PHARAOH'S ESCAPE
TRIP CODE: EEEMCL-9
TOPDECKER, meet Europe WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Uncover Europe in all its glory as you soak up all the culture, cuisine, history and nightlife that you can handle. Experience the grand old capitals of Europe, the artistic allure and passion of the 29 Mediterranean, the beauty of the re-emerging Balkans and the wonder of the ancient pyramids in Egypt. This is the Europe experience of a lifetime, and you'll never want it to end. Seriously. Hostel Plus Nights
WORTH NOTING… A Sector trip is part of a larger journey, meaning your new friends might continue on or after you leave, or you might be joining a trip already in progress. Android/iPhone This is a sector app download trip. info HI, and thanks for choosing to holiday with Topdeck
You can rest assured that we’ll pull out all the stops to make your trip unforgettable. Now it’s time to get excited about your holiday...
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) ABOUT YOUR TRIP NOTES + Driving tour of Berlin + Egyptologist guided tour of the Egyptian These Trip Notes contain everything you need to know before Museum your trip departs – including where to meet and what to bring. We recommend that you read these notes thoroughly so you know + Canal dinner cruise in Amsterdam what to expect on your trip of a lifetime. Also, you can easily + Egyptologist guided tour of the Pyramids download and print this document off so you can bring it with you and Sphinx complex at Giza when you travel. + Walking tour of Prague
Please bear in mind that some points should be taken as a guide + Driving tour of Tirana with a local guide only – after all, everyone’s different! For example, daily spending + Visit the cliffside monasteries of Meteora money and clothing lists can vary from one person to the next, so (entry not included) don't be alarmed if you don't expect to spend (or even wear) so + Egyptologist guided tour of the Valley of much! the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut PLEASE NOTE: We strongly urge you to refresh this and the Colossi of Memnon document as close to the time of your departure as possible to + Driving tour of Vienna ensure you have the most up-to-date accommodation list and + Visit Budva information available. + Walking tour of Bratislava + Egyptologist guided tour of Temple of Abu Simbel (entrance fees not included) + Egyptologist guided tour of Karnak and Luxor temples + Visit former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau + Walking tour of Kraków + Driving tour of Belgrade + Walking tour of Sarajevo + Walking tour of the restored city of Dresden + Walking tour of Amsterdam + Driving tour of Budapest + Walking tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide + Visit the Srebrenica Memorial + Felucca ride on the Nile in Aswan + Driving tour of Copenhagen + Visit a Nubian village in Aswan
MORE INCLUSIONS + Felucca ride on the Nile + Visit a Nubian village + Egyptologist guided tour of Temple of Abu Simbel (entrance fees not included) + Egyptologist guided tour of Karnak and Luxor temples + Egyptologist guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon + Egyptologist guided tour of the Egyptian Museum + Egyptologist guided tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx complex at Giza + Visit the cliffside monasteries of Meteora (entry not included) + Driving tour of Tirana with a local guide + Visit Budva + Walking tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide + Walking tour of Sarajevo + Walking tour of Belgrade + Visit the Srebrenica Memorial + Driving tour of Budapest + Walking tour of Bratislava + Driving tour of Vienna + Walking tour of Kraków + Visit former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau + Walking tour of Prague + Walking tour of the restored city of Dresden + Driving tour of Berlin + Driving tour of Copenhagen + Dutch cheese and clogs demonstration + Walking tour of Amsterdam + Canal dinner cruise
YOUR TRIP WILL YOUR TRIP WILL Trip currencies START FINISH PICK UP: DROP OFF: + Egypt - EGP + Greece - EUR Cairo London + Albania - ALL Egypt United Kingdom + Montenegro - EUR + Croatia - HRK + Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM + Serbia - + Hungary - HUF + Slovakia - EUR + Austria - EUR + Poland - PLN + Czech Republic - CZK + Germany - EUR + Denmark - DKK + Netherlands - EUR
Your Itinerary AWESOME TRIP LEADER
DAY 1 | CAIRO, EGYPT
Topdeckers, meet Cairo - a city like nowhere else. Get to know the group and prepare for the awesomeness to come!
DAY 2 | CAIRO TO ASWAN VIA OVERNIGHT COACH
Ready to walk like an Egyptian? Pack yo’ bags - we’re jetting off to Cairo! After we land, we’ll jump on an overnight coach to Aswan. Get excited!
