24 DAY Winter Spirit EEWSLL-8

Transcription

1 24 DAY Winter Spirit EEWSLL-8 This tour visits: France, Switzerland, Italy, Vatican City, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands This epic tour of Europe in all its wintry glory uncovers the spirit of a continent that s famous for its seasonal splendour. Marvel at all the Pinterest-worthy sights (sans the summer crowds) and make memories to last a lifetime in iconic cities like Paris, Rome, Venice, Budapest, Vienna, Krakow, Berlin and Amsterdam (just to name a few). Go on, wrap yourself in your favourite scarf and feel the winter spirit. You won t regret it! The Bucket List More Inclusions Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz- Birkenau Canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam Local guide in Florence Driving tour of Paris Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal, Venice 23 Breakfasts, 9 Dinners 19 nights in hostels, 4 nights in bungalows English Channel ferry tickets Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver Trip Itinerary

2 Day 1 - London, England to Paris, France (or join in Paris) Leave London for dust as we jump over the English Channel to France for a beauty smackdown. Brush up on your bonjours when you meet the rest of the group and wrap your lips around your first real French meal at our included dinner. See the City of Light at its best on a driving tour and play landmark bingo with the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. -English Channel ferry ticket -Driving tour of Paris Day 2 - Paris A free day in Paris to get involved with pastries, paintings and the Centre Pompidou. Bike along the Seine on an optional tour or just flâner (stroll) around and drink it in. Check out L'éclair de Génie in le Marais (don't ask questions), get your obligatory Eiffel Tower #selfie then explore the world's largest grave at the Catacombs. Tonight, experience the razzle dazzle of a cabaret show or hop on a boat down the river to crank the romance dial to 11. -Traditional cabaret show in Paris -Seine River cruise -Bike tour of Paris Day 3 - Paris to Swiss Alps, Switzerland The vistas out your window today are gorgeous. Unlike the Toblerone box, the Swiss Alps aren't all lined up perfectly, so we weave up through the breathtaking valleys and peaks to reach our destination. Day 4 - Swiss Alps Hop on board the optional excursion to Jungfrau ('The Top of Europe'), which takes you to the highest train station in Europe. The view is so beautiful it'll probably make you cry. Seriously. Want more adventure? Up the adrenaline by skydiving out of a helicopter, then head back down to earth for some snow angels and hot chocolate.

3 -Scenic excursion to Jungfrau ('The Top of Europe') -Scenic helicopter ride in the Swiss Alps -Skydiving in the Swiss Alps -Schilthorn cable car ride Day 5 - Swiss Alps to Florence, Italy If you're going to make something wrong it better be good looking. Failures don't come any more beautiful than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Snap a pic (you know the one) then get ready to roll into the land of Tuscan cuisine and birthplace of gelato: Florence. - Visit Pisa & the Leaning Tower Day 6 - Florence Get schooled on the Medici family, stroll the Ponte Vecchio and learn about leather (new handbag, anyone?) on a morning walking tour. Use the afternoon to meet a guy named David doing his best Blue Steel in the Accademia Gallery, shop the markets and hunt down the best aperitivo spreads. -Walking tour of Florence with local guide Day 7 - Florence to Rome We're Romeward bound today for a rendezvous with ancient architecture's biggest players. Make like Caesar (the emperor, not the salad) and work up a colossus hunger as you pass by the Pantheon, throw your two cents in the Trevi Fountain and sit on the Spanish Steps. Tonight, you're in Disneyland for foodies. Have fun. -Visit the town of Orvieto -Walking tour of Rome Day 8 - Rome including Vatican City visit Create the ultimate Roman Holiday in one day with a whirlwind of Vespas, espresso, two-cheek kisses and pizza the way it's supposed to taste. Pop in on the Pope on an optional tour of the Vatican City, then play I spy with two-and-a-half millennia worth of history. Shop 'til you drop on Via Condotti, head to Capitoline Hill for awesome views of the Roman Forum and Colosseum or just kick back in Piazza Navona for some dolce far niente (delicious idleness).

