37 DAY Red Star Special EERSGG-8

Transcription

1 37 DAY Red Star Special EERSGG-8 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. A once-in-a-lifetime trip that will give you bragging rights for years, this is the one to beat. Are you ready for this?

2 The Bucket List More Inclusions Driving tour of Berlin Walking tour of Riga Walking tour of Tallinn Driving tour of Oslo Driving tour of Copenhagen Drive the famous Troll's Path Crossing Visit Trondheim & the amusingly-named town of Hell Brave the 'polar plunge' a swim in an arctic river! Experience the festivities at Santa's Village Walking tour of Vilnius Walking tour of Novgorod Driving tour of St Petersburg Driving tour of Warsaw Visit the the legendary Hill of Crosses Driving tour of Helsinki Walking tour of Stockholm Visit The State Hermitage Museum Guided tour of Moscow Kremlin Cruise the majestic Geirangerfjord Visit the Arctic Circle Driving tour of Moscow 36 breakfasts, 19 lunches, 22 dinners 16 nights in hostels & 9 nights in hotels & 11 nights in cabins Modern air conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi Guided tours of all major cities Awesome Trip Leader + Driver + Topdeck Chef 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. 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 tour to keep you entertained for the night. -Driving tour of Berlin

3 Optional activities: -Third Reich walking tour -Street art & nightlife tour of Berlin 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 city on earth - find out for yourself. -Driving tour of Copenhagen 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 on Paper Island for a luxe 'warehouse vibe' experience. Day 5 - Copenhagen to Stockholm, Sweden You know it for the 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. -Driving tour of Stockholm 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 Stockholm'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.

4 Optional activities: -Guided tour of Stockholm City Hall venue of the Nobel Prize banquet -Visit to the Vasa Museum Day 7 - Stockholm The day is yours to meander through 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). 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. 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. -Driving tour of Olso Optional activities: -Visit The Viking Ship Museum -Visit The Kon-tiki Museum -Visit The Fram Polar Ship Museum 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). -Visit the Ringebu Stave Church

5 Optional Activities: -Ride the Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh 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. -Drive the famous Troll's Path Crossing -Cruise the majestic Geirangerfjord 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, temperatures can dip down to -25 C #brrr. After snapping up some photographic proof, we're off to Steinkjer for the night. -Visit Trondheim & the amusingly-named town of Hell Day 13 - Steinkjer to Bjerka Today we embark on 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. Day 14 - Bjerka to Tysfjord On to Tysfjord for the night to experience the narrowest point in Norway. Look forward to the chance to check out Svartisen-the second largest glacier in Norway. Covering a full 370 km2 and at just 20 m above sea level, it's the lowest glacier in mainland Europe, making it easily

6 accessible for hikes and nature-based experiences. Hint: wear your comfy shoes. -Visit the Arctic Circle Optional activity: -Visit Svartisen - Norway's second largest 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). -Warm up in a wood-fired sauna -Visit Narvik -Brave the 'polar plunge' - a swim in an arctic river! 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). If you're lucky with the weather, expect nature at its absolute best. Optional activities: -Visit the Alta Museum -Midnight sun Nordkapp experience (weather dependant) 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.

7 Day 18 - Olderfjord to Rovaniemi, Finland Cross back over the Arctic Circle and practise your best 'Jingle Bells' as we make our way to Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus. Hot tip: keep your eyes peeled for Santa's reindeers from your window seat. -Experience the festivities at Santa's Village Day 19 - Rovaniemi to Jyvaskyla Next up: the university town of Jyvaskyla. Unsurprisingly, this Finnish city boasts a party scene to rival some of the best, so this is your chance to let your hair down and get amongst the locals. 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. -Driving tour of Helsinki Day 21 - Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia

8 More fairytale 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. -Walking tour of Tallinn Day 22 - Tallinn It's all about 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. 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... 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. -Walking tour of St Petersburg with local guide 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. -Visit The State Hermitage Museum

9 Day 26 - St. Petersburg to Novgorod Through the Russian countryside to the World Heritage-listed city Novgorod. Try: Medovukha, the Russian version of mead. -Walking tour of Novgorod 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. 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! -Driving tour of Moscow with local guide -Guided tour of Moscow Kremlin Optional activities: -Attend a famous 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? -Guided tour of Moscow's metro art

10 -Visit to Lenin's tomb Optional activity: -Guided tour of the Kremlin Armoury Day 30 - Moscow to Velikiye Luki Overnight stay in Velikie Luki, also known as "Small Stalingrad". 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. -Walking tour of Riga 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. 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. -Visit the the legendary Hill of Crosses -Walking tour of Vilnius

11 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. 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. -Driving tour of Warsaw 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. Day 37 - Berlin Sad farewells as we defect after breakfast. Swap numbers and plan that next adventure together. 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 usually share with between 3 and 5 others (although in some circumstances you will share with more than 5) 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.

12 Please note: When staying on a Hostel Plus trip, multi-share accommodation is single-sex. 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 Customer Service Consultant when you book, or make note of this in the Topdeck app when you check in (refer below). However, 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. Accompanying you on this trip (as far as Tallinn) will be a trained Topdeck Chef who is responsible for providing any included meals. The coach will be equipped with all the utensils required for the Chef to cook dishes fresh at every destination, whether breakfast, lunch or a twocourse dinner. Occasionally, some of the included meals may be in local restaurants or accommodations. 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 Passenger safety 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, it s important to be aware of the following: When you re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always

13 stick together, take a 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. 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. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers and 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 don t be naïve, and be mindful of the signals you are sending out so that you don t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.