Pile into the coach amigos, we’re heading down the Pacific Coast to San Diego. After a drive around town, we’ll park up at Mission Beach. Then: the afternoon is up to you! Ride the rollercoaster at Belmont Park. Stretch your legs along the beachfront boardwalk. Tuck into a California Burrito – they were born here. Or don your speedos and hit the beach. Later, we’ll settle in for a Mexican feast in Old Town before seeing whether the Gaslamp Quarter meets expectations.

This is your day to delve deeper – need some suggestions? If aircraft carriers are your thing, there’s an optional trip to the USS Midway to get on board with. Or take Fleetwood’s advice and go your own way – slip on the Nikes and hit the lesser-known hiking trails around Balboa Park or head to Little Italy to silence your inner fat-kid. Later, find out why they call this place ‘America’s Craft Beer Captial’ with a micro-brewery crawl with you trip mates. Or take a picnic down to the beach and watch the sun go down. This is what you came for.

Have one last swim in the Pacific Ocean before we roll onto Prescott today. Arizona – this state is made for road trips. Stretches of endless sky. Expanses of red desert. Centuries-old history. And some pretty famous rock formations. Spot the mutant cacti as we cross the Mojave Desert. After dinner, soak up some lingering history and live music along Whiskey Row.

You wanted the freedom to do your own spontaneous-this-is-what-I-came-here-for thing. So here’s a free day we prepared earlier. Need some suggestions? Float past the famous Rialto Bridge on an optional gondola ride. Spend your time seeking out the epic Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop. Or forget all the above and spend the day hunting down the perfect gelato. Get lost. Find yourself. Then, grab a spritz overlooking one of Venice’s fuchsia-pink sunsets. Later, score a cheap meal at Osteria Al Portego or fill up on more gelato (no judgement here).

Order one last coffee in poor Italian (hey, you tried!). Next up? A country where beer is officially considered an essential food group (right next to sausage and sauerkraut). Kick things off with a walking tour, then it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: an appropriate occasion to wear lederhosen. Head to the 428-year-old Hofbräuhaus for a royal Happy Hour experience or find the Chinese beer garden (or any beer garden for that matter) for a stein-sesh with your trip mates. Prost !.

First up today: a sobering visit to former concentration camp Dachau. Learn all about the atrocities that occurred here during WWII before we make tracks to fairytale Heidelberg. This place is all about hilltop ruins, cobblestone streets and Nobel Prize winners (they’re a brainy bunch here). Get your bearings on a stroll with your Trip Leader, then the rest of the afternoon is up to you. Take the cable car up to the Palace for some unbeliEVABLE views. Or find a local haunt to chow down on a head-sized pork knuckle – this is Germany after all.

Quick maths – we’ve only got two days left. But the adventure sure as hell isn’t over yet! Plug ‘The Dam’ into the GPS – we’re making tracks to the Venice of the North. Once we arrive, it’s time to hit the cobblestones and explore. Check out the likes of Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument. And this evening: head to Brouwerij 't IJ microbrewery – a bar next to a windmill, serving up craft beers and cheese-laden tapas. Or drop into Proeflokaal Arendsnest for a selection of over 100 Dutch beers (decisions are tough here – Geminis and Librans, just ask the bartender for recs).

This is our last full day. FFS don’t hang about – join the locals and get on your bike! 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!). And for the culture fiends – the Van Gogh Musuem and Rijksmuseum. Or get lost amongst the backstreets of the different districts – each one’s got a unique vibe and plenty to explore. Just make sure you’re back in time to toast the final night of our express adventure at tonight’s included dinner.

Amster-DAMN that was good. But now it’s time to head back across the Channel to ol’ Blighty.