Get Social: Southern Europe Highlights

Ah Barcelona! Just landing in this iconic city’s gonna send your excitement levels through the roof. And we’re right there with you. Ready to meet your ride or dies for the next 17 days? Obvs. Chuck in some sangria, tapas and quirky questions (try: what’s your biggest dream EVER? or: what’s the super embarrassing moment you’re running away from?) That awkward stage of meeting new people: poof, vanished. Now we’re set for the experience of a lifetime!

Starting the trip off strong with a free day to do your own spontaneous-this-is-what-I-came-for thing, amigos. Need some suggestions? Park Güell and Sagrada Familia are straight-up must-sees. But don’t think you can just stroll up in there – you need to book tix in advance. Then: explore the crazy that is Las Ramblas, head to the ice bar along the beach, or get lost amongst the maze of winding alleys in the Gothic Quarter. Later, you’ve got two optional extras to see this vibrant city at night in ways that’ll make your mates back home hella jel. Lucky for you, there's a group of top tier trip mates right here to join the party. And there’s plenty of time to do both! Eat your way through some of Barcelona’s best restaurants on a tapas tour and/or drink in some of the city’s awesome bars on a tipsy tour – just don't get ’em mixed up if you decide on one or the other. Salut! That’s cheers in Catalan.

You’re already in love and you don’t wanna leave. We get it. The best way to get over an awesome city is to get to another one. Immediately. Madrid’s up next. We’ll get better acquainted with the Spanish capital on an orientation walk – ticking off the likes of the Royal Palace, Temple of Debod, Plaza Mayor and Mercado de San Miguel. Then? Hunt down some local eats. We recommend churros. Chocolatey. Delish. Gonna-keep-you-full-til-later. After: gather the gang for some dinner on an optional tapas tour with a local who knows where allll the delish dishes are. Then: dancing. You’re on Spanish time – don’t be shocked if you hit the d-floor in Moncloa gone midnight. Cinders, who?

You wanted more time to explore – so here’s a free day for you to go live your best life all over this sun-splashed city. Make eyes at the masterpieces in Museo del Prado (Madrid’s Louvre). Take in incred views from Palacio de Cibeles. And do it all with your awesome travel fam. Then: head to Cheuca where the Pride flag is raised HIGH. Museo Chicote is the place to be. A historic gem in Europe with past regulars like Grace Kelly and Ernest Hemingway, you know you’re in for a good time. No cap.

Flirt with Spain’s girl next door and discover why Lisbon is the San Fran of Europe. History. Culture. Food. And some seriously booty-burning hills. Spend a month here, and you wouldn’t have seen it all – but we’re sure as hell gonna try! Get your step count on: we’re starting with an orientation walk. Tick off the likes of Castelo de São Jorge, Carmo Convent and Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square to you and me). Then, you’ve got some time to do you. Our suggestion? Explore beaut Belém. The hot spots: Jeronimos Monastery, Padrão dos Descobrimentos and Torre de Belém - it’s UNESCO-worthy and you’d be delulu if you couldn’t see why. Y’know what you need after all that? A rush of sugar with the G.O.A.T. of all pastéis de natas (custard tarts that slap): get yours at Pastéis de Belém. Legendary since 1837.

Today is your day, your way. Spend your free time ticking off those bucket list items AND exploring the backstreets. Beat the crowds and get up early to ride Lisbon’s famous yellow 28 tram. Check out the winding medieval maze that is Alfama (Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood). Venture up to São Jorge Castle for epic views and a history lesson on Moorish culture. Check out the colourful street art in Mouraria. Then grab yourself a bifana (pork cooked in white wine, slapped into a crusty bread roll *droooool*) and relax in the Botanical Gardens. If that bifana didn’t hit the spot, fill your bellies with more delish eats on an optional food tour of the city. Tonight, dinner’s on you. Then, there’s another tour up for grabs if you fancy it. This time, it’s all about letting the good times roll on a bar crawl with your mates. Cheers to another awesome day!

Didn’t quite meet your quota of authentic Spanish tapas? Never fear, Seville is up next! According to legend, the city was founded 3,000 years back by Hercules. Facts. And what better way to discover this incred city than with our expert Trip Leader? Thank us later. Tick off the likes of Plaza de Toros, Torre del Oro and Plaza de España on an orientation walk – then you’ve got the rest of the day to let your real self shine. Love a bit of history? Visit the Real Alcázar (book in advance!). It’s got mind-blowing Mudéjar architecture (the best in alll of Iberia). Pretty impressive if you ask us. Get your exploring on in the old gypsy quarter of Triana. Or check out the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede. It’s giving GOTHIC. More of a foodie? Hop between traditional tapas bars throughout the city. Track down the best pintxos place in town. Make use of that second stomach for churros. Sharing them in plazas with your mates long after sunset? Legit Spanish vibes.

After getting brekky down our necks, we’re back on the road. Whip out the UNO cards. Do some TikTok trends – #travelfam edition. Snooze last night’s sangria away. Before you know it, the sign for Valencia will be in sight. And then? The glorious city itself. First up: an orientation walk – ticking off the Gothic gateway of Torres de Serranos, lively Plaça de la Mare de Déu (that’s plaza to me and you), the Cathedral and the foodie heaven that is Central Market. Belly rumbling? Stick around post-walk to get your fill of tapas that’ll make your tongue melt. Central Bar is THE hot spot. Later: check out the buzzing streets of Barrio del Carmen, Valencia’s old town. It’s packed with everything you need for an(other) epic night with the travel fam.

