17 DAY The Great Eastern EEEDAP-6

This tour visits: Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic

The Balkans region went through more than its fair share of hardships in the 20th century, but it has since emerged as one of the most exciting and fascinating corners of Europe to travel in! Our trip takes us from classical antiquity in Athens via the island paradise of Mykonos, stunning Dubrovnik, vibrant Belgrade, romantic Budapest and so much more before we finish amidst the Gothic glory of Prague. Enjoy discovering the history and exploring the scenery as you travel Eastern Europe’s final frontier!

The Bucket List

Visit Srebrenica Memorial, Bosnia & Herzegovina

More Inclusions

16 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 8 dinners 

7 nights hotel upgrade, 6 nights in hostels & 3 nights in canvas cabins 

Modern air-conditioned coach Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Athens, Greece

Like democracy we begin in Athens today, so let's rock the cradle of western civilisation. Included activitites: Welcome meeting with your trip leader.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Athens to Mykonos Island

Ferry over to Mykonos (aka 'that-island-with-the-cute-windmills-looking-into-a-blood-red- sunset' for two nights of tropical bliss. Epic beaches, sinfully good local restaurants and a bustling nightlife, what's not to love? #sorrynotsorry.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

Day 3 - Mykonos Island

If home is where the heart is, it comes with a blue rooftop. Prepare for more yiros, epic nightlife and a handful of very famous pelicans as we hit the party hub of the Mediterranean.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 4 - Mykonos Island

Day 5 - Mykonos Island to Athens

Make your way back to Athens with a heavy heart (or a hearty headache) for a much needed early night. You'll get your bearings on a guided driving tour before checking in. Pro tip: dine under the Acropolis before turning in.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 6 - Athens to Meteora

Leave your fear of heights in Athens. We’re driving to Meteora, a city perched on the nail biting cliffs of Thessaly (Google it). Visit one of six remaining 14th century monasteries (out of 24) then round up the day with good friends, good food and some face-timing.

Note for today: Be mindful of local customs and cover up as we will be entering a religious site today. Included today:

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner. Did you know:

-Game of Thrones’ Eyrie of the Vale of the House of Arryn is based on Meteora’s sandstone hillside landscape, where buildings blend into steep rock pinnacles.

Day 7 - Meteora 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 8 - Tirana to Dubrovnik, Croatia

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. #itwasalwaysgoingtohappen.

Included today: -Visit to Budva en route

-Tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

Day 9 - 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.

Day 10 - Dubrovnik to Sarajevo, Serbia

Travel Day: Dubrovnik, Croatia to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Next: beat the crowds in up-and-coming Sarajevo. Recovering from a dark past (think Archduke Franz Ferdinand circa 1914), torn apart by war, the beautiful city is still heroically rebuilding itself and is widely underrated.

Included today:

-Visit to Mostar en route -Guided tour of Sarajevo

Meals: Breakfast, dinner. Did you know:

-Upon hearing the Bosnian War was over, U2 cancelled their concert in Switzerland, forgoing $4 million in earnings to fork out $1 million of their own to put on a concert for war-torn Sarajevo, celebrating the end of the war.

-Births and weddings are often celebrated with celebratory gunfire.

Day 11 - Sarajevo to Belgrade, Bosnia & Herzegovina

More of Eastern Europe's unique mix of glasnost and capitalism as we dig into Belgrade, capital of modern-day Serbia as well as the former Yugoslavia. A product of the former nations of Yugoslavia, Serbia's religious and political past has cultivated a diverse cultural landscape throughout the city.

Take a tour along the banks of the mighty Danube and into Belgrade's Old Town district to investigate the local hot spots down Prince Michael Street, the main pedestrian walk about town. Thank your patient hunger with a local stew and sip some traditional plum brandy. You'll fit right in.

Included today:

-Visit Srebrenica en route -Guided tour of Belgrade Meals: Breakfast. Did you know:

-Vampire is the only Serbian word that is used and accepted worldwide. At least they got a good one.

-The Serbs were the actual pioneers of the clock-making industry, making and designing their own clocks 600 years before the Swiss did.

Day 12 - Belgrade to Budapest, Hungary

Travel Day: Belgrade, Serbia 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: -Budapest driving tour -Dinner at a local restaurant Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

Day 13 - 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 at Szimpla Kertmozi - the original ruin bar.

Included today: -Free day Meals: Breakfast.

Day 14 - Budapest to Vienna, Austria

So long Budapest, we're off to strudel town. Pick your Baroque from Rococo as we slide into The City of Dreams (kudos, Freud). The Vienna Orchestra provides the soundtrack while we check out Europe's classiest capital on a driving tour.

Wave hello to the President as we go past the Hofburg Palace. And because one palace isn't enough, we also take peek at the Schönbrunn. Top off your day with a schnitzel and apple strudel at Cafe Central, the regular hangout of Freud, Trotsky and Lenin.

Included today: -Guided tour of Vienna Meals: Breakfast. Optional activities: -Vienna orchestra

-Vienna orchestra with dinner Did you know:

-Josip Broz Tito, Freud, Hitler, Vladimir Lenin, and Trotsky were all patrons of the same Viennese cafe (Café Central) in January 1913. #somethinginthecoffee?

-Vienna has a cat cafe, so if you want some real-life LOL cats in your life, grab a coffee and cake at Cafe Neko while stroking the oh-so-cute felines (and making the most of the free WiFi).

-When asked why they were taking Finnish as a language, 97% of students at the University of Vienna answered so that they could understand heavy metal music.

Day 15 - Vienna to Prague, Czech Republic

Bohemia's cobblestones are calling, fuel up on trdelník (pastry deliciousness) before a walking tour amongst spires and cobblestone streets of Prague.

Suss out the castle deemed worthy by Guinness World Records as being the largest ancient castle in the world, cross medieval Charles Bridge and watch 'Death' toll the hour on an astronomical clock that's over 600 years old.

Included today: -Prague walking tour Meals: Breakfast, dinner. Did you know:

-The monasteries of Prague brewed the first beer in the Czech Republic and it was so good the King paid his tithe in hops.

-In black light theatres scattered throughout the city, performers put on shows in pitch-black spaces with fluoro clothing and props. Daft Punk, eat your heart out.

Day 16 - Prague

Another free day for the win. Channel your inner bohemian and 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. Good beer.

Included today: -Free day

Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

Day 17 - Prague

Our trip is ending, but that doesn't mean your time here has to. Get in touch with your boho side and stay longer to hit a high note at a jazz club, circle Wenceslas Square or say hello (and goodbye) to the John Lennon Wall.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation

Hostel Plus* trips host our most eclectic types of accommodation. While modern 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 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.

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.

Austria - Vienna Vienna Orchestra €37 Orchestra with dinner €57.50

Meals

On this trip there is a compulsory Food Fund. 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

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! It is available for all passengers on our trips in Europe (excluding festivals) and in North America. More destinations coming soon…

post is never too far away) 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.

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: Czech Republic - Koruna (Crown) (CZK)

Bosnia & Herzegovina - Convertible Mark (BAM) Croatia - Kuna (HRK)

Hungary - Forint (HUF) Serbia - Dinars (RSD) 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.

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 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!