Berlin to Venice

Trip Type: Explorer|Rail|
Germany | 15 Days | 1 - 16 People
Starts From:

NZD 4,004.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

String together some of central Europe’s most enchanting destinations on this 15-day adventure from Berlin to Venice. Start with the buzz of Berlin...

Berlin to Venice

String together some of central Europe’s most enchanting destinations on this 15-day adventure from Berlin to Venice. Start with the buzz of Berlin, with its historic sites and modern vibrancy, before experiencing the Bohemian cultural hub of Prague. See Bratislava’s small-city charms and get excited by Budapest’s picturesque duality. Discover the delights of Vienna’s cosmopolitan city centre, stroll through stunning Salzburg, take a moment to yourself on the shores of Lake Bled and then finish with a vino in Venice. With ample free time in each spot and a local leader armed with tried and true recommendations, what more are you waiting for?

Guten Tag! Welcome to Germany. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Berlin. If you arrive early, you may like to take a Spree River cruise, visit the multiple museums and galleries at Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz or stop by the impressive Berliner Dom Cathedral. Tonight after your meeting, why not join your newfound travel pals for dinner? Berlin’s food is a mix of classic German with Bavarian, Italian and Middle Eastern influences. But who can go past a traditional currywurst, schnitzel or pretzel together with a stein of beer.

Set out to discover more of Berlin today, as you’ll have free time to enjoy it as you please. There are plenty of impressive sites for you to check out – the Brandenburg Gate, remnants of the Berlin Wall and the dominating Reichstag building – either on your own, during a bike tour or all at once from the observation deck of the Berlin TV Tower. There are also a couple of unique memorials, like the Jewish Memorial and the Topography of Terror, which are well worth your time. Tonight, maybe explore Berlin’s thriving foodie scene with a few dinner suggestions from your leader.

This morning, say goodbye to Berlin and hop on an early train to Dresden. After checking in to your accommodation, travel to Rathen, where you can enjoy a hike to the sandstone pinnacles of Bastei. The unique rock formation offers some of Germany’s best views and is home to the remnants of the medieval Neurathen Castle. If a hike doesn’t take your fancy, you’re welcome to join in on the journey to Rathen and spend your time exploring the riverside village or stay in Dresden, immersing yourself in the city’s history and heritage.

Leave Germany behind and board the train to Prague. You'll travel through the Labe Valley, with fairytale-like landscapes to the right and left. This is a gorgeous train journey, so grab a window seat if you can and get lost in the scenery! When you arrive, check-in at your hotel and then see the highlights on a leader-led orientation walk. Prague's architecture can be traced from the Middle Ages through to the avant-garde of the Gehry-designed Dancing Building (also called the Fred and Ginger Building). Finish with a visit to a Czech brewery, where you can sample a pilsner in its homeland. Spend your free afternoon at Prague Castle – the biggest in the Czech Republic – where you'll find the famous St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. Continue to wander through the old Jewish Quarter to see what remains of the city's formerly significant Jewish community.

With another free day in Prague, maybe learn how the Bohemian artists, writers, dissidents and the Bohemian mentality shaped the nation. Don’t forget to sample some traditional and modern Czech snacks along the way. If you feel like a daytrip out of the city, ask your leader to help you organise a trip to Kutna Hora. See the Church of Santa Barbara and Sedlec ossuary or The Church of Bones – a small Roman Catholic chapel that contains skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000 people! At night, Prague’s Old Town comes alive with many great restaurants and pubs, some in old vaulted cellars. The nightlife in Prague is also some of the best in Central Europe. Whether you're after dance clubs, beer halls, jazz clubs or underground absinthe bars, there's something for everyone.

