349 - STA Travel Hub
349 - STA Travel Hub
349 - STA Travel Hub
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REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
REGIONAL<br />
TOURING &<br />
SMALL GROUP<br />
ADVENTURES<br />
You’ve worked out Europe is a pretty big place<br />
and you’ve decided not to try to see it all on<br />
one visit. Smart move. Maybe you’re tempted<br />
by the beach lifestyle of Spain, the culture of<br />
Italy, or the fine food and wines of France?<br />
Maybe you fancy a glimpse behind the ‘Iron<br />
Curtain’ in Russia, or hope to sample the ‘east<br />
meets west’ flavours of Turkey? Choose one of<br />
our regional tours for an in-depth discovery of<br />
your favourite corner of this diverse continent.<br />
Our small group adventures are perfect for<br />
those who enjoy the convenience of prearranged<br />
travel with the flexibility to do your<br />
own thing, and you’ll generally travel with no<br />
more than 16 like-minded folks. Choose from<br />
basic, standard and superior options, or an<br />
active holiday to put you in touch with nature.<br />
Opt for a multi-country small group adventure<br />
or a more in-depth exploration of just one or<br />
two countries, or choose a ‘local living’ holiday<br />
where you can really discover the heart and<br />
soul of the places you visit.
EUROPE ENCOMPASSED<br />
London London<br />
FR<br />
$3,999<br />
24 DAYS<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
OCEAN<br />
Highlights<br />
• Enjoy a picnic under the Eiffel Tower<br />
• Love the great outdoors in the Alps<br />
• Uncover ancient monuments in Rome<br />
• See priceless art in Florence<br />
• Enjoy a gelato in St. Mark’s Square<br />
• Explore the Imperial palaces of Vienna<br />
• Chill out in laid-back Amsterdam<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Apr 21 May 14<br />
May 05 May 28<br />
May 19 Jun 11<br />
May 26 Jun 18<br />
Jun 02 Jun 25<br />
Inclusions<br />
ENGLAND<br />
Paris<br />
London<br />
1<br />
1<br />
FRANCE<br />
Bruges<br />
Interlaken<br />
Amsterdam<br />
2<br />
Milan 1<br />
Cinque Terre<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jun 16 Jul 09<br />
Jun 30 Jul 23<br />
Jul 14 Aug 06<br />
Aug 11 Sep 03<br />
Aug 25 Sep 17<br />
NORTH<br />
SEA<br />
2<br />
Berlin<br />
GERMANY<br />
3<br />
Viareggio<br />
Prague<br />
Vienna<br />
2<br />
1<br />
3<br />
Florence<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 08 Oct 01<br />
Sep 22 Oct 15<br />
Oct 06 Oct 29<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for 18-<br />
39s Accommodation: Simple hotels/hostels<br />
(20 nts), overnight bus (1 nt), overnight train<br />
(2 nts) Transport: Public bus, train, metro,<br />
ferry Meals: 1 lunch Budget: Allow EUR 500-<br />
750 for meals not included Group Leader:<br />
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size:<br />
Max 16, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEELL<br />
You might like<br />
2<br />
Venice<br />
Rome<br />
2<br />
ITALY<br />
ADRIATIC<br />
SEA<br />
Time too tight? Break up the journey.<br />
See pages 68-69<br />
London to Rome<br />
(8 days) (GAEELR) Fr $1,299<br />
Rome to Prague<br />
(10 days) (GAEIRP) Fr $1,599<br />
Prague to London<br />
(8 days) (GAEYPL) Fr $1,149<br />
London to Prague<br />
(17 days) (GAEELP) Fr $2,849<br />
Rome to London<br />
(17 days) (GAEIRL) Fr $ 2,799<br />
You. Europe. 24 days. Ready? You’d better be, because this epic romp through the Old<br />
World’s greatest cities doesn’t slow down for stragglers. Geared towards budget-conscious<br />
travellers eager to tick an entire continent off their ‘must-do’ list, this adventure will take<br />
you from the busy streets of the English capital to Paris’ most elegant galleries and cafés,<br />
the stunning natural brilliance of Switzerland, the rugged beauty of Italy’s Cinque Terre and<br />
the party capitals of Berlin and Amsterdam before wrapping up with a celebratory pint in a<br />
London pub. Phew! We’re tired just talking about it.<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-05<br />
06-08<br />
09-11<br />
12-15<br />
16-20<br />
21-24<br />
ITINERARY<br />
London / Paris<br />
After meeting in London today, make your way to Paris on the overnight bus service. Upon arrival,<br />
take an orientation walk to introduce you to this wonderful city. Afterwards you are free to explore<br />
on your own to discover its certain ‘je ne sais quoi’. Paris has something for everyone, enjoy a picnic<br />
