Get Social: Central & Eastern Europe (Winter)

Yep, you’re finally here – make the most of it! Get your fill of warm pastries at your Trip Leader’s recommended spot. Catch a glimpse of Mona with a visit to the Louvre (top tip: get your tix in advance!) Snap a pic of the Arc de Triomphe. Spend some of your hard-earned along the Champs Elysées. Or head out solo to explore the hidden backstreets and charismatic local cafés. Feeling the chill? Warm up those legs on an optional bike tour. Tonight, it's our first group dinner – time to learn (then forget) everyone’s names. After: dress to impress for the cabaret. You’re in Paris after all. Accommodation: Generator Paris or similar

Banging tunes and scenic views – we’ll be trading in Parisian streets for snowy peaks as we head to the mountains. Unlike the Toblerone box, the Swiss Alps aren't all lined up perfectly, so it’s gonna be a bit of a drive. BUT you’ll be too busy squishing your face against the window to notice. Home to the ‘Top of Europe’, 72 waterfalls and one of the largest nature conservations in Switzerland – tonight we're bunking down in the inCREDIBLE Swiss Alps. Sit back in the fresh (jk: it’s freezing) mountain air with a mug of creamy hot choc and dig out that pack of UNO. Dealing in mittens = cards everywhere. Accommodation: Schützenbach Backpackers or similar

If the Swiss Alps had a Tinder bio it would read: fun-filled outdoor enthusiast – looking for a fellow adrenalin junkie to share adventures with. Swiping right? Heck yes! Hop aboard the Jungfraubahn railway for an optional visit to the ‘Top of Europe’. Make like Arnie and get to the chopper for all the picture-perfect views. Or for the more adventurous (read: crazy) – why not throw yourself out of a plane at 14,000 ft? Fun. Tonight: gather the gang, head into town and get toasty with a glühwein or two. Accommodation: Schützenbach Backpackers or similar

Today, we’re off to see one of the most famous screw-ups in history (no, we’re not talking about Fyre Festival) – Pisa’s famous Leaning Tower. Snap a photo (you know the one), then prep your fat pants for Florence: the home of gelato and drool-worthy Tuscan cuisine. Before you grab dinner, stroll along the Arno River for all those frosty-this-is-what-I-came-here-for vibes. Then: did someone say karaoke? If you’re feeling it, join the gang in a battle of the classics at the bar later. Or seek out a cosy candle-lit wine bar to sample the region’s famous vino rosso. Accommodation: Ostello Bello Firenze or similar

Dust the crumbs off your lap after another group brekkie. This morning prepare for a blast from the past as we walk through centuries of history with a local guide – soaking up all the artistic charm and dazzling architecture only Florence can deliver. We’re talking: Uffizi Gallery. Ponte Vecchio. Piazza della Signoria. And the showstopping Duomo. Then? Bella Roma awaits. Dinner tonight is up to you, but you’re in Disneyland for foodies. Meaning? EVERYTHING is good. Accommodation: YellowSquare Rome or similar

What you do this morning is 100% up to you. But if you need some suggestions, we’ve got your back. Rise early and count your blessings on an optional tour of Vatican City. Not your vibe? Count your steps on an optional tour of Palatine Hill, Roman Forum AND the Colosseum instead. Later, we’ll rendezvous with ancient architecture's biggest players during an orientation walk with our Trip Leader. Pass by the Pantheon, (don’t) sit on the Spanish Steps, check out the mighty Colosseum and throw your two cents in the Trevi Fountain before the day is done. Thought this place couldn’t get better looking? Watch two-and-a-half-millennia of ancient history light up like Christmas – and think again. Accommodation: YellowSquare Rome or similar

This is your adventure, so here’s 24 hours of freedom to get out there and do your thing. Create the ultimate Roman Holiday in one day with a whirlwind of Vespas, espresso, two-cheek kisses and pizza the way it's supposed to taste. Shop till you drop on Via Condotti. Hunt down the Knights of Malta Keyhole for an alternative view of the city. Fill up on delish pasta and wine during an optional guided food tour around Insta-worthy Trastevere. Or stop and take it all in at Piazza Nuova (hot chocolate in hand, obvs). Tonight, shake out those fat pants and seek out the world’s best pasta alla carbonara. It’s from here, so it’s gotta be good. Accommodation: YellowSquare Rome or similar

