37 DAY | Red Star Special EERSGG-7 This tour visits: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland Welcome aboard the Red Star Special, where classic European capitals meet stunning natural landscapes, and all experiences come with a side of ‘wow’. From uber-cool Berlin and charismatic Copenhagen; to the Arctic Circle (aka the Land of the Midnight Sun, magnificent Moscow, vibrant St Petersburg and the ever-breathtaking Baltics, you’ll be hard pressed to find a trip that ticks off as many bucket list hotspots. Are you ready for this? BYO fondness for group selfies and a really great time. The Bucket List More Inclusions Geiranger Fjord cruise 36 breakfasts, 19 lunches, 22 dinners Enjoy a Polar plunge & wood-fired sauna in Skibotn 16 nights in hostels & 9 nights in hotels & 11 nights in Cross the Arctic Circle cabins Visit Santa’s workshop in Rovaniemi, Finland Modern air conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi Russian guide travelling with the group for 8 days through Guided tours of all major cities Russia Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Topdeck Chef Entrance to the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg Metro & Kremlin tours in Moscow Welcome & farewell dinners in Berlin Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Berlin, Germany With more museums than rainy days and some of the best DJs on the continent, the only thing you'll miss out on in Berlin is sleep. But there's plenty of time for that later. Drop your bags and get the trip admin sorted at the hostel, before getting to know your new trip pals over dinner. Meals: -Dinner Day 2 - Berlin Epic nightlife + major historical sights = Berlin. Join the optional Third Reich walking tour for in-depth local insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during World War II. Also: Kreuzberg is a hit for lunch and you can't go wrong with a picnic at the historic Tempelhof airport turned public park. #picniconthetarmac. Hit the hotspots on an optional Berlin Alternative Tour and Nightlife tour. Included today: -Driving tour of Berlin Meals: -Breakfast Optional activities: -Third Reich walking tour -Berlin alternative nightlife tour Day 3 - Berlin to Copenhagen, Denmark On to Copenhagen to find out why this city keeps popping up among the top five most liveable cities in the world. FYI: the UN calls Copenhagen the happiest country on earth - find out for yourself. Included today: -Driving tour of Copenhagen Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 4 - Copenhagen Free day - yay! Home of more Nordic ‘cool’ than you can poke a hipster’s beard at, Copenhagen is sure to impress. If you think you’ve eaten it all, nah-ah not even close. Uncover the food market gems scattered across the city and satisfy your inner gastronome. Try: the food markets in Copenhagen for a luxe open air experience. Meals: -Breakfast Day 5 - Copenhagen to Stockholm, Sweden You know it for the $1 IKEA hotdogs, meatballs and ridiculously good-looking people, but Sweden’s capital also punches way above its weight in design, fashion and multicultural vibes you wouldn’t expect this close to the Arctic Circle. Included today: -Stockholm driving tour Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 6 - Stockholm Curiosity is in the driver's seat. We've cleared your schedule to wander the city to your heart's content. Stroll through one of the city's many museums or enjoy the greenery of Djurgården islet, letting the hop-on/hop-off boat cruise you around the fourteen islands that comprise the city. Meals: -Breakfast Optional activities: -Guided tour of the Nobel Prize Town Hall -Visit to the Vasa Museum Day 7 - Stockholm The day is yours to meander through the medieval Gamla Stan or visit the City Hall. Watch the changing of the guards at the Royal Palace and drink copious amounts of quality coffee because Swedes treat caffeine the way they do their style: very seriously. Meals: -Breakfast Day 8 - Stockholm to Oslo, Norway From the cosmopolitan city vibes of Stockholm to a more laid-back experience in Oslo. Cue Christmas trees and pretty lakes as you settle in for a day of nature-filled driving through Sweden to Norway’s capital. By afternoon, you’ll be all gawked out and ready to hit our campsite for dinner in the land of the midnight sun. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 9 - Oslo Wake up amidst Gustav Vigeland's bizarre and eccentric creations on a stroll through his sculpture park this morning before a comprehensive driving tour and an optional visit to the seafaring themed Viking Ship Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum and Fram Polar Ship. Take the rest of the day off to soak up the funky 60s vibe of the rich capital. Included today: -Driving tour of Olso Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch Optional activities: -Viking ship museum -Kon-Tiki Museum -Fram Polar Ship Day 10 - Oslo to Andalsnes On to Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Do a run down the bobsled track (optional) before we move on to Andalsnes for a full day on the Geiranger Fjord. To call the scenery epic would be an understatement (Google Images for proof). Included today: -Visit the Ringebu Stave Church Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Optional Activities: -Lillehammer Bobsled track Day 11 - Andalsnes Take a window seat and squeeze through fjords, long recognised as one