Topdeck Travel Blog

The history books are strewn with people who have made terrible decisions. Here’s a few examples -

• Adam and Eve, the first two humans ever, deciding to eat an obviously-delicious forbidden apple. I therefore hold them personally responsible for all the idiocy which follows then!
• Nero, the insane 1^st century Roman Emperor, deciding to burn down his own city while singing happily and playing a fiddle. Not surprisingly he was killed by an angry mob.
• Napoleon invading Russia in winter.
• Hitler invading Russia in winter (can anybody spot a theme?).
• The nine publishing companies who rejected JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter book. Oops!

Don’t add your name to the above wall-of-shame! Make a great last-minute decision and join Topdeck for the trip of a lifetime this summer. Half of the fun is deciding where to go, but here are five of our favourite experiences for summer 2013 to inspire you…

Experience the thrill of the ‘Running of the Bulls’

The ‘Running of the Bulls’ in Pamplona is definitely one for the bucket list. Topdeck has lots of superb-value trips to take you to the heart of the action in sunny Spain, including budget trips staying at our gorgeous lakeside campsite with swimming pool from £179 (less than £36 per day!). For something a bit different, our awesome 14 day Spanish Sun & Fiestas trip combines a trip to Pamplona with the quirky ‘Wine Battle’ Festival in Haro, the cultural cities of Bilbao and Madrid, and the beachside paradise of San Sebastian.

We’ve got a great range of Running with the Bulls trips. Check them out here.

Paint The Town Red at La Tomatina

The Spanish tomato-throwing extravaganza may be one of the most eccentric festivals in a country which is renowned for eccentric festivals, but that’s what makes it so much fun! The world’s biggest food fight is a blast, quite literally! To make it even better, all of Topdeck’s La Tomatina trips offer central accommodation in the vibrant beachside city of Valencia – home of paella.

You can check out all of our trips to La Tomatina here.

Live like Marie Antoinette and Spend the Night in a French Chateau

Take a trip off the beaten track through fantastique France and realise why 80% of the French holiday in their own country! This 14 day Explorer trip travels through vibrant cities, gorgeous wineyards (with plenty opportunities to taste!), historic medieval towns, and perhaps best of all – spend the night in an opulent French Chateau in the Loire Valley. Sacré bleu!

We currently have 10% off our Discover France 13^th July 2013 departure!

Stay Overnight With The Navajo Tribe in Monument Valley, USA

The breathtaking natural beauty of the USA will blow away the most cynical of travellers. Our 19 day Great Parks of the USA trip will take you back to nature, combining staggeringly beautiful national parks, the Grand Canyon, and an unforgettable overnight stay with the Navajo Native American Tribe in Utah, where you’ll also get a guided jeep tour of Monument Valley. If all the beautiful natural landscapes get too much for you, we’ll also take you to the awesome cities of Reno, Salt Lake City, Jackson, and Sin City itself - Las Vegas!

Take a look at our Greatest Parks of the US here.

Take a Party Bus Down the Las Vegas Strip

Our epic road trip across the USA from New York to Los Angeles (or reverse) is the definitive summer experience for 2013. There are too many highlights to name – Cajun cuisine in Louisiana, a visit to Elvis’s home Graceland, country music in Tennessee, a guided tour of the illuminated Washington D.C monuments, a visit to Death Valley (the hottest place on earth!), and so much more. But in my humble opinion, there is nothing in the world more fun than taking a party bus down the Las Vegas Strip, complete with mp3 dock and state-of-the-art audio equipment … Viva Las Vegas!

Read more about the Vegas Party Bus & the Coast to Coast trip here.

Come and join Topdeck for a fun-filled summer and take the hassle out of travelling. It’s a far better idea than invading Russia this winter!

The Topdeck January Sale has begun!

We’re kicking off the year with our huge Downunder Sale, so now is the time to bag that bargain trip to the beach & the bush.

Score generous discounts on Australia & New Zealand trip bookings made in January 2011, for travel between April 2011 and March 2012.

SAVE 20% - On all reverse direction trips of 10 days and over through Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand, including Queensland/Northern Territory combo trips.

SAVE 10% - On all Tasmania, Northern Territory and Victoria trips (both directions).

To claim your discount, simply, ‘check availability’ on the trips selected above and the discount will automatically be calculated into the price shown for those departure dates.

Win a Topdeck trip Downunder

And while we’re at it, to help celebrate our January Downunder Sale, we’re giving away not one, but THREE trips to Australia or New Zealand! For you chance to win simply upload your favourite travel photo on Topdeck’s Facebook page, along with 50 words on why you think you should win this fabulous prize. Whoever gets the most facebook “like” for their entry will win! So, tell your friends (…or anyone who will listen for that matter) for your chance win a Topdeck adventure to Australia or New Zealand!

HINT: Use the comment section on our blog to promote your entry!

Take in all that Italy has to offer! Venture through the quaint hillside villages along the coastline, absorb the art, culture and history of Italy’s favourite cities and head into the hills for some wine-tasting and breathtaking views. With such beautiful scenery, incomparable sights and PIZZA galore - this is the place to be this SUMMER! Go on - indulge Italian style and SAVE 10% on these TRIPS:

13 Day Bravo Italia

Wander the sights of Rome, relax in beautiful Capri, journey through the Tuscan hills to Florence before discovering the unspolit coastline of Cinque Terre!

8 Day Pronto Italia

Take in the splendour of Rome & Florence, be enchanted by Cinque Terre, cruise the pristine waters of Lake Garda before heading to the canals of Venice!

