional)

Fancy something to eat? Well you have to try the very unoriginal Schnitzel and the Sacher-Torte cake, the most famous chocolate cake in the world (according to Austrians)

3 countries in one day today!

After leaving stunning Vienna, and driving only 50 km, we’ll arrive at our next stop on our tour around Europe, the modern capital: Bratislava. We will walk around the old town discovering the any bronze statues that are located here,  these statues make this city very appealing to travellers. But we aren’t stopping there. You will have a chance to show off to your friends by saying that you had breakfast in Vienna, lunch in Bratislava and dinner in Budapest.

More info!

Bratislava’s top 10 places

It’s time to explore the city which was born by unification of two sections: ‘Buda’ on the west side of the river Danube and ‘Pest’ on the east side.

Since 1989, Hungary and its capital have been known for their impressive development and every year they receive more and more tourists, youngsters in particular are attracted by the festivals that are held here and the nightlife provided by the famous Ruin Bars. 

Feeling chilly? Then don’t forget your swimsuit as you will have the chance to enjoy the best thermal baths in Europe, either at Szechenyi or at Gellert.

Did you know…

• Wizz-Air, the second Low Cost flight company of Europe is Hungarian….that’s why it’s so easy to find cheap flights to Budapest.

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic laying on the Vltava River and is the largest city in the region of Bohemia. Throughout its history, it has been given several names, such as “The Golden City”, “City of a Hundred Spires” and “The Heart of Europe”.

Let´s make the most of the morning visiting this incredible city. We’ll go from the gunpowder tower and pass by the beautiful, modernist Municipal House to the Wenceslas square, universally known for the scene in “Prague Spring”.

The state theatre, where various works of Mozart were first shown, and the Jewish District are all close by. After, we can pass by the Clementinum, the old Jesuit college, to finally arrive at the Charles Bridge, with its 30 famous Baroque sculptures. If we have time, we can head to the “Old town Square” with its outstanding and fascinating astronomical clock.

In the afternoon we still have a lot to see of this beautiful city. If you have the energy, you can follow the path up to the Prague Castle, which sits in the bend of the Moldava river, and is the biggest castle in the world.

Get to know its patios, where we will find the Saint Vito Cathedral, with its artistic treasures, gothic palaces and ancient palace of the Bohemian kingswith the magnificent hall of Vladislav, which was the biggest civil hall in Europe in its time. Also, the St George Basilica, made in the year 920 and the Golden Lane, where the castle guards, medieval artisans, goldsmiths, alchemists and even the great Franz Kafka all stayed.

We hope that you didn’t get too tired today, because there is a huge variety of Czech beer to try and it’s very very cheap…

Did you know…

• The Prague Castle is described as the largest ancient castle on Earth. This is where the monarchy of Bohemia and the presidents of the Czech Republic stay. (We will visit this site and highlight the Golden Lane, as well as the Black and White Towers)
• Prague beer is cheaper than water! This is because beer is part of the everyday life and is sweet and drinkable. Awesome!
• Prague is not at the height of its fashion. The city still sees the “socks and sandals” look… Don’t believe us? Keep an eye out when you go

Once we have left Prague, we will head for the famous German capital! But before, we will make a stop in Dresden, the last German city we will visit and which is known as “Florence on the river Elbe”, We will have a chance to try “wurst”, German sausage and to admire the Baroque architecture of Berlin.

*The route from Prague to Berlin will be made on public transport. Unitrips will take charge for factors such as times organisation and the costs that this implies.

Did you know…

• The Berlin wall, which divided the city between 13th of August of 1961 and 9th of November 1989, was 45 km long. This wall separated the occidental part of Berlin from the communist part. Known as “wall of shame” it was 3,6 metres high.
• Although there is only one emblematic gate to the city, the Brandemburg Gate, that remains, at one point in history there were 18 different entry gates.
• The origin and meaning of the word Berlin is “swampy land“, the name come from the fact the land on which this city was built is very swampy.

“Ich bin ein Berliner”, which means “I am a Berliner” is what JFK said in ’63 to show support with people who were separated from their families due to construction of the Berlin wall. Today, it’s time for you to repeat the phrase and spend a day as a Berliner.

We will continue to the Checkpoint Charlie, running across a large portion of the former wall of Berlin, destroyed in ’89, which is certainly the most important political event of Germany to occur in the past 50 years. If there is time, we will get to famous Alexanderplatz, where you will have an opportunity head up to see a token of Berlin, its skyline and impressive views from the TV tower.

*Optional Activity:

• Berlin bus tour (with professional guide)

You will have a chance to choose whether to spend the day with us and a professional local guide who will explain even the finest detail of what lays behind the buildings of Berlin, such as the famous building of Reichstag, the Parliament of Germany, next to it the iconic Brandenburg Gate, and famous monument of the Holocaust, the  Heisman masterpiece.