of the greatest natural attractions. Gawk at the sheer scale of these breathtaking beauties and wind your way around some of Europe’s most scenic roads. Included today: -Trolls pass crossing -Geiranger Fjord cruise Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 12 - Andalsnes to Steinkjer Chase the sun to Trondheim, the religious capital of Norway. Repent your sins. Next stop is Hell. Yes, really. Only this one is usually frozen over. But really, temps can dip down to -25°C #brrr. After snapping up some photographic proof, we're off to Steinkjer for the night. Included today: -Trondheim & Hell Visit Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 13 - Steinkjer to Bjerka A coastal drive to Bjerka, an inland village surrounded by mountains. Look forward to some peace and quiet, plus more greenery than you can poke a pine tree at. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 14 - Bjerka to Tysfjord Tysfjord for the night to experience the narrowest point in Norway. A chance to check out Svartisen—the second largest glacier in Norway. Polar ice baths and wood-fired saunas build character. Included today: -Arctic circle visit Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Optional activity: -Visit to Svartisen Glacier Day 15 - Tysfjord to Skibotn Set foot on the site of a historic power struggle between the British Royal Army and invading Nazis in Narvik en route to Skibotn – where polar ice baths and wood-fired saunas await your arrival (lifelong bragging rights are awarded to those who take the plunge). Included today: -Wood fired sauna Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 16 - Skibotn to Olderfjord Onwards and upwards, we're heading north for the last time to witness the height of the midnight sun, so named for not setting between May and June. This optional excursion is sure to knock your socks off (if you're lucky enough to score some top-notch weather!). Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Optional activities: -Alta museum -Midnight sun Nordkapp experience Day 17 - Olderfjord Fuel up with a late breakfast. Then: hike through the rugged countryside. This evening, you'll have the option to witness nature's sight for sore eyes atop the towering cliffs of Nordkapp, Europe's most accessible northern point. Go to bed counting reindeer and dreaming of fjords. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 18 - Olderfjord to Rovaniemi, Finland Sing jingle bells as we make our way to Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus. Included today: -Santa’s Village visit Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 19 - Rovaniemi to Jyvaskyla Next up: Jyvaskyla and a visit to the Alvar Aalto museum. Included today: - Visit the Alvar Aalto museum. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 20 - Jyvaskyla to Helsinki A short trip south to the quirky Finnish capital, Helsinki. Kick back and let us show you the highlights of this funky town. Picture art-nouveau buildings versus oh-so-fancy cafes. Included today: -Driving tour of Helsinki Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch Day 21 - Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia More fairy tale magic as we hop across to Tallinn with its old city walls and medieval buildings. A walking tour will show you the highlights before we hand you over to the city. Meals: -Breakfast -Dinner Day 22 - Tallinn Whatever tickles your fancy today. See the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral or check out the KGB museum for a history lesson on the antics of the former security agency for the Soviet Union. Pro tip: Old Town is where you'll get the best kind of Estonian #throwback vibes. Meals: -Breakfast Day 23 - Tallinn to St. Petersburg, Russia Cross the border to Russia for a tour of the country’s former capital. Later, find some blini and caviar (yes, caviar) washed down with a shot of vodka, if you wish. When in Rome... Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 24 - St. Petersburg Enter Russia: a land of 11 time zones and an epic history. Luckily, we have a local guide to start us off on the right foot. Anything called the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood has got to be worth a look (and it really is). You'll see it on today's driving tour. And the bucket list items. So. Many. Things. You won't be bored in St Petersburg. Included today: -Guided tour of St Petersburg with local guide Meals: -Breakfast Day 25 - St. Petersburg Dig into breakfast with your pinkies raised. You're going on a guided tour of the Hermitage Museum that spans six palatial buildings, including the epic Winter Palace. Ah-maze! You won’t want to miss this. Next: (window) shopping, chowing and grooving your way down Nevsky Prospect, the capital's main street. Included today: -Hermitage Museum tour Meals: -Breakfast Day 26 - St. Petersburg to Novgorod Through the Russian countryside to the World Heritage-listed city Novgorod. Try: Medovukha, the Russian version of mead. Included today: -Walking tour of Novgorod Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 27 - Novgorod to Moscow Roll into Moscow today where the city is alive in rain hail or shine. Believe it or not, Moscow sparkles so be prepared for an incredible few days ahead. As you move through the city, spot the tangible reminders of Russia’s involvement in modern history. