GAP YEAR | 2017
4
F E AT U R I N G
EPIC GAP YEAR
ADVENTURES
EX PL O R E
FRANCE IRELAND ITALY GREECE GERMANY Prices & itineraries valid until August 2017
AND MORE
PARIS | VENICE | BARCELONA | BERLIN | AMSTERDAM FLORENCE | DUBLIN | SWISS ALPS | DUBROVNIK AND MORE
Stories
04 06
BUCKET LIST
Your roadmap to adventure.
THIS IS YOUR WORLD
Hassle free travel and freedom to explore.
Trips
08
CLUB Tick off the must-see-before-you-die stuff, then get more bang for your buck with a range of handpicked experiences most backpackers miss. Live like a king in an Austrian Gasthof, sail the Mediterranean and party it up in Prague’s castle district. Tick. Tick. Tick.
10
COMBO Shoestring travel doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Pitch your tent, grab your mates and hit the pool. This isn’t a music festival. Your tent kit comes with a private chef, lots of epic meals and at some destinations, swimming pools and nightclubs (not kidding). Our combo trips are designed to be social and budgetfriendly with plenty of hostel and hotel upgrades. Did anyone say next level?
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HOTEL If your dorm room days are over, we won’t judge. 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.
GAP YEAR EXCLUSIVE 1 FREE NIGHT IN LONDON BEFORE YOUR TRIP!* Book any of our Gap Year trips that start in London and get a free night’s stay in London before your trip. Yep, you read that right. *Free night must be booked at the same time as your main trip.
WE ARE TOPDECK. WE DO EPIC EUROTRIPS, BIG GAME SAFARIS, AMERICAN ROAD TRIPS, SAILING VOYAGES, OUTBACK EXPLORATIONS AND LOADS OF OTHER GLOBAL ADVENTURES FOR TRAVELLERS BETWEEN 18-39.
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, Wi-Fiequipped 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 must-see, must-do activities, with plenty of top-notch local fare to recharge your batteries in between stops – meaning you can spend your money where it matters, and we’ll take care of the rest.
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.
GAP YEAR BUCKET LIST
01
PARDON MY FRENCH. Paris is a love affair meant to be continued. It starts with a
romantic rendezvous under Pont-Marie, a fleeting
02
PRAGUE: GIMME THE GOULASH. It’s hard to shake that Disneyland feeling. With
a castle that looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale,
kiss at the Eiffel Tower and a history lesson at
14th century stone bridges and local cuisine that
Musée du Louvre. It’s home to the Mona Lisa and
will literally meat your expectations (no we didn’t
Coco Chanel, Jay-Z went here for his birthday and
spell that wrong), Prague is guaranteed to impress.
kissing in public is encouraged. And don’t get us
Eat: head cheese and deep fried toast with raw
started on the food.
beef. Or just have a goulash. We won’t judge.
PAGE. 8, 9, 10.
PAGE. 8, 9, 10.
03
04
DUBROVNIK DUBSTEP. The country that brought you the necktie, Dalmatians
and a currency named after an adorable little
SAILING THE MEDITERRANEAN. Life is all about choices. When you’re
sailing in Greece, the decisions get tough. There’s
rodent, also happens to host the hottest city in
the swimwear dilemma, the snorkeling versus
Europe right now. Think: baroque buildings behind
sunbathing predicament and the impossible toss-
medieval city walls, epic Adriatic Sea sunsets and
up between jumping back in for a swim and staying
glitzy nightlife.
right where you are. Work the tan, live the dream,
PAGE. 10.
forget the rest. Tough life, we know.
PAGE. 9, 10.
05
VISCA BARÇA! Welcome to the stomping ground of Dali and Gaudi, where the
mouthwatering tapas is only rivalled by the sangria
06
V FOR VENICE. You come for the gondolas and stay for the gelato.
Cruise down ancient canals or island-hop your
and nights out come with a side of flamenco
way around in a vaporetto – life here runs on
dancing. Expect: hip bars, cosmopolitan funkiness
cruise control and so should you. Explore a never-
and a passion for football.
ending maze of marble churches and historical
PAGE. 10.
relics making up one of the most complicated architectural contraptions in human history.
PAGE. 8, 9, 10.