Did you know…

• One tenth of the population of Berlin is made up of mainly Turks, Italians, Poles and Russians. In addition, the German capital has the largest Turkish community outside Turkey, comprising of more than 150,000 people. The district of Kreuzberg is the most mixed city called “Little Istanbul”

We shall say goodbye to Berlin with tears in our eyes… But don’t worry! The liberal city of Amsterdam is waiting for us!

To get to today’s destination on time, we must wake up early, and get on the bus; where we will cross most of Germany!

Did you know…

• There are more bikes than cars in Amsterdam, and it is thought that by 2025 all combustion cars will be banned.
• Most men and women are tall in Amsterdam. Men measure an average of 184 cm and women 170 cm.

More info regarding the coffee shops:

Best Coffee Shops in Amsterdam

Today we will have the whole day to enjoy Amsterdam and its unique architecture. Houses are so narrow and high that they appear to defy gravity.

Put on some comfortable shoes, because in Amsterdam, we will be walking a lot.

Amsterdam is a city full of surprises, so we will let you stay here another day, so that you can discover its streets, bridges, bars and the atmosphere of this modern and cosmopolitan city that attracts tourists from all around the world.

Do you enjoy  museums? Well, here you have various options; from classical Rijksmuseum, to the Flemish museum of Rembrandt, without forgetting the museum of the craziest european painter, Van Gogh Museum.

Not your cup of tea? In Amsterdam you can also find a contemporary art museum (MOCO) and if you fancy a beer, Heineken is your star choice! You like diamonds? Then go to a museum dedicated to the “forever stone”.

*Optional Activities:

• Boat trip on the Amsterdam Canals
• Visit to Anne Frank’s  Museum* (skip the line)
• Heineken Experience
• Zaanse Schans windmills

Today on our tour of western  Europe we will visit another BENELUX country, after the NE, we will take on the BE of Belgium, otherwise known as the heart of the EU.

Brussels, despite being a modern and relitavely small city, is the capital of Belgium and the whole of Europe. This decision was made due to its central position and the fact it was one of the few countries that belonged to the union of countries that formed the nucleus of todays European Union.

You´ll fall in love with the diplomatic and modern city with its bars of hundres of types of beer, its chocolate shops, the Grand Place, which will make your jaw drop at night. We will visit the city, and we´ll see the most characteristic and touristic places.

Brussels is also home to the head offices of many international organisations such as the CEE and the European Parliament, which is why it is easier to spot a diplomat on the street than it is to see a plane in the sky!

Tonight on our tour of Western Europe, prepare youself to enjoy one of the most beautiful squares in Europe… which is even more beautiful after a few Beligum beers.

Did you know…

• The famous Manneken Pis statue in Brussels, also known as meón child, is not the original. There have been silent replacements of the statue due to it being damaged and stolen by vandals repeatedly.
• The three typical delights of Brussels are: fries, waffles and beer
• There are  many types of beer in Brussels, and the Delirium bar is one of the most picturesque, collecting them all
• There is a wellspring of hot water, cold water and sparkling water in the middle of the city, located at the Gare Central
• Some of its universities follow the Flemish method of education, while others remain French

We’ll say our goodbyes to the amazing Brussels!

It’s time to Set our GPS in the direction of where we’ve all been waiting for… Paris!! After  breakfast we will head towards “The City of Lights”. It’s known for being the cosmopolitan capital of France and also it’s one of the most populated and visited cities of Europe. The city of Love.

Do you want to know why it is called the city of lights?

Come with us to the panoramic tour bus around this city, driving aroung the most important spots of Paris, incredibly illuminated.

*Optional Activity

•  París by night

We’ll wake up in Paris and after having eaten a croissant and a hot drink, and begin our tour!

It’s going to be an intense day in the “Ville Lumiere”, so put your comfortable shoes on because it’s time to walk. We will start in Notre Dame, the great Lady of Paris, and going through pont Neuf, we will admire Paris’ river, The Seine and we will pass by the museum that contains the most famous painting of all times, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Of course, we’ll finish our tour at the most famous tower, the Eiffel Tower, a massive structure of steel which was a result of a universal exhibition in the nineteenth century and since then has watched the people of Paris from above, covered in trillions of their little locks. And you don’t have to be in love to enjoy Paris.

Did you know…

• The Eiffel Tower is 18 cm higher in summer, due to the expansion of iron.
• Why Paris is called City of Light? Its because many burglaries used to take place, so the mayor ordered putting candles in all windows, until gas lamps were installed on the streets.
• A problem called “Paris Syndrome“ affects many Japanese who arrive to the city with very high expectations which are not fulfilled during their visit so they suffer great disappointment. There is even a phone line available 24 hours a day for victims of the syndrome.