Play & Pause: Central & Eastern Europe (Winter) 2022-23

Hope you’ve packed your thermal undies – you’re gonna need them when you touch down in LDN. First: say ‘how do you do’ to the small bunch of trip mates sharing the wintery adventure. Then: get to know one another better at our first included group feed. Ready for three weeks of icy cobbles, frosty canals, cosy pubs and crackling fires? See you bright and early!

Down that cuppa and wave cheerio to the Big Smoke – we’re hitting the road and jumping across the Channel. The home of Coco Chanel, the Mona Lisa and the world’s yummiest macarons – Paris deserves its rep as the European capital for culture and drool-worthy food. Trust us. We’ll tick off all the showstoppers with a driving tour around the City of Light. And for dinner? The choice is yours, but your Trip Leader’s got all the hot tips – just ask. Bon appétit!

Yep, you’re finally here – so, this is your day to simply do you. Create a solid dent in your bucket list with a visit to the Louvre (book your tickets in advance!) and the Musée d'Orsay. Hunt down the cosiest patisseries in town (your Trip Leader knows where it’s at). Get lost amongst the shelves of history at Shakespeare and Co. Bookshop. Flash some plastic along the Champs Elysées. Or inject some feel-good vibes at the I Love You Wall. Feeling frosty? We got you – keep those calves warm on an optional bike tour. Or get an alternate view of the City of Love with a river cruise down the Seine. Tonight, go all-out with an optional evening at the cabaret. Think: bright lights, OTT costumes and death-defying acrobatics. 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 simply soak up 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. 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’ moments 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 our included dinner tonight, 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? This is your trip, after all.

Florence has more plot twists than Game of Thrones, more culture than a Fitzroy hipster AND it gave the world David. Discover the real story behind this incredible city on an optional walking tour with a local guide. Later, bella Roma is calling our name. 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). 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, trust us.

Rise and shine! Slip on your boots, grab your beanie and pack your camera – today’s walking tour is one for the books. We’re talking a solid few hours of non-stop sights, off-the-tourist-trail hidden gems and a run-down of almost 3000 years of history. 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. The rest of the afternoon is 100% up to you. Head up Capitoline Hill for awesome views. 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.

Didn’t tick everything off? We got you. Here’s another 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. Check out Castel Sant’Angelo (aka Hadrian’s Tomb). Snack on roasted chestnuts and stroll along the Tiber River. Battle the lunchtime rush for a slice at Pizzarium Bonci. Shop till you drop on Via Condotti. Or strap on the skates and hit the rink (depending when you’re here, obvs). Tonight, it’s round 306 of You vs Delicious Carbs at our included group dinner. We believe in you.

Tums filled with another included brekkie, we’re heading to 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 a walking tour – ticking off 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. Later, score a cheap meal at Osteria Al Portego or fill up on alllll the drool-worthy Venetian pastries (no judgement here).

Centuries-old architecture. Inventive cuisine. And a bucket-load of culture. Venice is just begging to be explored. News just in: you’ve got the whole day to do just that. Need suggestions? Go classic with a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. Rummage through piles of books-in-bathtubs at the floodproof(ish) Libreria Acqua Alta grotto. Head off the tourist trail with a trip to Giudecca Island. 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.

Today we’re plugging Ljubljana into the GPS. Try pronouncing it, we dare you. But first: a visit to the mesmerising Lake Bled. It’s even better without the filter, trust us. Take a stroll around the glistening blue lake. Or hire a boat across to the island and ring the wishing bell. You wished for more wishes, didn’t you? After we roll into Slovenia’s hip capital, take a quick stroll around the Old Town with your expert Trip Leader – before heading out to explore on your own. The castle has been waiting for you since Celtic times, so don’t keep it hanging any longer. Tonight, gather the gang and hit the town for a vino with a side of live music. Or chill back at the hotel and recharge those batteries – there’s still 10 days of adventuring left!

