London to Budapest by Train (Winter)

The adventure begins. We'll start out by getting to know each other over a three-course dinner.

Afterwards, we'll embark on our first MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience – a walking tour of the West End, hosted by the men and women who once lived on the streets of London (and who know this grand old capital better than anyone). (D) Stay: Royal National Hotel (or similar)

Walk this way… Today you're free to explore London however you like. You might wanna skip lunch ahead of this evening's activity… yup, we'll have the option to join an East End food walking tour – sampling as much international cuisine as we can muster. (B) Stay: Ibis Styles Gloucester Road (or similar)

Ta-ra, Thames. Time to hop on the Eurostar to Paris – after our buffet breakfast of course! An iconic train journey later, and we're in Paris. We'll waste no time getting acquainted with the city's 'ooh la la' worthy sites with a free afternoon to see the icons and maybe check out one of Paris's coolest neighborhoods, Montmartre or Le Marais, close to our hotel. (B) Stay: Ibis Styles Gare de l'Est Château Landon (or similar)

Cuisine and cabaret day. We'll start this morning with an optional patisserie walking tour, winding our way around the cutest cafes in Paris, sampling dreamy pastries as we go.

Afterwards, you've got all day to explore (and check out everything you missed yesterday).

Tonight, it's off to a Paris cabaret show, with dinner and champagne to really switch on the sophistication. (B)

Another day, another incredible European city... Dam That's Preddy.

Welcome to Amsterdam! In the evening, we'll head to Foodhallen to sample eclectic bars, live music and art exhibitions, not to mention some of the best food in Europe. (B/D) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)

Rise and shine! First up, we'll take to the canals for a truly unique boat tour. We'll see Amsterdam through the eyes of refugees – hearing their stories as we gawk at the splendid views, you're guaranteed to step off the boat with a whole new perspective on life. The rest of the day is all about exploration – from Anne Frank's museum to the Heineken Factory.

This evening, opt to get an exclusive entry pass to the A'Dam Tower and Swing, skipping the queues to enjoy epic views over the sprawling city below.

Afterwards the night is yours to explore this vibrant city and experience its legendary nightlife. (B)

You've been a blast, Amsterdam, but today we're making tracks for our next adventure. Hello Berlin! We'll waste no time in checking out the cutting-edge culinary scene, both vegan and carnivorous! After that, the evening is yours to explore the city's world-famous nightlife. The buzzing scene here is a joyous tribute to German reunification, and since the fall of the Berlin Wall the city has staked its claim as the techno capital of the world. (B/D) Stay: Ibis Ostbahnhof (or similar)

2 walking tours today. This morning, we'll enjoy an exclusive MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience with Refugee Voices, learning from young refugees on a fascinating walking tour that draws parallels between Germany's turbulent past and the present situation in many countries across the world today.

This evening, you'll have the chance to explore Berlin's oh-so-historical (and oh-so-hipster) Kreuzberg district… followed by an included dinner. (B)

Berlin you've been a blast, but we're making tracks for new adventures today, jumping on the train to Prague. Arriving in Prague, we'll explore the cobblestones, cathedrals and castles on a walking tour, before refuelling with a traditional Czech dinner. Believe us when we say that the beer here is the best in Europe. (B) Stay: Ibis Praha Old Town (or similar)

Time to explore more of Prague - catch the tram to one of Prague's outer neighborhoods like hipster Vršovice, boasting art nouveau buildings, offbeat coffee haunts and streets lined with communal pianos. Prague is a paradise for beer lovers too, so don't forget to check out some of the city's coolest bars (of which there are many to choose from! ) (B)

We're jumping on another train today and making our way to Austria. Ah Vienna! We'll kick things off in this grand capital with a walking tour and explore the opulent classical architecture and wide streets. Evenings can be spent like a local, watching the sun set over the Donaukanal at a gorgeous beach bar or a classic Viennese coffee house. (B) Stay: JO&JOE Vienna (or similar)

Waking up in the stunning capital of Vienna, a city known for its coffee culture and baroque architecture, we'll have plenty of adventures to pursue today before ending the day at one of the world's most historic theme parks: Prater, and eating schnitzel in the leafy surrounding park. (B)

Today we're making our way to Hungary! Another scenic train ride will take us into the grandeur of Budapest. Tonight, something a bit different, as we have the option to escape the masses and cook dinner with the locals. This immersive, fully interactive experience will bring us closer than ever before to Hungary's rich history and culinary culture. (B) Stay: Ibis Styles Budapest Citywest (or similar)

This morning choose to learn about the past & present of Hungarian history and culture culminating at Budapest's most famous thermal baths - Szechenyi - enjoying the most traditional spa experience in the world. The water here is supplied by 2 thermal springs to make up the largest medicinal baths in Europe.

Tonight we'll enjoy the best way to experience the city's flamboyant architecture, as we take a dreamy night time cruise down the Danube, getting to see all of Budapest's historical buildings from the water as we enjoy an authentic feast. (B)

Today we say farewell to our Contiki family and our European adventure, but we'll stay in touch, and we'll no doubt be back soon enough. (B)