European Adventure - Student Travel Tour

European Adventure (2012)

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ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 - FLIGHT

Overnight flight

Overnight flight
Board your overnight flight, bound for Europe.

DAY 2 - AMSTERDAM

Arrive in Amsterdam

Arrive in Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam! After clearing customs, you’ll meet your full-time tour director and the rest of your group. There’s so much to love about Amsterdam, from the canals to the Van Gogh to the legendary laid-back attitude.

Walking tour of Amsterdam

Walking tour of Amsterdam
Get your bearings on a walk around town with your tour director. Amsterdam draws lots of tourists and backpackers from all over the world, but it’s still quintessentially Dutch. Expect tall skinny houses, tulips in the window boxes, and people on bikes everywhere you look.

Free time in Amsterdam (night)

Free time in Amsterdam (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Leidseplein – This main street and those around it are filled with pubs and bars.
2. Boom Chicago – Have some laughs at this English-language comedy venue known for its live shows and video productions.
3. Escape – This late-night dance club attracts a young crowd. Don't show up before 11.
4. Club Mazzo – Come here for live music; it's a great place to catch up-and-coming bands before they make it big.
5. Melkweg – This unique venue combines a club, gallery, cinema, café and concert hall all in one.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Amsterdam.

DAY 3 - AMSTERDAM

Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam (EFCB Tour Director)

Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam (EFCB Tour Director)
Your tour director will lead a sightseeing tour of Amsterdam. Get a feel for the city’s history and unique culture as you walk through busy Dam Square. Then take in scenic views of the Amstel River before finishing up in Rembrandtplein, a bustling square packed with outdoor cafés, shops and clubs.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House
Walk through the rooms where young Anne lived in hiding and wrote her famous diary. Anne and her family lived here for nearly two years between 1942 and 1944.

Welcome dinner

Welcome dinner
Get to know the other travelers in your group over tonight’s included dinner.

DAY 4 - AMSTERDAM

Optional Biking the Dutch Countryside (extra cost)

Optional Biking the Dutch Countryside ($75 pre-booked)
Head outside the city for the afternoon and get a taste of the country life. After a short train ride to Zaanse Schans, get on your bike for a leisurely 1 1/2-hour ride through the classic Dutch landscape—windmills, fields of flowers, rustic farmhouses, all that good stuff. In addition to the ridiculously charming scenery, the trip also includes a picnic lunch, a coffee break, and a visit to a classic Dutch clog maker.

DAY 5 - BERLIN

Train to Berlin

Train to Berlin
Enjoy the smooth ride through the countryside to Germany, arriving in Berlin. Now more than 20 years since the Wall came down, Berlin is at the cutting edge of art, design, fashion and music. It’s a very cool city, everyone loves it.

Free time in Berlin (night)

Free time in Berlin (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Potsdamer Platz – Check out the scene in Berlin's most popular area for bars, clubs, and restaurants.
2. English Theatre Berlin – This courtyard theater has shows in English (and only English) all year round.
3. Matrix – Get dancing at this huge (and hugely popular) club located underneath a train bridge on Warschauer Platz.
4. White Trash Fast Food – Despite the unappealing name, people love this place; it has live bands or DJs almost every night.
5. Prater Biergarten – Visit Berlin's oldest biergarten and have a couple pints of tasty German brew in the open air.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Berlin.

DAY 6 - BERLIN

Sightseeing tour of Berlin (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Berlin (local guide)
See Berlin’s can’t-miss sights with a local guide. Ride down the Kurfürstendamm, a very lively and very glittery street. Then pass the Rathaus Schönberg, where JFK gave his famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech in 1963. Also see the famed Brandenburg Gate, a major symbol of division during the Cold War and the site of a giant party after the Wall fell in 1989. Today the Gate is still a proud symbol of Germany’s reunification.

