Book any of our Gap Year trips that start in London ... *Free night must be booked at the same time as your main trip. .
GAP YEAR | 2016
F E AT U R I N G
4 EPIC GAP YEAR
A DVE N T U R ES
E X P LO RE
FRANCE MONACO ITALY GREECE GERMANY Prices & itineraries valid until August 2016
AND MORE
PARIS | VENICE | AUSTRIAN ALPS | BERLIN | AMSTERDAM | FLORENCE DUBLIN | SWISS ALPS | DUBROVNIK | BARCELONA AND MORE
STORIES P05.
The Gap Year bucketlist
P07.
27 things you will learn in Europe
Your roadmap to adventure.
You will miss Paris.
TRIPS P08.
18 DAY | European Treasures
P09.
27 DAY | European Explorer
P10.
8 DAY | Ireland Hopper
P11.
32 DAY | European Escapade
EEGTLL
EEGSLL
EEIGDD
EEGDLL
TRIP STYLES CLUB Aka I want to see everything. Tick off the must-seebefore-you-die stuff, then get more bang for your buck with a range of handpicked experiences most backpackers miss. Live like a king in an Austrian Gasthof, sail the Mediterranean and party it up in Prague’s castle district. Tick. Tick. Tick. HIGHLIGHTS:
++ FLOTILLA SAILING IN GREECE (SELECTED TRIPS) ++ STAY IN BUNGALOWS, HOSTELS, YACHTS AND HOTELS ++ INCLUDED LUNCHES ON MOST DRIVE DAYS ++ TOPDECK CHEF PROVIDED
HOTEL If your dorm room days are over, we won’t judge. Enjoy the luxury of handcrafted itineraries with plenty of included creature comforts. Spoil yourself rotten with en-suite hotel accommodation, handpicked meals and a bit more time to spend on yourself. You deserve it. HIGHLIGHTS:
++ LOTS OF ME-TIME IN EACH CITY ++ CHARMING 3-4 STAR HOTELS ++ HANDPICKED MEALS
COMBO Shoestring travel doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Pitch your tent, grab your mates and hit the pool. This isn’t a music festival. Your tent kit comes with a private chef, lots of epic meals and at some destinations, swimming pools and nightclubs (not kidding). Our combo trips are designed to be social and budget-friendly with plenty of hostel and hotel upgrades. Did anyone say next level? HIGHLIGHTS:
++ FLOTILLA SAILING IN GREECE (SELECTED TRIPS) ++ INCLUDED LUNCHES ON MOST DRIVE DAYS ++ TOPDECK CHEF PROVIDED GAP YEAR EXCLUSIVE: 1 FREE NIGHT IN LONDON BEFORE YOUR TRIP!* Book any of our Gap Year trips that start in London and get a free night’s stay in London before your trip. Yep, you read that right. *Free night must be booked at the same time as your main trip.
#DRE
EAMBIG WE ARE TOPDECK We do epic down under road trips, Big Game safaris, Eurotrips, pyramid expeditions, surf camps and other awesomeness around the world for travellers between 18-39. We realise that everyone’s different, which is why all our trips include heaps of free time to play and explore. It’s your trip, your way. Your trip includes all the must-see, must-do activities and top-notch local fare to recharge those batteries between stops, which means you can spend your money where it matters and we’ll take care of the rest. You will hit the road on modern coaches, stay where the action is and hang out with other young explorers bent on seeing the world. And that’s just how we got started. We had a group of mates, some wheels and enough wanderlust to make most mothers worried. Forty years into it, we’re still discovering new places to see and unforgettable travel experiences to make our passengers’ trips just that little bit more awesome. That’s us, but this is about you. It’s time to live large, dream bigger and squeeze life for all it’s worth. The rest can wait. Ready to pack your bags? Let’s talk.
WWW.
READ MORE OF OUR STORY ONLINE
PARDON MY FRENCH
01
Paris is a love affair meant to be continued. It starts with a romantic rendezvous under Pont-Marie, a fleeting
GIMME THE GOULASH
02
It’s hard to shake that Disneyland feeling. With a castle that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale, 14th century
kiss at the Eiffel Tower and a history lesson at Musée
stone bridges and local cuisine that will literally meat
du Louvre. It’s home to the Mona Lisa and Coco
your expectations (no we didn’t spell that wrong),
Chanel, Jay-Z went here for his birthday and kissing
Prague would give Paris a run for its money any day.
in public is encouraged. And don’t get us started on
Eat: head cheese and deep fried toast with raw beef.
the food.
