Rome to Barcelona by Train: Group Travel with Contiki

Colosseum

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Check out the videos

Want more of Italy, France, and Spain? Follow along in my 3 part vlog series of my Rome to Barcelona by Train trip.

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Trip Background & Why I Chose Contiki

I traveled 9 days through the Mediterranean this summer. The trip was Rome to Barcelona by train with the group travel company: Contiki. I had never participated in a group travel trip until now. After watching numerous videos from the YouTuber, Morgan Yates, I became increasingly more interested in the idea with all the trips that she had been on and posted.

Most of my friends and family have busy lives and can’t always join me on my travel adventures. While I have started traveling solo, I was looking for a trip that I could experience with other people. Then here comes Morgan with her latest YouTube video talking about how she is hosting a group trip with Contiki. This was the perfect opportunity to travel with others and even join Morgan on one her trips. Also, this trip was using high-speed trains instead of the company's typical bus transportation. That made it even more appealing.

Italy

Day 1 - July 30: Arrival in Rome

Hotel: Hotel St Martin - 1 night

Rome truly hits you immediately with all of its history. After meeting our group at the hotel, we dove straight into a comprehensive walking tour covering Rome's iconic sites: the Trevi Fountain (yes, I made my wish and got the obligatory photo), the Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona. The tour really helped us get a brief overview of Rome since we wouldn’t be spending that much time in the city on this trip.

The day ended with a traditional 3-course Roman dinner in a historical building in one of Rome's oldest neighborhoods. The family recipes served here were absolutely delicious, the perfect introduction to Italian cuisine and a great way to bond with everyone.

What's Included: Walking tour, 3-course dinner Budget Tip: Lunch and other meals are on your own, so budget accordingly for Rome's restaurant prices.

Day 2 - July 31: Rome to La Spezia

Hotel: The Poet Hotel - 2 nights

We had the morning to explore more of Rome's piazzas and fountains before catching our train north. The transition from Rome's ancient grandeur to the Italian Riviera was incredible. High-speed trains really are the way to travel in Europe.

Day 3 - August 1: Cinque Terre Day

Today was dedicated entirely to the Cinque Terre, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The colorful villages and dramatic terraced cliffs create the most enchanting coastline I've ever seen.

Contiki includes an unlimited train-and-hike travel card, which makes exploring the '5 lands' incredibly easy. My new friends Alyssa, Kelcie, and I decided to visit all five towns: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Each has its own special character. I honestly couldn't pick a favorite.

Monterosso, Italy

Manarola, Italy

We ended our day in Riomaggiore where we met up with the entire group for a spontaneous sunset boat cruise. Everyone agreed this was the absolute highlight of the trip. There's something magical about seeing this coastline from the water at golden hour. The photos don't do it justice.

What's Included: Unlimited Cinque Terre train/hike card, breakfast

Pro Tip: The card works for both trains between towns and hiking trails, so you can mix and match based on your energy level and time.

France

Day 4 - August 2: La Spezia to Nice

Hotel: Hotel du Pin Nice Port - 2 nights

Arrivederci Italy, bonjour France! The train ride along the coast from the Italian to French Riviera was breathtakingly scenic . It is so worth the journey alone. Nice immediately felt different. With its year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a buzzing street life, this is definitely the playground of the rich and famous.

The day ended with a group dinner, giving us time to process the country transition and get excited for our French adventure.

What's Included: Breakfast, dinner

Nice, France

Day 5 - August 3: Nice Beach Day

Wake up, you're in the French Riviera – Nice! This morning was dedicated to soaking up rays on those iconic blue chairs along the waterfront. The glamour of walking along the harbor, past designer bars and couture shops, definitely made us all feel like A-list celebrities.

Pro Tip: Wear water-shoes or sandals to beach as the rocks and pebbles can be unpleasant if you are only used to sandy beaches.

Castel Plage

Since Morgan Yates was hosting our trip and loves a good beach day, we spent the entire day at a luxurious private beach club. It was pure indulgence and exactly what we needed after the packed sightseeing days.

That evening, we headed to Monaco for dinner and the Monte Carlo Casino. Entry costs €15, but you receive a voucher for that amount to spend inside basically forcing you to gamble. Sadly, my €15 didn't turn into millions, but the experience was worth it for the glamour alone.

What's Included: Beach day in Nice, breakfast Optional Add-on: Monaco casino trip

Day 6 - August 4: Nice to Marseille

Hotel: Greet Hotel Marseille Centre Saint Charles - 1 night

Just a short train ride brought us to Marseille, which has a completely different vibe from Nice. This edgy, stylish city felt a little more gritty giving it an energy not usually found in coastal cities.

By this point, everyone was utterly exhausted (the train ride was the quietest of the trip as everyone slept), so most of the group used Marseille for rest and laundry. However, I couldn't miss the opportunity to visit Château d'If, the inspiration for "The Count of Monte Cristo." As a huge fan of the 2002 film adaptation with Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce, this was non-negotiable for me.

What's Included: Breakfast Personal Tip: If you're a literature/film buff, the Château d'If boat trip is worth the extra cost and energy.

Spain

Day 7 - August 5: Marseille to Barcelona

Hotel: Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza - 2 nights

Adieu France, hola España! The train journey south past the Pyrenees was stunning, building anticipation for Barcelona, one of the world's most uniquely beautiful cities.

This seaside metropolis immediately impressed with its culture, passion, and energy. We wasted no time diving into a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, including Las Ramblas, before heading to see Gaudí's masterpiece, the Sagrada Família. This unfinished cathedral, still under construction since 1882, is absolutely breathtaking and worth every Instagram story.

What's Included: Gothic Quarter walking tour, breakfast Optional Add-on: Cooking class at Espai Mescladis (a not-for-profit using food to foster social cohesion)

Day 8 - August 6: Full Day Barcelona

Barcelona truly sizzles, and we had a full free day to explore. Beyond the included Gothic Quarter tour, we packed in visits to Park Güell, endless tapas crawls, and soaked up the sun at Barcelona's golden beaches.

The evening's optional flamenco show was the perfect finale. Experiencing this passionate dance up close while feasting on local tapas was the ideal way to end our Mediterranean adventure.

What's Included: Free day, breakfast Optional Add-ons: Bike tour, flamenco show with dinner (both highly recommended if your budget allows)

Day 9 - August 7: Departure

After breakfast, our incredible Mediterranean journey came to an end. Though I was sad to leave, this trip holds a huge spot in my heart and ranks among the best trips I've ever taken.

Sunset Boat Cruise in the Cinque Terre

Would I Recommend This Trip?

Absolutely! This Rome to Barcelona by Train tour perfectly was a great way to see many different cities/countries while also meeting new people. The high-speed train travel eliminates long bus rides, and the itinerary provides just enough time in each location to get a real taste without feeling rushed.

For solo travelers or those whose friends can't commit to longer trips. While you only get a taste of each destination, it's perfect inspiration for future longer visits to places that captured your heart. The memories and friendships from this Mediterranean adventure will last a lifetime, and it's definitely sparked my interest in more European train travel adventures.

Final tip: Book the optional experiences that genuinely interest you. They often provide the most memorable moments of the entire trip as they are a great way to really connect with all the travels in the group.

Ciao for now!

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