No lies – we have a long drive today. Now is the chance to share snaps with your new mates, catch up on some zzzzs and text the 'rents (trust us, you'll be too busy later). Later, we'll park up in the Floating City – home to over 400 bridges and birthplace of Vivaldi. Throw on your beanie and acquaint yourself with Venice's beaut streets on an orientation walk – we're talking: St Mark's Square, Doge’s Palace and Accademia Bridge. Tonight, you’re free to get lost amongst the misty alleyways and shimmering piazzas of this romantic city. What delicious carb-laden Italian meal haven’t you tried yet? Order two. Accommodation: Anda Venice Hostel or similar

You wanted the freedom to do your own spontaneous-this-is-what-I-came-here-for thing. So here’s a full day to do just that. Need some suggestions? Float past the famous Rialto Bridge on a gondola ride. Spend your time seeking out the epic Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop. Then find yourself next to a roaring fire with a mug of hot vin brulé. Later, score a cheap meal at Osteria Al Portego or fill up on alllll the drool-worthy Italian pastries (no judgement here). Accommodation: Anda Venice Hostel or similar

Today: we’re setting a course for Salzburg. So much more than strudel and The Sound of Music – this place has got elegance written on every grand Baroque building. We’ll tick off the likes of the Mirabell Gardens, Mozart’s birthplace, Fortress Hohensalzburg and the Cathedral on a walking tour with our expert Trip Leader. What you get up to tonight is 100% on you. Getting hangry? Pull up a pew at a local restaurant and dig into a weiner schnitzel, washed down with a pint of Ottakringer for good measure. Accommodation: YoHo International Youth Hostel or similar

Rise and shine – the Austrian Alps await! Rise and shine – the Austrian Alps await! This place is a snow-fanatic's ultimate fantasy and you’ll have a full day to shred to your heart’s content. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, ask your Trip Leader for the best slopes for you – then hit the powder! You could also go tobogganing or just sit back and enjoy a day sipping hot chocolate surrounded by gobsmacking alpine scenery. Rather stay put in Salzburg? Take the funicular up to the Castle. Check out Mozart’s birthplace. Visit St Peter’s Catacombs. Or organise a Sound of Music tour. Disclaimer: you’ll be ‘doe-a-deer-ing' for the rest of the trip. Make sure you try a mozartkugel before the day is done. Trust us. Accommodation: YoHo International Youth Hostel or similar

Ten points if you can guess what Vienna is famous for. Musicians. Grand coffee houses. And strudel (duh!). Prepare to have your heart captured as we drive by the likes of the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Museum Quarter and Ringstrasse. Then: the afternoon is yours. Head to Cafe Central where the likes of Freud, Trotsky and Lenin used to hang out. Show off your best Bambi impression at the seasonal ice rink outside the Rathaus. Or soak up the sweet sounds of Mozart and Bach played by a Viennese orchestra at an optional concert. The 1700s had some bops. Accommodation: a&o Wien Hauptbahnhof or similar

First up today: a pit stop in Slovakia. Check out all the panoramic views from Bratislava Castle, wander through the Gothic Old Town and grab lunch. Tip: warm up with a serving of kapustnica (cabbage soup) or bryndzové pirohy (Slovak dumplings). Then? The twin cities of Buda and Pest. We’ll be chauffeured past the Chain Bridge, Castle District, Heroes’ Square and House of Terror on a driving tour of the city. Then: swing by 360 Bar and cosy up in a rooftop igloo complete with eye-popping views of the icy skyline. Or opt for a dinner cruise down the Danube – Buda Castle and House of Parliament look extra spesh lit up like Christmas. Accommodation: a&o Budapest City or similar

You wanted freedom to explore – here it is. Check out the Central Market Hall. Explore the Jewish Quarter. Soak in the warm therapeutic waters of the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. Or explore the city on two wheels during an optional bike tour. Later, there’s a chance to tuck into tasty local food and watch traditional Hungarian folk dancing in an historic wine cellar restaurant. Alternatively, get stuck into some local fare: goulash, chicken paprikash, langos, dobos cake. Hopefully you like paprika, they’re kinda obsessed with it here. Accommodation: a&o Budapest City or similar

