Play & Pause: Central & Eastern Europe (Winter) 2025-26

Play & Pause: Central & Eastern Europe (Winter) 2025-26

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22 Days From

$5219

Play & Pause: Central & Eastern Europe (Winter) 2025-26

22 Days Starting and ending in London

Visiting: Vatican City

Tour operator:

Topdeck

Tour code:

TWDLL5

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

18-39

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $5219

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

TRIP VIBE = the perfect mix of group activities and all-important YOU time. Scrolling for a winter journey through iconic European cities steeped in history, dripping in romance and jam-packed with jaw-dropping sites? You can stop now. This Play & Pause adventure soaks up the splendour of Paris, the ancient majesty of Rome and the ultra-hip atmosphere of Berlin – adding the wonders of Ljubljana, Budapest and Prague for good measure. Not to mention bags of free time to do your thing PLUS an awesome AF Trip Leader with tips for days (22 days, in fact). This? This is how you discover the REAL Europe – winter-style.

Highlights

  • Paris highlights drive

  • Walking tour of Florence with a local guide

  • Orientation walk of Rome with Trip Leader

  • Visit Lake Bled

  • Budapest highlights drive

  • Visit former concentration camp Mauthausen

  • Walking tour of Prague with Trip Leader

  • Berlin highlights drive

  • -Paris highlights drive

  • -Walking tour of Florence with local guide

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Places You'll See

The Colosseum, Rome

Itinerary

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Day 1: London (England)

Meals Included: Dinner

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!

Day 2: London – Paris (France)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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. Later, get an alternate view of the City of Love with an optional river cruise down the Seine. And for dinner? The choice is yours, but your Trip Leader’s got all the hot tips – just ask. Bon appétit!

Day 3: Paris

Meals Included: Breakfast

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. 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.

Day 4: Paris – Swiss Alps (Switzerland)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 5: Swiss Alps

Meals Included: Breakfast

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).

Day 6: Swiss Alps – Florence (Italy)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 7: Florence

Meals Included: Breakfast, Included activities:, Walking tour of Florence with local guide

Florence has more plot twists than Game of Thrones, more culture than a Fitzroy hipster AND it gave the world David. Spend the morning exploring this beaut city on a walking tour with a local guide. Bonus! You'll witness a leather demonstration with a REAL awesome artisan. Then: you’ve got a free afternoon to do whatever YOU want. Go solo and tick off some art galleries. Grab your trip besties and hit some of those TikTok recs you’ve saved. Or stick with the gang for an Aperol Spritz (or two) on an optional tour of Florence that gives *vibes*.

Day 8: Florence – Rome

Meals Included: Breakfast

Fill up on brekkie cos bella Roma is calling our name. We’re kicking it off with an orientation walk. 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. Later, 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. Or, fill up on delish pasta and wine during an optional guided food tour around Insta-worthy Trastevere. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. Trust us.

Day 9: Rome

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Rise and shine! 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). Bonus: the day is 100% up to you. Count your blessings and play I-spy with historical masterpieces on an optional tour of Vatican City. Get up, close and personal with the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum on a guided tour. Or do as the locals do and indulge in a little dolce far niente (delicious idleness) at a local cafe or piazza. Later, we’ve got a group dinner to get to. Pizza? Pasta? Both?

Day 10: Rome – Venice

Meals Included: Breakfast, Included activities:, Orientation walk of Venice with Trip Leader

Say ciao for now to Rome and stock up on bus snacks. Venice is our next stop. We’ve got an orientation walk to get to as soon as we arrive and we’re ticking off the highlights. Think: St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal. Bearings got, go find some gelato, get lost in the narrow streets or taste some of the BEST pasta you’ll ever taste. Pinky swear. Hit up your Local Lowdown map for City Insider recs too – they’re the locals who know their city best, obvs.

Day 11: Venice

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 12: Venice – Lake Bled (Slovenia) – Ljubljana

Meals Included: Breakfast

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!

Day 13: Ljubljana – Budapest (Hungary)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 14: Budapest

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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 explore the city on two wheels during an optional bike tour. Just be back for tonight’s included dinner. Stuff your bellies with droolworthy Hungarian goods. Tomorrow we’re hitting our next destination with all we’ve got!

Day 15: Budapest – Vienna (Austria)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 a Viennese orchestra at an optional concert. Culture mode = activated.

Day 16: Vienna – Mauthausen – Prague (Czech Republic)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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).

Day 17: Prague

Meals Included: Breakfast

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? Check out one of the city’s cool microbreweries. 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*.

Day 18: Prague – Dresden (Germany) – Berlin

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 19: Berlin

Meals Included: Breakfast

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...

Day 20: Berlin – Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 21: Amsterdam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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!). For the culture fiends – the Van Gogh Musuem and Rijksmuseum are sweet as. 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.

Day 22: Amsterdam – London (England)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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?

What's Included

  • Transport

    Air-conditioned coach

  • Guide

  • Meals

    Some meals are included during the tour, such as group dinners and breakfasts.

  • Activities

    The tour includes various activities such as walking tours and orientation walks in cities like Florence, Rome, and Venice.

What's Not Included

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to certain attractions, such as Schonbrunn Palace, are not included.

  • Optional Activities

    Optional activities such as river cruises, bike tours, and evening cabaret shows are not included in the tour price.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses such as additional meals, drinks, and souvenirs are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with an air-conditioned coach, ensuring a smooth journey across the stunning landscapes of Central and Eastern Europe.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides transportation via an air-conditioned coach.

