European Getaway – 24-day Express Trip

We will leave Madrid in the morning, passing through the ancient kingdom of Aragon and its Roman capital “Caesar Augusta”, today called Zaragoza. We will continue on our way to the city of Barcelona, passing through the desert area of Monegros. We will arrive in Barcelona in the afternoon/evening for a first walk.

Today, in this backpacker Eurotrip, you will enjoy the day in Barcelona, enjoy its corners that have made it the world’s tourist capital: from La Sagrada Familia, to Passeig de Gracia, passing through the mythical Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter with its impressive cathedral (entrance fees NOT included).

In the evening, we will continue our backpacking trip to Europe and go to the port to board a ferry. We will spend the night on an elegant boat with all the necessary facilities to make the tour very enjoyable.

Did you know that…

• The well-known Sagrada Familia by Gaudí still does not have a specific completion date. The project is so large and complex that it is not yet known when it will be completed.
• A statue of Liberty, one of the three original ones, is located in Barcelona. You can see it at the Arús Library, near the Arc de Triomphe. The remaining two are in New York and Paris.
• The avenue that collects the main works of Gaudí are in Passeig de Gracia, and are of the twentieth century. Let yourself be fascinated by the famous Pedrera and Battló houses.

IMPORTANT: Breakfast on the ferry is NOT included.

After a full day enjoying the Mediterranean breezes we will arrive in Civitavecchia and from there our Eurobus will take us to the ancient Caput Mundi, Rome, to continue with the best of our Backpacking trip to Europe. It is a sprawling cosmopolitan city full of culture, history, art and architecture with a very Mediterranean cuisine based on seasonal products, as well as stores for everyone.

Rome is known as the “Eternal City” and everything has its explanation. In this city time seems to have stopped centuries ago due to the multitude of monuments and remains of imposing buildings. All of this turns strolling through its streets into a journey through time, back to the era of the city’s greatest splendor

The capital of Italy and ancient “caput mundi” awaits us with its thousands of years of history. There are plenty of reasons to visit Rome, to be captivated by the city and to want to return to it, such as the gastronomy and its lively atmosphere are some of them. Before going to bed, stroll through its streets and savor the Italian cuisine in a typical Roman “osteria” or have an ice cream…

*Optional activity:

• Rome Pack: Entrance to the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel + One way transportation. Important: Entrance to the monuments and museums is NOT guided.

Did you know that…

• In St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, you can find stars in the marble pavement, right in the middle of an aisle that runs along the central nave. What they represent are the length of various Catholic temples in the world.
• The Bocca Della Verità is located in Sta. Maria in Cosmedin, the most famous manhole on the planet. According to legend, whoever puts his hand in his mouth and tells a lie, it will bite him.

Breakfast and check out. We will leave Rome in the afternoon for Tuscany. Tuscany is a region in central Italy. Its capital, Florence, is home to some of the most recognizable Renaissance art and architecture, including Michelangelo’s “David” statue.

We will arrive in the evening to rest.

Did you know that…

• The Vatican State is a sovereign country with only 0.44 km2. It is the smallest country in the world, which is bordered by a country, Italy, that completely surrounds it. Not only that, but the Vatican is home to St. Peter’s Basilica, which is the largest church in the world.
• The only bank in the world that allows users at ATMs to select Latin as their language is the Vatican Bank.

Today in this Backpacking trip to Europe you can visit many works of art of these authors in theUffizi museum , or if you do not feel like being in a museum, you can walk through the hills of Florence. From there you can see the mythical dome of Brunelleschi, which dominates the entire city. (Entrance fees to museums NOT included)

We will also have an optional activity for those who want to contemplate the wonderful villages of Cinque Terre and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

After so much art we are going to refresh our ideas in a unique place in the world: Cinque Terre. It consists of 5 villages with houses of all colors, which are located between green mountains and end in the bluest sea you’ve ever seen. There are few cars and the way to go from one town to another is walking or in a spectacular little train that passes along the sea. We will visit 2 villages and if there is time 3. (OPTIONAL ACTIVITY)

*Optional Activity:

• Excursion to Pisa and Cinque Terre

Did you know that…

• These are five small villages on the Italian coast composed of ten kilometers of rocky coastline enclosed by two promontories, Punta di Mesco and Punta di Montenero.
• They were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
• It is made up of Monterosso Al Mare, Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Corniglia.
• It is a natural park whose blue sea will not leave you indifferent.
• The highlight of Pisa is its leaning tower. Millions of tourists come every year exclusively for it and the typical photo “holding it”.
• The Tower of Pisa, together with the cathedral of which it is part, is considered one of the jewels of Romanesque art, so that the government has requested on several occasions, aid to prevent its collapse.

