27 DAY | European Explorer EEGSLL-7 This tour visits: France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands 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? This ever-popular jaunt stays in varied multi-share accommodation and takes in the best of France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, and a taste of Greece – just to name a few. Let’s go. Please note: this is a Gap Year trip and is only valid for travellers aged 17-20 years of age. The Bucket List More Inclusions Paris 'City Lights' Tour 25 breakfasts, 16 lunches, 15 dinners Paris gourmet picnic beside the Eiffel Tower 2 nights in hotels, 11 nights in hostels, 2 nights in an French Riviera perfumery experience Austrian Gasthof, 6 nights in bungalows, 2 nights on an Local guide in Florence overnight ferry, 3 nights on yachts in Greece Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration 1 free night in London before trip Bicycle tour of Amsterdam English Channel crossings 3 nights flotilla sailing in Greece Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi Canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Chef Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Paris Leave London for dust as we jump across the English Channel to Calais for a beauty smackdown. Brush up on your bonjours when you meet the rest of the group and wrap your lips around your first real French meal. 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. Included today: - English Channel crossing - Paris city driving tour Meals: - Dinner Day 2 - Paris A free day in Paris to partake in pastries, paintings and Centre Pompidou! Bike along the Seine on an optional tour or just flâner (stroll) around and drink it in. Check out L'eclair de Genie in le Marais (don't ask questions), get your obligatory Eiffel Tower #selfie then explore the world's largest grave at the Catacombs. Tonight, experience the razzle dazzle of a cabaret show or hop on a boat down the river to crank the romance dial to 11. Meals: - Breakfast - Dinner Optional activities: - Paris cabaret - Seine River cruise - Paris bike tour Day 3 - Swiss Alps Tear yourself away from that baguette – fondue awaits! Driving through the Swiss countryside is like watching Monet paint a masterpiece, each mountain on the way to Lauterbrunnen another masterful brushstroke. Thanks, nature. Get your comfort eating pants on for an included dinner. Hint: There will be cheese. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 4 - Swiss Alps Hop on board 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 head back down for some snow angels and hot chocolate. #HardLife. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Optional activities: - Jungfrau excursion - Helicopter skydiving Day 5 - French Riviera A scenic drive day transports us to the chic French Riviera, playground of the rich and famous. This beautiful stretch of Mediterranean coast in the south of France is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most fashionable areas. After checking into our accommodation, we’ll devour an included French dinner in a local restaurant. Bon appetit! Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 6 - French Riviera Laze on the beach, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, or stroll the Promenade des Anglais in Nice during our free day in the French Riviera. This evening we’ll make tracks to the glamorous principality of Monaco, where we’ll see the Royal Palace and sections of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix track. We’ll also have time to visit Monaco’s famous casinos. Shaken or stirred? Warm James Bond’s seat at the Grand Casino itself. Meals: - Breakfast Day 7 - Florence Prep your shnozz this morning – there are loads of fragrances to be sniffed as we take a tour of a local French Riviera perfumery, before our adventure continues on to Italy. This afternoon we make a short stop in Pisa for the chance to grab a snap of the Leaning Tower, before we head through the Tuscan countryside to Florence. This evening we’ll relish an included group dinner, and then work it off with a night out in Florence’s buzzing nightlife (if you wish). Included today: - Tour of of a local French Riviera perfumery Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 8 - Florence Florence has more stories than Bilbo Baggins, more culture than a Shoreditch hipster and over 1,800 restaurants. Get schooled on the Medici family, stroll the Ponte Vecchio and learn about leather (new handbag, anyone?) on a morning walking tour. Use the afternoon to meet a guy named David doing his best Blue Steel in the Accademia Gallery, shop the markets and hunt down the best aperitivo spreads. Included today: - Walking tour of Florence with local guide Meals: - Breakfast Day 9 - Rome Romeward bound, we make a stop in Orvieto for the chance to grab a wild boar sandwich so tender you can cut it with words. Then we 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. Included today: - Orvieto visit - Rome walking tour Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 10 - Rome 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. Pop in on the Pope on an optional tour of the Vatican City to see how Michelangelo messed around and created the High Renaissance, then play eye spy with two-and-a-half millennia worth of history. Shop ‘til you drop on Via Condotti, head to Capitoline Hill for awesome views of the Roman Forum and Colosseum or just kick back in Piazza Navona for some dolce far niente (delicious idleness). Meals: - Breakfast Optional activities: - Vatican City tour Day 11 - Overnight Ferry We depart Rome and drive to Italy’s east coast today, taking in some gorgeous Italian scenery on the way. Once there, we board an overnight ferry bound for Greece. Take advantage of the restaurants, bars and communal areas onboard, plus private en-suite cabin accommodation to ensure a good night’s sleep. