Western Europe Tour 2022

Day 1 – Rome

Welcome to this travel package tour of Europe, Western Europe! You will have a very full 18 days ahead of you, where you will be able to visit an endless number of monuments. Enjoy the experience to the fullest! We start the adventure in the most iconic city of Italy and we could say of Europe, Rome!

Let yourself be carried away by its elegance, its history and its monuments. Rome never disappoints.

Day 2 – Rome

Today on this Western Europe tour 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 savor 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

Day 3 – Rome – Vatican – Florence

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 Western Europe tour, this time setting off in the direction of Florence; an incredible city that we will explore tomorrow!

Day 4 – Florence – Venice

“Buongiorno Principessa” said Benigni, actor from Florence, in the film “Lif

Día 4 – Florencia – Venecia

“Buongiorno Principessa” said Benigni, actor from Florence, in the movie “Life is Beautiful”.

Today on this super trip for young people, 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 aligned, and thanks to art-sensitive families and generations of incredible artists, it began to create works that continue to amaze today.

Do Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and the 4 Ninja turtles (Michelangelo, Raffaello, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello) mean anything to you?
Well, this is where they began their wanderings, to then spread their arts in the rest of Italy, especially in Rome to the court of the Popes.
After admiring this small city with more works of art per square meter of the whole world, we will continue our Christmas travel in Europe and we will head to another jewel of Italian architecture: Venice, our next destination of the most complete travel packages to Europe!

Venice was one of the most powerful, wealthy and populous cities for many centuries, dominating the Mediterranean and eastern trade routes, and its art reflects the Byzantine and Asian influence that Marco Polo told us about.

So rest well today, you have an intense day ahead of you!

Day 5 – Venice

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 colorful houses in Burano!

*Optional Activity

• Venice Pack

Did you know that…

• The last bridge built in Venice was by a Spanish architect, Calatrava.
• In Venice there is the “Acqua Alta”, a phenomenon that causes the water level to rise sharply. It occurs in the lagoon of Venice, usually lasts about 3 – 4 hours. It all depends on the intensity with which it occurs, it can even flood Venice with a rise of only half a meter of water, that is, most of the historic center.

*Optional Activity:

• Venice Pack 

Did you know that…

• The last bridge to be constructed in Venice was designed by the spanish architect Calatrava.
• A phenomenon called “Acqua Alta” occurs 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, half a metre of water is enough to flood most of the old town.

Day 6 – Venice – Alps – Munich

Today on our Western Europe tour 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 12 p.m..

*Optional Activity

• Sled Descent – Snow Activities

Day 7 – Munich – Castle of the Crazy King* – Munich

¡Guten Morgen!

Today on our Western Europe tour, 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 all of the hidden secrets in this incredible city, Munich!

*Optional Activity

• Visit to the outside of the Mad King’s Castle (Neuschwanstein) + Surprise

Hopefully we will have the chance to see this castle in the snow and take some unforgettable photos like this…

Did you know that…

• 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 idealized medieval castle.
• Its design is not functional, it is purely aesthetic, being largely the product of the mind of a theatrical set designer.

Do you want to know more about the legend of the Mad King?

What makes Munich worth visiting?

Day 8 – Munich – Dachau – Prague

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 Western Europe tour, 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)

Day 9 – Prague (New Year’s Eve)

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.

We hope you didn’t get too tired today, because there are still the New Year’s celebrations. Every year, people from all over the world come to Prague to celebrate it, because of the city’s charm and the low price of its beer. Are you going to miss this travel packages to Europe?

*Optional Activity:

• For more information on New Year activities, please contact the group leader.

Did you know that…

• 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 on 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 created from the bones of 40,000 people who wanted to be burried there.

Día 11 – Praga – Frankfurt

We continue our super Western Europe tour and return to Germany. If time allows us to, we will stop in Nuremberg, a city that was the site of the process carried out on the Nazi generals after World War II, known as the Nuremberg Trials. Many books have been written about this process, collecting the statements of those who survived the concentration camps.

After crossing Bavaria, we will arrive in Frankfurt late in the evening, the financial capital of Germany, where the Headquarters of the European Bank is located and where we will spend the night.

Day 12 – Frankfurt – Cologne – Amsterdam

Good Morning! Are you feeling refreshed? We hope so, because today is a new day and that means we have new things to discover!

We continue by visiting the last German city of the tour: Cologne. Here, we will have time to visit the most important monuments and really get a feel of the 2,000 years of history behind this incredible city. Most importantly, we will get the chance to admire one of the most impressive gothic masterpieces in Europe: The Cologne Cathedral. It took more than 600 years to finish it and when you see it in the flesh, you will understand why.

This city is also known for its museums, which house all kinds of art: from the process of making chocolate, to works by Picasso and Dalí. In the afternoon we will get back on the road to head to the free city of Amsterdam.

When we arrive we will drop off our bags and head straight out into the afternoon-evening to get to know the famous Red Light District of the city. The night is young and life is short, so enjoy friends!

Did you know that…

• Cologne’s Cathedral was the tallest building in the world for many decades!
• In front of the cathedral, there is a statue that stands about three human bodies high and that is exactly the same as the two peaks that reign over the two towers of the cathedral. Don’t miss the opportunity to see them up close!
• Inside the cathedral is a curious stained glass window in the form of colourful pixels.
• At Christmas, a flea market full of fantasy, lights, stalls, singers, skating rinks and hot wine bars make the centre of Cologne a true fairy tale.

Day 13 – Amsterdam

Culture and liberal politics have made Amsterdam a world reference for liberal people, especially those who push for the legalization of soft drugs (marijuana and hashish) and the legalization of prostitution.

