Get Social: Central & Eastern Europe Highlights

No lies – we have a long drive today. BUT name a better way to get to know your trip mates than handing round the AUX cord. Later, we'll park up in Venice – home to over 400 bridges and birthplace of Vivaldi. Acquaint yourself with the usual suspects on a walking tour – ticking off the likes of St Mark's Square, Doge’s Palace and Accademia Bridge. Tonight: this beautifully romantic city is yours for the taking. Round up the gang, score a cheap(ish) meal at Osteria Al Portego, then enjoy a spritz (or two) overlooking one of Venice’s fuchsia-pink sunsets.

Centuries-old architecture. Inventive cuisine. And a bucket-load of culture. Venice is just begging to be explored. Do the obvious and hop aboard a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Spend your time seeking out the epic Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop. Head off the tourist trail with a trip to Giudecca Island. Or forget all the above and embark on a day-long gelataria-crawl. Go wandering. Get lost in the maze of canals and piazzas. That’s what makes the memories.

Order one last coffee in poor Italian (hey, you tried!), this morning we’ll weave our way through the Alps to Austria. Ten points if you can guess what Vienna is famous for. Musicians. Grand coffee houses. And strudel (duh!). Enjoy a quick stop at the opulent Schönbrunn Palace (home of the Princess Sisi), before driving by the likes of the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Museum Quarter and Ringstrasse. The rest of the afternoon is 100% up to you. For dinner, head to the Naschmarkt and try some knödel (Austrian dumplings) or go for the obvious choice – schnitzel. Later: gather the fam and make a beeline for the city’s microbreweries or cool cocktail bars.

A whole day in Vienna – prepare to have your heart well and truly stolen. Head to the Museum Quarter and explore. All about the aesthetic? MUMOK’s modern art is a must. Wander around the pretty-extra Hofburg Palace. Grab a table at Cafe Central for the most boujee afternoon tea you’ve ever had (be prepared to queue). Or experience Vienna’s hipster hub in Neubau. Tonight, enjoy the sweet sounds of Mozart and Bach played by a Viennese orchestra at an optional concert. Even if classical music isn’t your usual go-to, this is something special.

Our Vienna love affair was short but oh-so-sweet. Up next? The twin cities of Buda and Pest. But first: a quick whip around Slovakia’s fascinating capital. Three countries in one day? Only with us. In the City of Bridges, we’ll be chauffeured past the Chain Bridge, Castle District, Gellert Hotel, Heroes’ Square and House of Terror on a driving tour. SD cards full and tummies grumbling, it’s time to sample some of the local fare. Goulash. Chicken paprikash. Langos. Dobos cake. Hopefully you like paprika, they’re kinda obsessed with it here. Later, hang with the hipsters and drink local pálinka (fruit brandy) at one of the original ruin bars.

You wanted freedom to explore – here it is. Check out the Central Market Hall. Explore the Jewish Quarter. Play pinball at the Flippermúzeum. Get a harrowing education at the House of Terror. Hunt down the Anonymous Statue. Soak in the therapeutic waters of the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. Head to Buda Castle and check out all the views from Fisherman’s Bastion. And tonight? Opt for a dinner cruise down the Danube (Buda Castle and House of Parliament look extra spesh lit up like Christmas). Or swing by a few of the city’s rooftop bars for sophisticated vibes and UN-real views.

Legend has it a dragon had to be defeated in order for Kraków to be built (eat your heart out, Game of Thrones). Get acquainted with this gem of a city on a walking tour – complete with an introduction to its resident dragon. Then? Take Fleetwood's advice and go your own way. Top up your history knowledge at Wawel Castle, explore the hip cafes and boutiques in the Jewish Quarter, head to Schindler's Museum or find a local haunt and tuck into a piled-high plate of pierogi.

Here’s a free day we prepared earlier. Need some suggestions? Head to Hamsa in the heart of the Jewish Quarter for some 'Hummus and Happiness', shop for the ‘Gold of the Baltic’ in the UNESCO-listed Cloth Hall. Or do as the locals do and head to Okraglak for some drool-worthy street food – Zapiekanki is a must! Then: it's time to refine your vodka palette on an optional tasting tour. Learn the history behind Polish vodka and sample a few uniquely flavoured varieties as you go. Refuse to drink it without Red Bull? There are plenty of bars to pull into for a tasting of the local beer instead.

Onwards to the spire-filled skyline and mysterious streets of Prague! Our Trip Leader will get us acquainted with this picture-perfect city – complete with quirky clock tower – and point out all the must-dos for our free day tomorrow. After hunting down some sma~ený sýr (fried cheese of dreams) for dinner, hit the town to try some local Czech beer or sample a cocktail at The Alchemist – an old-school venue with a 1950s’ vibe. Hint: if you want the full experience, ask for the 'choose your fate'. We'll see you in the morning.

Another day, completely your way. Trust us, there’s plenty to Czech out (ha!). Seek out the John Lennon wall. Soak up some history at the Communist Museum. Take the funicular up Petrin Hill for allll the views. Check out what the Dancing House is all about. Or grab a delish roast pork roll at one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square. Fancy yourself as a bit of a beer connoisseur? Don’t miss the beer tasting optional this afternoon. 11 different Czech beers + tapas = good times all around.

From one beer capital to the next. Get acquainted with 800 year-old Dresden – a city virtually destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt – before we make tracks to Berlin. Prep yourself for currywurst and more hipsters per capita than anywhere else. We'll drive you around to see the main sights including (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust Memorial, Museum Island and Alexanderplatz. Tonight: get the group together to see whether this city’s nightlife really lives up to the hype.

A city exploding with culture, history and bloody good food – you’ve got 24 hrs to make the most of it. Our advice? Opt in for a historic walking tour that’s actually interesting. You’ll get a local insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule and tick off the likes of the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and Brandenburg Gate. Plus, all the insider tips on how to spend the rest of your free day. Or put those elastic waistbands to the ultimate test on a locally-led food tour. We’re talking kebabs, pastries, more currywurst, pierogi and local Pilsner beer. Tonight, seek out Burgermeister for dinner. This place used to be a public toilet (ew) but now serves up the best burgers in Berlin (yum). Or see if Mustafa’s kebabs meets expectations.

Ok, nobody panic – the adventure is coming to a close. But we’re not done yet! The GPS is set for Amsterdam today. Once we arrive, hit the cobblestones and explore the likes of Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument. This place is a foodie’s haven so you’ll have no issues finding somewhere to settle in for dinner. Give into temptation and grab a cone of hot chips with mayo. Mmm. Later, head to a canalside wine bar or brewery to keep the good times rolling.

This is our last full day together. So, don’t hang about – get on your bike! Check out Amsterdam's iconic canals, bridges and parks on an optional bike tour. History buffs should pay a visit to the Anne Frank House (don’t forget to book in advance!). If you *did* forget to book, there’s the chance to join a virtual reality tour of the Secret Annex instead. Culture fiends should make a beeline for the Van Gogh Musuem and Rijksmuseum. Or if you’re wanting a more chill vibe, head to Hannekes Boom for waterfront views, good food and all-round good times. Whatever you get up to, make sure you’re back in time to toast the final night of our European adventure at tonight’s group dinner.

Seriously? It’s over? After breakfast, we’ll make tracks to LDN. Blast the Trip Song one last time – who’s up for a reunion trip next year?