asia middle east
2
0 0 2 2 1
setthe REAL FREE you
theYou’ve got your home life, and home friends… and home routine. But you have a chance to leave it behind , maybe just for a week, maybe for longer?
Where do you go? What do you do? Who do you do it with?
And more importantly… Why…?
To do what everyone else has done?
The same thing, just in a different place?
Do you want to lose yourself in the everyday?
Or do you want to set the real you free?
Free to discover the unknown. Free to meet new people. Free to change your view and challenge your expectations.
TO FIND NEW, TO EXPERIENCE MORE, TO FEEL REAL.
SEE THE WORLD WITHOUT THE FILTER .
Go deeper. Try the food. Meet the locals. Swim, fly, explore, embrace it all. Say yes to culture. Say yes to history. Say yes to the new and the exotic. Don’t just skim the surface, experience every moment to the fullest.
THAT’S WHAT MAKES THE MEMORIES.
Forget forking out for the logistics, we’ll sort it for you. Accommodation, experiences, transport... you get a sh*tload of inclusions rolled in. Meaning ? No hassle, no number crunching, no going hungry. You’re safe with us.
ON THE ROAD OR AT HOME, WE LOVE WHAT WE DO.
No lie – we put our first, our last, OUR EVERYTHING into creating trips that’ll set your soul on fire. And that’s not all. Each and every one is supercharged by Trip Leaders who don’t just lead; who inspire. Who make your world come alive, and were born to do it.
One thing we do know: IF YOU GO IT ALONE, IT SURE AS HELL WON’T BE THE SAME.
COOL, SO YOUR ITINERARY’S COVERED. BUT WHAT ABOUT FREE TIME?
Relax – you’ve got heaps of it. And if you need some local tips, we’ve got your back. So get out there. GO! Do your own, spontaneous, this-iswhat-you-came-for thing.
This, it’s an alternate reality. A realer real, away from home, work, the daily grind. SO WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?
BECAUSE THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. Your chance to be the best version of yourself. To be an insider, not a bystander To strip it all back and find the real you. Trust us, you’re out there somewhere
PEOPLE.
CURIOUS? OPEN-MINDED? SAME.
We might be a mixed bunch, but that’s what makes us special. No judgement here So get ready to grow, to connect, to find your place and your people.
People who are 100% different, but 100% the same. We’re all in it together. Like it was meant to be.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Africa. Let’s face it, this continent is bloody huge. Meaning: different seasons + different countries = COMPLETELY different experiences. Trying to decide when to go? Read on.
AFRICA ZANZIBAR DRAKENSBERG
JANFEB
KICK BACK AT THE BEACH.
Vibing a beachy, sandy, sunbake-y African holiday? We hear you.
Lock in a trip for Nov, Jan or Feb and gear up to meet the African sun at its biggest and brightest.
MARMAY
TAKE A HIKE.
At this time of year, the birds are out, the flowers are poppin’, the days are warm and the nights are cool. Translation? There’s no better time to get out there and explore.
BUSHFIRE FESTIVAL, ESWATINI
(29-31 May 2020)
A socially responsible music and arts festival. What’s not to like?
MAASAI MARA
We mean, you’ll have to go to different places. All about watching the wildebeest migrate? Head to Kenya and Tanzania. Wanna see sharks? Point yourself towards South Africa.
JUNAUG SEPNOV
JAPAN AND SUSHI?
They go together like Mario and Peach. But we’d be lying if we said that good ol’ reliable soosh was the only dish to get pumped for in this food-obsessed country. Traditional Japanese washoku (literally translating to ‘food of Japan’) is the perfect balance of salty, sweet, sour and umami – and non-sushi lovers (whoever you are) will be glad to know that it’s not all raw fish.
Got your taste buds doing a dance? Then read on for the Japan must-eat list. Itadakimasu!
SHOJIN RYORI*
*That’s a traditional Buddhist dinner, FYI. Joining us on our Japan Highlights trip? You’’ll get the opportunity to eat one of these at our un-BELIEVABLE temple lodge in Osaka
First things first: it’s presented so beautifully, you’ll feel guilty eating it. Secondly: it’s all about the rule of five. That is, five ways of cooking, five flavours and five colours, all crammed into the ultimate snackpack – including grilled, pickled and deep-fried dishes, soup and tofu (with steamed rice and tea on the side).
HIDA BEEF
Probably one of the classiest cuts of meat that’ll ever pass your lips. Why? It’s all about the marbling, babes. Food science fact: Hida beef’s coating of marbled fat prevents all the flavours and juicy goodness escaping as it cooks. THE RESULT? Meat so tender it’ll melt in your mouth. Bonus: all you non-veggos out there will have the chance to give it a try at our hotel in Takayama, slap bang in the middle of Gifu prefecture (aka Hida territory).
JAPAN: MORE THAN
OKONOMIYAKI
A mouthful in more ways than one (LOL). SERIOUSLY THOUGH , this savoury pancake is all kinds of delicious (and makes a great hangover cure) Ingredients include: flour, eggs, cabbage, meat and vegetables, all cooked up in a frying pan. The best place to try it? The Dotonbori district in Osaka, 100%. And in case you were wondering, okonomiyaki means ‘grilled how you like’ in English – so feel free to customise your pancake with whatever sparks joy.
RAMEN
REAL TALK: ramen tastes EVEN BETTER when you make it yourself (unless you’re sh*t at cooking, that is) And where better to learn how to do it like a pro than Kyoto? After kitting yourself out with an apron and head wrap fit for an Iron Chef, you’ll get to have a go at whipping up your own noodle dish from scratch (dw, you’ll get a guidebook full of instructions) For the final touch, choose your own broth and toppings. THEN: EAT
YAKITORI
Okay, so we know that ‘Piss Alley’ doesn’t sound like an ideal place to stop and get a snack – but stay with us. Tokyo’s Omoide Yokocho (whose more charming English translation is ‘Memory Lane’) is worldfamous for its mouth-watering yakitori grills. BUT WHAT IS YAKITORI? Good question. It’s your new favourite chicken skewer, that’s what – and it comes with a healthy dose of tare sauce (soy sauce’s thicker, tastier cousin).
MOMIJI MANJU
IT’S CUTE. IT’S CAKEY. IT’S KAWAII. It can only be… momiji manju, an adorable lil’ maple-leaf-shaped treat from the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima. These bunlike rice and buckwheat creations have a sweet bean paste centre – and they taste so good, the Japanese decided to create momiji manju-flavoured Kit-Kats in homage (no really, look it up). Bought them as souvenirs? We’ll be impressed if you manage to get through the flight home without inhaling them.
JUST SUSHI
ISRAEL THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES AND IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
SPOTLIGHT:
@JROWDEN
ITALY. FRANCE. GREECE... ISRAEL? One Mediterranean country you probably never thought of visiting but 110% should be on your radar.
FASCINATING HISTORY
From the Bible to the Crusaders and then the Ottoman Empire – the land on which this region is built has seen it all. Explore the place where it all began in Bethlehem, the birthplace of the big man himself. And Jerusalem? Well, a city that’s been attacked 52 times has got to have a few stories to tell. Wander the distinct city quarters before the sun sets behind some of the oldest walls in the world Visiting sites as old as history itself? You can’t beat that.
CONTEMPORARY VIBES
As far as being fun-loving and hip AF goes, Tel Aviv wrote the ‘How To’ guide. From Florentine’s fascinating graffiti scene to A-class street entertainment to galleries by the bucket load, your inner art aficionado will be well and truly satisfied. After dark we’re talking beach bars, packed pubs, backstreet wine-os, live music joints and thumping-laserand-confetti-filled clubs to keep you dancing until dawn. Also there’s one of the biggest prides in the world, just sayin’.
A FUSION LIKE NO OTHER
One big melting pot of awesomeness: Israel and the Palestinian Territories are the perfect example of faiths, ethnicities and cuisines coexisting to deliver the (delicious) goods. The sights, smells and tastes of Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda Market. A unique culinary culture to be uncovered in Tel Aviv’s Yemenite Quarter. Alllll the crazy-good delicacies of the Neve-Sha’anan neighbourhood. And did we mention Bethlehem translates to ‘House of Meat’? Trust us, the culinary rep stacks up.
DIVERSE LANDSCAPE
Middle Eastern landscapes are all sand and cities, right? Wrong. And Israel and the Palestinian Territories sport some of the most diverse. In the South, it’s the unique crater-like landforms of the Negev Desert and vast emptiness of the salt beds surrounding the Dead Sea And in the North, the picturesque Mediterranean coastline of Tel Aviv and the pine-tree spotted mountain ranges of Jerusalem. Yep, we thought you’d be surprised.