Another free day for some social spontaneity. We love to see it. Hire a bike and check out the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. Head to the Thermal Springs of Montanejos for natural beauty, oh-so-soothing waters and stories of legend. Grab a late lunch. The only choice: paella. Why? Valencia’s the birthplace of this Spanish staple. And if you want tradition – 100-year-old Casa Carmela is the place to go. Great-grandmas, fresh products and smoky firewood is the vibe. Or whip out the frisbee and play catch at the beach. All 19 kms of it. Tonight, get the gang together and head to Ruzafa, a barrio for the cool kids. It’s got craft beer houses, restaurants for the veggies and live music. This is what you came for.

Who’s ready for some French lovin’? First stop: Carcassonne. If you’ve ever played the board game, you’ll know this walled citadel is as medieval as it gets. We’ll get our bearings of the UNESCO site on a stroll with our Topdeck bestie aka Trip Leader. Sights we’re gonna swoon over today: Château Comtal, Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, Carcassonne Cathedral and Narbonne Gate. Then: gather the troops. Get lost in the maze of the city. Walk along the ramparts. And try the local dish: cassoulet. It’s a slow-cooked stew that’s BIG on flavour.

What a beaut day to go glam and unleash that main character energy. It’s time for Nice, capital of the French Riviera. Get the run about town with our in-the-know Trip Leader before having the rest of the afternoon to do you! Indulge in a bit of celeb spotting. Kylie Jenner and Leo DiCaprio are regulars. Head to the beach for a dip. Waters like these sparkle like diamonds. Or find a local haunt for seriously good seafood. If you’re feeling boujee, Molo 26 is a vibe. Tonight, sit back with the crew and enjoy those relaxed coastal vibes. Life doesn’t get better than this.

What gets you feelin’ real good along the Med? This morning, you’re gonna find out with some free time. Laze on the beach (sunloungers advised). Go wild in designer boutiques. Try alll the cute pastries your jeans can handle. Or walk up Castle Hill for views that’ll take your breath away. Later: we’ll turn it up a notch and see how the 1% live (hint: it involves Ferraris and bathing in caviar) with a visit to Monaco. A walking tour might not be as boujee as a supercar with tinted windows, but we move. Plus, we’ve got our very own legendary guide aka your fave Trip Leader to show us around. Stroll by world-class casinos. Pick your jaw up off the floor at the superyachts along the harbour. And go all swoony-eyed at Prince’s Palace of Monaco. Then: it’s back to the French Riviera to raise some bubbles with the fam. When in France and all that...

Ready for more Med madness? We’re hitting our fifth country today. Expect: legendary pizza and pasta, architecture that sends you to heaven on the spot, and allll the gelato you could eat. It’s none other than ITALY. Specifically: Genoa. Obvs there’s an orientation walk to kickstart the good times in this glorious city. Our Trip Leader will give us the deets, pointing out sights like Genoa Cathedral, Santa Maria di Castello and Christopher Colombus’s home. The rest? It’s up to you. Wander the old quarter dotted with so many bakeries and trattorias, you and your mates will be foaming at the mouth before you get through the doors. Focaccia bread and pesto sauce is a MUST. Bar hop to find your fave Aperol. Hunt down some carbs – we don’t make the rules. Italy does. After: catch sunset at the harbour. Glistening waters, golden light and these people = allll the feels.

You’ve totally had Cinque Terre as your screensaver for months and you’re about to see it IRL. We don’t need to tell you this sh*t hits different. You’ve got an included train day pass so make FULL use of it. Race around the villages with your mates. Cram it allll in. Need a quick rundown of the five hot spots? We got you. Riomaggiore = loved-up vibes (think: initialised padlocks) and lively restaurants. Manarola = snorkel heaven. Corniglia = panoramic views aka the perf backdrop for those TikTok fit checks. Vernazza = pulling your trip mates up to see the castle on top of the hill. Monterosso = the place to get your beach on. Phew! Back at Genoa, down an espresso and head out. You might only be here once. Make the most of it.

Onwards! First: a pit stop at the hilltop town of Orvieto to see the grand cathedral and dig into a wild boar panini (unless you’re a vegetarian, sorry) . Then: bella Roma awaits. An orientation walk gives you some bearings of this awesome city. If you wanna know where the best gelato is, now’s the time to ask. Then, go wherever your feet take you. Pass by the Pantheon, throw your two cents in the Trevi Fountain, (don’t) sit on the Spanish Steps and wind things up under the shadow of the mighty Colosseum. Epic doesn’t even cut it. Tonight: go show that pizza who’s boss.

Vespas. Espresso. Two-cheek kisses. Aggressive hand gestures. And pasta the way it's supposed to taste. Here’s a free day we prepared earlier. Get lost amongst two-and-a-half millennia worth of history on a guided tour (choose between Vatican City and the triple threat: Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum). Grab a bite at Lost Food Factory (arguably one of the best sandwich spots in town). Or do as the locals do and indulge in a little dolce far niente (delicious idleness) at a local cafe or piazza. Tonight, get the gang together for one last group dinner – we’re gonna give this adventure-of-a-lifetime the send-off it deserves!

Sorry but where did the past 17 days go? We’re not ready to say goodbye yet. Don’t worry, there’s a foodie post-trip activity you can access via Your Topdeck Experience on the app! Whilst you’re making even more mems with the gang, get discussing the next trip. Highlights of Central & Eastern Europe anyone?