8 Day Espresso Italia

Soak up the history and culture of Rome and Florence, explore the ancient city of Pompeii and journey through the mountain scenery to Assisi!

SAVE 10% on selected departures! Check out ITALY for full details about these and other explorer trips!

Croatia Sailing Offer! 10% off June departures aboard the Vrgada or Senia!!! Use promo code TD10SPRING when booking. Hurry - limited places available.

Chill out or explore with Topdeck!

Hop on board a traditional Croatian motor sailing boat for an all-out 8 day adventure around the gorgeous islands of the Adriatic! The local captain and crew will do the work: you just relax, swim and soak up the sun during the day and party away at night. Easy!

Highlights include Korcula, the birthplace of Marco Polo and home to Massimos cocktail bar; the awesome medieval walled city of Dubrovnik,  the very special Captain’s Dinner on board, the UNESCO site at Split and much much more!

What’s included

• 7 breakfasts & 7 lunches prepared by your onboard cook
• 7 nights twin share cabin
• Local Captain & Crew
• Topdeck Representative
• Boat exclusive to Topdeck

Choice of 3 boats:

Croatia Sailing 2010 - Vrgada Category B Boat. Twin Cabins with share facilities on deck and under deck! Holds 30 people. This is the largest of the boats - recommended if you like the party crowd!

Croatia Sailing 2010 - Senia Category B Boat . Twin Cabins with share facilities on deck and under deck! Fits 22 people. - and the most fun captain

Croatia Sailing 2010 - Stoncica Category A/B+ Boat. Larger Cabins and en-suite facilities! Fits approx. 20 people. This is the smallest of the boats. Recommended for couples or for those who’d prefer less company and more comfort.

Croatia Sailing Offer! 10% off June departures aboard the Vrgada or Senia!!! Use promo code TD10SPRING when booking. Hurry - limited places.

Enjoy your Croatia Sailing holiday to the max!

Topdeck is offering an awesome prize:

Just become a Topdeck Facebook fan for the chance to win an Oktoberfest trip for two!
“ Competition EXTENDED! Now ends 5 May 2010! ”

What’s included?

• 3 nights accommodation in twin-share pre-erected tents with air matresses
• 3 fully cooked breakfasts
• Frequent free shuttles to the beer halls
• Oktoberfest information guide
• Topdeck crew

How do I enter the competition?

Simple! Just follow these 3 easy steps…

Travel in Spring 2010 with Topdeck and land a spot on one of the several new arrivals on our list of awesome trips for 18-30 somethings! Including brand new itineraries around Europe, Egypt, Morocco and the Middle East!

Book this month and get 10% off!

New European Itineraries!

New Egypt, Morocco and Middle East Itineraries!

” Psstt.. Hurry! - 10% discount ends 5 March 2010!! ”

Book now and get huge savings on European trips this year! EuroHotel, EuroClub, EuroCamping & selected Explorer trips all have big savings waiting to be snatched up! (some exclusions may apply). See full details of the offer here.

If you’re looking for something warmer to escape the drudgery of winter, you’ll be glad to hear that Topdeck Down Under is now fully operational and we’ve got plenty of new trips in Australia & New Zealand up for grabs! Check ‘em out!

Why stay home this Christmas when you can travel? Especially when Topdeck have offers that save you up to 20%!

Check out our awesome Christmas travel offers! Or read our latest newsletter for more Christmas goodies!

I can report that here in London many of us are getting affected by the seasonal ‘time-to-get-out-of-town’ disease, only curable by packing your bags… The next question is: where to go? We are torn between the idea of hitting the white slopes of Europe for a spot of skiing or exploring the wonders of North Africa but in the end, our yearning for warmth as well as sunshine wins. We are heading to Egypt!

Pyramids, Pharaohs, quad bikes and beaches: life does not get much better than this.

If you are ready for a well-deserved break, check out Topdeck’s Egypt programme. You can also save up to 10% on Egypt specials.

Topdeck is looking for a band or singer to entertain our passengers during Topdeck’s Christmas and New Years Ski Package at Les Deux Alpes in the French Alps.

We’re looking for a singer or (maximum) 4 piece band who can get our 18 to 30-something passengers rocking the night away to all the usual pub favourites in our French ski resort!

Here’s what your ride includes:

Accommodation from in a 4-share ensuite hostel room right in the heart of Les Deux Alpes from 20 December 2009 to 2 January 2010

Return overnight coach travel from London (departing 19 December 2009, returning 3 January 2010)

Return ferry crossings from Dover to Calais

All meals at Les Deux Alpes (breakfast, lunch & dinner) included

Free lift pass with access to 3 resorts

Free ski hire (snowboard available BUT must be pre-arranged)

12 hours of free lessons

Guaranteed natural snow

Free leisure pass (access to swimming pool and ice rink)

Here’s what you need to bring:

Band equipment

Sound equipment

Excellent party tunes

Ski clothing

A great attitude!

Topdeck is known throughout the world for its great value trips with loads of extras and inclusions while also giving you plenty of free time to go and explore on your own. And our skiing trips are no exception! If you want to experience guaranteed snow, more meals, longer ski pass periods, and get your band’s name known to adventurous 18 to 30-somethings, then Topdeck Ski is for you!

Check out our fabulous ski packages!

How to enter the competition:

1. Make a video clip of your band’s musical skills (make it memorable!)
2. Upload it to YouTube with the following title:
   “[SINGER / BAND NAME] has the Topdeck T Factor“
3. Email the link to: marketing@topdecktravel.co.uk

The winners will be announced on 1 December 2009, and must be available from 19 December 2009 to 3 January 2010 (inclusive).