After admiring this small city with more than 3000 years of history, we will continue with this Backpacking trip to Europe and head to another jewel of Italian architecture: Venice.

Venice had the honor of being one of the most powerful, wealthy and populous cities for many centuries, dominating the Mediterranean and eastern trade routes, and its art reflects the Byzantine and Asian influences that Marco Polo told us about.

We continue to fall in love with this city in our Backpacking Trip to Europe that could well be a Museum of extraordinary dimensions. Venice is one of the most photographed places in the world, and we can not be less, take out your camera because bridges, Vaporettos and Gondolas are waiting for you.

Enjoy the Byzantine-influenced art that characterizes the Basilica of San Marco, admire the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge, but if you really want to enjoy this city, get lost in its narrow streets and be surprised at every turn of the corner.

(TICKETS NOT INCLUDED)

*Optional Activity

• Venice Pack: Access ticket, 2 train tickets, guided tour of the city, visit to the Master of Murano Glass, gondola ride through the canals of Venice

Did you know that…

• The last bridge built in Venice was designed by a Spanish architect: Calatrava.
• Every now and then in Venice a phenomenon called “Acqua Alta” occurs. This causes a steep rise in the water level in the Venice lagoon , which normally lasts 3 to 4 hours. Depending on the intensity with which it occurs, it can flood, with half a meter of water, most of the historic center.
• No cars, not even bicycles, circulate in Venice because it is forbidden, and you are even fined. The only way to get around the city is on foot or by water.
• Although walking around Venice, one gets the impression that there are many canals, there are only two, the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal. The rest of the small canals that flow between the narrow streets are called rivers.

It’s time to leave Italy, we continue this Backpacking trip to Europe. We will cross the border to reach Austria, where we will visit its dazzling capital. We will arrive late in the day and have time to rest in this country full of mountain villas with an imperial history and baroque architecture. Vienna awaits us with lots to do!

Did you know that…

• Vienna was the cultural capital of the 19th century. The Habsburgs financed all kinds of artists, and that’s why today Vienna is a place you have to visit before you die.
• Vienna was fortunate enough to break out of Russian hegemony in ’55 and become a neutral country. That is why Austria today is a much richer and more developed country than its neighbors.
• Look at the traffic lights in the city, and you will notice something very curious.

Guten morgen!

Today in this Backpacking trip to Europe we will have to wake up early to take advantage of the day, because Vienna has a lot to offer.

On the bus you will visit all the main sights of Vienna, from the Prater and the old lady Ferris wheel, to the Danube, and then along the Ringstrasse, admiring its beautiful monuments of the nineteenth century. You will be able to see the Belvedere Palace (Klimt museum) and also feel like Princess Sissi in the Schonbrunn Gardens. (Entrance fees to museums NOT included)

And for lunch? We recommend you to try the very unoriginal Schnitzel and the Sachertorte… The most famous chocolate cake in the world (according to the Austrians).

Today in this Backpacking trip to Europe we will wake up in Vienna, after a delicious breakfast we will leave for a new country: Hungary. We will arrive in the capital Budapest for a first ride. Are you ready? There is still much more to explore with its panoramic views and it is known as one of the most amazing cities in all of Europe.

The city of Budapest, born from the unification of two cities, Buda and Pest, after the construction of the mythical Chain Bridge.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Hungary and its capital have experienced an impressive development, and every year they receive more and more tourists, especially young people, attracted by the festivals and the nightlife of the Ruins Bar.

Are you cold? Don’t forget your bathing suit and enjoy the best thermal baths in Europe, from Szechenyi to Gellert.

Did you know that…

• Wizz-Air, Europe’s second-largest low-cost airline is Hungarian… that’s why it’s easy to find cheap flights to Budapest.
• The first of the Ruins Bars to open in Budapest is called Szimpla Kert
• Hungary belonged until the beginning of the 20th century. to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, hence the resemblance to Vienna and Bratislava.
• Every Saturday a brutal party called SPARTIES is held at the Szechenyi Thermal Baths.

Vitejte v Cesku!

Today in this backpacker Eurotrip we leave behind the Hungarian capital, to go to the heart of the Czech Republic and its capital Prague.

Enjoy a stroll through the Old Town… We will take you through Wenceslas Square, universally known for being the scene of the “Prague Spring”, discover the most famous astronomical clock in the world, and cross the Vltava River on St. Charles Bridge. Bridge famous for its 30 baroque sculptures, we will arrive at the foot of the largest castle in the world, where a world reference of literature lived: Kafka.