Checkpoint Charlie Museum

Checkpoint Charlie Museum
Checkpoint Charlie was an infamous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Now it’s a museum where you can learn about those tough times and see the great lengths Easterners went to to sneak across the border—they tried everything from hot air balloons to secret compartments in “escape cars.”

Free time in Berlin (day)

Free time in Berlin (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. East Side Gallery – This 1.3-km-long stretch of the Berlin Wall is both an outdoor memorial and a pretty amazing collection of street art.
2. Schönhauser Allee – Relax, explore and shop in this area of second-hand clothing stores and bars.
3. Pergamon Museum – If you’re into ancient Roman and Greek artifacts, you’ll love this collection.
4. Shopping along Kurfürstendamm – Check out the stores for souvenirs and the latest European fashions.
5. Alexanderplatz TV Tower – At 1,100 feet, this is the second-tallest structure in Europe; take an elevator to the observation platform for amazing views.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Berlin.

DAY 7 - DRESDEN • PRAGUE

Travel via Dresden

Travel via Dresden
En route to the Czech Republic, stop in Dresden, a city devastated by bombings in WWII. Today the city is back in action, with restaurants, pubs, cafés, and lots of cool architecture. Have time for lunch and to explore a bit.

Arrive in Prague

Arrive in Prague
Continue to Prague, a favorite of many. The city itself is the highlight here, with its Gothic architecture, underground pubs, and winding cobblestone streets. Fun, atmospheric, and still relatively cheap, Prague is a city you never get tired of exploring.

DAY 8 - PRAGUE

Sightseeing tour of Prague (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Prague (local guide)
Take in the sights of Prague with a local guide. Begin at Prague Castle up on Hradcany hill. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, with its impressive stained glass, and walk down the Golden Lane, a little row of houses where royal alchemists tried to turn lead into gold. Walk across the famed Charles Bridge, and head into Old Town Square, famous for its 15th-century astronomical clock.

Walking tour of Prague

Walking tour of Prague
Your tour director will fill in the gaps on an informal walk around town. Get more of a feel for the city, hear some local legends, and find out the best places to go in your free time.

Free time in Prague (night)

Free time in Prague (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Black Light Theatre – Experience a one-of-a-kind show involving black lights, bright colors, and surreal storytelling.
2. Beer gardens – Many bars have outdoor gardens where you can sit outside and enjoy the famous Czech beers.
3. Classical music concert – You can catch classical music concerts in churches all over town.
4. Lucerna Music Club – Depending on the night, this popular spot has live music, a standard club scene, or the world’s best '80s night.
5. U Fleku – Eat traditional Czech cuisine and drink some great brew at the most famous beer hall in the city.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Prague.

DAY 9 - NUREMBURG • MUNICH

Travel via Nuremberg

Travel via Nuremberg
On the way to Munich, stop in Nuremberg. The city was badly damaged in World War II, but nowadays many of its old buildings have been restored. Your tour director will show you the highlights.

Arrive in Munich

Arrive in Munich
Continue on to Munich. This is the capital of Germany’s Bavaria region, and it still has strong ties to its folkloric traditions (you’ll definitely see some lederhosen). There’s also plenty of modernity, including a great music scene, cool art museums, and BMW’s world headquarters.

Walking tour of Munich

Walking tour of Munich
Your tour director will show you around Munich. Pass the iconic Frauenkirche, with its onion-domed twin towers, and arrive at the Marienplatz, the central town square that always draws crowds. Then continue past the Hofbräuhaus, Munich's most famous beer hall (among many).

DAY 10 - MUNICH

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle
Head out for a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, which was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle and also home to one of the weirdest kings in Europe’s history.

Free time in Munich (night)

Free time in Munich (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Hofbräuhaus – This legendary beer hall has Bavarian folk bands, throngs of jovial people, and an endless supply of flowing beer.
2. Nachtcafe – Hear live bands or DJs almost every night; free to enter and open all night.
3. Nationaltheater – See an opera, ballet or classical music concert at the city's most prestigious theater.
4. Leopoldstrasse – This street in the Schwabing district is lined with bars, cafés, restaurants, cinemas and pubs.
5. Atomic Café – Dance to ’70s music all night.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Munich.