Or just have a goulash. We don’t judge (much).
DUBROVNIK DUBSTEP
SAILING THE MEDITERRANEAN
03
Also known as King’s Landing. Sans Lannisters and cloaked men with swords. The country that brought you
04
Life is all about choices. When you’re sailing in Greece, the decisions get tough. There’s the swimwear
the necktie, Dalmatians and a currency named after
dilemma, the snorkeling versus sunbathing
an adorable little rodent, also happens to host the
predicament and the impossible toss-up between
hottest city in Europe right now. Think baroque
jumping back in for a swim and staying right where
buildings behind medieval city walls, epic Adriatic
you are. Work the tan, live the dream, forget the
Sea sunsets and glitzy nightlife.
rest. Tough life, we know.
VISCA BARÇA!
V FOR VENICE
05
This is not Spain. Well technically it is, but the differences go beyond language. This is the stomping ground of Gaudi and Dali,
the gin & tonic is better than the sangria and locals scoff at the work ethics of its southern neighbours. Expect: hip bars, cosmopolitan funkiness and a passion for football.
SWISS ALPS
07
There’s more to Switzerland than chocolate. Yodeling and cuckoo clocks aside, this is one of the most beautiful
06
You come for the gondolas and stay for the gelato. Cruise down ancient canals or island-hop your way around in
a vaporetto – life here runs on cruise control and so should you. Explore a never-ending maze of marble churches and historical relics making up one of the most complicated architectural contraptions in human history.
ICH BIN EIN BERLINER
08
Once bitten twice as funky. Despite nearly three decades of Cold War politics and bitter separation, Berlin has bounced
places in Europe. For a country that runs like
back as a hub of tolerance and creativity. Visit the
precision clockwork, there’s no shortage of time-
remnants of the notorious Berlin Wall for a sobering
passing opportunities. Take on four languages and
reminder of history then equalise with a dose of the
the highest railway station in Europe (3,454m!). Also:
city’s contagious night vibes.
cheese fondue. THE GAP YEAR BUCKET LIST | 05
27
THINGS YOU WILL LEARN IN
e p o r u E “DANCE LIKE THERE’S NOBODY WATCHING, LOVE LIKE YOU’LL NEVER BE HURT, SING LIKE THERE’S NOBODY LISTENING, AND LIVE LIKE IT’S HEAVEN ON EARTH.” WILLIAM W. PURKEY
FACTY BITS 01.
If you’re not from Europe, forget everything you think you know about football. It’s wrong.
02.
Don’t underestimate the previous point.
03.
The Statue of Liberty was actually built in France and donated as a gift to the United States.
04.
There are two more Statues of Liberty in Paris.
05.
You will miss Paris.
06.
And Venice. And Prague. And Barcelona. And Mykonos.
SAY WHAT!? 07.
Pronouncing things is harder than you think.
08.
No? Try Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Someone lives there.
09.
Eyjafjallajökull is an Icelandic volcano famous for causing the biggest air traffic meltdown since WW2.
10.
According to our friends at the BBC, it’s pronounced “AY-uh-fyat-luh-YOE-kuutl-uh”. You’re welcome.
WHY CHOOSE TOPDECK? •
See the world and make friends for life
•
We stay where the action is
•
Crew with a real passion for travel
•
More free time to do what you want
•
Lots of included experiences
•
We don’t ask for tips. Ever
•
All our travellers are 18-30 somethings
•
More included meals
CUSTOMS 11.
It’s okay to take two hours to finish one single cup of espresso.
12.
Winning the Eurovision song contest can get you a seat in parliament.
PLACES 17.
Europe holds the records for both the smallest country in the world (Vatican City), as well as the largest (Russia).
18.
The Greek island Mykonos is home to 10,000 people and three pelicans.
19.
Croissants pack around 800 calories per bun, yet you just can’t stop eating. Why would you?
If the Croatian seaside town of Dubrovnik looks like something straight out of Game of Thrones, it’s because it is (Google it).
20.
15.
Europeans drink a lot of beer. Good beer.
Hungary is not a misspelling of hungry or hangry.
21.
16.
7 million litres of beer is consumed every year during Oktoberfest alone.
Istanbul is the only city in the world bridging two continents (Europe and Asia).
22.
The narrowest street in Venice is 53 centimetres wide at chest level. Challenge accepted.
13.
14.
