19 DAY European Horizons EESSRL-8

Transcription

1 19 DAY European Horizons EESSRL-8 This tour visits: Italy, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands The Mediterranean means the middle of the Earth and this European tour begins at its very heart. You'll spend three days sailing and swimming in Greece, and also get a taste for the new in places like Albania and Croatia s Dalmatian Coast. As we venture north we'll then be introduced to classic capitals Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam. This European tour won t just broaden your horizons it ll blow them away! The Bucket List More Inclusions Driving tour of Berlin 3 nights sailing in Greece Visit former concentration camp Dachau Local guides in Tirana & Dubrovnik Walking tour of Zadar Farewell canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal, Venice 18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 9 dinners 1 nights hotel upgrade, 10 nights in hostel accommodation, 3 nights sailing in Greece, 3 nights in bungalows at European campsites & 1 night in a cabin on overnight ferry English Channel crossing Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi Guided tours of all major cities

2 Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Rome Today is the day you ve been waiting for. Meet and shake hands with your group today - get excited, the adventure has arrived. 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. If you arrive before the group, take a wander and shop til you drop on Via Condotti, head to Capitoline Hill for awesome views of the Roman Forum or just kick back in Piazza Navona. -Walking tour of Rome Day 2 - Rome to Sailing in Greece via Overnight Ferry Play connect-the-dots with the stars or let the swell rock you to sleep as we ferry from bella Italia to Greece. Restaurants, bars, and cosy cabin rooms will keep you comfortable. Day 3 - Sailing in Greece A short drive along the Greek coastline, then onto our flotilla of yachts for three days of sun, sand and sailing on the Ionian Sea. By night, flaunt those European tan lines as we drop anchor and hop between authentic Greek tavernas for feasting, table dancing and a splash of ouzo. You know the saying too much of a good thing? Neither do we. -Lunch Day 4 - Sailing in Greece A free day to sail, swim, eat, sleep, repeat. -Lunch Day 5 - Sailing in Greece More turquoise water. More swimming. More diving off boats. More epic Instagram shots. You could probably get used to this.

3 -Lunch Day 6 - Sailing in Greece to Tirana, Albania What happens when you paint a former communist capital in vivid colours? According to Tirana's artist-turned-mayor-turned-ted speaker Edi Rama, people start paying taxes and crime rates plummet. True story. Kick off with a driving tour and a group dinner before we let you loose in the night. -Driving tour of Tirana with local guide Day 7 - Tirana to Dubrovnik, Croatia via Budva, Montenegro Gawk at all the stunning views that race past the coach window as we head up the gorgeous coast of Montenegro and make for the most famous walled city in Europe. Wander Dubrovnik's tiny cobblestoned streets and explore hidden cafés and shops before grabbing some dinner and checking out the glitzy nightlife. -Visit to Budva -Walking tour of Dubrovnik with local guide Day 8 - Dubrovnik Make the most of your free day in Dubrovnik. Check out the residential homes further up in the old town for awesome views and a local perspective, and then relish a cold beer on the wall as the sun sets over the Adriatic. Alternatively, catch the views from the turquoise water with a spot of optional sea kayaking. This is the good life. -Sea kayaking around the Dubrovnik walls -Game of Thrones tour Day 9 - Dubrovnik to Zadar Hear the sounds of the sea? The Sea Organ is a quirky art installation that sits amongst Zadar's eclectic mix of Roman ruins and public art - and it plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps. This, and more cool sights await you on a guided city tour.

4 -Walking tour of Zadar Day 10 - Zadar to Venice, Italy via Postjana Caves, Slovenia First up for those that dare are the surreal Postojna Caves cast your eye out for stalagmites. Then say ciao to Venice from across the lagoon as we check into our accommodation, have an Eat Pray Love-worthy relationship with an irresistible Italian (meal) and get pumped for living out your own version of The Italian Job tomorrow. -Entry to the world-famous Postojna Caves -Get yourself a trip T-shirt/hoodie Day 11 - Venice You know it as the floating city, but this place is actually sinking (slowly). Check out St. Mark's Square, Accademia Bridge and a who's who of Venice's usual suspects on a guided walking tour then jump on a vaporetto and explore the Grand Canal. Also on the schedule: an optional gondola ride through the maze of marble bridges and gelato shops. Throw away your map in the afternoon and try to find the world's most epic little bookshop, Libreria Acqua Alta, or just go on a mission to discover the perfect gelato. -Walking tour of Venice -Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal -Gondola ride on the Grand Canal Day 12 - Venice to Munich, Germany

5 It's time to get to know the city where beer is officially considered a food. Your Trip Leader will clue you up on the Bavarian capital on a walking tour. Slide on your lederhosen, then have a royal Happy Hour experience at the 429-year-old Hofbräuhaus the recipes here were passed down from Wilhelm V, the Duke of Bavaria. "Oans, zwoa, g'suffa" (one, two, down the hatch)! -Walking tour of Munich -Lunch Day 13 - Munich to Prague, Czech Republic Give one last prost to Munich before we press on to Prague. First up, a visit to Dachau concentration camp for a lesson in the resilience of humanity. Then, channel your inner bohemian and seek out the John Lennon wall to start your free day. Soak up some Czech history at the National or Communist Museum or get a taste of the quirky local culture at a marionette puppet opera (you gotta see it to believe it). -Visit former concentration camp Dachau -Walking tour of Prague Day 14 - Prague Another free day for the win. Snap a selfie at Prague's own Eiffel Tower, visit a miniatures museum, eat roast pork from one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square and drink beer. Really. Good. Beer. Day 15 - Prague to Berlin, Germany Get acquainted with 800 year-old Dresden a city virtually destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt and ogle the Frauenkirche before making your beard all the more ironic in Berlin. Prep yourself for currywurst and more hipsters per capita than anywhere else. We'll drive you around to see (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building before making your food baby sing with a hearty German meal. -Walking tour of the restored city of Dresden -Driving tour of Berlin

6 Day 16 - Berlin Shake off last night with a wander around the German capital. Optional: Third Reich walking tour and local insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during World War II. Kreuzberg is a hit for lunch. Afternoon suggestion? Have a picnic at the historic Tempelhof airport turned public park #picniconthetarmac. Tonight: hit the hotspots on an optional alternative and nightlife tour of Berlin. -Third Reich walking tour -Berlin Alternative Tour & Nightlife Tour Day 17 - Berlin to Amsterdam, Netherlands Cheese lovers, rejoice. Your next stop is a local Dutch farm to see how cheddar cheeses (and clogs) get made. Next: Amsterdam, mayodipped fries and red lights. Get your bearings on a walking tour of the vibrant capital and see the Dam Square, Royal Palace and National Monument. Then: explore all that this notoriously liberal city has to offer. -Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration -Walking tour of Amsterdam Day 18 - Amsterdam Culture fiends, delve deeper with a visit to the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum. 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 19 - Amsterdam to London, England After all the Amster-damage has been done, it s time to hit the road and make tracks to ol Blighty. Soak up all the happy group vibes you can possibly handle this is your last coach ride with the gang. #sadface.

7 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. 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. Croatia - Dubrovnik Sea kayaking around the Dubrovnik walls 220 kuna Game of Thrones Tour: 15 Slovenia - Postojna Postojna Caves Italy - Venice Gondola ride in Venice 20 Personalised t-shirts and hoodies Germany - Berlin Third Reich walking tour 12 Street art & nightlife tour of Berlin 20 Netherlands - Amsterdam

8 Bike tour of Amsterdam 14 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. 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,

9 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.