11-Days Northern Stomp

A symphony of hellos as our journey begins

Welcome, fellow travellers, to the twinkling city of Salzburg, where the hills are alive with the sound of excited U. Adventurers ! 🌟 Get ready for a trip that’ll make you feel more accomplished than Mozart finishing a symphony. 🎶 After connecting with your group and guide late afternoon, and a brief Q&A session, we’ll head out for a guided stroll through Salzburg, a city where UNESCO heritage sites are as common as notes in a symphony 🏰, and where the Hohensalzburg Fortress stands guard like a strict conductor overseeing the orchestra. 🏔️

With its skyline kissed by the majestic Austrian Alps and Mozart’s legacy gracing every corner, Salzburg sets the stage for our grand Northern Stomp adventure. 🎻 Sure, we won’t paint the town red tonight – it’s more like a subtle pastel hue as we head out for a group meal before the big kickoff north tomorrow! 🎨

Included activities: guided Salzburg walking tour
Accommodation: Triple share central hostel

History, music, culture and a schnitzel the size of a building

Rise and shine, adventurers! 🌞 Time to bid Auf Wiedersehento the epic Salzburg skyline and hop aboard our magic carpet… uh, I mean, our comfy train carriage! 🚂 Prepare for a visual feast because Vienna’s coming at you. Stay close to the window, the views on this journey are going to be spectacular. It could just be our favourite train trip in Europe! 🏰🌄

Vienna’s like that perfect blend of history, culture, and pastries – a city that seamlessly blends architectural grandeur and everyday culture together. Whether you’re drooling over history, fangirling about classical music, or just plain salivating over food, this city’s got your back. We’ll toss our bags aside (in the hostel), hit the streets like locals, and dive into Vienna’s historical tapestry with a walking tour that’ll have you navigating these streets smoother than a Viennese waltz. 🏛️🎻🥨

And speaking of diving, our culinary crusade begins! We’re talking about the dish that’s the Beyoncé of Austrian cuisine—the legendary Wiener (as in German for Viennese) Schnitzel! 🍽️🎉

Included activities: Guided Vienna walking tour
Accommodation: Quad and triple share central hotel

A real fairytale city comes to life

Good afternoon, sleepyheads! Yes that’s right, the morning’s yours to carry on soaking up Vienna’s vibes and hey, ever heard of an Apfelstrudel? It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds and the old city has has the best ones! 🍏🥧

After lunch, we’ll train to Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital. It’s a destination where fairy tales ditch the pages and jump straight into reality! 🏰🌟 Cobblestone streets, castles that look like they were plucked from a Disney movie, and a historical presence that literally oozes from every brick. Old Town Square? Electric! Charles Bridge? Straight out of a masterpiece gallery!

Join your U. Guide or embrace your inner explorer and meander those charming streets solo. Prague after dark comes alive as crazy nightlife spills onto those cobblestone streets. There’s zero pressure to rush through it all! Tomorrow we have another day to conquer this magical city!

Accommodation: Deluxe apartment or hotel

Getting the Euro vibe like a local

Alright, time to strut the streets like the local legends we are! 🚶‍♂️🔍 We’re kicking things off with a grand tour of the city, investigating the local history and culture that makes this one of the most amazing cities in Europe! 🏰🎭

Prague’s been a magnet for the cool cats and history buffs hunting that authentic Euro vibe. From movie backdrops to stories that’ll have you clutching your sides, we’re hitting the road, digging up tales about visiting rockstars, scandalous political antics, Russian invasion bloopers, and why the Czechs treat beer like their own royal elixir. 🍻👻

Joining the ranks of adventurers, wanderers, rockers, and Hollywood big shots who’ve been hypnotised by this city’s architectural splendour and glamorous culture, your U.Guide will lead you to Insta-gold spots that’ll make your friends envy your travels—from majestic castles to clock towers with stories to tell! 📸🌆 And since we’ve got a soft spot for brews, and well, the locals adore their beer, we’re wrapping up the day in a medieval tavern for a show and dinner that’ll make you raise your tankards! 🍺🎉”

