Description
17 DAYS
You’ll never forget
NOW ONLY
From 1 295 €
8 COUNTRIES
Spain, France, Italy, Vatican, Austria and Czech Republic, Germany and Switzerland
ORIGINAL
The essence of Unitrips
Want to do something a bit different this Christmas? Well then, don’t stay at home, join us on this circuit through Southern Europe. A trip through Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic and much more! What are you waiting for? Pack your bags now because Europe is waiting for you!
Upcoming Departures 2022:
- Madrid: 17th December to 2nd January: From 1.355€
- Barcelona: 18th December to 2nd January: From 1.295€
Upcoming Departures 2023:
- Madrid: 17th December to 2nd January: From 1.355€
- Barcelona: 18th December to 2nd January: From 1.295€
There will be more than one bus leaving on this trip therefore if you want to be with your friends who have booked separately, make sure you highlight this in the special requests part of the reservation form.
You have finally finished classes for the Christmas holidays! Now you are thinking… what am I going to do for the next few weeks? We have the answer…pack you bags, grab your coat and come with us on a magical circuit of Southern Europe – From Madrid to Heaven. 16 days spent with some amazing people, exploring the most popular cities in Europe and leaving the stress behind.
Today you will have the chance to participate in a walking tour of Madrid, or alternatively if you would prefer to arrive fully rested and raring to go, meet us at Atocha; the biggest train station in Madrid at the time highlighted in the program.
The walking tour will give you the chance to see the main tourist points in the city centre – we don’t want to tire you out by taking you around the whole city!
Did you know…
- Madrid is the highest capital in Europe, given that it is located right in the middle of the Spanish Mountain range, Sierra de Guadarrama. The lowest point of the city is the river of Manzanares (600m).
- Until the XVI century, Madrid was the hunting area of the King.
- Madrid is also one of the biggest party cities in Europe.
After spending the night on the bus crossing Spain from Madrid to Catalonia, we will arrive early in Barcelona to soak up its beauty.
During our guided tour on this Grand Tour of Europe you will realise why Barcelona has become the world tourist capital. From La Sagrada Familia, to Passeig de Gracia, through the mythical Ramblas and the Gothic quarter with its impressive cathedral, this city has a lot to offer.
Did you know…
- The construction of Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia is endless. The architect stated that “God had all the time on the planet to see it completed”. The cathedral is so big and complex that nobody knows when and IF it will be finished someday.
- There is a Statue of Liberty in Barcelona, in fact it’s one of only three originals. The most famous one is in New York, other in Paris and in Barcelona you can find it close to Arch of Triumph, in the Arus Library.
- Passeig de Gracia is an avenue that hosts the main masterpieces of Gaudí, the idol of architecture of XX. century. Get amazed by his famous houses Pedrera and Battló.
Bags ready?
We’ll leave early to visit a new country: France.
Our next destination on this circuit of Southern Europe will be Lyon, the third most popululated city in France, where you can enjoy an elegant city with a lot of history.
There’s so much to see! But don´t worry, in just a short time you can see everything.
Its attractions are concentrated in the historic districts of Vieux Lyon, Presqu’éle, Croix-Rousse and Fourviare, all of which are declared a World Heritage Sites.
As for this last neighborhood we recommend the views of the sunset from La Basilique de Fourviare. From there you’ll have all of Lyon under your feet! Don’t miss it!
After going down the hilltowards the river you will find an ancient Roman theater called with the same name as the basilica you just visited.
The night falls, and the city changes its appearance. Theatres, cultural venues and restaurants animate the heart of Lyon. One thing that cannot be missed on your visit is entering the shops of local products that will be sure to make your mouth water.
Did you know…
- Lyon has 14 Michelin-starred restaurants and 22 of the best restaurants in the world.
- Lyon was the first city with a bike rental service.
- How do Lyon and New York look alike? Both cities have statues produced by the same sculptor. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the creator of the famous Statue of Liberty, also designed the Bartholdi fountain, which you can find in the Place des Terreaux in Lyon
Today on this circuit of Southern Europe for young people we say goodbye to Lyon and head to Interlaken, a majestic, secluded place in the Swiss Alps. As its name suggests it is “a city between lakes”, due to its geographical position between the lakes of Thun and the Brienz.
You will also find the three highest peaks of the Swiss Alps: the Eiger, the Munch and the Jungfrau.
When speaking of Switzerland, chocolate always comes to mind. A cup of hot chocolate or a chocolate fondue will make you forget about the cold and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery that this city has to offer.
Switzerland in winter truly is an unforgettable experience that you’ll treasure forever.
We’ll have breakfast and get going.
Today you will have the opportunity to visit two small, picturesque villages in Switzerland: Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald. If you love Instagram then you will have seen photos of these Swiss jewels.