4 -Guided tour of Vatican City Day 9 - Rome to Venice Snap a selfie at Juliet's famous balcony in Verona and join throngs of lovers leaving notes on the wall (or avoid the crowds and just marvel at the ancient arena). Say ciao to Venice from across the lagoon as we check into our hotel and tuck into a yummy dinner together. -Walking tour of Verona Day 10 - Venice 100+ slowly sinking islands won't explore themselves. Get your bearings on this morning's walking tour before an action packed day. Soak up St Mark's Square and opt in for a quintessential gondola ride on the Grand Canal (optional activity). Corny smooching not included. This afternoon, snoop the Doge's Palace, cross Rialto Bridge and shop for Carnevale masks. There's so much going on here. Did we mention it's beautiful? -Walking tour of Venice -Vaporetto ride in Venice -Gondola ride in Venice Day 11 - Venice to Salzburg, Austria Today, it's off to Mozart's birthplace: Salzburg. Enjoy a walking tour of his birthplace and then play I spy with Salzburg Castle overlooking the city. There's lots to explore here, so hop to it! -Walking tour of Salzburg Day 12 - Salzburg If adventure is your middle name then carve out your day shredding in the Alps. But if you're down for something a bit more chilled out, there's plenty to go and explore in Salzburg. Tonight, check out the rest of the city's breweries. Prost!

5 -Skiing in the Alps Day 13 - Salzburg to Vienna Roll into Vienna and get your bearings on a driving tour. Top off your day with a schnitzel and apple strudel at Café Central, the regular hangout of Freud, Trotsky and Lenin. Let the Vienna Chamber Orchestra serenade you later (optional). -Driving tour of Vienna -A night at the Viennese Chamber Orchestra (dinner optional at an additional expense) Day 14 - Vienna to Budapest, Hungary Today, we've got a pit stop in Bratislava to get the low-down on Slovakia's capital city. While checking out Bratislava Castle, see if you can spot the city's quirky bronze statues in the Old Town. Then, your house in Budapest awaits. A driving tour will help you get your bearings. Budapest is situated on the banks of the mighty River Danube and is home to Heroes' Square, Parliament House, Buda Castle and the swanky boulevard, Andrássy Avenue. -Walking tour of Bratislava -Driving tour of Budapest Day 15 - Budapest Free day! Indulge in a spa treatment at the world famous Gellért Baths and visit the Buda Castle or House of Terror Museum. Tonight, hang with the hipsters and drink local fruit brandy at one of the original ruin bars. Opt in for a dinner cruise on the river for some epic sightseeing and selfie taking. cruise in Budapest Day 16 - Budapest to Krakow, Poland Legend has it a dragon had to be smited in order for Kraków to be built (with a sulphur stuffed lamb as bait). Bit tougher than the usual

6 council approvals, no? Meet Poland's beating heart - and the largest medieval town square in Europe - on a walking tour. Buff up on history at Wawel Castle, feed the ducks amongst the slushy snow on the bank of the Wisla and after dinner, slay a few glasses of mead. -Walking tour of Kraków Day 17 - Krakow Get all up in the streets of Kraków today and let the statement, "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire" really sink in at Oskar Schindler's factory. Go 327-metres underground to see hundreds of shades of rock salt in the Wieliczka Salt Mine, visit a centuries-old synagogue in the Jewish district and shop for amber in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Cloth Hall. Your day, your choice. Day 18 - Krakow to Prague, Czech Republic First, a sobering visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp for a lesson in the resilience of humanity. Then, fuel up on trdelník (pastry deliciousness) before a walking tour to get us started in Prague. Suss out the castle deemed worthy by Guinness World Records as being the largest ancient castle in the world, cross medieval Charles Bridge and watch 'Death' toll the hour on an astronomical clock that's over 600 years old. After dinner, get cosy in a café with hot chocolate. -Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau -Walking tour of Prague Day 19 - Prague Channel your inner bohemian and seek out the John Lennon memorial wall to start your free day. Soak up some more Czech history at the National Museum or Communist Museum or get a taste of the quirky local culture at a marionette puppet opera (you gotta see it to believe it). Snap a selfie at Prague's own Eiffel Tower, visit The Museum of Miniatures, eat roast pork from one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square and drink beer. Really. Good. Beer. Day 20 - Prague to Berlin, Germany Get acquainted with 800-year-old Dresden - a city virtually destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt. Then: Berlin, we're coming for ya. We'll drive you around to see the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building.

7 -Walking tour of Dresden -Driving tour of Berlin Day 21 - Berlin Join the optional Third Reich walking tour for an insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during WWII, go on a museum crawl or head to the zoo. More culture awaits on Museum Island, with creative types and memorable meals available in the Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg neighbourhoods. Tonight, no curfew at clubs = get ready for a night to remember. -Third Reich walking tour -Berlin Alternative Tour & Nightlife tour Day 22 - Berlin to Amsterdam, Netherlands Amster-DAM it's going to be a good day! Start dreaming of cheese and clogs as we roll through tulip and windmill dotted fields to Amsterdam. Get your bearings on a walking tour of the vibrant capital and see the Dam Square, Royal Palace and National Monument. End the night with a cone of hot chips with mayo. Mmm. -Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration -Walking tour of Amsterdam Day 23 - Amsterdam