under the Eiffel Tower, perhaps explore the outstanding museums and churches, or float down the<br />
Seine on a sightseeing cruise. (L)<br />
Paris / Interlaken<br />
Leaving Paris, you’ll have the best part of three days to enjoy this outdoors adventure resort in the<br />
Swiss Alps. Enjoy hiking in the nearby valleys of Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, where you can also<br />
see the unique Trümmelbach Falls hidden inside a mountain. Opt to get your adrenalin pumping with<br />
hang gliding, zorbing, whitewater rafting, or swimming in crystal-clear lakes. On Day 5, travel by<br />
overnight train to Milan.<br />
Milan / Rome<br />
Strut your stuff with an included orientation walk of Milan, Italy’s capital of fashion. It’s then on<br />
to Rome, where you can spend your time discovering the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and the Trevi<br />
Fountain. A trip to the Vatican City is a must to see the famous St Peter’s Basilica. Don’t miss the<br />
amazing Italian food, wine and nightlife.<br />
Viareggio (Tuscany)<br />
With a base in Viareggio, discover the Tuscan countryside and some of its famed cities on included<br />
day trips. Visit Pisa to see its famous Leaning Tower, and take in the coastal trails along the terraced<br />
hillsides of the Cinque Terre. Visit also the Renaissance city of Florence, which boasts magnificent<br />
buildings such as the Duomo and the outstanding art collection at the Uffizi Gallery.<br />
Venice / Vienna<br />
A scenic train ride takes you to Venice, one of the few places in the world that can truly be described<br />
as unique. This ‘Floating City’ is best explored on foot, wandering through the labyrinth of alleys<br />
and streets, discovering opulence and beauty at every turn. On Day 13, travel by overnight train to<br />
Vienna where there’s plenty of time to explore. Check out the highlights of its imperial past, including<br />
the grand St. Stephen’s Church and the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, and marvel at the Hofburg<br />
Palace or with an optional visit to the Lipizzaner ‘dancing’ horses of the Vienna Riding School.<br />
Prague / Berlin<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> on to Prague where you’ll take a walking tour with your guide and visit a Pilsner beer hall. You<br />
then have free time the next day to explore the Old Town and the castle complex. Arriving into Berlin<br />
on Day 18, get your bearings with an included bike tour. A melting pot of different cultures and<br />
flavours, it’s one of the most interesting cities in Europe.<br />
Amsterdam / Bruges / London<br />
Depart from Berlin by train and spend a couple of days exploring Amsterdam; beautiful, hip, and<br />
famously laid back. Start with a sightseeing walk and an included visit to a local brewery. If you only<br />
do one thing in Amsterdam, get a unique perspective with a cruise along its signature canals, which<br />
are lined with elegant gabled townhouses. Art lovers won’t want to miss the Van Gogh Museum or the<br />
Rijksmuseum. On Day 23, arrive in Belgium to the compact city of Bruges, one of the best-preserved<br />
medieval trading centres in Europe, which has remained practically unchanged since its heyday.<br />
Finally, make your way back for one last night in London, where your tour ends on Day 24.<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
67
LONDON TO ROME<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
ROME TO PRAGUE<br />
FR<br />
$1,299 ADVENTURE<br />
FR<br />
$1,599<br />
London Rome 8 DAYS Rome Prague<br />
10 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Visit the Louvre and see priceless works of art in Paris<br />
• Enjoy some adrenalin-pumping outdoor activities in the Swiss Alps<br />
• Step back in time as you explore the historic streets of Rome<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02<br />
03-05<br />
06<br />
07-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
London / Paris<br />
After meeting the rest of your group in London today, make your way<br />
to Paris on the overnight bus service.<br />
Paris<br />
Upon arrival in Paris, take an orientation walk to introduce you to<br />
this wonderful city and enjoy a picnic lunch (included) under the<br />
Eiffel Tower. Spend the rest of the day discovering the unmistakable<br />
Parisian sense of style. Perhaps enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the<br />
River Seine, browse the romantic lanes of Montmartre, or check out<br />
