18 DAY Winter Rhapsody EEWSRL-7

Transcription

1 18 DAY Winter Rhapsody EEWSRL-7 This tour visits: Italy, Vatican City, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? Pump up the travel tunes and get ready for our awesome Winter Rhapsody trip, taking in some of Eastern Europe s most scenic destinations. Watch the likes of Salzburg, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and Prague come to life in the snowy months, and learn exactly why travelling Europe in winter is so popular. Just like the work of an epic rock ballad, this trip is sure to be music to your ears. Let s go! The Bucket List Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz- Birkenau Canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam Vaporetto ride in Venice Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration More Inclusions 17 breakfasts, 5 dinners 13 nights in hostels, 2 nights in bungalows & 2 nights hotel upg English Channel crossings 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 to rival all walking tours. 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. -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 till 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 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 -Vaporetto ride Optional activities:

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. Check out the fortress overlooking the city (yeah, we see you Salzburg Castle) and find yourself a traditional feed for dinner tonight. Schnitz yeah! -Walking tour of Salzburg Day 6 - 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, start with a steaming cup of wiener melange and a sneaky Salzburger Nockerl, before exploring this miniature metropolis don t forget to keep an eye out for the Dom! Tonight, check out the rest of the city s breweries. Prost! Optional activities: -Skiing Day 7 - Salzburg to Vienna Pick your Baroque from Rococo as we slide into The City of Dreams (kudos, Freud!). The Vienna Orchestra provides the soundtrack while we check out Europe's classiest capital. Wave hello to the President as we go past the Hofburg Palace. And because one palace isn't enough, we also take peek at the Schönbrunn. Top off your day with a schnitzel and apple strudel at Café Central, the regular hangout of Freud, Trotsky and Lenin. -Driving tour of Vienna Optional activities: -A night at the Viennese Chamber Orchestra (dinner optional at an additional expense) Day 8 - Vienna to Budapest, Hungary Hungary for more? First 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 get you down and Danube (that be the river) with twin cities, Buda and Pest. Check out Hero's Square, Parliament House, the National Palace, Fisherman s Bastion and swanky Andrássy Ave. Tonight, meet the major food groups: goulash and cabbage rolls and dumplings, oh my!

4 -Walking tour of Bratislava -Driving tour of Budapest -Dinner Day 9 - Budapest Free day = put down your Rubik s Cube and take on a city with enough baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture to keep you puzzled for hours. Need ideas? Take to the waters at the Széchenyi or Gellért Baths and don t leave til you re pruny. There are 80+ thermal springs in Budapest but these are some of the most famous. Wave pool, anyone?! Indulge in a spa treatment then 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. Day 10 - Budapest to Krakow, Poland Chill out on the ride to our next stop to meet Poland's beating heart and the largest medieval town square in Europe. Get your bearings with a walk around Wawel Castle and ogle at the world's oldest shopping mall. Legend has it a dragon had to be smited in order for Krakow to be built (with a sulphur-stuffed lamb as bait). Bit tougher than the usual council approvals, no? -Walking tour of Krakow Day 11 - Krakow Get all up in the streets of Krakow today and let the statement, "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire" really sink in at Oskar Schindler's factory. Visit a centuries-old synagogue, discover the city's inner-hipster in the Jewish district and shop for Amber in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Cloth Hall. Your day, your choice. Day 12 - Krakow to Prague, Czech Republic Pay your respects and learn more about the Holocaust at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Next up: the medieval beauty of Prague. Fuel up on trdelník (pastry deliciousness) before a walking tour amongst spires and cobblestone streets. 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 cafe with hot chocolate so thick you can stand a spoon in it or slip into an absinthe bar to meet the green fairy. -Walking tour of Prague -Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau

5 -Dinner Day 13 - 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 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 a miniatures museum, eat roast pork from one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square and drink beer. Really. Good. Beer. Day 14 - 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. Save some room to get your DJ groupie on. -Walking tour of the restored city of Dresden -Driving tour of Berlin -Dinner Day 15 - 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 (covering everything from the Ramones to DDR) 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 = all bets are off! Optional activities: -Third Reich walking tour -Street art & nightlife tour of Berlin Day 16 - Berlin 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. End the night with a cone of hot chips with mayo. Mmm.

6 -Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration -Walking tour of Amsterdam Day 17 - 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 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 -Dinner Day 18 - Amsterdam to London, England Ease the separation anxiety with coach games and Facebook Friend Requests, then back to Ol Blighty. Accommodation Hostel Plus trips host our most eclectic types of accommodation. While hostels make up the majority of your overnighters you could also stay in hotels (free upgrade yeah!) or bungalows. The number of people to a room on Hostel Plus trips will vary. For hostels (remember, the most common) you will have multi-share rooms and share with between 3 and 5 others 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 and therefore couples should not expect to share a room. 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

7 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. 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: 37 A night at the Viennese Chamber Orchestra (inc. dinner): Italy - Venice Personalised Topdeck group shirts and hoodies: between 21 and 32 Gondola ride: 20 Germany - Berlin Third Reich walking tour: 10 Street art & nightlife tour of Berlin: 18 Italy - Rome Guided tour of Vatican City: 40 Netherlands - Amsterdam Bike tour: 14 Meals Breakfasts are included every day (except on the first morning). Included meals will be a combination of 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 Topdeck Trip Consultant when you book. But 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

8 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. 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.

9 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. 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

10 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. 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

11 time. Tel: +44 (0) Emergency Contact If you need to contact Topdeck outside of the above hours the following number is available: Mobile: +(44) 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

12 Hat and Sunscreen Basic medical kit (including plasters, aspirin etc.) Washing powder Insect repellent Conversion plug 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!