Day 1: London, England (U.K.)
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Arrival Airport: London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

As a traditional backpacker, you will fully immerse yourself in London’s culture. You’ll be provided with an Oyster card for travel within the city, as well as a separate fare card which will enable you to jump on the Heathrow or Gatwick Express, London’s fastest and most efficient trains. This transfer will take you directly from Heathrow or Gatwick Airport to the train stop nearest your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day to explore and find a delicious dinner!

Accommodation: Rest Up London Hostel or similar

Day 2: London, England (U.K.), to Paris, France
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Today, you will have the opportunity to explore London on your own, checking of all of your bucket-list stops: Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Park, Notting Hill, the British Museum...

Enjoy a delicious lunch in the city and explore a bit more before catching your evening plane or train ride to Paris, the next stop on this journey. Upon arriving in Paris, you’ll have the evening to find a tasty dinner, with plenty of options in the neighborhood near your hostel.

Accommodation: Hotel The Originals Paris Maison Montmartre or similar

Day 3: Paris, France
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Waking up bright and early, you will have the opportunity to explore all of the famous landmarks in Paris. By jumping on the metro, you can visit multiple locations around the city and experience French culture for yourself. Looking for recommendations? Check out the provided materials on our favorite places in Paris, or simply head to the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier, the Arc de Triomphe, the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Sacre-Coeur, and similarly dreamy Parisian stops.

Accommodation: Hotel The Originals Paris Maison Montmartre or similar

Day 4: Paris, France, to Interlaken, Switzerland
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After breakfast, you'll jump onto a two-hour train ride to Strasbourg, then transfer to a train bound for Basel, Switzerland. In Basel, you will once again transfer trains towards Interlaken West. This train journey will total around five and a half hours, taking you through beautiful scenery in both France and Switzerland.

Upon arriving in Interlaken, you will check into your hostel before setting out on your first Swiss Alps adventure. In the evening, we'll feast on a welcome dinner of Swiss specialties, like raclette and fondue.

Accommodation: Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof (Hostel Interlaken) or similar

Day 5: Interlaken, Switzerland
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After breakfast, you will take the train from Interlaken West to the nearby village of Lauterbrunnen. Lauterbrunnen is famous for its picturesque mountainscape and cascading waterfalls. Here, there are a variety of options for exploration. Embark on a paragliding trip at an additional cost, or take the cable car and train up to Murren (another alpine town that sits above Lauterbrunnen).

You'll eat lunch on your own, and in the afternoon, you will make your way back to Interlaken, then enjoying an evening out and about in this small city, a very popular destination among tourists and another location with great mountain views and turquoise lakes.

Accommodation: Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof (Hostel Interlaken) or similar

Day 6: Interlaken, Switzerland, to Milan, Italy
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It's time for another train journey through the Alps. Once you arrive to Milan, you should seek out local transportation, using the 24-hour travel card you received in the mail; this allows you to utilize trams, buses, and the metro system. Your hostel, conveniently located in the city center, is just a 10-minute walk from many of the attractions.

After lunch, you'll have ample time to explore the fashion capital of the world, visiting sites like Il Duomo, Sforza Castle, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II at your leisure. We also recommend riding a bike through the city like a true local.

Accommodation: Babila Hostel or similar

Day 7: Milan and Rome, Italy
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You’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hostel before setting out for your next stop: Rome. Upon arriving in the Italian capital, you’ll have the freedom to explore on your own. We recommend checking out the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and many other historical landmarks scattered around the city. Later, you’ll make your way over to Trastevere (Rome’s bohemian quarter) by tram, where you will enjoy a delicious authentic Italian meal.

Accommodation: The RomeHello Hostel or similar

Day 8: Rome, Italy, and the Vatican
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After eating breakfast at your hostel, you will head to the Vatican, the capital of the Roman Catholic Church and home to some of the most famous artwork in the world. Here, you will experience St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican museums. (Keep in mind that your special ticket will allow you to skip the lines!)

In the afternoon, you'll explore on your own — we suggest checking out a neighborhood like central Rome or Trastevere.

Accommodation: The RomeHello Hostel or similar

Day 9: Rome, Italy, and USA
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Enjoy one last breakfast at your hostel, then get ready to say farewell to Italy. It’s not good-bye — it’s just see you later!

Departure Airport: Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

+ What vaccinations should I get before my trip?

It's important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information before departing for Europe. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic. We can provide some general guidance on what websites to check, but these websites are no substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional.

+ Can you help arrange my Europe travel visas?

If you are an American traveler joining this trip in 2019 or 2020, you will not need a visa. Beginning in 2021, many travelers (including Americans) will need to apply for the ETIAS visa waiver, a new form of travel authorization, to enter the countries in the Schengen Area. Please see here for more information on ETIAS.

In any case, please use VisaHQ to verify the visa requirements for your travel plans.

+ Do your tours include international airfare?

Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours, and it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. We would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking.

+ How should I pack for this trip?

Please see our blog article and video to learn more about packing for Europe.

+ I'm a solo traveler — will I be charged a single supplement?

We are happy to accommodate single travelers! Please note that we will add a single supplement charge to your trip cost.