the outstanding art collection of the Louvre. (L)<br />
Interlaken<br />
Head south into Switzerland to enjoy the Alpine adventure<br />
playground of Interlaken. If you’ve ever wanted to try hang gliding,<br />
whitewater rafting or rock climbing, this is the place. The charms of<br />
the twin valleys of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are both pictureperfect.<br />
On Day 5, travel by overnight train to Milan.<br />
Milan<br />
The bustling city of Milan is renowned worldwide as a centre for<br />
fashion and style. Keep an eye out for catwalk supermodels browsing<br />
their favourite designer boutiques, as you enjoy some of the city’s<br />
sightseeing highlights today on an orientation walk.<br />
Rome<br />
On arrival into Rome, spend the day checking out famous sights from<br />
the glory days of the Roman Empire, including the Colosseum and<br />
Roman Forum. Don’t miss a trip to the Vatican City to admire the<br />
painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The tour ends on Day 8, and<br />
you’re free to depart at any time.<br />
Highlights<br />
• Hike in the verdant hills above Tuscany’s famous Cinque Terre<br />
• Wander the art-filled streets in the Renaissance city of Florence<br />
• Watch a gorgeous sunset as you sip an ice-cold Pilsner in Prague<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-10<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Rome<br />
Arrive into Rome today and head out to explore some of the Italian<br />
capital’s famous sights such as the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and the<br />
Trevi Fountain. Meet the rest of your group this afternoon/evening.<br />
Viareggio (Tuscany)<br />
Using the popular seaside resort of Viareggio as your base, discover<br />
the highlights of Tuscany and the famous rolling countryside of<br />
Cinque Terre. Day trips are included to see sights as varied as the<br />
Leaning Tower of Pisa and the elegant and cultured city of Florence.<br />
Venice<br />
A scenic train ride takes you to Venice, one of the few cities that<br />
is genuinely like nowhere else on the planet. This ‘Floating City’ is<br />
best explored on foot, wandering through the labyrinth of alleys and<br />
streets, or take a gondola ride to appreciate its ancient bridges and<br />
opulent mansions. On Day 6, travel by overnight train to Vienna.<br />
Vienna<br />
On arrival into Vienna, you have plenty of free time to explore.<br />
This former home of the Austro-Hungarian Empire boasts many<br />
reminders of its imperial past, including the magnificent Schönbrunn<br />
Palace. Marvel at the priceless jewels housed in the Schatzkammer<br />
(Treasury), or pay an optional visit to the Vienna Riding School.<br />
Prague<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> on to Prague where you’ll take a walking tour with your guide<br />
and visit an authentic beer hall. You then have free time on Day 10<br />
to explore the Old Town Square, and admire its astronomical clock<br />
before waving goodbye to your travel companions as the tour ends.<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for 18-<br />
39s Accommodation: Simple hotels/hostels (5<br />
nts), bus (1 nt), train (1 nt) Transport: Train,<br />
bus, metro, ferry Meals: 1 lunch Budget: Allow<br />
EUR 280-380 for meals not included Group<br />
Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group<br />
Size: Max 16, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEELR<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Apr 21 Apr 28<br />
May 05 May 12<br />
May 19 May 26<br />
May 26 Jun 02<br />
Jun 02 Jun 09<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 16 Jun 23<br />
Jun 30 Jul 07<br />
Jul 14 Jul 21<br />
Aug 11 Aug 18<br />
Aug 25 Sep 01<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 08 Sep 15<br />
Sep 22 Sep 29<br />
Oct 06 Oct 13<br />
London<br />
Paris<br />
1<br />
FRANCE<br />
NORTH<br />
SEA<br />
Interlaken<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Milan<br />
GERMANY<br />
2<br />
ITALY<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Rome<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for 18-<br />
39s Accommodation: Simple hotels/hostels (8<br />
nts), train (1 nt) Transport: Train, public bus,<br />
metro Meals: No meals included Budget: Allow<br />
EUR 220-320 for meals not included Group<br />
Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group<br />
Size: Max 16, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEIRP<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Apr 28 May 07<br />
