(USD) Topdeck | Europe Winter 2015-16

EUROPE WINTER | 2015-16

26 F E AT U R I N G

AMAZING

A DV EN TU R E S

FO R 1 8 -3 0 S O M E T H I N G S

INSIDE

EX PLOR E

FRANCE IRELAND ITALY ICELAND GERMANY

23

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING EUROPE IN

Winter

Prices & itineraries valid until 31 March 2016

AND MORE

PARIS | PRAGUE | BERLIN | ROME | SWISS ALPS | BUDAPEST VENICE | SALZBURG | AMSTERDAM | VIENNA AND MORE.

STORIES P04. The epic European winter bucket list

Your roadmap to adventure.

P06. 23 tips for traveling Europe in winter

Don’t forget your dancing shoes.

P08. Winter warmers

You call that a steak? THIS is a steak.

P10. Go, explore, stay, play

It’s your trip, your way.

P12. Pick your style

Trips to suit everyone.

P14. Travel budget

Make friends, save money.

P15. Your crew

TRIPS P18. HOTEL

Charming local hotels, heaps of free

time and lots of creature comforts.

P32. CLUB

Epic signature Eurotrips with

accommodation ranging from hostels

to a 12th Century castle.

P44. EXPLORER

Laid-back, small-group itineraries

exploring a region in depth.

P48. CHRISTMAS & NYE

Step into a walking fairytale of Christmas

markets, mulled wine and snow-capped

rooftops.

REFERENCE P52. Terms & conditions P53. How to read our itineraries P54. Maps

#DRE

EAMBIG WE ARE TOPDECK We do epic Eurotrips, Big Game safaris, American road trips, sailing trips, pyramid expeditions, and other awesomeness around the world for travellers between 18-39.

We realise that everyone’s different, which is why all our trips include heaps of free time to play and explore. It’s your trip, your way.

Your trip includes all the must-see, must-do activities and top-notch local fare to recharge those batteries between stops, which means you can spend your money where it matters and we’ll take care of the rest.

You will hit the road on modern, WiFi-equipped coaches, stay in handpicked accommodation ranging from castles to your own grand Budapest hotel and hang out with other young explorers bent on seeing the world.

And that’s just how we got started. We had a group of mates, some wheels and enough wanderlust to make most mothers worried.

Forty years into it, we’re still discovering new places to see and unforgettable travel experiences to make our passengers’ trips just that little bit more awesome.

That’s us, but this is about you. It’s time to live large, dream bigger and squeeze life for all it’s worth. The rest can wait.

Ready to pack your bags? Let’s talk.

c i p e e h T

n a e p o Eu r Winter BUCKET LIST

PARDON MY FRENCH

01

PRAGUE TIPPLES

Tis’ the season to huddle. Say goodbye

02

to the hordes of tourists and go local with outdoor markets, vin chaud (hot

It’s officially a thing. Prague has the best beer in Europe (sorry Carlsberg). Start with classics like Urquell, Staropramen

wine) and long nights in Parisian cafés, replete with

and Budvar then make your way to local drops like

fireplaces and heart warming food. Ice skate on the

Kout na Šumavě and Svijanský Rytíř. Also, don’t miss

Eiffel Tower during the day (true story), come back

one of the best-preserved old towns in the world,

to watch it light up again at night and pinch yourself

the Lennon Wall and the fact that it’s perfectly fine to

regularly. Paris is all yours.

drink beer at 11am.

AUSTRIAN ALPS

NORTHERN LIGHTS

03

Don’t let the fairytale churches and

04

postcard landscapes fool you. This is the birthplace of the energy drink, speed

There are two really epic places to watch the northern lights. From the top of a space station or in Iceland. Stick with

is measured in Mach and even the cows rock a

the latter and throw in a who’s who of GoT locations,

mohawk (Google it). Pack your skis/board* and

geothermal pools and a culture stretching back all

head to Kirchdorf for a week of snow, après ski and

the way to the Middle Ages. Don’t miss: Ponies that

adventure in the Wilder Kaiser region mixed with

will make you go aaawww and food dares ranging

lashings of ribs and wiener schnitzel.

from sheep head to fermented shark.

MIDNIGHT IN MADRID

V FOR VENICE

05

Want to avoid the crowds? Go out sacrifice some sleep, Madrid offers up

more youthy vibes, culture and churros than most places in Europe. Get your culture fix at the art triangle made up of Museo del Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza then head to Círculo de Bellas Artes for epic rooftop views of the city.

SWISS ALPS

07

06

before midnight. If you’re willing to

You come for the gondolas and stay for the gelato. Cruise down ancient canals or island-hop your way around in

a vaporetto – life here runs on cruise control and so should you. Explore a never-ending maze of marble churches and historical relics making up one of the most complicated architectural contraptions in human history.

ICH BIN EIN BERLINER

There’s more to Switzerland than

08

chocolate. Yodeling and cuckoo clocks aside, this is one of the most beautiful

Once bitten twice as funky. Despite nearly three decades of Cold War politics and bitter separation, Berlin has bounced

places in Europe. For a country that runs like

back as a hub of tolerance and creativity. Visit the

precision clockwork, there’s no shortage of time-

remnants of the notorious Berlin Wall for a sobering

passing opportunities. Take on four languages, some

Throwback Thursday then equalise with a dose of

of the world’s most epic waterfalls and the highest

the city’s contagious night vibes.

railway station in Europe (3,454m). *BYO gear only available on Ski Austria trip. See page 42 for more details.

THE WINTER BUCKET LIST | 05

23

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING EUROPE IN

r e t n i W

PLANNING YOUR TRIP 01. Decide your budget.

02. Add more (or ask your parents for more).

03. Book flights leaving between October-March for huge savings.

04. Watch pictures of snow.

05. Show your mates pictures of snow.

“STILL ...

IN THIS WORLD ONLY WINTER IS CERTAIN.” GEORGE R.R. MARTIN

WHAT TO BRING 06. Buy a warm jacket.

07. No, a hoodie is not a jacket.

08. Bring waterproof shoes.

09. Don’t forget your dancing shoes (plus points for pointy ones).

12. Glühwein is an awesome (and

11. About 15kg is comfortable enough.

18. Prepare for an emotional

cheap) way to keep warm.

experience.

13. You can never visit too many Christmas markets.

14. Tick off all the big stuff. Off-season means less selfie sticks, less queues and a more relaxed vibe.

10. There’s no concierge service – don’t bring more than you can carry.

DEALING WITH SNOW

ON THE ROAD

19. Get emotional.

20. Make lots of snow angels.

21. Look really stupid, because YOLO. 22. Ice is like snow but harder and more painful. Know the difference or look like Bambi in action.

15. Go local and explore quirky cafés and laneway eateries.

16. Travel builds friendships that can

23. The other state of snow is wet.

Always have dry spare clothes on hand.

last for a lifetime. Get social.

17. No, Tinder doesn’t count.

WHY CHOOSE TOPDECK? •

See the world and make friends for life

•

We stay where the action is

•

Crew with a real passion for travel

•

More free time to do what you want

•

Lots of included experiences

•

We don’t ask for tips. Ever

•

All our travellers are 18-30 somethings

•

More included meals 23 TIPS FOR TRAVELLING EUROPE IN WINTER | 07

r e t n Wi er s m r a W MULLED WINE Originally created by the ancient Romans to make pre-historic box wine a bit more exciting, mulled wine is now a cinnamon-infused European winter institution, tailor-made for sub-zero temperatures. Pick some up at any street vendor or Christmas market worth its salt.

CODE NAMES: ·

Glögg (Scandinavia)

·

Glühwein (Germany)

·

Glintwein (Russia)

·

Vin brule (Italy)

·

Vin chaud (France)

GOULASH This hearty beef stew has made a bit of a class journey from a spicy winter warmer for shepherds in the 9th Century to its de facto status as the national dish of Hungary. Packing just enough heat to take the bite out of winter, you can add this to your super food list right now.

FILL ME UP: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY.

SWISS FONDUE

TUSCAN T-BONE

The only thing better than cheese is, well, cheese. Melt it in

You call that a steak? THIS is a steak. If sharing 1+ kg of prime

a giant pot, scoop it up with big chunks of crusty bread and

T-bone sounds like your thing, look no further. Made from

wash everything down with a glass of your favourite white.

top quality Chianina cattle and tender enough to eat with a

Well played, Switzerland, now go get us some more.

spoon, we don’t blame you for having one all by yourself.

FILL ME UP: SWITZERLAND.

FILL ME UP: FLORENCE, ITALY. WINTER WARMERS | 09

Go

Explore

Like a good red

Stories worth sharing

The best things in life are handcrafted. Just like a good drop of Chianti,

There are two kinds of stories emerging from the road. The first one

all our experiences have been perfected over time with you in mind.

is about places, food and good times. These are the stories you tell your Facebook friends, but they’re not the ones that matter.

Our recipe is simple: A coach built for creature comforts (hello Wi-Fi!), a group of young explorers and custom-built itineraries designed to mix

Real stories are shared with the people you meet—bonds created

freedom with life-changing experiences. Wherever you go, we’re there to

between people who truly lived and friendships forged in the most

walk that extra mile for you.

unlikely places. These are the stories we have been creating for forty years.

Stay

Play

No more FOMO

Just press play

Let’s face it, location matters. Our promise to you: wherever you go, no

We were born to fly and we dare to soar. We were born into a world

one else will take you closer to the action. Everything you need is just a

where change is the only constant and we don’t like living our lives on

hop, skip and in some cases a couple of tram stops away.

repeat.

Say sayonara to the hotel behind the brick factory, you won’t miss it.

All our trips are designed to let you roam free while keeping things hassle

Hello hotel with hot springs, locally owned accommodation and skiing in

free. We’ve got the bucket list sorted, the accommodation booked, and

the Austrian Alps. We know the power of FOMO and have picked all our

enough time built in to let you do your thing. Press pause or play and

accommodation to make sure you can make the most of your trip.

explore the world at your own pace. It’s your trip, your way.

GO, EXPLORE, STAY, PLAY | 11

k c i P r You e l y t S

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE? People are different. Some like creature comforts, others like exploring up-andcoming destinations—some even like Justin Bieber. As long as you have the urge to explore, have fun and meet awesome people, you’ll find that our trip styles cater to (almost) everyone.

HOTEL

PAGE 18

The go-to trip style for couples and those wanting a few more creature comforts. Stay in charming twin-share hotels, get a bit more time to explore and know deep down that there will always be somewhere to plug in your hair straightener.

CLUB

PAGE 32

Perfect for first-time travellers and budding adventurers looking to tick off the highlights of Europe. Includes lots of must-do experiences and accommodation ranging from modern hostels to a 12th Century castle.

EXPLORER

PAGE 44

Relaxed small-group itineraries designed to explore a single region in more depth. Think: chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, skiing the Austrian Alps and off-the-beaten-track adventures.

CHRISTMAS & NYE

PAGE 48

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Watch Europe’s cobblestoned streets turn into a walking fairytale of Christmas markets, mulled wine and snow-capped rooftops. Then wake up from your festive food coma, ring in the new year and dance the night away in your favourite European capital.

PICK YOUR STYLE | 13

GET AROUND Info

E AT

S T AY

SEE

DO

Eurorail Pass (10

13 breakfasts

13 nights hotel

Guided tours of all

Excursions &

days, 6+ countries)

+ 8 dinners

accommodation

major cities

activities

T O TA L C O S T Priceless

+ Return English Channel ferry crossing & London transfer + Local buses & taxis

On your own USD

$823

$345

$1071

$240

$188

14 Day Winter Wonder

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

$2667 $2260

SAVE UP TO

$

407

YOUR

CREW DAVID — TRIP LEADER Most of us know David as “Dragon” after an unfortunate incident with a hot currywurst gave him a nosebleed in Germany. He’s also a fountain of knowledge of all things Europe (not related to sausage).

INSIDE TIP: There’s a cool miniature museum tucked away in the castle district of Prague exhibiting things like a tiny train sculpted on top of a human hair

and a 3.2 mm replica of the Eiffel Tower!

MARTINA — TRIP LEADER Martina is a former Swedish florist turned full-time globetrotter with a resumé including everything from climbing Kilimanjaro to 12 years’ experience shooting air guns.

INSIDE TIP: The best burgers in Berlin can be found in a converted, green public toilet box. Walk along the East Side Gallery, cross the bridge and follow the railway and you’re there.

ISHTI — DRIVER Ishti was an ice hockey-playing engineer in a previous life, but always knew deep down that he was destined for a life on the road. These days he makes sure you get to your destination in comfort and style.

INSIDE TIP: In Engelberg, there’s a full-blown igloo village.

That’s right, an igloo village on a mountain. Grab some food or go for a spa. No joke.

MULTI -TRIP DISCOUNT* Save 5% off the cheapest trip when 2 are booked at the same time. Book 3 trips at the same time and save 7.5% on the cheapest and 5% on the second cheapest. Book 4 trips at the same time and save 10% on the cheapest, 7.5% on the second cheapest, 5% on the third cheapest.

EARLY PAYMENT OPTION*

SAVE 5% when you book and pay in full 6 months in advance of your trip departure date.

FRIENDS & DISCOUNTS*

SAVE 5% for 4 friends who book and travel together.

SAVE 7.5% for 7 friends and 10% for 10 friends! #Winning.

PAST PASSENGER DISCOUNT* SAVE 5% if you’ve travelled with Topdeck before. * All above discounts apply to the trip price only, and do not apply to any included flight costs, food fund, any pre & post accommodation or transfers. Only 2 discounts can be combined to a maximum value of 15%. Early Payment Option; only one advanced purchase promotion can be used per booking. For ‘Friends & Discounts’ all passengers must be booked on the same trip at the same time. Only one ‘Friends & Discounts’ can be used. For ‘Multi Trip Discount’ all trips must be booked at the same time. All discounts are subject to availability.

YOUR CREW | 15

r e t n i W EUROPE WINTER ACCOMMODATION HOTELS, HOSTELS & CABINS

TRIP LENGTH

2-28 DAYS

ROOM TYPES TWIN/MULTI SHARE

WINTER IS COMING This is not the north of the wall kind of winter you see in Game of Thrones. The gingerbread season turns Europe into a cauldron of Christmas markets, après ski and snowy backstreets. Go ice-skating on the Eiffel tower, explore Christmas markets and drink lots of glühwein. It doesn’t hurt that the flights are about half price either. Win-win-winter.

HIGHLIGHTS: ++ Skiing in Austria ++ Christmas markets ++ Escape the tourist crowds

WINTER HOTEL

START PAGE

28 DAY | Winter Expedition

London

18

16 DAY | Trail to the Alps

London

20

21 DAY | Winter Pathway

Rome

21

14 DAY | Winter Soirée

Munich

22

10 DAY | Eastern Journey

Budapest

23

14 DAY | Winter Wonder

London

24

8 DAY | Parades to Piazzas

London

25

Rome

27

10 DAY | Big Red to Red Star

Helsinki

28

20 DAY | Discover Winter

London

29

9 DAY | Hadrian's Path

10 DAY | Roman Trail

Rome

30

10 DAY | Democracy Road

Budapest

30

14 DAY | Caesar's Pathway

Rome

31

WINTER CLUB

START PAGE

11 DAY | Winter Express

London

32

13 DAY | Festive Escape

London

33

18 DAY | Winter Getaway

London

35

24 DAY | Winter Spirit

London

36

7 DAY | Winter Waltz

Prague

38

Budapest

39

London

40

7 DAY | Spires in the Snow 9 DAY | March on Rome 18 DAY | Winter Rhapsody 8 DAY | Ski Austria 15 DAY | Road to Marrakech

Rome

41

Kirchdorf

42

Madrid

43

WINTER EXPLORER

START PAGE

14 DAY | Winter Britain & Ireland

London

11 DAY | Winter Bravo Italia 4 DAY | Iceland Explorer

44

Rome

45

Reykjavik

47

CHRISTMAS & NYE

START PAGE

9 DAY | Eastern Lights

Prague

49

2 DAY | Bruges Christmas Markets London

50

2 DAY | Bruges Christmas

London

50

4 DAY | Paris Christmas

London

50

4 DAY | Barcelona NYE

Barcelona 51

4 DAY | Berlin NYE

Berlin

51

4 DAY | Prague NYE

Prague

51

4 DAY | Madrid NYE

Madrid

51

4 DAY | Amsterdam NYE

London

51

Budapest

51

4 DAY | Lisbon NYE

Lisbon

51

4-5 DAY | Hogmanay

London

51

4 DAY | Budapest NYE

28 DAY | W I N T E R E X P E D I T I O N LONDON

LONDON

13

COUNTRIES VISITED

42

MEALS

DAY 9 ROME (FREE DAY). Go pizza-hunting in Caesar’s backyard and get #livinglikealocal. (B) DAY 10 ROME TO VENICE. Off to the home of >400 bridges and 118 islands via Verona. Carb up over dinner then slip into a food coma of epic proportions.

(B,D) DAY 11 VENICE. Chop off some of those calories exploring the city on foot this morning. Then cue singing men in water limos taking you down a labyrinth of canals. Viva Italia. (B) DAY 12 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS. Arrive at the home of carbs and adrenaline sports on stick(s).