Leave Prague and travel to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Set along the Danube, Bratislava blends past and present with its charming Old Town and lively boutiques and cafes. You have a free day to explore it all today. You could climb to the top of the tower at Michael’s Gate or UFO Tower for a bird’s eye view of Bratislava, visit the Bratislava City Museum to learn about the country’s communist past or spot as many of the city’s quirky statues as you can. For dinner, maybe seek out some local delicacies like kapustnica (a sauerkraut and sausage soup) – your leader will have the lowdown on the best spots.

Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest and enjoy a free day in the self-proclaimed Pearl of the Danube. Perhaps explore the historical Buda Castle and palace complex. Forget about the bustling city and lose yourself in the history of the winding streets of the Castle District, which dates back to the 13th century. In the afternoon, you could take a slow cruise along the Danube for some pretty epic views of the riverside Parliament Building, the Castle District and the bridges linking Buda to Pest. The spectacle is particularly beautiful, especially at sunset and at night.

Today, you’ll have a second meeting with the new members of your group at 6 pm. Before then, the day is yours. Why not stroll around the grand architecture and boulevards to get your bearings? Maybe explore one of the local markets and pick up a langos (a deep-fried Hungarian pastry with an assortment of different toppings). Why not head out to Statue Park to get an insight into the city’s past or take a soak in one of the many thermal bath complexes around town? After the meeting tonight, perhaps get a group of friends together for a Hungarian feast of goulash or stroll to the Jewish quarter and check out some ruin bars – unique nightlife hubs that are great for groups and feature a whole heap of weird and wonderful decor.

Hop on a train this morning to the cosmopolitan city of Vienna. After dropping your bags at your accommodation, you’re in for a real treat! Stop for Kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) with your group at Vollpension – a local cafe that empowers older members of the community by providing them with employment and purpose, while bridging the gap between the staff and the younger patrons who visit the cafe. Have a chat with the friendly staff while enjoying your sweet treat in this warm and welcoming environment. 

You’re free to choose your own adventure today, and Vienna has a lot to offer! For art lovers, there's a vast array of museums, including the Albertina, the Leopold, Kunsthalle Wien and the Museum of Modern Art. Those interested in 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art should visit the Belvedere Palace – home to Gustav Klimt's painting 'The Kiss'. Check out the colourful Hundertwasserhaus or the dome of the Secession building. Perhaps visit Hofburg Palace – once the imposing winter retreat of Habsburg royals and now the official residence of the Austrian president, or visit the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral and the neo-classical Graben. If you want to see something impressive, head to the State Opera House – one of the world's most important opera houses and the heart of classical Viennese culture. 

Travel to Salzburg this morning via train – this Austrian hub on the border of Germany is backdropped by the Eastern Alps and divided by the Salzach River. When you arrive, you’ll have a full free day to explore all this gorgeous city has to offer, from the Old City to the New City. Maybe head to Mirabell Palace and Gardens for a picnic if the weather's nice or discover Mozart’s birthplace. Head to the medieval walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg and marvel at the architecture (you can also pay to get inside), or find a great viewpoint and snap some photos of the city in the shadow of the mountains, with the fortress looming above on the hill. Tonight, why not ask your local leader for the best spot for dinner.

Hop on a train to the Slovenian resort town of Bled. Sitting at the edge of the Julian Alps, this place is full of picturesque sights that are sure to take your breath away and the rail journey from Salzburg is a great way to start! Grab a window seat if you can, as you'll be crossing the Alps through a tunnel that sits 1300 m above sea level, with mountain vistas on every side. When you arrive, follow your leader to the shore of glistening Lake Bled, where many of the town’s attractions can be seen. After soaking in the sights with your group, you’ll have a free afternoon to choose your own route. For a taste of the local cuisine, try some Bled cake made of vanilla, custard, cream and pastry (many local cafes and cake shops claim theirs is the best, so if you must, maybe try a few and compare). After settling into your accommodation tonight, why not head out for a group dinner.