Prank calling your friends is an acceptable way of saying hello and doesn’t mean you’re out of credit. In Italy, at least (Google squillo).
LINGO 23.
There are 6,243 words to describe snow in the Icelandic language. You don’t need to know them.
24.
Dépaysement is an untranslatable French word to describe the feeling of not being in your home country.
25.
It could probably also be interpreted as missing wine and cheese.
26.
The longest word in the Turkish language is Muvaffakiyetsizleştiricileştiriveremeyebileceklerimizdenmişsinizcesine.
27.
It means “as though you are from those we may not be able to easily make a maker of unsuccessful ones”, which doesn’t make any more sense.
27 THINGS YOU WILL LEARN IN EUROPE | 07
8 CLUB
18 DAY | E U R O P E A N T R E A S U R E S LONDON
1
LONDON
9
COUNTRIES VISITED
38
MEALS
STOP & STAY DAY STOP
DATES & PRICES 2016 | TRIP CODE: EEGTLL START
FINISH
START
FINISH
12
JUL
29
JUL
19
JUL
5
AUG
14
JUL
31
JUL
21
JUL
7
AUG
TRIP PRICE OF $2390 + $590 FOOD FUND = TOTAL TRIP PRICE $2980
18 DAYS FROM
2980
$
aud per person
Must be booked and paid for in full by 31 March 2016 otherwise a supplement of $155 applies.
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.
DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Pinch yourself and Instagram your first selfie. Your friends will secretly hate you, but you have other things on your mind as we show you the bright lights of Paris. (D) DAY 2 PARIS. Time for the Louvre and Sacré Cœur, the trendy bars in the Latin Quarter or a bike tour around town. Find us at the Eiffel Tower this evening for a gourmet picnic stuffed with eclairs, macarons and other French goodness followed by an optional cruise or cabaret show. (B,D) DAY 3-4 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. No rest for the wicked as we head across the Swiss border to the Alps, where Blofeld chased 007 down the ski slopes. Chill out, skydive out of a helicopter or check out the highest point in Europe. Epic. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)
DAY 5-6 FLORENCE. Time to see Pisa about that tower then on to Florence to eat, sleep, repeat. This city is half artisan food market, half outdoor museum and home to the world’s most famous nude statue (Michelangelo’s David). Also: Florentine steak. (B,L,D) (B)
TRAVEL TIP #1: SKIP THE QUEUES While the queues can get massive during the peak summer season, many monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Anne Frank house can be pre-booked online to save you from hours of queueing up.
DAY 7-8 ROME. Southwards to the hilltop city Orvieto before we take on the streets of Rome. Check out the views from the pope’s home and the Sistine Chapel or head straight out to eat some pizz...err...explore the piazzas. (B,L) (B,D) DAY 9-10 VENICE. Reenact your own version of Romeo and Juliet at the world’s most famous balcony in Verona en route to the Queen of the Adriatic. On the bucket list: gondolas, canals and the world’s most epic book shop, Libreria Acqua Alta. (B,L,D) (B,D) DAY 11 AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Snow-capped mountains, round two. Grab your #gopro, it’s action time! (B,L,D) DAY 12-13 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Start off with a few hours of reflection at the former concentration camp Mauthausen before we hit the cobblestone streets of Prague. Hit the streets on foot and check out the Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and a
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++
Paris gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower Local guide in Florence Bicycle tour & canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam 1 free night in London before trip (SEE P.2)
MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 17 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L), 12 dinners (D) ++ All accommodation including: 2 nights hotels, 8 nights hostels, 1 night in an Austrian Gasthof, 6 nights in bungalows ++ English Channel ferry crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ 3 experienced Topdeck Crew castle that allegedly inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. (B,L,D) (B) DAY 14-15 BERLIN, GERMANY. A quick stop in Dresden on the way to the art-loving, über-trendy and happening German capital. Start out with Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag building and the Holocaust Memorial. Later we’ll party it up, Berlin style. (B,L,D) (B) DAY 16-17 AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Home to cheese, clogs and tulips. Also home to the tallest people in the world, 15 Nobel prizes and an undying love for herring. Explore the city by bike, soak up the liberal vibes and find out what the deal is with all those cats. (B,L) (B,D) DAY 18 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Stock up on chocolate in Brugge on the way back to London. We leave you here, but the world’s your oyster. (B)
