London calling...meet the crew and stock up on Pringles - we're hitting the road early to jump across the channel. Flights cheaper to Paris? Meet us there tonight instead. It's up to you. The home of Coco Chanel, the Mona Lisa and world's craziest roundabout - Paris deserves its rep as the European capital for all things culture, haute couture and drool-worthy food. Get to know the City of Lights better with a driving tour before our first dinner together.
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 (book your tickets in advance!) and the Musée d'Orsay. Flash some plastic along the Champs Elysées. Discover the hidden gems down Paris’s back-streets. Walking not your thing? Give those calves a workout on an optional bike tour. Or soak up the Parisian vibes from the water while cruising the river Seine. Tonight, dress to impress for an optional cabaret show. Think: sparking lights, death-defining acrobatics, OTT costumes and the Cancan (of course).
From cityscapes to landscapes, prepare yourself for some I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E scenery as we make our way to the Swiss Alps. Warm up those vocal cords, we’ll be busting out some bangers on the ride into the mountains. Cue the fairytale villages of your imagination – the oh-so-quaint Engelberg is where we'll be spending the night. After dinner, you can head to the hotel bar with the gang or enjoy some me-time relaxing in the fresh Alpine air. You’re finally here, stop and enjoy it.
This is your day. So, enjoy it your way. This place is Disneyland for outdoor enthusiasts. Ready to explore? Hiking. Biking. Thrill-seeking. It’s all here. You could take the revolving gondola to the top of Mt Titlis for all the epic views (without the effort). Or head into town in search of the world's best hot chocolate and cheese fondue – unless you’re lactose intolerant. Tonight, sit back and enjoy the view. This is livin’.
Buy that mini-fondue set for mum. And wave goodbye to Switzerland – we’re off to Venice after breakfast. You know it as The Floating City, but this place is actually sinking (slowly). Check out the usual suspects on a walking tour with our Trip Leader – ticking off the likes of St Mark's Square, Doge’s Palace and Accademia Bridge. Dinner tonight is on you, but we’ve got the inside scoop on where to go. What delicious carb-laden Italian meal are you going to try first? Order two.
Time to see what all the fuss is about. Centuries-old architecture. Inventive cuisine. And a bucket-load of culture. Venice is just begging to be explored. After an included gondola ride along the Grand Canal, you’ve got the whole day to do just that. Need suggestions? Insider tip: spend some time seeking out the epic Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop or head off the tourist trail with a trip to Giudecca Island. Go wandering. Chat to the locals. Get lost in the maze of canals and piazzas. Watch the sun go down with a refreshing spritz in hand. That’s what makes the memories.
Prepare to make your food baby sing as we roll into the birthplace of gelato: Florence. This place has more stories than you can poke a stick at, more culture than a Fitzroy hipster, AND it gave the world gelato – praise be. We’ll get the lay of the land on an in-depth walking tour with a local guide. Then: take your new-found knowledge and hit the streets solo. Uffizi Gallery. Ponte Vecchio. Piazza della Signoria. The Duomo. You can’t see it all, but you sure as hell can try! After dinner, 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.
You’ve got this morning to explore – make it count. Get to the Galleria dell’Accademia early to make eyes at David. Or head to the top of the Duomo for allll the views (get your tix in advance!). Later, we’ll make tracks to Rome for a walking tour to end all walking tours. 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. We’ll pass by the Pantheon, throw our two cents in the Trevi Fountain, (don’t) sit on the Spanish Steps and wind things up under the shadow of the mighty Colosseum. Epic doesn’t even cut it. Then, this places is a foodie’s dream – go get it.
You’ve got 24 hours to live out all your Eat. Pray. Love. fantasies. Get out there and do your own, spontaneous, this-is-what-you-came-for thing. But if you need some local tips, we’ve got your back. Hike up Capitoline Hill for awesome views of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Head to the Knights of Malta Keyhole to see an alternative view of the city. Battle the lunchtime rush for a slice at Pizzarium Bonci. Hunt down the Mouth of Truth. Or simply do as the locals do and indulge in a little dolce far niente (delicious idleness) at a local cafe. For tonight’s grand finale, shake out those fat pants for round two. Thought you’d tried all the gelato flavours? Head to Fatamorgana – and think again.
You can’t be serious, it’s over? Time to say ciao to Rome and our new trip mates. But the adventure doesn’t have to end here – we hear Greece is lovely this time of year.
