Get Social: Big European (Gap Year)

Rise and shine! We’re hitting the road early to jump across the Channel. The home of Coco Chanel, the Mona Lisa and the world’s best pastries – Paris deserves its rep as the European capital for all things haute couture, culture and drool-worthy food. Get to know the City of Lights better with a drive around the must-sees. For dinner? The choice is yours, but your Trip Leader’s got all the hot tips – just ask. This eve, there’s a chance to see Paris from a different angle: on a cruise along the Seine. C'est Magnifique!

This is your day, your way. So, make every second count. Create a solid dent in your bucket list with a visit to the Louvre (get your tix in advance!). Snap a pic of the Arc de Triomphe. Wander the Champs Elysées. Or discover the hidden backstreets with your travel buds. Walking not your thing? Opt to stretch out those legs on a bike tour. Tonight, dress to impress for an optional cabaret show. Ooh la la!

Trade in Parisian streets for snowy peaks. Warm up those vocal cords, we’ll be blasting some banging tunes on the ride into the mountains – stopping for a few pics on the way of course. Home to the ‘Top of Europe’, 72 waterfalls and one of the largest nature conservations in Switzerland – tonight we're bunking down in the mind-blowing Swiss Alps. This eve: sit back in the fresh alpine air with an ice-cold bevvie, or head into town and soak up the valley vibes. Yep, this is what you came for.

If the Swiss Alps had a Tinder bio it would read: fun-filled outdoor enthusiast – looking for a fellow adrenaline junkie to share adventures with. And we’d swipe right. Hiking. Biking. Skydiving. Helicopter-ing. It’s all here. If you’re wanting something a bit more low-key – strap on the Nikes and walk the valley floor. Or hop on board the Jungfraubahn railway for an optional visit to the Jungfrau Mountain summit. Expect plenty of fairytale villages en route! Haven’t had cheese fondue yet? Go. Now.

Trade in your gruezi for bonjour as we head to the GLAM French Riviera. After dumping your stuff at the accommodation, this afternoon is totally up to you! Indulge in a bit of celeb spotting with a stroll around some of the world's most lavish waterfront properties (no judgement here). Head to the beach for a dip. Or find a local haunt for some seriously good seafood. Tonight, it’s happy hour with the gang (happiness guaranteed, discounted cocktails are not).

This morning, you do you! Sleep in. Laze on the beach. Go wild in the designer boutiques in Nice's Old Town. Try all the decorative pastries your elastic waistband can handle – then work them off with a walk up Castle Hill for alll the views. Later: roll with the jet set on a walking tour of Monaco and see how the 1% live (hint: it involves Ferraris and bathing in caviar). Feeling lucky? Hit the tables at the Monte Carlo Casino and make it rain (or not).

Squeeze in one last swim. Down your coffee. And wave goodbye to France – we’re heading for the land of the long boot. First stop is Pisa, so think up a good pose for THAT photo. After, make your food baby sing as we roll into the capital of Tuscan cuisine and birthplace of gelato. This evening: take a wander along the Arno River and watch the sunset. Then: it’s time to sample a scoop (or two) of the good stuff. Did someone say karaoke? If you’re feeling it, join the gang in a battle of the classics at the bar later.

Before we hit the road, we’ll delve deeper into this artistic capital with a local guide. Uffizi Gallery. Ponte Vecchio. Piazza della Signoria. The Duomo. See it all. Then? The history lesson continues – only this one isn’t boring. Trust us. We’ll pass by the Pantheon, throw our two cents in the Trevi Fountain, (don’t) sit on the Spanish Steps and check out the mighty Colosseum before the day is done. Tonight, you're in Disneyland for foodies – so pull on your fat pants and track down some penne alla vodka (pasta and vodka are BFFs, trust us).

Time to live out those Roman Holiday fantasies – today is all about Vespas, espresso, two-cheeked kisses and pizza the way it’s supposed to taste. Don that history hat and hit three iconic spots on a guided tour of Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Or why not count your blessings on an optional tour of the Vatican City? Then, do as the locals do and indulge in a little dolce far niente (delicious idleness) at a local cafe or piazza. Tonight, shake out those fat pants for round two.

Truth bomb alert: you’ve got a bit of a drive from Rome to Ancona today (where we’ll swap the coach for a ferry). BUT once we’re on board you’re gonna have a cabin with an en suite for the ride. Plus you’ve got your awesome AF trip mates to keep you entertained. And when you wake up? You’re in Greece – heck, yes!

Watch as the Greek coastline whizzes past the coach window before we settle into our base for the next three days – the jaw-dropping island of Lefkada. Expect: brilliant-blue waters lapping at crescent-shaped beaches and pebbly coves. And a free day to make the most of them. Nightmare. Grab a gyro and explore the rainbow-coloured town. Stroll around the marina. Then head to Agios Ioannis Beach for crystal-clear shallows and dazzling sunsets. Bliss.

Ahoy, me hearties! This morning we’re swapping dry land for a day bobbling along the stunning Ionian Sea. Jump aboard the boat and find your sea legs – today’s gonna be a good one. First port of call: a swim stop at the blue-and-white paradise that is Egremni Beach. Then we’ll set sail for the BEAUT island of Kefalonia to splash around some more and explore the village. There's time for one final stop at the chill island of Ithaca before we drop anchor for the evening and head back to our hotel. Shake off that sand like T Swift taught you, and swap seafaring tales with the gang. Arrrrrr!