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch Day 12 - Sailing in Greece After disembarking we have a short drive along the rugged Greek coastline to meet up with our flotilla of sailing yachts. After instruction from our flotilla leader we head off into the wild blue yonder – sailing, sunbathing and swimming in the Ionian Sea awaits! In the evening we moor and visit an authentic Greek taverna for dinner, where the food is delicious and the atmosphere even better. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 13 - 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. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch Day 14 - Sailing in Greece After waking under the Greek sun we enjoy the final day of our Greek sailing adventure. As the afternoon wears on we return to our starting point and moor, then this evening we head for an included Greek dinner at a local restaurant. Savour every moment – we spend one final night sleeping on our yachts. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 15 - 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. Meals: - Breakfast Day 16 - Venice Upon our arrival in the Italian port of Ancona, we head north towards one of Italy’s gems – Venice. Tonight, settle into our resort and savour a delicious meal cooked by our Topdeck chef. Meals: - Dinner Day 17 - 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 sites from the water. Want to amp up the wow-factor? An optional gondola ride is the perfect way to see the city. Meals: - Breakfast - Dinner Optional activities: - Gondola ride on the Grand Canal Day 18 - Austrian Alps Today we drive from the coast to the mountains on our way to the stunning Alpine region of Tyrol. At our traditional Gasthof, an included barbeque dinner awaits (which usually tastes better when washed down with a traditional Austrian schnapps. Just sayin’). Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Optional activities: - Rafting Day 19 - Austrian Alps A free day in the stunning Austrian Alps! We have the opportunity to partake in some adrenaline-fuelled optional activities today amid amazing Alpine terrain – options (weather and conditions permitting) include canyon jumping, paragliding, or even skydiving. Tonight: we’ll drive to a traditional mountainside Austrian restaurant for a hearty optional dinner (the perfect way a great way to round off our stay in the Austrian Alps). Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch Optional activities: - Skydiving - Canyoning - Tandem paragliding - Dinner at a mountainside restaurant Day 20 - Munich We leave Austria today for Germany and the southern region of Bavaria. We are heading for Munich, where 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). We'll also have time to uncover the pretzels, pork knuckles and the famous beer halls that make this place so great. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch Day 21 - Prague A sombre start to the day as we visit Dachau, a former concentration camp. We have time to reflect and pay our respects to the victims of the Holocaust, before moving on to 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, and tonight: an included dinner and the chance to sample Prague’s famous nightlife. Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 22 - 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 marionette 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. Meals: - Breakfast Day 23 - Berlin Get acquainted with 800 year-old Dresden - a city virtually destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt - and ogle the Frauenkirche before making your beard all the more ironic in 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. Save some room to get your DJ groupie on. Included today: - Dresden walking tour - Berlin driving tour Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Day 24 - Berlin Join the optional Third Reich walking tour for an insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during WWII, go on a museum crawl (covering everything from the Ramones to DDR) or head to the zoo. More culture awaits on Museum Island, with creative types and memorable meals available in the Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg neighbourhoods. Tonight, no curfew at clubs = all bets are off! Meals: - Breakfast Optional activities: - Third Reich walking tour - Berlin Alternative Tour and Nightlife Tour Day 25 - Amsterdam Amster-DAM it's going to be a good day! Start dreaming of cheese, clogs and cheeky cafe stops 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. End the night with a cone of hot chips with mayo. Mmm. Included today: - Amsterdam walking tour - Dutch cheese & clogs demonstration Meals: - Breakfast - Lunch Day 26 - Amsterdam Get on your bike and ride! Do as the locals do and join the 881,000 bicycles on a city bike tour to soak up the wintery canal vistas before retreating with hot chocolate, poffertjes