A MELTING POT OF ACCEPTANCE
From the get-go, the people of Israel and the Palestinian Territories are what make this destination so intriguing. Coming in all shapes and sizes, faiths and ethnicities – you’ll find the average person here is kind and will help out with whatever you need (falafel recommendations at the ready!) Every alleyway and street has something unique to offer, influenced by the diverse communities living here. Want a sense of surprise and enrichment that lasts long after you’ve landed? This is it.
just landed
CULTURE
3,000 YEAR OLD ART FORM: watch a traditional Kalaripayattul performance in Thekkady and prepare to be mesmerised.
NATURE
NATIONAL PARK = GOALS.
UP TO GET UNDER THE SKIN OF RURAL LIFE WITH A CYCLE AROUND THE OUTSKIRTS OF UDAIPUR ( traditionally made masala chai included).
RANDOM
EXPERIENCE THE REAL BOLLYWOOD at Jaipur’s most famous cinema – you never knew what OTT meant until this moment.
Bamboo rafts. Safari cruises. Fresh AF scenery. Wild elephants. PERIYAR
THINK: spicy fried potato lathered in tangy chutney, jammed in a soft bread roll. It’s called vada pav. And it’s the sh*t.
wtf DOES THAT MEAN?
FREE CHANGES
CHANGE YOUR MIND AS OFTEN AS YOUR UNDERWEAR? Make free changes to your booking right up until your full payment due date.
FLEXIBLE DEPOSIT
WE GET IT, SH*T HAPPENS. Cancel before your full payment’s due and we’ll hold onto your deposit so you can use it for another trip, another time.
BOOK NOW, PAY LATER
SECURE YOUR BOOKING WITH A DEPOSIT OF $200. It’s that easy (and probs the best $200 you’ll ever spend).
PAY IN INSTALMENTS
DON’T HAVE THE $$$ TO PAY ALL AT ONCE? We’ve been there. Pay your trip off in instalments that suit you.
TECH MATE
“ANYONE IN BANGKOK BEFORE THE TRIP STARTS?” – connect with your fellow Topdeckers before the trip starts to get the low-down on who’ll be joining you and catch up for a few pre/post trip bevvies.
“WHERE ARE WE ON DAY 5 AGAIN?” Know EXACTLY WHERE YOU’LL BE and when thanks to the ITINERARY VIEWER . Cos, we’re not your mum.
“DECLINED – PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BANK” – avoid those seriously awkward moments with our handy BUDGET TRACKER and keep an eye on where your hard-earned money is going.
“HEARD THIS PLACE IS AMAZING, LEMME FIND IT...”
– navigate your way around the hidden gems, TL recommended spots for a feed, bucket-list sights and meeting points with our DOWNLOADABLE MAPS
explorer
@RACCCCHHHHH
explorer
ACCOMMODATION:
HOTELS, GUESTHOUSES, HOSTELS, HOMESTAYS, OVERNIGHT TRAINS, BOATS, DESERT CAMPS
SINGLE / TWIN / DOUBLE / MULTI-SHARE
This is your chance to dive deeper, to explore more.
Who do you want to share it with? A SMALL GROUP OF LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE who just get it? Of course! With a max of 30 passengers (but averaging closer to 20), our Explorer trips are made for travellers chasing a more intimate experience.
Maybe you’ve done the Europe-thing and want to delve deeper into a new, exotic destination. Or you’re obsessed with a unique culture and want to experience it to the full. Or you’ve seen our new ‘Experience India’ trip and went ‘sh*t, that looks good’. The point is, these trips give you MORE TIME TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO More opportunities to head off the tourist trail. More free time to immerse yourself in the culture. More getting lost in the moment. Just, more
If Dora taught us anything, it was how to count in Spanish and that a successful explorer needs a good base to set off from. From conveniently-located hotels to share with your bestie, lover, new Topdecker roomie or enjoy solo, to a traditional Indian houseboat or a desert camp under the stars – all our Explorer trips stay in some PRETTY SICK ACCOMMODATION.
@ZACHTOPDECK
Wanna get close to the action in Ubud?
You can’t get any closer than this. Not only does it have views that’ll drop your jaw, the Anumana Hotel is
THE ULTIMATE BASE
for all your yoga-ing, hiking, temple-hopping and miscellaneous jungle needs.
ANUMANA HOTEL, UBUD (BALI)
Ever stayed in a shukubo before?
The Waqoo Shitaderamachi is a ‘temple lodge’ in the heart of Osaka’s most temple-packed area. Once, it was a ‘pilgrims only’ kinda place – but now it’s
A PEACEFUL RETREAT
where you can sleep off your (inevitable) Osaka food baby.
WAQOO SHITADERAMACHI, OSAKA (JAPAN)
GET MORE.
ASIA
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOCATION.
Cool, comfy and well-located, you’ll find the ÊMM Hotel just a few short minutes away from Hoi An’s 15th-century Old Quarter. When you’re done soaking up the sights, head to Cua Dai Beach – it’s just around the corner. See? We told you it was well-located.
ÊMM HOTEL, HOI AN (VIETNAM)
FEEL ALIVE
How often do you get to stay on a TRADITIONAL
INDIAN RICE BARGE?
Yep – this is once-in-a-lifetime stuff. Meet the locals, learn about their everyday lives, then kick back and watch the sunset as you drift through the palm-fringed lagoons of the Kerala backwaters.
HOUSEBOAT STAY, ALLEPEY (INDIA)
I DON’T HAVE 28 DAYS...
YOU’RE TELLING US YOU’VE GOT A MONTH TO PLAY WITH?
HOLY SH*T, DO WE HAVE AN ADVENTURE FOR YOU...
asian fusion
Ticking off Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, this INCREDIBLE journey is made from 100% solid gold life-changing material. So much to see. So much to do. So much to learn. So much to taste. From ancient-modern history to street food tours, overnight trains and Mekong cruises, there’s one thing we can guarantee: this fusion of all things Southeast Asian will have you feeling ALIVE from your head to your toes.
WITH A TWIST A CHIANG MAI MASSAGE
Get yourself over to Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute for a massage. The Institute’s famous rehabilitation programme gives inmates a chance to earn money so they have funds after their release –and it’s a skill they can continue to use for the rest of their lives. Feels good, does good
Lalidarat
PAKBENG PRO TIP
Wakey wakey! Get up early and head to the banks of the Mekong at around 7am. You might see an elephant or two...
TRIP LEADER
Stop off at the White Temple
BANGKOK
TOP 3
SOI COWBOY. THE BEST happy hours + unbeatable people watching. Get yourself a bucket of drink with a lid and soak up the craziness.
LEBUA TOWER. Feeling boujee? Pull up a chair in the rooftop bar for the best views of the sprawling city below.
CHATUCHAK MARKET. The ONLY place to be on the weekend. Do a walking pub and shop crawl, Bangkok style. Bonus: sells everything you could ever possibly want
for more info. www.topdeck.travel
HANOI GO VEGAN
Uu Dam Chay restaurant does vegan food so incredible that you won’t even realise it’s vegan All the food is IMMACULATELY presented – and the restaurant interior is basically a work of art.
Michaela
NAM KHAO: AMAZING Lao fried rice ball salad. Sweet. Salty. Spicy. Comes with sausage (see below).
LAO SAUSAGE: Yummy pork sausage seasoned with lemongrass, lime leaves and galangal.
BAGUETTES: Yep, you read that right. Get ‘em from Le Banneton Café (a traditional French colonial eatery).
STICKY RICE: This stuff is EVERYWHERE. Choose a street vendor and go nuts.
And if you need a break from the spice? Secret Pizza. Hit it up for the best carbs in town (loaded with real Italian cheese). by
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
▪ See Angkor Wat at sunrise
▪ Street food tuk-tuk tour of Bangkok
▪ Guided trishaw tour of Chiang Mai
▪ Visit Wat Rong Khun
▪ Street food tour of Ho Chi Minh City
▪ Cu Chi Tunnels tour
▪ Visit the Cai Be floating markets
▪ Drive the Hai Van Pass
▪ Party cruise in Halong Bay
I DON’T HAVE 20 DAYS...
20 DAY experience
How about just doing
24 HOURS NEW
IN KOCHI
Suggested by Navendu
grab one final dinner with the gang. Then head to a traditional Kathakali dance show AM PM NIGHT
THEY SAY YOU DON’T TRAVEL INDIA; YOU EXPERIENCE IT.
Brace for sensory overload. Anticipate awe-inspiring sights. Prepare for untouched wilderness. And equip yourself for a culture shock of the very best kind. India is everything you’ve heard, and so, so much more. Time to experience it with an awesome crew of people on a 20 day trip that may just change your life.
explore the synagogue, Dutch-era house and giant fishing nets on an INCLUDED walking tour. Then, head to the Teapot Café for quirky décor, yummy cake and an excellent cup of chai
learn to cook up a storm for lunch before jumping aboard an optional sunset cruise at the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and Vembanad Lake
EXPLORING UDAIPUR
Explore the colourful bazaars on an INCLUDED walking tour
Relax and unwind with an optional yoga class
Head out on an INCLUDED sunset sail on picturesque Lake Pichola Discover the city’s crooked streets on an optional cycle tour
Saul HAWA MAHAL HOT TIP
GET THE BEST PHOTO FROM CAFE/TATTOO PARLOUR OPPOSITE.