Our Ljubljana love affair was short but oh-so-sweet. Up next? The twin cities of Buda and Pest. See why they call this place the City of Bridges, as we’re chauffeured past the Chain Bridge, Castle District, Gellert Hotel, Heroes’ Square and House of Terror on a driving tour. SD cards full and tummies grumbling, we’ve got the evening free to explore. Love that! Get stuck into some local fare: goulash, chicken paprikash, langos, dobos cake. Hopefully you like paprika, they’re kinda obsessed with it here. Or hang with the hipsters at one of the original ruin bars. Our suggestion? Try pálinka (traditional fruit brandy) – it’s like a warm hug for your insides.

You wanted freedom to explore – here it is. Check out the Central Market Hall. Explore the Jewish Quarter. Play pinball at the Flippermúzeum. Get a harrowing education at the House of Terrors. Hunt down the Anonymous Statue. Soak in the warm therapeutic waters of the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. Or head to Buda Castle and check out all the views from Fisherman’s Bastion. Just be back for tonight’s included dinner, we’re gonna take it up a level with a cruise down the Danube. Grab your coat and sit on the upper deck – Buda Castle and House of Parliament look even better lit up like Christmas. Trust us.

Viszlát (bye) Hungary, hallo (erm, hello) Austria! Ten points if you can guess what Vienna is famous for. Musicians. Grand coffee houses. And strudel (duh!). Prepare to have your heart captured as we drive by the likes of the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, Museum Quarter and Ringstrasse. We’ll have a poke around Princess Sissi’s opulent gardens at the Schönbrunn Palace – with enough time to check out her extravagant decorating too, if you fancy it. Then: the afternoon is yours. Explore the Museum Quarter in depth. Head to Cafe Central for the most boujee afternoon tea you’ve ever had. Or enjoy the sweet sounds of Mozart and Bach played by the Viennese Chamber Orchestra at an optional concert. Culture mode = activated.

Onwards to the spire-filled skyline and mysterious streets of Prague! But first: a visit to former concentration camp Mauthausen for a lesson in the resilience of humanity. Dump your bag at the hotel, before embarking on a walking tour to get better acquainted with this picture-perfect city – complete with a 600-year-old Astronomical Clock. Your expert Trip Leader will point out all the must-dos for tomorrow as we go. After our included dinner, hit the town to try some local Czech beer or sample a cocktail at The Alchemist. 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. Or delight your inner-fat kid with a sugar-filled serving of trdelník. Think: warm, fire-roasted pastry coated in cinnamon sugar – add Nutella and you’ve got the stuff of dessert dreams *wipes drool from chin*.

Next up? A country where beer is officially considered an essential food group (right next to sausage and sauerkraut). Helloooo Germany! We’ll get acquainted with 800 year-old Dresden on the way. Then: 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, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and Brandenburg Gate. After dinner together, see whether this city’s nightlife really lives up to the hype. Or kick back and unwind in the privacy of your accom. You do you – that’s what it’s all about.

You’ve got 24 hrs of free time here – don’t muck around. Our advice? Opt 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: the adventure is coming to an end. But we’re sure as hell not done yet! Set your sights on the one-and-only Amsterdam. Dump your stuff and hit the cobblestones – Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument are waiting. This place is a foodie’s haven so you’ll have no issues finding somewhere to settle in for dinner. Or grab a cone of hot chips, park up on a bench and watch life go by on the glassy, golden-lit canals. Prepare for chills – in more ways than one.

This. Is. It. Our last full day. So, don’t hang about! 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. Seek out the best appeltaart in the city. Or just get lost amongst backstreets of this city’s diverse districts – each one’s got a unique vibe. Make sure you’re back in time to toast with your trip mates at tonight’s included dinner. What. A. Trip.

And just like that: it’s over. 22 days. 10 countries. And alllll the mems. Before we make tracks back to London, stock up on stroopwafels, get mum a last-minute souvenir and swap Insta handles with the gang. Who’s up for a reunion trip next year?