(USD) Topdeck | Gap Year 2020

GAP YEAR

2020

EPIC TRIPS FOR 18 TO 30 SOMETHINGS

Prices and itineraries valid from 01 April 2019 until 03 August 2020

Make the most of your gap year on an epic European adventure

A COLLECTIVE OF EXPLORERS WHO ARE DEVOTED TO TRAVEL, WE STRIVE TO OPEN MINDS, SHIFT PERSPECTIVES, LEARN NEW THINGS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. OUR BUSINESS IS TO MAKE TRAVEL DREAMS A REALIT Y. OUR PASSION IS TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH LIFE-CHANGING TRAVEL EXPERIENCES. We know what works.

We offer variety, comfort and

We build the trips.

And we’re not afraid to

value for money, and promise

You build the memories.

shout about it.

a hassle-free holiday, loaded with authentic local experiences.

independence and freedom,

We are lively, curious,

and believe solo adventures

knowledgeable and dedicated;

should go hand in hand with

driven by the desire to laugh and

unforgettable moments with

have fun.

ARE YOU READY TO DISCOVER WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A #TOPDECKER? LET’S GO.

We refuse to sacrifice quality,

like-minded travellers.

WHY TOPDECK

Unique EXPERIENCES

Our one-of-a-kind included and optional activities in both iconic hotspots and off-the-beaten-track places mean there’s never a dull moment on your trip of a lifetime.

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Delicious FOOD

With visits to local restaurants and delicious foodie options on the menu, we’ll ensure your tummy is just as full as your passport.

Passion AND EXPERTISE

With over 40 years in the travel industry, a team of passionate Crew and a collection of award-winning trips under our belt, you can be sure we know our stuff.

Your GAP YEAR Experts PROVIDING YOU WITH 15 YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF RUNNING GAP YEAR TRIPS

YOU'LL HAVE AN EXTRA CREW MEMBER ON YOUR TRIP FOR ADDED SAFETY AND SECURITY YOU'LL HAVE ACCESS TO FREE WI-FI ON COACH AND IN MOST ACCOMMODATION YOU'LL STAY IN TOPDECK APPROVED ACCOMMODATION TOPDECK ARE CONTACTABLE 24 HOURS A DAY

Freedom TO EXPLORE

We realise that everyone’s different – which is why our trips offer loads of free time to get out there and channel your inner explorer.

/TOPDECKTRAVEL

Value FOR MONEY

From loads of inclusions to our No Tipping policy, we’ve got all the important stuff covered – meaning you have the best trip possible, completely hassle free.

Lasting FRIENDSHIPS

Memories fade but Facebook friends are forever. Hang out with other young explorers aged 18-39 and create bonds that last longer than your festival wristband.

TOPDECKTRAVEL

TOPDECK.TRAVEL

/TOPDECKTRAVEL

TOPDECKTRAVEL

#TOPDECKER

WHY

EUROPEAN TREASURES

18 D A Y | E U R O P E A N T R E A S U R E S LONDON

LONDON

37

MEALS

8

COUNTRIES

WI-FI

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ROME @ANDY_MCNEWENS, BERLIN, PARIS, PRAGUE

Uncover Europe’s hidden treasures and tick off some unforgettable countries. Soak up breathtaking natural scenery in Switzerland, awe-inspiring architecture in Rome, amazing canals in Venice and historic sites in Germany. With accommodation ranging from hotels to bungalows, you’ll have the chance to really sink your teeth into every destination you visit.

PRE TOUR LONDON. Enjoy a free night in London before the trip starts.

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS. All good things start with Paris. Meet the crew and hit the road early in the morning as we jump across to Paris. Pinch yourself and instagram your first selfie before we kick off with a picnic beside the Eiffel Tower. Home to Coco Chanel and the Mona Lisa, Paris more than deserves its reputation as the European capital for all things culture, fashion and food – so prepare for the ultimate adventure! (D) DAY 2 PARIS. This morning: free time en Français.

