From Paris to Lisbon: Alps, Coasts & Capital Cities

Land in Paris, get yourself to the hostel, and drop your bags. You'll meet the rest of the crew this evening. The first move is usually a casual drink at the hostel bar to kick things off before the real exploring starts tomorrow.

The day starts with a quick orientation walk to get your bearings. The main event is a group picnic on the Champ de Mars with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. Afterwards, the city is yours. Your best move is to pick one neighborhood and go deep—wander the cobbled streets of Montmartre, check out the Latin Quarter, or get your art fix at the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay. Just don't try to do it all in one afternoon.

A full-on travel day, swapping Paris for the Swiss Alps. You'll take a train across the French countryside to the Swiss border, then switch to an overland journey for the final leg. The scenery shifts dramatically as you climb into the mountains, arriving in Interlaken, a town set between two lakes and surrounded by jagged peaks. Drop your bags at the hostel and breathe in the clean mountain air; tomorrow is for adrenaline.

Interlaken is Europe's playground for outdoor sports, and today is about getting into it. After a quick orientation walk to sort out logistics, you have a full slate of options. You can sign up for whitewater rafting on the Lütschine River, go canyoning through local gorges, or take a cable car up for high-altitude views. The town is full of other travelers on the same circuit, so the bars are usually busy after dinner for a group night out.

You've got a full, unstructured day in Interlaken to tackle whatever you missed yesterday. It's a good chance to do one of the more involved activities, like paragliding over the lakes or taking the train up to the Jungfrau region for classic alpine hiking. Or, if you're feeling the pace, just find a spot by Lake Thun or Brienz and relax.

This is a serious travel day. The morning starts with a 4-5 hour overland journey out of the Alps, cutting across northern Italy to Milan. From there, you'll connect to a high-speed train for the final push south to Rome. You'll get in with enough time to drop your bags, join a quick orientation walk to find the nearest ATM and piazza, and grab your first proper Italian dinner. A heads-up: if you want to see the Vatican or Colosseum, book your tickets online weeks in advance to avoid spending half your day in a queue.

A full free day to get lost in Rome. You can tick off the big names—the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon—or just wander through neighborhoods like Trastevere, stopping for espresso and gelato. The city is a living museum, and walking is the best way to see it. A few new people might be joining the crew today, so expect a fresh face or two at the hostel tonight.

It's back on the train today for a journey north into Tuscany. You'll arrive in Pisa, a city known for one thing. After a quick walk to get your bearings, you'll head to the Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower. It's one of those tourist moments you just have to do. Get the photo, laugh at everyone else getting the same photo, and then you're free to find a quiet bar for an afternoon aperitivo.

From your base in Pisa, today is a day trip to the main event of the Ligurian coast: the Cinque Terre. An included train pass gives you unlimited travel between the five cliffside villages. You can hike the coastal path between them—the trail from Monterosso to Vernazza is a classic—or just use the train to hop from one colourful port to the next. It's a full day of stunning sea views, steep vineyards, and pesto, so wear comfortable shoes and show up hungry.

Time to hit the road for the French Riviera. The day's transit is split: first a train ride along the Italian coast to Genoa, then a bus for the final leg across the border into France. You'll arrive in Nice in the afternoon with time to settle in and explore. Your best move is to head straight for the Promenade des Anglais for a walk along the famous stone beach, or wander into the narrow streets of the Old Town (Vieux Nice) to find dinner.

A short train ride along the coast takes you to a different world: the Principality of Monaco. After a quick walk to get oriented, you're free to explore the world's second-smallest country. It's a day of blatant wealth-watching—check out the superyachts in the harbour, the high-rollers at the Monte Carlo Casino, and the supercars doing laps around the F1 circuit route. It’s a surreal contrast to the laid-back vibe of Nice, where you'll return in the evening.

It's a long but scenic travel day down the coast to Spain. An overland journey takes you to Marseille, where you'll switch to a train for the final stretch to Barcelona. After arriving and checking in, a quick orientation walk gets you acquainted with the neighborhood. The evening's plan is a hands-on tapas cooking class at Mescladis, a social enterprise kitchen that supports migrant youth. Afterwards, the crew heads out to dive into Barcelona's legendary nightlife.

You have a full free day to tackle Barcelona. Most people head for Gaudí's architectural works—the Sagrada Família (book tickets way ahead), Park Güell, or the apartment blocks on Passeig de Gràcia. Alternatively, get lost in the maze of the Gothic Quarter or head down to the beach at Barceloneta. The group might expand today with some new arrivals, so expect to see some fresh faces back at the hostel.

The morning is for one last taste of Barcelona. A walk down the famous pedestrian strip, Las Ramblas, is the obvious move, with a detour into the sensory overload of the Boqueria Market. You'll have some free time for last-minute exploring before catching an afternoon high-speed train. A few hours later, you'll be pulling into Madrid, Spain's high-altitude capital. Check into the hostel and get ready for a new city.

After a quick morning walk to get your bearings, you have a full day to explore Madrid. Art lovers should head straight for the 'Golden Triangle' of museums: the Prado, the Reina Sofía (home to Picasso's 'Guernica'), and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. If museums aren't your thing, just wander from plaza to plaza, from the grand Plaza Mayor to the bustling Puerta del Sol. Madrid's nightlife is a serious affair, so save some energy for after dark.

Time to head south. Today's bus journey takes you out of the central plains and into the rolling hills and olive groves of Andalusia. You'll arrive in Granada, the historic heart of Moorish Spain. After dropping your gear at the hostel, you'll head out for an orientation walk through the city's winding streets, likely around the cathedral and the old silk market, to get a feel for the place before sunset.

Today is all about Granada. If you want to visit the Alhambra palace, you need to have booked your ticket months ago—it always sells out. If you didn't, the city still has plenty to offer, from exploring the white-washed Albaicín neighborhood to relaxing in a traditional Arab bath, or hammam. In the evening, the crew heads out for a tapas crawl. Granada is famous for its system: order a drink, and you get a free plate of food. It's the best, cheapest way to have dinner.

A 4-5 hour bus ride takes you deeper into Andalusia, arriving in its capital, Seville. After an orientation walk to get a feel for the city center, you're free to explore. Your best bet is to check out the massive cathedral or the stunning Real Alcázar, a Moorish palace that's still used by the royal family. For the evening, consider crossing the river to the Triana neighborhood to find an authentic tablao for a powerful flamenco performance.

Today you'll cross another border, taking a three-hour bus from Seville west into Portugal. You're headed for Lagos, a backpacker-friendly town on the sunny Algarve coast. After checking into the hostel, the rest of the day is for hitting the beach. The coastline here is defined by its golden sand, dramatic rock formations, and hidden grottos, and there's a beach for every mood within walking distance of town.

You have a full free day to enjoy the Algarve coast. Hike the cliff-top trails for incredible views of the sea stacks and arches at Ponta da Piedade, rent a kayak to explore the sea caves, or just pick a stretch of sand and do absolutely nothing. The vibe is relaxed, and the day is entirely yours to spend on the beach or in the water.

It's the final travel leg of the trip. A bus journey takes you up the coast to Lisbon, Portugal's hilly, vibrant capital. After dropping your bags, an orientation walk will introduce you to the city's layout. You'll have a free afternoon to explore—ride the historic Tram 28, visit the monuments in the Belém neighborhood, or get lost in the steep, tiled alleys of Alfama. The trip wraps up with one last big night out for the whole crew in the bars of the Bairro Alto.

The trip ends this morning in Lisbon. There are no activities planned, so you're free to pack up and head to the airport at any time. If you have a late flight, it's a good chance for one last pastel de nata.