Tonight we kick off in style with tobogganing (optional). (B,D) 1

DAY 13 AUSTRIAN ALPS (FREE DAY). Sing “let it go”, eat snow, travel up and slide down white slopes and play king of the castle. Or jump on a sledge or a cable car if you want to play it low key. (B)

STOP & STAY DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EHWXLL

DAY 14 AUSTRIAN ALPS (FREE DAY). Take two. Build a snowman then stuff yourself with meat and strudel.

(B,D)

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Say bonjour to the city where food is king.

Ease yourself in with a highlights tour of the city lights.

(D)

DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO MILAN, ITALY. Strike a pose today as we roll on to the fashion capital of Italy via Liechtenstein. If fashion’s not your thing, this is also the home of AC Milan. (B)

DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Bike ride around the sights, check out the cabaret at the Latin Quarter (optional) or channel your inner Amélie and go exploring. (B,D)

DAY 6 MILAN TO FLORENCE. After THAT shot in Pisa we’re off to Florence. Huddle up, grab a double espresso and hit the streets. Seriously. (B,D)

DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Smartphones ready. Prepare for Instagram paradise today as we head into the fairytale landscapes of the Swiss Alps. (B,D)

DAY 7 FLORENCE. Your mission tonight: track down the best steak in Florence. But first we explore the city on foot with a local Italian guide and check out Ponte Vecchio, Duomo Cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery. (B)

DAY 16 MUNICH TO LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA. Chocolate box perfection as we roll into Ljubljana today. Kick things off with a guided tour then explore your way around Europe’s last undiscovered fairytale.

(B)

DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). That mountain air is just what the doctor ordered. Spend a day in the landscape that inspired Toblerone (the white chocolate version, naturally). (B,D)

DAY 8 FLORENCE TO ROME. On your way out of Florence keep your eyes peeled for local artist Clet’s doctored street signs (Google it). Then arrive in Rome (via Orvieto) for an orientation that’s nothing like the one you had at uni. (B,D)

DAY 17 LJUBLJANA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Ruined buildings? Redesign? Not in Budapest. If you haven’t heard of ruin bars, you should have. Get your glad rags on and prepare for some signature European night life with a hipster twist. (B,D)

DAY 15 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO MUNICH, GERMANY. This is so boring. Said no one ever. A late start for extra snowtime then Munich for some après-ski at the Hofbräuhaus. (B)

19 HOTEL

DAY 20 KRAKOW (FREE DAY). Start with Kazimierz, the Old Jewish quarter of the city. Labyrinth streets and markets, bars and cafés—this is where the cool kids hang out. (B) DAY 21 KRAKOW TO ČESKÝ KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC. Put things into perspective with a visit to Europe’s most notorious concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Then balance things out with a night in UNESCO heritage city Český Krumlov. (B,D)

++ ++ ++ ++

Entry to the world-renowned Gellért Baths Paris city lights tour Gondola ride in Venice Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Overnight stay in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Český Krumlov Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau Local guide in Florence Ski resort stays in the Swiss & Austrian Alps

MORE INCLUSIONS

DAY 22 ČESKÝ KRUMLOV TO PRAGUE. A hop, skip and a jump (read: short drive) and we’re in Prague.

Explore the city on foot, then find out why this city is known for its nightlife. (B,D) DAY 23 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Check out the newly restored Art Deco Palac Dlouha (food note: try some here). For quirky (and not so) museums, try the Castle District. (B)

DAY 26 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. On to the spiritual home of Van Gogh. Eat fries with mayo, explore the city or hit the flower markets. (B)

DAY 25 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Start off your day with a history lesson at the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and the Reichstag building. Then strap on your dancing shoes and assemble the wolfpack—tonight we party. (B)

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TRIP PRICE OF $4135 TRIP PRICE OF $4195 TRIP PRICE OF $4285

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

DAY 24 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. From one behemoth to another. A quick stop in pretty-special Dresden then a rolling history lesson in the home of rave and currywursts. (B,D)

START

27 breakfasts (B), 15 dinners (D) 27 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 27 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Hit the streets like a local, exploring the city by bike, then dance to the beat of your own drum for the rest of the day.

Handbag fan? The Tassenmuseum Hendrijke might be just up your alley. Reconvene at night for a last supper. (B,D) DAY 28 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. The trip might be over and your heart might be broken. Stock up on Belgian chocolate and comfort your broken soul.

There’s always Facebook. And next year. (B)

G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

28 DAYS FROM

4135

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 48 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 19 BUDAPEST TO KRAKOW, POLAND. Two countries in one day? Easy. Take the scenic route through Slovakia to Krakow and kick back with a Polish feast. (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

ST

DAY 18 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). Included entry to the Gellért Baths is just the tonic after the night before.

Relax and enjoy. And then get right back out there.

We told you Budapest was hardcore, right? (B)

20 HOTEL

16 DAY | T R A I L T O T H E A L P S LONDON

MUNICH

7

COUNTRIES VISITED

24

MEALS

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS

1

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: MT TITLIS ICE CAVES, SWISS ALPS (OPTIONAL)

DAY STOP

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). The French invented cinema to capture the world around them. Seeing Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Arc De Triomphe you’ll know why. (D)

TRIP CODE: EHWXLU START

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TRIP PRICE OF $2640 TRIP PRICE OF $2730 TRIP PRICE OF $2815 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Take the chance to bike around the Eiffel Tower and Place De La Concorde, but pedal hard because dinner is a French affair. (B,D) DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. The view out your window today plays like a documentary on ‘world’s sexiest views’. Then, one word: fondue.

(B,D) DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Wake up, eat hearty, then go Stallone all over the Alps. You can glide, slide, hike and ski all over Mount Titlis. Or just chill in the chalet. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO MILAN, ITALY. Stop in the tax haven of Liechtenstein to deposit your billions before we make our way to fashion’s capital, Milan. (B)

16 DAYS FROM

DAY 6 MILAN TO FLORENCE. The Leaning Tower of Pisa puts a new slant on our trip before we arrive in the birthplace of the renaissance. (B,D)

USD PER PERSON

DAY 7 FLORENCE (FREE DAY). Florence has more stories than Bilbo Baggins, more culture than a Shoreditch hipster, over 1800 restaurants and gave the world gelato. We have a local guide to get you in the know today. (B)

2640

$

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 8 FLORENCE TO ROME. Orvieto will fill you up with boar before we make like Caesar and head to Rome. (B,D) DAY 9 ROME (FREE DAY). Take an optional tour of Vatican City to see how Michelangelo messed around and created the High Renaissance, then play eye spy with two-and-a-half millennia's worth of history. (B) DAY 10 ROME TO VENICE. Hark! Maketh haste to whence the lady Juliet was wooed in Verona. See her balcony then continue north to Venice. (B,D)

ST M O FR G AY N TI 5/D AR 16 $

DAY 11 VENICE. Kick off your day with a city tour, then get your swag on with an included gondola ride through the Grand Canal. This afternoon: throw away

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++

Paris city lights tour Local guide in Florence Gondola ride in Venice Spend two days in an Austrian ski resort

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

15 breakfasts (B), 9 dinners (D) 15 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

your map and lose yourself among 118 islands worth of OMG. (B) DAY 12 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS. Mountains, skiing and all things après-ski = we’re on our way to Austria. Time to get your Schwarzenegger impression perfect. Get to da choppa! (B,D) DAYS 13 & 14 AUSTRIAN ALPS (FREE DAYS). Red Bull was born here and once you ski, snowboard and paraglide all over Tyrol you’ll see why. (B) (B,D) DAY 15 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO MUNICH, GERMANY. In 1632 a Swedish King planned to burn Munich to the ground but instead took a few hostages and 600,000 barrels of Hofbräuhaus. Yep, this is beer so good it stops cities being annihilated. Visit the legendary beer hall and prost to that! (B) DAY 16 MUNICH. European winters are long so the trip doesn’t need to end here. Group hug it out then start planning your next adventure. (B)

21

ROME

LONDON

11

COUNTRIES VISITED

30

HOTEL

21 DAY | W I N T E R P A T H W A Y MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 VENICE. Get your bearings on a walking tour, hit St Mark’s Square then go for an included gondola ride. Corny smooching optional. (B) DAY 5 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS. So much more than schnitzel, strudel and The Sound of Music, a home-cooked meal will prep you for adventure. (B,D) DAYS 6-7 AUSTRIAN ALPS (FREE DAYS). Ski. Snowboard. Repeat. Or just sit and stare at the storybook landscape like a love-sick puppy. Go for baroque on a day trip to Salzburg (optional). (B) (B,D) DAY 8 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO MUNICH, GERMANY. Slide on your Lederhosen and have a royal Happy Hour experience at the 426-year-old Hofbräuhaus. (B) DAY 9 MUNICH TO LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA. Stroll the Old Town and hit up Metelkova Mesto for a tea or vino with a side of live music. (B) DAY 10 LJUBLJANA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Get down with twin cities, Buda and Pest. Check out Hero's Square and Andrássy Ave. (B,D) DAY 11 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). There are 80+ thermal springs in Budapest. Get pruny then ruin bar hop. (B)

Gondola ride in Venice Entry to the world-renowned Gellért Baths Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Overnight stay in UNESCO heritage listed Český Krumlov ++ Spend two days in an Austrian ski resort

TRIP CODE: EHWXRL START

20 breakfasts (B), 10 dinners (D) 20 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

then time to reflect before arriving into fairytale Český Krumlov. (B,D) DAYS 15-16 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Get clued up with a walking tour amongst the spires. Then watch artists on Charles Bridge, chill in Old Town Square and drink beer. Good beer. (B,D) (B)

START

FINISH

19

JAN

08

FEB

09

DEC

29

DEC

G

26

JAN

15

FEB

15

DEC

04

JAN

G

02

FEB

22

FEB

G

29

DEC

18

JAN

G

23

FEB

14

MAR

G

01

MAR

21

MAR

G

08

MAR

28

MAR

15

MAR

04

APR

2016 05

JAN

25

JAN

12

JAN

01

FEB

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

FINISH 2015

G

TRIP PRICE OF $2965 TRIP PRICE OF $3075 TRIP PRICE OF $3190 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

21 DAYS FROM

2965

$

DAY 17 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. Say hi to Dresden then see the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie followed by pork at Hofbräuhaus. (B,D)

USD PER PERSON

DAY 18 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Your choice: Third Reich tour, museum crawl (from the Ramones to DDR) or the zoo. (B)

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 12 BUDAPEST TO KRAKOW, POLAND. Buff up on history at Wawel Castle + gorge on goulash. (B,D)

DAY 19 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Dream of cheese and clogs as we roll through windmill-dotted fields and see what all that Red Light District fuss is about. (B)

DAY 13 KRAKOW (FREE DAY). Visit Oskar Schindler’s factory + see hundreds of shades of rock salt in the Wieliczka Salt Mine. (B)

DAY 20 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Bike the city before retreating with hot chocolate or tour Anne Frank House. Tonight: Dinner + canal cruise. (B,D)

DAY 14 KRAKOW TO ČESKÝ KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC. Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau in the morning

DAY 21 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Make a chocolate and beer stop in Bruges then back to ol’ Blighty (to start planning your next escape). (B)

AR $1 TIN 42 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 ROME TO VENICE. Snap a selfie at Juliet’s Balcony in Verona and get amped for Venice and its 118 islands. (B,D)

++ ++ ++ ++ ++

ST

DAY 2 ROME (FREE DAY). Pop in on the Pope or just kick back in Piazza Navona for some dolce far niente (delicious idleness). (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

DAY STOP

DAY 1 ROME, ITALY. See ‘em and weep: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain. Dinner? There are no bad choices.

22 HOTEL

14 DAY | W I N T E R S O I R É E MUNICH

1

LONDON

7

COUNTRIES VISITED

19

MEALS

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: PREŠEREN SQUARE, LJUBLJANA

DAY STOP

DAY 1 MUNICH, GERMANY. What better place to start than in a city that already likes you! No really, ‘Munich likes you’ is their city motto. You’re in mate!

Now the pressure’s off, enjoy a stroll through the city then treat yo’ self to a stein at Hofbräuhaus. (B)

TRIP CODE: EHWXUL START

FINISH 2015

START

FINISH

26

JAN

08

FEB

16

DEC

29

DEC

G

02

FEB

15

FEB

22

DEC

04

JAN

G

09

FEB

22

FEB

G

01

MAR

14

MAR

G

G

08

MAR

21

MAR

G

15

MAR

28

MAR

G

22

MAR

04

APR

2016 05

JAN

18

JAN

12

JAN

25

JAN

19

JAN

01

FEB

TRIP PRICE OF $1895 TRIP PRICE OF $1945 TRIP PRICE OF $1995 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

14 DAYS FROM

1895

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 2 MUNICH TO LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA. Jump in the Delorean (or the 70m funicular) and shoot back to the Middle Ages – the Ljubljana Castle and Old Town here have been waiting for you since Celtic times. (B) DAY 3 LJUBLJANA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Meet Buda and Pest: the twin cities sitting pretty on the River Danube. Get the goss on a driving tour then feast, Hungarian style! Om nom nom, so Hungary.

(B,D) DAY 4 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). So much to do, so much to see! Mull it over while soaking in the Gellért Baths. Then cruise down Andrássy út, wander (and spend) at the Central Market Hall, or settle into a ruin bar. (B) DAY 5 BUDAPEST TO KRAKOW, POLAND. Legend has it this medieval capital is protected by a dragon.

Lucky for you it gave us the all-clear to explore. Wawel Castle and Market Square, we’re coming for ya! (B,D) DAY 6 KRAKOW (FREE DAY). Get all up in the streets of Krakow today. Check out the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Oskar Schindler’s factory. (B) DAY 7 KRAKOW TO ČESKÝ KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC. Open your heart on this morning’s visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Then to Český Krumlov – aka what UNESCO dreams are made of. Think: Cobblestone lanes built around one fine castle with bears living in its moat. Epic. (B,D) DAY 8 ČESKÝ KRUMLOV TO PRAGUE. Prague? Czech!

Now you can say you’ve strolled across Charles Bridge and sussed out the castle deemed worthy by Guinness World Records as being the largest ancient castle in the world. #word. (B,D)

ST M O FR G AY N TI 6/D AR 13 $

DAY 9 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Disney castle spires, hand-made puppets and street artists – what is this magic!? Hit up the Jewish Quarter and medieval Town

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++

Entry to the world-renowned Gellért Baths Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Overnight stay in UNESCO heritage listed Český Krumlov

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

13 breakfasts (B), 6 dinners (D) 13 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

Hall then gorge on dumplings and honey cake. PS. Beer has been brewed here since 993 AD and you order it without saying a word. (B) DAY 10 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. Hallo Germany! Make a pit stop in Dresden to ogle the Frauenkirche then onward to Berlin in all its hipster glory. Chow down on pork knuckle at Hofbräuhaus before getting your DJ groupie on. (B,D) DAY 11 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Take the optional Third Reich walking tour, stroll under the Brandenburg Gate and get a sense of how far the city has come. Ready for round two? There’s a VIP club tour going. (B) DAY 12 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Off to the land of clogs and cheese, where there are more bicycles than people. Before hitting the town, take a peek in the Red Light District. (B) DAY 13 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Make like a local and get on a 'Dam bike! After some peddlin’, check out Van Gogh Museum and the Heineken Experience. Top it off with a dinner cruise on the canal. (B,D) DAY 14 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. The end is near, but first we’re in Bruges. Unlike Colin Farrell’s first impression of the place, copious chocolate and waffles will ensure you leave stoked. Come back soon? (B)

23

BUDAPEST

BERLIN

4

COUNTRIES VISITED

14

HOTEL

10 DAY | E A S T E R N J O U R N E Y MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 KRAKOW (FREE DAY). Krakow has fantasy, history and a giant salt mine that goes 327 metres underground. Take the optional trip to this crazy labyrinth of salty goodness. Then check out MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art Krakow) which shares walls with the remnants of Oskar Schindler’s factory.

(B) DAY 5 KRAKOW TO ČESKÝ KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC. This morning we pay our respects at Auschwitz-Birkenau before making our way to Český Krumlov. Check out what it takes to make some true World Heritage list material then tuck into a traditional Czech meal. It’s pretty much the cosiest place in the world. (B,D) DAY 6 ČESKÝ KRUMLOV TO PRAGUE. Time to storm into Prague with a thirst for pilsner and an appetite for architecture. We check out Old Town Square and Charles Bridge as your Instagram explodes. #praguelyf. (B,D) DAY 7 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Prague is over 1100 years old and has learned a few things over the years. Like how to make the best beer you’ll ever taste and stay sexy well into your 1000s. The mix of old world castles and crazy new buildings like Frank Gehry’s Dancing House will keep your friends back home jealous. (B)

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

9 breakfasts (B), 5 dinners (D) 9 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

TRIP CODE: EHWXHG START

FINISH

START

FINISH

2015

28

JAN

06

FEB

18

DEC

27

DEC

G

04

FEB

13

FEB

24

DEC

02

JAN

G

11

FEB

20

FEB

G

03

MAR

12

MAR

G

10

MAR

19

MAR

G

17

MAR

26

MAR

24

MAR

02

APR

2016 07

JAN

16

JAN

14

JAN

23

JAN

21

JAN

30

JAN

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $1425 TRIP PRICE OF $1475 TRIP PRICE OF $1525

DAY 8 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. The city centre of Dresden was completely destroyed in World War II so our walking tour is a lesson in resilience.

Berlin’s next so prep yourself for currywurst, absinthe and more hipsters per capita than anywhere else.

