Berlin to Istanbul

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Berlin

Check out the thriving avant-garde arts scene, then take time to reflect on the city's tumultuous past and visit what remains of the Berlin Wall.

Days 3-4 Krakow

Hang out with locals in Rynek Glowny or head out of town to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an eerie world of high-ceilinged chambers and deep shafts. A day trip to Auschwitz makes for a sombre, yet insightful interlude.

Days 5-6 Prague

Wander through the Old Town to the fascinating Jewish Quarter or jostle past the crowd of hawkers and performers on the Charles Bridge. In the evening, mingle with locals, Europeans and international folk in underground jazz bars.

Day 7 Cesky Krumlov

Travel through pristine countryside to this fairytale town nestled in a bend of the Vltava River.

Days 8-9 Vienna

Peruse an abundance of art in the museums or take a trip out to the glorious Schloss Schonbrunn to learn all about the Habsburgs.

Days 10-11 Budapest

Enjoy a relaxing soak in a thermal bath, cross the spectacular Chain Bridge between Buda and Pest or see what remains from the days of the USSR at the Statue Park.

Days 12-13 Bled

Get a rush rafting or caving at Vintgar Gorge or take things down a notch and row across pristine Lake Bled to tiny Bled Island.

Days 14-15 Venice

Splash out with a romantic gondola ride and mingle with locals in the sprawling piazzas.

Days 16-17 Cinque Terre

Wander along the coastal path that links the five villages, then feast on fresh seafood while the sun sets over the olive groves.

Days 18-19 Florence

Discover the heart and soul of the Renaissance in the Duomo and on the Ponte Vecchio, and peruse exquisite artworks in the Medici Chapels.

Days 20-21 Rome

Grab a gelato and take to the streets. From the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps, discover historic sites around every corner. See the iconic Sistine Chapel then do as Romans do and sip espresso in a piazza-side cafe.

Days 22-23 Naples

Top of the list for pizza purists is a session at one of Naples' pizzerias. Perhaps travel to Pompeii to explore the eerie remains of a town suspended in time or frolic on the beaches of Sorrento or Positano.

Day 24 Bari/Overnight Ferry

Catch a train to the other side of the 'boot', and board a ferry across the Adriatic to Greece.

Days 25-26 Corfu

Hike to the top of Mt Pantokrator for great views across the island. Dive into the azure waters and feast on fresh seafood by the shore.

Days 27-28 Athens

Take a day trip to the Peloponnese peninsula and the ancient Corinth Canal or discover the wealth of history in Athens, the birthplace of Western civilisation.

Days 29-30 Santorini

From the black sand beaches to the magnificent caldera, the natural beauty of Santorini is bewitching. Sip ouzo with locals in seaside taverns and enjoy magnificent sunsets over the Aegean.

Day 31 Athens

Travel back to Athens then catch a ferry onwards to Lesvos.

Days 32-33 Lesvos

Discover Greece's third largest island - renowned for its olive oil, petrified sequoia forest and relaxed atmosphere.

Day 34 Ayvalik

Concealed in a gentle harbour on the Aegean coast, Ayvalik is the perfect place to stroll cobbled laneways and chat with the locals.

Days 35-36 Istanbul

Resting on two continents, the collision of East and West in Istanbul is constantly evident. Explore labyrinthine backstreets in Sultanahmet and stop by Aya Sofya for a taste of Constantinople.