Itinerary
- Day 1
Vienna
You'll arrive in Vienna and meet up with your Gap Year group and Trip Manager. This evening is all about getting to know the people you'll be traveling with over dinner, and there might be some Austrian schnapps involved to help break the ice.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (A&O Vienna Hauptbahnhof (or similar))
- Day 2
Vienna to Krakow
Travel from Vienna to Krakow, starting with a visit to the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camp memorials. After spending time there reflecting, you'll head into Krakow's old town and check out the creative Kazimierz district, which has a different feel from the main city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis budget Krakow Stare Miasto (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp memorials
Landmarks Auschwitz-Birkenau Kazimierz 
- Day 3
Krakow
Join an orientation tour that takes you through the city's best beer spots and historical landmarks. You can then explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, the Jewish Quarter, and the Royal Castle at your own pace, plus wander through various museums. In the evening, try some traditional Polish pierogi dumplings for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis budget Krakow Stare Miasto (or similar))
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Krakow including beer spots and historical hotspots
Optional Activities
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town centre
- Visit Jewish Quarter
- Visit Royal Castle
- Visit museums
- Traditional Polish evening with pierogi
Landmarks Krakow Old Town Wawel Royal Castle - Day 4
Krakow to Budapest
You'll drive through Alpine scenery and pass traditional villages, stopping in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia for lunch in this charming pastel-painted town. Continue on to Budapest, crossing three countries in one day. Upon arrival, there's an optional river cruise and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (A&O Budapest (or similar))
Optional Activities
- River cruise and dinner in Budapest
Landmarks Banska Bystrica 
- Day 5
Budapest
Budapest is yours to explore however you'd like. Many people spend the day relaxing in one of the city's famous thermal baths or heading out to Margaret Island, where you can find gardens, fountains, pools, and some interesting old ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (A&O Budapest (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Soak in thermal baths
- Visit Margaret Island
Landmarks Margaret Island - Day 6
Budapest to Ljubljana
Travel south from Budapest toward Slovenia, making a stop at Lake Bled for a scenic break and optional swim if you're up for it. Later you'll arrive in Ljubljana, a city that doesn't get as crowded as some other European destinations. There's a city tour planned, followed by time to kick back in local cafes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ljubljana Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- City tour of Ljubljana
Optional Activities
- Swim at Lake Bled
Landmarks Lake Bled - Day 7
Ljubljana to Venice
Travel from Ljubljana to Venice. Once you arrive, you'll board a motoscafo to reach the historical heart of the city through the canals. You can choose to take an optional gondola ride, join a guided food tour, or just wander through Venice on your own and discover the streets yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Anda Venice Hostel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Motoscafo ride through Venice canals to historical centre
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride
- Guided food tour
- Self-guided exploration
Landmarks Venice - Day 8
Venice to Rome
Leave Venice and head to Rome, Italy's capital. In the afternoon, you'll explore some of Rome's iconic landmarks. There's an optional pasta making class where you cook dinner, or you can explore Rome's sights at night on your own if that's more your style.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Yellow (or similar)), Hotel (YellowSquare (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Pasta making class with homemade dinner
- Day 9
Rome
This day is focused on Rome's most famous sights. You'll visit the Colosseum, toss coins in the Trevi Fountain, and wander through various piazzas while sipping espresso, which is really the best way to take in Roman life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Yellow (or similar)), Hotel (YellowSquare (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit Colosseum
- Visit Trevi Fountain
- Explore Roman piazzas
Landmarks Colosseum Trevi Fountain - Day 10
Rome to Florence
Travel to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and get that classic photo pose everyone takes. After that, head on to Florence using fast-track transportation. You'll walk along the River Arno, try some Chianti wine, and get a look at the Duomo Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ('Re-Dama Hostel (or similar)), Hotel (YellowSquare (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa for photo
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa Florence Duomo Cathedral River Arno 
- Day 11
Florence
This day mixes guided exploration, food, and free time nicely. You'll explore the heritage-filled streets and local markets while sampling gelato. There's an optional pizza making class available if you want to learn how to make authentic pizza.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel ('Re-Dama Hostel (or similar)), Hotel (YellowSquare (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore local markets
- Sample gelato
- Pizza making class
- Day 12
Florence to Swiss Alps
Depart Florence with one last stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa for final photos. Then it's fast-track travel to the Swiss Alps, where you'll settle into the fairytale scenery of snowcapped mountains. There's an optional fondue dinner to welcome you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Adventure Hostel Interlaken (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa for photo
- Fondue dinner
Landmarks Leaning Tower of Pisa - Day 13
Swiss Alps
Start your day taking in incredible mountain views from your room. You can optionally head to a Swiss mountain peak, try paragliding with your group, or just explore this classic European adventure town at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Adventure Hostel Interlaken (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Trip to Swiss mountain
- Paragliding
- Day 14
Swiss Alps to Paris
Cross the border out of Switzerland and travel through Burgundy, a region known for wine production, before arriving in Paris. You'll have an included dinner and time to explore the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar))
Included Activities
- Dinner in Paris
Landmarks Burgundy 
- Day 15
Paris
Spend the day experiencing Paris. Visit the Fragonard Perfumery, check out haute couture, see Notre-Dame Cathedral while having coffee and crepes, and explore the Louvre. There's an optional dinner and cabaret show available for your final night with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jo&Joe Gentilly (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Fragonard Perfumery
Optional Activities
- Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Explore Louvre
- Visit Champs-Élysées
- Dinner and cabaret show
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe Louvre Champs-Élysées Notre-Dame Cathedral - Day 16
Paris to London/Calais
Soak in your final day in Paris and take time to reflect on the journey and how close you've become with your group. Later you'll travel south to Calais and cross from France to England. Those continuing beyond London say goodbye to the group here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