(B,D) DAY 9 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Fun fact: Berlin has more museums than rainy days, so stash the umbrella, it’s culture time! Then wander the historical highway from Checkpoint Charlie to the actual building where the Final Solution was planned. (B) DAY 10 BERLIN. Auf Wiedersehen is hard enough to say in English, so book another trip so you can don your lederhosen once again. (B)

G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

10 DAYS FROM

1425

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 43 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 BUDAPEST TO KRAKOW, POLAND. A dragon had to be smited in order for Krakow to be built. Bit tougher than the usual council approvals, no? Check out Wawel Castle and Old Town and slay a few glasses of mead on the way. (B,D)

++ Entry to the world-renowned Gellért Baths ++ Overnight stay in UNESCO heritage listed Český Krumlov ++ Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau

ST

DAY 2 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). You’ve got included entry to the Gellért Baths today – lap it up. If you’re shy and think you’ll turn redder than Hungarian paprika, check out the views from the chain bridge as you cross the Danube. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: GELLÉRT BATHS, BUDAPEST

DAY STOP

DAY 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Budapest is a high roller of a city. In fact, in 1946 they printed a bank note worth 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 pengo (that’s a quintillion). Dolla dolla bills ya’ll. We'll see what they spent all that cash on during the next two days. (B,D)

24 HOTEL

14 DAY | W I N T E R W O N D E R LONDON

LONDON

8

COUNTRIES VISITED

22

MEALS

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS

1

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: PIAZZA DI SANTA CROCE, FLORENCE

DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EHWWLL START

FINISH

START

2015 11

26

OCT

24

OCT

25

OCT

07

NOV

08

NOV

21

NOV

15

NOV

28

NOV

22

NOV

05

DEC

29

NOV

12

DEC

04

DEC

17

DEC

06

DEC

19

DEC

FINISH

DEC

G

08

JAN

G

2016 02

JAN

15

JAN

G

03

JAN

16

JAN

G

10

JAN

23

JAN

G

G

24

JAN

06

FEB

G

31

JAN

13

FEB

G

14

FEB

27

FEB

G

G

28

FEB

12

MAR

G

11

DEC

24

DEC

13

MAR

26

MAR

13

DEC

26

DEC

G

20

MAR

02

APR

19

DEC

01

JAN

G

27

MAR

09

APR

G

TRIP PRICE OF $2260 TRIP PRICE OF $2350 TRIP PRICE OF $2440 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

14 DAYS FROM

2260

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Say au revoir to England and introduce yourself to French food, new amis and killer sights with a night time driving tour. Pinch yourself. This is only night one. (D) DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Make like a local and head along the banks of the Canal St Martin for a cafe scene they don’t want you to know about. Or just tick off the must-dos—it's your day. Finish with: cabaret or a river cruise. (B,D) DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Yodel out the window as we roll into the Alps today. Scenery like this needs to be seen—and Instagrammed—to be believed. (B,D) DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Ride to the top of the world (well, nearly) or explore a village that will inspire you to buy (and eat) a Toblerone. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. Onwards to beautiful Firenze. Tip: Hot chocolate + Piazzale Michelangelo for great views over the city and secret bakeries (Google it). (B,D) DAY 6 FLORENCE TO ROME. Take advantage of the local POV today as we check out the sights. Then it’s off to Rome for the Colosseum, and the Pantheon. #spoilt. (B) DAY 7 ROME (FREE DAY). Visit the Vatican (optional) then #livelikealocal. Get off the main drag, dodge the mopeds and stride out in shades. See: tiny wine bars, street markets, thin pizza dough and awesome fashion. (B) DAY 8 ROME TO VENICE. Ah, fair Verona. Channel Juliet (or Romeo) and re-enact the world’s most famous balcony scene. Then get ready for island hopping city style. (B,D) DAY 9 VENICE (FREE DAY). They say it’s all about the gondolas. You’ll know why today. More love at St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge.

Then: hang out with the locals at Cannaregio. (B)

ST M O FR G AY N TI 2/D AR 16 $

DAY 10 VENICE TO SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. One city.

One complex musical dynasty. To the left, Mozart. To

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Gondola ride in Venice Paris city lights tour Swiss Alps ski resort Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Local guide in Florence Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

13 breakfasts (B), 9 dinners (D) 13 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

the right, the Sound of Music. Play spot the fan as you go. Hint: the Sound of Music guys quite often dress up, Mozart less so. (B,D) DAY 11 SALZBURG TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. Dial up the Disney. A fairytale castle makes Heidelberg ideal to unleash your inner Princess/Prince Charming.

They do a good beer too. (B,D) DAY 12 HEIDELBERG TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. And you thought Italy was foodie heaven. Amsterdam has come into its own with pared back, clean flavours. Check out the city centre then take off to find some scrumptious eats. (B) DAY 13 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Final full day.

Hold off on that sad face as it ain’t over yet. Explore the city by bike then get your smartphone ready to immortalise everything at our farewell dinner cruise.

(B,D) DAY 14 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Drop-off in London via beer and chocolate capital Bruges. There are worse memories. See you next year. (B)

25

LONDON

ROME

4

COUNTRIES VISITED

12

HOTEL

8 DAY | P A R A D E S T O P I A Z Z A S MEALS

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Today = no brainer.

Ski, snowboard, snow angel, then park yourself fireside with a mug of glühwein. They don’t make these ridiculously cosy cafes for nothing. Craving more altitude? Jump on the revolving gondola to the top of Mt Titlis and test your pano #photoskills. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. Make your food baby sing as we roll into the land of hearty Tuscan cuisine and birthplace of gelato: Florence.

Whip around Santa Maria del Fiore before tucking into amore on a plate. (B,D) DAY 6 FLORENCE TO ROME. One thing you need to know about Florence: There’s a sandwich called a bollito and you should eat it. Get schooled on the Medici family, stroll the Ponte Vecchio (the only bridge not bombed in WWII) and learn the art of leather tooling (new handbag, anyone?) on a morning walking tour. Then hightail it to Rome for a rendezvous with ancient architecture’s biggest players. (B)

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

7 breakfasts (B), 5 dinners (D) 7 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 7 ROME (FREE DAY). 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. Opt to see the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica, go back to 80AD inside the Colosseum and Roman Forum, or conquer the cobblestones in search for the weirdest gelato flavours you can find. Kentucky tobacco, anyone? (B) DAY 8 ROME. Make it an espresso doppio this morning – you’re on your own from here. Rome wasn’t built in a day so why not spend a few more and get to know the Eternal City a little better? (B)

TRIP CODE: EHWWLR/EHWDLR START

FINISH

START

EHWWLR - 2015 11

OCT

18

OCT

25

OCT

01

NOV

08

NOV

15

NOV

FINISH

EHWDLR - 2015 G

23

OCT

30

OCT

06

NOV

13

NOV

G

20

NOV

27

NOV

G

15

NOV

22

NOV

27

NOV

04

DEC

G

22

NOV

29

NOV

G

04

DEC

11

DEC

G

29

NOV

06

DEC

G

11

DEC

18

DEC

G

04

DEC

11

DEC

13

DEC

20

DEC

G

06

DEC

13

DEC

18

DEC

25

DEC

G

11

DEC

18

DEC

27

DEC

03

JAN

G

13

DEC

20

DEC

G

G

EHWDLR - 2016

19

DEC

26

DEC

G

01

JAN

08

JAN

26

DEC

02

JAN

G

03

JAN

10

JAN

08

JAN

15

JAN

EHWWLR - 2016

G

02

JAN

09

JAN

G

10

JAN

17

JAN

03

JAN

10

JAN

G

15

JAN

22

JAN

G

22

JAN

29

JAN

G

05

FEB

12

FEB

G

FEB

26

FEB

10

JAN

17

JAN

24

JAN

31

JAN

31

JAN

07

FEB

G

19

G

26

FEB

04

MAR

11

MAR

18

MAR

18

MAR

25

MAR

14

FEB

21

FEB

28

FEB

06

MAR

13

MAR

20

MAR

20

MAR

27

MAR

27

MAR

03

APR

G

G G

G

TRIP PRICE OF $1415 TRIP PRICE OF $1455 TRIP PRICE OF $1495 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share

8 DAYS FROM

1415

$

USD PER PERSON

AR $1 TIN 77 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Tear yourself away from that baguette – fondue awaits!

The Swiss Alps will smash those fairytale ideals outta the park with scenery even Elsa’s high notes couldn’t top. Enjoy the National Geographic doco on repeat from your window then get your comfort eating pants on for an included dinner. Hint: There will be cheese.

(B,D)

++ Paris city lights tour ++ Local guide in Florence ++ Swiss Alps ski resort

ST

DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Bike along the Seine on an optional tour or just flâner (stroll) around and drink it in. Check out L’eclair de Genie in le Marais (don’t ask questions), get your obligatory Eiffel Tower #selfie then explore the world’s largest grave at the Catacombs. Tonight, will you hit up a river cruise or cabaret? (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: DUOMO, FLORENCE

DAY STOP

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Leave London for dust as we Dover over the English Channel to Calais for a beauty smackdown.

Wrap your lips around your first real French meal then see the City of Lights do what she does best on a driving tour to play landmark bingo with the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. (D)

27

ROME

LONDON

6

COUNTRIES VISITED

12

HOTEL

9 DAY | H A D R I A N ' S P A T H MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 VENICE (FREE DAY). After a walking tour to set your inner GPS and a quintessential (also: essential) included gondola ride, take the day at your own pace.

Contrary to popular belief, this archipelago of islands is only sinking about 3-4cm every century, so you’ve got time. (B) DAY 5 VENICE TO SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. So long, farewell as we set off to find The Sound of Music and tick off Mozart’s House and the Salzburg Castle. Save room for strudel after an included beerhouse feast tonight. (B,D) DAY 6 SALZBURG TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY. Picture the definition of pretty and you’ve got Heidelberg. Have a one-day romantic affair – castle ruins and bridges and meadows, oh my! – then clink beer steins over dinner. The local brew Vetter 33 packs a record-setting punch, so pace yourself. (B,D) DAY 7 HEIDELBERG TO AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. It’s built on stilts and has more bicycles than people. But if that doesn’t ring a bell, then a photo opp at the famous ‘I Amsterdam’ is sure to spell it out. Explore the best bits on foot, sans-clogs, including the notorious Red Light District. (B)

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

8 breakfasts (B), 4 dinners (D) 8 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 8 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Push the pedals with a bike tour, then carb-load on poffertjes and stroopwafels – much-needed energy to take on the city’s 51 museums (must-dos: Anne Frank, Van Gogh and Heineken). It might be nicknamed the ‘Dam, but it’s actually home to more canals than Venice – tonight we'll take them on with an included dinner cruise.

(B,D) DAY 9 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Today is brought to you by the letter B – Bruges, beer, Belgian chocolate and a 366-step belfry (worth it for the views from the top). Nip the post-holiday blues in the bud before London calls with a serving of the local specialty – chips by the cone fried in beef and horse fat. Mmm. (B)

TRIP CODE: EHWWRL START 16

FINISH

START

2015

31

OCT

24

OCT

30

OCT

07

NOV

13

NOV

21

NOV

20

NOV

28

NOV

27

NOV

05

DEC

04

DEC

12

DEC

09

DEC

17

DEC

11

DEC

19

DEC

16

DEC

24

DEC

18

DEC

26

24

DEC

01

FINISH

DEC

G

08

JAN

G

2016 07

JAN

15

JAN

G

08

JAN

16

JAN

G

15

JAN

23

JAN

G

G

29

JAN

06

FEB

G

05

FEB

13

FEB

G

19

FEB

27

FEB

G

G

04

MAR

12

MAR

18

MAR

26

MAR

DEC

G

25

MAR

02

APR

JAN

G

01

APR

09

APR

G

G

TRIP PRICE OF $1390 TRIP PRICE OF $1435 TRIP PRICE OF $1480 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

9 DAYS FROM

1390

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 55 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 ROME TO VENICE, ITALY. Say ciao to Venice from across the lagoon as we check in to our hotel and have an Eat Pray Love-worthy relationship with an irresistible Italian (meal). But first, a pitstop at Romeo and Juliet’s old hangout in Verona (Shakespeare’s version, not Luhrmann’s). (B,D)

++ Gondola ride in Venice ++ Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration ++ Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise

ST

DAY 2 ROME (FREE DAY). When in Rome... Do an optional guided tour of the world’s smallest country and bask in the glory of the Sistine Chapel. Then go your own way and protest paleo (the average Italian eats 20kg of pasta a year) or drink espresso standing up, like you’re meant to. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: COLOSSEUM, ROME

DAY STOP

DAY 1 ROME, ITALY. All roads lead to Rome: 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.

28 HOTEL

10 DAY | B I G R E D T O R E D S T A R HELSINKI

1

MOSCOW

3

COUNTRIES VISITED

13

MEALS

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: RED SQUARE, MOSCOW

DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EHWBHM START

FINISH

START

2015

FINISH 2016

09

DEC

18

DEC

13

JAN

22

JAN

22

DEC

01

JAN

27

JAN

05

FEB

30

DEC

08

JAN

24

FEB

05

MAR

10 DAY TRIP PRICE OF $1780 11 DAY TRIP PRICE OF $1975 Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share

10 DAYS FROM

1780

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 1 HELSINKI. Stalk the major sites and embrace Finnish tradition with a little skinny dipping at Yrjonkatu pool. Or try ice-skating or foodie-stall hopping at Old Market Square before meeting your soon-to-be-besties for a group dinner. (D) DAY 2 HELSINKI TO TALLINN, ESTONIA. Ferry it from Helsinki to the Silicon City on the Baltic Sea, where Skype was invented and kids start coding at six. Go analogue on a walking tour and see the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe. (B,D) DAY 3 TALLINN (FREE DAY). Go all knight in shining armour with a medieval tour of the city (horse not included). Or maybe feed your inner hippie with a flower power visit to Kadriorg Palace. To-do: Hunt down the spot where you can see all five of the town’s church spires. #bewarethefakes. (B) DAY 4 TALLINN TO ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. Russia is bigger than Pluto, so it’s understandable today’s drive will take a while. Say Zdravstvujtye (zdrahstvooy-tee = hello) as we arrive in St. Petersburg in time to scope out the Venice of the North on a guided tour. Love: the Church of Spilt Blood in all its domed and glittery glory. (B,D) DAY 5 ST. PETERSBURG. With 3 million items in the archives, the Hermitage Museum is your morning and more sorted. But with the largest collection of paintings in the world and guard cats that protect them from rodents, you’d be duller than van Drago to miss it. (B) DAY 6 ST. PETERSBURG (FREE DAY, OVERNIGHT TRAIN). Dress in your finery (Russians do a good line in chic) and take in the city at your pace today. Why not dial-up your inner hipster with a visit to the city’s street art museum. See: ‘All I Know About Street Art’ for instant cred. Then all aboard the night train for Moscow. (B)

ST

DAY 7 MOSCOW, RUSSIA (FREE DAY). Bounce to Moscow this AM to roll with the billionaires – the city is home to the largest number of high-rollers in the world. Explore. (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Local guide in St. Petersburg & Moscow ++ Entrance and guided tour to the Hermitage museum & Kremlin

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

9 breakfasts (B), 4 dinners (D) 8 nights hotel accommodation Ferry ticket Overnight train ticket Awesome Trip Leader

DAY 8 MOSCOW. We’ve got your history book beat today. Take a trip to Moscow State University—former holder of the title biggest building outside of New York (#sizematters)­­—check out the Red Square, then onto the Kremlin. Facty bit: The Kremlin was saved from WWII bombing by disguising it as a normal house. #whowouldhaveknown (B) DAY 9 MOSCOW (FREE DAY). St Basil’s Cathedral in winter blows all those Hans Christian Andersen fables out of the water. Ogle the onion domes and pop back in on Putin at the Kremlin before going underground for the world's cheapest (art) ticket at one of 196 insanely elaborate metro stations (optional). (B) DAY 10 MOSCOW. Time to say poka (see ya’) after breakfast but it’s a good thing it also means ‘so far’ Moscow might not be done with you yet. (B) THE 22ND DECEMBER DEPARTURE IS A SPECIAL 11-DAY TRIP SPENDING ONE EXTRA NIGHT IN MOSCOW.

M O FR G Y N A TI 8D AR $17

29

LONDON

LONDON

11

COUNTRIES VISITED

29

HOTEL

20 DAY | D I S C O V E R W I N T E R MEALS

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Snow thrill seeker or vin chaud drinker? Either works. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. Italian food is just as good in winter. Eat, sleep, repeat. (B,D) DAY 6 FLORENCE TO ROME. Two cities always in the Buzzfeed top 20. A tour in both = #doublewin. (B) DAY 7 ROME (FREE DAY). Culture your thing? Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. If it’s espresso stops, market nibbles and people watching, we won’t judge.