DAY 11 - INNSBRUCK • VENICE

Travel via Innsbruck

Travel via Innsbruck
En route to Italy, stop in Innsbruck, a cool little city located at the intersection of several Alpine passes. Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and it’s the capital of Austria’s scenic Tyrol province. Have time to explore the town square and grab a bite to eat, maybe an Austrian sausage (a local favorite).

Arrive in Venice

Arrive in Venice
Continue on to Venice, once a huge naval power and now a major tourist spot. Venice is amazing. The one-of-a-kind canals have to be seen to be appreciated. See the gondolas, browse the shops, eat the gelato.

DAY 12 - VENICE

Sightseeing tour of Venice (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Venice (local guide)
A local guide will lead you on foot through the narrow streets and open piazzas of Venice. Start at St. Mark's Square, whose basilica allegedly houses the saint's remains. See the famous Grand Canal and the 324-foot Campanile bell tower, and then finish your tour at a cool glass-blowing demonstration (Venetian glass is famous around the world).

Doges’ Palace

Doges’ Palace
Visit the 14th-century pink-and-white palace, and walk over the famous Bridge of Sighs that connects the palace and its prison. According to lore, prisoners would sigh with sadness as they crossed the bridge and saw their city for the last time.

Free time in Venice (day)

Free time in Venice (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Castello district – Take a walk and try to make it all the way to the San Pietro di Castello Island.
2. Rialto Market – Browse the noisiest, most colorful spot in Venice, where vendors sell an assortment of fruits, vegetables and fish.
3. le Zattere – Walk along this picturesque quay, with its great views of the Grand Canal and its popular gelato stop.
4. Glassware shopping – Take home a piece of high-quality Venetian crystal.
5. Gondola ride – You have to do it, the classic Venice experience. If you’re lucky, your gondolier will serenade you as he directs the boat along the canals.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Venice.

DAY 13 - FLORENCE

Travel to Florence

Travel to Florence
Drive through the countryside to Florence, the capital of the Tuscany region. Florence was king during the Renaissance, and it still holds on to that artsy, fashionable, cultural vibe. Top art museums, amazing food, great nightlife—for many, Florence is Italy at its best.

Sightseeing tour of Florence (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Florence (local guide)
Cover Florence on foot with a local guide. Get a feel for the city’s Renaissance glory days at spots like the Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio (a medieval bridge; very photogenic). Continue past the gothic Basilica di Santa Croce, which houses the final resting places of many legendary Italians, including Michelangelo and Galileo.

Florence Duomo

Florence Duomo
Visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo because of its famous dome. The dome was designed in the 14th century by sculptor and architect Brunelleschi, and it’s still quite a sight.

Free time in Florence (night)

Free time in Florence (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Santa Croce area – Hit some of the popular pubs in this central area, especially on Via dei Benci.
2. Moyo – This trendy bar attracts a mixed crowd of students and artsy Florentines; lounge out in the back or sit at the outdoor tables.
3. Meccano – Head here to get moving on the two dance floors, or hang out in the big outdoor garden.
4. All'Antico Vinaio – This has been one of Florence's most popular wine bars for the last hundred years.
5. Tenax – For a concert, check out the leading venue for new, established, and big-name international acts; enormous but easy-going, it becomes a club after hours.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Florence.

DAY 14 - FLORENCE • ROME

Free time in Florence (day)

Free time in Florence (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. The Uffizi Gallery – Don't miss this place; it's one of the top art museums in the world.
2. Galleria dell'Accademia – Another must-see gallery, the Accademia is home to Michelangelo’s world-famous David.
3. Giardino di Boboli – Enjoy the fresh air in this giant green park, complete with statues, caves and an island fountain.
4. Shopping around piazza Santa Croce – Those seeking real Italian leather products need look no further.
5. Palazzo Pitti – Go see this palace built by a rival family of the Medicis.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Florence.