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 28 - Moscow March through the greats on today's tour, including the Moscow University, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral (aka the capital's technicolor sandcastle). Explore the Kremlin with our local guide before setting off to roam the streets. Tonight: get fancy with an optional evening at the Russian ballet. Binoculars at the ready and clink that champagne. Oh la la! Included today: -Driving tour of Moscow -Visit the Kremlin Meals: -Breakfast Optional activities: -Visit the Russian Ballet Day 29 - Moscow Down we go for a guided tour of the not-so-mundane Moscow Metro. If you are picturing the Piccadilly or Central Line in London nope, think again. Not even close. Think: chandelier lined stations with each one more decadent than the last. Next: visit Lenin's tomb. Keep the history lesson going with an optional guided Kremlin Armory tour. The Russian capital's been known to set the stage for nights to remember. Home of vodka, remember? Included today: -Metro underground art tour -Visit to Lenin’s tomb Meals: -Breakfast Optional activity: -Guided Armoury tour Day 30 - Moscow to Velikiye Luki Overnight stay in Velikie Luki, also known as “Small Stalingrad”. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner Day 31 - Velikiye Luki to Riga, Latvia Cross the border into Latvia. Riga's up next, another World Heritage star in an already star-studded Baltic line-up. Late medieval sights and lots of art nouveau awaits on today's guided walking tour. Key highlights: Power Tower, Freedom Monument and Riga Cathedral. Oh, and the impressive House of Blackheads building, but more on that later. Tonight's recommendation? Get quaint in the Old Town district. Included today: -Walking tour of Riga Meals: -Breakfast -Dinner Day 32 - Riga Today = a free day, so take your chance to explore Latvia’s capital with its museums and concert halls, known for its wooden buildings, medieval Old Town and art nouveau architecture. Set on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava, Riga offers a wide range of water activities, from canal boat tours to beach swimming. Tonight, hit up the town’s cellar bars. Meals: -Breakfast Day 33 - Riga to Vilnius, Lithuania To the capital of Lithuania to check out the Old Town. Home to Europe's largest baroque old town and the world's only statue of Frank Zappa, but the connection escapes us. Let us know if you find it. The walking tour covers the Town Hall, Gediminas Tower and Vilnius Cathedral. Pro tip: keep an eye out for the Gate of Dawn and St Anne's Church. Tonight: let your feet take you to a local spot for dinner. Included today: -Visit the Hill of Crosses -Walking tour of Vilnius Meals: -Breakfast Day 34 - Vilnius to Warsaw, Poland Modern day Warsaw is a far cry from its war-torn past. Street art, picturesque lakes and epic street food is just the beginning. Start in the Old Jewish Ghetto and Pawiak Prison then free time to explore. Meals: -Breakfast -Dinner Day 35 - Warsaw Today, Warsaw is all yours. Enjoy free time to continue the exploration or eat your way through Poland's notorious baked goods. Included today: -Guided tour of Warsaw Meals: -Breakfast Day 36 - Warsaw to Berlin, Germany Return to the scene of the crime, Topdeckers: we're heading back to Berlin. See the scattered remnants of the Berlin Wall that physically separated the city for over 25 years. Tonight: reminisce over a group dinner. Meals: -Breakfast -Dinner Day 37 - Berlin Sad farewells as we defect after breakfast. Swap numbers and plan that next adventure together. Meals: -Breakfast Accommodation Hostel Plus* trips host our most eclectic types of accommodation. Expect to stay in a range of bungalows, hostels and in some instances, hotels (free upgrade – yeah!). 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 Hostel Plus trips will vary. For hostels 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 Hostel Plus trip, multi-share accommodation follows a single-sex policy. *New name, same great experience - From May 2016 we're renaming our Trip Style Club to Hostel Plus. Travellers will enjoy the same great experience, just under a new name. 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. Germany - Berlin Third Reich walking tour €10 Berlin Alternative Night tour €18 Sweden - Stockholm Town Hall - SEK 100 (students 80) Town Hall Tower SEK 50 Vasa Museum SEK 130 (students 100) Russia - Moscow Ballet from €70 Guided tour of the Armoury €22 Norway Bobsleigh - NOK 195 Viking Museum - NOK 80 (students 50) Kontiki Museum NOK 100 (students 40) Fram Polar Ship NOK 100 (students 40) Svartisen Glacier NOK 120 Nordkapp midnight sun NOK 800 Alta Museum NOK 105 (students 85) Meals Included Meals Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document. Breakfasts are included every day (except on the first morning). Included meals will be a combination of those prepared by Topdeck On-Site Chefs, local restaurants and places in which we stay. 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, or make note of this in the Topdeck app when you check in (refer below). 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: Poland - Zloty (PLN) Denmark - Danish Kroner (DKK) Russia - Rubles (RUB) Sweden - Swedish Kronor (SEK) 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 is 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!
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