If you’d prefer to stay in Interlaken to sleep a few more hours, or get to know the city on your own, we’ll see you when we return from the visit.
Optional Activity*:
- Visit of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald
Did you know…
- Lauterbrunnen is known as the valley of the 72 waterfalls.
- Snow-covered Grindelwald has been a filming location for the Star Wars and James Bond films.
- Grindelwald was the first village in the Bernese Alps where local mountain guides showed visitors the sights.
After having breakfast and packing our bags we continue our tour by moving onto to a new country, Italy. We will head towards the region of Liguria, where we will enjoy its landscapes, its food and places that will leave you with long-lasting memories.
We will have time to rest because tomorrow we have an incredible day ahead of us.
If you have already booked the activity of 5 Terre, today is the day!
You will get to know a unique place in the world: 5 small villages with houses of all colours, which lie between green mountains and which overlook the deep blue of the Ligurian Sea!! A place where pollution has hardly made a dent. There are very few cars in the area and the way to go from one village to another is by walking or on a spectacular little train that travels at sea level.
Throughout the day on this circuit of Southern Europe, we will be able to visit 2 or 3 of the towns, and enjoy typical Ligurian cuisine.
Then we will continue towards Tuscany, and after seeing the “Alpi Apuane” parade we will arrive in Pisa. Mamma Mía! There is the Tower of Pisa!
Start thinking about all the original photos you can take with the tower.
Today on this circuit of Southern Europe you will discover Rome.
Rome is known as the “Eternal City” and everything has its explanation. In this city time seems to have stopped centuries ago due to the multitude of monuments and remains of imposing buildings. This makes walking through its streets a journey in time, back towards the time of the capital’s former glory.
The capital of Italy and ancient “Caput Mundi” awaits us with its thousands of years of history. There are plenty of reasons to visit Rome, the food and its lively atmosphere are two of them, so immerse yourself in the city and soak up the beautiful surroundings. Before you go to bed, stroll through its streets and savour Italian cuisine in a typical Roman “osteria” or eat an ice cream…
Today is Christmas Eve, are you joining us for dinner with your new Unitrips family?
*Optional activities:
- Pack Rome: Guided walk around Rome + Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums + Colosseum and Roman Forum
- Christmas dinner
Today is Christmas Day!
And what better way to spend it than saying goodbye to the eternal city and heading directly to the Vatican, espeically today when we will be able to recieve the blessing of Ubri et Orbi from the hands of the Pope himself at the biggest church in the world, San Pedro.
After being blessed, we will continue our circuit of Southern Europe, this time setting off in the direction of Florence; an incredible city that we will explore tomorrow!
Did you know…
- The Vatican State is a country that covers no more than 0.44km2. This means that it is the smallest country in the world, and is surrounded by Italy. Ironically, the Vatican is home to the Basilica of San Pedro, the biggest church in the world!
- The only bank in the world that allows its customers to select Latin on the ATMs can be found in the Vatican Bank
“Buongiorno Principessa” said Benigni, actor from Florence, in the film “Life is Beautiful”.
Today on this circuit of Southern Europe, we will visit the cradle of the Renaissance, the city that was the cultural and artistic centre of all Europe from the fifteenth century. In this city the stars were aligned, and thanks to art-sensitive families and generations of incredible artists, it began to create works that continue to amaze today.
Well, this is where their walks began, and then they spread their arts throughout the rest of Italy, especially in Rome to the court of the Popes.
After admiring this small town with more artwork per square metre in the world, we will continue with our route through Europe for young people and set sail for another jewel of Italian architecture: Venice.
Venice was one of the most powerful, rich and populated cities for many centuries, dominating the Mediterranean and the trade routes of the East, and its art reflects the Byzantine and Asian influence that Marco Polo told us.
So rest well today, and expect an intense day tomorrow!
Winter is the best time to visit Venice, the first European city that has been turned into an open air museum, attracting so many tourists that they almost don’t all fit in. Don’t miss the chance to visit it! Soon, limits will be set to control the traffic of tourists….Or the water might sink it! Get your camera out and search for the best angle to take the best pictures of its bridges, “Vaporettos” and “Góndolas”.
We will enjoy the Byzantine influenced art that characterizes the Basilica of San Marco, and we will also get the chance to see and learn how glass is made in Murano as well as admire the colourful houses in Burano!
In the afternoon on this circuit of Southern Europe, we will give you the option to either continue exploring Venice on your own or joining the excursion to islands Murano and Burano. You decide! 😉
*Optional Activity:
- Venice Pack
Did you know…
- The last bridge to be constructed in Venice was designed by the spanish architect Calatrava.