From the Pompidou Centre and Musée d’Orsay to the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées, you’ll be sure to make a solid dent in your bucket list. Then: hop on an optional bike tour of Paris or roam the streets on your own. End your day with an optional Seine river cruise or a #throwback cabaret show. (B) DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS. Trade in Parisian streets for snowy peaks. Home to the so-called ‘Top of Europe’, 72 waterfalls and one of the largest nature conservations in Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen is where we'll be spending the night. Urban charm ain't got nothing on Swiss scenery. Tonight, chow down on Swiss cuisine and hit the bar for a nightcap. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 SWISS ALPS. Scenic hikes and jaw-dropping views are on today’s agenda. Go low key with a mountain walk or hop on board the Jungfraubahn railway for an optional visit to the Jungfrau Mountain summit. Another local feast awaits you, regardless of how you make your way back down. (B,L,D)

and just marvel at the ancient arena). Say ciao to Venice from across the lagoon as we check into our campsite, have an Eat Pray Love-worthy relationship with an irresistible Italian (meal) and get pumped for living out your own version of The Italian Job tomorrow. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE. First up, we’ll make a quick stop at Pisa for THAT shot. Then it’s on to Florence for artistic and culinary delights in equal measure. If you leave here hungry, you made a wrong turn somewhere. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 VENICE. Check out St Mark's Square, Accademia Bridge and a who's who of Venice's usual suspects on a guided walking tour, then jump on a vaporetto and explore the Grand Canal. Also on the schedule: an optional gondola ride through Venice’s maze of marble bridges and cafes. Throw your map away in the afternoon and try to find the world's most epic little bookshop, Libreria Acqua Alta – or just go on a mission to find the perfect gelato. (B,D)

DAY 6 FLORENCE. Florence has more stories than Bilbo Baggins, more culture than a Shoreditch hipster, over 1,800 restaurants AND it gave the world gelato. Get schooled on the Medici family, stroll the Ponte Vecchio (the only bridge not bombed in WWII) and get an in-depth tour of the city with a local guide.

Then: check out hundreds of leather shops (after all, this is the city that brought you Gucci) and pay a visit to a famous guy named David. (B) DAY 7 FLORENCE TO ROME. Onwards to Rome. Make like Caesar (the emperor, not the salad) and work up a ‘colossal’ hunger as you pass by the Pantheon, throw your two cents in the Trevi Fountain, sit on the Spanish Steps and visit ancient history's version of The Hunger Games set at the Colosseum. (B,L) DAY 8 ROME INCLUDING VATICAN CITY VISIT. Create the ultimate Roman Holiday in one day with a whirlwind of Vespas, espresso, two-cheek kisses and pizza the way it's supposed to taste. Count your blessings on an optional tour of the Vatican City, then play ‘I spy’ with two-and-a-half millennia worth of history. Shop till you drop on Via Condotti, head to Capitoline Hill for sick views of the Roman Forum and Colosseum, or just kick back in Piazza Navona for some dolce far niente (delicious idleness). (B,D) DAY 9 ROME TO VENICE. Hark! Maketh haste to whence the lady Juliet was wooed in Verona. Snap a selfie at her balcony and join throngs of lovers leaving notes on the wall (or avoid the crowds

DAY 11 VENICE TO AUSTRIAN ALPS. Prepare your retinas for the scenery rolling past you outside the coach windows as we make our way to the Alps. So much more than schnitzel, strudel and The Sound of Music, this day should be sponsored by GoPro. (B,L,D) DAY 12 AUSTRIAN ALPS TO PRAGUE. We set the GPS for the 'city of a hundred spires', as well as all the other gothic delights Prague has to offer. Tonight, after an included dinner, we’ll check out why Prague's nightlife is so famous. (B,L,D) DAY 13 PRAGUE. Another free day for the win!

Channel your inner bohemian and seek out the John Lennon memorial wall, then soak up some more Czech history at the National or Communist Museum or get a taste of the quirky local culture at a puppet opera (you gotta see it to believe it). Snap a selfie at Prague's own Eiffel Tower, visit a miniatures museum and eat roast pork from one of the street vendors lining the Old Town Square. (B) DAY 14 PRAGUE TO BERLIN. Get acquainted with 800 year-old Dresden – a city virtually destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt – and ogle the Frauenkirche before we move on to Berlin. Prep yourself for currywurst, absinthe and more hipsters per capita than anywhere else. We'll drive you around to see (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg

1 STOP & STAY

EUROPEAN TREASURES

YOUR ROUTE

DAY STOP

Berlin

Amsterdam

NETHERLANDS

GERMANY

2

2

START/FINISH

London

ENGLAND

Dresden

2 Prague

CZECH REPUBLIC

2

Mauthausen

Paris

FRANCE

1 Austrian Alps

Swiss Alps

AUSTRIA

2

SWITZERLAND

Verona

2 Venice

Florence ITALY

2

Pisa

Orvieto Rome

2

VATICAN CITY

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: VENICE, SWISS ALPS

Gate and the Reichstag building before making your food baby sing with a hearty German meal. (B,L,D)

DAY 15 BERLIN. Shake off last night with a wander around the German capital. Choose to take the Third Reich walking tour and gain some insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during World War II. Hackescher Markt is a hit for lunch. Afternoon suggestion? Have a picnic at the historic Tempelhof airport turned public park. Tonight: hit the hotspots on an optional nightlife tour. (B) DAY 16 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM. Cheese lovers, rejoice. Your next stop is a local Dutch farm to see how cheddar cheeses (and clogs) get made. Next: Amsterdam, mayo-dipped fries and red lights.

