Trace the roots of Europe's latin-based romance languages, home to Europe's richest culture, best food and largest nightlife.

Included is:

• All ground transportation by private bus
• Eurostar train travel (Amsterdam to Paris)
• Top-rated accommodation with your friends
• Bus2alps trip leader
• Private walking tours
• Private Bike Tour & Sagrada Familia Entrance
• 2 Dinners
• Breakfast
• Exclusive Bus2alps discounts

Questions? Call us within the US at (212) 461-4830 or email us at info@bus2alps.com.

This trip begins and ends at Amsterdam (airport code: AMS) or Rome (airport code: FCO). Please plan flights and travel accordingly. Please contact info@bus2alps.com if you plan to arrive early or extend your trip. If you do choose to arrive early or extend your trip, book one of our other Summer Break tours or weekend Summer trips for a larger discount.

• Trip 1: Starts May 17 in Amsterdam and ends May 31st in Rome
• Trip 2: Starts June 1 in Rome and ends June 16 in Amsterdam
• Trip 3: Starts June 23 in Rome and ends July 8 in Amsterdam

Brief Itinerary

• Days 1 - 2: Amsterdam
• Days 3 - 5: Paris
• Days 6 - 8: Barcelona
• Day 9 - 11: The French Riviera
• Days 12 - 13: Florence
• Days 14 - 15: Rome

Trips 2 and 3 run in reverse.

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Route (Summer Break - Amsterdam - Paris - Barcelona - The French Riviera - Florence - Rome - Best of Western Europe)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

This tour meets at Amsterdam Schipol Airport (AMS). Please meet your trip leader at the airport Arrivals Hall at 11:00am. We will then transfer to the city center and check into our accommodation. If you flight arrives at a different time you can meet the group at our accommodation. After meeting your trip leader, and providing all trip information, we will embark on our private guided tour with New Amsterdam Walking Tours. The walking tour lasts around 3 hours and covers much of the city including the Red Light District, Anne Frank House, and the canals. After our walking tour you will have some time to go back to the accommodation and relax, or explore Amsterdam a bit on your own. We will meet in the evening for our welcome dinner. Afterwards you will be free to join us on the Ultimate Pub Crawl, one of Europe’s largest and best pub crawls, or check out Amsterdam’s night scene on your own.

Day 2

Day 2 gives you the opportunity to continue to explore Amsterdam’s sights; Van Gough Museum, Anne Frank’s House, Heineken Factory, the canals, the coffee shops, and more. If you like to join a further tour, Bus2alps can hook you up with exclusive tours of the city by Bike, the Coffeeshops, Red Light District, and Canal Tours. The night is free again to explore more of Amsterdam’s diverse and provocative nightlife or join the Pub Crawl if you missed it the day before.

Day 3

We depart in the morning for Paris. Travel to Paris will be via the high-speed Eurostar train. We will arrive in Paris in the afternoon and will check into our accommodation. The afternoon is free to hang out or explore. If you are looking for a good sunset, head up to Sacre Coure or to the Eiffel Tower. We will organize a pub crawl with New Europe that meets at the hostel at 20:00*. If you choose to go to Sacre Coure, you can meet the Pub Crawl at the Blanche Metro stop at 20:45. If you choose to not join the Pub Crawl, you can check out one of Paris’ numerous nightlife districts, grab a bottle of wine and baguette, and watch the Eiffel Tower light up, or relax at the hostel.

Day 4 

In the morning we depart at 10:00* with the SANDEMANs New Paris Walking Tour. The tour last 3 hours and brings us to the Champs Elysee, Arc du Triumph, Notre Dame, Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Bastille, plus much more. The tour last 3 hours. Afterwards, your trip leader will bring those interested to the Eiffel Tower and Arc du Triomphe. You will have time in the afternoon to check out the Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, hang out at the Eiffel Tower. The night is yours to check out Paris’ bustling nightlife, watch the Eiffel Tower light up, scope the sunset at Sacre Coure or check out the many delights that Paris serves up.

Day 5

Today you have time to check the last of Paris off your list. You will also have plenty of time to visit the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, climb the Eiffel Tower, Arc du Triompe, or head to the high end shopping. Today is the perfect day to take a trip out to Versailles Palace. Located about a 40 minute trip from our accommodation, Versailles is one of the most notable palace’s in the world. We will have a private tour to Versailles leaving today. Tonight there will be an optional group dinner cruise on the River Seine followed by nightlife options.

Day 6

We will depart Paris for Barcelona by private bus in the morning. En route to Barcelona we will make a stop at one of the many stunning Chateau’s in the Loire Valley. The Loire Valley was home to the royal palaces of medieval France. Afterwards we will continue to Barcelona. Estimated drive time to Barcelona is 12 hours. We will check into our accommodation on arrival to Barcelona. The night is free to join us at one of Barcelona’s top clubs or to have a relaxing night. Bus2alps has the VIP hook-ups for all of the best clubs in Barcelona.

Day 7

In the morning we will head out on an included tour of Barcelona with the ‘Green Bike Tours.’ ‘Green Bikes’ provide the best student tour of Barcelona, showing this amazing, sprawling city, in an entertaining and exciting way. The bike tour will cover Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, Casa Mila, Barcelonetta Beach, El Borne, Casa Battlo, and the world-famous Sagrada Familia. Designed by Antoni Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia this iconic cathedral of Barcelona has been under construction for over 100 years. Entrance to the Sagrada Familia is included in your Bus2alps package. After the bike 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 Parc Guell, one of the many museums, or hang out in one of Barcelona’s famous districts. There will be an optional Catalan Cooking Class in the evening. The activity costs 20 euro and includes plenty of Paella, Spanish Tapas, and Sangria.