But Amsterdam is not just coffee shops and the red light district, there are other beautiful things to do and see! Not sure what to do? Why don’t you take a walk through the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt museum, the Moco or Rijksmuseum or visit the Anne Frank House, and if you fancy a beer, Heineken is your star choice!

*Optional Activities

• Entrance to Anne Frank museum (skip the line)
• Boat ride through canals of Amsterdam

Did you know that…

• The facade of numerous houses that populate Amsterdam lean forwards. The explanation for this is that its architects built them with the view that, given their narrowness, the best way to get furniture into the house is through the top story windows. Therefore, every house has a hook on its rooftop and furniture can be hoisted to prevent it from crashing into the facade
• Amsterdam is the most liberal city in the world, in our opinion. It was the first city in the world to legalize same sex marriage, marijuana and prostitution
• Most men and women are tall in Amsterdam. The average height of men is 184 cm, whilst for women it is 170 cm

More info regarding the coffee shops:

The Best Coffee Shops in Amsterdam

Day 14 – Amsterdam – Bruges – Brussels

Good morning Unitrippers!

For today we will visit one of the most beautiful Flemish cities: Bruges, which is the most visited city in Belgium, ahead of the capital. On the way back we will also stop at the Atomium to take some pictures.

Here you will be delighted to see how well preserved this medieval city is, where the Northern European architectural style has remained intact!

Day 15 – Brussels – Paris 

After getting to know Brussels on our guided tour we will continue our Christmas Wonderland trip.

We get back on our Unitrips bus and head to one of the most awaited destinations, Paris, “The City of Love”. There is always a reason to visit Paris, whether it is the first time or the fifteenth time you go. It is a city that throughout history has accumulated so many artistic and architectural works that you never end up discovering something new. There is a reason why it is the capital that receives more tourists in the world.

We will begin by visiting the monumental area, starting with the most famous gothic cathedral in the world, Notre Dame. Unfortunately you will not see it in its best shape, having recently burned down during its structural renovation.

We will follow the Seine River to see the wonders of this city, visiting the Louvre area, the largest and most famous museum in the world, and after passing through the “Jardin des Tulleries” we will be guided to the top of the Eiffel Tower to reach its feet.

Did you know that…

• The Eiffel Tower is 18 cm higher in summer due to the expansion of iron.
• Do you know why Paris is called the City of Light? Because there were many robberies in it, then its mayor had candles put in the windows until gas lamps were placed, being the first city illuminated in this way.
• There is a so-called “Paris Syndrome” that affects the Japanese who arrive in the city and are disappointed when they do not reach the prospects they expected. There is even a 24-hour hotline for those affected.

Day 16 – Paris

An intense day in the “Ville Lumiere” awaits us, so wear comfortable shoes because today we have to walk, as always happens to us on Unitrips trips.

Today you can admire other areas of Paris, such as the Opera or the Lafayette galleries, see if you can climb all the steps leading to the basilica running, at the end you will have a breathtaking view of Paris.

In the evening we offer you the opportunity to tour the whole center of Paris by bus to enjoy all the most emblematic corners, where you can stop to take some pictures while discovering something more about the magical city.

*Optional Activities:

• Paris by Night Excursion
• Farewell dinner

Day 17 – Paris – Bus

Today on our great European Christmas tour will be your free day in Paris, as we are in everything, we will give you the time you need to see some of the places you left out. Of course, we will give you some tips on what to do.

Now it’s time to go to the Louvre and enjoy its kilometers-long exhibitions and of course wink at the Mona Lisa. If you prefer, you can enjoy the modern architecture and its futuristic skyscrapers in the neighborhood of La Defénse.

If you want to see a piece of Italy in Paris, don’t miss a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens, commissioned by Maria dei Medici, and on your way to see the Pantheon, or the Sorbonne (the best university in France) and stroll through the Latin Quarter and its thousands of bars.

Enjoy because in the afternoon/evening we will be back on the bus to Madrid.

Day 18 – Bus – Madrid

In the morning we will cross the Pyrenees, we will pass near San Sebastian, Vitoria and Burgos to finish this great trip through Europe at Christmas. Now unfortunately our trip is over… But you will have memories in the most beautiful corners of the old continent with your new friends from half the world.

Included:

• Travel by comfortable private bus to the destinations mentioned in the program.
• 18 days and 17 nights of travel
• Accommodation in the best hotels, hostels and bungalows throughout Europe:
• 2 Nights in Rome
• 1 Night in Florence (surroundings)
• 2 Nights in Venice
• 2 Nights in Munich
• 3 Nights in Prague
• 1 Night in Frankfurt
• 2 Nights in Amsterdam
• 1 Night in Brussels
• 2 Nights in Paris
• 1 Night in bus (Paris-Madrid)
• 16 breakfasts
• Multiple rooms (double or single on request)
• All transport, parking and tolls expenses
• Group leader during the whole trip
• Assistance throughout the trip
• Guided tours in the mentioned cities with tour leader
• And more surprises….

Not included:

• Everything that is not mentioned in “Included”
• Flight tickets
• Transport to the starting point
• 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:

• Rome Pack: Guided tour of Rome Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums Colosseum and Roman Forums
• Christmas dinner
• Venice Pack: Access ticket, 2 train tickets, guided tour of the city, visit to the Murano Glass Master, gondola
• ride through the canals of Venice
• Snow activities
• Excursion to the Mad King’s Castle
• Visit to Dachau Concentration Camp
• Excursion to Kutna Hora
• Boat trip on the canals of Amsterdam
• Anne Frank House
• Paris by Night
• And much more

(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 30 participants.