May 12 May 21<br />
May 26 Jun 04<br />
Jun 02 Jun 11<br />
Jun 09 Jun 18<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 23 Jul 02<br />
Jul 07 Jul 16<br />
Jul 21 Jul 30<br />
Aug 18 Aug 27<br />
Sep 01 Sep 10<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 15 Sep 24<br />
Sep 29 Oct 08<br />
Oct 13 Oct 22<br />
GERMANY<br />
ITALY<br />
Cinque<br />
Terre<br />
Tuscany<br />
Venice<br />
3<br />
Rome<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Prague<br />
1<br />
Vienna<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
1<br />
1<br />
AEGEAN<br />
SEA<br />
CZECH<br />
REP<br />
2<br />
68<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
PRAGUE TO LONDON<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
ROME TO LONDON<br />
FR<br />
$1,149 ADVENTURE<br />
FR<br />
$2,799<br />
Prague London 8 DAYS Rome London<br />
17 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Relax with friends over a stein of beer in a Berlin beer garden<br />
• Feel like a local as you cycle the canals of Amsterdam<br />
• Wander through the old town of Bruges and shop for chocolates<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Prague<br />
Depending on your arrival time into Prague, you may have some free<br />
time to explore the city. Meet the rest of your group this evening.<br />
Berlin<br />
Arriving into Berlin, get to grips with the city’s layout on an included<br />
bike tour, and then enjoy almost two full days at your own pace. Few<br />
cities in Europe have such an interesting past, present or future. Take<br />
in sights such as Berlin Wall, the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate.<br />
Amsterdam<br />
Welcome to the Netherlands! Here you have a couple of days to<br />
explore the beautiful city of Amsterdam, whose inhabitants are<br />
famously chilled and laid-back. Start with a sightseeing walk and an<br />
included visit to a local brewery, and then enjoy free time for your<br />
own discovery. Jump on a sightseeing cruise along the city’s elegant<br />
canals, visit the unique Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum,<br />
and check out the slightly less serious side of this fun-loving city<br />
with a stroll around the infamous Red Light District.<br />
Bruges / London<br />
Cross the border into Belgium for a visit to the lovely city of Bruges,<br />
where the stunning medieval buildings that line its Grote Markt<br />
(market square) once housed some of the richest merchants and<br />
craftsmen of Europe. After an orientation walk, there’s free time for<br />
activities such as bike rides, canal cruises, visits to local breweries<br />
or shopping for divine Belgian chocolate. Finally, cross the English<br />
Channel and make your way back to London for one last night with<br />
the group. Your tour ends on Day 8.<br />
Highlights<br />
• Explore the beautiful streets and ancient monuments in Rome<br />
• Embrace a variety of cultures and sample some great food and drink<br />
• Cycle the chilled-out streets of Amsterdam and party in Berlin<br />
DAY<br />
01-06<br />
07-10<br />
11-15<br />
16-17<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Rome / Viareggio (Tuscany) / Cinque Terre / Venice<br />
It all begins in Rome, home to more ancient landmarks than you could<br />
shake a centurion’s spear at. On Day 2, take a train to Tuscany and<br />
explore this hospitable Italian region, including the famous Leaning<br />
Tower of Pisa, the terraced hillsides of Cinque Terre and an evening<br />
stroll to Piazzale Michelangelo for a spectacular view over Florence.<br />
On Day 5, take a scenic train ride to the ‘Floating City’ of Venice and<br />
enjoy an orientation walk along the canals and the labyrinth of alleys.<br />
Spend Day 6 exploring the picturesque streets and palaces before<br />
jumping on the overnight train.<br />
Vienna / Prague<br />
Wake up in the Austrian capital of Vienna and spend time exploring<br />
its imperial streets and museums, and sampling its tasty pilsner. On<br />
Day 9, head to Prague and walk around town with your guide. Pay a<br />
visit to a genuine beer hall before continuing to explore the city and<br />
its Old Town Square with the famous Astronomical Clock.<br />
Berlin / Amsterdam<br />
Welcome to Berlin and an included bicycle tour. Enjoy free time<br />
exploring this historic city, the famous Berlin Wall, the East Side<br />
Gallery or its many trendy bars and cafés. <strong>Travel</strong> to Amsterdam on<br />