Later in the evening, we will head out to show you the VIP side of Barcelona’s famous nightlife. The night will consist of stops at Barcelona’s popular bars, ending with VIP entrance to one of its rocking night clubs.

Day 8

Today is free to explore the Catalan capital and the sites that you did not get to visit on the bike tour or just kick it on the beach. There will be an optional trip to Montjuic via cable car for the best views of the city. Afterwards, your trip leader will inform you as to how to get to Barcelona’s top sites, including Gaudi’s Parc Guel, the Picasso Museum, and the beach. Tonight will be your last time to go VIP in Barcelona’s crazy nightlife.

Day 9

We will depart early in the morning for the French Riviera. Our day time bus trip will take us past the stunning Costa Brava and along the South of France. We will make a stop en route in Avignon. We will check into our accommodation when we arrive in Nice. Tonight will be free to head out for a seafood dinner on the main promenade of Nice or visit one of Nice’s crazy bars (including a Bus2alps favorite, Wayne’s, with live music and table dancing).

Day 10

Friday we will wake up to the Cote d’Azur’s biggest city, Nice. We will embark on a short walking tour of the city to get you acquainted. After the walking tour you have the day free to explore Nice. If you are adventurous, you can join a sailing tour, scuba dive, windsurf, go canyoning, and more. We recommend heading along the Promenade des Anglais and hanging by the beach. The promenade has a large beach, shops and restaurants. Ascend Castle Hill, which is located near the beach for some incredible views of Nice and it’s blue ocean. Near the promenade you will find many of Nice’s museums in addition to the Cours Saleya flower market. Tonight is free to kick back and dine at the hostel restauran and have a few cheap drinks or venture into the city center with your trip leader for dinner, and table dancing at Wayne’s Bar. End your night at one of the night clubs.

Day 11

Saturday morning we will depart Nice and take a short drive to the preserved medieval village of Eze. Situated high on the Grand Corniche (1,400 feet above sea level), the views from here are unparalleled. Filled with breathtaking views and artistic shops, Eze is an excellent way to spend the morning. The best viewpoint in town is located at the top, in the Exotic Gardens. Descend back to the base of the town where you can check out the Fragonard perfume shop, where Bus2alps guests get a free tour and discounts. After a couple hours in Eze we will head to Monaco, the world’s second smallest (and most wealthy) sovereign state. Monaco is well known as the premiere getaway for multi-millionaires, featuring the world famous Monte Carlo Casino, with its opulent decorations and extravagant cars surround the main entrance.We will arrive in Monaco’s Old Town where you can find the Prince’s Palace of Monaco (formally the residence of Grace Kelly), the Monaco Cathedral, and the Oceanarium. The casino is located across the harbor, 30 minutes by foot, or a short bus ride on the same high speed road as the Grand Prix of Monaco. We will depart Monaco in the late afternoon for Florence. Drive time to Florence is approximately 5 hours. We will make a stop for dinner on the way. On arrival to Florence we will immediately check into our accommodation and head out for the nightlife.

Day 12

Today you will have all day to explore Florence and all its treasures. Florence was the birth of the Renaissance and home to some of the most significant buildings, paintings and sculptures in art history. Palazzo Signoria, the Medici Palaces, the Uffizi, the Academia Italiana, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and many more sites are all easily accessible in this compact and very walkable city. Friday morning, your trip leader will organize opportunities for you to explore these and surrounding areas. Friday night we have an optional ‘family style’ dinner at Il Gatto e la Volpe, Bus2alps’ favorite dinner spot in Florence. The dinner has a large sampling of Tuscan appetizers, pastas, risottos, unlimited wine, and costs 15 euro. Afterwards we will head out to some of the top nightlife spots in the city including VIP entry into a top club. Bus2alps has the best hook ups for Florence nightlife.

Day 13

Today is free to visit any of Florence’s sights you have not yet seen. We also recommend taking a day trip for wine tasting in Tuscany, to hike Cinque Terre, or to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Tonight there will an optional pub crawl.

Day 14

We will depart in the morning for Rome. Travel time to Rome is approximately 4 hours. We will check into our accommodation when we arrive in Rome and then embark on a short orientation tour of the ancient Rome city. This will take us to the Roman Forum and the famous Colosseum. Tonight you are free to join us for drinks in Rome’s famous party piazza, Il Campo de Fiori, followed by one of Rome’s top clubs.

Day 15

Today there will be an optional trip to the Vatican City, home of the Catholic Church. You will have the opportunity to join a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican Museum, and Michelangelo’s famous Sistine Chapel. You can also jump on one of the many Rome hop-on hop-off bus tours. For 8 euros, you can visit every major site in the city.

This evening we will meet for our Farewell Dinner (included in price). We will head to one of Rome’s most beautiful districts, Trastevere, and have a local dinner at Bus2alps’ favorite spot in Rome. Afterwards we will continue the last night with drinks in Campo de Fiori and VIP entrance to one of Rome’s clubs.

Day 16

Most flights will depart in the morning. There will be an early morning transfer to the airport. If your flight leaves at a different time, your trip leader will direct you to the best mode of transportation to the airport. Contact Bus2alps about extending your trip or joining one of our other Summer Break tours like our Mediterranean Island Hopping 15 day trip.