About this tour
A bite of the Balkans, a dash of Central Europe and a slice of the Mediterranean – on this 17-day adventure, you’ll get a lovely sample of Europe’s diverse delights. Wander through Dubrovnik’s World Heritage-listed Old Town among the sparkling Adriatic and explore Plitvice Lakes National Park near Zagreb. Travel up the Dalmatian Coast and cross into Slovenia, where adventure junkies can get their fix biking, hiking, canyoning or caving. Head on to Italy and live out your grandest gondola and tiramisu fantasies in Venice, stroll the twisting trails between Cinque Terre's towns and see the artworks that inspired the Renaissance in Florence. End it all in Rome – the epic hotspot with so much to see and do (including one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum) you might never want to leave! This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader 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 partake in.As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, single travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is an excellent opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it! European hotels often don't have double beds but 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. A single supplement is not available on this trip. Summer temperatures can be very high in many regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. 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 for that season. The trains on this trip are comfortable and have toilets. However, they can sometimes be quite busy. Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the train, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. Check the ‘Packing’ section in the ‘Essential Trip Information.’