Alps and Lakes FLASHPACKING Group Tour

Alps and Lakes FLASHPACKING Group Tour

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Alps and Lakes FLASHPACKING Group Tour

9 Days Starting in Berlin and ending in Interlaken

Visiting: Innsbruck, Lake Garda, Lugano, Interlaken

Tour operator:

Euroventure Travel

Tour code:

GT-FP-AL

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

5 - 20

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Over 18s Only

Special diets catered:

Meat, Vegans, Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Activities:

Sightseeing

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on a mesmerizing week-long flashpacking group tour by rail that seamlessly combines breathtaking scenery, cultural richness, and charming lakeside destinations. Start in Innsbruck, where the Alps provide the ultimate backdrop for exploring cool history and stunning architecture. Then, hop on the train to Lake Garda in Italy, where you’ll chill by the water and soak in the laid-back lakeside scenes. Swing by Lugano in Switzerland for a taste of Swiss precision with a dash of Italian flair. Wrap up the journey in Interlaken, sandwiched between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, where the mountain views are nothing short of jaw-dropping. This rail trip is your ticket to a week packed with diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and unique memories to last a lifetime. You will be travelling with up to 20 other flashpackers like yourself, staying in boutique 4* hotels, enjoying the perfect mix of included activities and free time to explore alone or with your new found friends, all with the expertise of a tour leader. Europe has one of the best rail networks in the world, which means that you will be travelling from city centre to city centre, in comfort with plenty of space and incredible views. Check out the itinerary below for full details on all the cities and activities included.

Highlights

  • Tyrolean Folk Show and Meal in Innsbruck

  • Innsbruck Card with full access to all museums

  • Tasting Menu Dinner in Lake Garda

  • Boat Tour of Garda Island

  • Dinner Experience in Lugano

  • Monte Bre Tour with funicular

  • Fondue Experience in Interlaken

  • Kayaking Tour in Interlaken

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Meet Your Tour Leader And Fellow Travellers!

Location: Innsbruck

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Welcome to Austria! You can check in, in the afternoon or drop off your bags if you arrive early. Our first activity as a group is in the evening when you will experience authentic Austrian culture at a Tyrolean Folk Show and dinner. This traditional folk performance features centuries-old music, dance, and yodelling traditions and includes a 3 course meal. The perfect way to get to know the group!

Inclusions:
- Tyrolean Folk Show and Meal

Day 2 : Discover Innsbruck

Location: Innsbruck

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is full-on but can be adapted to your interests. We make use of the Innsbruck card which includes a walking tour of the city but also access to the hop-on hop-off guided tour bus, 22 museums, transport and even some lifts and cable cars if you have a head for heights!

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Innsbruck Card

Day 3 : Welcome To Italy

Location: Lake Garda

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a good night rest, board a 4-hour train taking you directly to Verona via the Austrian and Italian Alps, the historic Brenner Pass, the South Tyroll Region with its rolling hills and vineyards and along the Adige River valley. Arrive in Verona and take a short connecting train to Lake Garda – one of the most breath-taking places in Italy! You will stay in the most central area close to the lakeside, with plenty of opportunities to explore the lake and surrounding villages. In the evening, the group comes together to experience a tasting menu dinner with wine.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Trains to Lake Garda
- Tasting Menu Dinner

Day 4 : Discover The Italian Lakes

Location: Lake Garda

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start your day with a guided boat tour of the Lake from Sirmione to Isola Del Garda – the centrepiece of the Lake with a magnificent villa to explore. The rest of the day is free to explore the area either by foot, bike or boat. In the summer months it is also very popular to go swimming in the beautiful fresh water.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Boat Tour to Garda Island

Day 5 : Welcome To Switzerland

Location: Lugano

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Take a morning train to Lugano via the magnificent city of Milan. Totalling about 2-3 hours, there will be the opportunity to briefly see the city of Milan before continuing on into the mountains and crossing the border into Switzerland.

Lugano is renowned for its stunning natural surroundings and situated on the shores of Lake Lugano, surrounded by lush hills and the majestic Swiss Alps. The combination of the lake, mountains, and Mediterranean-style architecture gives the city a unique and charming atmosphere.