Head upstairs, grab a coffee and enjoy the view
DE-LIGHTFUL
FARSI CAFÉ a twist. Try the edamame & aloo samosa pinwheel.
INCLUDED!
Get your OTT Bollywood fix at Jaipur’s famous Raj Mandir theatre. HQ’s fave? The action-war film Kesari
HEADS UP!
all domestic flights have a luggage allowance of 15kgs – so leave your hairdryers, dumbbells and heavy suitcases at home.
HAUZ KHAS SOCIAL. vibes with 100% recycled and upcycled furniture.
SODABOTTLEOPENERWALA, Market. Explore the buzzing market area and then pop in here to try the paneer croquettes Looking for a quick bite? Grab a tikka roll from back 250 rupees
ODEAN SOCIALthe evenings, great range of cocktails and snacks
temple run temple run temple run
Brihadishvara Temple > Srirangam Temple > Meenakshi Temple (incl. evening worship ceremony)
LET’S DO THIS!
AUTHENTIC AF
SPEND
▪ Visit Qutab Minar
▪ Sunrise at the Taj Mahal
▪ Visit the Chand Baori Stepwell
▪ Cooking class in Chettinad
▪ Evening worship ceremony at Meenakshi temple
▪ Tour the spice planation at Thekkady
▪ Traditional Kalaripayattul performance
20 DAYS FROM that’s just EUR PER DAY €118
EUR PER PERSON
WHO’S READY TO GO EXPLORING?
You know it, we know it –even the carved faces at the Bayon temple know it. Vietnam and Cambodia are famous the world over for their mind-blowing natural beauty, ancient architecture and unique cultures. And this trip? It’s here to help you see the very best that both have to offer. We’re talking amazing cities. Fascinating history. Tropical scenery. The best food you will EVER eat. Need we go on?
Just wanna travel Vietnam?
SAY WAT?
ANGKOR WAT: The biggest temple complex in the world. ‘Otherworldly’ doesn’t even cover it.
ANGKOR THOM: The last great capital of the Khmer Empire. Must-see: the statue-lined South Gate.
BAYON: SOOOO intricately decorated with over 200 peaceful-looking faces. Mesmerising!
PHIMEANAKAS: A Hindu temple built at the end of the 10th century. Looks like: a three-tier pyramid.
TA PROHM: A ruin filled with crumbling towers and overgrown tree roots. Think: Tomb Raider.
PRE RUP: Climb to the top for incredible jungle views and a sunset to remember.
Scenic flight over Halong Bay
Moon
sunset views over the river
delish cocktails. Bliss.
cambodia
OLD TOWN:
Check it out after dark to see it all lit up by lanterns
HALONG BAY
WORLD HERITAGE SITE. THE JEWEL IN VIETNAM’S CROWN. ONE OF THE ‘NEW7WONDERS OF NATURE’.
Whichever way you look at it, Halong Bay is pretty damn special. Do it properly on our overnight junk boat cruise. Featuring: paddling, lounging on the sundeck and more limestone islands than you can count.
Try an egg coffee??
Flying in or out of BANGKOK?
TRY OUR 3 OR 4 DAY SHORT BREAK ON FOR SIZE. All the inclusions you want (and need) minus the hassle.
Head to www.topdeck.travel for up-to-date details and pricing.
HO CHI MINH CITY
DO IT RIGHT
POC POC BEER GARDEN: Big, noisy and fun. Hot tip: tell them it’s your birthday...
RELISH & SONS: Ask for the ‘Com Tam’ burger. We won’t spoil the surprise.
XU RESTAURANT LOUNGE: For the BEST dry martini in the city.
NOIR: DINING IN THE DARK: Think: no lights to distract you from the amazing food!
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
▪ Guided tour of Hanoi
▪ Hanoi street food tour
▪ Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre performance
▪ Party cruise in Halong Bay
▪ Visit the Cai Be floating markets
▪ Sunset cruise in Phnom Penh
▪ Watch the sunset at Angkor Wat
13 DAYS FROM
EUR PER PERSON
that’s just 17 MEALS
EUR PER DAY €127
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
APR - MAR
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer” on www.topdeck.travel
TRIP CODE: AXVCHS
china live 12 DAY
AS FAR AS
CHINA
□ Diverse landscapes. □ Unusual attractions. □ Distinctive history.
□ Unique (and bizarre) food. And literally everything in between. Pop that all in a trip-sized blender, throw in an expert local guide and a large portion of awesome people and you’ve got one deliciously authentic trip of a lifetime.
24 HOURS IN BEIJING
Visit the Great Wall of China
Tuck into lunch with a local family at the hutongs
Join the oldies doing tai chi in the park
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
Check out Wangfujing Street for an array of edible bugs. Just make sure they’re fresh!
Peking duck dinner (optional activity)
Quick way of remembering the three dynasties of China: Chin, Hand,Tongue = Chin, Han,Ton
BTW squat toilets are a thing. Have your Dettol and tissues handy.
MUST-DOFREE TIME
Light show in Yangshuo (no clapping FYI)
TOP 3
FOODIE THINGS TO TRY
NOTE: PEOPLE WILL TAKE PICTURES OF YOU. DEAL WITH IT. SEE PAGE 13
XIAO LONG BAO– a broth filled pork dumpling. Pop the top and let it cool before pouring a little of the accompanying vinegar dip in.
NAI WONG BAO– fluffy white bread wrapped around a creamy, sweet custard centre. It’s sunshine in a bun. #1 #2 #3
ROU-JIA-MO (AKA XIAN BURGER)–a Chinese street food staple. The handmade bread is crispy on the outside, then stuffed with tender pork. Drooling yet?
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
▪ Street food in Bejing
▪ Visit the Great Wall
▪ See the Terracotta Warriors
▪ Cycle the city wall of Xian
▪ See pandas at the Chengdu conservation centre
▪ Hike the rice terraces in Longsheng 21 MEALS
€2399
EUR PER PERSON
12 DAYS FROM that’s just
EUR PER DAY €200
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
APR - MAR
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “China Live” on www.topdeck.travel
TRIP CODE: AXCLGK
12 DAY
I DON’T HAVE 12 DAYS...
japan highlights
TOO EXPENSIVE... I DON’T HAVE THE TIME OFF... I HATE SUSHI...
Turn the page for our 7 DAY JAPAN EXPRESS TRIP
That’s it, we’re done with excuses. In under two weeks this trip gives you the highlights and the hidden gems. The culture and the crazy. The ultra-modern and the historic. The scenery and the cities. And all the ramen, okonomiyaki, udon, katsu, yakitori and sake your fat pants can handle (you packed those, right?). This is your wake-up call – JAPAN IS WAITING.
You’ll be travelling like a local here – so no large or heavy cases, unless you enjoy dragging it on and off bullet trains... heads up
Take a dip in a local onsen Tuck into a Hida beef dinner with the gang OPTIONAL ACTIVIES FREE TIME
Seen the photos? Read the book? Now it’s time to visit.
FACT:
OSAKA
IS THE FOODIE CAPITAL OF JAPAN
They even have a word for “scoff till you drop” – kuidaore.
THE URANAMBA DISTRICT for micro bars, plenty of sake and K-A-R-A-O-K-E (the Drunken Clam is the best FYI)
ICHIRAN RAMEN– you get your own little booth with a window they pop stuff through. Expect amazing ramen and a queue
DOTONBURI aka eat street for takoyaki (octopus ball snack) and tonkotsu (pork bone broth ramen)
TOKYO 3
DAYS IN
start off with a full day included city tour See the anime culture, tick off Senso-ji Temple and hit up Nakamise shopping street. Later, it’s the Harajuku district, Shibuya crossing and dinner with the gang in the Asakusa district.
again, it’s your day your way. Head to the happiest place on Earth to say hi to Mickey or tuck into dinner at the Robot Restaurant (it’s an experience....) DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3
do whatever you want. But if you need help choosing there’s an East Tokyo neighborhood cycling tour or sushi-making class on offer.
FACT: With over 200 flavours, Kit Kat is THE most popular chocolate brand in Japan. It also sounds like ‘kitto katsu’ - translation for: ‘You’re bound to win’.
FOOTWEAR ETIQUETTE
Shoes off at the door. House shoes for inside. Bathroom shoes for the loo
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
▪ Full day city tour in Tokyo including the Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya crossing and Harajuku districts
▪ Stay in traditional ryokan accommodation in Takayama
▪ Visit the Itsukushima Shrine
▪ Visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
▪ Visit a sake brewery in Takayama
▪ Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine
▪ See the famous floating torii gate in Miyajima
▪ Guided tour of Kyoto city including the Gion district
Go to Kurama onsen – a natural hot spring with indoor and outdoor facilities. It’s 30 minutes north of Kyoto and on a rainy/snowy day it’s truly magical.