MEALS:
+ Breakfast
DAY 3 | ASWAN
Today, it’s all happening. We’ll bring the traditional felucca ride, visit to a Nubian village and an optional camel ride - you bring the wonder.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Felucca ride on the Nile + Visit a Nubian village + Camel ride + Traditional Nubian dinner
DAY 4 | ASWAN
We’ve got an early start and a long day ahead, but trust us - it’ll be totally worth it! First: crane your neck at the colossal statues at Abu Simbel. This afternoon, Aswan is all yours - so get exploring! If you fancy it, you can pay an optional visit to the Philae Temple and the Nile High Dam later on. Talk about a day to remember!
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Egyptologist guided tour of Temple of Abu Simbel + Visit the Philae Temple and (entrance fees not included) Nile High Dam
DAY 5 | ASWAN TO LUXOR
Once the capital of ancient Egypt, Luxor’s now a history-strewn landscape of souks and temples. Today we’ll visit two of the region’s finest - Karnak and Luxor.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Egyptologist guided tour of Karnak and Luxor temples DAY 6 | LUXOR TO CAIRO VIA OVERNIGHT COACH
Today we’ll visit the Valley of the Kings - aka the place everyone in ancient Egypt was ‘dying’ to get into (LOL). Afterwards, we’ll fly the flag for girl power at the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and take a look at the Colossi of Memnon. Then: an overnighter to Cairo.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Egyptologist guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
DAY 7 | CAIRO
This is what you came for! Today, we’ll be visiting the EPIC Pyramids of Giza. Excitement level: 100/10. The hulking 138-metre Great Pyramid could be remodelled into 30 Empire State Buildings - and the Sphinx is its big-ass guard dog (or should that be lion-man?). Also today: see Tutankhamun's treasure chest at the Egyptian Museum.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Egyptologist guided tour of the Egyptian Museum + Egyptologist guided tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx complex at Giza
DAY 8 | CAIRO TO ATHENS, GREECE
Say goodbye to the city of a thousand minarets - we’re off to Athens today!
MEALS:
+ Breakfast
DAY 9 | ATHENS TO METEORA
Leave your fear of heights in Athens. We're driving to Meteora, perched on the nail biting cliffs of Thessaly (Google it). Later, round off the day with good friends, good food and some FaceTiming.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Visit the cliffside monasteries + Dinner of Meteora (entry not included)
DAY 10 | METEORA TO TIRANA, ALBANIA
Next stop, Tirana! Your Trip Leader will clue you up on everything you need to know about this former hardline communist state. Add a splash of colour to your Insta story today as you take a wander around.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Driving tour of Tirana with a + Dinner local guide DAY 11 | TIRANA TO DUBROVNIK, CROATIA VIA BUDVA, MONTENEGRO
Press your nose to the window and soak up all the stunning views that race past the coach window as we head up Montenegro’s coast on our way to the most famous walled city in Europe (stopping at Budva on the way). Later, we’ll take a wander around Dubrovnik's tiny cobblestoned streets and explore a few hidden cafés and shops before grabbing dinner and checking out the glitzy nightlife.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Visit Budva + Dinner + Walking tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide
DAY 12 | DUBROVNIK
Yay! A free day in Dubrovnik! Spend some time checking out the residential homes further up in the Old Town for some awesome views, then relish a cold beer on the wall as the sun sets over the Adriatic.
MEALS:
+ Breakfast
DAY 13 | DUBROVNIK
Today, we’ve got some optionals that’ll knock your socks off. Choose from sea kayaking around the city walls, or head out to explore ‘King’s Landing’ on a Game of Thrones tour.
MEALS: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Sea kayaking around the Dubrovnik walls + Game of Thrones tour
DAY 14 | DUBROVNIK TO SARAJEVO, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Roll out of Dubrovnik and into Sarajevo, a city that’s still shaking off its tragic past. We’ll show you the sights on a guided tour and round off the day with some delicious local food. If you fancy, there’s also an optional guided tour of the Sarajevo tunnel on the cards.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Walking tour of Sarajevo + Dinner DAY 15 | SARAJEVO BELGRADE, SERBIA
Gritty but charming Belgrade is up next. Honour the victims of the 1995 genocide at the haunting Srebrenica Genocide Memorial, a sobering reminder of the greatest atrocity on European soil since the Second World War.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Walking tour of Belgrade + Visit the Srebrenica Memorial
DAY 16 | BELGRADE TO BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Hungary for more? Budapest is up next! A driving tour will get you down and Danube (that being the river) with twin cities Buda and Pest. Check out Hero's Square, Parliament House, the National Palace, Fisherman's Bastion and the swanky Andrássy Avenue. Then it's time to meet the major food groups: goulash, cabbage rolls and dumplings.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Driving tour of Budapest + Dinner
DAY 17 | BUDAPEST
A free day to take on a city with enough baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture to keep you entertained for hours. Tonight, hang with the hipsters and drink local fruit brandy at one of the original ruin bars. Wanna go one step further? An optional dinner cruise on the Danube has your name on it.
