Multi centre holidays

Prague is packed full of so many amazing sights, it can be hard to know where to begin. But if you only have limited time, be sure to visit Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and St. Vitus Cathedral – you’ll be able to walk between the three, with time to stop for a chimney cake, Prague’s popular sugary snack. Just don’t forget about Old Town Square, home to an amazing astronomical clock from the 14th century, and a handful of bohemian basement bars.

Getting to Budapest couldn’t be easier – hop on a plane and you’ll be there in an hour. But another option is to take the train, and while your journey will be much slower, you’ll pass by beautiful green hills, catch glimpses of the Danube River, and roll through the stunning Hungarian Mountains. From Prague Central Train Station, (Praha Hlavni Nadrazi) catch the modern, high speed train to Budapest – trains leave up to 8 times per day, and are excellent value for money.

From the main train station in Budapest it’s a short walk to the river, and a number of the city’s top attractions including the Hungarian Parliament Building and District 7 – a party district home to Budapest’s famous ruin bars. Across the river, you’ll find Buda Castle, and Fisherman’s Bastion, a stunning 19th century fortress with panoramic views of the city. If you’re feeling fatigued, spend a few hours rejuvenating at Szechenyi Thermal Baths, a grand spa with indoor and outdoor pools.

Often described as the world’s biggest open-air museum, Rome is a city of endless wonders. From the Colosseum and Vatican to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain, you’ll discover jaw-dropping moments around every corner – camera at the ready! To see all the sights with ease, you’ll want to be centrally located, saving you money on taxis. Most of our hotels are situated in the city centre just a short walk from all the iconic sights, and the main train station – perfect for your onward journey to Venice.

From Rome’s central train station (Roma Termini) the inexpensive high-speed Le Frecce takes you to Venice in just over 3 hours. That means you can journey there and back in a day, making planning your trip that much easier – plus, with up to 14 trains a day, you’ll have plenty of leeway if you miss your planned leaving time. The scenic journey takes in olive groves, the hills of Tuscany and the Apennine mountain range.

Your destination – Venice Santa Lucia – is surely one of the most awe-inspiring train stations in the world. Located directly beside the Grand Canal, you’ll instantly catch sight of the beautiful Venice architecture, with the Church of San Simeone Piccolo directly opposite. From here, it’s a quick vaporetto (water taxi) ride to the other side, where you’ll find the world-famous San Marco Square and Rialto Bridge.

Warsaw is an exciting, up-and-coming city that often gets overlooked for neighbour Krakow. But base yourself here, and you’ll not only get to enjoy the best food in Poland, you ‘ll also discover the some of the best nightlife in Eastern Europe – this is a city that knows how to party. When it comes to sightseeing, the best way to take it all in is on the city’s Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, covering all the must-see sights, including Old Town and the Royal Castle.

While you could fly from Warsaw to Krakow, there’d be little point – the high speed train between the two cities takes just over 2 hours. At Warsaw Central Train Station (Warszawa Centralna) you can choose between the Express Intercity Premium train (2 hrs 20 mins) or the slower (3.5 hrs +) TLK and IC trains. The EIP takes you to Krakow Glowny Train Station, a stone’s throw from the attractions of Old Town.

In Krakow, there are a number of sights you’ll want to put at the top of the bucket list. Since the train takes you Old Town, this is a great place to start, where highlights include gothic entrance St. Florian’s Gate, Market Square, and the leaning Town Hall. Old Town also boasts some of the best nightlife spots in the city – think beer gardens, vodka bars and late-night clubs.

One of the first things you should do in Lisbon is hop on tram 28. This iconic yellow tram is made for tourists and stops at all the must-see destinations in the city. The journey includes stops at St George’s Castle, the shopping district of Bairro Alto, and the Basilica of Estrela. If you prefer to explore on foot, don’t miss the Alfama neighbourhood, the oldest part of the city, home to mazy, cobbled streets and traditional houses.

There are a number of ways to get to Porto, including flying and driving, but the train turns out to the be quickest, cheapest option. With 14 departures a day, the high-speed Alfa Pendular zips you north to Porto in just 2 hours, 49 minutes. It’s an incredibly scenic journey that takes you past the Roman aqueduct at Coimbra – Portugal’s original capital city – and the canals and colourful boats of Aveiro, the ‘Portuguese Venice’.

Head for the hills and the wonderful Porto Cathedral. Built in the 12th century, this grand building provides breath-taking views over the city. Later, stroll downhill (Porto is hilly but walkable) to the Ribeira neighbourhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with colourful town houses and cobbled streets. Finish the day by crossing the Dom Lous Bridge to the old port wine houses of Vila da Nova where you get to sample the city’s most famous export – why not treat yourself to a port tasting tour while you’re there?