TOP TIP: hike up to the mountain temple – it’ll make the onsen that much more relaxing!
12 DAYS FROM
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
APR - MAR
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Japan Highlights” on www.topdeck.travel
TRIP CODE: AXJJTR Is
7 DAY
japan express
You could spend another week stuck in traffic, slugging it out at work or sitting through another episode of Love Island... Or you could spend
7 JAM-PACKED DAYS
STUFFING YOURSELF ON CULINARY DELIGHTS IN OSAKA, EXPLORING ULTRA-MODERN TOKYO, GETTING HIGH (IN A CABLE CAR) AT HAKONE AND BELTING OUT KARAOKE IN IT’S UP TO YOU.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY
FACT:
FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE- top tip: hike to the top and walk the full route
RYOANJI TEMPLE- for allll the colours!
HEIAN SHRINE- who doesn’t love a giant torii gate?
TENRYU-JI TEMPLE- Arashiyama’s headline attraction with views to match
Suggested by Zach
EAT AT:
Nishiki Warai for I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E yakisoba and okonomiyaki
IN KYOTO
dress up as a maiko or samurai. Go on, we dare you.
KYOTO IS HOME TO OVER 2,000 TEMPLES AND SHRINES. Check out: Is this trip for you?
WTF?
Metal workers use the nut sack of the Japanese tanuki (racoon dog) to pummel gold into gold leaf. A tanuki with giant testicles is now associated with good fortune – look out for statues outside restaurants!
TRAVEL LIKE A LOCAL
jump on the Shinkansen (that’s a bullet train FYI) to Kyoto.
FREE DAY IN TOKYO
Grab a coffee at Starbucks and snag a seat upstairs. Best view of Shibuya crossing and a good spot to people watch
Head to Omoide Yokocho (aka Piss Alley) –despite the gross name, this tiny narrow street is cheap food and drink goals.
Visit the Robot Restaurant – think: dazzling lasers, crazy decor, dancers and robots (obvs)
Bar hop your way around the Golden Gai area of Shinjuku. Go to Nakajima for lunch, the queues are worth it!
Add ‘sushi-making-ninja’ to your Tinder profile after learning from the pros (optional activity)
it’s rude to eat on the streets. So just don’t.
▪ Visit the famous Dotonbori foodie district FYI
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
TIME
Pirate ship cruise around Lake Ashi
Hakone ropeway
SUBM IT TED by
ALL ABOARD THE SUSHI TRAIN!
Get yourself to Genrokuzushi Dotonburi for cheap-as-chips sushi. Look out for the giant sculpture of a hand holding a piece of sushi – if you miss it, we’ll be impressed OVERNIGHT STOP DAY STOP 1
TRIP LEADER
▪ Full day city tour in Tokyo including the Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya crossing and Harajuku districts
▪ Day trip to Hakone for Mt Fuji
▪ Take the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto
▪ Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine
▪ Guided tour of Kyoto city including the Gion district
▪ Visit Osaka castle
▪ Introductory tour of Osaka
▪ Make your way to the top of the Umeda Sky Building
€1429
EUR PER PERSON
7 DAYS FROM that’s just
EUR PER DAY €205
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
APR - MAR
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Japan Express” on www.topdeck.travel
TRIP CODE: AXJETR
bali 7 DAY
BALI. IT’S MUCH MORE THAN BINTANG TANK TOPS AND SPRING ROLLS.
JOIN US
AND GET READY TO DO PARADISE PROPERLY.
Mother Nature wasn’t messing about when she created Gili T and Lembongan. And Ubud? Yeah, it’s a side to Bali you need to see. Meet us in Seminyak and get pumped to dive into amazing temples, unique culture, local life, crazy good food and MORE.
Is this trip for you? IDYLLIC // TROPICAL // ZEN
KEEN FOR SOME MORE ISLAND-HOPPING ACTION?
...the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Trek up here in the morning or evening for UNBELIEVABLE VALLEY VIEWS DON’T MISS...
FOODIE HEAVEN
by Erin
MAMA SAN– make those South East Asian foodie dreams come true. Try the soft-shell crab pad thai.
KYND COMMUNITY– plant-based café that will change any carnivorous mind. It’s that good.
GINGER MOON– located on ‘Eat Street’, the dumplings and bao buns are to DIE for.
THE W HOTEL– Hands down, the best buffet brunch you’ve ever had. Book in advance.
BEFORE YOU GO:
SETTIMO CIELO– hidden away off the main tourist strip, this Italian joint is the sh*t.
Join the optional trip to Tanah Lot temple. Hop over rock pools, receive a blessing (complete with holy water, rice and a frangipani flower), and watch the sunset.
Visit our website for more info www.topdeck.travel
Up until 30 years ago, the Gili Islands were uninhabited. But the white sand beaches, blue water and beating sun? Good news – they’re still here.
DIFFERENTLY
ISLAND HOPPING EXCURSION
Check out the other islands in the Gili family: Gili Meno (aka tropical paradise) and Gili Air (hippy vibes). While you’re there, try nasi campur –delicious vegetable, peanut and tofu noodles.
SNORKELLING BOAT TRIP
After boating out to the best snorkelling spots, you’ll get to splash around with the most amazingly colourful sealife. Bonus: you get so close to the fish, you can feed them.
VISIT THE NIGHT MARKET
Cheap, fresh and delicious. Here you can try EVERYTHING from nasi goreng and bakso meatball soup to lobster, squid, king prawns and snapper. Basically? You want it, they’ll grill it. On the must-eat list: banana fritters
Hello, how are you? = Hai, apa kabar? Goodbye = Sampai jumpa Yes = Ya No = Tidak
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
▪ Island hop from Bali to Nusa Lembongan and Gili Trawangan
▪ Choice of water activities on Nusa Lembongan
▪ Visit Tirta Empul holy springs and temple
7 DAYS FROM
▪ See Lake Batur that’s just
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Bali Island Hopper” on www.topdeck.travel
THAI ISLANDS 7 DAY SamuI SUNSETS
TRAVELLING BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND MARCH?
Check this one out:
7 DAY | THAI ISLANDS KO-CONUT HOPPER PHUKET > PHUKET
Visit our website for more info www.topdeck.travel
STRESSED OUT? FED UP? DONE IN? MATE. SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED A BIT OF QUALITY SUNRISE/SUNSET ACTION
IN YOUR LIFE. WE PRESCRIBE: A WEEK IN THE THAI ISLANDS.
DELISH THAI FOODS
KWAY TIAO. A cheap and tasty noodle soup. Are you a flat noodle person or a thin noodle person? Only time will tell.
CHICKEN RICE. This hearty rice comes served with sweet chilli sauce, a sliced cucumber garnish and a bowl of chicken broth.
PAD THAI. Well, duh! Pad thai is the OG of street food. Tamarind, fish sauce, garlic... So. bloody. good.
INTRODUCING: KOH
SAMUI, KOH PHA NGAN AND KOH TAO
(AKA THE BEST CHILL-PILLS IN THE BUSINESS).
From straight-out-of-your-dreams beaches to aquatic adventures, yummy street food and coconuts FOR DAYS, this trip = just what the doc ordered.
Flying in or out of
BANGKOK?
TRY OUR 3 OR 4 DAY SHORT BREAK ON FOR SIZE. All the inclusions you want (and need) minus the hassle.
Head to www.topdeck.travel for up-to-date details and pricing.
Is this trip for you?
MUST-TRY
COCKTAILS
WATERMELON MARTINI: Tropical, delicious and scarily easy to drink. Made from fresh watermelon, honey and vodka.
SAMUI SUNSET: It’d be rude not to. Plus, it actually looks like a sunset. Contains: rum, Grand Marnier, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine.
THAI SWEET BASIL DAIQUIRI: Rum + lime juice + palm syrup + Thai sweet basil + an egg white. Everyone’s fave – with a Thai twist.
PIÑA COLADA: The original (and some might say the BEST). Pineapple, rum, coconut cream. Done.
Coco TRIP LEADER
COCO’S KOH SAMUI
Fisherman’s Village: For ALL the shopping. Head over there in the evening for a front row seat to an unbelievable sunset.
Chaweng Road: For THE BEST nightlife. It’s got restaurants, it’s got souvenir shops, it’s got cheap massages and it’s got bars and clubs. Obvs.
COCO’S KOH PHA NGAN
Vagga Bar: Right on Haad Yao beach. Pull up a beanbag or hammock, grab a cocktail and get lost in the vibes.
Three Sixty Bar: Panoramic views + excellent bevs = always a good way to round off the day
COCO’S KOH TAO
Evening beach walks: Enough said.