MEALS: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Dinner cruise on the Danube River
DAY 18 | BUDAPEST TO VIENNA, AUSTRIA VIA BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Prepare your retinas - there’s gonna be some amazing scenery playing outside the coach windows today as we make our way to Bratislava for a walking tour. Then: Vienna. Don’t forget to wave hello to the President as we go past the Hofburg Palace! Vienna is famous for three things: musicians, grand coffee houses and, of course, apple strudel. Classical music fans, opt in for a night out to hear the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Strauss at the Viennese Chamber Orchestra.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Walking tour of Bratislava + Driving tour of Vienna + Tickets to the Viennese Chamber Orchestra + Tickets to the Viennese Chamber Orchestra (dinner included) DAY 19 | VIENNA TO KRAKÓW, POLAND
Legend has it a dragon had to be defeated in order for Kraków to be built - bit tougher than the usual council approvals, no? Get acquainted with Poland's beating heart (and the largest medieval town square in Europe) with a walking tour. Buff up on history at Wawel Castle, feed the ducks from the banks of the Wisla and slay a few glasses of mead after dinner. Did someone say optional pub crawl?
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Walking tour of Kraków + Kraków pub crawl
DAY 20 | KRAKÓW
After breakfast it’s your day, your choice. Our recommendations? Well, you could discover Kraków's inner hipster in the Jewish district or shop for amber in the UNESCO-listed Cloth Hall. If all else fails, there’s always pierogi and potato pancakes to keep you busy.
MEALS:
+ Breakfast
DAY 21 | KRAKÓW TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
First, a visit to former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau for a lesson in the resilience of humanity. Then, on to Prague. Get Insta-happy and seek out the John Lennon Wall, soak up some 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).
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Visit former concentration + Dinner camp Auschwitz-Birkenau + Walking tour of Prague
DAY 22 | PRAGUE
Another free day for the win. Snap a selfie at Prague's own Eiffel Tower, visit a miniatures museum, eat roast pork from one of the street vendors lining Old Town Square and wash it all down with a beer. As in, a really good beer. Prague, we love you.
MEALS:
+ Breakfast DAY 23 | PRAGUE TO BERLIN, GERMANY
Get acquainted with 800 year-old Dresden - a city virtually destroyed in WWII and then rebuilt - and check out the Frauenkirche before we make tracks 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 Gate and the Reichstag building.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Walking tour of the restored + Dinner city of Dresden + Driving tour of Berlin
DAY 24 | BERLIN
Today, why not step out on an optional Third Reich walking tour for a local insight into what the city was like under Nazi rule during World War II? Kreuzberg is a hit for lunch. Afternoon suggestion? Have a picnic at the historic Tempelhof airport-turned-public park. Tonight: explore the city after dark on an optional alternative street art and nightlife tour.
MEALS: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Third Reich walking tour + Street art and nightlife tour
DAY 25 | 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. Get your bearings on a guided driving tour and discover why Copenhagen is home to half of the nation's population.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Driving tour of Copenhagen
DAY 26 | COPENHAGEN
Today you have the chance to explore the city in true local fashion: on a bike. Romantic streak? Check out The Little Mermaid, a tribute to the fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen's pre-Disney masterpiece. Spoiler alert: the original version has the lovestruck mermaid become foam on the sea after she fails to win the prince's affections. Even back then, it seems, #thestrugglewasreal.
MEALS:
+ Breakfast DAY 27 | COPENHAGEN TO HAMBURG, GERMANY
With more bridges than Venice and Amsterdam combined, no skyscrapers (read: views for days) and the first zoo with no enclosures, Hamburg is one of the hippest cities in Europe. It’s also got 3 km of funfair shenanigans and Europe’s biggest Japanese garden. What are you waiting for? Get exploring! Later, check out the nightlife at the Port.