Included activities: Guided local Prague walking tour, Medieval Tavern dinner
Accommodation: Central apartment or Hotel

The famous Poland party

Okay, folks, it’s the ‘journey-between-two-awesome-places’ day! 🚂😎 Get ready to settle into your comfy train spot and embrace the scenic views – think of it as your own private movie marathon, just with better scenery! 🌄🍿

By the time we roll into Krakow in the early evening, you’ll be feeling like a seasoned train nomad. Time to drop our bags at our cozy crash pads. But hold your stomachs tight, tonight’s dinner quest leads us on a mission to hunt down Bigos Stew – the ‘Hunter’s Dish’ full of sauerkraut, Polish sausage, and enough fresh cabbage to make a rabbit envious! 🥘🌭

Krakow’s nightlife is like a firecracker factory on New Year’s Eve! 🎆 So, let loose, explore, dance, sing karaoke, try some crazy local cocktails – the night’s yours to conquer! Just remember, save a bit of that oomph for tomorrow; Krakow’s got secrets waiting for you to uncover! 🎉🌃🍹”

Accommodation: quad share central hostel

A inspirational U. Impact! Experience

Ah, Krakow, dating back to the 7th century, sitting so majestically on the banks of the Vistula River, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains! We are not the only ones who regularly vote you Europe’s most beautiful city. 🌉🏰🏞️ UNESCO agreed, ‘This place is so amazing, let’s put a ring on it,’ they said in 1978 making it the first World Heritage Site EVER! 🏅✨

But there is serious side to today too. It’s time to switch gears and embrace an uncomfortable part of humanity’s horrible history – a day trip to Auschwitz & Birkenau. We encourage you to be brave and join your U.Guide on this U. Impact! Experience to the largest Nazi concentration camp of WW2, where you’ll gain profound insights into the history and the horrors that mark this important site. We believe that from being courageous and open minded, and from not shying away from the hard discussions, we can learn and grow from experiencing these past horrors first hand.

On the way back, don’t worry we take a deep breath and a reset, as we balance the day by visiting the awe-inspiring Wieliczka Salt Mines – where local artists sculpt the salts into impressive works of art. 🏕️⛏️

For those that would prefer a day of local pedal power , we recommend a Krakow Bike Tour! It’s a three hour-date with history exploring 25 different spots throughout Krakow’s colourful past. 🚴‍♂️📚

Krakow is one of this travel days that’ll leave your brain buzzing!

Tonight we reconnect as a group to share stories, perhaps try the crazy local cheesecake, and for some of you more than likely get that rubber arm twisted and sample the equally crazy nightlife that has made modern Krakow so well known.! 🍰🍷🎉

Included activities: U! Impact Experience Auschwitz & Birkenau
Accommodation: Quad share central hostel

The indestructible City

Rise and shine, time travellers! 🌅 We’re off to Warsaw bright and early, so get ready for another beautiful journey of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ as the morning show of rolling landscapes has us arriving pre-lunch to explore yet another UNESCO historical old city! 🌄💫

Ah, the trendy vibes of Warsaw, where history’s got a cool makeover, a city that’s a melting pot of tradition, art, and cuisine. 🏰🎨 Our U.Guide’s got the keys to unlock the secrets of this UNESCO gem, guiding you through historical nooks and cultural crannies.

Prepare for an afternoon of epic street wandering and treasure hunting to the meticulously rebuilt old town (after it was bombed during WWII), the beautiful Lazienki Park, the Baroque style Wilanów Palace, and to the alternative face of Warsaw – street art and Praga district. 🕵️‍♂️🗺️

And when the sun starts to wink at the moon, you can indulge in Polish cuisine at the local Hala Koszyki food markets, and then it’s time to explore Warsaw’s unique blend of traditional and contemporary culture in a nightlife famous for trendy bars and trendy clubs! 🔥🐜 🦁📚🌃

Included activities: Guided Warsaw walking tour
Accommodation: Twin and triple central city hotel

A city of striking contrasts

If you explored Warsaw late into the night, fear not, we’ve got a midday train to Berlin. Gotta maintain that balance between cultural immersion and nighttime shenanigans, right? It’s all about the yin and yang of travel experiences! 🤕

