Topdeck Travel Blog

Big crowds, long lines & sunburnt skin; what’s so good about summer travel anyway? Travelling Europe during winter is just as much fun and most of the time without those overcrowded sightseeing locations and long queues. One difficulty many people face is knowing exactly what they need to fold, roll and vacuum pack into their bag to ensure they have the right items to get them through their winter travels.

Here at Topdeck we have years of winter travel experience! Below are a few things that might help you decide on what to pack for your next winter trip.

Suggested clothing list..

1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (good grip for icy walkways) 1 pair of smart casual shoes 2 pairs jeans/trousers Plenty of underwear and thick socks 4 shirts/t-shirts/long sleeved shirts 2 sweaters/jumpers Smart casual evening wear 1 rainproof jacket and/or umbrella 1 warm jacket/coat Hat, beanie, scarf & gloves Sunglasses (sun + snow can be a blinder!)

Additional, but not so essential items..

Lip balm Portable clothes line Cold & Flu meds (just in case) Multivitamins Hand warmers Thermal clothing, or a nice animal print 'onesie' Portable toilet seat warmers

Items you could probably leave behind..

Coconut tanning oil One of those hats with a fan on top The stick usually used to barge through the summer crowds Your 'Hot Summer Hits' compilation playlist Aloe Vera after sun spray Budgie smugglers Borat Mankini Of course these are only suggestions; we would love to know if you have any items that you can’t travel without in winter, along with any items you think you definitely wouldn't need!

Still unsure what you'll need in your bag? Check out your Pre Departure document which contains more detailed information on what you could take. This will be emailed to you upon booking, or can be downloaded from the trip page on our website.

Fancy experiencing a European winter with Topdeck? We currently have a cool 10% off selected winter trips departing in Dec 2012 & Jan 2013!

by Jennifer Palframan

As the days start to shorten, winter coats begin to flock into the shops and umbrellas begin to make their unwelcome comeback, the dream of a summer holiday frolicking in the sunshine of Europe’s favourite cities may be slowly starting to disappear...

But instead of embracing the seasonal sadness that overwhelms so many or kicking yourself for not booking your summer getaway sooner - look at winter as a frosted window of opportunity to see Europe as you have never seen it before!

 

Here are some city highlights to help inspire you on an ever-so-cool expedition abroad this winter!

 

Why not get swept up in the charm of Paris, enjoy a café au lait in a typical French café or mosey through Montmartre up to the snowy Sacré Cœur. The cool winter setting is ideal for checking out the world’s most famous museums. Wander around Le Louvre, Musée d'Orsay or le Pompidou Centre and get your ultimate culture fix without the massive queues!

 

The festive season in Paris is not to be missed. Check out the window displays at the famed Les Galeries Lafayette, explore the Christmas markets on the Champs-Élysées or be amazed by the glow of the glistening Eiffel Tower. 

 

Prague in winter is a pure fairytale and even more magical than usual. Take a stroll across famous Charles Bridge and wander through the snow-covered Hradcany (castle district) toward the imposing St Vitus Cathedral. Stop in at local bar and indulge in the some traditional Absinthe or nestle into a wool covered chair (under a heater!) and relax in a restaurant along the Vltava River. Of course a trip to Prague is not complete without a visit to the Astronomical Clock located in the Old Town Square.

Salzburg is your ultimate winter destination as well as being home to Mozart and the setting of the Sound of Music.  Check out the interesting Baroque architecture of the Old Town or the magical Mirabell Gardens that are most beautiful when sprinkled in snow. And for all the adrenaline junkies, there is the opportunity to hit the slopes on an Alpine adventure!

 

Berlin is the capital of cool and even more so during winter. Visit the city's most amazing monuments and sights before warming yourself up with a classic pub crawl through this ultra-alternative city.

 

Or if you feel like getting in the festive spirit, head to Berlin’s Alexanderplatz and soak up the atmosphere of the Christmas markets. Enjoy a warm glass of spicy mulled wine, tuck into a traditional weisswurst or head to the centre of the decorated square for a spin around the ice skating rink.

Snow fights, mulled wine, cosy cafés, villages carpeted in snow, festive markets, minimal crowds, picturesque cityscapes. What is not to love! Be inspired to see Europe this winter!

For full details about Topdeck winter trips click HERE.

Wherever you decide to celebrate the New Year, chances are there’s something exciting happening. Unless you’re home with your parents…in which case you may want to have a plan B. If you're undecided, there’s still time to get together with friends, make new friends, or call up old friends and plan a reunion. How about taking part in Edinburgh’s world-famous Hogmanay that turns the Scottish capital into a gigantic street party? New Year in Berlin is also promising to be a cool party experience. Then there are the amazing New Years Eve fireworks in Krakow and the crazy/unique nightlife of a New Year in Amsterdam! If you're sorted for New Year, but would like to do something different for Christmas or fancy a trip to some European Christmas markets beforehand, check out what Topdeck offers for the upcoming Festive Season! Extended winter tours are also available so you could see Europe without the crowds in all its snow-covered glory. Trips aimed at 18-30 something travellers. Fun factor - guaranteed! ;)