07
SWISS ALPS. Yodeling, chocolate and cuckoo clocks aside, Switzerland is
one of the most beautiful places in Europe. For a
08
ICH BIN EIN BERLINER. Once bitten twice as funky. Despite nearly three
decades of Cold War politics and bitter separation,
country that runs like precision clockwork, there’s
Berlin has bounced back as a hub of tolerance
no shortage of time-passing opportunities. Take on
and creativity. Visit the remnants of the notorious
four languages and the highest railway station in
Berlin Wall for a sobering Throwback Thursday
Europe (3,454 metres!). Also: cheese fondue.
then equalise with a dose of the city’s contagious
PAGE. 8, 9, 10.
night vibes.
PAGE. 8, 9, 10. THE GAP YEAR BUCKET LIST | 05
FREEDOM TO EXPLORE WE REALISE THAT EVERYONE’S DIFFERENT – which is why our trips offer loads of free time to play, discover and channel your inner explorer. Jumping for a jam-packed day? Let’s go. Keen to kick back? No worries. We’ve built in enough time for you to do your own thing. It’s your trip, your way
TOP-NOTCH EATS SLURP DOWN SPAGHETTI IN ROME, taste test tagine in Morocco and wrap your mouth ‘round ramen in Japan. From sampling traditional fare in local restaurants to enjoying quality feasts prepared by our expert Topdeck Chefs, we’ll ensure your tummy is just as full as your passport.
CREW LOVE US TOPDECKERS are as passionate about travel as you are. Our Trip Leaders, Drivers and Chefs are a unique bunch of curious, confident and friendly folk who share more enthusiasm for adventure than you can poke a selfie stick at. Plus, we know our stuff – so expect loads of fun with a side of #mindblowing knowledge.
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER MEMORIES FADE BUT FACEBOOK FRIENDS ARE FOREVER. Our trips are specifically designed for travellers between 18-39, which means you can hang out with other young explorers bent on seeing the world and create friendships that last longer than your festival wristband.
NO FUSS, NO MUSS FROM OUR MODERN, Wi-Fi equipped coaches to our hand picked accommodation and unique Bucket List items, we’ve got it covered – meaning you get to have the best trip possible, completely hassle-free. Plus, we have a No Tipping policy, so you’ll have more cash to spend on optional activities (and tacky souvenirs, of course). THIS IS YOUR WORLD | 7
8 GAP
18 DAY | E U R O P E A N T R E A S U R E S LONDON
LONDON
9
COUNTRIES VISITED
38
MEALS
CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS
2
ENGLAND START/FINISH
Berlin
NETHERLANDS
2
Amsterdam
London
Dresden
Bruges
BELGIUM
GERMANY
2 Prague
CZECH REPUBLIC
2
Mauthausen
Paris
FRANCE
1 Austrian Swiss Alps
SWITZERLAND
Alps
2
AUSTRIA
Verona
2
Venice Pisa
2
Florence 1
ITALY
Orvieto Rome
STOP & STAY DAY STOP
2
VATICAN CITY
PHOTO: VENICE, ITALY
TRIP CODE: EEGTLL START
FINISH
START
FINISH
11
JUL
28
JUL
18
JUL
4
AUG
13
JUL
30
JUL
20
JUL
6
AUG
TRIP PRICE OF £1135 + £290 FOOD FUND Price based on GBP per person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room
18 days from
1135
£
GBP Per Person
+ £290 FOOD FUND Must be booked and paid for in full by 31 March 2017 otherwise a supplement of £70 applies. 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.
TRAVEL TIP #1: SKIP THE QUEUES While the queues can get massive during the peak summer season, many monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Anne Frank house can be pre-booked online to save you from hours of queueing up.
Start
Meet at 6am in London.
Finish
Approximately 9pm in London.