As the legend goes, a dragon had to be defeated for Kraków to be built (eat your heart out, Game of Thrones). Get acquainted with this gem of a city and the largest medieval town square in Europe (size isn’t everything, Kraków) on today’s walking tour. Then? Take Fleetwood's advice and go your own way. Top up your history knowledge at Wawel Castle. Explore the quirky cafes and boutiques in the Jewish Quarter. Head to Schindler's Museum (be prepared to queue). Or find a local haunt and tuck into a piled-high plate of Polish potato pancakes – delicious AND a bonus tongue-twister. Accommodation: Ginger Hostel or similar

Ready for round two exploring Kraków’s frosty, fairytale streets? We’ve got some suggestions for your free day. Head to Hamsa in the heart of the Jewish Quarter for some 'Hummus and Happiness'. Shop for amber in the UNESCO-listed Cloth Hall. Or do as the locals do and head to Okrąglak for some drool-worthy street food – Zapiekanki is a must! Then: it's vodka time. On an optional tasting tour, wander the cobblestone streets with a local guide – learning the history behind Polish vodka and sampling a few flavoured varieties as you go. This stuff is not for mixing with cranberry juice. Trust us. Feeling buzzed? Przypiecek is a pierogi place with your name on it. Accommodation: Ginger Hostel or similar

Onwards to the spire-filled skyline and mysterious streets of Prague! Get acquainted with this picture-perfect city as our Trip Leader takes us on a wander through Wenceslas Square, past the largest ancient castle in the world and across medieval Charles Bridge. Then: get stuck into some smažený sýr (fried cheese = yes please) and watch the quirky show the 600-year-old Astronomical Clock puts on every hour. Tonight, rally the troops and head to a traditional pub to sample some of that famous Czech beer. Or – if you’re here in December – warm up with some mulled wine under the ginormous Christmas tree in Old Town Square. Accommodation: a&o Prague Rhea or similar

That’s right folks – it’s your day, your way. So, make like Dora and get exploring. Check out the John Lennon wall. Soak up some history at the Communist Museum. Take the funicular up Petrin Hill for allll the views. Or grab a delish roast pork roll at one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square. Fancy yourself as a bit of a hops connoisseur? Hit the town for a pint (or three) of local Czech beer. Or fully commit to the sugar rush with a serving of trdelník. Think: fire-roasted pastry coated in cinnamon sugar – add Nutella and you’ve got the stuff of dessert dreams *wipes drool from chin*. Accommodation: a&o Prague Rhea or similar

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 the main sights including (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, Museum Island, the Holocaust Museum and Alexanderplatz. Then: gather the crew and hunt down a steaming döner kebab. Yes, you’ll be finding bits in your scarf for the next four days. But it’s worth it. Accommodation: a&o Berlin Hauptbahnhof or similar

You’ve got 24 hrs here. Make the most of it. Our advice? Opt in for a historic walking tour that’s, you know, not boring. 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, get the in-the-know tips on where to spend your free time later. Or put those taste buds to the ultimate test on an awesome AF food tour. We’re talking kebabs, pastries, more currywurst, pierogi and local beers (you’re in Germany after all). Tonight, round up the fam and see whether this city’s nightlife really lives up to the hype. Accommodation: a&o Berlin Hauptbahnhof or similar

Our trip may be coming to a close, but it’s not over yet! We’ve got our eye on Amsterdam today. Dump your stuff and hit the cobblestones – Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument are waiting. For dinner tonight, you’re gonna be spoilt for choice – Dutch steakhouses, trendy vegan haunts, fancy à la carte menus and the best take-away hot chips you’ve had in your life. Guaranteed. Later, head to Proeflokaal Arendsnest for a selection of over 100 local beers and all the cosy vibes. Accommodation: Hans Brinker Hostel or similar

And just like that, this is our last full day together. FFS don’t hang about! Join the locals and 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!). Then: there are 51 museums here, but the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum should be top of your list. Or get lost amongst backstreets of this city’s diverse districts – each one’s got a distinct vibe. Whatever you get up to, make sure you’re back in time for tonight’s included dinner – we’ll be going out with a bang! Accommodation: Hans Brinker Hostel or similar

24 days. 11 countries. Countless thrills, spills and good times. You embraced it all and shared the Euro-winter ride with a bunch of strangers who are now like family. After one last brekkie (no crying over your cornflakes), it’s time to hit the road back to ol’ Blighty. Stick next year’s trip in the iCal – who’s coming?