Get your bearings on a walking tour of the vibrant capital and see Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument. Then, explore all that this notoriously liberal city has to offer. (B,L) DAY 17 AMSTERDAM. Join the 881,000 bicycles and get local on an optional bike tour of Amsterdam's iconic canals, bridges and parks. Culture fiends, delve deeper with a visit to the Anne Frank House (make sure to book this one in advance) or the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum. Still thirsty for more? Check out the Heineken Experience for an interactive brewery visit and tasting. Tonight, we share a farewell cruise on the canal. (B,D) DAY 18 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Today it’s back across the Channel to ol’ Blighty to start planning your next adventure. Facebook friends? (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ Driving tour of Paris and gourmet picnic by the Eiffel Tower ++ Visit Pisa and see the Leaning Tower ++ Walking tour of Rome ++ Visit former concentration camp Mauthausen ++ Walking tour of Prague ++ Walking tour of Amsterdam

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 17 breakfasts (B), 9 lunches (L), 11 dinners (D) ++ 8 nights in hostels, 8 nights in bungalows, 1 night in an Austrian Gasthof ++ 1 free night in London before the trip starts ++ English Channel crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver ++ Additional Crew member for added safety and support

TRIP CODE: EEGTLL S TA R T

FINISH 2020

6

JUL

23

JUL

G

8

JUL

25

JUL

G

10

JUL

27

JUL

G

G= Guaranteed Departure Price Per Person (multi-share: usually 2-6 per room)

18 DAYS FROM

2769

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

TOP OPTIONALS ++ ++ ++ ++

Scenic excursion to Jungfrau ('The Top of Europe') Tandem paragliding in the Austrian Alps Tour of the ornate Vatican in Rome Mountain biking in Austria

START MEET AT 6AM IN LONDON (OR 5PM IN PARIS) FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9PM IN LONDON (OR 9AM IN AMSTERDAM)

M RO Y F SD N A D U O R 54 S P E $1 P E R R PE

EUROPEAN EXPLORER

24 D A Y | E U R O P E A N E X P L O R E R LONDON

LONDON

46

MEALS

9

COUNTRIES

WI-FI

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GREEK SAILING, SWISS ALPS @LEXHENDRY, SWISS ALPS, BERLIN, MUNICH

Starting and ending in London, this exclusive European Explorer trip travels from the snow-capped Swiss Alps and the sparkling Mediterranean to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the waterways of Venice. #TravelEnvy, anyone? On this ever-popular jaunt you’ll stay in varied multi-share accommodation and take in the best of France, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, and a taste of Greece – just to name a few. Let’s go!

PRE TOUR LONDON. Enjoy a free night in London before the trip starts.

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS. Leave London for dust as we jump across to Paris for a bonanza of beauty and elegance. Brush up on your bonjours when you meet the rest of the group and wrap your lips around your first real French meal beside the Eiffel Tower. Dinner may leave you full, but it's just an appetiser. See the City of Light at its best as you embark on a driving tour and play landmark bingo with the Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. (D) DAY 2 PARIS. A free day in Paris to partake in pastries, paintings and the Centre Pompidou! Bike along the Seine on an optional tour or just stroll around and drink everything in. Check out L'Éclair de Génie in le Marais (don't ask questions), get your obligatory Eiffel Tower #selfie then explore the world's largest grave at the Catacombs (optional).

Tonight, experience the razzle dazzle of a cabaret show, or hop on a boat down the river and crank the romance dial to 11. (B) DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS. Tear yourself away from that baguette – the land of fondue awaits!