9
LONDON
LONDON
10
COUNTRIES VISITED
56
MEALS
1
DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Paris is always a good idea. We’ll kick things off taking in the city lights. You’re finally here. (D) DAY 2 PARIS. The glass elevator ride up the Eiffel Tower will give you butterflies, but the views are #soworthit. It’s also probably the best picnic spot in the world. Stuff yourself on buttery goodness then join us for a cruise or cabaret. (B,D) DAYS 3-4 SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. To Lauterbrunnen: featuring all the magic of Middle Earth sans wizards. Your photos from the highest train station in Europe at the summit of Jungfrau mountain would make even Bear Grylls jealous. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)
DAYS 5-6 FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE. Assemble the paparazzi crew as we go celebrity spotting on the French Riviera. Then more mingling tonight at the casinos of Monaco. (B,L,D) (B) DAYS 7-8 FLORENCE, ITALY. First stop, the Leaning Tower of Pisa before we roll on to Florence, which is Italian for food coma. (B,L,D) (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++
3 nights Flotilla Sailing in Greece Paris gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower Bicycle tour & canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam Local guide in Florence 1 free night in London before trip (SEE P.2)
++ 25 breakfasts (B), 16 lunches (L), 15 dinners (D) ++ All accommodation including: 4 nights in hotels, 9 nights in hostels, 2 nights in an Austrian Gasthof, 6 nights in bungalows, 2 nights on an overnight ferry, 3 nights on yachts in Greece ++ English Channel ferry crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ 3 experienced Topdeck Crew DAY 20 MUNICH, GERMANY. You’re here for the beer and the pork knuckle. Prost! (B,L)
(B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 21-22 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. The Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town Square are a good start. Don’t miss the quirky museums and the chance to live it up in the castle district. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 12–15 SAILING IN GREECE. Bring on three nights of sailing, swimming and lapping up the sun on the Ionian Sea. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Then it’s more seafaring with an overnight ferry to Italy. (B,L,D) (B,L) (B,L,D) (B,L)
DAY 16 ANCONA TO VENICE. We call today The Great Italian Road Trip as we drive the length of the boot to arrive in Venice this evening. (D) DAY 17 VENICE, ITALY. Gondolas, vaporettos and a guided tour through a maze of bridges, canals, and quirky spaces + Venetian pizza = #perfecto! (B,D) DAYS 18-19 AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Take in the mountain air by foot, bike or goat (if you can get them to stand still long enough). With the potentials of these mountains, dinner will be calorie neutral. (B,L,D) (B,L)
STOP & STAY DAY STOP
DATES & PRICES 2016 | TRIP CODE: EEGSLL START
DAYS 23-24 BERLIN, GERMANY. Let Dresden show off some of its 800-year-old history before we hit the German capital to find out what it means to be ein Berliner. (B,L,D) (B) DAYS 25-26 AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. The world’s tallest nation also knows a thing or two about cheese and clog making. Let the Facebook friend requests flow at the farewell dinner tonight—it has been epic. (B,L) (B, D) DAY 27 LONDON, VIA BRUGGE, BELGIUM. Love and leave Amsterdam this morning as we ferry back to London. But first: a cheeky chocolate stop in Brugge. (B)
FINISH
START
FINISH
9
JUL
4
AUG
20
JUL
15
AUG
13
JUL
8
AUG
23
JUL
18
AUG
16
JUL
11
AUG
27
JUL
22
AUG
TRIP PRICE OF $3630 + $1245 FOOD FUND = TOTAL TRIP PRICE $4875
MORE INCLUSIONS
DAYS 9-10 ROME. Hit the streets on a walking tour to find out what the Romans really did. Also: pizza. DAY 11 ANCONA, ITALY. Onwards to the sea. Tonight we set sail for Greece on an overnight ferry. (B,L)
CLUB
27 DAY | E U R O P E A N E X P L O R E R
27 DAYS FROM
4875
$
aud per person
Must be booked and paid for in full by 31 March 2016 otherwise a supplement of $240 applies. All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.
10 HOTEL
8 DAY | I R I S H A D V E N T U R E DUBLIN
1
DUBLIN
2
COUNTRIES VISITED
10
MEALS
STOP & STAY DAY STOP
DATES & PRICES 2016 | TRIP CODE: EEIGDD START 13
FINISH FEB
20
FEB
TRIP PRICE OF $1475
8 DAYS FROM
1475
$
aud per person
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.
DAY 1 DUBLIN, IRELAND. Dial-up the craic as we meet up in Dublin this afternoon then get your bearings and some great shots (hello Instagram) on a walking tour.