Day 14, one of the coolest cities in Europe. After a sightseeing<br />
walk and a visit to a local brewery, stroll the beautiful canals, visit<br />
Anne Frank’s house or the Van Gogh Museum, or check out the city’s<br />
infamous Red Light District.<br />
Bruges / London<br />
Head into Belgium for a visit to one of Europe’s best-preserved<br />
medieval towns; Bruges. Opt for a brewery tour, canal boat trip or<br />
cycle around the historic centre before heading to London for a final<br />
night out with the group. Your tour comes on an end on Day 17.<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for 18-<br />
39s Accommodation: Simple hotels/hostels (7<br />
nts) Transport: Train, bus, metro, ferry Meals:<br />
None Budget: Allow EUR 210-300 for meals<br />
not included Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 16, Avg 10 Tour<br />
Code: GAEYPL<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
London Amsterdam<br />
1<br />
Bruges<br />
FRANCE<br />
NORTH<br />
SEA<br />
2<br />
Berlin<br />
GERMANY<br />
ITALY<br />
3<br />
1<br />
Prague<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for 18-<br />
39s Accommodation: Simple hotels/hostels<br />
(15 nts), train (1 nt) Transport: Train, bus,<br />
metro, ferry Meals: None Budget: Allow EUR<br />
350-500 for meals not included Group Leader:<br />
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max<br />
16, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEIRL<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Scotland<br />
London<br />
1<br />
SPAIN<br />
NORTH SEA<br />
Denmark<br />
Norway<br />
Amsterdam<br />
2<br />
Bruges<br />
FRANCE<br />
Viareggio<br />
Sweden<br />
GERMANY<br />
Prague<br />
1<br />
ITALY<br />
3<br />
Vienna<br />
Rome<br />
Berlin<br />
1<br />
3<br />
2<br />
2<br />
Venice<br />
ADRIATIC<br />
SEA<br />
POLAND<br />
May 07 May 14<br />
May 21 May 28<br />
Jun 04 Jun 11<br />
Jun 11 Jun 18<br />
Jun 18 Jun 25<br />
Jul 02 Jul 09<br />
Jul 16 Jul 23<br />
Jul 30 Aug 06<br />
Aug 27 Sep 03<br />
Sep 10 Sep 17<br />
Sep 24 Oct 01<br />
Oct 08 Oct 15<br />
Oct 22 Oct 29<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Apr 28 May 14<br />
May 12 May 28<br />
May 26 Jun 11<br />
Jun 02 Jun 18<br />
Jun 09 Jun 25<br />
Jun 23 Jul 09<br />
Jul 07 Jul 23<br />
Jul 21 Aug 06<br />
Aug 18 Sep 03<br />
Sep 01 Sep 17<br />
Sep 15 Oct 01<br />
Sep 29 Oct 15<br />
Oct 13 Oct 29<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
IONIAN SEA<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
69
MARRAKECH<br />
EXPRESS<br />
IBERIAN<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR FR<br />
$1,999 ADVENTURE $1,059 / FR $1,029<br />
London Marrakech 15 DAYS Madrid Madrid<br />
7 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Meet the ghost of Moorish Spain at Granada’s graceful Alhambra<br />
• Sample patatas bravas, chorizo and paella on a tapas bar crawl<br />
• Explore the sensory overload of Morocco’s medinas and kasbahs<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-10<br />
11-13<br />
14-15<br />
ITINERARY<br />
London / Paris<br />
Meet in London late afternoon and catch the Eurostar train to Paris.<br />
Paris<br />
Two days in the romantic city of Paris, with a picnic lunch included at<br />
the foot of the Eiffel Tower and plenty of free time to explore. Board<br />
the overnight train to Barcelona on Day 3. (L)<br />
Barcelona<br />
Start with an orientation walk to introduce the Gothic Quarter and<br />
Las Ramblas; explore the port of Barceloneta or spend a lazy day on<br />
the beach. On Day 6, catch the overnight train to Granada.<br />
Granada / Seville<br />
Get a taste of Moorish influences on a walking tour of Granada and<br />
a guided visit to the Alhambra. In Seville, explore the former home of<br />
Muslim and Christian royalty, the Alcazar, or take in a flamenco show.<br />
Chefchaouen<br />
Cross by ferry into Morocco and enjoy an orientation walk through<br />
this mysterious blue village perched high in the Rif Mountains. Opt to<br />
hike through the mountains and be mesmerised by nearby waterfalls.<br />
Fes / Casablanca<br />
Today explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fes El-Bali, the<br />
world’s largest medina, and its bargain-filled souks. On Day 3,<br />
discover the art-deco and modernist gems of beachfront Casablanca.<br />
Marrakech<br />
Witness the acrobats, fortune tellers and snake charmers of the<br />
Djemaa el-Fna square, with its rows of irresistible open-air food<br />
stalls. You’re free to leave at any time on Day 15.<br />