The Queen Cabaret Show: So. Many. Beautiful. Ladies (who may or may not possess their very own banana, if you know what I mean).
FULL MOON PARTY?
Grab your glow sticks and neon body paint and click ‘attending’ to the BIGGEST, loooooongest beach party in the world. All our Guaranteed Departure dates line up perfectly with the monthly Full Moon Party
▪ Island stays on Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao
▪ Welcome and farewell dinners
7 DAYS FROM INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Otherworldly desert landscapes, camel rides and a 4x4 expedition to remember. Be warned – this
AUTHENTIC BEDOUIN EXPERIENCE
will make you feel things. Look up at the stars, listen to the crackle of the campfire and pinch yourself.
MOHAMMED MUTLAK CAMP, WADI RUM (JORDAN)
Welcome to
ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SURF SPOTS IN THE WORLD
Wanna turn pro? The Sol House hotel’s got your back. With a prime beachside location, cool bungalow accom AND its very own hammam, there’s no better place to earn your surfing stripes. Or just relax.
SOL HOUSE, TAGHAZOUT (MOROCCO)
@IMLUKEMACKENZIE
& NORTH AFRICA
MIDDLE EAST LIFE IN COLOUR
They don’t call this place the Amarante Pyramids for nothing. Just a (Sphinx’s) nose away from the VIP World Wonders at Giza, THIS COMFY HOTEL HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED
to help you maintain that post-archaeology glow.
AMARANTE PYRAMIDS HOTEL, GIZA (EGYPT)
Be honest. You didn’t expect to be staying somewhere so cool in the middle of Jerusalem, did you? The quirky Post Hostel is part of Jerusalem’s actual central post office building, so you know it’s gonna be
RIGHT WHERE THE ACTION IS.
Bonus: you’ll stay in twin rooms, not dorms.
THE POST HOSTEL, JERUSALEM (ISRAEL)
10 DAYEGYPT EXPRESS
THE PYRAMIDS, THE SPHINX, THE NILE...
THEY’RE ALL HERE. BUT WHERE ARE YOU?
You’ve seen them in books. You’ve seen them in documentaries. You’ve seen them in movie after movie, after movie. But experiencing them in real life? A whole different level of AMAZING. Ancient, archaeological and wallto-wall iconic, this sure as hell isn’t your average holiday. But then – you’re not your average traveller.
Is this trip for you?
TIMELESS MAGICAL MOMENTOUS
DINING
EGYPT STYLE
IMPORTANT LESSON: DO NOT leave Egypt without sampling koshari
Your initial encounter with this carb-loaded beauty will probably take place in a backstreet restaurant in Cairo – and when the time comes, remember this: looks can be deceiving! Basically? It’s a mixture of macaroni, brown rice, chickpeas and lentils (all topped off with a layer of fried onions). To complete the dish, just add tomato sauce.
A fel-whatta? A FELUCCA, AKA A TRADITIONAL WOODEN SAILBOAT
IMAGINE: the sun on your back, the wind in your sails and THE BEST people you could ever hope to meet sharing stories, food and music in one cushion-strewn love-in... Ditch the tech for a few hours and lose yourself in the moment.
TRIP LEADER HANI TRIP
I have done tours around Egypt for over ten years, but even now sitting on the felucca and sailing down the Nile takes my breath away. Try it with a beer in your hands.
The get bring
Wanna keep the good times rolling?
grab a few blissful days at the with our 6 DAY DAHAB BEACH
The dates line up so you can go one trip to the next in a blink. Plus, it starts in Cairo!
Visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel
EGYPTIAN
GO LOCAL IN AN COFFEE HOUSE
Not to be confused with your standard coffee shop,
this is a traditional ahwa – and it’s like nothing you’ve seen before. Mingle with the locals as you tuck into local snacks, then settle down with the guys to watch a soccer game.
The overnight coach = the perfect way to get to know your trip mates. Note to self: bring a neck pillow and plenty of snacks!
MIND-BLOWING EGYPT FACT by Hamada
Egypt’s history goes back way further than you might realise. To put it into perspective?
The time between Cleopatra and the iPhone is shorter than the time between Cleopatra and the great pyramids of Giza.
GIFTUN ISLAND
REMEMBER
Always have change on you for camera fees at the big sights – they usually charge for proper cameras (but not smartphones, thankfully!).
Trip
One word: IDYLLIC. On this sun-soaked boat trip to Giftun Island, you can swim and snorkel some of the most incredible lagoons you’ll probs ever see. We’re talking rainbow colours, pristine beaches and life-giving reefs.
▪ Visit the Egyptian Museum
▪ See the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau
▪ Visit the Abu Simbel temples
▪ Felucca sailing on the Nile
▪ Visit Kom Ombo temple
▪ Visit the Valley of the Kings
▪ Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut
▪ Visit the Colossi of Memnon
DAYS FROM
APR
- MAR MULTIPLE DEPARTURES For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Egypt Express” on www.topdeck.travel
moroccan 10 DAY
explorer
THOUGHT MOROCCO WAS ALL #WANDERLUST
PICS, CAMELS AND COUSCOUS?
Well yeah, there’s that. But in 10 whirlwind days with us you’ll see the side of Morocco your Instagram feed can’t do justice. Delve deeper into a unique culture, throw yourself into new experiences and discover a world unlike any other with a small group of absolute legends. Yalla!
IN MARRAKECH MEALS MAGNIFIQUE
By Chloe
AMAL-GUELIZ: Try the couscous, sit out in the colourful, orange-tree-filled courtyard and learn how the restaurant empowers disadvantaged women by teaching culinary skills while you eat.
LE JARDIN SECRET: Escape the city chaos with afternoon tea in the riad of a 400-year-old palace. Try the chicken and pear tagine, then explore the lush gardens and intricately decorated architecture.
NOMAD: delicious modern Moroccan with an emphasis on local produce. Sit out on the terrace and take in all the awesome views of the medina and Atlas Mountains. Bliss.
WHAT THE KASBAH?
COMMON MOROCCAN WORDS EXPLAINED...
an old, walled part of town Medina a busy marketplace or bazaar (where you can buy almost everything) stew of spiced meat and veggies, slow-cooked in a chimney-looking dish means “come on” or “hurry up”. You might cop one or two if you’re late for the coach
Souk Tagine Yalla! Hammam
like a spa, you sit in a steam room – usually followed by a massage or scrub
MAX OF 16 PEOPLE ON THIS TRIP
Meaning? A more intimate group of legends to have a bloody awesome time with. HEADS UP!
for blockbusters like Kingdom of Heaven,
,
and Game of
the sprawling Taourirt Kasbah of Ouarzazate and nearby Aït Benhaddou has played backdrop
Gladiator
Prince of Persia
Thrones
10 DAYJORDAN & ISRAEL
FIERY DESERT LANDSCAPES TO WORLD-CLASS WRECK DIVING.
Ancient stone facades to churches built on the grave of the big man himself. Floating weightlessly on the surface of the Dead Sea to partying with the best in lively Tel Aviv....it’s hard to know what to expect from these two incredibly diverse countries except the fact that they EXCEED expectations in every. single. way. Ready to see why?
24 HRS
IN JERUSALEM
Check out Machane Yehuda Markets – a variety of local produce stores by day, buzzing bars and shisha stalls by night
Get educated on a guided tour of old town, checking out the main sights along the way
Take in all the I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E views from the Mount of Olives
Visit Jesus’s final resting place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (expect QUEUES!)
FACT
Tel Aviv hosts one of the biggest pride Festivals in the world!
Suggested by Jo
TOP TIP FOR THE DEAD SEA
Wear thongs right to the edge –the sand is hot (and kinda sharp)
Don’t drink the water. Obvs.
Avoid shaving your legs, face or other... parts too close to your swim. Sh*t stings!
Is this trip for you?
Get a free spa treatment by covering yourself in the mineral-laden mud
Don’t wear white bathers/boardies
HOLY // BREATHTAKING // INCOMPARABLE
Scuba dive around sunken military tanks, transport planes and Lebanese freighters
Go snorkelling with colourful fish, a variety of corals and green turtles
Jump aboard a glass bottom boat for a spot of lunch and snorkelling
Head to The Walled Off Hotel – a hotel, museum, protest and gallery all in one owned by British street artist Banksy.
How about just doing a section of the route?
8 DAY | JORDAN ADVENTURE AMMAN – AMMAN
Visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel
FOODIE THINGS TO TRY
SABICH: Best place in Jerusalem is Arich Sabich
HUMMUS: Hummus Abu Hassan has the BEST hummus in Tel Aviv
POMEGRANATE JUICE: Street stalls everywhere
KNAFEH: Sweet cheese (bit weird but worth trying)
SHAWARMA: Jordanian version of a kebab. There’s an entire street in Amman where you’ll find different versions
MOUTABAL: Ska spicy eggplant dip
FALAFEL: obvious one. Best in Ammam @ Hashem Restaurant (go early to avoid the queues)
THE ROAD TO PETRA... DAY 2
TOP TIP
one person handles money and another handles food – don’t eat there if they’re handling both!