MEALS:
+ Breakfast
DAY 28 | HAMBURG TO AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Start dreaming of cheese, clogs and cheeky café stops as we roll through tulip and windmill dotted fields to Amsterdam. DAM, it's going to be a good day! Learn how gouda and clogs are made, then get your bearings on a walking tour of the vibrant capital. We’re talking the Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the National Monument, so get your cameras at the ready. For the perfect end to the perfect day, give in to temptation and grab a cone of hot chips with mayo. Mmm.
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY:
+ Breakfast + Dutch cheese and clogs demonstration + Walking tour of Amsterdam
DAY 29 | AMSTERDAM
Join 881,000 bikes and get your cycle on with an optional bike tour of Amsterdam's iconic canals, bridges and parks. Culture fiends, delve deeper with a visit to the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum. Still thirsty for more? Check out the Heineken Experience and indulge in a spot of beer tasting. What better way to toast the final night of your Europe Inspired adventure than with a dinner cruise on the canal?
MEALS: INCLUDED TODAY: OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: + Breakfast + Canal dinner cruise + Dinner + Bike tour of Amsterdam
DAY 30 | AMSTERDAM TO LONDON, ENGLAND
Love and leave Amsterdam this morning as we head back to London, where this trip of a lifetime ends.
MEALS:
+ Breakfast
Meals
Your included meals are detailed in the 'Included Essentials' section of this document.
Breakfasts (usually continental breakfasts) are included every day, except on the first morning of your trip. A typical continental breakfast may consist of cereals with milk or yogurt, bread, croissants, cold meats, and cheese – with fruit juice, tea or coffee to drink. It is rare to get a hot breakfast in continental Europe, though on some occasions some hot food may be available.
Included meals will be provided at local restaurants and the accommodations in which we stay. In most cases, table water is provided with meals. If you wish to purchase additional drinks, you can do so at your own expense.
If you have any dietary requirements, we’ll make every effort to cater to your needs – as long as you advise your travel agent or Customer Service Consultant when you book. You can also make a note of dietary requirements in the Topdeck app when you check-in.
PLEASE NOTE: Although we’ll do everything in our power to cater to your needs, we cannot guarantee this will be possible in every restaurant we visit. We also cannot cater to tastes or dislikes, as most of our included evening meals feature a set menu.
Tipping
Your Topdeck Trip Leaders and Drivers never expect tips, and they won’t ask for any either. We also know how much tipping can cost you. So go ahead – spoil yourself with the money you save travelling with us (just don’t forget Mum’s souvenir).
Topdeck Travel App Our app is available to download before you travel. With a range of cool features including a currency converter, budget planner, check-in tool and group chat, it’ll help you plan your trip like a pro. Think of it as your very own Topdeck Trip Leader in the palm of your hand.
TRIP GROUP CHAT Connect with your fellow Topdeckers before you depart and begin your magical friendship in the flash of a winking face emoji.
ITINERARY VIEWER Get the lowdown on where you’ll be going and what activities you’ll be doing on each day of your trip with this handy little tool.
CHECK-IN Plug in all your vital deets and we’ll keep them safe for when you really need them. Making your life easier, one swipe at a time.
BUDGET TRACKER Keep an eye on your holiday spending, leaving you with more FUN-ds to play with. Think: elaborate Spanish feasts (not questionable supermarket sandwiches).
MAPS Navigate your way to meeting points and lesser-known local gems using pins dropped by your Trip Leader, seek out your own bucket list sites and take to the streets like a pro.
Once the trip is over, you’ll need the app to give us feedback about your trip experience. We love to hear what you thought about your trip, as it helps to give us an idea of the things we’re doing well and the things we could be doing better.
PLEASE NOTE: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked your trip. You will not be able to log in unless you have a Topdeck booking reference number.