DAY 1 LONDON 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. (D)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
DAY 2 PARIS. Time for the Louvre and Sacré Cœur, the trendy bars in the Latin Quarter or a bike tour around town. Find us at the Eiffel Tower this evening for a gourmet picnic stuffed with eclairs, macarons and other French goodness followed by an optional cruise or cabaret show. (B,D)
MORE INCLUSIONS
DAY 3-4 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. No rest for the wicked as we head across the Swiss border to the Alps, where Blofeld chased 007 down the ski slopes. Chill out, skydive out of a helicopter or check out the highest point in Europe. Epic. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 5-6 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE, ITALY. Time to see Pisa about that 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) DAY 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) DAY 9-10 ROME TO VENICE. Reenact your own version of Romeo and Juliet at the world’s most famous balcony in Verona en route to the Queen of the Adriatic. To do: gondolas, canals and the world’s most epic book shop, Libreria Acqua Alta. (B,L,D) (B,D) DAY 11 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Snowcapped mountains, round two. Grab your #gopro, it’s action time! (B,L,D)
M O FR G Y N A TI /D AR £80
ST
DAY 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
++ Paris gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower ++ Local guide in Florence ++ Bicycle tour & canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam
++ 17 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L), 12 dinners (D) ++ 10 nights hostels, 6 nights in bungalows, 1 night in Austrian Gasthof ++ 1 free night in London before trip (see p.2) ++ English Channel crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef allegedly inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. (B,L,D) (B) DAY 14-15 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. A quick stop in Dresden on the way to the art-loving, übertrendy 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) DAY 16-17 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. Home to cheese, clogs and tulips. Also home to the tallest people in the world, 15 Nobel prizes and an undying love for herring. Explore the city by bike, soak up the liberal vibes and find out what the deal is with all those cats. (B,L) (B,D) DAY 18 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON VIA BRUGES, BELGIUM. Stock up on chocolate in Bruges on the way back to London. We leave you here, but the world’s your oyster. (B)
9
LONDON
LONDON
11
COUNTRIES VISITED
56
GAP
27 DAY | E U R O P E A N E X P L O R E R MEALS
CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS
2
ENGLAND START/FINISH
Berlin
NETHERLANDS
2
Amsterdam
London
Dresden
Bruges
BELGIUM
GERMANY
2 Prague
CZECH REPUBLIC
2 Munich
Paris
FRANCE
1 2 Austrian
Swiss Alps
SWITZERLAND
Alps
2
AUSTRIA
2
Venice French Riviera
2
MONACO Pisa
Ancona
2
Florence
ITALY
Rome
2
VATICAN CITY
1
1
overnight ferry
overnight ferry
1
DAYS 5-6 SWISS ALPS TO FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE. Assemble the paparazzi crew as we go celebrity spotting on the French Riviera. Then more mingling tonight at the casinos of Monaco. (B,L,D) (B)
3 nights sailing in Greece Paris gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower Bicycle tour & canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam Local guide in Florence
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)
DAY 20 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO MUNICH, GERMANY. You’re here for the beer and the pork knuckle. Prost! (B,L)
DAYS 9-10 FLORENCE TO ROME. Hit the streets on a walking tour to find out what the Romans really did. Also: pizza. (B,L,D) (B)
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)
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. Don’t forget the sunscreen. 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. Today we road trip up the boot to arrive in Venice this evening. (D) DAY 17 VENICE, ITALY. Gondolas, vaporettos and a guided tour through a maze of bridges, canals, and quirky spaces + Venetian pizza = #perfecto! (B,D) DAYS 18-19 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS, AUSTRIA. Take in the mountain air by foot or bike. With all that work, calories won’t be a problem at dinner tonight. (B,L,D) (B,L)
TRIP CODE: EEGSLL START
DAYS 23-24 PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY. Let Dresden show off some of its 800-year-old history before we hit the German capital to find out what it means to be ein Berliner. (B,L,D) (B)
FINISH
START
FINISH
8
JUL
3
AUG
19
JUL
14
AUG
12
JUL
7
AUG
22
JUL
17
AUG
15
JUL
10
AUG
26
JUL
21
AUG
MORE INCLUSIONS
++ 25 breakfasts (B), 16 lunches (L), 15 dinners (D) ++ 2 nights in hotels, 11 nights in hostels, 2 nights in an Austrian Gasthof, 6 nights in bungalows, 2 nights on an overnight ferry, 3 nights on yachts in Greece ++ 1 free night in London before trip (see p.2) ++ English Channel crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef
GREECE
TRIP PRICE OF £1695 + £620 FOOD FUND Price based on GBP per person multi-share: usually 2-4 per room
PHOTO: ROME, ITALY
DAYS 3-4 SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. To Lauterbrunnen: featuring all the magic of Middle Earth sans wizards. Your photos from the highest train station in Europe at the summit of Jungfrau mountain would make even Bear Grylls jealous. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)
++ ++ ++ ++
Sailing
DAY STOP
27 days from
1695
£
GBP Per Person
+ £620 FOOD FUND Must be booked and paid for in full by 31 March 2017 otherwise a supplement of £110 applies. 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.
