We realise that everyone’s different – which is why our trips offer loads of free time to play, discover and channel your inner explorer. It’s your trip, your way. Hit the road in modern coaches, stay at unique, handpicked accommodation, get around in purpose-built transport and hang out with other young explorers bent on seeing the world.
Keen to start ticking off your Bucket List?
We hear you. Our trips include all the mustsee, must-do activities, with plenty of topnotch local fare to recharge your batteries in between stops – meaning you can spend your money where it matters, and focus on satisfying your thirst for adventure.
After all, it’s a thirst for adventure that started it all. We had a group of mates, some wheels and enough wanderlust to make most mothers worried. More than forty years into this crazy ride and us Topdeckers are still discovering new places to see, and unforgettable experiences to make our trips that little bit more awesome.
So that’s us, but this is about you. It’s time to live large, dream big and squeeze life for all it’s worth. The rest can wait.
Ready to pack your bags? Let’s talk.
What's in this brochure
04 WHY TOPDECK
It’s your trip, your way. Let us make your travel dreams a reality.
PICK YOUR STYLE
05 EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES
Gondola down the Grand Canal in Venice, devour macarons under the Eiffel Tower, or set sail on the turquoise waters of Greece. The adventure is yours.
All travellers are different. Some like creature comforts, others like discovering up-and-coming destinations – some even like a crazy-costume hostel party. As long as you have the urge to explore, experience new things and meet awesome people, you’ll find that our trip styles cater to (almost) everyone. BYO fondness for a really good time.
Hostel Plus
Get the most out of your Topdeck trip, without breaking the bank. Enjoy modern, multi-share hostel rooms with like-minded explorers, with plenty of hotel upgrades and bucket list experiences to boot. Our most social trip style, Hostel Plus is perfect for fun-seeking travellers who are looking for a taste of adventure. STARTING P.07
Hotel
Enjoy the luxury of handcrafted itineraries with plenty of included creature comforts. Spoil yourself rotten with en-suite hotel accommodation, mouthwatering meals and a bit more time to spend on yourself. You deserve it. STARTING P.06
Combo
Shoestring travel doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Pitch your tent, grab your mates and hit the pool. Your tent kit comes with a private chef, lots of epic meals and at some destinatinations, swimming pools and nightclubs (not kidding). Our Combo trips are designed to be social and budget-friendly with plenty of hostel and hotel upgrades. STARTING P.10
TOPDECK TOPDECK
DELICIOUS FOOD FREEDOM TO EXPLORE VALUE FOR MONEY
LASTING FRIENDSHIPS
PASSION & EXPERTISE
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Topdeck exclusive
EXPERIENCES EXPERIENCES
FEATURE EXPERIENCE
SAILING IN GREECE
Spin the compass and experience paradise, the Topdecker way. Learn the ropes, navigate through the azure waters of the Med, and then laze on board like the god or goddess that you are.
PICNIC BY THE EIFFEL TOWER
Complete your foodie mission with a picnic under the Eiffel Tower and watch Paris sparkle for your first ‘wow’ moment. Not just for the loved-up couples and romantics, we promise.
WALKING TOUR OF ROME
Epic cities deserve epic walking tours, naturally. Cross off some red hot ruins, oodles of obelisks and make sure to refuel on pizza and espresso shots. Obviously.
PARIS, FRANCE
ROME, ITALY
GREEK ISLANDS, GREECE
8 DAY | IRISH ADVENTURE
DAY 1 DUBLIN, IRELAND. Dial-up the craic as we meet up in Dublin this afternoon, and then get your bearings and some great shots (hello Instagram) on a walking tour.
