Play & Pause : Central Europe Highlights (Winter) *18-39 YEARS ONLY*

You’ve watched (or been made to watch) Love Actually. And now you’re actually in
London, in winter, about to have the best damn two weeks of your life. Wild, right? First,
say hi (or give a fancy royal wave) to the small bunch of trip mates joining the ride.
Then, it’s time for our first included group dinner. Ready for Central Europe’s highlights
in all their sparkling, frost-filled, wintery glory? Let’s DO this.

Cheerio London – after brekkie, it’s time to hop across the English Channel. Use the ride
to brush up on your bonjours and s’il vous plaîts – and get to know your awesome AF
trip mates. This is what it’s all about! The home of Coco Chanel, the Mona Lisa and the
world’s yummiest pastries – Paris has earnt its rep as the European capital for all
things fashion, culture and drool-worthy food. Tick off all the showstoppers on a driving
tour. Want an alternate angle? Grab a takeaway chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and
settle in for an optional river cruise down the Seine. Later, track down a REAL French
meal. Need recommendations? Your in-the-know Trip Leader’s got that covered. Bon appétit!

There’s more here than over-priced handbags and unoriginal poses under the Eiffel
Tower. And to prove it, we’ve given you a full 24 hrs to discover the real Paris. Our
suggestion? Spend your free day ticking off those bucket-list items (and keeping those
calves warm) on an optional bike tour. Then: explore the backstreets. Hunt down the
best patisseries in town. Get lost amongst the shelves of history at Shakespeare and
Co. Books. Or uncover the city’s secret underworld at Catacombes de Paris. Tonight,
there’s an optional cabaret show on the cards – just to really round things off. You’re in
the home of the can-can after all.

Disclaimer: today is a bit of a drive day. But you already knew that, right? Strap in. Get
to know your trip mates better. Or just treat your eyeballs to all the jaw-dropping,
snow-capped scenery as it whizzes past the window. They don’t have views like this
back home. Cue the fairytale villages and romantic castles of your imagination – the
oh-so-quaint Engelberg will be our base for the next two nights. Later, we’ll get stuck
into a group dinner before heading to the hotel bar. Or sit back in the crisp (note:
freezing) alpine air with a steaming cup of glühwein. Yep, this is what you came for.

There’s one word to describe Switzerland in winter: MAGIC. So, here’s a free day to
discover exactly what that means. Our suggestion for a clear day? Take the revolving
gondola to the top of Mt Titlis for all the unbelievable panoramas (without the effort).
Or strap on your boots and explore the forest trails – ‘holy sh*t’ scenery guaranteed.
Rather uncover the gastronomic wonders of this place? Head into town and sip on the
world’s best hot chocolate by a crackling fire. Whatever you choose, you’re gonna have
views for days. Dinner tonight is on you – haven’t tried cheese fondue yet? Now’s your
chance (unless you’re lactose intolerant, obvs).

Pelt your Trip Leader with one last snowball and snap another pic of the dreamy
frosted-peaks (it'll never do this place justice) – we're rolling on to the capital of
Tuscan cuisine today. You packed your fat pants, right? Before you hunt down some
penne alla vodka for dinner (trust us on this one), rug up and take a stroll along the
Arno River for those this-is-what-I-came-for-vibes. Then: did someone say karaoke? If
you’re up for it, join the gang in a battle of the ballads at a local bar. Or hunt down a
gelateria for a scoop (or two) of the good stuff. Who said you can’t have gelato in
winter? You do you – it’s your brain freeze, after all.

Florence has more storylines than Game of Thrones, more culture than a Fitzroy hipster
AND it gave the world David. First up today, we’ll get the inside scoop on this incredible
city with a locally guided walking tour. Later, bella Roma is calling our name. Slip on
your boots, grab your beanie and pack your camera for an orientation walk with your
Trip Leader. 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.
One word, four syllables: INCREDIBLE. Tonight, you’re in Disneyland for foodies – so
shake out those fat pants and ask your Trip Leader where to find the best cacio e pepe.
You won’t be disappointed.

Two-and-a-half millennia of history. Vespas. Espresso. Two-cheek kisses. Aggressive
hand gestures. And pizza the way it's supposed to taste. There’s a reason Rome is on
the top of Europe’s must-do list. And it’s even better in winter (in our totally unbiased
opinion). Here’s a free day we prepared earlier. Don’t just skim the surface, experience
every moment to the fullest. Count your blessings and play I-spy with historical
masterpieces on an optional tour of Vatican City. Or get your daily step count in during
a guided tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill AND Roman Forum. You could also check
out Castel Sant’Angelo (aka Hadrian’s Tomb). Snack on roasted chestnuts and stroll
along the Tiber River. Shop till you drop on Via Condotti. Or strap on the skates and hit
the rink (depending when you’re here, obvs). Tonight, prepare for more carb-loaded
deliciousness at our included dinner. When in Rome...

Tums filled with another included brekkie, we're making tracks for that famous sinking
city today. After checking in at the hotel, it’s time to see what all the fuss is about.
Acquaint yourself with the who's who of Venice's usual suspects on an orientation walk
– passing by the likes of St Mark's Square, Doge’s Palace and Accademia Bridge. And
then – this beautifully romantic city is yours for the taking. Our suggestion? Grab a
macchiato overlooking the canal and watch the gondoliers guide their vessels through
the fog. This place has romance written all over it. Getting hangry? We got you – dinner
tonight is on us at a local restaurant. Buon appetito!

Centuries-old architecture. Inventive cuisine. And a bucket-load of culture. Venice is
just begging to be explored. Good news: you’ve got the whole day to do just that. Jump
on a gondola and explore the gobsmacking Grand Canal, without the filter. Seek out
the ramshackle-chic Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop or head off the tourist trail with a
trip to Giudecca Island. Go wandering. Get lost in the maze of canals and piazzas. Then
seek out Café Florian for a piping mug of rich hot chocolate and zaletti biscuits. That’s
what makes memories. Later, score a cheap meal at Osteria Al Portego or fill up on
alllll the drool-worthy Venetian pastries (no judgement here).

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. Don
your fave beanie and slip on your woolly socks – 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. If you’re feeling peckish after, seek out the best spots in
the city to stuff your face with local treats. Bratwurst, anyone? Then: settle into a cosy,
lantern-lit beer hall. Or head back to the hotel for some recharge time. It’s 100% up to
you.

Down one last cup of Austrian coffee, we’re making tracks to fairytale Heidelberg
today. This place is all about hilltop ruins, cobblestone old quarters and Nobel Prize
winners (they’re a brainy bunch here). Get your bearings on a stroll with your Trip
Leader, then the rest of the afternoon is up to you. Take the cable car up to the Palace
for some unbeliEVABLE views. Or find a local haunt to chow down on a head-sized pork
knuckle – this is Germany after all.

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 takeaway hot chips you’ve had in your life. Guaranteed. Later: head to
Hannekes Boom for waterfront views and good vibes galore. Or grab a bar (or six) of
Tony’s Chocolonely and watch life float by on the canals. It’s ALL the chills.

This is our last full day. FFS don’t hang about – join the locals and 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!). And for the culture fiends – the Van Gogh Musuem and Rijksmuseum. Then
get lost amongst backstreets of the different districts – each with their own unique
vibe. Just make sure you’re back in time to toast the final night of our wonder-filled
adventure at tonight’s included dinner.