Are you studying abroad in Europe? This 9-day trip to Western Europe’s top cities includes the highlights of each: the alternative atmosphere in Berlin, the chilled vibe in Amsterdam, delicious cuisine and beer in Bruges, the romance of Paris and the exciting nightlife and architecture in Barcelona.
With our included walking tours, you will have chance to learn about the history of Germany, explore Paris’ world-famous landmarks, discover Amsterdam’s museums and canals and enjoy the quirky neighbourhoods and the unbeatable beaches of Barcelona. There is plenty of free time for shopping, sampling the diverse local cuisines and enjoying the varied nightlife. You’re guaranteed a vacation you won’t forget whisking through Europe with Bus2alps!
Meet Us There option – Meet in Berlin after 12:00 Friday
This tour begins at our accommodation in Berlin on Friday. You can check into the hostel between the hours of 16:00 and 22:00. Luggage storage will be available for those of you arriving before 16:00. Your guides arrive on Friday late morning with the rest of the tour. On Friday at midday you meet your guides at the accommodation in Berlin. We later join a Berlin Walking Tour with one of the top walking tour companies in Europe. The tour takes us to Brandenburg Gate, The Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, The Reichstag, Mitte Town, and Museum Island. The night is free to join a pub crawl or explore the eclectic night scene. Berlin’s nightlife is extensive and has something for everyone’s tastes.
On Saturday we wake up to the city that first divided Europe and then reunited it. We have breakfast and depart for the East Side Gallery along the Berlin Wall. From there, you have the day free to check out Museum Island, get a view of the city at the TV Tower, shop at the markets, or explore the city.
After breakfast at our accommodation in Berlin we depart for Amsterdam. Upon arrival, we set off on an Amsterdam Walking Tour. The tour covers much of the city, including Dam Square, and the canals and concludes near the Anne Frank House. Entry to the Anne Frank House is optional but we highly recommend booking tickets in advance as availability is limited. For those that choose not to enter the Anne Frank House, you have a free afternoon to explore the city’s museums, restaurants, and shops. There are also various bike and canal tours for a quicker way to see the city. The night is free to join a pub crawl or explore Amsterdam’s engaging and provocative nightlife.
During breakfast, you can sign up for an optional self-guided tour of the Heineken Factory with your Bus2alps guide which includes a walk through the brewery, beer tasting, and a small souvenir. After breakfast, the trip leader accompanies the group to Museumplein, then on to the Heineken Experience. For those who haven’t signed up, you have a free afternoon to continue exploring the sites. Just a short ferry ride over to the North Side of Amsterdam is a flight simulation experience ‘This is Holland’ and the A’Dam Lookout. Amsterdam is also rich with museums, boasting the largest volume in Europe. We recommend making time to see the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Anne Frank House, if you have not already done so.
We depart Amsterdam for Paris on Tuesday morning. On our way to Paris, we make a stop in Bruges, Belgium. We head to the charming Market, Burg Square, Basilica of the Holy Blood, and the Belfry of Bruges. You are free to enjoy the famous Belgian waffles, mussels, frites (french fries), chocolate and of course Belgian beer. From Bruges, we continue to Paris where we check into our accommodation. The night is yours to check out Paris’s bustling nightlife, watch the Eiffel Tower light up, or relax at the hostel.
On Wednesday morning our Paris Walking Tour takes us to the Notre Dame, Pont des Arts, Les Tuileries, the Louvre and much more. The tour ends near the Louvre. Guides will point out the secret entrance, for all those interested in seeing its over 70,000 pieces of art. After the tour, your trip leader will accompany those interested to the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe or to the Fragonard Parfumerie for a guided tour of the factory and museum. You have time in the afternoon to check out the museums, shop on the chic Champs- Élysées, or hang out at the Eiffel Tower with a picnic. Ask your Trip Leader for some recommendations for the best crepes in Paris, explore one of the many famed neighborhoods or take a stroll along the Seine River. The night is yours to check out Paris’s bustling nightlife, scope out the sunset at Sacre Coeur, or stroll around the quaint streets of Paris.
