Trip Overview
TRIP VIBE = fast-paced fun with tons of socialising, bucket-list sights and good times all round. Whoa. This immense Northern and Eastern Europe adventure has got F-U-N written all over it. 17 days. 10 countries. And a firework of mind-blowing cities, storybook old towns, traditional treats and gobsmacking group experiences. What happens when you combine the buzzing capitals of Germany, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia? Then throw Scandinavia into the mix? THIS does.
Tales From Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Hamburg – Copenhagen (Denmark)
2Thinking of relocating? Today we’re going to find out why Copenhagen keeps popping up among the Top 5 Most Liveable Cities in the World. After a short jaunt in a ferry across the Baltic Sea, we’ll tick off the likes of Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace and star-shaped Kastellet fortress on a driving tour. Then: take a stroll along the waterfront, hear the REAL story of the Little Mermaid (her statue is here) and hum Under the Sea while you hunt down a not-too-’spennie restaurant for dinner.
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Included Today
- Ferry to Copenhagen
- Copenhagen highlights drive
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Copenhagen
3When in doubt, do as the locals do – hire a bike and explore this chilled-out Scandi city on two wheels. Check out the rainbow-coloured houses along Nyhavn waterfront. Tuck into a smorgasbord of Nordic cuisine. Take a dip in the clean canals (clothing optional). Discover the city’s thriving craft beer scene. Or swing by Tivoli Gardens – not only the second oldest theme park in the world, but also the most beaut (according to us). Time it right, and take in the sunset from the top of the giant chair swing. Cue: goosebumps. And for dinner? Head to Gasoline Grill – the definition of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’.
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Copenhagen – Oslo (Norway)
4No lies, today is an early start. Settle in, bust the tunes, get to know your trip mates better and allow your expert Trip Leader to fill your head with Scandi fun facts. Oh, and make sure you snag a window seat – the views from Øresund Bridge are once-in-a-lifetime. Get your bearings on a walking tour – ticking off the likes of the Royal Palace, Parliament, Oslo Cathedral and the National Theatre. Then? Gather the fam and check out Mathallen Food Hall for alllllll the dinner options (you WILL need to support the Geminis and Librans with decisions).
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Included Today
- Walking tour of Oslo with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Oslo
5Topdeckers to mission control, requesting more time to explore. Permission granted. Today is 100% up to you. But if you need suggestions, make a beeline for Bygdøy (aka Museum Island). We’re talking the Kon-Tiki Museum, Fram Polar Ship and Norsk Folkemuseum. Get the ferry back to Oslo port in your own time – then head to a local haunt for some pølse (a hot dog, all cosy in a tortilla) or hunt down Illegal Burgers for the best one you’ve ever had. Period.
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Optional extras
- Visit the Kon-Tiki Museum: from 12 NOK
- Visit the Fram Polar Ship: from 80 NOK
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Optional extras
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Oslo – Stockholm (Sweden)
6More than just meatballs and ABBA (though there’s plenty of both), today we’re making tracks to the iconic Scandi city of Stockholm. Fun fact: this place is built on an archipelago of 14 islands where Lake Mälaren flows out to the Baltic Sea. Cool, right? Check off Gamla Stan, Parliament House, Riddarholmen Church and the Royal Palace on a walking tour – then the evening is up to you. If your budget's got a lil’ stretch, Restaurant Pelikan boasts some seriously drool-worthy traditional food. Or head to Meatballs for the People – ‘nuff said.
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Included Today
- Walking tour of Stockholm with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Stockholm
7What’s that? A free day to experience everything this firecracker of a city has to offer? YES please. Grab a kanelbullar for the road and take a wander around the boutique stores in Gamla Stan. Snap a pic at Stortorget and watch the changing of the guard at the Palace. Take the ferry across to Djurgården and hit up the Vasa Museum (a must for maritime fans) or the ABBA Museum (a must for Mamma Mia! lovers). There’s even a guided tour of City Hall on offer, if you’re keen. And tonight? Round up the gang and swing by Nya Carnegiebryggeriet – a waterfront microbrewery where the beers are easier to drink than the name is to say.
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Optional extras
- Visit the Vasa Museum: from 130 SEK
- Guided tour of Stockholm City Hall: from 90 SEK
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Optional extras
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Stockholm – Overnight ferry to Helsinki (Finland)
8Today = MORE of Stockholm’s best bits. Get the gang together and turn those knuckles white at Gröna Lund amusement park. Hop on a boat and soak up the sights on a canal tour. Go all futuristic with a gondola ride around the Ericsson Globe (the world’s biggest spherical building, FYI). Or head to hipper-than-hip Södermalm for indie boutiques, vintage stores and trendy bars galore. This evening: it’s all aboard the overnight ferry. Crack open that new pack of UNO and settle in for the night. When you wake up – you’re in Finland! Magic.
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Included Today
- Overnight ferry
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Included Today
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Helsinki
9Helsinki is ours today. Hell. Yes. First, our in-the-know Trip Leader will point out the city’s hot spots. Then: the day’s free for ALL the fun. Jump on an old-school tram for retro vibes. Show off your mad bartering skills (or not) at Market Square. Or drop into Helsinki Bryggeri to check out the local craft beer scene. And tonight? Track down some karjalanpiirakka rice pies, grillimakkara sausages, or mashed potato and reindeer (sorry Rudolph...).
