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Euroventure · Self-guided rail holiday

Whole Hog: 5 Weeks

14 European cities in 36 days from London to Paris by train

Illustration of Whole Hog: 5 Weeks

Euroventure's Whole Hog is a 36-day self-guided rail journey for those wanting to savour Europe's variety rather than rush through it. Starting with Eurostar from London St Pancras to Amsterdam, the route winds through Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Venice, Florence, Rome, Nice, and Barcelona before returning to London or continuing on the included Interrail pass. Each city receives 2 to 3 nights, allowing time to walk the streets, visit museums, enjoy a meal or two, and sleep without an early departure. Transport, centrally located accommodation, all seat reservations, walking directions, and a personalised travel booklet are included. The itinerary suits independent explorers and first-time Interrailers looking for depth, as well as repeat rail travellers seeking a longer immersion. Optional partner activities in each city, from pub crawls to walking tours, are available but not mandatory. Euroventure provides 24-hour emergency support, alternative travel if strikes occur, and exclusive discounts on attractions.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 3,090 covers the package; Eurostar and Interrail tickets are sourced separately at best value and included in your final cost.
  • Two legs use bus instead of train: Ljubljana to Venice (5 hours) and the London leg is subject to your final booking choice.
  • Accommodation options are tested but listed as 'hotels or similar', meaning your final hotel may vary by tier and city.
  • No departures dates are published; confirm availability and your preferred travel dates with Euroventure before committing.

Day by day

  1. Day 1rail

    London

    Board the Eurostar from St Pancras; Interrail pass holders travel free from their hometown to London the same day.

  2. Day 1railovernight: Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    Train to Amsterdam (6 hours). 3 nights. Highlights: visit the Van Gogh Museum; cycle Europe's biggest historic centre; tour the Red Light District.

  3. Day 4railovernight: Berlin

    Berlin

    Train to Berlin (7 hours). 3 nights. Highlights: see a section of the old Berlin Wall; climb the dome of the Reichstag; discover Schoneberg and Kreuzberg nightlife.

  4. Day 7railovernight: Prague

    Prague

    Train to Prague (5 hours). 3 nights. Highlights: cross Charles Bridge; marvel at the Dancing Building; sample Czech Pilsner beers.

  5. Day 10railovernight: Vienna

    Vienna

    Train to Vienna (4 hours). 2 nights. Highlights: visit the Spanish Riding School; eat apple strudel and Wiener Schnitzel; attend a classical concert.

  6. Day 12railovernight: Bratislava

    Bratislava

    Train to Bratislava (1 hour). 2 nights. Highlights: climb to the 19th century castle; take a night tour; shop for folk art at Uluv.

  7. Day 14railovernight: Budapest

    Budapest

    Train to Budapest (3 hours). 3 nights. Highlights: relax in 15th century thermal spas; photograph Buda Castle; the Sziget rock and indie festival (August).

  8. Day 17railovernight: Zagreb

    Zagreb

    Train to Zagreb (6 hours). 2 nights. Highlights: view from the Lotrscak Tower; stroll Mirogoj Cemetery; coffee at Kino Europa.

  9. Day 19overnight: Ljubljana

    Ljubljana

    Bus to Ljubljana (3 hours). 2 nights, 45 minutes from Lake Bled. Highlights: see the 16th century castle on the hill; wander the colourful streets; views from an art-deco skyscraper terrace.

  10. Day 21overnight: Venice

    Venice

    Bus to Venice (5 hours). 2 nights. Highlights: cross St Mark's Square; get lost in the alleyways and canals; ride a vaporetto down the Grand Canal.

  11. Day 23railovernight: Florence

    Florence

    Train to Florence (2.5 hours). 2 nights. Highlights: see Michelangelo's statue of David; explore Renaissance chapels and churches.

  12. Day 25railovernight: Rome

    Rome

    Train to Rome (2 hours). 3 nights. Highlights: marvel at the Roman Forum; see the Colosseum; visit Vatican City.

  13. Day 28overnight: Nice

    Nice

    Trains to Nice (10 hours). 2 nights. Highlights: explore the old town; watch the sunset from the Promenade des Anglais; take a sightseeing cruise of the Cote d'Azur.

  14. Day 30overnight: Barcelona

    Barcelona

    Trains to Barcelona (9 hours). 3 nights. Highlights: see the Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter; spot Gaudi's Parc Guell; crawl the bars around Las Ramblas.

  15. Day 33railovernight: Paris

    Paris

    Train to Paris (7 hours). 2 nights. Highlights: see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre; watch a cabaret act at the Moulin Rouge; experience the Marais nightlife.

  16. Day 35rail

    London

    Train to London (2.5 hours) to finish, or continue home free on the Interrail pass.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Amsterdam; Interrail pass holders can travel free from their UK hometown to London the same day.
  • Day 7In Prague, cross the 14th century Charles Bridge and see the Dancing Building.
  • Day 14In Budapest, relax in 15th century thermal spas and photograph Buda Castle from across the Danube.

Included

  • All overland transport tickets from the first to the last city, as shown on the map
  • Any Interrail or Eurail passes if required, based on the best value for you
  • All possible seat reservations on high-speed rail, night trains or ferries
  • Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels, tested by us
  • Walking directions between the stations and your booked accommodation
  • Travel Disruption Protection: alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption
  • Access to our 24hr emergency phone number while you're away
  • 1GB of free data, with the option to add more anytime with eSIM
  • A personalised travel booklet with maps, language guides, top tips, and more
  • Optional walking tours, pub crawls and other activities at our partner hostels
  • Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. Euroventure includes all overland transport tickets from London to Paris, all seat reservations on high-speed trains and ferries, and any Interrail or Eurail passes needed. Two legs from Ljubljana to Venice and locally are by bus.
Is this guided or self-guided?
Self-guided. You receive walking directions to your accommodation, a personalised travel booklet with maps and language guides, and access to optional partner activities like walking tours and pub crawls, but you explore each city at your own pace.
What accommodation is included?
Top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels tested by Euroventure. Your final choice depends on the tier and city you select.
How many nights do you spend in each city?
Most cities have 2 to 3 nights. Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Rome, and Barcelona have 3 nights; Vienna, Bratislava, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Venice, Florence, Nice, and Paris have 2 nights.
What is the total cost and what does it include?
From GBP 3,090 for 36 days. Included are all transport, accommodation, seat reservations, walking directions, a personalised travel booklet, 1GB free data via eSIM, 24hr emergency support, and exclusive attraction discounts. Meals, optional activities, and any personal spending are additional.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate walking, mainly city exploration and moving between stations and hotels. No hikes or high-altitude activity.

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