Day 1 (Paris) - Depart with us early this morning from London and wave goodbye to the white cliffs of Dover as we cross the English Channel by ferry, giving us a chance to change currency and grab any final supplies. Alternatively, meet us at our destination- Paris!
The capital of France is a city of lights and love, fashion and food, creativity and culture – in short, one of the greatest cities in the world! After a delicious dinner cooked by our On-Road Chef, take it all in on our City Lights tour, where our expert Topdeck road crew will share with you the sights and sounds of the world’s favourite urban destination!
Day 2 (Paris) - At Topdeck we believe in giving you as much free time as possible to explore the places we take you to- starting today! A free day to take in this magnificent city, from the breathtaking collections of the Louvre, the glorious Notre Dame cathedral, the stunning Arc de Triomphe or the boutiques of the Champs d’Elysees- just keep those credit cards on a leash!
In the afternoon, there is an option to take a ‘Fat Tire’ bike tour of the city, followed by Topdeck’s exclusive, mouth-watering gourmet picnic in the shadow of the iconic Eiffel Tower. After dinner there is the opportunity to take in a quintessentially Parisian cabaret show, or hop a boat cruise down the famous waters of the River Seine!
Day 3 (Lauterbrunnen) - Today we make our way in to Switzerland, a country so scenic it makes picture postcards spring to life. Our base in the village of Lauterbrunnen is set in a deep valley, flanked by towering cliffs from which waterfalls tumble, framed by the snowy peaks of Europe’s great mountain range, the Alps- we’re confident you will fall in love with it! Dinner is provided by our Topdeck On-Road Chef, after which we can always head to the bar for a nightcap!
Day 4 (Lauterbrunnen) - This morning there is an option to ride the historic Jungfraubahn railway to the highest station in the continent, and visit the summit of the Jungfrau Mountain. At over 12000ft high, this truly deserves its nickname, the ‘Roof of Europe’! Not to mention… there’s guaranteed snow! For those who think that being 12000ft high whilst having your feet on the ground is too boring – why not throw yourself out of a helicopter instead?! Okay, so you would have a parachute and experienced skydive master attached to you…. but let’s not dwell on the details! An optional (weather permitting) skydive over the Swiss Alps is a truly memorable experience.
The rest of the day is ours to explore this most picturesque corner of the world, with numerous mountain walks and the majestic Trummelbach Falls providing a feast for the eyes. Later, a feast of the more conventional kind, as we enjoy another delicious meal from our Topdeck chef!
Day 5 (Avignon) - We bid a fond farewell to Switzerland this morning, but the scenery is no less impressive as we make our way to the South of France and the ancient walled city of Avignon. This gem of the wine growing Rhone Valley region will surprise you with its impressive architecture and lovely ambience. The city was home to several Popes in the 14th Century, as they were exiled from Rome, and such illustrious residents demanded illustrious residences - not least the foreboding Palais des Papes, which along with the gold-topped Cathedral next door, provide a picturesque backdrop for our stay.
Tonight we have the opportunity to investigate the local bistros for dinner, or simply picnic along the banks of the river with a baguette, cheese and red wine – an equally authentic French dining experience!
Day 6 (Nice) - We leave impressive Avignon behind and head south to the rugged coastline and azure blue seas of the French Riviera. En route we visit a local perfumerie, in a region famed around the globe for its fragrances – maybe you will find your calling as a ‘Nose’!
Day 7 (Nice) - This part of the world is beloved by the rich and famous, and today is your chance to get in on the act! Pop on those giant sunglasses and join the sunseekers on the beaches of glamorous Nice, or wander through the old town and check out some of the best shopping in Europe. In the evening, its time to glam up for a trip to the principality of Monaco, one of the world’s smallest countries and a billionaire’s playground! There is a chance to have a flutter in one of the famous casinos of Monte Carlo- you could even warm James Bond’s seat in the Grand Casino itself!
Day 8 (Florence) - Onwards in to Italy, where we have ample time to take in the wonderful countryside, culture, and cuisine of this fantastic country! We take time out to visit Pisa and get our photographs with the famous ‘Leaning Tower’, before heading to our superbly located campsite overlooking the gorgeous city of Florence. After dinner, why not visit the ‘Red Garter’ for a nightcap – a Topdeck favourite!
Day 9 (Rome) - Get your walking boots on! This morning we enjoy a tour of Florence with an experienced local guide, hearing tales of the incredible Renaissance period and the luminaries who made the city so important, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. The spectacular Duomo, Ponte Vecchio bridge and the famous statue of David will all take the breath away in this most beautiful of places. If you need a little retail therapy after all that beauty, a demonstration at a local leatherworks will help you tell the quality goods from the fakes!
Our short drive to Rome gives you time to edit those photos – because you’ll need some space on your camera for this afternoon! Our walking tour with our Topdeck Trip Leader takes in the full majesty of this iconic city, centre of the Roman Empire. The mighty Colosseum, towering Pantheon, the opulent Trevi Fountain and bombastic Victor Emmanuel II Monument are all to be seen as we make our way through the ‘Eternal City’
Day 10 (Rome) - As if the sights of the previous day weren’t enough, this morning there is an option to take a guided tour of Vatican City, the world’s smallest state and home of the Catholic religion. An experienced guide can show us the treasures of the Vatican Museums, the world famous Sistine Chapel with its ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo, and inside the world’s largest church, the incredible St Peter’s Basilica. The rest of the day is ours to indulge in the sights and sounds of Rome… or head back to our resort and take a dip in the pool!
Day 11 (Venice) - From one unique city to another – Venice! En route we make a stop at Verona, a Roman city famous for being the setting of Romeo and Juliet (and some of Italy’s finest gelato!). From there we head to our resort and a delicious meal from our Topdeck chef, whilst the on-site bar provides a great place to unwind with a few drinks!