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Included Today
- Orientation walk of Helsinki with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Helsinki
10*Good news klaxon*: you’ve got 24 hours of free time today. So don’t muck around! Keen to find out why the Finns are some of the happiest people in the world? Swing by a sauna and let the löyly hot steam work its magic. Experiencing this the real way means kissing goodbye to your swimmers, BTW. Clothing a bit of a deal-breaker? Take the ferry over to Suomenlinna island fortress for epic views. Or head to Hakaniemi Market Hall for all your snack and souvenir needs. This evening: quiz your Trip Leader on where to find the best leipäjuusto – the squeakiest cheese in the kingdom.
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Helsinki – Tallinn (Estonia)
11After a group brekkie, you’ve got another morning to do whatever the hel(sinki) you want. Top up your culture fix at Kiasma modern art museum. Unleash your inner hipster in uber-cool Kallio’s coffee shops and vegan bistros. Or embrace another round of sauna sweats. We salute you. This afternoon, we’re hopping on a ferry bound for Tallinn. Prepare for some red-hot facts about this stunner-of-a-city on a walking tour with our Trip Leader. And then? Get exploring the fairytale Old Town (seriously – this place looks like it’s dropped straight out of Disney) and dig into some classic Estonian eats. Pirukas – doughy pastries of dreams – is where it’s at.
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Included Today
- Ferry to Tallinn
- Walking tour of Tallinn with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Tallinn – Riga (Latvia)
12Say nägemist (see ya!) to Estonia – it was short, but it sure was sweet. Press your nose to the coach window and soak up all the beaut views racing past as we make our way to mega-medieval Riga. When we jump off, get pumped to discover the iconic sights on another Grade A walking tour. We’re talking: Riga Cathedral, the Freedom Monument, Laima Clock and House of the Blackheads (a fancy Gothic building – doesn’t need a charcoal mask). Later: dust off your broomstick and drop into Black Magic bar for a sip of black balsam – a traditional Latvian liqueur. Harry Potter, eat your heart out.
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Included Today
- Walking tour of Riga with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Riga – Vilnius (Lithuania)
13Shake off that magic potion and shut your spellbook for now: this morning we’re plugging Vilnius into the GPS. Blast the Trip Song and swap stories of the adventure so far – it sure ain’t over yet! When we pull up in Vilnius, our Trip Leader’s ready to point out all the who’s who of Lithuania’s crazy-gorgeous capital. And then? We know you’ve got a thing for Old Towns now – and this one’s a beauty. Go get it. Afterwards, gather the fam and hunt down some steaming potato pancakes. Be sure to leave room for grybukai – mushroom-shaped cookies – for afters. Super Mario would go wild for these babies.
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Included Today
- Orientation walk of Vilnius with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Vilnius – Warsaw (Poland)
14Tums full after another group brekkie, today we’re heading to our tenth country in two weeks. HECK yes. When we roll up in Poland's beating heart, we’ll take in the main sights the laziest way poss – by driving tour. Those calves need a rest: we got you boo. Then, time to take Fleetwood’s advice and go your own way. Discover the devastating impact the Nazi occupation left on this proud city. Wander the streets and gawp at the grand palaces. Or just embark on a mish to find Warsaw’s best pierogi. We believe in you.
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Included Today
- Warsaw highlights drive
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Warsaw – Berlin (Germany)
15*Ding ding!* This morning it’s time for Germany: Round 2 as we make tracks for 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: hunt down a pretzel the size of your face and some Berliner Pfannkuchen – the doughnut’s German cousin. Mmm...
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Included Today
- Berlin highlights drive
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Berlin
16A 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. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you’re back in time for tonight’s group dinner – we’re going to give this adventure the send-off it deserves!
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Meals
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Third Reich walking tour: from €12
- Berlin food tour: from €35
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Meals
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Berlin – Amsterdam (Netherlands)
17This is where we leave you #Topdeckers. Swap Insta handles – you’ll need them to organise next year’s reunion. But who said the adventure has to end here? London’s only a train ride away... Race you to the Eurostar!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
What's included
Included experiences
- - Orientation walk of Hamburg with Trip Leader
- - Ferry to Copenhagen
- - Copenhagen highlights drive
- - Walking tour of Oslo with Trip Leader
- - Walking tour of Stockholm with Trip Leader
- - Overnight ferry to Finland
- - Orientation walk of Helsinki with Trip Leader
- - Ferry to Tallinn
- - Walking tour of Tallinn with Trip Leader
- - Walking tour of Riga with Trip Leader
- - Orientation walk of Vilnius with Trip Leader
- - Warsaw highlights drive
- - Berlin highlights drive
Accommodation
- 15 nights in hostels, 1 night in a cabin on an overnight ferry
Transport
Air-conditioned coach and overnight ferry
Optional activities
- FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
- Visit the Kon-Tiki Museum: from 12 NOK
- Visit the Fram Polar Ship: from 80 NOK
- Visit the Vasa Museum: from 130 SEK
- Guided tour of Stockholm City Hall: from 90 SEK
- Third Reich walking tour: from €12
- Berlin food tour: from €35
Views & Reviews
Latest Reviews
Average rating based on 9 reviews
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Michael An June 2023
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Zoe Sc June 2023
This trip was amazing but there were a couple of minor changes I would make.
In Norway, it would have been nice (time / money permitting) to have seen more of the natural aspects of the country beyond the capital city.
I would’ve liked to spend more time in Poland, a simple dinner was not enough time.
I understand to keep the trip short and affordable it is hard to make changes to include everything so I will conclude by saying the inclusion of Amsterdam and Berlin alongside Scandinavia was a selling point for me.
A review of hostel choices would also improve the trip: whilst some were fantastic (eg. Generator, forest hostel) some were a bit uncomfortable (eg. The hotels, some A&O) -
Anonymous June 2023
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