Day 1: Prague, Czech Republic
A giant Christmas tree with more decorations than a Lady Gaga concert, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, the smell of mulled wine and stalls that put Santa's workshop to shame - welcome to Prague's Christmas markets! Get a lay of the land with a walking tour and take notes of where you want to come back and visit tomorrow.
Meals:
-Dinner
Included today:
-Walking tour of Prague
Day 2: Prague
Ho, ho, holy moly it's Christmas Day! It's time to prep the roast and peel those potats (don't worry we'll do that, you just go check out Charles Bridge and the Castle District). At dinner we'll show you Santa Claus didn't forget you, he just hit the kitchen instead of the workshop.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Christmas dinner
Day 3: Prague to Krakow, Poland
Wawel Castle could only be built after a cobbler's apprentice did the impossible: he slayed a dragon with a sheep full of sulphur. A city with history like that needs to be explored, so we take you through the Old Town and the largest medieval market square in Europe.
Included today:
-Walking tour of Kraków
Meals:
-Breakfast
Day 4: Krakow
Look up! St Mary's near the main square is beautiful. Just wait 'til you get inside. Cruise around the hipster Jewish quarter, visit Schindler's Factory and then dig into a plate of pierogi. These dumpling-esque morsels of deliciousness will have you applying for your Polish passport. Stat.
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Day 5: Krakow to Bratislava, Slovakia
We tour through Auschwitz-Birkenau today. Take the time to reflect before we head to Slovakia. A guided tour through Bratislava will offer you loads of insight, just in time to make the most of a city that has a UFO for a restaurant (if you've got the funds).
Included today:
-Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau
-Walking tour of Bratislava
Meals:
-Breakfast
Day 6: Bratislava to Vienna, Austria
Mozart, Beethoven and Freud called Vienna home and they left a huge impression on the world. Visit a wiener kaffeehaus (coffee house) before getting Bach on track with an optional Viennese Concert. But first, a driving tour.
Included today:
-Driving tour of Vienna
Meals:
-Breakfast
Optional activities:
-A night at the Viennese Chamber Orchestra (dinner optional at an additional expense)
Day 7: Vienna to Budapest, Hungary
Swap the classical symphony for the chance to gorge on goulash and langos. New Year's resolutions haven't started yet so no diet excuses here. Get your bearings on a driving tour. You're in Budapest baby!
Included today:
-Driving tour of Budapest
Meals:
-Breakfast
Day 8: Budapest
Széchenyi Baths in winter? Ah yeah! Later, grab your fellow Topdeckers, put on a wooly hat, grab your cameras. Tonight we're watching the Danube explode with fireworks. Guaranteed feels. Happy New Year!
Included today:
-Entry to Széchenyi Baths
Meals:
-Breakfast
-Dinner
Day 9: Budapest
Don't be down about starting the New Year with goodbyes. Make your resolution to keep travelling. Did we mention it's ski season and the Alps are right around the corner?
Meals:
-Breakfast