Topdeck Travel Blog

Topdeck’s Liana Szwajlyk continues on with more endearing aspects of life in Aussie: the Weather, Wilderness and Wildlife.

If you love those golden rays, then you should definitely check out Australia – truth be told, the sun is always smiling somewhere in the country. As the seasons in the Southern hemisphere are reversed, the chance to swap a dreary British winter for high summer on a beach Down Under is hard to resist. Any weekend and often during the week as well you’ll find most beaches packed with bronzed bodies in bikinis and Speedos (that’s men’s brief swimwear) all eager to improve on their already impressive tan.

Speaking of stunning beaches, Australian beaches are the best in the world, soft and clean, so clean in fact that they “squeak” when you walk on them. Queensland has some of the most beautiful beaches (the sand on Whitehaven can be as white as a fair Englishman’s skin) but all around the 12,000 or so kilometres of Australia’s coastline you’ll find plenty of beaches to frolic, and all without any sign of a crocodile or a shark.

So, why are we so obsessed with getting some sand between our toes? With more than 80 percent of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coast, the beach has become an integral part of our famous laid-back lifestyle.

In fact, it’s not just the sandy shores we enjoy: we really just love all unspoiled beauty. Australia is certainly a place to be discovered in its natural state. And, as much as I am a fan of Australia’s far North and the tropical regions, there is no denying that Alice Springs is the heart and the centre of the Australia, both in a geographical and a metaphorical sense. Close by lies the awe-inspiring formation Uluru which for many travellers is the most anticipated moment of their Australian adventure.

And then there’s “The Bush”, which entail the wilderness areas outside the cities. This backdrop provides home to a wealth of wildlife, some of which is found nowhere else in the world. I shouldn’t really be telling you this, but we Aussies like to scare tourists with wild stories about the dangerous animals in the Bush. The truth is: a lot of what you hear about the terribly dangerous animals is either grossly exaggerated or plain nonsense. However, the infamous kangaroo and koala, our most recognised mammals, do freely roam the land.

If you want to get up close to one of these little creatures, share the experience with like-minded 18-30 somethings and journey across one of the world’s most diverse countries.

Keep an eye out for my final instalment…

Topdeck’s Beach & Bush is currently on sale from £1717pp

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Topdeck’s Liana Szwajlyk pays homage to the motherland…

Simply searching for a new frontier and a practical launch pad for more travel, I didn’t give it much thought when I decided pack up and leave my homeland for the unknown. But, I’ve been travelling and living abroad for a while now and my time away has proved a great opportunity for me to reflect on the Land Down Under.

Without boasting, I’ve travelled to dozens of countries and while I thought all of them were amazing, there’s nothing quite like Australia anywhere else in the world. So, while I’m pining for home, I thought I’d share some of my personal highlights of living in the land of opportunity. There’s a load to mention, so without boring you, I’ll present my realisations and exclamations about Oz in a series of (hopefully) exciting instalments.

Now, where to begin? For one, we call it “The Big Country” and we’re not joking. Check it out on a map - it’s about the size of mainland US and 50 perfect larger than Europe.

We have very few major cities and they’re great distances apart. But, they’re BIG cities and you will find them full of a vibrant mix of people and filled with loads of breathtaking scenery in between. From beautiful ancient landscapes, as old as time itself, to the most modern of cities there’s something for everyone in Australia.

I’ll start with Sydney, Australia’s oldest city, the economic powerhouse of the nation, blessed with sun-drenched natural attractions, dizzy skyscrapers, superb shopping, and, of course the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, what more could you want? Oh, I forgot, there’s also the Sydney Harbour itself. If you’re flying into Sydney make sure you have a window seat, the view of the harbour alone is worth the price of your flight - it really is spectacular.

Let’s move on to Melbourne, the vibrant, cosmopolitan city that hosts an impressive combination of old and new architecture, elegant streetscapes, harmonious ethnic communities and lavish parks & gardens. The locals claim that it’s the most enlightened and liveable city in the world and being an avid Melbournian myself, I would definitely have to agree. Melbourne has a lively passion for social eating and drinking, which is reflected by the vast array of fashionable cafes and restaurants. The city also boasts a full program of festivals, varied sporting events and a crazy nightlife - Melbourne certainly has it all.

I could drone on about each sophisticated city or quirky country town, but you get the picture! Our metropolises are huge and there’s a lot going on - it’s best you check it out for yourself!

