Venetian Trail

Today, we’ll say ciao to Rome and ciao to Venice. Italians – confusing, right? See what all the fuss is about on a walking tour with our expert Trip Leader – stopping by Campo San Barnaba, Accademia Gallery, St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Then: this beautiful floating (sinking) city is yours for the taking. Our suggestion? Go wandering. Chat to the locals. Get lost in the maze of canals and piazzas. And hunt down Dal Moro’s Pasta for the freshest-of-fresh pasta and chow down as the sky erupts into a fuchsia-pink sunset. This is what makes the memories.

Centuries-old architecture. Inventive cuisine. And a bucket-load of culture. Venice is just begging to be explored. So, don’t leave the city hanging! After an included gondola ride along the Grand Canal (boujee), the rest of the day is 100% up to you. Need suggestions? Seek out the quirky Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop. Or head off the tourist trail with a trip to Giudecca Island. If you’re looking for a sure bet – Gelatoteca Suso is rated in the Top 10 gelaterias in the world. Ain’t nobody got time for mediocre gelato. Tonight, dinner is up to you – but our Trip Leader is in-the-know on where to go. Hint: it’s away from St Mark’s Square.

Order one last coffee in poor Italian (hey, you tried!) – we’re setting course for the Croatian coast. Dump your bags, change into your togs and make a B-line for the glittering water of the Adriatic. We’ll get our bearings around the Old Town before tucking into dinner. Then: hit up one of the local bars or relax back at the beach. It’s totally up to you.

Sun-soaked beaches and ancient Roman ruins. You’ve got a full day to uncover this hidden gem of the Croatian coastline. Delve deeper in Old Town and take a closer look at the Roman arena, Triumphal Arch and Temple of Augustus. Or pack a DIY picnic at the local market, before spending the day horizontal at the beaches around Verudela peninsula. Feeling something a little more fast-paced? Take the bus to Medulin for all your parasailing, jet-skiing, windsurfing and cycling desires. Tonight, gather the gang and head up Kaštel fortress for sunset – this is livin’.

After breakfast, we’re off to Ljubljana. Try pronounce it, we dare you*. But first: an optional round of stalagmite spotting at the beautiful Postojna Cave. Fun fact: this all-natural maze of tunnels and caverns was hollowed out by the Pivka River around two MILLION years ago. When we get to L-town, there’s an optional food tour on the cards. Tuck into traditional dishes from three different regions – we’re talking idrijski žlikrofi (dumplings), kranjska klobasa (sausage), prekmurska gibanica (cake) and cvicek (adult grape juice). Or head up to the castle for allll the views. Tonight, Ljubljana's alternative bar scene is begging to be explored. It’s so hip, it hurts. *lyoob-lya-nah

You’ve seen it on everyone’s #wanderlust feeds but now experience the magic of Lake Bled without the filter. Then: 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.

First today: a visit to former concentration camp Mauthausen for a lesson in the resilience of humanity. After, we’ll roll onto the spire-filled skyline and mysterious streets of Prague! Get better acquainted with this picture-perfect city (complete with quirky clock tower) on a walking tour with your Trip Leader. Make a mental note of all the must-dos for tomorrow – before we tuck into a delish dinner with the gang. Later, head to the best bar in the city: The Alchemist. An old-school venue, with bloody delicious cocktails. Hint: if you want the full experience, ask for the 'choose your fate' – we'll see you in the morning.

That’s right folks – it’s your day, your way. So get out there and do your own spontaneous this-is-what-I-came-for thing. 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? Don’t miss the beer tasting optional this afternoon. Czech beers + tapas = good times guaranteed.

Another day, another food-obsessed European city. God, we love this place. But first: 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 and Alexanderplatz. Then: a group dinner to test how far your jeans really stretch.

You’ve got 24hrs of free time here – don’t muck around. Our advice? Opt in for a local walking tour that’s, you know – not boring. Or put that elastic waistband to the test on the ultimate Berlin food tour. Rather explore solo? Head to the Mauerpark markets for stalls filled with stuff you didn’t know you needed. Explore Museum Island. Take a ride in a Trabi and see why it’s Germany’s best-loved car. Or turn off Google maps and simply get lost in the unknown. Tonight, seek out Burgermeister. This place used to be a public toilet (ew) but now serves up the best burgers in Berlin. You know you wanna’ try it...

Quick maths – there’s only two days left. But the Venetian adventure sure as hell isn’t over yet! Plug ‘The Dam’ into the GPS as we roll into the Netherlands. Hit the cobblestones and check out the likes of the Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument. This place is a foodie’s wet dream – so you’ll have no trouble finding somewhere to settle in for dinner. Then there’s an option to experience a show in the Red Light district. Or for a more local vibe – head to Proeflokaal Arendsnest for a selection of over 100 Dutch beers.

Earlybird or narcoleptic – today is NOT the day to sleep in. You’ve got 24hrs to embrace everything this iconic city has to offer. Get to it. Join the locals and explore Amsterdam's iconic canals, bridges and parks on two wheels. History buffs should pay a visit to the Anne Frank House (don’t forget to book in advance!). And for the culture fiends – the Van Gogh Musuem and Rijksmuseum. Or if you’re wanting a more local vibe, head to Hannekes Boom for waterfront views, good food and all-round great vibes. Just make sure you’re back in time to toast the final night of our adventure at tonight’s group dinner.

Stock up on stroopwafels and pile onto the coach – we’re crossing the channel to Londinium after breakfast. Blast the Trip Song and pencil in next year’s reunion trip. What’ll it be? America? Asia? Africa?