Start
Meet at 6am in London.
Finish
Approximately 9pm in London.
DAYS 25-26 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. The world’s tallest nation also knows a thing or two about cheese and clog making. Let the Facebook friend requests flow at the farewell dinner tonight – it’s been epic. (B,L) (B,D) DAY 27 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON VIA BRUGES, BELGIUM. Love and leave Amsterdam this morning as we ferry back to London. But first: a cheeky chocolate stop in Bruges. (B) RT £8 IN 6/ G F D AY RO M
DAY 2 PARIS. The glass elevator ride up the Eiffel Tower will give you butterflies, but the views are so worth it. It’s also probably the best picnic spot in the world. Stuff yourself on buttery goodness then join us for a cruise or cabaret. (B,D)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
ST A
DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE (OR JOIN IN PARIS). Paris is always a good idea. We’ll kick things off taking in the city lights. You’re finally here. (D)
STOP & STAY
10 GAP
32 DAY | E U R O P E A N E S C A P A D E LONDON
LONDON
16
COUNTRIES VISITED
70
MEALS
CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE CITY LONDON OR PARIS Berlin
NETHERLANDS
2
ENGLAND
START/FINISH
2
Amsterdam
London
Dresden
Bruges
BELGIUM
GERMANY
2 Prague
CZECH REPUBLIC
2
Mauthausen
Paris
FRANCE
Austrian
2 Alps Swiss Alps
SWITZERLAND
AUSTRIA
2
SLOVENIA
ITALY
Pont du Gard
MONACO Pisa
1
2
French Riviera
2
Postojna Caves
2
Venice Avignon
Florence Ancona
2
1 Zadar
Dubrovnik
2 Rome
2
VATICAN CITY
Barcelona
Budva
MONTENEGRO ALBANIA
1
overnight ferry
SPAIN
1
CROATIA
1 Tirana
STOP & STAY Sailing GREECE
DAY STOP
PHOTO: PARIS, FRANCE
START
FINISH
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ 3 nights sailing in Greece
TRIP CODE: ECGDLL START
++ Paris gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower
FINISH
9
JUL
9
AUG
19
JUL
19
AUG
12
JUL
12
AUG
23
JUL
23
AUG
16
JUL
16
AUG
TRIP PRICE OF £1745 + £620 FOOD FUND Price based on GBP per person twin share tents and multi-share hostel upgrades
32 days from
1745
£
GBP Per Person
+ £620 FOOD FUND Must be booked and paid for in full by 31 March 2017 otherwise a supplement of £150 applies. 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. Kick off your trip crossing the English Channel to the City of Love. (D) DAY 2 PARIS. Roam free and do Paris your way. Then a gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower and an optional river cruise or cabaret show. (B,D) DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND. Cue #jawdropping scenery as we head to the Swiss Alps. (B,L,D) DAY 4 SWISS ALPS. Lauterbrunnen means ‘many springs’ and after you finish counting the waterfalls you’ll have an idea why. Head to Europe’s highest railway station or hit the trails. (B,L,D) DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO AVIGNON, FRANCE. Next stop: the pope’s old stomping ground, Avignon. (B,L)
++ Local guide in Florence, Tirana & Dubrovnik ++ Bicycle tour & canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam
MORE INCLUSIONS
++ 31 breakfasts (B), 20 lunches (L), 19 dinners (D) ++ 18 nights in campsites in twin share dome style tents with air mattresses, 1 night hotel, 6 nights hostel, 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.2) ++ English Channel crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef DAY 6 AVIGNON TO BARCELONA, SPAIN. First stop at the famous Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard before we head to Barcelona. (B,L,D) DAY 7 BARCELONA. Ninja roll out of bed and get on the tapas trail. Also: La Sagrada Familia. (B) DAY 8 BARCELONA TO FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE. Sunny days, famous beaches, and the warm waters of the Mediterranean? Yes, please! (B,L,D) DAY 9 FRENCH RIVIERA. Keep exploring the world’s most lavish waterfront. Tonight we head to Monaco to hit up the casinos in true 007 fashion. (B,D) DAY 10 FRENCH RIVIERA TO FLORENCE, ITALY. A mustdo stop to get THAT shot at the Leaning Tower of Pisa on our way to Florence. (B,L,D) DAY 11 FLORENCE. Home to a third of the world’s art treasures, this city is so beautiful there’s a medical condition associated with visiting. Mind blown. (B) DAY 12 FLORENCE TO ROME. Point the chariot to Rome to check out the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and as many carbs as you can handle. (B,L)