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Passenger safety
NIGHTS OUT One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing the nightlife and entertainment each city has to offer. However, amidst the fun and excitement, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and personal safety as well. Before you hit the road with us, be sure to familiarise yourself with the following safety information. When you’re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always stick together, take a registered taxi where possible, and keep a note of your accommodation details so you can find your way back to your fellow Topdeckers if you become separated. It’s also a good idea to get your Topdeck trip mates’ mobile numbers in case you need to get hold of them while out and about. In some countries, alcoholic measures can be considerably larger than what you may be used to. Try to keep track of what you’re drinking, and if you see one of your trip mates looking a little worse for wear, take them back to your accommodation. Never leave your drink unattended. It’s also important to be aware that what you might consider harmless flirting may be interpreted differently in some countries. Be yourself and have fun, but stay savvy – you don’t want to find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
RESPECTING FELLOW PASSENGERS Here at Topdeck, we’re all about inclusivity. We want to make sure that everyone has a great time on our trips, and that everyone feels like they’re part of one happy Topdeck family. What we’re not about is excluding people or making them feel like they don’t belong – that’s just not what families do. That’s why we always encourage Topdeckers to be kind and courteous to their fellow passengers. The golden rules? Always remember to respect each other’s space, be mindful of causing excessive noise in shared accommodation and treat others how you’d wish to be treated yourself. Easy!
DRUG USE Topdeck has a strict zero-tolerance drug policy. Passengers should not bring any illegal substances onto the Topdeck coach or into any of the accommodation we stay in on our trips. This includes marijuana, even if it is legal in some of the states your trip passes through. If you are found in possession of drugs, you will be removed from the trip. All instances of drug possession will be reported to Topdeck Head Office, who may consider alerting the relevant authorities. REMEMBER – if you are found in possession of drugs, not only could you risk getting in trouble with the local police, but our Driver will also be held responsible if drugs are found on the Topdeck coach. Trust us, you wouldn’t want that to happen to any of our Drivers – they’re awesome.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING Culture shock, homesickness, random periods of feeling down – these things happen and are totally normal. You can rest assured that if you’re feeling low, your Topdeck crew will do their utmost to cheer you up again. Measures you can take to look after your mental health and wellbeing while on the road with us are: + Call home. Sometimes it’s nice to hear a familiar voice and have a good old-fashioned catch up with your loved ones + Eat well. Never underestimate the power of a good, wholesome meal. Nobody feels at their best when they’re hungry! + Drink responsibly. Not only will you swerve the dreaded hangover, but by keeping an eye on what you drink, you could also avoid getting into any potentially uncomfortable situations + Talk to your Trip Leader. Don’t forget, they’re probably far from home, too – so they’re sure to know of some tried- and-tested ways to beat the blues + Integrate with your fellow Topdeckers. This one is key! The more fun you’re having on your trip, the less likely you are to feel homesick (trust us).
HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER Responsible travel isn’t difficult to achieve. With a little conscious thought and preparation, you can have an awesome holiday AND have a positive impact on the places you visit. Sweet! Here are five things you can do to ensure you’re travelling responsibly: + Conserve water. You know the drill – reuse your hotel towels, take short showers and remember to turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth + Reduce your waste. Ditch the plastic bag, refuse unnecessary packaging, dispose of your waste responsibly and recycle as much as possible + Go local. Hunt down locally owned and operated restaurants and bars, shop in local markets and book tours and activities run by local guides + Consider the wildlife. Avoid any attractions that involve closely engaging with wild animals + Respect local people and culture. Obeying local laws is a given – but also remember to dress and behave in a manner appropriate to the community. Be polite and keep an open mind!
OTHER INFORMATION Insurance
Before your trip departs, it’s compulsory for all passengers to take out comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses (including repatriation), loss or damage to baggage and personal belongings, money and personal liability. World Nomads provides comprehensive travel insurance for people from over 140 countries. For more information, visit www.topdeck.travel/travel-insurance.
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 you do not have at least six months validity remaining on your passport after your departure date. Depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to enter certain countries. It is your responsibility to obtain visas prior to your trip departure. To determine which visas you’ll need, you can consult either your own government’s website or the government websites of the countries in which you will be travelling. PLEASE NOTE: 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 a visa often runs from its date of issue rather than the date of entry into the country. Please check with the appropriate embassy/embassies prior to departure, as requirements do change periodically.
What to bring
Based on our experience, these items are key. Everyone’s different though – so if you want to bring more or less, go for it! (As long as you don’t exceed your 20kg allowance, that is.)
1 pair of comfortable walking shoes 1 pair of smart casual shoes 1 pair of thongs/jandals/flip-flops 2 pairs of jeans/trousers 2 pairs of shorts/skirts 4 shirts/T-shirts 2 sweaters/jumpers Smart casual evening wear 1 rainproof jacket 1 warm jacket Underwear and socks Swimwear Snow gear Towel Toiletries Hat and sunscreen Basic medical kit (including plasters, aspirin etc) Insect repellent Conversion plug Reusable water bottle
THAT'S IT!