BERLIN TO BUDAPEST: THE BEST OF CENTRAL EUROPE BY TRAIN

Where better to start your Euro adventure than in the German capital, which has so often been at the intersection of this continent’s history? Today, it stands as a shining example of a modern, multicultural city. Upon arrival and check in at your hotel you’ll meet our Local Insider and your fellow travellers for a welcome meeting. Next, head to a traditional German restaurant for a hearty dinner and a glass of beer – the perfect setting for getting to know your group!

Today is all about getting to know Berlin. There’s a lot to discover so be sure to fuel up at breakfast ahead of a guided walking tour of the city, which will paint a vivid picture of this place’s turbulent history. See Hitler’s Bunker, the Reichstag, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Soviet War Memorial as our Local Insider offers insights into the rise of the Nazis and life in a dictatorship. Then it’s time for a well-earned lunch and an afternoon to explore the city yourself. Armed with a day U-bahn (public transport) ticket and a fresh understanding of Berlin’s social history, you’re free to explore the rest of the German capital at your own pace.

You can have a lie-in or cram in a little more Berlin before your train to Prague. Enjoy sweeping views of the lush greenery and fairytale towns of rural Germany and the Czech Republic before disembarking and heading to your hotel. Once settled, you’ll have a gentle city walk with our Local Insider to get a feel for the place – before heading to a small craft brewery to sample some of the finest beers in a country renowned for its brewing culture. Learn about the brewing process as you taste a range of different beers, before seeing out the evening with a hearty Czech meal.

Prague is the perfect city for some laid-back exploring, particularly if you’re feeling the effects of last night’s beer tasting. Today we take the tram across the Vltava River to Prague Castle and the cathedral, which you have entry tickets for, but you can explore at your own pace. Afterwards, join our Local Insider for a stroll through Malá Strana, or Little Quarter, an enchanting neighbourhood crammed with cobblestone squares, hidden streets and ancient churches, as well as the ultra Instagrammable John Lennon Wall. You’ll make your way back to the Old Town via the famous Charles Bridge, before continuing your Czech discoveries at your own leisure for the rest of the day.

Get back on the tracks this morning as we hop on the train to Vienna. You’ll be instantly wowed by the Austrian capital as you disembark at the impressive new central station before making your way to the hotel. In the late afternoon you’ll join our Local Insider for an introductory walk around the city, followed by a group meal to celebrate your first night in Vienna. What’s on the menu tonight? Schnitzel, of course!

We’ll take our first proper detour this morning with a train to the picturesque medieval town of Krems. From here you’ll embark on a spectacular guided bike tour along Wachau Valley, which snakes through the area’s rolling hills and vineyards alongside the Danube River. You then have the option of joining a well-deserved wine tasting and lunch before catching the train back to Vienna. The rest of your evening is free – a chance perhaps to see the famous Vienna Philharmonic? Or maybe a hunt for the city’s best sachertorte – a chocolate cake like no other.

You’ll have the whole morning to enjoy what remains undiscovered in Vienna before taking the short train journey to Bratislava, the pretty capital of Slovakia. You’ll take the tram to your hotel and, once settled in, it’s time for another city walk with our Local Insider. Once you have an initial grasp of the area, you’ll have the evening to freely explore the many ancient churches, castles and charming Old Town streets.

Our last train journey together as a group is the two-hour ride to our fifth and final capital city - Budapest - affectionately known as the Queen of the Danube. On arrival and checkin we’ll head out for one last city walk with our Local Insider, stopping off at a market for a traditional Hungarian lunch. Langos is a deep-fried pastry partnered with toppings of your choice – the perfect city break street food snack. Later on in the afternoon you’ll cross the Danube to the Buda side of town, where you’ll enjoy a soothing soak in the city’s famous Gellert Thermal Baths. Enjoy the evening at your leisure, with public transport tickets that can take you wherever you want to go.

Budapest is yours to explore today. Perhaps a poignant visit to the Shoes on the Danube Bank is on the cards, or maybe you’d rather shop for local produce in the beautiful Great Market Hall. You’ll also have time to visit Buda Castle, Europe’s largest Synagogue, or one of the city’s many architectural wonders. That’s plenty to keep you occupied before our early evening meet-up in one of Budapest’s famous ruin bars – trendy social spots that sprouted up from derelict buildings and warehouses in the Old District. Finally it’s time for our farewell group dinner, for good food, good drink and time to reflect on the incredible experiences shared of our epic Euro adventure.

Our time together has come to an end. We’ve journeyed across Central Europe via some of the continent’s most picturesque rail routes, stopping off at some of the most historically and culturally significant cities in the world. This trip may have reached its final destination, but there’s no reason you can’t continue your quest across fairytale Europe. So, what will it be?