(B) DAY 8 ROME TO VENICE. Grab a partner to re-enact Juliet’s balcony scene in Verona. Then: Get overexcited by more than 400 bridges in Venice. (B,D) DAY 9 VENICE (FREE DAY). Check out the sights then jump on a gondola. Less than 10 new licenses are granted yearly in Venice. They’ve Gondola lot of trouble for this (cute). (B) DAY 10 VENICE TO LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA. With one night to enjoy we’re off out to Macek. Home to locals and us. (B) DAY 11 LJUBLJANA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Worth a walk this evening. See: The view from the Citadella. (B,D)

Stay + entry to thermal baths at Hotel Gellért Dinner at Hofbräuhaus, Berlin Paris city lights tour Gondola ride in Venice Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Local guide in Florence Visit former concentration camp Mauthausen

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: EHWDLL START

FINISH

START

2015

FINISH 2016

23

OCT

11

NOV

06

NOV

25

NOV

20

NOV

09

DEC

27

NOV

16

DEC

04

DEC

23

DEC

01

JAN

20

JAN

03

JAN

22

JAN

08

JAN

27

JAN

G

10

JAN

29

JAN

G

15

JAN

03

FEB

G

G G

11

DEC

30

DEC

G

22

JAN

10

FEB

G

13

DEC

01

JAN

G

05

FEB

24

FEB

G

18

DEC

06

JAN

G

19

FEB

09

MAR

27

DEC

15

JAN

G

26

FEB

16

MAR

11

MAR

30

MAR

18

MAR

06

APR

19 breakfasts (B), 10 dinners (D) 19 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $3115 TRIP PRICE OF $3195 TRIP PRICE OF $3280

DAY 14 VIENNA TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. A reminder of stark history at Mauthausen en route to Prague. (B,D) DAY 15 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Museum of Communism above a McDonalds. Juxtaposition 101.

Get beyond Prague’s (great) beer. (B)

G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

20 DAYS FROM

3115

DAY 16 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY (VIA DRESDEN). Europe’s cool cousin. Learn its history with a driving tour. Then dance ‘til dawn to Europop. (B,D)

$

DAY 17 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Hanging with the cool cats in Kreuzberg. It’s how we know where to go next on this free day. (B)

USD PER PERSON

DAY 18 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Get your bearings on Amsterdam time. (B)

DAY 12 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). Cold winter’s day.

Warm thermal pools. No-brainer. Then off to see what the fuss is about. #nightlifeboasts (B)

DAY 19 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). A case of two wheels good today. Tour by bike, then explore your way. Farewell dinner cruise tonight. #sadface. (B,D)

DAY 13 BUDAPEST TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Genteel Vienna makes us feel all grown up. Apple strudel joy makes us regress. (B)

DAY 20 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Dull the goodbyes with Bruges chocolate. Get planning.

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 56 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. It’s all about what’s going on outside your window today as we roll into the Swiss Alps. (B,D)

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

ST

DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Hemingway said the most interesting people in the world are here. Good news.

And dinner’s included. Even better. (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: SWISS ALPS

DAY STOP

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Cue Paris by night after your first French dining experience. Boom. (D)

30 HOTEL

10 DAY | R O M A N T R A I L ROME

5

PRAGUE

COUNTRIES VISITED

10 DAY | D E M O C R A C Y R O A D

12

MEALS

BUDAPEST

TRIP CODE: EHWDRP START

1

STOP & STAY

START

FINISH

2015

07

JAN

16

JAN

09

JAN

18

JAN

G

14

JAN

23

JAN

16

JAN

25

JAN

G

21

JAN

30

JAN

OCT

07

NOV

12

NOV

21

NOV

26

NOV

05

DEC

03

DEC

12

DEC

START G G

FINISH

START

2015

11

JAN

20

JAN

13

JAN

22

JAN

G

18

JAN

27

JAN

20

JAN

29

JAN

G

25

JAN

03

FEB

02

NOV

11

NOV

16

NOV

25

NOV

30

NOV

09

DEC

07

DEC

16

DEC

FINISH G G

DEC

19

DEC

G

28

JAN

06

FEB

G

14

DEC

23

DEC

G

01

FEB

10

FEB

G

DEC

26

DEC

G

11

FEB

20

FEB

G

21

DEC

30

DEC

G

15

FEB

24

FEB

G

19

DEC

28

DEC

G

25

FEB

05

MAR

23

DEC

01

JAN

G

29

FEB

09

MAR

24

DEC

02

JAN

G

03

MAR

12

MAR

28

DEC

06

JAN

G

07

MAR

16

MAR

17

MAR

26

MAR

21

MAR

30

MAR

24

MAR

02

APR

28

MAR

06

APR

02

++ Gondola ride in Venice ++ Stay at famous Hotel Gellért, Budapest ++ Entry to the world-renowned Gellért Baths

JAN

11

JAN

G

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 9 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D) ++ 9 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 1 ROME. (B) DAY 2 ROME TO VENICE (VIA VERONA). (B,D) DAY 3 VENICE (FREE DAY). (B) DAY 4 VENICE TO LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA (VIA LAKE BLED). (B) DAY 5 LJUBLJANA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. (B,D) DAY 6 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). (B) DAY 7 BUDAPEST TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA. (B) DAY 8 VIENNA TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (VIA MAUTHAUSEN). (B,D) DAY 9 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). (B) DAY 10 PRAGUE. (B)

G

1

STOP & STAY

2016

DAY STOP

G

06

JAN

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Stay at famous Hotel Gellért, Budapest ++ Entry to the world-renowned Gellért Baths ++ Dinner at Hofbräuhaus, Berlin ++ Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration ++ Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise

15

JAN

G

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 9 breakfasts (B), 4 dinners (D) ++ 9 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) ++ English Channel ferry crossing ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. (D) DAY 2 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). (B) DAY 3 BUDAPEST TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA. (B) DAY 4 VIENNA TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (VIA MAUTHAUSEN). (B,D) DAY 5 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). (B) DAY 6 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY (VIA DRESDEN). (B,D) DAY 7 BERLIN (FREE DAY). (B)

For a full itinerary see days 7-16 of the 20 day Discover Winter trip on page 29 or visit www.topdeck.travel

DAY 8 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. (B) DAY 9 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). (B,D) DAY 10 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. (B)

TRIP PRICE OF $1260

For a full itinerary see days 11-20 of the 20 day Discover Winter trip on page 29 or visit www.topdeck.travel

TRIP PRICE OF $1320 TRIP PRICE OF $1380

G = Guaranteed Departure

TRIP PRICE OF $1425

Price based on multi-share: usually 2-4 per room

TRIP PRICE OF $1450

10 DAYS FROM

1260

MEALS

17

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

$

13

10

2016

DAY STOP

COUNTRIES VISITED

TRIP CODE: EHWDHL

FINISH

29

6

LONDON

TRIP PRICE OF $1490

USD Per Person

STARTING FROM $126/DAY

G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on multi-share: usually 2-4 per room

10 DAYS FROM

1425

$

USD Per Person

STARTING FROM $143/DAY

G G

31

ROME

LONDON

9

COUNTRIES VISITED

18

HOTEL

14 DAY | C A E S A R ' S P A T H W A Y MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

Gondola ride in Venice Stay at famous Hotel Gellért, Budapest Entry to the world-renowned Gellért Baths Dinner at Hofbräuhaus, Berlin Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise

MORE INCLUSIONS

DAY 4 VENICE TO LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA. A fairytale castle + an Insta-worthy lake (Bled) = just an average day for the Slovenes. A mashup of modern and ancient, there’s wine bars, eclectic cafes and sights galore to tackle. (B)

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

13 breakfasts (B), 5 dinners (D) 13 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 5 LJUBLJANA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Paternal twins Buda and Pest sit pretty on the River Danube; get familiar with a driving tour to see Buda Castle and Gellért Hill. Later: Tippling at ruin bars.

(B,D)

DAY 10 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. A quick stop in historic Dresden to snap the Frauenkirche. Then, pork knuckle and merry-making at Hofbräuhaus before hitting Berlin’s famous club scene. Prost! (B,D)

DAY 6 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). Useless fact: Both the noiseless match and Rubik’s cube were invented by Hungarians. Mull over these tidbits while cruising Andrássy Ave, making eyes at St Stephen's Basilica, and soaking in Gellért Bath. (B)

DAY 11 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Get beneath the city’s gritty exterior like ein Berliner at the Jewish Memorial and Brandenburg Gate. Memories of Checkpoint Charlie still remain but this once divided city now stands united. (B)

DAY 7 BUDAPEST TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA. Pick your Baroque from Rococo as we slide into The City of Dreams (kudos, Freud)! The Vienna Orchestra provides the soundtrack while you check out Schönbrunn and Hofburg Palaces. (B)

DAY 12 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. Fan of cheese and clogs? The ‘Dam is your jam. This bike-loving city nails a good time, all the time. End the night with a cone of hot chips with mayo. (B)

DAY 8 VIENNA TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Bohemia’s cobblestones are calling but first, Mauthausen and the resilience of humanity. There’s bucketloads of chime left in Prague’s 606-year-old Astronomical Clock – don’t miss it! (B,D)

DAY 13 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). This morning’s included bike ride = the most fun you can have on a fixie. Also check out: The I Amsterdam sign, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and Heineken’s HQ just in time for beer o’clock. (B,D)

DAY 9 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Ch-Czech out this pretty city. Get #selfie happy at Prague Castle, Charles Bridge + the Old Town Square. (B)

DAY 14 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. It’s nearly home time! Console yourself with a big ol’ box of Belgian chocolate before we make our way to LDN. Facebook friends? (B)

TRIP CODE: EHWDRL START

FINISH

START

2015

07

JAN

FINISH 20

JAN

09

JAN

22

JAN

G

14

JAN

27

JAN

16

JAN

29

JAN

G

21

JAN

03

FEB

G

29

OCT

11

NOV

12

NOV

25

NOV

26

NOV

09

DEC

03

DEC

16

DEC

10

DEC

23

DEC

G

28

JAN

10

FEB

G

17

DEC

30

DEC

G

11

FEB

24

FEB

G

19

DEC

01

JAN

G

25

FEB

09

MAR

24

DEC

06

JAN

G

03

MAR

16

MAR

17

MAR

30

MAR

24

MAR

06

APR

2016 02

JAN

15

JAN

G

G

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $1890 TRIP PRICE OF $1990 TRIP PRICE OF $2135 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

14 DAYS FROM

1890

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 35 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 VENICE (FREE DAY). 100+ slowly sinking islands won’t explore themselves; let us hook you up with gondola ride + lace demo. Then walk like a Byzantine to see St Mark’s Square and Rialto Bridge. (B)

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

ST

DAY 2 ROME TO VENICE. Roman Holiday’s over, today onto Venice! First, Juliet’s Balcony in fair Verona to join throngs of lovers leaving notes in the wall. (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: TIBER RIVER AND ST. PETER'S BASILICA, ROME

DAY STOP

DAY 1 ROME, ITALY. Make like Caesar (the emperor, not the salad) and work up a colossus hunger ogling the Colosseum and Spanish Steps, then feast at a local trattoria. (D)

32 CLUB

11 DAY | W I N T E R E X P R E S S LONDON

LONDON

6

COUNTRIES VISITED

17

MEALS

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS

1

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: ARC DE TRIOMPHE, PARIS

DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EEWNLL START

FINISH

START

2015

29

05

NOV

15

NOV

12

NOV

22

NOV

DEC

G

FINISH 08

JAN

G G

2016 03

JAN

13

JAN

05

JAN

15

JAN

07

JAN

17

JAN

G

G

14

JAN

24

JAN

G

21

JAN

31

JAN

G

28

JAN

07

FEB

11

FEB

21

FEB

19

NOV

29

NOV

22

NOV

02

DEC

G

26

NOV

06

DEC

29

NOV

09

DEC

03

DEC

13

DEC

06

DEC

16

DEC

10

DEC

20

DEC

G

25

FEB

06

MAR

16

DEC

26

DEC

G

10

MAR

20

MAR

G

20

DEC

30

DEC

G

24

MAR

03

APR

G

G

TRIP PRICE OF $1215 TRIP PRICE OF $1250 TRIP PRICE OF $1290 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

11 DAYS FROM

1215

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). What’s the first thing we want in France.

French food, right? Right. Then a tour of Paris to see the twinkly lights? Job done. (D) DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). A free day in Paris. Go nuts.

Follow in your favourite literary figure’s footsteps (hello Hemingway) or just hang with the locals. If you fancy a cabaret or river cruise after dinner, we’ll hook you up. (B,D) DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. We’ll be #nofilter-ed out by the end of today’s Instagram feed. It’s is all about the scenery. And the carb-tastic dinner. (B,D) DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Burn off last night’s dinner with a hike or bike–or take the cruisey option and head up the Jungfrau by train. It’s the highest rail station in Europe, as the views will attest. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO VENICE, ITALY. Bella Italia today as we roll into Venice. Get ready to get lost in its maze-like alleyways. Inside tip: The best local haunts will always be found off the beaten track. (B,D) DAY 6 VENICE (FREE DAY). We’ll take to land and ‘sea’ today. A walking tour taking in the greats then a vaporetto ride. This is what public transport should be like. And don’t miss the full gondola experience. (B) DAY 7 VENICE TO MUNICH, GERMANY. In a city so well known for beer (Oktoberfest rules here) it would be a shame not to drink it. Wirsthauser (pub restaurants) ensure plenty of beer and for non-vegos, plenty of meat. Prost! (B) DAY 8 MUNICH TO RHINE VALLEY. Not too many grapes on the vine at this time of year but it doesn’t matter. Pinch yourself because tonight you live like a royalty and sleep in a castle. (B,D)

ST

DAY 9 RHINE VALLEY TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Europe’s most infamous city. Get the obvious out of the way (Red Light District anyone?) then discover the Amsterdam locals want to keep quiet. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal, Venice Paris city lights tour Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Dutch cheese & clog demonstration Stay in the Rhine Valley castle region

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

10 breakfasts (B), 7 dinners (D) 2 nights hotel upgrade & 8 nights in hostels English Channel ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 10 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). The best city to explore by two wheels. Not only do they love them but there are no hills. At all. We’ll continue our mission to #livelikealocal this afternoon before our farewell dinner cruise. (B,D) DAY 11 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. The final stretch.

Bruges for chocolate and beer then London town. (B)

M O FR G AY N TI 1/D AR 11 $

33

LONDON

LONDON

5

COUNTRIES VISITED

19

CLUB

13 DAY | F E S T I V E E S C A P E MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 PARIS (FREE DAY). French vocab 101: macaron, eclair, croissant… that should cover you on this free day. Jump on a bike tour, drop some dolla dolla bills on Champs-Élysées or scale Tour Eiffel. Tonight, cabaret or Seine cruise? (B) DAY 5 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Tolkien hiked here in 1911 but you’ll get the scenic coach option today and see why Lauterbrunnen valley inspired the fictitious valley of Rivendell. (B,D) DAY 6 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Ski and board till it hurts – this is the Alps; the piste de resistance. Not hardcore enough? Training it to the top of Jungfrau or skydiving out of a helicopter oughta do the trick. (B) DAY 7 SWISS ALPS TO MUNICH, GERMANY. Get to know the city where beer is officially considered a food. The Hofbräuhaus doesn’t want you to go hungry, so (pork) knuckle in. (B,D) DAY 8 MUNICH (FREE DAY). Pause and reflect at Dachau concentration camp this morning. Later: Climb the Frauenkirche tower or jump on an electric bike tour. Free day = your way. (B) DAY 9 MUNICH TO BERLIN. Practice your "Ich bin ein Berliner" before a driving tour of the (remnants of) Berlin Wall + Checkpoint Charlie. (B,D)

Paris city lights tour Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Visit former concentration camp Dachau Christmas markets in Cologne

TRIP CODE: EEFELL START 27

NOV

09

DEC

04

DEC

16

DEC

DAY 10 BERLIN (FREE DAY). No time to get a job in a #startup; join the Third Reich walking tour for a history lesson instead. Tonight, get down with your badass self – this is the real city that never sleeps. (B) DAY 11 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. When your day starts with cheese and clogs and ends with voyeurism and cones of fries with mayo in the Red Light District, you know you’re in for a good time.

(B)

START

FINISH

11

DEC

23

DEC

20

DEC

01

JAN

G

TRIP PRICE OF $1560

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 12 breakfasts (B), 7 dinners (D) ++ 10 nights multi-share hostel accommodation, 2 nights in bungalows ++ English Channel ferry crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

FINISH 2015

TRIP PRICE OF $1650 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

13 DAYS FROM

1560

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 12 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Work off those stroopwafels and fries on a bike tour, take time to reflect in Anne Frank House, then cruise the canals on a private dinner boat tour. Life = made. (B,D) DAY 13 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Gluten intolerant? We’re sorry. Really. With chocolate, waffles and beer topping the national list of pride in Bruges, it makes for a damn fine stop before home time. (B)

AR $1 TIN 20 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 COLOGNE TO PARIS, FRANCE. Big expectations? Raise ‘em, tenfold. So much more than baguettes and berets, tonight’s dinner will prep your tastebuds while a City Lights driving tour will slap you with pretty. (B,D)

++ ++ ++ ++

ST

DAY 2 COLOGNE (FREE DAY). Take yourself to church – climb the 509 spiralling, stone steps for 360-degree #epic views at the UNESCO-listed Kölner Dom. There are 30+ museums to suss out but the chocolate museum has obvious swag. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: CANALS, AMSTERDAM

DAY STOP

DAY 1 LONDON TO COLOGNE, GERMANY. Cross the English Channel into Christmas market cheer. Fairy lights, glühwein and a giant ice-cream cone atop a shopping centre… what’s not festive about this place?!

(D)

35

LONDON

LONDON

9

COUNTRIES VISITED

28

CLUB

18 DAY | W I N T E R G E T A W A Y MEALS

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Take a ride to Europe’s highest railway station. Bragging rights and great views. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. From nature-made to man-made as we stop in Pisa en route to Florence. (B,D) DAY 6 FLORENCE (FREE DAY). Explore the city with a local guide. Take notes. Then come back to explore.