Driving through the Swiss countryside is pure scenic

bliss. Thanks, nature! Get your comfort eating pants on for an included dinner. (B,L,D)

Colosseum, or just kick back in Piazza Navona for some dolce far niente (delicious idleness). (B)

DAY 4 SWISS ALPS. Join the optional Jungfrau Experience, which takes you to the highest train station in Europe. Want more adventure? Up the adrenaline by skydiving out of a helicopter, then make time for some snow angels and hot chocolate. #HardLife. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 ROME TO GREECE (OVERNIGHT FERRY). We depart Rome and drive to Italy’s east coast today, taking in some gorgeous scenery on the way. Once there, we’ll board an overnight ferry bound for Greece. Take advantage of the restaurants, bars and communal areas onboard – plus there’s private ensuite cabin accommodation to ensure a good night’s sleep.(B,L)

DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO FLORENCE. Onwards to Italy!

This afternoon we’ll make a short stop in Pisa (make sure you grab a snap of the Leaning Tower) before we head through the Tuscan countryside to Florence.

This evening we’ll chow down on an included group dinner. You can always work it off with a night out (if you wish). (B,L,D) DAY 6 FLORENCE. Florence has more stories than Bilbo Baggins, more culture than you can poke a stick at and over 1,800 restaurants. Get schooled on the Medici family, stroll the Ponte Vecchio and learn about leather (new handbag, anyone?) on a walking tour. This afternoon, track down a famous guy named David and take a look around the markets.(B) DAY 7 FLORENCE TO ROME. We’re Romeward bound!

But first, there’s a stop in Orvieto, where you can grab a wild boar sandwich. Afterwards we’ll hightail it to the Eternal City for a rendezvous with ancient architecture’s biggest players. Make like Caesar (the emperor, not the salad) and work up a ‘colossus’ hunger as you pass by the Pantheon, throw your two cents in the Trevi Fountain and sit on the Spanish Steps. (B,L,D) DAY 8 ROME INCLUDING VATICAN CITY VISIT. Create the ultimate Roman Holiday in one day with a whirlwind of espresso, two-cheek kisses and pizza the way it's supposed to taste. Pop in on the Pope with an optional tour of the Vatican City, then play ‘I spy’ with two-and-a-half millennia worth of history.

Shop till you drop on Via Condotti, head to Capitoline Hill for awesome views of the Roman Forum and

DAY 10 SAILING IN GREECE. After disembarking, there’s a short drive along the rugged Greek coastline before we meet up with our flotilla of sailing boats.

After a demonstration from our skipper we head off into the wild blue yonder – sailing, sunbathing and swimming awaits! In the evening we moor and visit an authentic Greek taverna for dinner, where the food is delicious and the atmosphere is even better.(B,L) DAY 11 SAILING IN GREECE. A full day of sailing in Greece with our Topdeck buddies – it speaks for itself!

Relax and forget your troubles as we sail around the Ionian Sea, taking plenty of chances to stop and have a dip. (B,L) DAY 12 SAILING IN GREECE. After waking under the Greek sun we enjoy the final day of our sailing adventure. As the afternoon wears on, we return to our starting point. This evening, there’s an included Greek dinner at a local restaurant. Savour every moment – this is the final night we’ll spend on the yachts.(B,L,D) DAY 13 GREECE TO VENICE (OVERNIGHT FERRY. Today we bid a reluctant farewell to the sailing portion of our adventure. Take the time to relax and top up those tans along the Greek coastline before catching another overnight ferry back to Italy.(B) DAY 14 VENICE. Upon our arrival in the Italian port of Ancona, we head north towards an absolute gem – Venice. Tonight, settle in and savour a delicious meal cooked by our Topdeck Chef.(B,D)

EUROPEAN EXPLORER YOUR ROUTE

1 STOP & STAY

DAY STOP

Amsterdam

NETHERLANDS

Berlin

2

2

START/FINISH

London

ENGLAND

Dresden

2 Prague

CZECH REPUBLIC

2

Dachau

Paris

2

Munich

FRANCE

GERMANY

Swiss Alps

2

SWITZERLAND

Verona

2 Venice

Florence ITALY

2

overnight ferry

Pisa

1

Orvieto

2

Rome

VATICAN CITY

1

overnight ferry

Sailing

GREECE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LONDON, GREEK SAILING

DAY 15 VENICE. A free day to explore extraordinary Venice – a maze of canals, bridges, squares and incredible artworks. An included walking tour with your Trip Leader will unveil some of the city’s amazing architecture, including the striking St Mark’s Basilica in St Mark’s Square, while a vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal will enable you to view the sights from the water. Want to amp up the wow factor? An optional gondola ride is the perfect way to see the city. (B,D) DAY 16 VENICE TO MUNICH. Onwards to Munich, the city where beer is officially considered a food. Why not head over to the 429-year-old Hofbräuhaus for a stein or two? (B) DAY 17 MUNICH. A walking tour with your trusty Trip Leader will get you acquainted with the main sights – including Marienplatz (Mary's Square), the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and the huge Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady). You’ll also have time to uncover the pretzels, pork knuckles and the famous beer halls that make this place so great. (B) DAY 18 MUNICH TO PRAGUE. Today we move on to the Czech Republic and its beautiful capital Prague. A walking tour will allow you to take in the memorable Charles Bridge, Hradcany Castle, the Tyn Church and Wenceslas Square. Tonight: an included dinner and the chance to sample Prague’s famous nightlife.