and stroopwafels. Take on the city's 51 museums (must-dos: Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House). Still thirsty for more? Check out the Heineken Experience for an interactive visit and tasting at the brewery. Top it off with a dinner cruise on the canal. Included today: - Bicycle tour of Amsterdam - Farewell dinner canal cruise Meals: - Breakfast - Dinner Day 27 - London After all the Amster-damage has been done and dusted, it's time to hit the road and make tracks to ol' Blighty. Soak up all the happy group vibes you can possibly handle - this is your last coach ride with the gang. #sadface. Meals: - Breakfast Accommodation Club trips host our most eclectic types of accommodation. While hostels make up the majority of your overnighters you could also stay in hotels (free upgrade – yeah!) or bungalows. The ‘More Inclusions’ section details what type of accommodation will be used for overnight stops on your trip. The number of people to a room on Club trips will vary. For hostels (remember, the most common) you will have multi-share rooms and share with between 3 and 5 others while in hotels there will be twin or triple-shares (and the odd quad-room). Bungalows can be up to 4 people to a room. Please note: When staying on a Club trip, multi-share accommodation is single-sex and therefore couples should not expect to share a room. While sailing in Greece There are sailing and swim stops during the day and each evening you dock in a different village, where you can go ashore for dinner in a local taverna. Two of the three dinners are included. You are also provided with a 'sailing pack' per boat, which includes food for breakfasts and lunches that you make yourselves on the boats. You will sleep on-board the boats, so please remember to bring a sleeping sheet or sleeping bag as no linen is provided. Optional Activities On all trips we have arranged extra activities that we think will enhance your travel experience, but you have a choice as to whether or not you will participate. These are not included in the cost of your trip. They are usually organised on a group participation basis and should be taken into consideration when budgeting your spending money. None of the Optional Activities on your trip are operated by Topdeck, nor do they form part of your contract with Topdeck for your trip. Topdeck arranges the activity as an agent of the local supplier. Should you participate in any Optional Activities your contract will be with the local supplier and their conditions will apply. Please note: while we make every effort to keep these prices as accurate and up-to-date as possible, they are subject to change and in rare circumstances the actual price may vary slightly to what is published here. On all trips we have arranged extra activities that we think will enhance your travel experience, but you have a choice as to whether or not you will participate. These are not included in the cost of your trip. They are usually organised on a group participation basis and should be taken into consideration when budgeting your spending money. None of the Optional Activities on your trip are operated by Topdeck, nor do they form part of your contract with Topdeck for your trip. Topdeck arranges the activity as an agent of the local supplier. Should you participate in any Optional Activities your contract will be with the local supplier and their conditions will apply. Please note: while we make every effort to keep these prices as accurate and up-to-date as possible, they are subject to change and in rare circumstances the actual price may vary slightly to what is published here. France - Paris Paris cabaret - €55.50 Seine River cruise - €8 Paris bike tour - €26 Switzerland - Swiss Alps - Lauterbrunnen Jungfrau Excursion - CHF €157- €183.60 Skydiving - CHF 390 plus €30 deposit Helicopter ride - CHF 100 plus €20 deposit Italy - Rome Vatican tour - €40 Italy - Venice Personalised group shirts and hoodies between €19 and €30 Gondola ride - €20 Austria - Kirchdorf - Tyrol Canyoning half-day - €65 - €15 deposit Tandem Paragliding - €129 - €24 deposit Skydiving - €249 - €40 deposit Group photo - €10 Mountain biking half-day - €12 Mountain biking full-day - €16 Germany - Berlin Third Reich walking tour - €10 Berlin Alternative Tour and Nightlife Tour - €18 Meals Food Fund On this trip there is a compulsory Food Fund, which is shown separately on each trip page. This is paid at the time of booking. Unlike other companies, in addition to the listed breakfasts and dinners, Topdeck also includes many lunches on travelling days during your trip. Included meals Accompanying you on this trip will be a Topdeck On-Road Chef who is responsible for organising the included meals. Breakfast is included every day (except on the first morning). You will be provided freshly cooked evening meals and lunches as per your Trip Itinerary. All cutlery and eating utensils are supplied. Occasionally, some of the included meals may be in local restaurants or accommodation places. If you have any dietary requirements we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs as long as you advise your travel agent or Topdeck Trip Consultant when you book. But please be aware that although we will do everything in our power to arrange it, we cannot guarantee that every restaurant we use will be able to cater to all dietary needs, particularly in Eastern