Travel to Rome

Travel to Rome
Continue on to Rome. Though its imperial heyday was a couple thousand years ago, Rome today is as alive and action-packed as any European capital. Discover the busy coffee bars, the amazing food, and the incredible ancient sights.

DAY 15 - ROME

Sightseeing tour of Rome (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Rome (local guide)
Go way back into the past with a local guide. Rome was the center of the Western world back in the day, and you can really feel the history as you go through the city and see the ruins of that ancient civilization.

Roman Colosseum

Roman Colosseum
Your tour includes a visit to the massive Colosseum, built back in 70 A.D. The huge amphitheater held up to 50,000 people, who would gather to watch anything from bloody gladiator contests to mock sea battles.

Forum Romanum

Forum Romanum
The Roman Forum was the commercial, political, and religious center of Ancient Rome. Today it’s a grassy field scattered with ancient columns and other ruins. With a little imagination, you’re walking with the Romans 2,000 years ago.

Optional Italian Cooking Class (extra cost)

Optional Italian Cooking Class ($115 pre-booked)
This is your chance to become a real Italian chef. Learn the basics of the regional specialties, as a local professional chef guides you through the process. You’ll start by making two kinds of pasta from scratch (anything from ravioli to cannelloni). Next the focus turns to the sauces. Don't worry if your skills in the kitchen are lacking—when you're done cooking you'll be treated to a three-course dinner prepared by the chef's team.

DAY 16 - ROME

Visit to Vatican City

Visit to Vatican City
Visit this country within a city, home to the Pope. Walk through the famed St. Peter’s Basilica, which was built on the site where the saint was martyred. Also walk through the Sistine Chapel and see Michelangelo’s famous ceiling frescos.

Free time in Rome (day)

Free time in Rome (day)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Shopping on Via del Corso – Walk down the longest pedestrian street in the city for some prime shopping.
2. Capitoline Museum – Up on a hill overlooking the Forum, this museum has some amazing ancient sculptures.
3. Villa Borghese Park – Run, bike, or just relax in the city’s biggest park.
4. Trastavere – Wander the old streets of this newly-popular bohemian area across the Tiber River.
5. The beach – The Mediterranean is just 25 minutes away by metro, good for all the usual seaside activities.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Rome.

Farewell dinner

Farewell dinner
Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.

DAY 17 - FLIGHT

Fly home

Fly home
It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home.

17 DAYS STARTING AT $2,995

Restrictions Apply

Price is valid on specific departure date and standard (triple/quad) rooming. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price may apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.
Prices may be subject to change.

DEPARTURES

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Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.

To view EF’s Booking Conditions, visit efcollegebreak.com/pdf/2012_booking_conditions.pdf.

Current departure fees include taxes and surcharges levied by governments and airlines and may be subject to change prior to final payment.

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PRICE THIS TRIP

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•Round-trip airfare
•Hotels

•Travel between cities
•Welcome dinner
•Breakfast daily
•Farewell dinner
•Full-time tour director
•Walking tours
•Sightseeing tours
•Entrance to select attractions

• Italian Cooking ClassThis is your chance to become a real Italian chef. Learn the basics of the regional specialties, as a local professional chef guides you through the process. You’ll start by making two kinds of pasta from scratch (anything from ravioli to cannelloni). Next the focus turns to the sauces. Don’t worry if your skills in the kitchen are lacking—when you’re done cooking you’ll be treated to a three-course dinner prepared by the chef’s team.

• Biking the Dutch CountrysideHead outside the city for the afternoon and get a taste of the country life. After a short train ride to Zaanse Schans, get on your bike for a leisurely 1 1/2-hour ride through the classic Dutch landscape—windmills, fields of flowers, rustic farmhouses, all that good stuff. In addition to the ridiculously charming scenery, the trip also includes a picnic lunch, a coffee break, and a visit to a classic Dutch clog maker.