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!

Baby it’s cold outside... and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Here at Topdeck we simply love the winter months – the frostier the better – because quite frankly, Europe never looks better than when wearing its winter coat.

Snowy streets, a festive atmosphere, fairy lights and fabulous comfort food are just the beginning. You can also look forward to fewer crowds and lower prices that come with travelling in the off season.

With that in mind we asked our Topdeck experts to share their favourite winter experiences:

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• My favourite winter destination is skiing for the entire day in the gorgeous Austrian Alps. Then coming back to my hotel in the evening in Salzburg and going to enjoy a traditional meal and beer stein in a local brewery. -Leticia
• Salzburg is the perfect winter city. Festive Christmas markets, cosy pubs with warm fires, and mulled wine stalls everywhere you look to warm you up! -Scotty
• My favourite winter experience is spending as much time as possible browsing the beautiful Christmas markets with a cup of mulled wine in hand. No matter where you are in Europe the markets are simply amazing! -Kara
• Being cosy indoors sharing a delicious cheese fondue with new friends and then stepping outside to a breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps. -Meg
• Visiting Rome’s impressive monuments and the Vatican museums are truly memorable experiences. A traditional fiery diavola pizza and espresso are always hard to turn down, well when in Rome… -Sean
• Waking up in the morning in the Alps with a fresh blanket of powder snow at the front door ready for a full day of skiing and boarding, followed by a Jagertea (or Jacuzzi) to warm the bones and relax the muscles. -Simon
• Explore the Christmas markets in Brugge - the medieval town that looks like a fairytale come to life. If you’re getting chilly in the snow, warm up with some delicious hot frites and treat yourself to dessert in the countless exquisite chocolate shops! -Courtney
• Skating at a leisurely pace around the frozen lake near Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park in the heart of Budapest. Complete the day with a steaming cup of forralt bor (mulled wine) and roasted chestnuts. Pure bliss! -Anita

If the unique experience of a European winter sounds like you make sure to check out our winter trips and let us know your favourite things about winter!

Topdeck Travel has released its first ever winter pre-release brochure. Book now to save up to 10% off your winter experience.

Get your voting hats on! Topdeck’s ‘Don’t waste winter’ campaign made it into the short list for the British Youth Travel Awards 2009 for ‘most innovative marketing’! It is a fully integrated campaign including print advertising, social networks and a dedicated micro site www.dontwastewinter.com To actually win the award, we need your votes!  If you are happy to support us, please follow the link & vote for Topdeck!

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Vote here Voting closes Friday 20th Nov!