19 DAY | Adriatic Express

ECPTRG-7

This tour visits: Italy, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany Explore the stunningly beautiful Adriatic region and the rest of Eastern Europe on this fantastic camping adventure. Visit the vibrant, yet under-explored Eastern European cities and enjoy three days sailing in the striking waters of the Greek Med, all while making your way from majestic Rome to funky Berlin by way of the awesome Adriatic. An affordable camping tour in Europe has never been so exciting, or so luxurious!

The Bucket List

More Inclusions

3 nights flotilla sailing in Greece

18 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners

Local guide Tirana

9 nights in European campsites in spacious twin-share

Local guide Dubrovnik

dome style tents with air mattresses, 1 night hotel upgrade,

Visit former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau

4 nights multi-share hostel upgrade, 3 nights sailing in Greece & 1 night in a cabin on overnight ferry from Italy to Greece Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Trip Leader + Driver + Topdeck Chef

Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Rome, Italy Meet your Trip Leader and step back to 753 BC in one of the world’s oldest open-air museums. 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, sit on the Spanish Steps and visit ancient history’s version of the Hunger Games set at the Colosseum. Tonight, you’re in Disneyland for foodies. Have fun. Meals: -Dinner

Day 2 - Rome to Sailing in Greece via Overnight Ferry Play connect-the-dots with the stars or let the swell rock you to sleep as we ferry from Bella Italia to Greece. Restaurants, bars, and cosy cabin rooms will keep you comfortable. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch

Day 3 - Sailing in Greece A short drive along the Greek coastline, then onto our flotilla of yachts for three days of sun, sand and sailing on the Ionian Sea. By night, flaunt those european tan lines as we drop anchor and hop between authentic Greek tavernas for a night of feasting, table dancing and a splash of ouzo. You know the saying, too much of a good thing? Neither do we. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner

Day 4 - Sailing in Greece A free day to sail, swim, eat, sleep, repeat. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch

Day 5 - Sailing in Greece More turquoise water. More swimming. More diving off boats. More epic Instagram shots. You could probably get used to this. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch

Day 6 - Sailing in Greece to Tirana, Albania What happens when you paint a former communist capital in vivid colours? According to Tirana's artist-turned-mayor-turned-TED speaker Edi Rama, people start paying taxes and crime rates plummet. True story. Kick off with a driving tour and a group dinner before we let you loose in the night. Included today: -Tour of Tirana with a local guide Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner

Day 7 - Tirana to Dubrovnik, Croatia via Budva, Montenegro Lots more stunning gets pushed past the window as we head up the gorgeous coast of Montenegro and make for the most famous walled city in Europe (nope, not history. See: Game of Thrones). Wander Dubrovnik's tiny cobblestoned streets and explore hidden cafés and shops before grabbing some dinner and checking out the glitzy nightlife. Included today: -Visit to Budva en route -Tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide Meals: -Breakfast -Dinner

Day 8 - Dubrovnik Free day in King's Lan... sorry, Dubrovnik. Check out the residential homes further up in the old town for awesome views and a local perspective. Then: a cold beer on the wall as the sun sets over the Adriatic. This is the good life. Meals: -Breakfast Optional activities: -Sea kayaking

Day 9 - Dubrovnik to Plitvice Lakes Prepare yourself for Plitvice Lakes Ah-mazing-ness x100. Bid farewell to Dubrovnik. Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner

Day 10 - Plitvice Lakes Today is brought to you by Mother Nature. Made up of 16 lakes connected by streams and waterfalls and surrounded by 300 square kilometres of national park, Plitvice Lakes didn't make it onto the UNESCO World Heritage list without reason. Hike up to see the tallest waterfall in Croatia or glide across the crystal blue lakes in a rowboat. Mindfulness just got a whole new meaning. Included today: -Visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner

Day 11 - Plitvice Lakes to Budapest, Hungary Your house in Budapest awaits. Meet your Trip Leader and set off on a driving tour to get down and Danube (that be the river) with twin cities, Buda and Pest. Check out Hero's Square, Parliament House, the National Palace, Fisherman's Bastion and swanky Andrássy Ave. Then it's time to meet the major food groups: goulash, cabbage rolls and dumplings, oh my! Included today: -Driving tour of Budapest Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch

Day 12 - Budapest Free day = Put down your Rubik's Cube and take on a city with enough baroque, neoclassical and art nouveau architecture to keep you puzzled for hours. Take to the waters at the art nouveau Gellert Baths and don't leave til you're pruny. There are 80+ thermal springs in Budapest but this is its most famous. Wave pool, anyone?! Indulge in a spa treatment then visit the Buda Castle or House of Terror Museum. Tonight, hang with the hipsters and drink local fruit brandy. Meals: -Breakfast