  • Is there a guide included in the tour?

    Yes, a guide is included in the tour to assist and lead the group.

  • What can I expect on the first day of the tour?

    On the first day, you will meet your trip mates in London and enjoy a group meal to get to know each other before the adventure begins.

  • What activities are available in Paris during the tour?

    In Paris, you can enjoy a driving tour of the city, an optional river cruise on the Seine, and explore famous sites like the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay.

  • What is the itinerary for the Swiss Alps?

    In the Swiss Alps, you have a free day to explore, with options like taking a gondola to Mt Titlis or enjoying hot chocolate in town. Dinner is on your own, with cheese fondue as a popular choice.

  • What highlights are included in the visit to Rome?

    In Rome, the tour includes an orientation walk covering the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum. There are also optional tours available, such as a guided food tour in Trastevere.

  • What can I do during the free day in Venice?

    During the free day in Venice, you can take a gondola ride, visit Libreria Acqua Alta, explore Giudecca Island, or enjoy hot chocolate at Café Florian.

  • What is the experience like at Lake Bled?

    At Lake Bled, you can stroll around the lake or hire a boat to the island to ring the wishing bell before heading to Ljubljana.

  • What are the main attractions in Budapest during the tour?

    In Budapest, the tour includes a driving tour of the city, covering the Chain Bridge, Castle District, and Heroes' Square. You have free time to explore local cuisine and attractions like the Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

  • What is included in the visit to Vienna?

    In Vienna, the tour includes a drive by the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, and a visit to Schönbrunn Palace gardens. You have free time to explore museums or attend an optional concert.

  • What is the significance of the visit to Mauthausen?

    The visit to Mauthausen is a lesson in the resilience of humanity, as it is a former concentration camp.

  • What can I do during the free day in Prague?

    In Prague, you can visit the John Lennon wall, the Communist Museum, take a funicular up Petrin Hill, or enjoy local street food and microbreweries.

  • What are the highlights of the Berlin tour?

    In Berlin, the tour includes a drive around the main sights such as the Berlin Wall, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, and Brandenburg Gate. You have free time to explore the city's markets, museums, and food scene.

  • What activities are available in Amsterdam on the last full day?

    In Amsterdam, you can take an optional bike tour, visit the Anne Frank House, explore museums like the Van Gogh Museum, or enjoy the city's diverse districts and cuisine.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Curious? Open-minded? Same. Topdeckers are a mixed bunch, but that’s what makes us special. They come from all over the globe and are aged between 18 and 39. Like you, they’re looking to feel real. To experience more. To embrace the unknown. To grow and connect – without judgement.

  • Is there an age limit on Topdeck trips?

    Yes. Our trips are specifically designed for those aged 18-39 years of age.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    https://www.topdeck.travel/resources/booking-flexibility

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    We operate Single Share across across all touring styles and will match you with someone of the same gender

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    E-Documentation will be sent

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes, we work dilligenltly with our partners to acheive this

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes you can on European Tours

Reviews of this operator

Sarah, Traveller  

Road Trip USA

01-Oct-2020

"The tour leader and bus driver were exceptional at all times. The optional activities were great and catered to a lot of different people. The tour as a whole was great and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would definitely book with Topdeck again."

Tobin, Traveller  

Japan Highlights

29-Nov-2019

“Incredible experience! I had done a tour with another company in Europe so thought I knew what to expect but was blown away with my Topdeck tour. Better accommodation, such a great group of people and our trip leader was incredible. Saw so much stuff I would have missed without him. Highly recommended!”

Emily, Traveller  

Jordan & Israel

08-Aug-2019

“I felt so safe everywhere we went and would go back in a heartbeat if I could! Can't wait to make my way back to Egypt! I would recommend this to everyone, any doubt you have about Egypt or any of the Middle Eastern countries will be washed away as soon as you step off that plane!”

Axel Taylor (Google Reviewer)  

So Topdeck, you have better...

07-Apr-2024

So Topdeck, you have better not of cancelled my trip that I paid over $6000, and now I can’t even login into my own account because of some 403 Error and need permission to gain access to my account. Get it sorted out because I am not flying all the way over to Lisbon Portugal to find my reservation at the hotel has been cancelled. This is absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful. You even got my flights wrong when I went to Tokyo back in 2017 and I ended up at the wrong airport. Topdeck get your act together and sort it out. And let me back into my own account.

Jayden Urch (Google Reviewer)  

Will cancel your trip 1...

16-Sep-2023

Will cancel your trip 1 week beforehand

1 Select your preferred date

Wednesday - Wednesday

Nov 05, 2025 - Nov 26, 2025
$5439

Wednesday - Wednesday

Nov 19, 2025 - Dec 10, 2025
$5439

Wednesday - Wednesday

Nov 26, 2025 - Dec 17, 2025
$5439

Tuesday - Tuesday

Dec 02, 2025 - Dec 23, 2025
$5439

Tuesday - Tuesday

Dec 16, 2025 - Jan 06, 2026
$5439

Monday - Monday

Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 19, 2026
$5219

Wednesday - Wednesday

Jan 14, 2026 - Feb 04, 2026
$5219

Wednesday - Wednesday

Jan 28, 2026 - Feb 18, 2026
$5219

Wednesday - Wednesday

Feb 18, 2026 - Mar 11, 2026
$5219

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Topdeck requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of topdeck charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.