Day 12 (Venice) - This morning we head in to Venice, a city consisting of a dizzying array of islands, interconnected by countless bridges, and serviced by a beautiful network of canals – there really is no other city like it on earth! A walking tour with our Topdeck Trip Leader winds through alleyways and across piazzas, finishing in St Mark’s Square with its magnificent basilica. We then pay a visit to a local lace school to see how these delicate masterpieces are created by the talented Venetians, before an optional ride on a gondola, the traditional (and most romantic) way to navigate the waterways that link this great city. The rest of the day is ours to spend how we wish!
Day 13 (Vienna) - This morning we head north, to the Alpine beauty of Austria! Our destination is the capital, Vienna, a gorgeous city dripping in culture, with impressive sights such as the Hofburg Palace, St Stephen’s Cathedral and the majestic Vienna Opera House to be seen on a driving tour taken by our Topdeck crew. Tonight, why not pay a visit to Prater Park, the oldest amusement park in the world! More rollercoasters and fairground games than you can shake a candyfloss stick at… just make sure you have room in your luggage for that giant teddy!
Day 14 (Vienna) - Today is a free day in this classy city! We could take in the splendid grounds of the Schönbrunn Palace, look in on the training of the world famous Spanish Riding School (if in town), or feed our brains by exploring the Museum Quarter! Today there is also an optional excursion to a traditional Schnapps Museum where we can sample the local aperitif. If the traditional stuff is too strong for you, then you can always choose from a variety of delicious flavours!
Vienna is undoubtedly the home of classical music; Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Strauss have all had their compositions proudly premiered here, and this evening there is a chance to dress up for a visit to a traditional Viennese Chamber Orchestra in one of Vienna’s many Palaces!
Day 15 (Munich) - A sombre, but very important, start to the day as we visit Mathausen concentration camp, where we will learn about the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, and get the chance to pay our respects to those who lost their lives at the hands of the Nazi regime.
Then, Willkommen in Deutschland! Welcome to Germany! Our destination today is Munich, capital of the proud region of Bavaria. The city is nicknamed ‘Toy Town’ by some, a nod to its eye-catching architecture and welcoming feel. A short walking tour with our Topdeck Trip Leader will take in the heart of the city, Marienplatz, with its Old and New Town Halls, as well as the striking Frauenkirche, the church which dominates the city skyline.
Bavarian culture is strong here, and a trip to one of Munich’s world famous beer halls could see you munching pork knuckles, singing songs and clinking beer steins with the locals! You may even be tempted to pick up a pair of Lederhosen or a Dirndl – perfect attire for a Topdeck Oktoberfest trip!
Day 16 (Prague) - We then make our way to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. Stunning architecture, fascinating history, incredible nightlife – there’s a reason why this is a real favourite of Topdeck crew! A city tour with our Topdeck Trip Leader takes in Gothic masterpieces such as the Hradcany Castle District, Charles Bridge, and the stunning Tyn Church. Tonight, why not take the opportunity to sample some of the best nightlife in Europe!
Day 17 (Prague) - A free day to explore this beautiful city, hidden for decades behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ that divided East and West Europe, but now a hugely popular destination and a true gem of Eastern Europe. You could get your portrait painted by the artists on Charles Bridge, take in a traditional marionette puppet show, or visit the Jewish Quarter and its remarkable synagogues. This evening we are free to find one of the many fantastic restaurants for a taste of the local cuisine! The Czech Republic also produces arguably the world’s finest beer, giving us even more reason to celebrate the Prague nightlife!
Day 18 (Berlin) - Our first stop in Germany is the city of Dresden, virtually destroyed in World War II, but rejuvenated once again. Its restored Renaissance buildings symbolise the desire of this great country to rebuild following World War II and the division of East and West Germany which followed.
Nowhere is that division more clearly illustrated than in Berlin, Germany’s glorious capital city, which for over 25 years was physically separated by the Berlin Wall. Remaining stretches of the wall can be seen on a driving tour taken by our Topdeck crew, which also takes in famous sights such as the Reichstag, the Victory Monument, Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. After checking in to our fantastic accomodation, dinner is included!
Day 19 (Berlin) - This morning there is an option to do a Third Reich walking tour, where a local guide can give us a fantastic insight in to some of the places most closely associated with the Nazis and World War II. The day is then ours to explore this incredibly vibrant city, bursting with life and offering no end of things to see and do. This evening, why not take part in an optional nightlife tour, and see why Berlin has a reputation as one of the party capitals of Europe!
Day 20 (Amsterdam) - Our trip moves on to the Netherlands, famous for many things- cheese and clogs may spring to mind! So on the way we can pay a visit to a local farmer to see how these typically Dutch products are made, before heading on to the cultural capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam! A walking tour takes in the heart of the city, Dam Square, as well as the famous (and utterly bonkers) Red Light District!
Day 21 (Amsterdam) - This morning we have a Topdeck exclusive; an included bike ride of Amsterdam, giving us the chance to cycle around the canals and parks of this gorgeous city, just as the locals do. We have plenty of free time to take in the abundant culture of Amsterdam, perhaps paying a visit to the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum…. Or the Heineken Experience – it all depends on your own personal definition of ‘culture’! This evening, we have a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, followed by an optional canal cruise, giving us a different perspective on this great metropolis, and perhaps a final night out to toast the memories of the past weeks!
Day 22 (London) - Today we say goodbye to the Netherlands, heading to Calais where we catch our ferry back to England. The trip finishes this evening in London, and we say our fond farewells to our travelling companions!
