Self-Launched Total Europe: Berlin, Prague & the Tastes of Italy

Arrive at any time. Check into a central Amsterdam hostel — Stayokay Vondelpark or Generator Amsterdam are great options with social atmospheres and strong ratings. Get your bearings, grab a stroopwafel, and head out to explore the canals at your own pace. Meet fellow travellers in the hostel bar in the evening.

🚌Arrival by own arrangement. Amsterdam Centraal is well connected by train from Schiphol Airport (£4).

🛏Generator Amsterdam or Stayokay Vondelpark (~£25–32/night in a dorm)

• →Explore the canal belt on foot
• →Visit the Jordaan neighbourhood
• →Relax in hostel common areas and meet fellow travellers

Start the morning with a self-booked bike tour of Amsterdam's canals — companies like Mike's Bike Tours or a GetYourGuide rental let you explore just like the locals do. Then head to Amsterdam Centraal and catch a direct Intercity Express (ICE) train to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. The journey takes around 6 hours and costs roughly £35–55 booked in advance via Trainline or DB. Arrive in Berlin with a free evening to wander Mitte or settle into your hostel.

🚌ICE train Amsterdam to Berlin, ~6 hrs, ~£35–55 booked in advance

🛏Generator Berlin Mitte or Circus Hostel (~£20–28/night dorm)

• →Self-booked Amsterdam canal bike tour (~£15 via GetYourGuide)
• →Train journey Amsterdam to Berlin (ICE, ~£35–55, book via Trainline or DB.de)
• →Evening stroll around Berlin Mitte

Berlin is a city you feel as much as see. Start with a free walking tour (Sandemans New Europe runs excellent free tours departing daily from Brandenburg Gate — tip your guide). Walk along the East Side Gallery, pass through the Brandenburg Gate, and visit the Checkpoint Charlie Museum (entry ~£13). Rent a bike (£10–12/day) and cycle out to the vast Tempelhof Airport park — a genuinely spectacular hidden gem. In the evening, Berlin's nightlife is legendary; the hostel bar is also a perfectly good option.

🚌Walking, bike rental, and U-Bahn day ticket (~£8)

🛏Generator Berlin Mitte or Circus Hostel (~£20–28/night dorm)

• →Free walking tour with Sandemans (Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Reichstag)
• →East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall murals) — free entry
• →Checkpoint Charlie Museum (~£13 entry)
• →Tempelhof Airport park bike ride (~£10 bike rental)

Take a morning train from Berlin to Dresden (~2 hrs, ~£15 booked via DB). Spend a few hours wandering Dresden's stunning baroque Altstadt — the Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace courtyards, and the Brühl's Terrace are all free to walk around. Then catch an afternoon train or Flixbus from Dresden to Prague (~2.5 hrs, £10–18). Arrive in Prague in the evening and check into your hostel in the Old Town.

🚌Berlin to Dresden by DB train (~£15), Dresden to Prague by train or Flixbus (~£10–18)

🛏Sir Toby's Hostel or Mosaic House Prague (~£18–26/night dorm)

• →Dresden Frauenkirche and Altstadt walk (free)
• →Brühl's Terrace viewpoint (free)
• →Train or Flixbus Dresden to Prague (~£10–18)

Prague is one of Europe's most photogenic cities and almost entirely walkable. Start with a free walking tour of the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge. Climb up to Prague Castle (grounds free, interior areas from ~£10) for sweeping views over the city. In the evening, Czech beer is among the cheapest in Europe — a pint in a local pub runs around £1.50–2.50.

🚌Walking and Prague metro day ticket (~£3)

🛏Sir Toby's Hostel or Mosaic House Prague (~£18–26/night dorm)

• →Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock (free)
• →Charles Bridge walk (free)
• →Prague Castle grounds (~£10 for full ticket)
• →Evening pub crawl or local pivnice (Czech pub)

Spend the morning exploring Prague's Josefov (Jewish Quarter) or the Vyšehrad fortress for quieter views. Then catch a RegioJet or Flixbus from Prague to Vienna — journey time around 4–4.5 hours and costs as little as £12–20 booked ahead. Arrive in Vienna in the afternoon and explore the Innere Stadt on foot in the evening.