(B,L,D) DAY 19 PRAGUE. Channel your inner bohemian and seek out the John Lennon memorial wall to start your free day. Soak up some more Czech history at the National or Communist Museum, or get a taste of the quirky local culture at a puppet opera (you gotta see it to believe it). Snap a selfie at Prague’s own Eiffel Tower, visit a miniatures museum and eat roast pork from one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square. (B)

ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ++ 3 nights sailing in Greece ++ Driving tour of Paris and gourmet picnic by the Eiffel Tower ++ Visit Pisa and the Leaning Tower ++ Walking tour of Rome ++ Vaporetto ride in Venice ++ Walking tour of Munich

MORE INCLUSIONS ++ 23 breakfasts (B), 12 lunches (L), 11 dinners (D) ++ 10 nights in hostels, 8 nights in bungalows, 2 nights on an overnight ferry, 3 nights on yachts in Greece ++ 1 free night in London before the trip starts ++ English Channel crossings ++ Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi ++ Awesome Trip Leader and Driver ++ Additional Crew member for added safety and support

TOP OPTIONALS ++ Traditional cabaret show in Paris ++ Bike tour of Amsterdam START MEET AT 6AM IN LONDON (OR 5PM IN PARIS) FINISH APPROXIMATELY 9PM IN LONDON (OR 9AM IN AMSTERDAM)

we move on to Berlin. Prep yourself for currywurst and more hipsters per capita than anywhere else. We'll drive you around to see (what's left of) the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building before making your food baby sing with a hearty German meal. (B,L,D)

DAY 21 BERLIN. Join the optional Third Reich walking DAY 20 PRAGUE TO BERLIN. Get acquainted with 800 tour for an insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during WWII or go on a museum crawl year-old Dresden – a city virtually destroyed in WWII (covering everything from the Ramones to DDR). (B) and then rebuilt – and ogle the Frauenkirche before

TRIP CODE: EEGSLL S TA R T

FINISH 2020

5

JUL

28

JUL

G

8

JUL

31

JUL

G

11

JUL

3

AUG

G

G= Guaranteed Departure Price Per Person (multi-share: usually 2-6 per room)

24 DAYS FROM

4099

$

USD PER PERSON

All items listed in the ‘Bucket List’ and ‘More Inclusions’ are included in the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned are optional and may cost extra (but are too awesome to miss out).

DAY 22 BERLIN TO AMSTERDAM. Amster-DAM it's going to be a good day! Start dreaming of cheese and clogs as we roll through tulip and windmill-dotted fields to Amsterdam. Get your bearings on a walking tour of the vibrant capital and see the Dam Square, Royal Palace and National Monument. (B,L) DAY 23 AMSTERDAM. Get on your bike and ride! Do as the locals do and join the 881,000 bicycles on an optional city bike tour to soak up the canal vistas before retreating with poffertjes and stroopwafels.

In your own time, see how many of the city's 51 museums you can tick off. Must-dos: Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House (make sure to book this one in advance). (B,D) DAY 24 AMSTERDAM TO LONDON. Today we say farewell: it's back to ol' Blighty to start planning your next adventure. Facebook friends? (B)

M RO Y F SD N A D U O R 71 S P E $1 P E R R PE

U SD

LONDON PRE & POST Need somewhere to bed down before your trip – or fancy sticking around in London Town when you’re back? No worries. We’ll hook you up! With hotel or hostel accommodation to match your budget, it’s your trip, your way.

DORM FROM

59

$

USD per person

T WIN/DOUBLE FROM

$

79

USD per person

SINGLE FROM

$

128

USD per person

WHERE TO NEXT? EUROPE USA & CANADA ASIA AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

CALL US

ON THE WEB

1 800 607 1399

WWW.TOPDECK.TRAVEL

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INFO@TOPDECKTRAVEL.CO.UK

109 POWER ROAD, CHISWICK, LONDON W4 5PY. UNITED KINGDOM