DAY 2 DUBLIN TO BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND. From the capital of the South to the capital of the North today. Hit up the Cathedral Quarter for street art and murals coupled with cool venues the locals don’t want you to know about. For history buffs there’s a choice of a Black Cab tour or why not visit the Titanic museum? (B,D)
DAY 3 BELFAST TO GALWAY, IRELAND. Play a giant’s game of hopscotch as we visit the famous Giant’s Causeway before heading for Derry. After a quick stop, we’re on to Galway. Tune your GPS on a walking tour then make a return to the main street for local shops and cool cafés. (B)
DAY 4 GALWAY. Opt to venture back to the Ireland of old with a visit to the award winning heritage centre in Connemara, with its unique insight into the history of the West of Ireland. Or in Galway, Wolfe Tones Bridge and the Spanish Arch are worth checking out. Your choice. (B,D)
DAY 5 GALWAY TO KILLARNEY. #Nofilter your way today as we take in the lunar landscape of The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher on the way to Killarney. Impress your mates with your local knowledge as we roll on in. Also: don’t miss The Dungeon – best known for their ‘penny’ sweets (despite being a secondhand bookstore). (B)
DAY 6 KILLARNEY TO CORK. We’re all about the medieval vibes today with a visit to Blarney Castle. Kiss the Blarney Stone and legend has it that you’ll be gifted with ‘The Banter’. Then to Cork: a city said to have the second largest harbour in the world after Sydney. #whoknew. (B)
DAY 7 CORK TO DUBLIN. It’s a short drive back to the big smoke today as we return to where it all began. Take in the city views from the Skybar as we make a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Just don’t say you can’t taste the difference. Then make the most of your
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse
+ Visit Giant’s Causeway
+ Visit the Cliffs of Moher
+ Visit medieval Blarney Castle
MORE INCLUSIONS
+ 7 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D)
+ 7 nights hotel accommodation (twin or triple)
+ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
+ Walking tours in all major cities
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Ireland of Old Day Out
+ Famous Black Cab Tour of Belfast
final night in the city with the youngest population in all of Europe (just saying). (B,D)
DAY 8 DUBLIN. Our last Irish breakfast = end of the trip. (B)
18 DAY | EUROPEAN TREASURES
DAY 1 LONDON, ENGLAND TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Pinch yourself and Instagram your first selfie. Your friends will secretly hate you, but you have other things on your mind as we show you the bright lights of Paris. First stop: a gourmet picnic under the Eiffel Tower. (D)
DAY 2 PARIS. This is your day, your way. Check out the Louvre and Sacré Cœur, the trendy bars in the Latin Quarter or take an optional bike tour around town, cruise along the river or enjoy a traditional cabaret show. (B)
DAYS 3-4 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. No rest for the wicked as we head across the Swiss border to the Alps. Chill out, opt for the optional skydive or check out one of the highest point in Europe, Jungfrau. Epic. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)
DAYS 5-6 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. Time to see Pisa for that famous tower, then on to Florence to eat, sleep, repeat. This city is half artisan food market, half outdoor museum and home to the world’s most famous nude statue (Michelangelo’s David). (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 7-8 FLORENCE TO ROME. Southwards to the hilltop city Orvieto before we take on the streets of Rome. Check out the views from the pope’s home and the Sistine Chapel or head straight out to eat some pizza. (B,L) (B,D)
DAYS 9-10 ROME TO VENICE. To do: gondolas, canals and the world’s most stunning book shop, Libreria Acqua Alta. (B,L,D) (B,D)
DAY 11 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Snow-capped mountains, round two. Grab your #gopro, it’s action time! (B,L,D)
DAYS 12-13 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Start off with a few hours of reflection at the former concentration camp, Mauthausen. After, hit the cobblestone streets of Prague and check out the Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and a castle that allegedly inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 14-15 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. A quick stop in Dresden on the way to the art-loving,
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ Driving tour of Paris & gourmet picnic by the Eiffel Tower
+ 10 nights in hostels, 6 nights in bungalows & 1 night in an Austrian Gasthof
+ 1 free night in London before trip (see p.03)
+ English Channel crossings
+ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Scenic excursion to Jungfrau ('The Top of Europe')
+ Tandem paragliding in the Austrian Alps
START
AT 6AM IN LONDON
9PM IN LONDON
über-trendy and happening German capital. Start out with Checkpoint Charlie, the Reichstag building and the Holocaust Memorial. Later we’ll party it up, Berlin style. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 16-17 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Arrive in the home of cheese, clogs and tulips. Explore the city by bike & soak up the liberal vibes. (B,L) (B,D)
DAY 18 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON, ENGLAND. We leave you here, but the world’s your oyster. (B)
TRIP CODE: EEGTLL
27 DAY | EUROPEAN EXPLORER
DAY 1 LONDON, ENGLAND TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Paris is always a good idea, and you’re about to find out why. Upon arrival, keep your eyes peeled for the Arc de Triomphe, the Palais Garnier and that really famous tower, plus an incredible picnic to feast on. (D)
DAY 2 PARIS. Today, it’s all about Paris your way. Make the most of a free day and discover hundreds of galleries, restaurants and of course shopping districts on offer. Before the day is out, join us for an optional cruise or cabaret performance. Ooh la la! (B)
DAYS 3-4 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Au revoir, Paris – it’s been a blast. Next up, we roll on to meet with Lauterbrunnen: featuring all the magic of the Alps. Join the optional Jungfrau Experience, which takes you to the highest train station in Europe. Want more adventure? Up the adrenaline by sky diving out of a helicopter, then make time for some snow angels and hot chocolate. #HardLife. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)
DAYS 5-6 SWISS ALPS TO FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE. Assemble the paparazzi crew as we go celebrity spotting on the French Riviera, 007 style.