🚌RegioJet train or Flixbus Prague to Vienna, ~4 hrs, ~£12–20

🛏Wombat's City Hostel Vienna or Meininger Vienna (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →Vyšehrad fortress and park (free)
• →Josefov Jewish Quarter exterior walk (free)
• →RegioJet or Flixbus Prague to Vienna (~£12–20)

Vienna rewards slow mornings. Head straight to the Naschmarkt — Vienna's famous 16th-century open-air market running along the Wienzeile. Wander the stalls of cheeses, cured meats, olives, and fresh produce. For a more structured experience, book a Naschmarkt food tour via GetYourGuide (~£35) with a local guide who'll walk you through the history and offer tastings — the self-launched equivalent of the included tour highlight. Afternoon: stroll the Ringstrasse, visit the exterior of the Hofburg Palace (free), and end with a Melange coffee in a traditional Viennese Kaffeehaus.

🚌Vienna U-Bahn day ticket (~£5)

🛏Wombat's City Hostel Vienna or Meininger Vienna (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →Naschmarkt self-guided wander or GetYourGuide food tour (~£35)
• →Hofburg Palace exterior and Heldenplatz (free)
• →Ringstrasse boulevard walk (free)
• →Traditional Viennese coffee house experience (~£5)

Catch the Nightjet overnight train from Vienna to Venice (book via ÖBB or Trainline, couchette from ~£45–70) — a brilliant way to save a night's accommodation and wake up in Venice. Alternatively, take a daytime Railjet to Venice (~8 hrs, £35–60). Arrive and check in to your hostel near Santa Lucia station.

🚌Nightjet overnight train Vienna to Venice, ~8–9 hrs, couchette ~£45–70

🛏Generator Venice or Combo Venice (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →Vienna city morning exploration before departure
• →Nightjet overnight train Vienna to Venice (couchette ~£45–70 via ÖBB)

Wake up in Venice — genuinely one of the world's most extraordinary cities. Cross the Rialto Bridge, get gloriously lost in the sestieri alleyways, and visit St Mark's Square early before the crowds arrive (Basilica entry is free). Skip the overpriced gondola ride and instead take the traghetto gondola crossing (~£2) used by locals across the Grand Canal. Head to the Dorsoduro neighbourhood for a local aperitivo and watch the sun set over the lagoon.

🚌Walking (Venice is pedestrian only); vaporetto day pass (~£18) if needed

🛏Generator Venice or Combo Venice (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →St Mark's Basilica (free entry to main church)
• →Rialto Bridge and market (free)
• →Traghetto gondola crossing (~£2)
• →Dorsoduro neighbourhood wander and aperitivo

Take a Frecciabianca or Frecciargento high-speed train from Venice Santa Lucia to Florence Santa Maria Novella (~2–2.5 hrs, £20–35 booked via Trenitalia). Arrive in Florence in time for a full afternoon. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio — the medieval bridge lined with jewellers and art dealers — and take in views over the Arno. Explore the Oltrarno neighbourhood for authentic trattorias away from the tourist throngs.

🚌Freccia high-speed train Venice to Florence, ~2.5 hrs, ~£20–35

🛏Plus Florence or Ostello Bello Grande (~£20–28/night dorm)

• →High-speed train Venice to Florence (~£20–35 via Trenitalia)
• →Ponte Vecchio walk (free)
• →Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic sunset views (free)
• →Oltrarno neighbourhood dinner

Florence is an art lover's paradise. Book the Uffizi Gallery in advance online (~£20) to see Botticelli's Birth of Venus and avoid the queues. Climb to the top of Brunelleschi's Duomo for epic rooftop views (~£18 combined ticket). Wander the Mercato Centrale for a lunch of lampredotto or fresh pasta. In the afternoon, stroll the Boboli Gardens (~£10) behind the Pitti Palace for some calm among the crowds.

🚌Entirely walkable; bus if needed (~£1.50)

🛏Plus Florence or Ostello Bello Grande (~£20–28/night dorm)

• →Uffizi Gallery (pre-book online, ~£20)
• →Florence Cathedral (Duomo) and cupola climb (~£18)
• →Mercato Centrale lunch (~£8)
• →Boboli Gardens (~£10)

Catch a Frecciarossa high-speed train from Florence to Rome (~1.5 hrs, £20–40 booked in advance via Trenitalia). Arrive in Rome and spend the afternoon getting your bearings — the city is overwhelming in the best possible way. Find the Trastevere neighbourhood for dinner: one of the most atmospheric parts of Rome for budget trattorias.

