London to Barcelona: Western Wonders 2027

Touch down in the Big Smoke: head straight to your central accommodation, where the adventure officially kicks off. After checking in, it’s time to meet your fellow travellers and Trip Leader – who you’ll be swapping stories with in no time. 

Our first feast: tonight, you’ll gather for your very first group dinner. Forget what you’ve heard about British cuisine – it’s comforting, hearty, and *way* more delicious than it gets credit for. 

Later your way: feeling the flight fuzz? Head back for a chilled evening and settle in. Or, if the jet lag hasn’t hit, follow the buzz to a nearby pub – you’ll likely find live music, craft beers, and probably a friendly dog or two. Let the good times begin. 

All aboard the Eurostar: say au revoir to London and bonjour to buttery pastries – you’ll zoom through the countryside and land in the heart of Paris faster than you can say pain au chocolat. 

Seine soirée: tonight, float through the City of Light on a dreamy river cruise. The Eiffel Tower will be doing its sparkly thing, and if you’ve BYO’d a snack stash from the local Franprix, even better. Paris at night? Pure magic. 

A sweet start: whether you're pedalling past Paris’s icons on the optional bike tour, or plotting your own croissant crawl, the morning’s yours to soak up the city your way. Bonus points if you manage to eat your weight in pain au chocolat. 

Afternoon in Montmartre: next stop? Montmartre – the bohemian heart of Paris where artists, dreamers, and possibly your new favourite éclair hang out. Expect winding streets, sweeping views, and a walking tour that feeds both your eyes and your appetite – with everything from flaky pastries to slippery escargot, all wrapped up as a late lunch. Dignity optional. 

Get exploring: fancy feeling fancy? Join the optional trip to Versailles and swan through golden halls like it’s 1788. More into art? Head to the Louvre and give Mona a nod (just ignore the army of selfie sticks). Or, if you’re in the mood for something a little darker, the Paris Catacombs are calling – skulls, tunnels and spine-tingling guaranteed. 

Dinner like a local: this evening, you’re eating like a local – think crusty baguettes, melty cheese and maybe something you can’t pronounce but will absolutely love. 

Later, your way: go full sparkle at an optional cabaret show (you can expect feathers, fizz and high kicks), or grab a front-row seat to Parisian people-watching from a snug little brasserie. 

Bonjour Bordeaux: after one last croissant (or three), we'll be zipping to south to France’s wine capital. 

Taste and toast: welcome to Bordeaux – all cobbled lanes, sun-soaked vineyards and a city that treats grapes like gold. This afternoon, channel your inner wine critic on a welcome walk with an included tasting. Whether you detect notes of oak, berries, or simply “yep, that’s wine,” you’ll leave feeling just that little bit fancier. Santé! 

Step out and explore: roam the chic Golden Triangle, where stunning architecture meets high-end boutiques and tempting gourmet shops (don’t miss the Place de la Bourse and its dazzling water mirror – perfect for some epic reflection shots). Or swing by a cozy fromagerie, pick up a selection of local cheeses, and settle into Jardin Public for a perfectly indulgent picnic. Your Trip Leader’s got the inside scoop on must-visits if you’re looking for inspiration.  

Intro to pintxos: after this morning's train ride, you're in for a walking tour with a twist. Not only will your Trip Leader spill goss about the city like your bestie after that one ex returned, but you'll taste so many pintxos, it's likely your lips will be coated in drool. 

Later, your way: your stomach may be full, but there's always room for dessert – spend some free time hunting a sweet treat. Churros are the nation's favourite and Basque cheesecake is a must-eat whilst you're in its home region. Later, share jugs of sangría, swapping stories and favourite skits with the group. 

Your day, your way: what could you do with 24 hours in a new city? Now's your chance to find out. Head to the ocean for a feel-good surf class. Or watch everyone wipe out whilst soaking up the sun from the very dry, very relaxing beach. 

Your choice for dinner: if you fancy a change from tapas and pintxos, go to a traditional cider house. Apple cider straight from the barrel, grilled meats, Idiazabal cheese and wooden tables filled with people sharing thoughts, food and memories. 

Main sights: after a minicoach drive, stretch your legs in Zaragoza with your Trip Leader. Visit Aljafería Palace, a little sister to Granada’s La Alhambra, and El Tubo – a labyrinth of lively narrow streets in Old Town. 

Later, your way: stick to El Tubo for a true vision of energetic life in Zaragoza. Mix with locals, dance in the streets with your trip mates, bar hop, let every corner lead the way. Head to Basilica del Pilar for a peek into the past. Or do a combo. It's your choice. 

Insider access: those Gothic spires designed by Gaudi have been chasing clouds for almost 150 years. After arriving in Barcelona, step inside the famed Sagrada Familia where colours from stained glass windows trace the floor and art makes you gasp. A local guide shares its secrets and its story. 

Later, your way: eat more, explore more, discover more. It's what you're here for. Fancy a bit of flamenco? There's a show you can attend. Its location? A 17th-century palace. Wear the outfit you want to capture, snap pics with your friends, escape to a different reality. 

Local food and facts: gothic towers, buzzing plazas and tapas bars so discreet you might walk straight past them. Luckily, there's a Trip Leader with a brain full of facts and a plan full of food. Stroll through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, stopping to taste what the city has to offer. 

Come together: after a free afternoon doing more of what you came for, gather for one final dinner. Share a jug of tinto verano, swap your best bits and talk deep into the night with the people who've made this trip one-of-a-kind.   

Farewell for now: after breakfast, it’s time for goodbyes. Whether you're heading home or onto your next adventure, you’ll leave with camera rolls full of colour, a newfound love for flaky croissants and salty pintxos – and a new group of mates who make that final wave a little too emotional for your liking.