Once in Lugano, check into your hotel before taking a boat to Gandria. This village has retained its traditional charm and architecture, and it’s a great place to explore narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and local culture. You then have the option to either hike back for around 1 hour along the olive trail, or to take the bus back into Lugano before heading for a traditional meal in town later that evening.

Inclusions:

Breakfast
- Train to Lugano
- Boat to Gandria
- Dinner in Lugano

Day 6 : Discover Lugano

Location: Lugano

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, explore the allure of Monte Brè during a full-day guided excursion to its sunlit peak. We begin the journey with a brief cruise on Lake Ceresio before transitioning to the scenic funicular, which will take you up the mountain. Here, explore the village of Brè and then venture to the Museo Wilhelm Schmid to delve deeper into the cultural legacy of the area.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Monte Bre Tour with funicular

Day 7 : Fondue Experience

Location: Interlaken

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today starts with a breath-taking train journey along the Gotthard Panorama Express route which is one of the most scenic in Switzerland and arguably the world! The journey to Interlaken takes just under 5 hours with a change in Lucerne. We will see crystal-clear lakes, rugged mountain peaks, deep valleys, lush green forests, historic villages and the Gotthard Base Tunnel – one of the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnels in the world.

Arrive in Interlaken in the afternoon and check into your hotel with the rest of the afternoon free until dinner time. In the evening, head for an unforgettable traditional Swiss fondue experience.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Train to Interlaken
- Fondue Experience

Day 8 : Kayaking Tour

Location: Interlaken

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning is free for you to explore the area at your own pace, take part in any of the numerous outdoors activities, maybe go for a swim, walk or cycle. In the afternoon, we walk over to the beautiful village of Bönigen to take part in a half-day kayaking tour of the area. You will be in groups of 6 with an expert kayaking instructor and guide, so whether you have never kayaked before or you’re already an expert, you are guaranteed to have a brilliant time. Alternatively, you can chill by the outdoor heated pool or enjoy a bite to eat at the beachside café. There are even canoes and stand-up paddleboards available for rental! If you haven’t already fallen in love with Interlaken then you will have by the evening as this is one of the coolest and most idyllic spots in the whole of Switzerland.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast
- Kayaking Tour

Day 9 : Departure Day

Location: Interlaken

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is departure day. There are direct trains that you can take to Zurich airport or you can also take a train to Geneva. Alternatively, why not extend your trip and travel on your own independent rail trip booked through Euroventure or add extra post-trip accommodation in Interlaken.

Inclusions:
- Breakfast

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    You will be staying in boutique 4 star hotels.

  • Activities

    Various must-do activities as per the itinerary.

  • Fully Guided

    Experience Euroventure Tour Leader throughout.

  • Transport

    All train tickets and seat reservations where available between all cities on the itinerary

  • Meals

    Breakfast each day at the hotel plus meals in accordance with the itinerary.

What's Not Included

  • Flights

    Any flights or travel to and from the first and last destination on the itinerary

  • Meals

    Most meals (see itinerary)

Mode of Transport

Trains throughout which is the best way to travel Europe as they are comfortable, scenic, fast, and take you from city centre to city centre. You don't need to check-in early and there is no baggage limit!

Accommodation

You will be staying in lovely 4 star boutique hotels in same-sex twin rooms (single upgrade available).

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No - we can however provide visa support letters for £6 per hotel.

  • What is the average age of traveller?

    For our flashpacking group tours you need to be over 18. Most of our travellers are in their 30s and 40s and travelling alone. Although we do get younger and older customers and people traveling as a couple! If you are looking for something different then check out our Euroventure backpacking group tours and premium group tours on our website.

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    They'll be plenty of walking but nothing too exerting!

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Sadly not. We require at least 30 days' notice before you can join any tour, so we have enough time to arrange everything and make sure your trip runs smoothly.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since the 6th February 2020, Euroventure has been operating as a carbon negative business – this means that we not only offset the carbon that our staff and trips produce, but we have reduced it by 200%, ensuring that we make a positive contribution towards the environment.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    We'll be in touch around 4 weeks before your trip, with a request for you to complete a couple of forms for us. From there, we'll provide your PDF travel pack and information about your meeting point, before you will be put in contact with your dedicated tour leader around a week before your departure date.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    Your trip becomes non-refundable and non-amendable within 90 days of your trip starting. If you need to change before that, please get in touch and we'll see what we can do to help. Your deposit remains non-refundable in such an event.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    We've been operating for 10 years now, since 2012!