Do you still have energy? You still have to discover the New Town, also of medieval origin, and the old Jewish Quarter.

We hope you didn’t get too tired today, as Prague is known for its festivities and beers. Try them!

Did you know that…

• Prague Castle is considered to be the largest ancient castle on Earth. And it is here that the Bohemian monarchy and the presidents of the Czech Republic stayed. In its visitable infrastructure, the Golden Alley, the Black Tower and the White Tower stand out.
• The Czech Republic is the country where the most beer is drunk per capita per year. Beer is part of their daily culture, there are so many brands of beer that it would be impossible to try them all, even drinking 10 a day during the whole tour. Impressive!

Today in this backpacker Eurotrip we leave Prague behind to enter another beer country: Germany. Here we will arrive in Berlin, where we will spend the night.

On this route through Europe we will be able to taste a delicious German “wurst” and also appreciate the baroque architecture of this city.

Did you know that…

• The origin and meaning of Berlin is “marshy land”because the land on which the city is built was marshy in nature.
• The Berlin TV Tower, 368 meters high, is the second tallest tower in Europe,and not only that, you can climb 200 meters up the tower, where it has a restaurant that makes a complete turn on its own axis every 30 minutes.
• Although the only iconic gate that remains in the city today is the Brandenburg Gate, at one time it boasted 18 entrance gates.

“Ich bin ein Berliner”, i.e. “Iam Berliner” is what JFK said in ’63 to show solidarity with the Soviet policy that was sinking this city. Today on this route through Europe it will be your turn to repeat this phrase, and spend a day like a real Berliner visiting places like the Checkpoint CharlieWe came across a portion of the old Berlin Wall destroyed in 1989, surely the most important political event in Germany in the last 50 years.

If time permits we will reach the famous Alexanderplatz, where you can climb another symbol of the city, the Berlin skyline, the TV tower. (Entrance fee NOT included)

Optional Activity

• Bus tour of Berlin: Today on this backpacker Eurotrip you can choose to spend a day with us and a tour coordinator who will explain every detail. From all that is hidden behind the buildings of Berlin, over the famous Reichstag building , the Parliament of Germany. We will also see next to it the icon of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, and the famous Holocaust memorial, the work of Heisman.

Did you know that…

• The Berlin Wall, which divided the city between August 13, 1961 and November 9, 1989, had a total length of 45 km. This wall divided the city into two parts and separated the western part of Germany and the communist part. It was known as the “wall of shame” and had a height of 3.6 meters.
• One tenth of Berlin’s population is made up of foreigners, mainly Turks, Italians, Poles and Russians. In addition, the German capital has the largest Turkish community outside Turkey, consisting of more than 150,000 people. The Kreuzberg district, the most mixed-race district of the city, is known as “Little Istanbul”.

We will continue this backpacking trip to Europe, we will say goodbye to Berlin, but don’t worry, the most liberal city in the world awaits us: Amsterdam. Of course Amsterdam is a city that never ceases to amaze, the atmosphere of this modern and cosmopolitan city attracts tourists from all over the world.

If you have energy to go out at night, you can get to know the nightlife of this city, get lost in the Red Light District.

Did you know that…

• The facades of the multitude of houses that populate Amsterdam are turned forward. What is said to explain this is that their architects created them thinking that, due to their narrowness, the only way to get furniture into the house could be from the windows. For this reason they have a hook on their roof and are slightly inclined forward from top to bottom, to prevent the furniture from colliding with the façade. It seems strange, but 300 years ago there was no IKEA with its furniture that you assemble at home.
• In Amsterdam there are more bikes than cars, and there are plans to ban combustion cars by 2025.
• They are very tall. Men measure an average of 184 cm and women 170 cm. So take heels with you!
• Watermills in the Netherlands have been used to reclaim land from the sea, and pump water out of the land. Together with the dams, they are the fundamental elements that allow this country to be underwater.

Today in this backpacker Eurotrip we will have the whole day to enjoy Amsterdam and its unique architecture. The houses here are so narrow and tall that they defy the laws of gravity. Wear comfortable shoes, because in Amsterdam, there is no choice but to walk.

Open your eyes wide, and watch your step. If you’re in a bike lane, get out fast! Bicycles are the most widespread means of transport here and have absolute priority in their lanes.