STOP #1 MADABA:
check out the vibrantly coloured and intricately detailed Byzantine-era mosaics scattered across the city.
STOP #2 MT NEBO:
walk in Moses’ footsteps and take in alllll the views of the Promised Land.
STOP #3 KARAK
CASTLE:
channel your inner Crusader and explore the remnants of this historic castle.
STOP #4 PETRA BY NIGHT:
opt in to take a goosebump-inducing walk down the dark ravine, following the sound of traditional music and the soft glow of a candle-lit desert floor. Awesome is an understatement.
DON’T MISS THIS
Tuck into a delicious traditional meal of maqluba (spiced chicken dish) with a local family
4x4 through the desert + overnight stay in a Bedouin Camp + the best-looking night sky you’ve laid eyes on = f*ck yes!
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
Discover the ‘Lost City’ of Petra
Float in the Dead Sea
Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
Sleep under the stars in a Bedouin desert camp
Relax on the Red Sea in Aqaba Guided tours of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Tel Aviv and Amman
10 DAYS FROM
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Jordan & Israel” on www.topdeck.travel
SURF, SAND 10 DAY
I DON’T HAVE 10 DAYS...
& SOUKS
Ancient ruins. Colorful bazaars. Spice-filled tagines. Obvs we’ve got those boxes ticked. But the stuff that makes this trip really special? How about hitting the surf at world-famous beaches? Sipping mint tea local-style? Lazing under paradise palms?
LUCKY FOR YOU,
WE’VE GOT EVERY ANGLE COVERED WITH THIS ONE.
How about just doing
7 DAY | ROCKIN’ MOROCCAN CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH a section of the route?
Visit our website for more info. www.topdeck.travel
MAX OF 16 PEOPLE ON THIS TRIP
Meaning? A more intimate group of legends to have a bloody awesome time with. HEADS UP!
Is this trip for you?
24 HOURS IN TAGHAZOUT
Suggested by Max
Learn to carve like a pro on an optional surfing lesson at Plage Taghazout beach or hit the break at Anchor Point if this isn’t your first time....
Take an optional day trip to Paradise Valley: a maze of palm-fringed gorges in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Bliss.
Head to World of Waves for afternoon tea or grab a take-away pizza from Pizza Hot (Not Hut) and tuck in along the coast
Get a taste of everyday life watching the local fishermen bring in their morning catch at Marché Poissons
Check out the locals turning tricks at the skatepark. Hot tip: stay for sunset, the views are 110% WORTH IT
Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. Meaning? Alcohol is scarce. Perfect excuse for a detox really... FYI
Best sunset views? Head to Taros Café
Relax and unwind with a spot of yoga on the beachfront.
“ESSA-WEERA” get your bearings with a walking tour through the medina, the port and along the Scala (aka ancient sea wall)
Casablanca
THE FES FIVE
Visit a traditional tannery (say yes to the mint, you’re going to need it!)
Head over to The Ruined Garden for Moroccan tapas in an awesome setting
Wind through the buzzing souks, the Jewish Quarter and the Royal Palace on an INCLUDED walking tour
Hike up Mount Zalagh for all the views, olive groves and GOATS!
Tuck into a camel burger (or chicken couscous if that’s not your jam) at Café Clock #1 #2 #3 #4 #5
INCLUDED!
TOUR AROUND THE ‘BLUE CITY’ WITH A LOCAL GUIDE –head up to the top of the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views
SUBM IT TED by
TRIP LEADER
Experience some traditional Moroccan R&R at a local hammam.
Zhara suggests Mythic Spa or Royal Mansour in Marrakech.
▪ Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
▪ Walking tour with local guide in Chefchaouen
▪ Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis
▪ Check out some local ceramics in Fes
▪ Walking tour of Fes
▪ Half-day city tour of Marrakech
▪ Walking tour of Essaouira
10 DAYS FROM
EUR PER PERSON
EUR PER DAY €96
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Surf, Sand & Souks” on www.topdeck.travel
DAY nile discovery
TAKE AN IN-DEPTH ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ADVENTURE.
Add a 5-star cruise down the Nile, a ready-made friendship group and the most legendary Trip Leader you could ever meet. WHAT DO YOU GET? THIS TRIP. From Giza Plateau to the beaches of Hurghada, this is one all-encompassing Egypt tour that’ll give you bragging rights foreverrrr.
DO NOT MISS: Check out Tutankhamun’s mummy in the Valley of the Kings
KEEP EXPLORING?
Why not round off your adventure with our Jordan & Israel trip (p.40)? The dates line up perfectly so you can have yourself a supersized holiday. Just book your own flight from Cairo to Amman!
TOP 3
MUST-TRY FOODS IN CAIRO
FUUL: A filling fava bean stew. We’ve heard it makes an excellent hangover cure...
FITEER: A layered pastry pie. Head to Tawfiqiyya Souq for the best ones!
TAAMEYA: S wap chickpeas for fava beans and you’ve got an Egyptian version of falafel
FASCINATING
The GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA was completed in around 2560 BC and is made from around 2.5 MILLION stone blocks. That’s a lot of limestone.
KOM OMBO TEMPLE is partly dedicated to the crocodile-headed god Sobek. Might explain why 300 mummified crocodiles were found nearby...
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
▪ 5-star cruise on the Nile
▪ See the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau
▪ Visit the Egyptian Museum
▪ Visit the Temples of Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo and Edfu
▪ Visit the Saqqara Step Pyramid, Coptic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili market
▪ Visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak
▪ Visit the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut
▪ Visit a Nubian village
9 DAYS FROM
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
APR - MAR
For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “Nile Discovery” on www.topdeck.travel
TRIP CODE: MXEVCC
The SPHINX has remnants of paint on its face and body – meaning it may once have been even more eyecatching than it is now.
Look like there’s something missing out front at LUXOR TEMPLE ? There is. FYI: You’ll find the temple’s other red granite obelisk at Place de la Concorde in Paris.
overland
overland
OVERLAND
ACCOMMODATED
ACCOMMODATION: HOTELS, CAMPSITES, LODGES, GAME RESERVES
TWIN/DOUBLE/SINGLE
OVERLAND CAMPING
TWIN-SHARE ACCOMMODATION: CAMPSITES, GAME RESERVES (SLEEPING BAG REQUIRED)
Take an Explorer trip and make it Africa.
The result? OVERLAND: AN ADVENTURE DESIGNED TO HELP YOU SEE, DO AND EXPERIENCE MORE. And with a small group of ready-made trip mates who are just as pumped for it as you are – plus a knowledgeable Trip Leader AND a private chef – a more intimate, personalised travel experience will be yours. Our max capacity? Just 21 passengers. But on the average trip you can expect closer to 15.
Camping vs Accommodated – THE DECISION IS YOURS. Choose to camp and you’ll stay in a two-person dome tent (complete with comfy mattress). Opt for Accommodated and you’ll bed down in a safari cabin, tented camp or hostel. Either way, you’ll get the same unforgettable experience – with the same unforgettable people.
MORE FOR LESS. You already forked out time and $$ getting all the way over here so you want to experience as much as you can, without the “holy sh*t” pricetag Good news: with Overland, you can check off your bucketlist items, explore the unknown and still have enough cash left over for that scenic flight you’ve been eyeing off.
An ultra-zen tented camp surrounded by
LUSH TROPICAL GARDENS.
By day: get your safari on at the Maasai Mara National Park. And by night? Cosy up around the fire pit. You might even hear a lion or hyena in the distance...
WILDEBEEST ECO CAMP, NAIROBI (KENYA)
Staying with us in Hermanus? You lucked out. Perched on the edge of Walker Bay, the Windsor Hotel has a front-row seat for
THE MOST INCREDIBLE PANORAMIC VIEWS
But wait, it gets better: whale watching. Hell to the yes.
WINDSOR HOTEL, HERMANUS (SOUTH AFRICA)
AFRICA INTO THE WILD
Put your feet up and be at one with nature – this is glamping, South Africa style. Set in the middle of a
PEACEFUL WILDLIFE
RESERVE,
Bundox Safari Lodge is packed with self-guided trails (and plenty of cute and crazy birdlife).
BUNDOX SAFARI LODGE, GREATER KRUGER (SOUTH AFRICA)
THIS PLACE? IT’S A DREAM.
Lots of shady places to pitch up, one HUGE swimming pool, an amazing restaurant... Oh, and one of the seven wonders of the world is a three-minute drive away. Just casually.
VICTORIA FALLS REST CAMP, VICTORIA FALLS (ZIMBABWE)
18 DAY south african
I DON’T HAVE 18 DAYS...