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    On our Backpacking Group Tours everyone on the tour will be aged between 18 - 35, plus one of our experienced and fun tour leaders! On our Premium Group Tours, everyone will be aged 18+ and the average age is 50+. You’ll be traveling in a small group of up to 20 people and your tour leader.

Reviews of this operator

Will C  

Euroventure Review

02-Aug-2022

Amazing experience, host went above and beyond. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to travel in a group or trying out interailing/hostels for the first time! Will be using Euroventure for future trips!

Anonymous  

Group Tour Review

02-Aug-2022

I had the best time on the whole of Europe group tour! I met amazing people and it was great to see so many European cities within a month! Euroventure always replied to any queries I had very quickly and I would definitely book another trip with them in the future! Thank you for an amazing trip!

Matt  

Group Tour Review

05-Aug-2022

What a brilliant trip, I opted for the 1 week group tour and then some solo travelling. The information provided pre trip and during was excellent. Our tour leader Kev was a brilliant lead and added to my super experience. Would highly recommend euroventure to anyone wanting to travel through Europe. Thanks

Sandy  

Group Tour Review

12-Nov-2022

This trip absolutely exceeded every expectation I had on every level. The customer service from the time of booking and speaking to Alex on the phone, to being on the trip and the great customer service I received and the help I received navigating through the different countries and cities by Fede and Vera (Our Tour Leaders). Right through to the end of the trip and even beyond helping me navigated the train journey back to my home town. The price was fantastic for what you get and the hostels in general were better than I expected. They were clean, had entertainment, cheap drinks and food to accommodate us after a long travel day. In the first 2 weeks we had Fede as our Tour Leader and she was so much so and took us to the coolest places. In the second 2 weeks we had Vera who was lovely and extremely helpful and I’ve learned so much from on how to navigate the cities and trains. The group were so lovely and I’m so grateful to have been part of this group and experience l. I have met friends for life. Thanks so much Euroventure ❤️

Becky McM  

Mediterranean Coastliner Group Tour Review

09-Oct-2022

Just finished the Mediterranean coast line group tour and I honestly cannot recommend it enough. Seen some amazing places with great activities included and most importantly met amazing people. Our group leader teya was fantastic and became part of the group and a friend. She offered advice on extra activities, food, bars and joined when she could. She made everyone welcome and accommodate to everyone. The best way to solo travel or see Europe!

Benji  

Group Tour Review

21-Jul-2022

There really is not enough I can say about Euroventure and my trip that can justify how fun, interesting and (most unexpectedly) needed a trip like this was for me. Teya was the lead for our group (also shout out to Kev who helped kick things off) and she was absolutely incredible. She was a super fun and kind group lead and was also so wonderfully a part of our gang that it really made it like having a good friend tell you where to go for three weeks. Shout out to the bohemian tour group of 2022. Our group was awesome and I did not expect to make so many close friends who are already planning our next trip together. I’m from the US and a bit older, so this trip originally appealed to me because it’s not the “typical American euro trip” and that really paid off. Many people were early to mid twenties from UK and a few other European countries, but most of us had not been to most of the places on this trip and that was fun. Favorite place: Kotor, Montenegro. Beautiful bay and cool old town. Fun to hit the beach. I highly recommend you take this tour if you’re looking for something different and still tons of fun. Will do again, time permitting! The value is entirely worth it and I think that is understated until you realize all you get from a trip like this. Thanks EV!

Georgia  

Euroventure Review

25-Oct-2022

Euroventure was amazing! A group of 7 of us went interrailing and we had the best time. The team at euro venture took care of every request/need we had. They replied quickly to any emails we sent regarding changes to the plan and we’re just so helpful through the entire process. Couldn’t recommend using euroventure enough!

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Euroventure Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of euroventure travel charges.

    Up to 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 89 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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