WESTERN CROSSING 2011

14 days, 5 countries
Best of the West!
See the best that Western Europe has to offer as we make our way from London to
the „Eternal City‟! Maybe you‟ll be most taken by the boulevards of Paris or the
stunning Swiss Alps. Perhaps it will be cosmopolitan Barcelona or the waterways of
Venice. Finding out is the fun part! Staying in some incredibly equipped and superbly
located campsites, with the services of Topdeck‟s expertly trained road crew at your
disposal, and travelling on a comfortable air-conditioned coach, camping around
Europe has never been so luxurious. With a group of like-minded young travelling
companions to share the experience with, Topdeck‟s Western Crossing will be a
journey never to forget!

DAY 1 LONDON TO PARIS, FRANCE

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! (D)

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,
whether it‟s the breathtaking collections of the Louvre, the glorious Notre Dame
cathedral, the stunning Arc de Triomphe or the chic boutiques of the Champs 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, a great way
to feel the pulse of Paris and get up close to some of its finest monuments. In the
evening we can all enjoy Topdeck‟s exclusive, mouth-watering gourmet picnic in the
shadow of the iconic Eiffel Tower – delicious food in a truly special setting. After dinner
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there is the opportunity to take in a quintessentially Parisian cabaret show in the
effortlessly cool Latin Quarter, or hop on a boat cruise down the famous waters of the
River Seine. (B, D)

DAY 3 PARIS TO SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND

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 tonight is provided by our Topdeck On-Road Chef, after which we can
always head to the bar for a nightcap. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 SWISS ALPS

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, there‟s a feast of the more conventional kind, as we enjoy another
delicious meal from our Topdeck On-Road Chef. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 SWISS ALPS TO AVIGNON, FRANCE

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! (B, L)

DAY 6 AVIGNON TO BARCELONA, SPAIN

First up today is a visit to the grand Pont du Gard, a remarkably well preserved Roman
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Aqueduct which dates back nearly 2000 years and is one of France‟s most visited
tourist attractions.

Then… Viva España! We travel south to the glorious Spanish city of Barcelona, a
perennial favourite of Topdeck crew. The capital of the Catalunya region is a vibrant,
eclectic city with a strong Mediterranean culture and an architectural style all of its
own, and there are no shortage of sights to see.

Our Topdeck crew will take you on a driving tour to see such highlights as the
Christopher Columbus Monument, Montjuic (site of the 1992 Summer Olympics), and
the jewel in the crown- the spectacular Sagrada Familia. This inimitable Cathedral is
the life‟s work of Antoni Gaudi, the famous local architect who gave Barcelona its
architectural soul – over 120 years and it‟s not even finished yet! After checking in to
our fantastic hostel accommodation in the heart of the city, we enjoy an included
dinner in a local restaurant, giving us a first opportunity to sample the rich cuisine of
Spain. (B, L, D)

DAY 7 BARCELONA

Today we get to explore Barcelona at our own pace on our free day. You could stroll
down the lively Las Ramblas and check out the market stalls; you could lounge in the
fairytale Parc Guell, an idyllic testament to Gaudi‟s eccentricity; or perhaps you could
take a tour of the Camp Nou, the other great landmark where locals go to worship –
their soccer heroes of FC Barcelona that is!

This evening, we have the opportunity to sample some local cuisine – why not find
one of the numerous tapas restaurants and delight in being able to order 5 different
dishes and not feel guilty about it! There is also the option to visit a local flamenco
show, where we can see the flamboyant dancers and talented musicians of Spain at
their passionate best. (B)

DAY 8 BARCELONA TO FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE

We travel north to France once more, to the rugged coastline and azure blue seas of
the French Riviera. En route we visit a local perfumery, in a region famed around the
globe for its fragrances, where a short guided tour gives us an insight in to the industry
– maybe you will find your calling as a „Nose‟! This evening we enjoy a delicious
dinner at our campsite prepared by our Topdeck On-Road Chef. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 FRENCH RIVIERA

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 sun seekers 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, it‟s 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! (B)
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DAY 10 FRENCH RIVIERA TO VENICE, ITALY

Onwards in to Italy, where we have ample time to take in the wonderful countryside,
culture, and cuisine of this fantastic country! We head towards one of the most unique
cities in the world - Venice, but en route we make a stop at Verona. This ancient city is
famous for being the home of Shakespeare‟s “star-cross‟d lovers”, Romeo and Juliet.
It also boasts a remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre and some of Italy‟s
finest gelato!