(B) DAY 7 FLORENCE TO ROME. A stop in Orvieto. Then Rome in winter. #FOMO killer. (B,D) DAY 8 ROME (FREE DAY). We’ll visit the world’s smallest country (keep up) then Rome is yours. Red wine and pizza anyone? (B) DAY 9 ROME TO VENICE. Ah, fair Verona. Sigh over Juliet/Romeo then shake it off—we’re going island hopping Venice-style. (B,D) DAY 10 VENICE (FREE DAY). Take a map. Or don’t.

Either way, find St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. They’re epic. And free. (B) DAY 11 VENICE TO SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. The city of Mozart vs. the Sound of Music. Get ready for a danceoff. (B,D) DAY 12 SALZBURG TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. It’s a sobering start to the day with a visit to Mauthausen. (B,D)

Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal, Venice Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Paris city lights tour Local guide in Florence Try traditional Swiss fondue Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Guided tour of former concentration camp Mauthausen

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 17 breakfasts (B), 11 dinners (D) ++ 2 nights hotel upgrade, 13 nights in hostels & 2 nights in bungalows ++ English Channel ferry crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

TRIP CODE: EEWGLL START

FINISH

START

2015

30 G

31

OCT

17

NOV

07

NOV

24

NOV

14

NOV

01

DEC

G G

21

NOV

08

DEC

24

NOV

11

DEC

28

NOV

15

DEC

01

DEC

18

DEC

05

DEC

22

DEC

09

DEC

26

DEC

12

DEC

29

DEC

16

DEC

02

JAN

DEC

G

FINISH 16

JAN

2016 02

JAN

19

JAN

05

JAN

22

JAN

07

JAN

24

JAN

09

JAN

26

JAN

12

JAN

29

JAN

G

G G

16

JAN

02

FEB

G

19

JAN

05

FEB

30

JAN

16

FEB

G

G

06

FEB

23

FEB

G

13

FEB

01

MAR

19

DEC

05

JAN

G

20

FEB

08

MAR

23

DEC

09

JAN

G

05

MAR

22

MAR

26

DEC

12

JAN

19

MAR

05

APR

G

TRIP PRICE OF $2060 TRIP PRICE OF $2130

DAY 13 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). An unexpected foodie paradise. Go beyond the beer and check out the city that allegedly inspired the Disney castle. (B) DAY 14 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. Off to Dresden. Look up the history—then look at the city centre. Berlin history awaits with a driving tour of all the favourites. (B,D) DAY 15 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Free day = very cool.

Work it. (B) DAY 16 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. We’ll visit the Red Light District. But don’t let that fool you. Take a walk to experience the real Amsterdam. (B) DAY 17 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Two wheels and strong legs as we bike across the city. Then smartphones at the ready for our farewell dinner cruise. (B,D) DAY 18 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Chocolate from Bruges makes farewell in London that bit sweeter. (B)

TRIP PRICE OF $2200 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

18 DAYS FROM

2060

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 15 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. It’s all #nofilter today. (B,D)

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

ST

DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Free day means #livinglikealocal. Browse bookshops in Marais, drink espresso in the 10ème or get lost in Père Lachaise.

Plus the chance for cabaret or a Seine cruise this evening. (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

DAY STOP

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). So long London, bonjour France. A first taste of French cuisine and a tour of the most iconic sights in Paris. By night. Oh la la! (D)

24 DAY | W I N T E R S P I R I T LONDON

LONDON

12

COUNTRIES VISITED

36

MEALS

DAY 11 VENICE TO SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. Old-world charm. If Salzburg’s not top of a Google Image search, it should be. (B,D) DAY 12 SALZBURG (FREE DAY). Pass a day in strudel heaven or go high energy with an opportunity to ski (or snowboard). (B) DAY 13 SALZBURG TO VIENNA. The home of Freud and free association. Go. (B) DAY 14 VIENNA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. In Bratislava make sure to statue spot as we check out the city on foot (note: Cumil’s lost his head to drivers twice). Then onto Budapest for nightlife that really is that good. (B,D)

1

DAY 15 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). A free day today but we wouldn’t leave without a spa. Or a visit to a ruin bar. (B)

STOP & STAY DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EEWSLL

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY: LONDON OR PARIS

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). First day. First items off the list with a city lights tour after dinner. Foodie and fabulous. (D)

DAY 6 FLORENCE (FREE DAY). In a city where streets change their names, we can’t promise we won’t get lost this afternoon. But then, that’s half the fun. (B)

DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Paris free day = #allaboutthehiddengems. After dinner join us at a cabaret or sail the Seine by night. Or a jazz café in the 10ème. (B,D)

DAY 7 FLORENCE TO ROME. A city under a city as we visit Orvieto en route to Rome. Then fire up Instagram for a walking tour of the must-dos. (B,D)

DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Au revoir Paris—it’s been a blast. But until you see Lauterbrunnen in winter, you haven’t lived. #nofilter needed. (B,D) DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). We’re all about Jungfrau today. See: highest railway in Europe.

Whatever you choose, mind your neck. You’ll be craning it. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. Reacclimatise to city life today in Florence—stopping in Pisa for THAT shot first, of course. (B,D)

DAY 8 ROME (FREE DAY). Is where the heart is. Visit the world’s smallest country (hello, Vatican City) or just mix it with the locals. Espresso stops mandatory. (B) DAY 9 ROME TO VENICE. Verona today. R J forever.

Then off to Venice where the cool kids take the boat.

(B,D) DAY 10 VENICE (FREE DAY). The best way to explore: get lost. Get found. Repeat. Just make sure you do find St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. #love.

That and a gondola ride. (B)

DAY 16 BUDAPEST TO KRAKOW, POLAND. The best winter food in Europe. Fact. If you have a meal without carbs, you’re doing it wrong. (B) DAY 17 KRAKOW (FREE DAY). Make like a culture vulture with a museum (hint: Schindler’s Factory), visit the salt mines or just people watch with a hot chocolate. (B,D) DAY 18 KRAKOW TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Auschwitz-Birkenau puts things in perspective today before we arrive into Prague. (B,D) DAY 19 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Old school vs. new school on this free day. Think Charles Bridge vs. John Lennon Wall. Then see them both. (B) DAY 20 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. See the phoenix-like city of Dresden – rising from war ashes and now a must-see. Then find out why everyone wants to be ein Berliner. (B,D) DAY 21 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Almost too many choices on this free day. Do culture, do food, do history. It’s all here. Also: nightlife. (B)

37

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 23 breakfasts (B), 13 dinners (D) ++ 4 nights free hotel upgrade, 15 nights in hostels, 4 nights in bungalows ++ English Channel ferry crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

FINISH

START

FINISH

2015

24

DEC

16

JAN

26

DEC

18

JAN

G

29

DEC

21

JAN

G

05

NOV

28

NOV

12

NOV

05

DEC

19

NOV

12

DEC

G G

2016

21

NOV

14

DEC

05

JAN

28

26

NOV

19

DEC

07

JAN

30

JAN JAN

28

NOV

21

DEC

G

12

JAN

04

FEB

03

DEC

26

DEC

G

14

JAN

06

FEB

04

DEC

27

DEC

G

21

JAN

13

FEB

10

DEC

02

JAN

G

28

JAN

20

FEB

13

DEC

05

JAN

G

04

FEB

27

FEB

15

DEC

07

JAN

G

18

FEB

12

MAR

17

DEC

09

JAN

G

03

MAR

26

MAR

19

DEC

11

JAN

G

10

MAR

02

APR

22

DEC

14

JAN

17

MAR

09

APR

G G G

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $2535 TRIP PRICE OF $2615 TRIP PRICE OF $2695 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

24 DAYS FROM

2535

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 06 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 24 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. #bestfriendsforever as we say goodbye (via Bruges) in London. (B)

START

ST

DAY 23 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). Check out the sights and tone your legs this morning with a twowheel tour. Hit up your faves this afternoon before our farewell dinner cruise. (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise ++ Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal, Venice ++ Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau ++ Paris city lights tour ++ Local guide in Florence ++ Try traditional Swiss fondue ++ Dutch cheese & clog demonstration

PHOTO: GONDOLA RIDE, VENICE

CLUB

DAY 22 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Über cool to infamous. We’re rocking Amsterdam this evening with a visit to Dam Square and the district most well-known for its bright colour palette. (B)

38 CLUB

7 DAY | W I N T E R W A L T Z PRAGUE

1

LONDON

4

COUNTRIES VISITED

9

MEALS

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: MEMORIAL TO THE MURDERED JEWS OF EUROPE, BERLIN

DAY STOP

DAY 1 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Prague has the largest castle in the world, a skyline from a fairy tale and an astronomical clock that’s over 600 years old.

Needless to say, you picked a great place to start. (D)

TRIP CODE: EEWSPL START

FINISH

START

FINISH

2015

08

JAN

14

10

JAN

16

JAN

12

JAN

18

JAN

G

15

JAN

21

JAN

G

G

JAN

22

NOV

28

NOV

29

NOV

05

DEC

06

DEC

12

DEC

08

DEC

14

DEC

22

JAN

28

JAN

13

DEC

19

DEC

24

JAN

30

JAN

15

DEC

21

DEC

G

29

JAN

04

FEB

G

20

DEC

26

DEC

G

31

JAN

06

FEB

21

DEC

27

DEC

G

07

FEB

13

FEB

27

DEC

02

JAN

G

14

FEB

20

FEB

30

DEC

05

JAN

G

21

FEB

27

FEB

06

MAR

12

MAR

01

JAN

07

JAN

G

20

MAR

26

MAR

03

JAN

09

JAN

G

27

MAR

02

APR

05

JAN

11

JAN

G

03

APR

09

APR

2016

G G G

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $790 TRIP PRICE OF $815 TRIP PRICE OF $840 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

7 DAYS FROM

790

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 2 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). The monasteries of Prague brewed the first beer and it was so good the King paid his tithe in hops. Grab some of the world famous pilsner and eat Koleno (a giant pig’s knee) to get some ballast on this free day. You’re going to need it. (B) DAY 3 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. Ready for a historical feast? Whet your palate in 800 year-old Dresden, lick your plate clean on a driving tour of Berlin to see the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building then take one more helping of currywurst before your included dinner. (B,D) DAY 4 BERLIN (FREE DAY). Join the optional Third Reich tour then visit the Jewish Memorial as a sombre reminder of tyranny at its worst. It’s hard to transition from WWII to techno, but flip the day on its head and see why Berlin nightlife sets the bar. (B) DAY 5 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Amster-DAM it’s going to be a good day! Bike lanes and frosty canals are going to turn your Euro dial to 11. Visit a traditional farm for a lesson in Dutch cheese-making and the noisiest shoes in the world...

CLOGS! (B) DAY 6 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). The locals bike more than two million kilometres per day here! Free day = Join in the trend and hit the 500 kilometres of paths. Then, visit the Van Gogh museum or grab some Stroopwafels or hit the cafés before our last dinner (sad face) on a private boat. #swag. (B,D) DAY 7 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. An overabundance of Belgian chocolate should keep those last day blues at bay. Stock up on the sweet stuff after our walking tour of Bruges then start planning your next adventure on the ferry ride back to London. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration ++ Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise ++ Driving tour of Berlin

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

6 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D) 6 nights in hostels English Channel ferry crossing Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

ST M O FR G AY N TI 3/D AR 11 $

39

BUDAPEST

PRAGUE

3

COUNTRIES VISITED

9

CLUB

7 DAY | S P I R E S I N T H E S N O W MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

6 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D) 2 nights free hotel upgrade, 4 nights in hostels Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

TRIP CODE: EEWSHP START

FINISH

START

FINISH

2015

04

JAN

10

06

JAN

12

JAN

08

JAN

14

JAN

G

11

JAN

17

JAN

G

18

JAN

24

JAN

20

JAN

26

JAN

25

JAN

31

JAN

18

NOV

24

NOV

25

NOV

01

DEC

02

DEC

08

DEC

04

DEC

10

DEC

09

DEC

15

DEC

11

DEC

17

DEC

G G

G

16

DEC

22

DEC

G

27

JAN

02

FEB

17

DEC

23

DEC

G

03

FEB

09

FEB

23

DEC

29

DEC

G

10

FEB

16

FEB

26

DEC

01

JAN

G

17

FEB

23

FEB

28

DEC

03

JAN

G

02

MAR

08

MAR

30

DEC

05

JAN

G

16

MAR

22

MAR

23

MAR

29

MAR

30

MAR

05

APR

2016 01

JAN

07

JAN

G

DAY 4 KRAKOW (FREE DAY). Crack Krakow wide open with a historical reality check at Oskar Schindler's factory, visit a centuries-old synagogue and discover the city’s inner-hipster in the Jewish district. (B,D)

TRIP PRICE OF $720

DAY 5 KRAKOW TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. A morning at Auschwitz and Birkenau will stop you in your tracks. Next up: Guinness World Record-setting (and Disney-inspiring) castle spires are Prague’s way of welcoming weary travellers. We’ll OD on some of the local food groups (read: pork, dumplings and cabbage) then burn calories on the cobblestones with a guided tour. (B,D)

TRIP PRICE OF $780

DAY 6 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Hit the streets on foot to tick off your Czech-list: Watch ‘Death’ toll the hour on the Astronomical Clock, count 16 arches as you walk across Charles Bridge, then knock the head off a beer at one of 300 bars in the Zizkov district. (B) DAY 7 PRAGUE. Our trip is ending, but that doesn’t mean your time here has to. Get in touch with your boho side and stay longer to hit a high note at a jazz club, circle Wenceslas Square or say hello (and goodbye) to the John Lennon Wall. (B)

JAN

G G G

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $750

G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

7 DAYS FROM

720

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $1 TIN 03 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 BUDAPEST TO KRAKOW, POLAND. Get your bearings with a walk around Wawel Castle and imagine Clueless set in the 14th century at the world’s oldest shopping mall. (B)

++ Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau ++ Walking tour of Prague

ST

DAY 2 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. Soak in the Gellért Baths, shop for souvenirs and salami at a local market or cruise along the Danube. Any way you look at it, you’re winning. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: WAWEL CASTLE, KRAKOW

DAY STOP

DAY 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Clean up your act in Budapest – Europe’s spa capital with 80+ thermal springs to its name. We’ll chauffeur you around Heroes’ Square, Parliament House and Buda Castle, then get your goulash on with a local meal. Postdinner, head to a ruin bar for a post-apocalyptic night out. (D)

40 CLUB

9 DAY | M A R C H O N R O M E LONDON

ROME

4

COUNTRIES VISITED

14

MEALS

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS

1

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: DUOMO, FLORENCE

DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EEWSLR START

FINISH

START

2015

24

DEC

01

JAN

26

DEC

03

JAN

G

29

DEC

06

JAN

G

05

NOV

13

NOV

12

NOV

20

NOV

19

NOV

27

NOV

21

NOV

29

NOV

G G

FINISH

2016 05

JAN

13

JAN

07 12

JAN

15

JAN

JAN

20

JAN

26

NOV

04

DEC

28

NOV

06

DEC

G

03

DEC

11

DEC

G

14

JAN

22

JAN

04

DEC

12

DEC

G

21

JAN

29

JAN

10

DEC

18

DEC

G

28

JAN

05

FEB

13

DEC

21

DEC

G

04

FEB

12

FEB

15

DEC

23

DEC

G

18

FEB

26

FEB

17

DEC

25

DEC

G

03

MAR

11

MAR

19

DEC

27

DEC

G

10

MAR

18

MAR

22

DEC

30

DEC

17

MAR

25

MAR

G G G

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $1075 TRIP PRICE OF $1140 TRIP PRICE OF $1155 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

9 DAYS FROM

1075

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Say goodbye to the cliffs of Dover and bonjour to the streets of Paris. Meet your crew then hit the streets on a driving tour and see the city of love lit up brighter than a polar bear in a coal mine. (D) DAY 2 PARIS (FREE DAY). Paris is home to NotreDame, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower and you’ll see them all, but it’s the food you won’t stop talking about.

Pastries, cheese and even the humble baguette are culinary masterpieces you need to fill your mouth with. (B,D) DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Driving through the Swiss countryside is like watching Monet paint a masterpiece, each mountain on the way to Lauterbrunnen another masterful brushstroke.

Thanks nature. (B,D) DAY 4 SWISS ALPS (FREE DAY). Seventy two waterfalls is too many right? Lauterbrunnen would disagree.

Hop on board the optional Jungfrau Experience, which takes you to the highest train station in Europe – the view is ridic. (B,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. Make a quick stop in Pisa to see the most beautiful #fail ever built. Then to Florence for dinner and an evening of strolling along the real-life watercolour of the Arno River, wishing you were a painter. (B,D) DAY 6 FLORENCE (FREE DAY). Da Vinci, Michelangelo and the birthplace of gelato... Florence shows you what a city can do with 2000 years of inspiration. Try Palazzo Vecchio and the Campanile for starters then pour a glass of Chianti Classico to treat yo’ tastebuds.

