Our very own Holly Skene set off on her unforgettable OE through Europe last September, and here’s how it all unfolded:
I kicked off my trip in Amsterdam, where I visited the Anne Frank House—a truly eye-opening experience. I also enjoyed a cocktail canal cruise and took a quick trip to the quirky town of Zaandam before heading to London.
In London, I saw the major sights like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben on a Hop-On Hop-Off tour before starting my Topdeck adventure. The first stop was Paris, where I loved cruising the Seine at night, taking in the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe, and finishing with a fun night at the Moulin Rouge.
Next, we travelled through the stunning Swiss Alps to the mountain village of Engelberg. One highlight was taking a gondola up Mt. Titlis for breathtaking views, followed by canoeing on a peaceful lake nearby. After a train ride to Lucerne, we headed to Italy.
In Italy, I stopped in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, then explored Florence’s markets and leather shops. Rome was unforgettable with visits to the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and Sistine Chapel. Venice was a dream with an evening canal cruise and exploring St. Mark’s Square.
We travelled through the Austrian Alps to Innsbruck before a sobering visit to Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Then it was on to Prague, where I enjoyed the lively Old Town and the John Lennon Wall.
In Berlin, I delved into history with visits to the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie. We finished the tour back in Amsterdam with a final canal cruise and some souvenir shopping.
On my way home, I had a quick stopover in Singapore. Highlights included sipping a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel and taking in panoramic views from Marina Bay Sands.
Looking back, this trip was truly unforgettable—a perfect blend of history, culture, adventure, and new friendships.
If you’re thinking about doing your own OE or exploring Europe, I can’t recommend Topdeck enough!