🚌Frecciarossa train Florence to Rome, ~1.5 hrs, ~£20–40

🛏The Yellow Hostel or Ostello Bello Roma (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →Frecciarossa high-speed train Florence to Rome (~£20–40)
• →Trastevere neighbourhood evening walk and dinner
• →Initial Rome orientation walk

Pre-book the Colosseum and Roman Forum online (~£16 combined, mandatory — queues are hours long without a booking). Walk the Via Sacra through the Forum and imagine the ancient city at its peak. In the afternoon, make your way to the Trevi Fountain — built above an ancient aqueduct and named for the three streets (tre vie) that meet here. Throw a coin in. Then walk to the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon (entry ~£5, completely free exterior). End the evening in Campo de' Fiori.

🚌Walking and Metro day pass (~£4)

🛏The Yellow Hostel or Ostello Bello Roma (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →Colosseum & Roman Forum (pre-book, ~£16)
• →Trevi Fountain (free, best visited early morning or late evening)
• →Pantheon (~£5 entry)
• →Campo de' Fiori evening drinks

Dedicate the morning to the Vatican — book the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in advance online (~£20, essential to avoid the famous queues). St Peter's Basilica entry is free and the views from the dome (~£6 on foot) are spectacular. In the afternoon, take a self-guided food walk through Testaccio — Rome's traditional working-class neighbourhood and the birthplace of Roman cucina, with street food stalls, market vendors, and the Testaccio Market.

🚌Metro and walking (~£4 day pass)

🛏The Yellow Hostel or Ostello Bello Roma (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (pre-book, ~£20)
• →St Peter's Basilica (free) and dome climb (~£6)
• →Testaccio Market and street food walk (self-guided, free entry)

Take a Frecciabianca or regional train from Roma Termini to Ancona (~3.5 hrs, ~£18–25). From Ancona, board the Jadrolinija or SNAV overnight ferry to Split, Croatia (~9–10 hrs, deck passage from ~£25, cabin from ~£55). This is one of the great budget travel routes in Europe — fall asleep on the Adriatic and wake up in Croatia.

🚌Train Rome to Ancona + overnight ferry Ancona to Split

🛏Overnight ferry cabin or deck passage (~£25–55)

• →Train Rome to Ancona (~£18–25 via Trenitalia)
• →Overnight ferry Ancona to Split (Jadrolinija, deck ~£25, cabin ~£55 — book via Jadrolinija.hr or Ferriesingreece.com)

Arrive in Split harbour in the morning. Diocletian's Palace — a UNESCO-listed Roman emperor's retirement complex that the entire old town is built inside — is your first port of call. The atmospheric warren of streets, bars and apartments within the palace walls is stunning and entry to the open areas is free. Visit the Cathedral of Saint Domnius (former mausoleum, ~£4) and climb the bell tower for views. Spend the afternoon relaxing on Bačvice Beach (a 10-minute walk from the old town) — famous for its shallow waters and the local picigin ball game.

🚌Walking from ferry terminal to old town (~15 mins on foot)

🛏Stari Grad Hostel Split or Goli + Bosi Design Hostel (~£18–26/night dorm)

• →Diocletian's Palace old town walk (free)
• →Cathedral of Saint Domnius bell tower (~£4)
• →Bačvice Beach afternoon (free)
• →Dalmatian seafood dinner on the Riva promenade

Take the regular Jadrolinija catamaran from Split to Hvar Town (~1 hr, ~£8–12 one-way — book at the Split ferry terminal or online). Hvar is Croatia's sunniest island: explore the medieval Fortica fortress above the town (entry ~£6), swim in crystal Adriatic coves, and wander the UNESCO-listed old town. The island is expensive for eating and drinking in the harbour area — head uphill or to the local bakeries for budget-friendly options.

🚌Jadrolinija catamaran Split to Hvar, ~1 hr, ~£8–12

🛏Hostel Marinero Hvar or Green Lizard Hostel (~£22–30/night dorm)

• →Catamaran Split to Hvar (~£8–12 via Jadrolinija)
• →Fortica fortress and old town (~£6 entry)
• →Swimming in Adriatic coves (free)
• →Evening in Hvar harbour

Catch a catamaran or ferry connection from Hvar towards Korčula (~2–3 hrs depending on route, ~£12–18 via Jadrolinija or Krilo). Korčula's old town is a beautifully preserved medieval walled city on a small peninsula — often called 'little Dubrovnik'. Visit the supposed birthplace of Marco Polo (exterior free, small museum ~£4), walk the city walls (partially accessible), and swim off the rocky shores.

