Modern Europe with Berlin

Welcome to Madrid. Upon arrival at the airport, we will transfer you to your hotel, where you’ll have some free time before the tour begins. Please check the information boards in the hotel reception area for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. In the evening, we provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid’s most renowned neighbourhood for nightlife and tapas. You may choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference, with options including Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour.

We begin the day with a thorough tour of central Madrid, taking in key landmarks such as Paseo del Prado, the impressive fountains of Cibeles and Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. We then visit Retiro Park, a peaceful green space in the heart of the city where we will see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Included in today’s programme is admission to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid football club. You will have the afternoon free to relax or explore at your own pace. In the evening, we provide a transfer back to the hotel.

This morning we depart Madrid and travel through Castilian landscapes towards Aragon. Our first stop is Zaragoza, where we admire the impressive Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a significant pilgrimage site and architectural landmark. We then continue to Poblet Abbey, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in Europe, where admission is included to explore its tranquil cloisters and historic grounds. By evening, we arrive in Barcelona to settle in for the night.

We begin the day with a panoramic tour of Barcelona, one of Europe’s most captivating cities. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, the city is renowned for Antoni Gaudí’s distinctive modernist architecture, its vibrant La Rambla boulevard, and the lasting influences of the World Expositions and Olympic Games. Our tour concludes at Maremagnum, a modern leisure and dining complex by the sea near Columbus Square, where you can enjoy a stroll through this lively area. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. We’ll arrange transport back to the hotel at the end of the day.

We’ll transfer you to the train station at the scheduled time for your included high-speed rail journey from Barcelona to Paris. Relax in comfort as you travel for just over six hours to the French capital. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer you to your hotel where you can settle in. Your guide will be in touch that evening, or you can find details of the welcome meeting on the hotel’s information boards. Please note, there will be no guide on board the train.

Today we explore the rich history of France with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, famed for its stunning gardens (admission not included). On our return to Paris, we’ll visit Montmartre, a charming bohemian district known for its artistic heritage, painters, and cabarets. To capture the grandeur of the city, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour with a local guide, showcasing Paris’s impressive avenues and iconic landmarks. After the tour, we’ll return to the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional variety show.

We begin the day in central Paris with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, where we’ll include tickets to ascend to the second floor for panoramic views of the city. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine, taking in some of Paris’s most celebrated landmarks from the water. The afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your leisure. Around 4:00 p.m., we depart for Normandy, arriving in Rouen later in the evening. Here, you’ll have free time to wander the historic centre, renowned for its medieval architecture, vibrant streets, and the impressive Gothic cathedral that characterises this city with roots dating back to Roman times. If there are long wait times at the Eiffel Tower, we may reschedule the visit to another time to ensure your comfort and convenience.

This morning, we’ll enjoy a leisurely walk through the historic centre of Rouen, taking in its medieval streets and striking Gothic cathedral. Afterwards, we’ll travel north across France to the English Channel, where we’ll board a ferry to cross into England. Upon arrival, we’ll continue to Canterbury, known for its rich religious heritage and charming old town. Later, we’ll head to London, where you’ll have some free time around the Tower Bridge area—one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks—before we make our way to the hotel for the night.

We begin the day with a panoramic tour of London led by a local guide, offering insight into the city’s rich culture and history. You’ll see iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, and Buckingham Palace, where there may be a chance to witness the famous Changing of the Guard, depending on the schedule. In the evening, we’ll meet in Piccadilly to take a leisurely walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho—areas known for their vibrant atmosphere, theatres, and diverse entertainment options. You’ll have plenty of choices for dinner before we return to the hotel.

In the morning, we visit the British Museum, one of the world’s oldest museums, home to artefacts spanning global cultures and histories. After some free time for lunch, you can explore Camden, a vibrant district famed for its eclectic street market, where unique items and international flavours await. Mid-afternoon, we travel to Colchester, England’s oldest recorded town, and enjoy a leisurely walk through its historic streets. Later, we continue to Harwich to board the ferry for an overnight crossing to the Netherlands, with en suite cabins provided. Please note, due to limited cabin availability, the itinerary may be adjusted, potentially involving a daytime ferry journey with an overnight stay in Antwerp or travel by train or flight to Amsterdam.

We arrive in the Netherlands at Hoek van Holland around 8am and then visit Volendam, a quaint and picturesque fishing village known for its traditional charm. Afterwards, we travel to Amsterdam for a guided tour showcasing key highlights: the iconic windmills and Rembrandt statue, the modern sophistication of the South District, and the historic craft of diamond cutting at Museum Square. The tour concludes with a walk into the heart of the city centre, where you will have free time to explore at your leisure.

We leave Amsterdam and travel into Germany, stopping first in Hamelin, a charming town known for its connection to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the Pied Piper. Here, you’ll have time to explore its quaint streets and local shops. Continuing on, we pass through Marienborn, the former border crossing that divided East and West Germany until reunification in 1990. We arrive in Berlin in the evening, ready for the next stage of our journey.

Today, we explore Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital, with a local guide. From the coach, you’ll see key sights including Museum Island, the Television Tower, the city centre’s main shopping streets, the old cathedral—damaged during World War II—the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the city’s extensive parks. We’ll pause to visit the Holocaust Memorial and the Berlin Wall Memorial Museum, two poignant reminders of Germany’s recent history. The afternoon is then yours to enjoy at leisure and discover more of the city independently. Early evening, we provide a transfer to the lively Kantstrasse area, known for its diverse restaurants and nightlife.

After breakfast, the tour concludes, allowing you to depart with lasting memories of your journey.