NEW TRIP adventure
Forget the mainstream checklist, this trip is its own Big Five –
How about doing a week on our BIG FIVE N FALLS TRIP? It’s just as jam-packed with safaris, jaw- dropping adventures and concludes at the royalty of the Falls themselves. Flip to p. 54 for deets.
Oh, and the wine here is pretty bloody good too. On this one, ‘adventure’ is an understatement.
DAY FOUR-ISH
DAYS
IN KRUGER NP
Best way to start an African adventure?
An INCLUDED sunset 4x4 safari through the park. Later, pull up a chair at our I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E bush camp and get to know the gang under a star-filled sky
2 x FULL DAY INCLUDED safari
Big Five? Tick ‘em off with your eagle-eyed expert guide. Then join the crew around the roaring campfire and share the day’s ‘holy sh*t’ moments
Lace up your Nikes, don your khaki greens and head out on a guided bushwalk through the park. Just in case you didn’t get close enough to the lions the first time...
Hmmmm
1 DAYS 2-3 DAY 4 Is this trip for you?
PHOTO OP!!
wonder what I’ll see here.... Afternoon AND evening game drive?? Heck yess!!
Learn to carve LIKE A PRO along the Golden Mile or hit the South Coast beaches for bigger swells (wipe outs are inevitable)
@WANDERS-OF-G
WINE TIME:
This region is highly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean that sweeps up past Cape Town cooling down the grapes that are grown here.
The predominant local grape varieties are French, German and northern Italian. Smell. Swirl. Sip. Repeat.
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
▪ Afternoon and full day 4x4 game drive in Kruger NP
▪ Meet the locals on a village walk in Esitjeni
▪ Estuary cruise in St Lucia
▪ Sunset 4x4 game drive in Addo Elephant NP
▪ Guided tour of Cango Caves
▪ Visit Cape Agulhas
▪ Wine tasting in Hermanus
▪ Royal Natal NP hike
Blyde River Canyon For up-to-date details and pricing, SEARCH: “South African Adventure” on www.topdeck.travel
41 MEALS
18 DAYS FROM that’s just
EUR PER DAY €143 €2559
EUR PER PERSON
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
NEW TRIP
SUN & SAFARI 13 DAY
*PRESS PLAY ON TOTO’S ‘AFRICA’*
So, you wanna feel real? Then allow us to introduce you to this two-week, all-encompassing, UN-FOR-GETTABLE African extravaganza™. Travelling from Nairobi to Dar Es Salaam, you’ll dive headlong into the following: pulse-quickening game drives. Eye-opening island discoveries. Local interactions that’ll nourish your soul. By the time you get home, you’ll be a whole new person.*
*We mean, you’ll still be you. Just better.
DON’T FORGET TO BRING:
BUG SPRAY
EYE MASK
SLEEPING BAG
QUICK-DRY TRAVEL TOWEL SWIMWEAR
GOOD CAMERA / BINOCULARS
MODEST CLOTHING (for those church/mosque visits)
NEUTRAL CLOTHING (to blend in on safari)
Serengeti
FACT:
The animals here are usually more active during the cooler hours of the day – so it’s an early start, then back to camp for lunch.
NGORONGORO CRATER
formed around two and a half MILLION years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself. Now? It’s a wildlife-filled Garden of Eden – and you’ll be lucky enough to camp on the rim. There’s nothing like falling asleep listening to the not-so-distant sounds of lions, hyenas, elephants, leopards and cheetahs...
Is this trip for you?
ZANZIBAR:
Freddie Mercury’s house. Yep, Freddie Mercury – THE Freddie Mercury – was actually born here.
Cows and goats on the beach? Standard.
Zanzibar Coffee House. A 19th-century Arabic house slap bang in the middle of Stone Town. Pull up a seat on the balcony, grab a coffee and cast your eyes over the maze-like streets below. Le Macis (Nungwi Beach). ‘Cause who doesn’t like to eat delicious French food surrounded by tropical gardens?
Snorkelling. Sparkling blue waters. Colourful coral reefs. Tropical fishies. It’d be rude not to.
Jozani Forest. Hop on a day trip from Stone Town and go check this place out. Fact: it’s the only NP on Zanzibar. Also a fact: rare monkeys live here.
Sea Turtle Sanctuary. Brace for cuteness overload. You can even feed the turtles if you fancy it!
Former Slave Market. Come here for one of the most moving history lessons you’ll ever receive. 5 bucks and totally worth it.
▪ 4x4 game drives in Maasai Mara National Reserve
▪ 4x4 game drives in Serengeti National Park
▪ 4x4 Ngorongoro Crater tour
▪ Island stay on Zanzibar
big five n falls 7 DAY
NEW TRIP
WE COULD EXPLAIN THE NAME, BUT THAT WOULD BE PATRONISING.
ALL JOKES ASIDE? THIS IS ONE WILD, WILD WEEK.
Test your critter knowledge on the game drive trail in Kruger. Be at one with nature in Matobo National Park. Fuel your inner daredevil with some tummy-flipping activities at Victoria Falls. If you’ve always wanted to do the safari thing, this short (but oh-so-sweet) adventure’s got your name on it.
PRO TIP
With so many incredible things to do around the falls, you probs won’t want to leave. Note to self? Book an extra night or two
LIKE?
WHAT ARE THE TRUCKS
Big trucks, big windows (for all that safari action). Inside you’ll find plenty of space to relax, lockers to stash your stuff in, and USB ports for all your charging needs.
Is this trip for you?
Canoe trail Gorge swim Helicopter flight Whitewater rafting Flying Fox zipline Township tour Sunset river cruise (watch out for hippos!)
GET PAP’D
PAP = YOUR NEW AFRICAN BFF.
Looks like mashed potato, but is actually a kind of maize side dish. You’ll get it with EVERYTHING (courtesy of your own private chef).
Suggested by Chloe
TOP 3
Check out the rock paintings
UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCES
THE UNESCO-LISTED BOULDERS IN MATOBO.
Take a few drinks (and mates) with you and watch the sunset from these extraordinary rocks.
THE HOT MINERAL SPRINGS IN TSHIPISE.
The most awesome place to de-stress. Fact: Tshipise means ‘something warm’. Makes sense.
A TRADITIONAL AFRICAN DRUM SHOW IN VIC FALLS.
Audience participation = essential. Grab a djembe drum and get into it. No sense of rhythm? Who cares!
You’ve heard of the big five. But what about
THE LITTLE FIVE
THAT’S RIGHT–
there’s a Little Five too. And it’s about time they got the props they deserve. buffalo weaver elephant shrew rhino beetle antlion leopard tortoise
▪ Afternoon and full day 4x4 game drives in Kruger National Park
▪ Bush walk in Kruger NP
▪ Game drive and wilderness walk in Matobo NP
▪ Tour of Mosi-oa-Tunya NP
▪ Visit Victoria Falls
7 DAYS FROM INCLUDED EXPERIENCES
EUR PER PERSON
EUR PER DAY €217
MULTIPLE DEPARTURES
CONDITIONS // TERMS & CONDITIONS // TERMS &
Topdeck's Details
Locally Operated Trips
Top Deck Tours Ltd, company number 04905253, 109 Power Road, London, W4 5PY, UK
The following trips are operated by the corresponding local operator as principal: Jordan Adventure, Jordan & Israel: Green Arrow Tours, Amman, Jordan. Essential Egypt, Egypt Express, Nile Discovery,Dahab Beach
Your contract will be with us as tour operator, unless you have booked a Locally Operated Trip, in which case your contract for tour services will be with the relevant Local Operator specified in the reference table above and will be subject to that Local Operator's terms and conditions, in addition to the booking conditions set out below. For any Locally Operated Trip, the Local Operator will also be identified on your itinerary or travel documents and their respective terms and conditions will be available directly on their websites or by contacting them. Should we book a flight on your behalf it will be subject to the conditions of the respective airline, including but not limited to deposit/full payment and cancellation terms. Please read all booking conditions carefully. You must not make any booking unless you understand and agree with these booking conditions and any additional terms and conditions as indicated above and/or at the time of booking.
Our trips are designed strictly for young people between the ages of 18 to 39 years (with the exception of Gap Year trips, which are restricted to people between the ages of 17 to 20 years).
Bookings can be made through your local travel agent or directly with us and must be secured with a deposit of the amount shown above. A contract between you and us (or between you and the relevant Local Operator) will exist as soon as: (i) we issue an invoice in response to your request for a booking; and (ii) your deposit is paid to us or your travel agent. If your booking is made through a travel agent, we will address all correspondence to that agent.