Day 13 - Budapest to Krakow, Poland

Meet Poland's beating heart - and the largest medieval town square in Europe - on foot. Buff up on history at Wawel Castle, feed the ducks on the bank of the Wisla and after dinner, slay a few glasses of mead. Included today: -Walking tour of Krakow Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch

Day 14 - Krakow Make yourself a ‘seasoned’ traveller by exploring the streets of Krakow and then dig into a plate of pierogi. These dumpling-esque morsels of deliciousness will have you applying for your Polish passport. Stat. Meals: -Breakfast

Day 15 - Krakow to Prague, Czech Republic Begin the day with a sobering visit to the former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau then set the sat nav for the gothic city. Castle spires are Prague's way of welcoming weary travellers. Fuel up on trdelník (pastry deliciousness) before a walking tour amongst the spires and cobblestone streets. Included today: -Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau -Walking tour of Prague Meals: -Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner

Day 16 - Prague Another free day for the win - woohoo! Take hold of this city and channel your inner bohemian. 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 marionette puppet opera (you gotta see it to believe it). 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 drink beer. Meals: -Breakfast

Day 17 - Prague to Berlin, Germany Kick over to Berlin via Dresden where history does the talking. 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 before a hearty German meal.

Included today: -Walking tour of Dresden -Driving tour of Berlin Meals: -Breakfast -Dinner

Day 18 - Berlin Epic nightlife + major historical sights = Berlin. Optional: Third Reich walking tour and local 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 #picniconthetarmac. Tonight: hit the hotspots on an optional nightlife and alternative tour. Meals: -Breakfast Optional activities: -Third Reich walking tour -Berlin Alternative tour and nightlife tour

Day 19 - Berlin Like all good things, this trip ends after breakfast. Auf wiedersehen pet. Facebook friends anyone? Meals: -Breakfast

Accommodation   Your trip will mainly stay in campsites. Topdeck provides comfortable, twin-share dome tents to sleep in and every passenger will have an inflatable air mattress to sleep on. If you are travelling alone, you will be paired with a tent partner of the same sex. The tents have ventilation windows, zipped-up fronts and sewn-in ground sheets. They are light and easy to erect and you will be given a demonstration at the start of the trip. You and your tent partner will be responsible for pitching your own tent, and you will generally have the same tent for the entire trip. Our camping trips encourage passenger participation in all activities – social and otherwise! The Camping trips feature some included accommodation upgrades in certain locations. On such occasions, the number of people in a room varies depending on the type of accommodation. Rooms in hostels usually four to six. When staying on a Camping trip, multi-share accommodation follows a single-sex policy. Campsites Some European camping grounds are like small cities with supermarkets, bars, restaurants, swimming pools, hot showers and newsagents. Others, mainly in Eastern and Southern Europe, are of a more basic standard. Clothes washing facilities are usually adequate, but don’t expect machines and dryers in all campsites. Hot showers are sometimes free and sometimes not – where not, you will have to pay a small amount to use them. On rare occasions some campsites do not supply toilet paper in the toilet blocks, so it is useful to carry a small toilet roll

or pack of tissues with you, which can be easily purchased throughout Europe. Sailing in Greece During the flotilla sailing leg of your trip, you will sail the waters around the island of Corfu on an eight-berth skippered yacht. This means, you can relax on your yacht while having a professional Skipper do all the sailing for you! You will move in a flotilla with the other yachts, so all passengers on your trip will sail together. There are sailing and swim stops during the day, and each evening you will dock at a different village where you can go ashore for dinner at a local tavern or restaurant. 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 will prepare yourselves while onboard. You will sleep onboard the boats, and all your sheets and blankets are 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. Croatia - Plitvice Lakes Sea Kayaking Germany - Berlin Third Reich walking tour €10 Alternative Tour and Pub Crawl €18 Netherlands - Amsterdam Canal Drinks Cruise €30 Bike tour €14

Meals Included meals Accompanying you on this trip will be a cook tent, fitted out with tables and gas burners, which will be erected upon our arrival in each campsite. You will have a Topdeck On-Road Chef travelling with you 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. A full list of included meals is in the More Inclusions section of this document. 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. 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 Please note the Topdeck App is not currently available in Asia.  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: Croatia - Kuna (HRK) Hungary - Forint (HUF) Czech Republic - Koruna (Crown) (CZK) Albania - Albanian 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 wifi allowance and availability per country, please head to our website www.topdeck.travel/wi-fi.

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.

London Office Your best recourse to assistance during the day is to call our team between 8am-9pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am-4pm on Saturdays UK time. Tel: +44 (0)20 8987 3305

Emergency Contact If you need to contact Topdeck outside of the above hours the following number is available: Mobile: +(44) 7792 775 415 Please remember if it is a genuine emergency, we of course want you to call us; however, if it can wait until the next day, we ask that you call during our office hours.

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 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!