Europe. We also cannot cater for tastes or dislikes, as most of our included evening meals feature a set menu. No Tip Necessary Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that’s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don’t forget Mum’s souvenir). Topdeck Travel App Our travel app has landed! With a range of awesome features including a Currency Converter, Budget Tracker, Check-In tool and Social Timeline you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather, maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand. Please note: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked onto your trip. You will not be able to log in unless you have a Topdeck Booking Reference Number. Get it for iPhone Get it for Android Other Information Finances Changing Money ATMs/cashpoints are available all over Europe and are the safest and easiest way to access money. Major credit cards are also accepted and we recommend you bring yours along in case you see something special that you hadn't budgeted for. Some nationals may have access to pre-paid cards that you can use at any ATM just like a debit card that you may want to consider as a viable alternative or addition to your bank card. We recommend that you change approximately €100 in cash before departure and approximately 30 Swiss francs (if your trip goes through Switzerland). This will cover you for spending money until you have the chance to change more or find an ATM on the ground. Please note credit cards cannot be used to pay for Optional Activities. Spending Money Based on experience, we recommend at least €50 – €60 per day. This is to cover daily expenses including sightseeing, small souvenir shopping and non-included meals. Remember, this is a rough figure only and spending habits vary greatly between individuals according to their budget and habits! Tipping Although you may not be accustomed to tipping at home, in many European countries it is customary. In some countries a service charge may be added to your bill, in other countries it is usual to round the bill up to the nearest Euro or to leave an additional amount of between 5% and 10%. Your Trip Leader will be able to advise you further on the tipping customs in the countries you visit. Topdeck Top Tip: it is a really good idea to hide away somewhere a small amount of cash and/or extra card; this will really come in handy in the unlikely event that you lose your wallet or any other kind of emergency. European Currencies While the predominant currency throughout Europe is the euro (€), there are still many European countries that sit outside the Eurozone for which you will need to use local currency (or rely on your credit/debit cards). It is generally always possible to exchange money into local currency after arriving in the country, but the easiest way is to make a withdrawal from a local ATM/cashpoint. Below is a list of all the other currencies you will use on your trip: Switzerland - Swiss Franc (CHF) Croatia - Kuna (HRK) Czech Republic - Koruna (Crown) (CZK) Albania - Lek (ALL) Insurance It is compulsory for all passengers to take out comprehensive travel insurance before the trip departs covering cancellation, medical expenses including repatriation, loss or damage to baggage and personal belongings, money and personal liability. For more information go to www.topdeck.travel/travel-insurance. You must bring a copy of your travel insurance policy with you on the trip. Details of your policy must be uploaded into the Topdeck app before your trips departs, otherwise they will be requested by your Trip Leader on Day One Passports and Visas Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. Some countries will refuse entry if there is not at least six months validity remaining on your passport after your departure date from their country. Depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to enter certain countries. It is your responsibility to obtain these prior to the departure of this trip. You can consult the government websites of the countries in which you will be travelling or your own government’s website to determine which visas you will require. We also have a visa chart on our website listing the visas required by some nationalities travelling on our trips. To check go to www.topdeck.travel/visas. Remember that some visas can take up to six weeks to acquire, so don’t leave it until the last minute. Also bear in mind that the validity of the visa often runs from the date of issue rather than date of entry into the country. Please check with the appropriate embassies prior to departure as requirements do change periodically. Transport Coach Time We try to spend as little time on the coach as possible so that you have more time to enjoy the places you visit. But do please remember that Europe is a large continent and it takes time to get around! On driving days between cities you will be on the coach during the day, stopping off to visit places of interest where possible. Strict driving rules apply in Europe that limit the maximum number of hours your Driver can drive each day. They also limit the maximum number of days that can be driven before a day off must be taken. We have worked hard to make sure this does not affect your trip, but in some cities it means we will use public transport while your Driver has a well-earned rest day. The cost for this is included in your trip price