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
DAY 2 DUBLIN TO BELFAST. From the capital of the South to the capital of the North today. Hit up the Cathedral Quarter for street art and murals coupled with cool venues the locals don’t want you to know about. For history buffs there’s a choice of a Black Cab tour or why not visit the Titanic museum? Jaaaaack.... come back..... We Leo. (B,D)
++ Entrance to Blarney Castle
DAY 3 BELFAST TO GALWAY. Play a giant’s game of hopscotch as we visit the famous causeway before heading for Derry. After a quick stop we’re on to Galway. Tune your GPS on a walking tour then make a return to the main street for local shops and cool cafés that kill the town’s sleepy reputation stone dead. (B)
++ Walking tours in all major cities
DAY 4 GALWAY. Known for sweaters, Red Bull cliff diving and Irish speaking locals, the Aran Islands are yours if you choose. Catch the ferry from Galway and find yourself in a land that time forgot (but Red Bull didn’t). Hire a bike to get some wind in your hair. Or in Galway, Wolfe Tones Bridge and the Spanish Arch are worth checking out. Your choice. (B,D) DAY 5 GALWAY TO KILLARNEY. #nofilter your way today as we take in the lunar landscape of The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher on the way to Killarney. Impress your mates with your local knowledge as we roll on in. Ireland’s first talking film was shot in Killarney and was called ‘The Dawn’. Also: don’t miss The Dungeon—best known for their ‘penny’ sweets (despite being a secondhand bookstore). (B) DAY 6 KILLARNEY TO CORK. We’re coming over all medieval today with a visit to Blarney Castle. Kiss the Blarney Stone and legend has it that you’ll be gifted with ‘The Banter’. Then to Cork; a city said to have the second largest harbour in the world after Sydney. #whoknew. (B) DAY 7 CORK TO DUBLIN. It’s a short drive back to the big smoke today as we return to where it all began. Take in the city views from the Skybar as we make a visit to the Guiness Storehouse. Just don’t say you
++ Visit the world-famous Guinness Storehouse in Dublin ++ Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
MORE INCLUSIONS
++ 7 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D) ++ 7 nights hotel & B&B accommodation (twin or triple ) ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ 2 experienced Topdeck Crew can’t taste the difference. Then make the most of your final night in the city with the youngest population in all of Europe (just saying). (B,D) DAY 8 DUBLIN. A last Irish breakfast = end of the trip. #sadface. (B)
11
LONDON
LONDON
15
COUNTRIES VISITED
70
COMBO
32 DAY | E U R O P E A N E S C A P A D E MEALS
COMBO TRIP MIXING CAMPING WITH HOSTEL AND HOTEL UPGRADES. #GETSOCIAL
1
STOP & STAY DAY STOP
DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE. Kick off your trip crossing the English Channel to the City of Love. (D)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ 3 nights Flotilla Sailing in Greece
DATES & PRICES 2016 | TRIP CODE: EEGDEC
DAY 2 PARIS. Roam free and do Paris your way. Then a gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower and an optional river cruise or cabaret show. (B,D)
++ Paris gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower
START
DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Cue #Jawdropping scenery ahead as we head to the Swiss Alps. (B,L,D)
++ 1 free night in London before trip (SEE P.2)
DAY 4 SWISS ALPS. Lauterbrunnen means ‘many springs’ and after you finish counting the waterfalls you’ll have an idea why. Head to Europe’s highest railway station or hit the trails today. (B,L,D)
++ 31 breakfasts (B), 20 lunches (L), 19 dinners (D)
DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO AVIGNON, FRANCE. Next stop: the pope’s old stomping ground, Avignon. (B,L) DAY 6 AVIGNON TO BARCELONA, SPAIN. First stop at the famous Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard before we head to Barcelona. (B,L,D) DAY 7 BARCELONA. Free day. Ninja roll out of bed and get on the tapas trail. Also: La Sagrada Familia. (B) DAY 8 BARCELONA TO FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE. Time to rub shoulders with the rich and famous! Sunny days, famous beaches, and the warm waters of the Mediterranean? Yes, please! (B,L,D) DAY 9 FRENCH RIVIERA. Keep exploring the world’s most lavish waterfront property. Tonight we head to Monaco to hit up the casinos in true 007 fashion. (B) DAY 10 FRENCH RIVIERA TO FLORENCE, ITALY. A must-do stop to get THAT shot at the Leaning Tower of Pisa on our way to Florence. (B,L,D) DAY 11 FLORENCE. Home to a third of the world’s art treasures, this city is so beautiful there’s a medical condition associated with visiting. Mind blown. (B) DAY 12 FLORENCE TO ROME. Point the chariot to Rome to check out the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and as much carbs as you handle. (B,L,D) DAY 13 ROME. Vatican City is first up with an optional visit to the Sistine Chapel. After that, the city is yours. (B,D) DAY 14 ROME TO GREECE (OVERNIGHT FERRY). An overnight ferry to Greece before we take on the Mediterranean in style. (B,L)
++ Local guide in Florence, Tirana & Dubrovnik. ++ Bicycle tour of Amsterdam
AUG
20
JUL
20
AUG
13
JUL
13
AUG
24
JUL
24
AUG
17
JUL
17
AUG
TRIP PRICE OF $3760 + $1215 FOOD FUND = TOTAL TRIP PRICE $4975
32 DAYS FROM
4975
$
aud per person
Must be booked and paid for in full by 31 March 2016 otherwise a supplement of $330 applies.
++ Modern air-conditioned coach
DAYS 15-17 SAILING IN GREECE. Join Poseidon’s posse for three great days sailing on the Ionian Sea. Tough life, we know. (B,L,D) (B,L) (B,L,D) DAY 18 PLATARIA, GREECE TO TIRANA, ALBANIA. Get to know the story of Tirana’s mayor/TED speaker Edi Rama and the social science behind rainbowcoloured buildings. (B,L,D) DAY 19 TIRANA TO DUBROVNIK, CROATIA. On to the home of King’s Landing and the 101 Dalmatians via Montenegro. With more intangible World Heritage items than anywhere else in Europe, you guessed right, it’s pretty spesh. (B,L,D) DAY 20 DUBROVNIK. Free day to explore. Epic sunsets are just the beginning. (B) DAY 21 DUBROVNIK TO ZADAR, CROATIA. With just about 2,000 years of history, this Roman-era beauty packs history spanning all the way back to Caesar’s days. (B,L)
FINISH
10
++ English Channel ferry crossings ++ 3 experienced Topdeck Crew
START
JUL
MORE INCLUSIONS
++ All accommodation: includes 18 nights in European campsites in spacious twin share dome style tents with air mattresses, 1 night FREE hotel upgrade, 6 nights FREE hostel upgrade, 2 nights in an Austrian Gasthof, 1 night on an overnight ferry, 3 nights on yachts in Greece
FINISH
10
DAYS 22-23 VENICE, ITALY. Cruise on through Slovenia and the Postojna Caves before we hit up the canals and gelato shops of Venice. (B,L,D) (B,D) DAYS 24-25 AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Paragliding. White water rafting. Mountain biking. Epic alpine scenery. YOLO. (B,L,D) (B,L) DAYS 26-27 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Start off with a visit to the former concentration camp Mauthausen on our way to Prague. Don’t miss: quirky museums and the chance to party in the Kazimierz. (B,L,D) (B) DAYS 28-29 BERLIN, GERMANY. Let Dresden show off some of its 800-year-old history before we hit the capital to find out what it means to be ein Berliner. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 30-31 AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. On to the spiritual home of herring and Van Gogh. Hit the streets like a local and explore the city by bike, then keep dancing to the beat of your own drum. (B,L) (B,D) DAY 32 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Try Belgian-style chocolate in Brugge, before heading back to London for hugs and sad goodbyes. (B)
A U D WHERE TO NEXT?
PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE! FESTIVALS Drink steins at Oktoberfest, join the world’s biggest food fight and dance it out at some of Europe’s most epic music festivals. CROATIA SAILING Remote islands, medieval walled cities and some of the clearest blue waters in Europe? Sounds like a plan. TURKEY GULET CRUISE The Turkish coastline is one of the fastest growing hot spots in Europe. Cruise it in style on a traditional wooden gulet.
Booking conditions: Please ensure that you take time to read our Terms and Conditions which are available on the Topdeck website: www.topdeck.travel Alternatively ask your Travel Agent for a printed copy of the Topdeck Terms and Conditions before you book your trip. In the event of cancellation by you a minimum of your deposit will be lost with greater fees payable closer to the departure date.
Exclusive Agent:
Ph 1300 886 332 www.topdeck.travel
[email protected] First Floor, 500 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 Fax +61 7 3041 8199
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