Stay tuned for Part Two…

Convinced already? Topdeck’s Island Suntanner is currently on sale from: £1297

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Topdeck’s latest Aussie arrival, Liana Szwajlyk, shares her Christmas experience in the City of Lights

Paris. Je t’aime. One of the most famous and romantic cities in the world, it’s easy to fall in love with Paris. With an overwhelming number of beautiful landmarks, sights and attractions, Paris has its own very particular charm and a history beyond compare! The allure of the city’s grand avenues and twinkling lights have bought millions of travellers to Paris, all looking to share in the city’s “joie de vivre”.

During the Christmas Season the French capital becomes even more alluring - no words can describe this Parisian experience! In December the metropolis sparkles - figuratively and literally, making this month an ideal time to visit. Trees up and down the boulevards are strung with garlands of shimmering lights and many other places around town are decorated in the same festive spirit. Christmas markets spring up all around the city, selling enchanting decorations and gifts and who can forget the gourmet treats? It’s something a traveller, especially anyone who appreciates true art and beauty, should definitely experience.

I began my French escapade on Christmas Eve. It was cool and cloudy and the sun never showed which for an Aussie girl like me, the idea of having winter at Christmas (instead of one with scorching heat) was quite odd! The city was cheerful and bright though, everywhere people seemed to be having fun and enjoying themselves. Parisians are so exuberant, romantic, and full of life that you can’t help but feel the same way!

Paris features attractions for all, so in an attempt to tick off a number of touristy things, I started my adventure with a grand walk along the Seine River. Passing a myriad of amazing bridges, I followed my way down the city’s most famous promenade -the Champs Elysees - exploring the multitude Christmas stalls along the way! I quickly learned the operative word here was vin chaud, vin chaud, vin chaud! Red or white, hot French wine, sold everywhere in large two-euro plastic cups, or as I saw it: the perfect excuse to keep warm! Continuing on my journey, I came to the Place Charles de Gaulle where lays the beautiful Arc de Triomphe, a classic symbol of the French nation. Paris is an old city filled with culture, and there are so many museums to visit. Among the most notable of these museums is the Louvre - home of the famous Mona Lisa, my next stop, followed by a visit to the breathtaking grandeur of Notre Dame (highly recommended). And of course my visit to Paris would not be complete without taking a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

In just a few short days I found it difficult to soak in all that Paris can offer - but no matter what you choose to do there, you can’t go wrong! Paris simply has a certain “je ne sais quoi” - that special something that you can’t quite put your finger on, but whatever it is, it makes you want to linger in Paris for as long as possible. And so, I spent the festive break strolling along the glittering boulevards, feasting on local delicacies (Be warned: Foie Gras is only for the adventurous!) and gazing out at the City of Lights. This is definitely not the sunny Christmas I was accustomed to, but it certainly made for an exciting and memorable way to spend the holidays.

Experience Paris on Topdeck’s 4 Day Christmas in Paris, currently £279
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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…

Are you ready for your next adventure? How about saving on the trip price at the same time ?

Have a look at the latest Topdeck specials, choose your favourite, book, pack & go.

Easy!

We currently offer great travel deals - up to 20% off! But hurry: places are limited…

Topdeck has pledged a minimum donation of GBP5000 to the British Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Appeal. In addition to the original GBP5000 donation, Topdeck has agreed to match any employee contributions, and will match all funds raised at upcoming Topdeck brochure launches.

James Nathan, Topdeck Managing Director said: “Topdeck has a long history of giving to people in need. We are happy to support the heroic efforts made by the British Red Cross, and hope that our actions encourage others to do the same.“

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!

2009 was a great year for Topdeck, lets have a look at some of the highlights of the year…

• We celebrated 30 years of ANZAC trips and released a new Anzac Trips mini site to mark the occasion!
• Our Facebook page got a fancy new application, check it out here and don’t forget to become a fan!
• We’re now on Twitter! and YouTube!
• We setup lots of new Flickr accounts so you can see exactly what our tours are like!
• We had lots of fun Sailing in Croatia!
• We created the perfect mini site for all the ‘Gappies‘ out there looking for a great Gap Year deal!
• Our Don’t Waste Winter Campaign launched in record time in September and received an Award for ‘Most Innovative Marketing‘!

If you still want more, check out TopdeckTravel.eu for all Topdeck’s mini sites, there’s something for everyone…

BETA, the British Educational Travel Association has announced the short listed nominees for the British Youth Travel Awards 2009. With a record number of submissions received this year, the short listing judges had a tough task to whittle down the entries, and Topdeck made it into the final three in the ‘Most Innovative Marketing’ category for our ‘Don’t waste winter!’ campaign.

The award ceremony took place Thursday 3 December in Central London. Hosted by Dick Porter, the awards were a great opportunity to meet others from the youth travel sector as well as honoring the best in their categories.

Happy to announce that Topdeck was the winner in the ‘Most Innovative Marketing’ category!

Big thanks to everyone who voted!