(B) DAY 7 FLORENCE TO ROME. Orvieto stop = lunch option fit for the gods. Hercules captured the Erymanthian Boar (really big pig) before throwing it into the ocean and straight onto our plates. Chow down before Rome. A walking tour will get you up to speed on its 2800-year history. (B,D)

ST M O FR G AY N TI 0/D AR 12 $

DAY 8 ROME (FREE DAY). It’s time to pop in on the Pope. Take the optional tour around the Vatican

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Paris city lights tour ++ Local guide in Florence

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

8 breakfasts (B), 6 dinners (D) 4 nights in hostels, 4 nights in bungalows English Channel ferry crossing Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

and see what four years of Michelangelo can do to a ceiling, then nom on some bruschetta and carbonara while discussing things like the Senate, barbarian invasions and how awesome Russell Crowe was in Gladiator. (B) DAY 9 ROME. Alas, unlike the Eternal City our trip must come to an end. Don’t stop now, make like Julius Caesar and conquer the rest of Europe with another trip. (B)

41

ROME

LONDON

10

COUNTRIES VISITED

25

CLUB

18 DAY | W I N T E R R H A P S O D Y MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 VENICE (FREE DAY). See St Mark’s Square, snoop the Doges Palace, cross Rialto Bridge and shop for Carnivale masks. Whatever floats your gondola. (B) DAY 5 VENICE TO SALZBURG, AUSTRIA. Go for baroque and make a date with Mozart on a walking tour of his birthplace. Dinner in a brewery? Schnitz yeah! (B,D) DAY 6 SALZBURG (FREE DAY). Mach out your day shredding in the Alps or let Salzburg seep into your veins with coffee, cake and classical tunes. (B) DAY 7 SALZBURG TO VIENNA. You’ve arrived at Europe’s classiest capital! Celebrate with strudel + Schonnbrunn Palace. (B) DAY 8 VIENNA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY. Bounce into Bratislava and get the 411 then recon’ Hungary’s capital at Buda Castle and Gellért Hill. Pre-dinner snack? Lay into a langos. (B,D) DAY 9 BUDAPEST (FREE DAY). Dip into the art nouveau Gellért Bath, visit the House of Terror and shop your way along Andrássy Ave. (B) DAY 10 BUDAPEST TO KRAKOW, POLAND. Leave the ruin bars behind and crack onto Krakow. Whip around Old Town and Wawel Castle for a real-life game of Dungeons & Dragons before dinner. (B) DAY 11 KRAKOW (FREE DAY). Visit Schindler’s factory.

Dig into a 13th century salt mine. Eat pierogi. Apply for your Polish passport. (B,D) DAY 12 KRAKOW TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Hurry, the Astronomical Clock’s chiming and the

Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Amsterdam bike tour & farewell dinner cruise Vaporetto ride on Grand Canal, Venice Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 17 breakfasts (B), 8 dinners (D) ++ 4 nights free hotel upgrade, 11 nights in hostels, 2 nights in bungalows ++ English Channel ferry crossing ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Guided tours of all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

TRIP CODE: EEWSRL START 11

NOV

28

NOV

DEC

G

18

NOV

05

DEC

NOV

12

DEC

27

NOV

14

DEC

02

DEC

19

DEC

04

DEC

21

DEC

G

G

FINISH 16

JAN

2016 01

JAN

18

JAN

G

04

JAN

21

JAN

G

11

JAN

28

JAN

13

JAN

30

JAN

18

JAN

04

FEB

09

DEC

26

DEC

G

20

JAN

06

FEB

10

DEC

27

DEC

G

27

JAN

13

FEB

16

DEC

02

JAN

G

03

FEB

20

FEB

19

DEC

05

JAN

G

10

FEB

27

FEB

21

DEC

07

JAN

G

24

FEB

12

MAR

23

DEC

09

JAN

G

09

MAR

26

MAR

25

DEC

11

JAN

G

16

MAR

02

APR

28

DEC

14

JAN

23

MAR

09

APR

G G G

G G

TRIP PRICE OF $1940 TRIP PRICE OF $1990

DAY 13 PRAGUE (FREE DAY). Czech out time: Cobbled alleyways, 500 spires and trams galore. Insta locales?

Old Town Square + Prague Castle. (B)

DAY 15 BERLIN (FREE DAY). The must-dos = Checkpoint Charlie, Holocaust Memorial and Third Reich walking tour. After collecting yourself, up the mood with the best wurst of your life. Extra curry, please! (B)

START 30

25

Charles Bridge ain’t going to walk itself. First, a sombre tour at Auschwitz-Birkenau. (B,D)

DAY 14 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. Today: Dresden’s Frauenkirche and a walking tour of this Saxon city before a Napoleonic drive past the Brandenburg Gate. (B,D)

FINISH 2015

TRIP PRICE OF $2045 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

18 DAYS FROM

1940

$

DAY 16 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. See past the Red Light District, buy fromage, don those clogs and explore Holland’s heartland. (B)

USD PER PERSON

DAY 17 AMSTERDAM (FREE DAY). The Netherlands + you = match made in cycling heaven. Do the Van Gogh Museum + Anne Frank House. Don't miss: the Heineken experience. (B,D)

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 18 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Ease the separation anxiety with chocolate and a whip around the belfry in Bruges, then back to Blighty. (B)

AR $1 TIN 08 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 ROME TO VENICE. Wherefore art thou Verona? Kick it at Juliet’s balcony before dinner in the birthplace of prosecco. (B,D)

++ ++ ++ ++

ST

DAY 2 ROME (FREE DAY). Sign up for a Vatican City rendezvous or tack back and forth across the Tiber, taste-testing gelato and mainlining espresso. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: PIAZZA DI SPAGNA, ROME

DAY STOP

DAY 1 ROME, ITALY. They had swords and shields; you can bring your selfie stick. Conquer history’s heavyweights: Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Roman Forum + punish (real) pasta. (D)

42 CLUB

8 DAY | S K I A U S T R I A MAKE YOUR OWN WAY TO KIRCHDORF

1

7

NIGHTS B&B CHALET ACCOMMODATION

9

MEALS

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: AUSTRIAN ALPS

DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EFSKAO START

FINISH

START

2015

23

JAN

FINISH 30

JAN

19

DEC

26

DEC

G

30

JAN

06

FEB

26

DEC

02

JAN

G

06

FEB

13

FEB

28

FEB

07

MAR

07

MAR

14

MAR

2016 02

JAN

09

JAN

09 16

JAN

16

JAN

JAN

23

JAN

G

14

MAR

21

MAR

25

MAR

01

APR

MULTI-SHARE TRIP PRICE OF $745 TWIN/DOUBLE TRIP PRICE OF $820 XMAS/NY MULTI-SHARE TRIP PRICE OF $765 XMAS/NY TWIN/DOUBLE TRIP PRICE OF $845 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

8 DAYS FROM

745

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 1 KIRCHDORF IN TYROL, AUSTRIA. All roads lead to Kirchdorf! Hitch your private shuttle ride from Munich, Innsbruck or Salzburg airports to this charming Alpine village in time for a meeting with your crew and set your snow itin’. Noob or not, you’ll nail it.

DAY 2. Ready, set, shred. St Johann, Oberndorf, Fieberbrunn and Steinplatte ski zones are in yodelling distance, you lucky duck. Plenty of levels so get your groove and go with it. Find all the #trickspo you need at tonight’s ski show. (B) DAY 3. Charge that GoPro, today you hit the slopes like a local. Don’t let your eyes fool you, the postcard perfection is for real. Take notes: Our mountain guides are the piste de resistance. A slab of Tyrolean ribs for tonight’s sustenance = winning. (B) DAY 4. The snow-capped hills (Alps, really) are alive with the sound of carving. You’ve got this down. (B,D) DAY 5. All this pow pow makes for sore legs. Take the cable car up to let gravity—and a cool snow-bike (if you wish!) —do the work on the way down. The pre après-ski hot chocolate, glühwein and schnapps choices are brought to you by: Well-placed slopeside watering holes. (B) DAY 6. Sixteen kms of fresh snow + a toboggan have your name on them today. Hit up Wilder Kaiser to make tracks down the mountain. Eyes on the prize though, it ain’t as easy as it looks. (B,D) DAY 7. How ‘bout them views? So much pretty to take in, but you haven’t really been there without a few sneaky selfies, right? Say edelweiss! (B) DAY 8. Still so much stoke, but it’s time to say goodbye. Swap emails over breakfast before hightailing it back to the real world. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Tobogganing night on the Wilder Kaiser ++ Exclusive Topdeck mountain tour with qualified instructors

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 7 breakfasts (B), 2 dinners including traditional Tyrolean ribs night (D) (3 course meal, vegetarian option available)* ++ 7 nights in a traditional Austrian Bed & Breakfast Chalet ++ English-speaking Topdeck representative. *Tyrolean ribs night will be a Christmas dinner during Christmas week

No need to bring all your gear. You can book everything you need on arrival. Skis, snowboards, helmets and boots.

Then choose lessons (if you need them) and a lift pass (you'll probably need one of these). Easy.

ST M O FR G Y N A TI /D AR $94

43

MADRID

MADRID

3

COUNTRIES VISITED

22

CLUB

15 DAY | R O A D T O M A R R A K E C H MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 4 GRANADA TO CHEFCHAOUEN, MOROCCO. Wave Andalusia goodbye and be blue daba dee daba da in a town known for its pastel colours.

Chefchaouen will chew right through your Instagram feed as you tour the medina and souk. (B,D) DAY 5 CHEFCHAOUEN TO FES. Hightail it to the Mecca of the West with a front-row pano of the rolling Rif Mountains and snow-strewn Middle Atlas Mountains playing out the coach window. Thanks nature. (B) DAY 6 FES (FREE DAY). Tick ‘em off with a local guide: royal palace, Jewish neighbourhood, UNESCO-listed medina and leather tannery. Then hunt down a hammam and lose yourself in the labyrinth of souks and cobblestone streets. (B) DAY 7 FES TO MARRAKECH. Bend it like the berbers back ‘round the Middle Atlas towards Marrakech and get drunk on the colours, smells and vibes of the Red City. (B,D) DAY 8 MARRAKECH (FREE DAY). See the Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Minaret and mosaic madness that is the Saadian Tombs, then work your way past snake charmers and fall into the rhythm of Djemma el-fna square. (B) DAY 9 MARRAKECH TO TANGIER. Wind your way to the oldest city in Morocco – a mashup of modern port, medina, kasbah and ville nouvelle (new city). Walk to Faro Square for epic views over the Gibraltar Strait.

(B,D)

TRIP CODE: EEWPMM START 10

FINISH

START

2015

19

OCT

24

OCT

24

OCT

07

NOV

MORE INCLUSIONS

07

NOV

21

NOV

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

21

NOV

05

DEC

05

DEC

19

DEC

14 Breakfasts (B), 8 dinners (D) 6 nights hotel upgrade, 8 nights in hostel Strait of Gibraltar ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome trip leader + Driver

DEC

FINISH 02

JAN

G G

2016 02

JAN

16

JAN

G

30

JAN

13

FEB

13

FEB

27

FEB

G

27

FEB

12

MAR

TRIP PRICE OF $1990 TRIP PRICE OF $2080 TRIP PRICE OF $2150

DAY 10 TANGIER TO SEVILLE, SPAIN. Leave the tajines for the birthplace of paella and the Moorish brilliance that is the Alcazar. Keep an eye out for Daenerys – Games of Thrones season 5 is being partly filmed here. (B,D)

G = Guaranteed Departure

DAY 11 SEVILLE (FREE DAY). Random fact: Seville’s cathedral (largest in the world) allegedly houses Christopher Columbus’s tomb, but the jury’s still out as to whether he’s really buried there. Do your own investigating then opt in for a fierce flamenco performance. (B)

15 DAYS FROM

DAY 12 SEVILLE TO LISBON, PORTUGAL. Three words you need to know in Lisbon: Pastéis de Belém.

Make a beeline for the famous egg tarts before dinner. (B,D)

Price based on USD Per Person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room.

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

1990

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 13 LISBON (FREE DAY). Catch a yellow tram, hit up a fado club, snap a #selfie in the pink street and save some energy for Bairro Alto for live music and cocktails. (B) DAY 14 LISBON TO MADRID, SPAIN. Cross the border back to the Spanish capital and gorge on a smorgasbord of art history on a driving tour of the city. (B,D) DAYS 15 MADRID. Finish off your trip with some free time to explore Madrid. You'll be back. (B)

AR $1 TIN 33 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 3 GRANADA (FREE DAY). Winter = no crowds through the chiselled kaleidoscope that makes up the Alhambra and the Palacio de Generalife. Get schooled in Islamic architecture with a guided tour then tapas your heart out. (B)

++ Guided tour of the Alhambra, Granada ++ Local guide in Fes & Marrakech ++ Farewell dinner in Madrid

ST

DAY 2 MADRID TO GRANADA. Siesta as we make our way to the base of the Sierra Nevada, aka the land of free tapas (Google it). After dinner, seek out a tetería for Moroccan-style pastries and sweet mint tea. (B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: MARRAKECH

DAY STOP

DAY 1 MADRID, SPAIN. Reset your body clock; you’re on Madrid time now. Meet your crew and get fired up for the trip like a bull seeing red. (D)

44 EXPLORER

14 DAY | W I N T E R B R I T A I N & I R E L A N D LONDON

1

LONDON

5

COUNTRIES VISITED

19

MEALS

STOP & STAY

PHOTO: EDINBURGH CASTLE, EDINBURGH

DAY STOP

TRIP CODE: EXWULL START

FINISH

START

FINISH

2015

27

DEC

09

JAN

29

DEC

11

JAN

G

25

OCT

07

NOV

01

NOV

14

NOV

08

NOV

21

NOV

G

03

JAN

16

JAN

22

NOV

05

DEC

G

10

JAN

23

JAN

G,H

2016

29

NOV

12

DEC

17

JAN

30

JAN

06

DEC

19

DEC

31

JAN

13

FEB

13

DEC

26

DEC

G

28

FEB

12

MAR

21

DEC

03

JAN

G

G

TRIP PRICE OF $2430 TRIP PRICE OF $2485 TRIP PRICE OF $2530 G = Guaranteed Departure H = Hogmanay Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

14 DAYS FROM

2430

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 1 LONDON TO LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. Oxford.

The Uni and the earliest recorded graffiti in the UK. It’s not 'Suz luvs Rob 4eva'. Check it out before we head to Liverpool. Embrace the Beatles/footie/nightlife loving Liverpudlians. (D) DAY 2 LIVERPOOL TO YORK. Yellow or spots for today’s route through Tour de France country?

Either way, arriving into York we’re checking out York Minster. #EnglandSagrada. A pub tea then a ghost walk. Did you just tap my shoulder? (B,D) DAY 3 YORK TO EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND. Roll into the most gothic city outside of Transylvania today. Go Dracula hunting—well, he might have moved—while we explore the highlights on foot. (B,D) DAY 4 EDINBURGH (FREE DAY). Get under the skin and find out why it’s much more than its Gothic architecture. Hot tip: walk to Leith Port and check out the art galleries, great cafés, bars and restaurants. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Visit the world-famous Guinness Storehouse in Dublin ++ Evening ghost walk in York ++ Traditional English Sunday roast in Liverpool ++ Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 13 breakfasts (B), 6 dinners (D) ++ 13 nights hotel & B&B accommodation (twin or double) ++ Irish Sea ferry crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Walking tours in all major cities ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

DAY 5 EDINBURGH (FREE DAY). We’re spoilt today with a second full free day in the capital. Go look for the Loch Ness Monster or check out the city vaults under South Bridge. Spooky. (B)

DAY 11 DUBLIN. Get your bearings and some great shots on a walking tour. Then off to the Guinness Storehouse. At source and free. Rate your pint. This evening, check out that nightlife everyone’s talking about. (B)

DAY 6 EDINBURGH TO GLASGOW. You can’t do Scotland without whisky. Cue a distillery tasting tour then onto the nightlife behemoth we call Glasgow. For a more chilled night choose Merchant City or go sheer crazy on Sauchiehall Street. (B)

DAY 12 DUBLIN TO CARDIFF, WALES. Westlife to Tom Jones. Musical references to live by today.

Otherwise, enjoy the ferry and roll into Cardiff to find out how many Welsh words you can learn in one night. (B)

DAY 7 GLASGOW TO BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND. A lot of history and now a cosmopolitan European city. Look back with a Black Cab tour of the city. (B,D)

DAY 13 CARDIFF (FREE DAY). Do culture in Cardiff (see: Cardiff Castle) or do The Home of Sport (watch a Welsh rugby match; understand the capitalisation). No judgement either way. What’s certain is the nightlife after a final dinner. (B,D)

DAY 8 BELFAST TO GALWAY, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (VIA DERRY). Big Question. How did 40,000 hexagonal rock columns end up in the same place? No matter.

The Giant’s Causeway rocks (pun intended). We’ll arrive in Galway tonight. Drink Guinness. #mustdo. (B) DAY 9 GALWAY (FREE DAY). A free day in the land of ‘craic’. Just enjoy. (B)

ST M O FR G AY N TI 4/D AR 17 $

DAY 10 GALWAY TO DUBLIN. Use the drive wisely.