🚌Jadrolinija or Krilo catamaran Hvar to Korčula, ~2–3 hrs, ~£12–18

🛏Hostel Korčula or local guesthouse (~£20–28/night)

• →Ferry or catamaran Hvar to Korčula (~£12–18)
• →Korčula old town walled city walk (free)
• →Marco Polo House (~£4)
• →Swimming from rocky Korčula shoreline (free)

Enjoy a full day on Korčula. Rent a bicycle (~£10/day) and explore the island's olive groves and quiet villages beyond the old town. Lumbarda village at the eastern tip has sandy beaches — rare for Croatia. In the evening, watch the traditional Moreška sword dance performance if running (seasonal, ~£12 — check locally).

🚌Bicycle rental (~£10)

🛏Hostel Korčula or local guesthouse (~£20–28/night)

• →Bicycle rental and island exploration (~£10)
• →Lumbarda village and sandy beach (free)
• →Moreška sword dance performance (seasonal, ~£12)
• →Local wine tasting — Korčula produces excellent Pošip white wine

Take the Krilo catamaran or Jadrolinija ferry from Korčula to Dubrovnik (~2.5–3.5 hrs, ~£15–22). Arrive in Dubrovnik and immediately head to the old town. Walk the famous City Walls (~£28 — pricey but arguably the best thing you can do here) for panoramic views over the Adriatic and terracotta rooftops. The walls circuit takes around 1.5–2 hours.

🚌Krilo catamaran or Jadrolinija ferry Korčula to Dubrovnik, ~£15–22

🛏Hostel Angelina Old Town or Fresh* Sheets Hostel (~£25–35/night dorm)

• →Ferry Korčula to Dubrovnik (Krilo or Jadrolinija, ~£15–22)
• →Dubrovnik City Walls walk (~£28)
• →Old Town Stradun (main street) evening wander

Explore Dubrovnik's old town in depth. The city was used extensively as King's Landing in Game of Thrones — a self-guided map of filming locations is free online and great fun to follow. Take the cable car up Mount Srđ (~£14 return) for breathtaking views over the city, sea and islands. In the afternoon, catch the short ferry to Lokrum Island (~£15 return, runs regularly in season) for swimming in a saltwater lake and exploring the botanical gardens.

🚌Local bus or walking; cable car (~£14)

🛏Hostel Angelina Old Town or Fresh* Sheets Hostel (~£25–35/night dorm)

• →Self-guided Game of Thrones filming locations walk (free — maps online)
• →Dubrovnik Cable Car to Mount Srđ (~£14 return)
• →Lokrum Island ferry and swimming (~£15 return)
• →Sunset walk along the Stradun

Use your penultimate day for a day trip from Dubrovnik. Option A: Take a local bus to the Konavle Valley (~£3) for hiking, wine tasting and traditional Konavljanka embroidery villages. Option B: Book a day trip boat to Mljet National Park (~£35–45 via GetYourGuide) — a stunning island of saltwater lakes and pine forest. Return to Dubrovnik for a final group dinner and drinks in one of the old town's rooftop bars.

🚌Local bus to Konavle (~£3) or organised boat trip to Mljet (~£35–45)

🛏Hostel Angelina Old Town or Fresh* Sheets Hostel (~£25–35/night dorm)

• →Day trip to Mljet National Park via boat tour (~£35–45) OR Konavle Valley local bus trip (~£3)
• →Final evening dinner in Dubrovnik old town

Final morning in Dubrovnik. If time allows before your flight, grab a coffee on the Stradun, do one last swim, or stroll Gunduličeva Poljana market for local produce and souvenirs. Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is about 20km from the old town — take the Atlas shuttle bus (~£5) or a taxi (~£20–25). Alternatively, Dubrovnik's bus station connects to Split, Sarajevo, and beyond for onward adventures.

🚌Atlas shuttle bus to Dubrovnik Airport (~£5) or taxi (~£20–25)

🛏N/A (departure day)

• →Final old town stroll and Stradun coffee
• →Gunduličeva Poljana market browse
• →Airport shuttle bus (~£5) or taxi (~£20–25) to Dubrovnik Airport