Today you have a free day to enjoy all the fun activities Bled has to offer (calling all nature lovers!) Maybe take a full-day adventure around Triglav Massive – there are many outdoor activities available here to get the blood pumping, such as rafting, caving, canoeing and swimming in the warmer months. Why not hire a bike and head out of town to Vintgar Gorge, where you can walk through a natural canyon. Perhaps explore Bled Castle, sitting atop the cliff overlooking the lake, or catch a pletna (small wooden boat) over to the island in the middle of the lake to ring the wishing bell. Your leader will have all the best options, so be sure to chat with them for their recommendations. If you’d prefer to have a relaxing day and the sun is out, maybe just enjoy the beauty of Lake Bled, find a quiet spot near the lake and spend the day reading or people-watching.

This morning, travel to Venice. A city of canals, Venice is built over a hundred small islands connected by 400 bridges. When you arrive, head out for an orientation walk with your leader – the best way to see Venice is by foot – passing by the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Palace of the Doge, Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. There are shops, markets, galleries and churches around every corner here, so there’s plenty to explore. Tonight, what better to do than tuck into some iconic Italian cuisine (and maybe a big glass of vino?).

With no activities planned for today, you’re free to leave your accommodation at any time after checkout. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Italy’s city of canals is an extraordinary place to see on foot, and if you’d like to spend an extra day or two exploring, just speak to your booking agent.

Meals
7 Breakfast(s), ,

Transport
Train , Private vehicle , Public bus , Metro , Taxi

Accommodation
Hotel (11 nights), Hostel (1 night), Guesthouse (2 nights)

Included Activities
  • Bastei - Hike
  • Prague - Czech Brewery Visit
  • Vienna - Kaffee and Kuchen Experience
  • Bled - Lake Walk
  • Bask in the cosmopolitan glow of Berlin – an exciting city with a complex history. In your own time, see the remaining fragments of the infamous wall that once divided the city, but now unites it with murals and memorials.
  • Discover the artistic history of unique Vienna – the perfect blend of modern and historic personality – then enjoy some kaffe and kuchen (coffee and cake) at a local café that empowers older residents with employment and purpose.
  • Escape city life on the peaceful shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia. Maybe visit the iconic church on the tiny fairytale island in the lake's centre and treat yourself to a slice of Bled's famous cream cake.
  • Immerse yourself in the bohemian vibes of the Czech Republic, soak up the smooth sounds of jazz at a low-lit bar in Prague and sample locally made pilsners.
  • Make cross-country travel a breeze with a European trip including train travel. Enjoy extra time to sit back, relax, play games with your fellow travellers or watch the changing scenery roll by.
  • 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. Accommodation on this trip is basic. Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be small and in some cases bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.  Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning. In Winter, warm waterproof layers will be needed as snow and rain can be expected. Carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. The primary means of transportation on this trip is by train. Trains are a fast way to cross long distances, allowing you to avoid traffic jams and arrive right into the city centre. They are comfortable and all have toilets, however they can get busy. 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. You can find specifics under ‘Packing’ in the Essential Trip Information.

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Availability

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NZD 4,710.00 NZD 4,004.00

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NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00

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NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00

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NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00

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NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00

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NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

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NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

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NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

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NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

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NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

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NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

Price:
NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

Price:
NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

Price:
NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00

Price:
NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00

Price:
NZD 4,710.00 NZD 4,004.00

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NZD 4,710.00 NZD 4,004.00

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NZD 4,710.00 NZD 4,004.00

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NZD 4,790.00 NZD 4,072.00

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NZD 4,710.00 NZD 4,004.00

Price:
NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

Price:
NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00

Price:
NZD 5,085.00 NZD 4,322.00

Price:
NZD 4,710.00 NZD 4,004.00

Price:
NZD 4,710.00 NZD 4,004.00

Price:
NZD 4,900.00 NZD 4,165.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
AMRBC
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Berlin, Germany
Trip Finishes:
Venice, Italy
Countries Visited:
Austria
Czech Republic
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Slovakia
Slovenia
map

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Destination Details
Germany | 15 Days | 1 - 16 People

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