- A phenomenon called “Acqua Alta” takes place in Venice from time to time. It occurs when the water level increases considerably throughout a period of 3 – 4 hours. Depending on the intensity, it can flood, with half a metre of water, most of the old town.
Today on our circuit of Southern Europe we will have some time to enjoy the breathtaking mountains covered in snow (hopefully!). This area is stunning in the winter! We will pass the Adige River, the beautiful Italian mountain range otherwise know as the Bolomites and then we will cross the boarder to another country… Austria. Once we have arrived you will be amazed at the incredible waters, snowy mountains and the green Heidi hills.
After a long day of taking photos in the mountains that separate Austria and Italy, we will travel through Austria until we reach Bavaria, the most southern area in Germany, famous for its car brands (BMW, Mercedes), its beer and the great capital: Munich.
Munich is not only a rich, modern and very lively city… but it also has a lot of history. Therefore, weather permitting, we will stop to visit its cathedral and the Marien Platz with its famous Gothic clock-rail, which has 43 bells and 32 animated figures that dance every morning at 12p.m..
*Optional Activity
- Sled Descent – Snow Activities
¡Guten Morgen!
Today on our circuit through Southern Europe, you will have the option of either staying in the hotel and resting (a.k.a. getting rid of your hangover from the night before) or you can come on an adventure with us to discover a hidden european gem: The Castle of Walt Disney. The real name of this castle is the castle of Neuschwanstein, also known as the castle of the Mad King. We will also have the chance to visit a skiing area, where you will have the chance to enjoy the snow!
Would you prefer to stay in the hostel and explore the city by yourself? Or would you like to surf on an artificial river in the centre of the city? Ask us and we will tell you have all of the hidden secrets in this incredible city, Munich!
*Optional Activity
- Visit to the outside of the Castle of Neuschwanstein (Mad King) + Surprise
Hopefully we will have the chance to see this castle in the snow and take some unforgettable photos like this…
Did you know…
- The literal translation of the Castle of Neuschwanstein in English is the “New Stone Swan”
- Neuschweinstein Castle was built in an era in which castles and forts were no longer needed, from a strategic point of view. It was born from the imagination of Luis II as a pure romantic fantasy of an idealised medieval castle.
- Its design is not functional, it is purely aesthetic, being largely the product of the mind of a theatrical set designer.
This morning you will have the chance to visit Dachau concentration camp, one of the very few camps that remains in-tact to provide evidence of the atrocities conducted by the Nazis during the Second World War. However, if you would prefer to have some free time, you can explore Munich.
After the optional visit to Dachau Concentration Camp we will hop back on our bus and this time, on our circuit of Southern Europe, we will head to PRAGUE!
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and the most important city in the Bohemian region. It is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, its privileged location in the centre of Europe and its good communication with the neighbouring countries, make it one of the most visited destinations on the European continent. During its history, this city has received many names, such as “The Golden City”, “The City of the Hundred Spires” and “The Heart of Europe”.
This city was born from the union of five ancient cities and through it pass the waters of the Vltava River. It has traditionally been the political, economic and cultural centre of the Czech Republic.
*Optional Activity
- Trip to Dachau concentration camp (Munich)
Put your coat on and have a hot drink because the golden city awaits us!
Before the crazy New Years Eve celebrations begin we will visit the Old Town, the New Town, which is also of medieval origins, and the old Jewish Quarter. You can go from Republic Square, with its Powder Tower and the beautiful Municipal House, to Wenceslas Square, universally known for being the scene of “Prague Spring”.
We will also visit the State Theatre, where various of Mozart’s opera plays were premiered. Later on we will walk around the Clementinum, the former association of Jesuits, until we arrive at Charles Bridge, with its 30 baroque statues. If we have time… we can cross the old market square “Old Town Square” with its attractive astronomical clock.
Did you know…
- The beer in Prague is almost cheaper than water! It’s because beer is part of their culture.
- Prague Castle, from the ninth century, is the largest in the world! Although it is not a castle as such, but it brings together churches, gardens, the official residence of the president of the Czech Republic and a large number of beautiful streets.
Happy New Year Unitrippers!
After a crazy party last night, you will have 2 options of how you can spend your first day of 2022! You can either stay in Prague and rest or you can come with us to get to know one of the hidden gems of the Czech Republic: Kutna Hora. This city is a World Heritage Site, due to its old town and the strange church, made of bones, that is located here.
Would you prefer to sleep all day? DON´T DO IT! There is too much to do and see in Prague. Visit the famous castle, visit the Golden road where Kafka used to live and make sure you take some time to admire all of the incredible buildings such as the dancing house.