Then, more mingling tonight at the casinos of Monaco. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 7-8 FRENCH RIVIERA TO FLORENCE, ITALY. First stop, the Leaning Tower of Pisa before we roll on to Florence, which is Italian for ‘food coma’. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 9-10 FLORENCE TO ROME. Fire up Instagram for a walking tour of the must-dos in Rome then find your own heavenly pizza experience. (B,L,D) (B)
DAY 11 ROME TO GREECE (OVERNIGHT FERRY). Onwards to the sea. Tonight we set sail for Greece on an overnight ferry. (B,L)
DAYS 12–15 SAILING IN GREECE. Bring on three nights of sailing, swimming and lapping up the sun on the Ionian Sea and don’t forget to pack your sunscreen. This. Is. Paradise. Then, it’s more seafaring with an overnight ferry to Italy. (B,L,D) (B,L) (B,L,D) (B)
DAY 16 GREECE TO VENICE, ITALY. Today, say ciao to vibrant Venice as we check into our accommodation and have an Eat Pray Love-worthy relationship with an irresistible Italian meal. Rest up, and prepare for a full day of exploring tomorrow. (D)
DAY 17 VENICE. The best way to explore Venice? Get lost. Get found. Repeat. Just make sure you do find St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. (B,D)
DAYS 18-19 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Hike through the mountain or jump on a bike (optional) then scan your eyes across jaw-dropping views. With all that work, calories won’t be a problem at dinner tonight. (B,L,D) (B,L)
DAY 20 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO MUNICH, GERMANY. You’re here for the beer, pork knuckle and Bavarian heritage. (B,L)
DAYS 21-22 MUNICH TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. The Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town
Square are a good start. Don’t miss the quirky museums and the chance to live it up in the castle district. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 23-24 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. See the phoenix-like city of Dresden – rising from war ashes and now a must-see before we hit the German capital to find out what it means to be ein Berliner. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 25-26 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Explore Europe’s most infamous city. Get the obvious out of the way (Red Light District, anyone?) then discover the ‘real’ Amsterdam locals want to keep quiet. Let the Facebook friend requests flow at the farewell dinner tonight – it’s been epic. (B,L) (B,D)
DAY 27 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON, ENGLAND. Today we roll out of Amsterdam and make way homeward bound to ol' Blighty. Start planning the next adventure, before we end in London town. Facebook friends? (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ 3 nights sailing in Greece
+ Driving tour of Paris & gourmet picnic by the Eiffel Tower
+ 13 nights in hostels, 6 nights in bungalows, 3 nights on yachts in Greece, 2 nights on an overnight ferry, & 2 nights in an Austrian Gasthof
+ 1 free night in London before trip (see p.03)
+ English Channel crossings
+ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Traditional cabaret show in Paris
+ Bike tour of Amsterdam
START MEET AT 6AM IN LONDON
FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9PM IN LONDON
DAY 20 DUBROVNIK. Free day to explore. Epic sunsets are just the beginning. (B)
DAY 21 DUBROVNIK TO ZADAR. With just about 2,000 years of history, this Roman-era beauty packs history spanning all the way back to Caesar’s days. (B,L)
DAYS 22-23 ZADAR TO VENICE, ITALY VIA SLOVENIA. Cruise on through Slovenia and the Postojna Caves before we hit up the canals and gelato shops of Venice. (B,L,D) (B,D)
DAYS 24-25 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Today, it’s all about the optionals. Think: Paragliding. White water rafting. Mountain biking. Epic alpine scenery. Aww yeah! (B,L,D) (B,L)
DAYS 26-27 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC. Start off with a visit to the former concentration camp Mauthausen. Then, Prague. Don’t miss: the chance to explore the castle district. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 28-29 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. Let Dresden show off some of its 800-year-old history before we hit the capital to find out what it means to be ein Berliner. (B,L,D) (B)
DAYS 30-31 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. On to the spiritual home of herring and Van Gogh. Hit the streets like a local with the option to explore the city by bike. (B,L) (B,D)
DAY 32 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON, ENGLAND. Today we say goodbye as we head back to London town. (B)
TOP OPTIONALS
+ Scenic excursion to Jungfrau ('The Top of Europe') + Sea kayaking in Dubrovnik
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
+ 3 nights sailing in Greece
+ Driving tour of Paris & gourmet picnic by the Eiffel Tower
+ 16 nights in European campsites in twin-share dome style tents with air mattresses, 1 night in a hotel, 8 nights in hostels, 2 nights in an Austrian Gasthof, 1 night on an overnight ferry & 3 nights on yachts in Greece
+ 1 free night in London before trip (see p.03)
+ English Channel crossings
+ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
+ Guided tours of all major cities
+ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef START MEET AT 6AM IN LONDON