We suggest The Commitments. Or the scenery. Once in Dublin, dinner’s included. (B,D)

DAY 14 CARDIFF TO LONDON. After a night out in Cardiff our stop-off in Bath could be made by Carlsberg. Classy sights and a Roman Bath. Epic. Spin past Stonehenge and unleash your inner spiritualist before London calls. (B)

45

ROME

ROME

2

COUNTRIES VISITED

15

EXPLORER

11 DAY | W I N T E R B R A V O I T A L I A MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 2 ROME (FREE DAY). Off to the smallest country in the world and St Peter’s Basilica (optional). If you’re a culture vulture, consider taking one of the tours at the Vatican museum or Sistine Chapel or live la dolce vita exploring the streets. (B) DAY 3 ROME TO SORRENTO. Ciao Roma, hello Amalfi Coast: Bucket list Pinterest board material and holiday hotspot for literary thinkers like Dickens, Nietzsche and Goethe. Get inspired and write some postcards after dinner. (B,D) DAY 4 SORRENTO (FREE DAY). Stay seaside or opt in to travel back to 79AD to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient city of Pompeii, which was abruptly buried when near-by Vesuvius erupted all over the place. Tonight, carb up at a local joint of your choosing. Pro tip: Follow the sound of live music. (B) DAY 5 SORRENTO TO ASSISI. On to the hillside town Assisi to meet our local guide and find out how the Basilica of St Francis was built without cranes. Really.

And just how that roof was painted. (B,D) DAY 6 ASSISI TO VENICE. Nature + fast cars en route to Venice today. First: the views from San Marino castle then Maranello for every car geek’s dream.

Hello Ferrari museum. In Venice, canals tick the nature box while man brought the bridges. Very cool.

(B,D)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Gondola ride in Venice Tuscan wine tasting Entry to the Ferrari museum Leather demonstration in Florence Local Italian guides in Assisi & Florence

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

TRIP CODE: EXWIRR START 18

OCT

FINISH

START

2015

27

28

OCT

15

NOV

25

NOV

NOV

09

DEC

06

DEC

16

DEC

28

20

DEC

30

DEC

13

JAN

G

G

G

10

JAN

20

JAN

31

JAN

10

FEB

FEB

09

MAR

MAR

23

MAR

TRIP PRICE OF $1730 TRIP PRICE OF $1790 TRIP PRICE OF $1870

DAY 9 MILAN TO FLORENCE. The only shot to get in Pisa (you know) before we continue through Tuscany.

First up, wine tasting, then Florence. Tip: take a walk to Piazzale Michelangelo. The night views are so worth it. (B)

G = Guaranteed Departure

DAY 10 FLORENCE (FREE DAY). Get to know the city with a local this morning. See: the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. Clock the bell tower beside the main Duomo to avoid the queues and get the same dramatic views.

(B,D)

11 DAYS FROM

DAY 11 FLORENCE TO ROME. Full circle today as we head back to the capital to say goodbye. But first, Orvieto for your life's first wild boar panini (if you’re game). (B)

06 2016

29

10 breakfasts (B), 5 dinners (D) 10 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader

FINISH

DEC

PHOTO: ROME

DAY STOP

DAY 1 ROME, ITALY. We’ve got a date. Meet your Trip Leader and check out the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and the Colosseum. And then dinner. #toogoodtobetrue. (D)

Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

1730

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 7 VENICE (FREE DAY). Bridges and boats.

A walking tour means our day starts with minus calories. Choose your poison for lunch then jump on a gondola to see the Grand Canal. Perfecto. (B)

ST

AR $1 TIN 58 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 8 VENICE TO MILAN. Dust off (and maybe iron) those glad rags today. Milan is Italy’s fashion capital and the residents know it. Expect three-thousandeuro knee high boots and tailored coats. Just saying.

(B)

47

REYKJAVIK

REYKJAVIK

1

COUNTRIES VISITED

4

EXPLORER

4 DAY | I C E L A N D E X P L O R E R MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 3 REYKJAVIK (FREE DAY). Swap natural wonders for city life with a free day in über-cool Reykjavik.

Check out the views from Hallgrímskirkja then hit up the half-submerged City Hall and grab a coffee with half your body under the waterline. Surreal.

If you're a nature-lover, don't miss the Golden Circle for 300km of the very best Icelandic landscapes. Also, the UNESCO Heritage Site Thingvellir National Park

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 3 breakfasts (B), 1 dinner (D) ++ 3 nights hotel accommodation (twin or double) ++ Awesome Trip Leader hosts the country’s first Parliament as well as Geysir (you got that one, right?) and Gullfoss Falls.

Come nightfall, there are foodie haunts abound. Local delicacies like smoked sheep head or rotten shark = a little too much for most. But we’re up for a roll from the world's best hot dog stand. Bill Clinton allegedly rates it. For something even more local, head to the other end of the lake for great food and great views.

Worth the trip. Be warned, the best nightlife starts late. Like midnight. (B) DAY 4 REYKJAVIK. Farewells today. Don’t get too upset. You ticked off a bucket list killer. (B)

TRIP CODE: EXICJJ START

FINISH

START

2015

FINISH 2016

12

NOV

15

NOV

14

JAN

17

JAN

G

26

NOV

29

NOV

G

28

JAN

31

JAN

G

10

DEC

13

DEC

G

18

FEB

21

FEB

G

23

DEC

26

DEC

G

03

MAR

06

MAR

10

MAR

13

MAR

2015

TRIP PRICE OF $870 TRIP PRICE OF $980 G = Guaranteed Departure Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

4 DAYS FROM

870

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

AR $2 TIN 18 G /D FR AY OM

As if life couldn’t (or shouldn’t) get any better than that, wait ‘til tonight. We’re off chasing the Northern Lights. Visibility can’t be guaranteed but if you nail that shot you won’t need to take another photo again.

Ever. (B)

++ Tour of the Blue Lagoon with local guide ++ Northern Lights tour ++ An introduction to Iceland’s nightlife

ST

DAY 2 REYKJAVIK. Off to the Blue Lagoon today.

Sounds like something out of Disney and looks like something from space. Lunar landscape. Natural geothermal pools. The chance to explore and swim. In winter. Outside. Iceland is awesome.

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

PHOTO: REYKJAVIK

DAY STOP

DAY 1 REYKJAVIK, ICELAND. With landscapes like this, Iceland might as well be its own solar system.

Make your own way to your accommodation for a date with your Trip Leader and fellow #topdeckers.

Make friends, swap travel legends and grab some drinks. This is going to be epic. (D)

49

PRAGUE

BUDAPEST

5

COUNTRIES VISITED

12

CHRISTMAS & NYE

9 DAY | E A S T E R N L I G H T S MEALS

1

STOP & STAY

DAY 2 PRAGUE (25 DEC). Ho, ho, holy moly it’s Christmas day! It’s time to prep the roast and peel those potatoes (don’t worry we’ll do that, you just go check out Charles Bridge and the Castle District). At lunch we’ll show you Santa Claus didn’t forget you, he just hit the kitchen instead of the workshop. (B,L) DAY 3 PRAGUE TO KRAKOW, POLAND (26 DEC).

Wawel Castle could only be built after a cobbler’s apprentice did the impossible: He slayed a dragon with a sheep full of sulphur. A city with history like that needs to be explored so we take you through Old Town and the largest medieval market square in Europe. (B,D) DAY 4 KRAKOW (27 DEC). Make yourself a ‘seasoned’ traveller by taking the optional tour through the Wieliczka Salt Mine. It houses 30 statues, a cathedral and has more than 3.5 kilometres of walking tracks.

Did we mention its goes 327 metres underground? (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Guided tour of former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau

TRIP CODE: EFELPB START 24

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 8 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 3 dinner (D) ++ 8 nights hostel accommodation (multi-share) ++ Awesome Trip Leader

FINISH DEC

JAN

TRIP PRICE OF $1135 Price based on USD Per Person twin-share/double 5% reduction for triple-share TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

gorge on goulash and langos. New Year’s resolutions haven’t started yet. (B,D)

9 DAYS FROM

DAY 8 BUDAPEST (31 DEC). Watch the Danube explode with fireworks while everyone yells “boldog új évet”. You can just say “Happy New Year” because pronouncing that looks harder than a cobblestone street. (B)

USD PER PERSON

DAY 9 BUDAPEST (1 JAN). It sucks to start the New Year by saying goodbye. Make your resolution to book another trip because it’s ski season and Austria is right around the corner. (B)

1

1135

PHOTO: HEROES SQUARE, BUDAPEST

DAY STOP

DAY 1 PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (24 DEC). A giant Christmas tree with more decorations than a Liberace concert, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, the smell of mulled wine and stalls that put Santa’s workshop to shame... Welcome to Prague’s Christmas markets.

$

All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss out.

DAY 5 KRAKOW TO BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA (28 DEC). We tour through Auschwitz-Birkenau in remembrance of the atrocities played out there before heading to Slovakia. A guided tour through Bratislava will perk you up again, just in time to make the most of a city that has a UFO for a restaurant (if you’ve got the funds). (B,D) DAY 6 BRATISLAVA TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA (29 DEC).

Mozart, Beethoven and Freud called Vienna home and they left a huge impression on the world. The reason?

Lots and lots of coffee. Visit a wiener kaffeehaus (coffee house) before getting Bach on track with an optional Viennese Concert. (B)

ST

AR $1 TIN 27 G /D FR AY OM

DAY 7 VIENNA TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (30 DEC).

Swap the classical symphony for some serious soaking in one of Budapest’s 80+ thermal springs and

+ s a m t s i r h C s ' r a e Y w e N 'TIS THE SEASON TO GET FESTIVE Take a different twist on your normal holiday traditions and join us for a short and sharp trip to your favourite European capital. Shop 'til you drop at the Christmas markets in Bruges, party it up in Amsterdam and Berlin or defrost with a sangria in Madrid or Lisbon. Sounds like a plan.

CHOOSE YOUR CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE BRUGES CHRISTMAS MARKETS 1

BREAKFAST

1

BRUGES CHRISTMAS 3

DINNER

TRIPCODE: EFWBCM 5 - 6 DEC, 12 - 13 DEC, 19 - 20 DEC

LONDON

LONDON

BREAKFAST

1

PARIS CHRISTMAS 3

LUNCH

BREAKFAST

LONDON

LUNCH

1

DINNER

TRIPCODE: EFCPLL 24 - 27 DEC

TRIPCODE: EFCBLL 24 - 27 DEC

LONDON

1

LONDON

LONDON

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

++ ++ ++ ++ ++

++ ++ ++ ++

Walking tour of Bruges Experience the Bruges Christmas Markets 1 breakfast (B), 1 dinner (D) 1 night hostel accommodation (multi-share) Modern air-conditioned coach Return ferry crossings Awesome Trip Leader

2 DAYS

285

$

Walking tours of Bruges & Brussels Belgian Christmas lunch Belgian chocolate shop visit 3 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) 3 nights hostel accommodation (multi-share) ++ Return ferry crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

4 DAYS

USD Per Person

495

$

Paris city lights tour Seine river cruise ticket Christmas lunch 3 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), 1 dinner (D) 3 nights hostel accommodation (multi-share) Return ferry crossings Modern air-conditioned coach Awesome Trip Leader + Driver

++ ++ ++ ++

4 DAYS

USD Per Person

525

$

USD Per Person

51 CHRISTMAS & NYE

CHOOSE YOUR NYE ADVENTURE ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

LOCAL INCLUSIONS

++ ++ ++ ++ ++

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++

Guided city orientation tour 3-4 nights hostel accommodation (Hogmanay: hostel or hotel) Epic times with new friends Unique local inclusions Awesome Trip Leader

BARCELONA NYE 3

BREAKFAST

1

BERLIN NYE 3

DINNER

TRIPCODE: EFNSH4 29 DEC - 1 JAN

430

3

DINNER

555

*

BREAKFAST

3

360

USD PER PERSON

*Coach transfer from London included in trip price.

USD PER PERSON

BREAKFAST

DINNER

395

USD PER PERSON

1

HOGMANAY (4/5 DAYS) 3/4 BREAKFAST

DINNER

TRIPCODE: EFNLH4 29 DEC -1 JAN

360

1

TRIPCODE: EFNMH4 29 DEC - 1 JAN

LISBON NYE

DINNER

BREAKFAST

$

USD PER PERSON

1

3

DINNER

390

TRIPCODE: EFBPH4 29 DEC - 1 JAN

$

2

TRIPCODE: EFNPH4 29 DEC - 1 JAN

BUDAPEST NYE

TRIPCODE: EFNAH4 29 DEC - 1 JAN

$

BREAKFAST

MADRID NYE

$

USD PER PERSON

1

3

DINNER

$

AMSTERDAM NYE BREAKFAST

1

TRIPCODE: EFNBH4 29 DEC - 1 JAN

USD PER PERSON

3

BREAKFAST

PRAGUE NYE

420

$

Amsterdam: NYE party & canal cruise dinner Budapest: Entry to House of Terror museum Barcelona: Entry to La Sagrada Familia Hogmanay: Entry to Street party Madrid: Entry to the Royal Palace Lisbon: Entry to Sao Jorge Castle

$

USD PER PERSON

TRIPCODE: EFNEH4/EFNEH5 29/30 DEC - 2 JAN

490

$

USD PER PERSON EFNEH4 - HOTEL

830

$

*

USD PER PERSON EFNEH5 - HOSTEL

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Over 42 days nil

It is our intention to set out clearly and simply the responsibilities which we at Top Deck Tours Ltd, Level One, 107 Power Road, London, W4 5PY England, a company registered in the UK (UK Registration number 04905253), hereafter referred to as “Topdeck, us or we” have to You, your heirs, executors and assigns and any member of your party and their heirs, executors and assigns (“You”) and which You, in turn, have to us when a contract is made between us.

You should therefore read and understand the contents.

42-29 days

$50

28-14 days

$75

13-7 days

$100

6-0 days

$200

All trips in this brochure are operated by Topdeck and Your contract will be with Top Deck as the operator All Topdeck trips are sold subject to the following conditions (“these Conditions”).

1. (a) Please note that our trips are designed for young people between the ages of 18 to 39 years. We may in special circumstances approve persons outside this range. If You are 17 years of age and wish to book on one of our trips, please contact us before making a booking as we will require the written consent of your parent or guardian. We reserve the sole right to decline a booking request from You should we think our trips are not suited to You. (b) A contract between You and us will exist as soon as we issue an invoice in response to your request for a booking and the deposit has been paid to your travel agent or us.

BOOKING YOUR TRIP 2. Bookings can be made either through your local travel agent or with us direct and must be secured with a deposit of $200 per person(or $100 per person for Christmas/New Year trips of 5 days or less as featured on pages 50&51 of this brochure) paid at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable unless we cancel your trip. If You are making a booking within 42 days of departure, then full payment is required PROVIDED HOWEVER that if the trip comprises a special offer we may require full payment including any pre and post accommodation and sundry service charges to be paid at the time specified in the offer. Your booking is taken to be confirmed, and accepted when we issue an invoice. If your booking is made through a travel agent, we will address all correspondence to that travel agent. All monies paid by You to the travel agent will be held by them on behalf of Topdeck. If You arrange your trip direct with us, all correspondence and communications will be sent to your address in our booking file unless You specify otherwise. Balance of all payments is required at least 42 days prior to your trip departure date. If You do not pay within this period we may deem your booking cancelled and your deposit forfeited.

3. Alterations or cancellations by You after your booking has been accepted will be effected subject to the provisions of clauses 5, 6 and 7 of these Conditions.

4. Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and exchange rates at 20 April 2015. These prices may increase or decrease and we reserve the sole right to alter prices and other particulars contained in our brochures and on our website. Price changes in trips featured in subsequent brochure versions will supersede the prices in this brochure. (The version date is indicated on the back cover of this brochure). Before You make a booking we will provide You with details of the current price of your chosen trip This will also be displayed on the website. Once You have accepted this price and your booking has been confirmed in accordance with clause 2 that price will remain fixed and will not be subject to surcharges.

5. You must clearly state all your requirements at the time of booking. Please note that any dietary requirements will be a request only. We cannot guarantee special dietary requirements nor will we assume any responsibility or liability if your special requirements cannot be fulfilled. If You want to change any aspect of your booking including but not limited to a change to a trip of shorter duration or different departure date You must notify us as soon as possible in writing. We will do our best to accommodate your requested changes but You will be required to pay an amendment fee of $60 per person per change.

If a request is made less than 42 days before departure, normal cancellation fees will apply in accordance with clause 7 unless the transfer or change is to an earlier departure of the same trip. In the event of a request for a change to be made a new invoice will be issued by Topdeck and cancellation charges/ amendment fees will be shown. All amendment fees are payable within 7 days of the issue of a new invoice or on the date of departure, whichever is the sooner.

6. If You are prevented from traveling as a result of illness, the death of an immediate family member, jury service, or other reason beyond your control which we consider significant, we will agree to your booking being transferred to another person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the trip, subject to You and the other person accepting liability for full payment of the trip cost and any additional costs arising from the transfer PROVIDED THAT we must be given at least 21 days written notice of the proposed change.

CANCELLATION BY YOU 7. Cancellation of a booking by You must be made in writing. We will not regard a booking as cancelled unless and until written notice is received by us. On cancellation the following charges will apply: Days before Departure

% of trip cost forfeited

Pre/post accomm

London Transfers

Over 42 days

Deposit

Nil

Nil

42-29 days

40%

40%

Nil

28-14 days

60%

60%

Nil

13-7 days

80%

100%

Nil

6-3 days

90%

100%

100%

2-0 days

100%

100%

100%

CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION BY US 8. Every effort will be made to operate all trips as advertised but it must be remembered that our trips are planned up to eighteen months in advance.