We’ll roll into Berlin just as the city’s nightlife is stretching its legs. From funky underground clubs to pubs with histories as long as a medieval saga, Berlin’s got vibes for everyone. 🌃 And oh, if you’re an EDM aficionado, this city’s your neon-lit paradise. 🎶

Berlin is all about embracing your inner funky, quirky self. So, whether you’re a disco diva or a casual bar hopper, tonight’s your chance to shine. Let loose, be whoever or whatever tickles your fancy, because Berlin celebrates uniqueness like it’s the latest trend! 🕺💃✨”

Or maybe, just maybe, after the highs of Krakow and Warsaw perhaps tonight is the perfect time for an early night in our awesome funky East Berlin hostel. After all, tomorrow is a big Berlin day of exploration.

Accommodation: Twin and triple in awesome East Berlin hostel

The historic past and vibrant street art scene

Alright, time to unravel Berlin’s story beyond the ‘West vs East’ saga! 🤓 Sure, we’ve got the remains of the Berlin Wall Hitler’s Bunker, and the iconic Checkpoint Charlie, but hold your history books—Berlin’s got more twists than a pretzel factory! 🥨

Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride of history, spiced up with raw humour and stories juicier than a Berliner jelly doughnut! 🍩 It’s a marathon, not a sprint, folks. We’ll fuel up along the way because history’s no fun on an empty stomach! Landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate are like Berlin’s ‘Instagram Hotspots! Museums, outrageous parks (watch out for nudies), cultural hubs like the community focussed like the abandoned Tempelhof Airport — Berlin’s got more variety than a buffet table. 🏛️🌳 🏃‍♂️💬

But it is not all just telling tales of history. Berlin’s street art scene is like an epic gallery on the city’s walls, where history meets spray cans and creativity runs wild. The East Side Gallery is not your average stroll through history; it’s a kilometre-long explosion of colours and creativity, where the Berlin Wall became a canvas for artists to shout their messages of unity! And RAW-Gelände is like an urban jungle gym for street art, where abandoned buildings get house graffiti, murals, and art installations. We will take a crash course in “Graffiti 101,” where you learn about art, culture, and probably spot a few paint-splattered geniuses at work. 🖌️🏢🎨🏙️

Included activities: Berlin guided walking tour and local street art scene
Accommodation: Twin and triple in awesome East Berlin hostel

Amsterdam, a city with something for everyone

Our penultimate travel day has a relaxed start as we’re boarding the mid-morning direct train to Amsterdam. Late arrival? Perfect! Gives you plenty of time to explore the 165 canals and savour our last supper together, reminiscing about the legendary moments from your Northern Stomp Rail Trail adventure.

We have been through stunning Krakow and Warsaw, funky Berlin, the medieval cities of Prague and Vienna – it’s time to vote, does Amsterdam top them all?

Once checked into our legendary hostel, our U.Guide’s taking us through De Wallen, the OG medieval city centre, with narrow alleys and old school type bars surrounded by canals and tacky neon lights of the nearby red light district. It is a great way to finish an exceptional travelling experience.

Included activities: Guided Amsterdam walking tour
Accommodation: Quad and triple rooms in central hostel

Good bye, farewell, & safe travels

Auf wiedersehen, lebewohl und gute reise…
Do widzenia, żegnamy i bezpiecznej podróży…
Tot ziens, tot ziens en veilige reis…
Sbohem, sbohem a bezpečné cestování…

It’s departure day, and we wish you all the best on your onward journeys. We hope your time with us on the Northern Stomp has been fun, adventurous, insightful and full of happy meaningful travel memories.

You’ve toured iconic cities, and breathed in the magical atmosphere of many of Europes UNESCO sites. You’ve experienced the incredible sadness and bone deep loss of war, but balanced it with an insightful peek into a world of creativity where strength and inclusion have grown from adversity. You’ve enjoyed many traditional and authentic meals and drunk in local taverns and bars.

You have, over 11 days, experienced new and fabulous cultures and we bet you’ve grown as a person.  And you have done and experienced all of this while travelling responsibly and as sustainably as you could. Congratulations!