If you don’t feel like walking we offer you an alternative way to visit Amsterdam, a short boat that passes under the bridges. You can choose to visit one of its thousands of museums: from the most classic village museum(Rjyksmuseum), to the Flemish Rembrandt museum, not to mention the museum dedicated to the craziest painter that Europe knew in ‘800, Van Gogh. Not interested? There is also a museum of contemporary art called MOCO. (Entrance fees to museums NOT included)

During these days you will be able to do the following optional activities:

*Optional Activities:

• Boat trip on the canals of Amsterdam
• Visit to the Dutch windmills: Zaanse Schans. There you will also see a typical clog factory and an artisan cheese factory.

Today we will continue our backpacking Eurotrip and we hope you still have enough strength left, as we have soooo much to see during this tour through central Europe. But don’t get lost in Amsterdam!!! because this afternoon we are going to Belgium and specifically to its capital: Brussels. You will get to know the heart of the European Union in all its dynamism and splendor.

We will continue our trip through Central Europe after a stop at the mythical Atomium, in the afternoon we will visit and tour the city, we will see its most characteristic and touristic places: starting with the Manneken PisThe museum, the symbol of the city for more than 2 centuries, receives more than 2 million visitors a year. Walking a little further we will find one of the most incredible squares in the world: The Grand Place. This square is surrounded by gothic art buildings that will take your breath away especially at night!

Did you know that…

• The famous Brussels Manneken Pis statuette, or peeing boy, is not the original. There has been over the years more than one silent replacement as it has been repeatedly damaged and stolen by vandals.
• The typical gastronomic delights of Brussels are three: frites, waffles and beer.
• There are hundreds of types of beers in Brussels, and the Delirium bar is one of the most picturesque that collects all of them.
• There is a hot, cold and sparkling water fountain in the middle of the city, located next to the Gare Central.
• Some of its universities follow the Flemish method of education, while others follow the French method.

Today we give you the opportunity to choose! During this day in our Backpacker Eurotrip we give you the option to stay in Brussels, enjoy the capital or join us to get to know the most amazing Flemish city! (optional excursion). Plus, it’s right next to Brussels, so hop on the bus and we’ll take you for a ride.

Optional visit to the city of Bruges, which is the most visited city in Belgium ahead of the capital. Join the tour and you will find out why. We will return with the rest of the group to spend the night in Brussels.

*Optional Activity:

• Excursion to Bruges

Did you know that…

• In the Middle Ages, Bruges experienced its greatest economic splendor, which was reflected in its Gothic architecture.
• Contrary to popular belief that the name of the city is related to the fairytale witches, it comes from “Brugge”, which means “bridge” in Flemish. Bruges means “bridges”.
• It belongs to the region of Flanders, considered culturally much richer than Wallonia, in the south of Belgium.

Today we will continue our Eurotrip Backpacking. We get back on our Unitrips bus after having a good breakfast in Brussels, and head for one of the most awaited destinations, Paris, “The City of Love“.

In the evening we offer you the opportunity to tour around the center of Paris by bus to enjoy all the most emblematic places, where you can stop to take some pictures while you discover more about the magical city.

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

Well, if you still have energy, you can participate in our bus tour by night.

*Optional Activity

• Paris by Night

An intense day in the “Ville Lumiere” awaits us, so wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to do today. We will start at Notre Dame, the great Lady of Paris, and passing by Pont Neuf, we will admire the river of Paris, the Seine, passing in front of the museum that exhibits the most famous painting in the world, La Gioconda by Leonardo da Vinci. (Entrance fees to museums NOT included)

Of course, we will finish the tour at the most famous tower, the Eiffel Tower, the most representative icon of the French capital, which has become the most sold keychain in the world.

Did you know that…

• The Eiffel Tower is 18 cm higher in summer due to iron expansion.
• Do you know why Paris is the so-called City of Light? Because there were many robberies in it, then its mayor had candles put in the windows until gas lamps were placed, being the first city illuminated in this way.
• There is a so-called “Paris Syndrome” that affects Japanese who arrive in the city and are disappointed when they do not achieve the prospects they expected. There is even a 24-hour hotline for those affected.

The end of the tour is coming, have a last croissant in Paris. We also take the opportunity to taste the famous chocolate crêpes or stroll through the Latin Quarter, where we will find thousands of souvenir stores and typical Parisian cafes. We will give you tips and recommendations for your visit to Paris. In the evening we will start our return to Madrid on our Backpacking trip to Europe.

We are sad to leave, but we will soon start planning our next trip. What will be our next destination?

We finished this Backpacking trip to Europe in Madrid. Now you can say that you know half of Europe and have memories of the most beautiful corners of the old continent, with your new friends from half the world.