PRICE & PAYMENT
The deposit is non-refundable unless we cancel your trip. The balance of your trip must be paid no later than 60 days prior to your trip departure date. If you do not pay within this period we may cancel your booking and your deposit will be forfeited. Full payment is required if you make a booking within 60 days of the departure date. If your booking is a special offer we may require full payment (including any pre and post accommodation and sundry service charges) by such earlier time as specified in the offer Offered discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. All discounts apply to the trip price only and do not apply to any flights, visitor taxes, adventure passes, short breaks, stopovers, day trips, ski trips, gap year trips, pre & post accommodation or transfers. Only two applicable and valid discounts can be combined to a maximum discount of 15% off the trip price (note: for Asia trips, only two applicable and valid discounts can be combined to a maximum discount of 10% off the trip price). After you have booked, changes to (i) the price of fuel; (ii) the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports; and (iii) exchange rates, mean that the price of your trip may change. There will be no change within 20 days of your departure. We will absorb any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your trip. However, we may charge you for the amount over and above that. If this results in an increase equivalent to more than 8% of the price of your trip, you will have the option of accepting a change to another trip (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value), or cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid. Should the price of your trip go down due to the cost changes mentioned above, then any refund due will be paid to you. We will deduct from this refund our administrative expenses incurred. Please note that trips arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your trip due to contractual and other protection in place. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Please ensure you carefully read your invoice, tickets and all other eDocs and documents we send to you as soon as you receive them and contact us or your travel agent 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 the travel agent. You are responsible for ensuring that you have the correct and valid travel documents including passports, visas and vaccination certificates. We strongly recommend that you verify current documentation requirements 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. IF YOU CHANGE OR CANCEL YOUR BOOKING
If you want to change or cancel 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 in writing. We will do our best to accommodate your requested change, but it may not always be possible. We will not charge a fee for changes requested more than 60 days before departure except where we incur a cost from a supplier, in which case we will advise you of the relevant fee. All change/cancellation fees must be paid within seven days of the invoice date or on the date of departure, whichever is the sooner. You may make a request to transfer your booking to another person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the trip. A transfer request must be made in writing not less than 7 days prior to departure and must include proof of acceptance of the transfer by the new traveller. Both you and the new traveller will remain jointly liable and responsible for any applicable travel service provider’s charges (such as booked airfares, train tickets, specifically allocated accommodation and non-refundable Local Operator charges). Please note that some third party travel service providers may refuse such requests and treat the transfer as a cancellation and rebooking. CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION BY US
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. In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances we may be required to cancel or materially modify your trip. In these booking conditions "unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances" means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken (including, but not limited to, war, threat of war, riot, civil disturbances, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or other disaster (such as volcanic ash or hurricanes), nuclear incident, fire, adverse weather conditions (actual or threatened, including snow and fog), closed or congested airports or ports, unavoidable technical problems with transport, unforeseen alterations to public transport schedules, changes to immigration,
labour and free-movement laws resulting from BREXIT, rescheduling of aircraft or boats and similar events). If this happens we will offer you a refund of all money paid or, if available, alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). A material modification is one that has a serious impact 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. A change of accommodation, or transport method/style is not a material modification. We may alter or substitute the type or size of vehicle, or method/style of transport mentioned in the brochure, depending on the number of passengers carried, which can vary from trip to trip. In certain countries there are strict laws governing drivers' hours and this may necessitate utilising public transport in some cities. We may display on our website the minimum number of participants required for each trip. If insufficient bookings have been made as at 42 days prior to departure, we may cancel the scheduled trip, whereupon all money paid by you for your trip will be refunded and no further compensation will be paid.
OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR TOPDECK OPERATED TRIPS
If the trip does not materially comply with the description in the brochure, we may compensate you to a maximum value equal to three times the price of the trip. We will only be liable to pay the maximum amount of compensation where there has been a total failure of consideration for your payment. We will not be liable where any failure in the performance or provision of your trip is due to: (i) your acts or omissions or the acts or omissions of another member in your group; (ii) any third party not connected with the provision of your travel arrangements and where that failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or (iii) unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. Our liability will in all cases be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to relevant international conventions, including the Carriage by Air Conventions (within the meaning given in section 1(5) of the Carriage by Air Act 1961), the Athens Convention of 1974 on the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea and the Convention of 1980 concerning International Carriage by Rail. 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.
OUR LIABILITY TO YOU FOR LOCALLY OPERATED TRIPS
If your trip is a Locally Operated Trip our obligation to you is to (and you expressly authorise us to) make trip bookings on your behalf with reasonable skill and care and to arrange a contract between you and the relevant Local Operator. We exercise care in the selection of reputable Local Operators but we have no control over, or liability for, the services provided by third parties. All bookings are made on your behalf subject to these and all other terms and conditions, including any conditions of carriage and limitations of liability imposed by the Local Operator. Your legal rights in connection with such trips are solely against the Local Operator and are not against us, except to the extent a problem is caused by fault on our part.
SEATBELTS
You must wear a seatbelt at all times whilst you are in any vehicle. Neither we nor any Local Operator will be liable for any injury, death or claim howsoever arising from any accident if you have failed to comply with this requirement.
FLEXIBILITY DURING TRIP
Your booking is accepted on the condition that you understand, and take responsibility for, the risks inherent in adventure travel. Every effort will be made to operate all trips featured in this brochure but 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 important. All decisions relating to a trip itinerary 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. No refund will be made for services which for whatever reason are not used by you once the trip has departed.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
Neither we nor our employees, agents and contractors make any representation or warranty in relation to implied or explicit suggestions or recommendations of services, activities and events not highlighted as included in a trip. You are responsible for all risks associated with the transportation to/from, and your participation in, or visitation to, any place, activity or excursion not listed as an inclusion. During your trip you may be offered the chance to purchase various optional excursions and activities. We do 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 dangerous and 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 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. We act only as their agent. We accept no liability for any act or omission of any operator or operator’s employees, agents or sub-contractors or any losses (whether direct or indirect and howsoever caused) arising therefrom.
DIETARY, HEALTH AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
You must clearly state all your dietary requirements at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee that special dietary requirements can be met and we cannot take responsibility for any such requirements not being fulfilled. Walking is a fundamental part of our trips. Our trips are not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
If you have a medical condition (including any mental health disorder) that may reasonably affect your trip or you require special arrangements to be put in place, you must inform us in writing at the time of booking.
We may ask you to complete a medical assessment form to assist us. If we cannot reasonably accommodate your particular needs, or where your participation will cause unreasonable disruption to the functioning of the trip, we may 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
You will not be permitted to embark or continue on the trip if, in the reasonable opinion of our representative, your mental or physical condition renders you incapable of caring for yourself, you become objectionable to other passengers, or you become a hazard to yourself, other passengers, our personnel or any third party. Immediate termination of your trip may occur if you possess or transport illegal substances (including drugs) or where you have engaged in any illegal activity during a trip.
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 return to the point of the trip departure if 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. You agree to indemnify us in full and on demand against all losses (direct and indirect and howsoever caused) arising from any third-party claims, demands or actions taken against us for injury, loss, damage or destruction caused by you or arising from your participation on the trip. Without limiting the foregoing, you agree to indemnify us for all excess cleaning fees and property damage claims related to your accommodation.
INSURANCE & CLAIMS
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 us 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.
If you make a claim against us you agree to assign to us or our insurers any rights to take action against any third party supplier/tour operator or any other person or party that may have been wholly or partly responsible for the claim or who we reasonably consider should be a party to the action. You must co-operate fully with us should we or our insurers wish to enforce those rights which have been assigned to us. If 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.
TRAVEL ADVICE
We recommend that you visit your government's travel advice website prior to the commencement of travel. In the UK, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues travel advice and warnings at fco.gov.uk. The Australian government provides an equivalent service at smartraveller.gov.au.
COMPLAINTS
In the event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any other service provided by us, you must report it immediately to the Trip Leader so that action can be taken to remedy the problem. Failure to immediately notify the Trip Leader of any problem may result in your claim for compensation from us being denied or reduced. Any complaint made to us following the conclusion of the trip should be made in writing within 28 days of completion of the trip. If you do not notify us in writing within 28 days, our ability to investigate the complaint may be prejudiced. In the UK, we can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta. com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com.
DATA PROTECTION
We are committed to protecting your personal information and agree to process your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Notice, which is available online at www.topdeck.travel/privacy. 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 many cases this will include transferring your data to overseas recipients (including to recipients outside of the European Union). Personal information may also be provided to public authorities such as customs or immigration if required by them, or as required by law.
SMOKING
We enforce a non-smoking policy on our coaches (although we make frequent stops for breaks) and in most of our accommodation.
LUGGAGE
There are strict weight limits for coaches when fully loaded. 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 (or 15kg for Outback trips). In addition you may bring a sleeping bag, as required on specific trips, and a daypack.
PUBLISHING CONSENT
You acknowledge and agree that our future 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.
WI-FI
We will endeavor to deliver Wi-Fi connection as stated on relevant trips to the best of our ability. This service is subject to availability and may not be available on some peak season departures or in the event of technical issues.
ASIA EXPLORER
AFRICA OVERLAND
THREE EARTHY WINS LAST SEASON