*Optional Activity:
- Excursion to the chapel of Bones in Kutna Hora
Did you know…
- One of the most impressive things that can be found in Kutna Hora are its religious temples, which are considered to be among the most incredible in the whole of the Czech Republic, therefore you cannot pass up the opportunity to visit them!
- Kutna Hora has a bit of a morbid feel to it, a characteristic which is almost certainly due to the fact there is a chapel here that is created from the bones of 40,000 people who wanted to be burried there.
It´s time to say goodbye and return home after this amazing circuit through Southern Europe. From Unitrips we wish you a very Happy New Year and we hope to see you soon to enjoy more trips through Europe.
Is this trip too short? We can offer you a unique opportunity, the most complete tour around Europe at Christmas – Christmas Wonderland.
The program could suffer unforeseen changes due to weather conditions, traffic… or the ability of the group to respect meeting times.
The suggested programme doesn’t include optional/extra activities. You will have opportunity to book some of them in the reservation form, while the others will be proposed by the tour leader along the tour.
Meeting Points
Madrid:
- 17th December at Atocha Train Station at 16:00 ready for the walking tour of Madrid.
- 17th December at Atocha Station. Time: 00:30 (Be careful! It’s the night between 17th and 18th)
Barcelona:
- 19th December at Plaza de Draçanes. Early in the morning (timetable to be confirmed).
The final times will be announced via email a couple of days before the departure.
For different departure points, please consult us.
To get to Madrid/Barcelona you can choose:
- By bus
- By plane
- By train
For different departure points, please consult us.
If you have any problem regarding flights or schedules on the days you want, we can give you a hand. Before anything, we advise you to read this article
Includes:
- Transport in our comfortable Unibus from Madrid to all the mentioned cities
- 17 days and 16 nights of travel
- Accommodation in the best hostels, hotels and bungalows in Europe
- 1 Night on the bus (Madrid – Barcelona)
- 1 Night in Barcelona
- 1 Night in Lyon
- 2 Nights in Interlaken
- 1 Night in Liguria
- 2 Nights in Rome
- 1 Night in Florence
- 2 Nights in Venice
- 2 Nights in Munich
- 3 Nights in Prague
- 15 breakfasts
- Multiple beded rooms (single or double/twin room if you request)
- All costs related to parking, transport and tolls
- Group leader during the whole trip
- Assistance throughout the whole trip
- Guided walks in mentioned cities given by tour leaders
- And other surprises…
Not included:
- Everything that is not mentioned in “Includes”
- Transport to the starting point
- Plane tickets
- Travel insurance and cancellation insurance
- Optional activities offered on the tour
- Entrance fees for monuments and attractions
- Visa fees or other administrative costs
- Transport within the cities (metro, taxi etc.)
Optional Activities, extras:
- Extra Night in Madrid
- Rome Pack: Guided walk around Rome + Sistine Chapell and Vatican Museums + Colosseum and Roman Forum
- Visit to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald
- Express Tour of Tower of Pisa and food
- Christmas Dinner
- Visit to Dachau Concentration Camp
- Activities in the snow
- Day trip to the Mad King’s Castle
- Excursion to Kutna Hora
- More activities – you will be informed by the tour leader during the tour
(You will be able to book your extras once you have booked your trip, through an App which we will give you access to).
Each optional activity requires a minimum of 40 participants.
Book your place with a small deposit…
…and pay the rest 45 days before departure
Transport by Bus:
Transport will be by private bus. Important: In this trip, the group may be divided into several buses if there is high demand, so for logistical reasons, Unitrips does not ensure that all travellers take the tour on the same bus. Unitrips will allocate the seats on the buses to the travellers.
Hop on – hop off:
Would you like to join a few days late? Do you need to leave before the end? Drop us a line and we can try to give you a reduced price!
Accommodation:
Multiple rooms are from 3 to 9 beds, depending on the availability of the property. If you want a double/twin or single room you can book the extra service on the booking form. The cities where we will sleep may vary depending on the availability of the accommodation, without this being a big change in the course of the program. Unitrips reserves the right to book in nearby cities, in case of non-availability.
Language of the tour:
The main language of this tour will be Spanish. However specific translations will be given as much as possible for those who speak english as it is not feasible to carry out the tour in 2 different languages simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do you have any doubts? We would adivse that you read this article to resolve them 🙂
Optional Activities
Unitrips is not responsible for the lack of entrances to the monuments we will be visiting during the trip, since they are external to our services. If there is a lack of entries, those who have paid will receive a refund.
Minimum number of participants:
Group trip with guaranteed departure.
Travel Organization
This trip is entirely organized by Unitrips, a travel agency registered in ” Dirección General e Turismo de la Comunidad de Madrid” with CICMA License 2900 and FETAVE member
