4 DAY Prague New Year EFNPH4-7

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1 4 DAY Prague New Year EFNPH4-7 This tour visits: Czech Republic What better place to celebrate the new year than picturesque Prague? This epic trip in the Czech capital takes in the craziness of Prague New Year's Eve celebrations, with a side of classic culture in between. Think: amazing architecture, hearty food, winter markets, great shopping and historical sights. Add to that a taste of the city s legendary nightlife, and you ve got yourself the perfect recipe for an unforgettable break. Hurrah! The Bucket List Walking tour of Prague New Year's Eve dinner & party More Inclusions 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners 3 nights hostel accommodation (multi-share) Awesome Trip Leader Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Prague, Czech Republic Prague s fairytale scenes await your arrival. Fuel up on trdelník (pastry deliciousness) and stroll amongst the spires and cobblestone streets. Sus out the Guinness World Record-breaking ancient castle, cross medieval Charles Bridge and watch Death toll the hour on an

2 astronomical clock that s over 600 years old. Tonight: dinner with the crew and a sample of Prague s famed nightlife. Meals: -Dinner Included today: -Walking tour of Prague Day 2 - Prague First, a guided walking tour and then it s over to you. Channel your inner bohemian at the John Lennon memorial wall, 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). Still have time to kill? Snap a selfie at Prague s own Eiffel Tower, visit The Museum of Miniatures or eat roast pork from one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square. Meals: -Breakfast Day 3 - Prague Kick off at one of the city s lively cafes before taking in any sites you might have missed. Now, for the main event. Dine with the gang, let loose at the hostel party or marvel at the fab fireworks from one of the many vantage points. Pro tip: follow the crowds. Happy New Year! Included today: -New Year's Eve dinner & party Meals: -Breakfast -Dinner Day 4 - Prague Whether you stick around or hit the road, it s your call. We re outta here after breakfast. Meals: -Breakfast Accommodation On your trip you will stay in hostel-style accommodation. When staying in hostels you will be staying in a multi-share room. Please note: When staying in multi-share accommodation, this trip operates a single sex policy and therefore couples should not expect to share together. Meals Breakfasts are included every day in the accommodation (except on the first morning). They are usually 'continental breakfasts', which are

3 typical 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. 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. 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. 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.

4 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. 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

5 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. 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

6 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) 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

7 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 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!

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