8 Get on your bike and ride! Do as the locals do and join the 881,000 bicycles on an optional city bike tour to soak up the wintery canal vistas before retreating with hot chocolate, poffertjes and stroopwafels. Take on the city's 51 museums (must-dos: Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House). Still thirsty for more? Check out the Heineken Experience for an interactive visit and tasting at the brewery. Top it off with a dinner cruise on the canal. -Canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam -Bike tour of Amsterdam Day 24 - Amsterdam to London, England Today it's back on the ferry as we journey back to London. Start planning the next adventure. Facebook friends? -English Channel ferry ticket Accommodation Hostel Plus trips host our most eclectic types of accommodation. While modern hostels make up the majority of your overnighters you could also stay in hotels (free upgrade - yeah!) or bungalows. The 'More Inclusions' section details what type of accommodation will be used for overnight stops on your trip. The number of people to a room on Hostel Plus trips will vary. For hostels you will have multi-share rooms and usually share with between 3 and 5 others (although in some circumstances you will share with more than 5) while in hotels there will be twin or triple-shares (and the odd quad-room). Bungalows can be up to 4 people to a room. Please note: When staying on a Hostel Plus trip, multi-share accommodation is single-sex. Optional Activities On all trips we have arranged extra activities that we think will enhance your travel experience, but you have a choice as to whether or not you will participate. These are not included in the cost of your trip. They are usually organised on a group participation basis and should be taken into consideration when budgeting your spending money. None of the Optional Activities on your trip are operated by Topdeck, nor do they form part of your contract with Topdeck for your trip. Topdeck arranges the activity as an agent of the local supplier. Should you participate in any Optional Activities your contract will be with the local supplier and their conditions will apply.

9 Please note: while we make every effort to keep these prices as accurate and up-to-date as possible, they are subject to change and in rare circumstances the actual price may vary slightly to what is published here. France - Paris Traditional cabaret show in Paris: 65 Scenic river cruise on the Seine: 10 Bike tour of Paris: 28 Switzerland - Swiss Alps - Lauterbrunnen Scenic excursion to Jungfrau ('The Top of Europe'): CHF Skydiving: CHF 390 plus 50 deposit Scenic helicopter ride: CHF 120 plus 20 deposit Italy - Rome Guided tour of Vatican City: 45 Italy - Venice Personalised Topdeck group shirts & hoodies: Gondola ride: 20 Austria - Salzburg Beginner Ski Package: 135 Advanced Ski Package (includes Ski Pass and equipment. Clothing extra): 89 Austria - Vienna A night at the Viennese Chamber Orchestra: 40 A night at the Viennese Chamber Orchestra (inc. dinner): 62 Hungary - Budapest Dinner cruise in Budapest: between 35 and 37 Germany - Berlin Third Reich walking tour: 12 Berlin Alternative Tour & Nightlife tour: 20 Netherlands - Amsterdam Amsterdam city bike ride: 15 Meals Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document. Breakfasts are included every day (except on the first morning). Included meals will be a combination of those prepared by Topdeck On-Site Chefs, local restaurants and places in which we stay. If you have any dietary requirements we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs as long as you advise your travel agent or Customer Service Consultant when you book, or make note of this in the Topdeck app when you check in (refer below). However, please be aware that although we will do everything in our power to arrange it, we cannot guarantee that every restaurant we use will be able to cater to all dietary needs, particularly in Eastern Europe. We also cannot cater for tastes or dislikes, as most of our included evening meals feature a set menu.

10 No Tip Necessary Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don t forget Mum s souvenir). Topdeck Travel App Our travel app has landed! With a range of awesome features including a Currency Converter, Budget Tracker, Check-In tool and Social Timeline you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather, maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand. Please note: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked onto your trip. You will not be able to log in unless you have a Topdeck Booking Reference Number. Get it for iphone Get it for Android Passenger safety One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing the nightlife and entertainment each city has to offer. However, amidst the fun and excitement, it s important to be aware of your surroundings and personal safety as well. Before you hit the road with us, it s important to be aware of the following: When you re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always stick together, take a taxi where possible, and keep a note of your accommodation details so you can find your way back to your fellow Topdeckers if you become separated. In some countries, alcoholic measures can be considerably larger than what you may be used to. Try to keep track of what you re drinking, and if you see one of your trip mates looking a little worse for wear, take them back to your accommodation. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended. It s also important to be aware that what you might consider harmless flirting may be interpreted differently in some countries. Be yourself and have fun, but don t be naïve, and be mindful of the signals you are sending out so that you don t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.