We therefore reserve the sole right, at our discretion, to modify or cancel any trip, accommodation or arrangement at any time. We will notify You as soon as possible of any changes and they will form part of our contract with You. In the case of any material modification or cancellation, we will, if possible, provide You with three alternatives: (1) a trip of an equivalent or closely similar standard and price, if available; (2) a trip of a lower standard together with a refund of the difference in price; or (3) cancellation with a full refund of all monies paid.

9. A material modification is one which has a serious effect on your trip and includes a change of departure date, departure point or airport, or change of departure time of more than twelve hours, which would cause substantial inconvenience to You. We do not consider a change of accommodation, or transport style a material change.

10. We will endeavor not to materially modify or cancel the trip within 42 days of the date of the scheduled departure unless compelled to do so because of circumstances beyond our reasonable control. If a material modification or cancellation is made by us within six weeks of the scheduled departure date for reasons other than Force Majeure in accordance with clause 21 You will receive compensation as stated in the scale below.

Period before scheduled departure date that we notify You or your travel agent together with the compensation offered.

11. Topdeck reserves to itself the sole right to require a minimum number of participants for certain trips and in the event that there are insufficient bookings recorded by not later than 42 days before the scheduled departure date we will be entitled to cancel the scheduled trip, whereupon all monies paid by You for your Topdeck trip shall be refunded but no further compensation will be paid and You and Topdeck hereby agree to mutually release each other from any further obligations which would have been enforceable had the trip not been cancelled.

12. We reserve the right to alter or substitute the type or size of vehicle, or style of transport mentioned in the brochure, depending on the number of passengers carried, which can vary from trip to trip. Normally the maximum group size is 48 passengers. Please also note there are strict laws in Europe governing Driver’s driving hours and this may necessitate utilizing public transport in some cities.

OUR LIABILITY TO YOU

return to the point of the trip departure where your condition manifests itself after the trip departure. Further, if the trip involves travel by air, the captain of your aircraft can refuse to allow You to fly on the aircraft if he believes that You could be dangerous or disruptive to other passengers on the flight.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS 24. Please ensure You carefully read your invoice, tickets and all other documents we send to You as soon as You receive them, and contact your travel agent, or us immediately if any information appears to be incorrect. We will not accept any liability if You fail to notify us of any inaccuracy in any document within 14 days of us sending them to You or your agent. While we will do our best to rectify any changes made outside this time, it is your responsibility to meet any additional costs which may be involved, except in the case of an error made by Topdeck and where there is reasonable justification for You not contacting us within the specified time. You are responsible for ensuring that all necessary travel documents including, but not limited to, passports, visas and vaccination certificates are valid and subsisting. We strongly recommend that You verify current documentation requirements and all other relevant protocols and procedures associated with your trip with your travel agent or us.

Please note requirements change and you must check with your Consulate for the most up to date information, including but not limited to Visa requirements for the countries visited on your Trip. Passports must have an expiry date of at least six months after completion of the trip.

13. Save where the provisions of Force Majeure apply, in the event that the trip does not reasonably comply with the description in the brochure, Topdeck may compensate You to a maximum value equal to twice the price of the trip but excluding insurance premiums and amendment fees AND Topdeck will only be liable to pay the maximum amount of compensation where there has been a total failure of consideration for your payment. Where the failure to provide such trip is not caused by any fault of Topdeck, its agents or suppliers or is caused by or contributed to by You, Topdeck will not be liable to pay any compensation.

INSURANCE

14. If You are killed, injured or become ill during or as a result of, carriage by ship, train or coach forming part of the trip in circumstances where such death, injury or illness is not caused by or contributed to by You our liability to pay damages and/or the amount of compensation we will be liable to pay is limited in accordance with the liability of a carrier under any international Convention applicable to such events, including, but not limited to:

26. You hereby indemnify us against all third-party actions taken against us for loss or damage caused by You or arising from your participation on the trip.

• In respect of carriage by sea: the Athens Convention 1974; • In respect of carriage by rail, the Berne Convention 1961; and, * In respect of carriage by road, the Geneva Convention 1973.

15. The terms of these Conventions are incorporated into and form part of our contract with You. You should know that the carrier will rely upon its ‘conditions of carriage’ which may limit or remove the carrier’s liability to You and limit compensation under any international Conventions.

16. In the event that Topdeck (or its insurers) make any payment to You for death, personal injury or illness, You must give us or our insurers all and any rights You may have to take action against the party responsible for causing the death, personal injury or illness and You must co-operate fully with us in seeking recovery of any payment we may make from such party.

25. You must take out comprehensive travel insurance before You travel on your trip. Your insurance protection must include cover for cancellation, medical and repatriation expenses, personal injury and accident, death and loss of personal baggage and money and personal liability insurance. Evidence of such insurances must be produced to Topdeck on request and normally on day one of your trip. Insurance cover offered by credit card companies or reciprocal medical cover agreements are often not comprehensive.

27. In the event of You making a claim against Topdeck arising out of the trip, You hereby assign to us, any rights to take action against any third party supplier or any other person or party that Topdeck reasonably considers to be a party to the action and to co-operate fully with Topdeck should Topdeck or its insurers wish to enforce those rights which have been assigned to Topdeck.

28. In the event that You make a claim against us which is covered by your insurance policy, You agree to pursue the claim through your insurer either in addition to, or in substitution for, your claim against us (if any). We agree to indemnify You in respect of reasonable expenses incurred in successfully pursuing such a claim and acknowledge that any settlement made by the insurer shall not prejudice your rights against us.

29. In the event of You not making a claim before 5 working days of the maximum length of time permitted by your policy, You must assign, by letter sent by courier delivery to Topdeck not less than 5 working days prior to the said specified time, the benefit of the policy and give immediate notice of such an assignment to your insurer.

COMPLAINTS

17. Your booking is accepted on the understanding that You appreciate the possible risks inherent in adventure travel and that You undertake the trips featured in this brochure of your own volition. Every effort will be made to operate all trips featured in this brochure but because of the number of countries visited on trips there may be a necessity to vary the itinerary from that stated in the brochure, and delays may occur for a variety of reasons beyond our control. The need for a flexible attitude to this type of travel is stressed in our publication. The final decision on the itinerary and the content of the trip will be taken by the Trip Leader, as appointed by us in the interest of the group as a whole. Please note that due to Public holidays some sights or activities may not be available on a particular trip.

30. In the event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any other service provided by Topdeck, You must report it immediately to the Trip Leader so that action can be taken to remedy the problem. Failure to notify the Trip Leader of any problem immediately may prejudice Topdeck and may result in your ability to claim compensation from us being extinguished or reduced.

Any complaint made to Topdeck following the conclusion of the trip should be made in writing within 28 days of completion of the trip. In the event that You do not notify us in writing within 28 days, Topdeck’s ability to investigate the complaint may be prejudiced and may extinguish your claim.

18. No refund will be made for services made available by Topdeck but which for whatever reason are not used by You once the trip has departed.

31. Topdeck has measures in place to protect the personal booking information held by it. However, in order to make your booking and ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly, we need to use the information You provide and pass it on to other relevant suppliers who are responsible for parts of your travel arrangements. In making this booking, your consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons is deemed to be given unless You object and advise Topdeck of your objection at the time of booking.

The information may also be provided to public authorities such as Customs or Immigration if required by them, or as required by law. This consent applies to any sensitive information that You give to us such as details of any disabilities or dietary/religious requirements.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS 19. Topdeck and/or its associated staff partners and suppliers makes no warranties or representations in relation to implied or explicit suggestion and/or recommendation for services, activities and events not highlighted as included in the related trip(s). Information not explicitly noted as included is provided ‘as is”’ and intended to be general in nature so may not be suitable for your particular needs. It is essential that you ensure that any/all risk associated with getting to/from, the participation in or visitation of any area, activity, event or venue is in-line with your expectations and suitably covered under your travel insurance 20. During Your trip You will be offered the chance to purchase various optional excursions and activities. Topdeck does not own, operate or control any of the companies or individuals which provide the optional activities or excursions. Some of the optional activities and excursions, such as canyoning are inherently risky. If You want to take part in such optional activities or excursions You must be fit enough to do so and must follow all reasonable instructions.

The standards of health and safety which will be adopted by the company or the individual providing the optional activity or excursion will be those of the country where the optional activity or excursion takes place. Please note that these standards may not be the same as You would find in the UK, or in Your home country. If You wish to book any optional excursion or activity, You may do so subject to the operator’s terms and conditions. Your contract will be with the operator of the activity or excursion and will be governed by local law.

Topdeck acts only as their agent. Topdeck’s Trip Leader will have further details and additional information can be found on our website. Topdeck accepts no liability for any act or omission of any operator, its employees, agents or sub-contractors.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY – FORCE MAJEURE 21. We do not accept liability for any loss, damage or expense resulting from war or terrorist activities threatened or actual, civil unrest, industrial action threatened or actual, weather conditions, fire, flood, drought, closures, unforeseen alterations to public transport schedules, rescheduling of aircraft or boats, epidemic or outbreaks of illness or any other event outside our control which either delays or extends or reduces the trip, or compels a change in the trip arrangements after departure.

CONTRAVENTION OF LAW We will not be responsible for any loss or damage sustained by You as a result of a contravention of any law or regulation of any of the countries visited while on the trip.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS 22. If You have a medical condition or disability which may affect your trip, we ask that You inform us in writing at the time of booking the trip of any special arrangements required by You so that we are able to advise as to the suitability of those arrangements. If we reasonably feel we are unable to satisfactorily accommodate your particular needs, we reserve the right to decline the booking or ask for You to be accompanied by a person who is able to provide full assistance to You throughout your trip.

YOUR LIABILITY TO US 23. You will not be permitted to embark or continue on the trip if your mental or physical condition is, in the reasonable opinion of any representative of Topdeck, such as to render You incapable of caring for yourself, or whereby You become objectionable to other passengers, or You become a hazard to yourself or other passengers. We will not be responsible for expenses resulting in You being precluded from completing the trip for any reason, nor will we refund You any part of your trip cost. In all cases we will notify You of the reasons why we have taken this action. We will have no obligation to arrange for your

DATA PROTECTION

SMOKING 32. Topdeck operates a non-smoking policy on our coaches (although we make frequent stops for breaks), and in most of our accommodation.

LUGGAGE 33. There are strict weight limits for coaches when fully loaded. Therefore You are only entitled to have one piece of main luggage of standard size (see the pre-departure information or our website for size limits), and not weighing more than 20kg. In addition You may bring a daypack.

GENERAL 34. You understand that future Topdeck advertising and publicity material may include statements made by passengers, or their photographs, and You consent to such use of your comments or photographic/video likeness.

35. No servant, agent, employee or representative of the Company has any right to alter, vary or waive any of these Conditions, nor undertake any activity likely to lead to increased liability whatsoever on behalf of Topdeck unless such be in writing and signed by a duly authorised person.

36. All contracts for bookings made with Topdeck, for trips in this brochure, are governed by English law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts in the UK, should any dispute between us not be otherwise amicably agreed.

37. Interpretation • In these Conditions, any words importing the singular or plural numbers shall include the plural or singular number respectively or words importing a particular gender shall include all genders.

• Notice required to be given in writing in these Conditions may be given by mail, facsimile transmission or email.

How 01

02

03

04

05

21

XX DAY | T R I P N A M E 01

START

FINISH

XX

COUNTRIES VISITED

XX

TRIP STYLE

We’ve created this handy reference to help you understand the ins and outs of our itineraries and make an educated decision on the best trip for you.

Go forth and explore, grasshopper!

TO READ OUR ITINERARIES MEALS

THE BASICS. Where you start, finish and top line inclusions.

BUCKET LIST (INCLUSIONS).

This is where the fun starts and it’s all included.

Compare bucket list items and highlight inclusions for each trip.

ITINERARY. A magical string of words that gives you the lowdown on where we go, what we do and the awesomeness you will encounter on the way.

Things not mentioned on the bucket list may not be included, but are too awesome to leave out.

MAP. Everyone’s favourite way to visually make sense of the world since 600 B.C. Also super useful to get the lay of the land and understand what regions you will cover on your trip.

TRIP CODE. Use this to book a trip through our website or when you talk to your travel agent. Not useful for Scrabble so don’t even go there.

04

1

STOP & STAY DAY STOP

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)

02

START

FINISH

11

24

OCT

25

03 MORE INCLUSIONS

05

TRIP CODE: XXXXXX

OCT

OCT

07

NOV

08

NOV

21

NOV

15

NOV

28

NOV

22

NOV

05

START

FINISH

G

26

DEC

08

02

JAN

G

03

JAN

16

JAN

10

JAN

23

JAN

06

15

JAN JAN

DEC

G

24

JAN

29

NOV

12

DEC

G

31

JAN

13

04

DEC

17

DEC

14

FEB

27

FEB

06

DEC

19

DEC

G

28

FEB

12

MAR

G

FEB FEB

11

DEC

24

DEC

13

MAR

26

MAR

13

DEC

26

DEC

G

20

MAR

02

APR

19

DEC

01

JAN

G

27

MAR

09

APR

G

06

G

TRIP PRICE OF $XXXX

08

TRIP PRICE OF $XXXX

TRAVELLED WITH US BEFORE? Aw, shucks, here’s 5% OFF your next trip!

XX DAYS FROM

PRICE

$

FOOD FUNDS. A breakdown of how much of your total trip price goes towards food, port charges and sailing costs. These items are included in the final price and won’t cause any surprises in your travel budget.

FOOD. Think: heaps of included, locally sourced meals with an authentic twist. Swiss fondue? Check. Dinner cruise? Check.

Dinner at Hofbräuhaus. You got it.

08

PER PERSON

PRICE. The starting price of your adventure and goal amount for your piggy bank, excluding add-ons and optional activities.

GET AROUND. Good wheels make good trips. Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned and generally considered pieces of art in their own right, our fleet of coaches will get you there in style.

07

TRIP PRICE OF $XXXX

AR $X TIN XX G /D FR AY OM

07

TRAVEL DATES. Planned departure dates for the upcoming travel season. Trips marked with a ‘G’ are guaranteed, which means just that. Check our website regularly for updated departures.

ST

06

NO TIPPING. We do what we do because we're passionate about showing young people the world. This means all TLC is included in your trip price and not charged on your last day. We're awesome like that.

FREE TIME. We've got the bucket list inclusions sorted, accommodation booked and heaps of time built in to let you explore the world at your own pace.

It's your trip, your way.

HOW TO READ OUR ITINERARIES | 53

MAPS X DAY T R I P N A M E TRIP CODE

PAGE

Hotel

01

Trip name & duration

02

Trip code & page number

28 DAY W I N T E R E X P E D I T I O N EHWXLL

P.18

PAGES 18 - 31

+3 STAR HOTELS

TWIN SHARE

DAYS TRIP NAME

CODE

FROM-TO

EHWWLR/EHWDLR

P.33

EEWGLL

P.43

8 - 28 DAY TRIP LENGTH

9 DAY H A D R I A N ' S P A T H W A Y P.25

EHWWRL

P.35

EEWSLL

18 DAY W I N T E R G E T A W A Y

15 DAY R O A D T O M A R R A K E C H EEWPMM

Shorter trips (sectors) available as part of the full itinerary.

P.24

13 DAY F E S T I V E E S C A P E EEFELL

03

8 DAY P A R A D E S T O P I A Z Z A S

14 DAY W I N T E R W O N D E R EHWWLL

P.

10 DAY B I G R E D T O R E D S T A R P.27

EHWBHM

P36

EEWSPL

24 DAY W I N T E R S P I R I T

Exp lorer PAGES 44 - 47

+3 STAR HOTELS

TWIN SHARE

4 - 14 DAY TRIP LENGTH

P.28

7 DAY W I N T E R W A L T Z P.38

14 DAY W I N T E R B R I T A I N & I R E L A N D

11 DAY W I N T E R B R A V O I T A L I A

EXWULL

EXWIRR

P.44

P.45

16 DAY T R A I L T O T H E A L P S EHWXLU

21 DAY W I N T E R P A T H W A Y P.20

EHWXRL

P.21

EHWXUL

14 DAY C A E S A R ' S P A T H W A Y

20 DAY D I S C O V E R W I N T E R EHWDLL

14 DAY W I N T E R S O I R É E

EHWDRL

P.29

10 DAY E A S T E R N J O U R N E Y P.22

C lu b

P.31

EHWXHG

P.23

11 DAY W I N T E R E X P R E S S EEWNLL

P.32

PAGES 32 - 43 HOTELS, HOSTELS & CABINS

QUAD SHARE

DAYS TRIP NAME 10 Day Roman Trail 10 Day Democracy Road

CODE FROM-TO EHWDRP Rome-Prague EHWDHL Budapest-London

7 DAY S P I R E S I N T H E S N O W EEWSHP

18 DAY W I N T E R R H A P S O D Y

9 DAY M A R C H O N R O M E P.39

4 DAY I C E L A N D E X P L O R E R EXICJJ

7 - 24 DAY TRIP LENGTH

P. 30 30

P.47

EEWSLR

P.40

Festivals

EEWSRL

8 DAY S K I A U S T R I A P.41

9 DAY E A S T E R N L I G H T S EFELPB

EFSKAO

P.42

2-5 DAY C H R I S T M A S & N Y E

P.50

P.49

PAGES 48 - 51 HOSTELS & HOTELS TWIN/ QUAD SHARE 2 - 9 DAY TRIP LENGTH MAPS | 55

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