From there we head to our fantastic resort and a delicious meal from our Topdeck On-
Road Chef, whilst the on-site bar provides a great place to unwind with a few drinks.
(B, L, D)

DAY 11 VENICE

This morning we head in to Venice. The city itself consists of a dizzying array of
islands, interconnected by countless bridges, and is 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, during
which you can view the famous Rialto Bridge from the waters of the Grand Canal. The
rest of the day is ours to spend how we wish, before enjoying another tasty meal in
our resort this evening. (B, D)

DAY 12 VENICE TO FLORENCE

From one fabulous Italian city to another! We take time out to visit Pisa and get our
photographs with the famous „Leaning Tower‟, before heading to Florence. This
glorious city is arguably one of the most important in the world, as it was from here that
the great Renaissance movement flowered and spread to the rest of Europe. Learn
about this and so much more on our fantastic city tour this afternoon, taken by a local
Florentine guide. We can see the magnificent Duomo, or cathedral, cross the beautiful
Ponte Vecchio bridge, and immerse ourselves in the legacy of legends such as
Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

If this proves a bit overwhelming, then we can always shop „til we drop at a local
leatherworks, where a brief demonstration will enable us to pick the quality goods from
the fakes. After a tasty dinner at our superbly located campsite overlooking the
gorgeous city of Florence, why not visit the „Red Garter‟ bar in town for a nightcap – a
Topdeck favourite! (B, L, D)

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DAY 13 FLORENCE TO ROME

This morning we have some free time to enjoy Florence. We could visit the stunning
Academia to gaze upon Michelangelo‟s „David‟, wander amongst Renaissance
masterpieces in the Uffizi gallery, or perhaps climb the towering Duomo for a
breathtaking view of the city!

Our short drive then transports us to the capital city of Italy, Rome. Nicknamed the
„Eternal City‟, this is the historic centre of the great Roman Empire, and our walking
tour this afternoon with our Topdeck Trip Leader takes in over 2000 years worth of
history and a stunning array of sights. These range from the relatively recent, like the
opulent Trevi Fountain and the towering Victor Emmanuel II Monument; to the truly
ancient, such as the wondrous Pantheon and the awe-inspiring Colosseum. It is a city
where the ancient and modern intermingle, and a fantastic place to finish off our
Topdeck adventure! (B)

DAY 14 ROME

The trip finishes this morning after breakfast, when it will be time to say a fond farewell
to Topdeck crew and travelling companions. Enjoy the remainder of your stay in
Rome! (B)

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IMPORTANT NOTES

 To be fully prepared, download the following documentation from

www.topdecktravel.co.uk and go to the relevant Itinerary Page of your trip:

* Pre-departure information
* Optional Activities

 Luggage Allowance - 1 Backpack plus a day pack. Maximum weight of backpack

must not exceed 20kgs. Size must not exceed 70cmx45cmx25cm. Due to the strict
weight regulations for coaches in Europe, passengers whose luggage exceeds 20kgs
will be asked to offload the excess on departure morning. Storage facilities are
available at the departure point in London.

 This is a suggested itinerary and should be used as a guide only. The day to day
itinerary may vary depending on the availability of sights and products. Admission fees
are not included in the trip cost.

 Please check your visa requirements.

 Check in time on departure day in London is between 6 – 6.30am

 This itinerary is only valid if you are travelling before 25 September 2011.

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