M O FR G Y N A TI /D AR £74
ST
DAY 13 ROME. Vatican City is first up with an optional visit to the Sistine Chapel. After that, the city is yours. (B,D)
DAY 14 ROME TO GREECE (OVERNIGHT FERRY). An overnight ferry to Greece before we take on the Mediterranean. (B,L) DAYS 15-17 SAILING IN GREECE. Join Poseidon’s posse for three great days sailing on the Ionian Sea. (B,L,D) (B,L) (B,L,D) DAY 18 GREECE TO TIRANA, ALBANIA. Get to know the story of Tirana’s mayor/TED speaker Edi Rama and the social science behind rainbow-coloured buildings. (B,L,D) DAY 19 TIRANA TO DUBROVNIK, CROATIA VIA BUDVA, MONTENEGRO. On to the home of King’s Landing via Montenegro. With more intangible World Heritage items than anywhere else in Europe, it’s pretty spesh. (B,L,D) 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. Paragliding. White water rafting. Mountain biking. Epic alpine scenery. Yes, please. (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 party in 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 and explore the city by bike. (B,L) (B,D) DAY 32 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON VIA BRUGES, BELGIUM. Try Belgian-style chocolate in Bruges, before heading back to London. (B)
Start
Meet at 6am in London.
Finish
Approximately 9pm in London.
11
DUBLIN
DUBLIN
2
COUNTRIES VISITED
10
GAP
8 DAY | I R I S H A D V E N T U R E MEALS
Giant’s Causeway NORTHERN IRELAND 1 Belfast
Londonderry/Derry
2 Galway Cliffs of Moher Killarney 1 Blarney Castle 1
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED)
DAY 2 DUBLIN TO BELFAST. 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)
++ Entrance to Blarney Castle
DAY 3 BELFAST TO GALWAY. Play a giant’s game of hopscotch as we visit the famous 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 that kill the town’s sleepy reputation stone dead. (B)
++ Walking tours in all major cities
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)
++ Visit the world-famous Guinness Storehouse in Dublin ++ Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
1 Cork
STOP & STAY DAY STOP
TRIP CODE: EHIGDD START 11
FINISH FEB
18
FEB
TRIP PRICE OF £765
MORE INCLUSIONS
++ 7 breakfasts (B), 3 dinners (D)
Price based on GBP per person twin-share/double
++ 7 nights hotel accommodation (twin or triple)
8 days from
++ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi ++ Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef 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. #sadface. (B)
Start
Meet at 3pm in Dublin.
Finish
Approximately 10am in Dublin.
765
£
PHOTO: CLIFFS OF MOHER, IRELAND
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.
START/FINISH
1 Dublin 1 IRELAND
GBP 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 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. Ireland’s first talking film was shot in Killarney and was called ‘The Dawn’. Also: don’t miss The Dungeon – best known for their ‘penny’ sweets (despite being a secondhand bookstore). (B)
ST A
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
RT £9 IN 6/ G F D AY RO M
DAY 6 KILLARNEY TO CORK. We’re coming over all medieval 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)
G B P
THIS IS YOUR WORLD Eu rope USA + Canada Australia + NZ Asia Afr ica Festivals + Events Middle East
Booking conditions: Please ensure that you take time to read our Terms and Conditions which are available on the Topdeck website: www.topdeck.travel Alternatively ask your Travel Agent for a printed copy of the Topdeck Terms and Conditions before you book your trip. In the event of cancellation by you a minimum of your deposit will be lost with greater fees payable closer to the departure date.
C A LL U S
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