On Thursday morning after breakfast, we check out of our rooms, load our luggage onto the bus and the group departs for Versailles. If you choose to stay in Paris for the morning to continue exploring, you must meet your guide in Versailles in time for departure to Barcelona. We leave Paris Versailles for Barcelona on Thursday afternoon. We arrive at our accommodation in Barcelona late Thursday night.
After breakfast on Friday morning, we join the Barcelona Walking Tour. The walking tour will cover some of Barcelona’s most amazing sites throughout the various neighborhoods of the city. After the walking tour, your day is free to explore one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Your trip leader will inform you about how you can visit La Sagrada Familia, how to get to the beach, one of the many museums, or hang out in one of Barcelona’s famous districts. Later in the evening, the night will consist of stops at Barcelona’s popular bars such as Los Chupitos or L’Ovella Negra, ending at one of its world-renowned nightclubs on the beach.
After checking out of the accommodation and storing your bags, Saturday is free to explore the Catalan capital. Your trip leader will be available to take you to Gaudi’s Park Güell, for the best views of the city and inform you about how to get to Barcelona’s top sites, including the Olympic Village, the Picasso Museum, and the beach.
Please plan flights out of Barcelona for Saturday evening.
New Berlin Walking Tour: It is no surprise that the city where New Europe began offers one of the best tours in Europe. The New Berlin Walking Tour helps bring the past of a divided city that changed the face of Europe to the present.
New Amsterdam Walking Tour: There is more to this city than just coffee shops and red lights! New Europe weaves you through the cobblestone roads and along the beautiful canals of Amsterdam providing great insight to the unique culture of this city.
New Paris Walking Tour: This tour explores centuries of Parisian history, romance, and beheading. New Europe shows you Paris as it was meant to be seen; by walking along the banks of the Seine, and through its royal gardens and squares. Visit Notre Dame, Pont des Arts, Pont Neuf, The Louvre and Les Tuileries all in one tour.
New Barcelona Walking Tour: This tour will bring to life the incredible rich history and culture of Barcelona, brought to you by enthusiastic and knowledgeable local guides.
New Europe Tours: New Europe offers several specialized tours in each city that supplement the overall city tour. Depending on the specialized tour you would like to participate in, there will be public tours departing within the times we are in that city. For tours that do not coincide with the dates and times Bus2alps is in the city, it is possible to organize a private tour as long as minimum numbers are reached. Your Bus2Alps guide can help you plan these tours within the schedule to maximize your time in each city.
New Berlin Pub Crawl: Berlin has an eccentric nightlife, with a mix of alternative, grunge bars, and posh lounges. The New Berlin Pub Crawl gives you unlimited beer at the first bar, a free shot of Jagermeister with every drink after, and a chance to see just what makes Berlin’s nightlife one of the best and strangest in Europe.
Heineken Experience: This tour of Amsterdam’s most well-known brewery includes a behind-the-scenes look at the factory, beer tastings, and a small souvenir. Everyone with Bus2alps will receive a discount on their ticket price and a designated entry time.
This is Holland: This Ultimate Flight Experience allows you to soar above the Dutch landscape and see the country’s must-see sights. Without leaving Amsterdam travel around the breathtaking country and learn about the history and how they succeeded in reclaiming the land from the seas.
La Sagrada Familia: Gaudi’s stunning Basilica Sagrada Familia is a must-see when in Barcelona. Construction of the church began in 1882, and continues to this day, with a completion date set in 2026. While the Art Nouveau exterior of the basilica is quite beautiful, a visit to the Sagrada Familia is not complete without exploring the unique architecture of its interior.
Park Güell: Gaudi’s other most-notable creation sits atop Carmel Hill with stunning views of the city. The group will spend a relaxing afternoon amo