All hands on deck! Well – hands, feet and all the rest of you, preferably. It’s back on the boat this morning for even MORE sailing, swimming and snacking around the dreamy Ionian Islands. We’ll anchors away and make a photo stop at Papanikolis Cave (so big a Greek submarine hid in here during WW2, FYI), before setting course for the super-scenic island of Meganisi. And this arvo? After an included on-board lunch, expect more swim sessions and a jaunt around the neighbourhood’s lush private islands. This evening: it’s your final night in Greece, so hunker down in a beachfront bar and make the most of it.

What happens when you paint a former communist capital in vivid colours? According to Tirana's artist-turned-mayor-turned-TED speaker Edi Rama, people start paying taxes and crime rates plummet. True story. Say hello to our local guide when we tick off the main sights on a driving tour. Then: make sure you check out the crazy number of old bunkers here. Tonight, your mission – should you choose to accept it – get out there and find the city’s best fried kaçkavall cheese. Mmmmm.

Press your nose to the window and soak up all the stunning views racing past the coach window as we make our way to the most famous walled city in Europe. Thanks Game of Thrones. This afternoon, we’ll take a wander around Dubrovnik's tiny cobblestone streets with a local guide. And later? Head to Buža Bar for some relaxed cliffside bevvies. Or check out the acrobatic antics at Revelin nightclub. Did we mention it’s in a 16th-century fortress?

Don’t be fooled. Dubrovnik is so much more than snapping a selfie on some steps. Although, you can totally get your fill of GOT with a Cersei-themed tour today, if that’s your thing. Rather take to the water? Sign up to a sea kayaking excursion – swim stops at the island of Lokrum included. Get your fix of awesome views with a stroll along the ancient city walls or take the cable car up Mt Srd. Then tonight: hit the d-floor for round two. Or find a local wine bar to sample Croatia’s delicious grape-juice.

Ready for something a bit... quirky? It’s called the Sea Organ. And we’ll discover this unique art installation – along with the Zadar’s eclectic mix of Roman ruins and public art – on an orientation tour with our Trip Leader. Bearings established, the rest of the day is ours for the taking. Explore the Old Town, check out the city walls or sit back with a cocktail at The Garden Lounge. 100% up to you.

Starting to have gelato-shaped dreams again? DW – you’ve got another chance to get your fill when we arrive in Venice later today. 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 Venice, it’s time to see what all the fuss is about. Centuries-old architecture. Inventive cuisine. And a bucket-load of culture. Dinner is up to you tonight but we’ve got the inside scoop on where to go.

You know it as The Floating City, but this place is actually sinking (slowly). Today we’ll check out the who's who of Venice's usual suspects on a walking tour with our Trip Leader – ticking off the likes of St Mark's Square, Doges Palace and Accademia Bridge. Then: you’ve got a free afternoon! Insider tip: spend some time seeking out the epic Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop or head off the tourist trail with a trip to Guidecca Island.

Next up? A country where beer is officially considered an essential food group (right next to sausage and sauerkraut). Say hello to Germany! We’ll kick things off with a walking tour of Munich then it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for – an appropriate occasion to wear lederhosen. Head to the 428-year-old Hofbräuhaus for a royal Happy Hour experience or find the Chinese beer garden (or any beer garden for that matter) for a stein-sesh with your trip mates. Prost!

First today: a visit to former concentration camp Dachau for a lesson in the resilience of humanity. Then: on to Prague. Our Trip Leader will help us get acquainted with this picture-perfect city – complete with a quirky clock tower – and point out all the must-dos for our free day tomorrow. Tonight? Hit the town to try some local Czech beer. It’d be rude not to.

How you spend your day is 100% up to you. And trust us, there’s plenty to Czech out (ha!). Seek 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 beer connoisseur? Don’t miss the beer tasting optional this afternoon. 11 different Czech beers + tapas = good times all around.

Another day, another food-obsessed European city. 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 the main sights including (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, Zoo Gardens, the Holocaust Museum, Charlottenburg Palace and Alexander Platz. Then: hunt down a pretzel the size of your head and some Berliner Pfannkuchen – the doughnut’s German cousin.

You’ve got 24 hrs here. Make the most of it. Our advice? Opt in for a historic walking tour that’s, you know, not boring. Get a local insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule and tick off the likes of the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and Brandenburg Gate. Or put those taste buds to the ultimate test on an awesome AF food tour. We’re talking kebabs, pastries, currywurst, pierogi and local beers (you’re in Germany after all). Tonight, it’s time to see whether this city’s nightlife really lives up to the hype.

The trip may be coming to a close, but it’s not over yet! We’ve got our eye on Amsterdam today. It’s time to hit the cobblestones and explore – check out the likes of Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument. Then, this place is a foodie’s haven: try traditional Dutch pancakes (sweet/savoury/both at once) or head to the Foodhallen for alllll the world snacks. Later, make a beeline for a canalside wine bar or brewery to keep the good times rolling.

This is our last full day together. So, don’t hang about – get on your bike! Check out Amsterdam's iconic canals, bridges and parks on an optional bike tour. Or for the culture fiends – delve a bit deeper with a visit to the Anne Frank House (don’t forget to book in advance!). Got lost down a TikTok rabbit hole instead of booking those tix? There's a chance to experience the Secret Annex virtually instead. Art and history lovers should head to the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. Whatever you get up to, make sure you’re back in time to toast the final night of our European adventure at tonight’s group dinner.

Amster-DAMN that was good. But now it’s time to hit the road back to ol’ Blighty. Blast the Trip Song one last time and swap Insta handles – you’ll need them to organise next year’s reunion trip!