and your Trip Leader will show you how to get around town as the locals do! Please note: this doesn't cover your own local transport while in a city, only when the coach is not in operation Wi-Fi Free Wi-Fi is available for all passengers in Europe, this includes both coach and sailing trips. For more information about our Wi-Fi allowance and availability per country, please head to our website www.topdeck.travel/wi-fi. Please note: Wi-Fi charges are subject to change. If you feel necessary, please enquire with us to ensure your particular coach has Wi-Fi availability. Health and Safety We want to make sure you’re having the time of your life while travelling with us. Therefore, if you suffer from any kind of medical condition or allergies, we will need to know at the time of booking, or at least six weeks prior to the departure of your trip. If you require regular medication, you must have a sufficient supply before your trip departs, as it may be difficult to obtain while travelling. You must be able to administer your own medication, as Topdeck Road Crew will not be able to administer it, and there are no guarantees that there will be anyone with first aid training on board. Vaccinations There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required for any of the countries this trip visits. Please reconfirm this with your GP or health professional before you leave as conditions can change. General Information Public toilets In most European countries you can expect to pay a small amount to use public toilets at service stations and in city centres. It is a common practice in Europe and should be regarded as a form of ‘tipping’, as the money goes to the people who clean and/or maintain the facilities. It is very rare that public toilets do not supply toilet paper, but it may be useful to carry a pack of tissues with you. Power All European countries (with the sole exception of the United Kingdom) use a CEE7/16 standard round, two-prong plug and a single adaptor will work in all countries. Voltage Throughout Europe the voltage is a uniform 220v. If the voltage is the same or similar in your home country your appliance will comply. If you have a 110v appliance you will need to use a transformer to avoid damaging your appliance. In Cases of Emergency While we hope you never have to use it, if for any reason you need to contact someone from Topdeck, whether it be that you have missed a trip departure meeting, have become separated from your trip on the road or any other unforeseeable problem, the following options are available to you. Emergency Contact Our Customer Service team is on hand 24/7 to help* Please call 1300886332 from within Australia, 0800525366 from within New Zealand, 18006071399 from within North America, 0800982308 from within South Africa, 0362731786 from within Japan, 08452575212 from inside the UK or +44289873305 for the rest of the world. A Topdeck representative will be on hand to help. * Please note our Customer Service team may be closed over bank holidays. Please check out www.topdeck.travel/abouttopdeck/contact-us over these times. What to Bring We recommend soft bags, suitcases or frameless backpacks, plus a small day pack or carry bag. No external framed bags please, as they damage other bags on the coach. Please limit your luggage to a maximum of 20kg. Luggage must not exceed dimensions of 70cm in height, 45cm in width and 25cm in depth. Only one piece of luggage is allowed. Please note that due to space and weight restrictions on our coaches, passengers with too much luggage on departure morning may be told that they cannot take their entire luggage with them. Luggage storage facilities are usually available at the departure point, if they are not available you will have to make your own arrangements to have it stored or shipped home. Any luggage left behind will be at your own risk and you will be required to pay any costs incurred. Sleeping Bags A sleeping bag will not be required for your trip. Suggested Packing List The golden rule is to travel as light as you can. Only bring what you really need and leave plenty of space for things you might want to buy. Don't forget you will have to carry your bag around yourself before and after the trip, as well as in and out of where you’re staying while on your trip! The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience: 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes 1 pair of smart casual shoes 1 pair thongs/jandals/flip-flops 2 pairs jeans/trousers 2 pairs shorts/skirts 4 shirts/t-shirts 2 sweaters/jumpers Smart casual evening wear 1 rainproof jacket 1 warm jacket Underwear and socks! Other things to pack: Swimwear Towel Toiletries Hat and Sunscreen Basic medical kit (including plasters, aspirin etc.) Washing powder Insect repellent Conversion plug Optionals to consider: Sewing kit Pillow case Torch Travel pillow Please note: entry into some religious sites, such as cathedrals and mosques, requires clothing to cover the knees, chest and shoulders. Final Checklist Passport (with visas if required!) Airline tickets (where applicable) Insurance Policy (you must bring these details with you) Camera; batteries; chargers; conversion plug That’s it – you’re now ready for your trip of a lifetime! If you have any further questions feel free to give our team a shout at any time. Happy travels!
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz