9 DAY Hadrian's Path EHWWRL-7

Transcription

1 9 DAY Hadrian's Path EHWWRL-7 This tour visits: Italy, Vatican City, Austria, Germany, Netherlands Trace the steps of the great Roman Emperor, Hadrian, as you journey from Rome to London on this winter European getaway of epic proportions. Make like Hadrian and build unforgettable memories in Venice, Salzburg, Rhine Valley, Amsterdam and more while living it up in quality hotels. Plus, with the added bonus of off-peak travel, it ll feel as though you ve got the place all to yourself. #Winning. The Bucket List Gondola ride in Venice Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam More Inclusions 8 breakfasts, 2 dinners 8 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel crossing Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver Trip Itinerary

2 Day 1 - Rome, Italy Meet your Trip Leader and step back to 753 BC in one of the world's oldest open-air museums on a walking tour. 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, sit on the Spanish Steps and visit ancient history's version of the Hunger Games set at the Colosseum. Tonight, you're in Disneyland for foodies. Have fun. - Walking tour of Rome Day 2 - 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 to see how Michelangelo messed around and created the High Renaissance, then play eye 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). Optional activities: - Guided tour of the Vatican City Day 3 - Rome to Venice Hark! Maketh haste to whence the lady Juliet was wooed in Verona. Snap a selfie at her balcony 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 have an Eat Pray Love-worthy relationship with an irresistible Italian (meal). - Walking tour of Verona - Dinner Day 4 - Venice 100+ slowly sinking islands won't explore themselves. Get your bearings on this morning's walking tour, then get hopelessly lost. Your GPS won't save you here. Soak up St Mark's Square before a quintessential gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Corny smooching not included. This afternoon, snoop the Doge's Palace, cross Rialto Bridge and shop for Carnevale masks. - Walking tour of Venice

3 - Gondola ride Day 5 - Venice to Salzburg, Austria So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye as we set off to find The Sound of Music. Go for baroque and make a date with Mozart on a walking tour of his birthplace, and then play eye-spy with Salzburg Castle overlooking the city. - Walking tour of Salzburg Day 6 - Salzburg to Heidelberg, Germany Picture the definition of pretty and you've got Heidelberg. Have a one day romantic affair with the city that will capture your heart with its charm. We're talking hilltop castle ruins, cobblestone quarters and a fairytale 18th century bridge crossing the River Neckar. Feast German style before taste-testing steins from the local beer houses. Heads up: Heidelberg's Vetter 33 packs a record setting punch, so pace yourself. Day 7 - Heidelberg to Amsterdam, Netherlands Amster-DAM it's going to be a good day! Start dreaming of cheese, clogs and cheeky cafe stops as we roll through 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. - Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration - Walking tour of Amsterdam Day 8 - Amsterdam 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.

4 - Canal dinner cruise - Dinner Optional activities: - Bike tour of Amsterdam Day 9 - Amsterdam to London, England After all the Amster-damage has been done and dusted, 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. Accommodation We endeavour to select a combination of good quality hotels that reflect the character of the local area as well as being as centrally located as possible, all the while striving to keep the cost affordable. Your trip will stay in a range of European hotels of three and four-star quality. Please be aware that European hotel rooms, especially those in major urban centres or older cities, may be smaller than what you are used to in other parts of the world. Standards and ratings may also be different to your home country. Rooms are en-suite and either twin or double, depending on what you have booked. If you are a solo traveller, you will always be sharing a room with someone of the same sex. If you are travelling as a couple and would prefer to have a double bed, please officially request a double room with your travel agent or Topdeck trip consultant. We never presume that two people travelling together are a couple, even if you share the same surname, unless informed otherwise. 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.

5 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. Italy - Rome Guided tour of Vatican City: 40 Italy - Venice Personalised Topdeck group shirts and hoodies: between 21 and 32 Netherlands - Amsterdam Bike tour: 14 Meals Breakfasts are included every day in the hotel (except on the first morning). They are usually continental breakfasts, which are common in most European countries. A typical breakfast may consist of cereals with milk or yoghurt, bread, croissants, cold meats, cheese and a range of spreads, with fruit juice, tea or coffee to drink. It is rare to get a hot breakfast in continental Europe, though on some occasions there may be some hot food available as well. Included evening meals are in local restaurants or accommodation places, and are either two or three courses. In most cases table water is provided with the meals, and if you wish to purchase additional drinks you can do so at your own expense. 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 Topdeck Trip Consultant when you book. 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. Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document. 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). 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.

6 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. Other Information Finances Changing Money ATMs/cashpoints are available all over Europe and are the safest and easiest way to access money. Major credit cards are also accepted and we recommend you bring yours along in case you see something special that you hadn't budgeted for. Some nationals may have access to pre-paid cards that you can use at any ATM just like a debit card that you may want to consider as a viable alternative or addition to your bank card. We recommend that you change approximately 100 in cash before departure and approximately 30 Swiss francs (if your trip goes through Switzerland). This will cover you for spending money until you have the chance to change more or find an ATM on the ground. Please note credit cards cannot be used to pay for Optional Activities. Spending Money Based on experience, we recommend at least per day. This is to cover daily expenses including sightseeing, small souvenir shopping and non-included meals. Remember, this is a rough figure only and spending habits vary greatly between individuals according to their budget and habits! Tipping Although you may not be accustomed to tipping at home, in many European countries it is customary. In some countries a service charge may be added to your bill, in other countries it is usual to round the bill up to the nearest Euro or to leave an additional amount of between 5% and 10%. Your Trip Leader will be able to advise you further on the tipping customs in the countries you visit. Topdeck Top Tip: it is a really good idea to hide away somewhere a small amount of cash and/or extra card; this will really come in handy in the unlikely event that you lose your wallet or any other kind of emergency. European Currencies While the predominant currency throughout Europe is the euro ( ), there are still many European countries that sit outside the Eurozone for which you will need to use local currency (or rely on your credit/debit cards). It is generally always possible to exchange money into local currency after arriving in the country, but the easiest way is to make a withdrawal from a local ATM/cashpoint.

7 Insurance It is compulsory for all passengers to take out comprehensive travel insurance before the trip departs covering cancellation, medical expenses including repatriation, loss or damage to baggage and personal belongings, money and personal liability. For more information go to You must bring a copy of your travel insurance policy with you on the trip. Details of your policy must be uploaded into the Topdeck app before your trips departs, otherwise they will be requested by your Trip Leader on Day One Passports and Visas Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. Some countries will refuse entry if there is not at least six months validity remaining on your passport after your departure date from their country. Depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to enter certain countries. It is your responsibility to obtain these prior to the departure of this trip. You can consult the government websites of the countries in which you will be travelling or your own government s website to determine which visas you will require. We also have a visa chart on our website listing the visas required by some nationalities travelling on our trips. To check go to Remember that some visas can take up to six weeks to acquire, so don t leave it until the last minute. Also bear in mind that the validity of the visa often runs from the date of issue rather than date of entry into the country. Please check with the appropriate embassies prior to departure as requirements do change periodically. Transport Coach Time We try to spend as little time on the coach as possible so that you have more time to enjoy the places you visit. But do please remember that Europe is a large continent and it takes time to get around! On driving days between cities you will be on the coach during the day, stopping off to visit places of interest where possible. Strict driving rules apply in Europe that limit the maximum number of hours your Driver can drive each day. They also limit the maximum number of days that can be driven before a day off must be taken. We have worked hard to make sure this does not affect your trip, but in some cities it means we will use public transport while your Driver has a well-earned rest day. The cost for this is included in your trip price and your Trip Leader will show you how to get around town as the locals do! Please note: this doesn't cover your own local transport while in a city, only when the coach is not in operation Wi-Fi Free Wi-Fi is available for all passengers in Europe, this includes both coach and sailing trips. For more information about our Wi-Fi allowance and availability per country, please head to our website Please note: Wi-Fi charges are subject to change. If you feel necessary, please enquire with us to ensure your particular coach has Wi-Fi availability.

8 Health and Safety We want to make sure you re having the time of your life while travelling with us. Therefore, if you suffer from any kind of medical condition or allergies, we will need to know at the time of booking, or at least six weeks prior to the departure of your trip. If you require regular medication, you must have a sufficient supply before your trip departs, as it may be difficult to obtain while travelling. You must be able to administer your own medication, as Topdeck Road Crew will not be able to administer it, and there are no guarantees that there will be anyone with first aid training on board. Vaccinations There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required for any of the countries this trip visits. Please reconfirm this with your GP or health professional before you leave as conditions can change. General Information Public toilets In most European countries you can expect to pay a small amount to use public toilets at service stations and in city centres. It is a common practice in Europe and should be regarded as a form of tipping, as the money goes to the people who clean and/or maintain the facilities. It is very rare that public toilets do not supply toilet paper, but it may be useful to carry a pack of tissues with you. Power All European countries (with the sole exception of the United Kingdom) use a CEE7/16 standard round, two-prong plug and a single adaptor will work in all countries. Voltage Throughout Europe the voltage is a uniform 220v. If the voltage is the same or similar in your home country your appliance will comply. If you have a 110v appliance you will need to use a transformer to avoid damaging your appliance. In Cases of Emergency While we hope you never have to use it, if for any reason you need to contact someone from Topdeck, whether it be that you have missed a trip departure meeting, have become separated from your trip on the road or any other unforeseeable problem, the following options are available to you. London Office Your best recourse to assistance during the day is to call our team between 8am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am-4pm on Saturdays UK time. Tel: +44 (0) Emergency Contact If you need to contact Topdeck outside of the above hours the following number is available: Mobile: +(44)

9 Please remember if it is a genuine emergency, we of course want you to call us; however, if it can wait until the next day, we ask that you call during our office hours. What to Bring We recommend soft bags, suitcases or frameless backpacks, plus a small day pack or carry bag. No external framed bags please, as they damage other bags on the coach. Please limit your luggage to a maximum of 20kg. Luggage must not exceed dimensions of 70cm in height, 45cm in width and 25cm in depth. Only one piece of luggage is allowed. Please note that due to space and weight restrictions on our coaches, passengers with too much luggage on departure morning may be told that they cannot take their entire luggage with them. Luggage storage facilities are usually available at the departure point, if they are not available you will have to make your own arrangements to have it stored or shipped home. Any luggage left behind will be at your own risk and you will be required to pay any costs incurred. Sleeping Bags A sleeping bag will not be required for your trip. Suggested Packing List The golden rule is to travel as light as you can. Only bring what you really need and leave plenty of space for things you might want to buy. Don't forget you will have to carry your bag around yourself before and after the trip, as well as in and out of where you re staying while on your trip! The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience: 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes 1 pair of smart casual shoes 1 pair thongs/jandals/flip-flops 2 pairs jeans/trousers 2 pairs shorts/skirts 4 shirts/t-shirts 2 sweaters/jumpers Smart casual evening wear 1 rainproof jacket 1 warm jacket Underwear and socks! Other things to pack: Swimwear Towel Toiletries Hat and Sunscreen Basic medical kit (including plasters, aspirin etc.) Washing powder Insect repellent Conversion plug

10 Optionals to consider: Sewing kit Pillow case Torch Travel pillow Please note: entry into some religious sites, such as cathedrals and mosques, requires clothing to cover the knees, chest and shoulders. Final Checklist Passport (with visas if required!) Airline tickets (where applicable) Insurance Policy (you must bring these details with you) Camera; batteries; chargers; conversion plug That s it you re now ready for your trip of a lifetime! If you have any further questions feel free to give our team a shout at any time. Happy travels!