Highlights<br />
• Enjoy sangria and flavoursome tapas in local tavernas and bars<br />
• Hit the Lagos party circuit on Portugal’s sunny Algarve coast<br />
• Lose yourself in the cobbled streets of Toledo, Spain’s former capital<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03<br />
04-06<br />
07<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Madrid / Lisbon<br />
Depart Madrid and head to the Portuguese coast and Portugal’s star<br />
attraction and capital, Lisbon. Take an orientation walk through the<br />
narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets before heading into the<br />
Bairro Alto area for the local nightlife. On Day 2, explore the Alfama<br />
District, Rossio Square, the Torre de Belem or the Mosteiro dos<br />
Jeronimos or opt for a day trip to the fairytale town of Sintra. (B)<br />
Lagos<br />
This morning head off to the sun lovers’ party town of Lagos in the<br />
south of Portugal. It’s famous for its beaches, bars, restaurants and<br />
vibrant summer nightlife. Opt to explore the secluded coastline of the<br />
Algarve by kayak, grab some surf lessons or just lie on the beach and<br />
nurse your hangover. Spend the night partying at Lagos’ best bars. (B)<br />
Seville / Granada<br />
Head back to Spain and the beautiful city of Seville. Take a walking<br />
tour with a local guide, and explore the capital of Andalucia. Tapas<br />
and party time! Day 5 will take you to Granada, known as the home<br />
of tapas. Grab your mates and sample some of the local specialities.<br />
On Day 6, you’ll have the option to join a fully-guided tour of the<br />
stunning Alhambra Palace or relax and head to the Turkish hot pools<br />
for a massage. Enjoy a traditional flamenco show tonight. (2B)<br />
Granada / Consuegra / Toledo / Madrid<br />
Leaving Granada, make a stop in Consuegra before heading to the<br />
UNESCO-listed city of Toledo. The former capital of Spain commands<br />
a strategic hilltop location and boasts a chequered and turbulent<br />
history. Check out Toledo’s famous cathedral featuring significant<br />
art works by El Greco, Rubens and Titian. Return to Madrid by early<br />
evening where your tour will come to an end. (B)<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for<br />
18-39s Accommodation: Simple hotels (12<br />
nts), sleeper train (2 nts) Transport: Local bus,<br />
air-conditioned coach, train, ferry Meals: 1<br />
lunch Budget: Allow EUR 320-400 for meals<br />
not included Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO), local guide Group Size: Max 16,<br />
Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEEME<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Mar 08 Mar 22<br />
Apr 05 Apr 19<br />
May 03 May 17<br />
May 24 Jun 07<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 14 Jun 28<br />
Jun 28 Jul 12<br />
Jul 26 Aug 09<br />
Aug 23 Sep 06<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 27 Oct 11<br />
Oct 25 Nov 08<br />
Nov 15 Nov 29<br />
Dec 20 Jan 03<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
OCEAN<br />
Casablanca<br />
MOROCCO<br />
London<br />
SPAIN<br />
Paris<br />
FRANCE<br />
Barcelona<br />
NORTH<br />
SEA<br />
Seville<br />
1 1<br />
Granada<br />
2<br />
Chefchaouen<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Fes<br />
1<br />
Marrakech<br />
2<br />
2<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: Multi-share hostels (6 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern air-conditioned coach<br />
Meals: 5 breakfasts Group Leader: Guide &<br />
Driver Group Size: Avg 35 Notes: Includes<br />
orientation walks in each town, locally-guided<br />
tour of Seville, free Lonely Planet guide Tour<br />
Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 31 Jun 06<br />
Jun 07 Jun 13<br />
Jun 14 Jun 20<br />
Jun 21 Jun 27<br />
Jun 28 Jul 04<br />
Jul 05 Jul 11<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 12 Jul 18<br />
Jul 19 Jul 25<br />
Jul 26 Aug 01<br />
Aug 02 Aug 08<br />
Aug 09 Aug 15<br />
Aug 16 Aug 22<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 23 Aug 29<br />
Aug 30 Sep 05<br />
Sep 06 Sep 12<br />
Sep 13 Sep 19<br />
SPAIN<br />
PORTUGAL Madrid<br />
Lisbon<br />
Toledo<br />
2<br />
Consuegra<br />
1<br />
Lagos Seville<br />
2<br />
1<br />
Granada<br />
70<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
BEST OF<br />
NORTHERN SPAIN<br />
BEST OF SPAIN &<br />
FR<br />
$1,299 PORTUGAL<br />
FR<br />
$2,499<br />
Barcelona Madrid 8 DAYS Lisbon Barcelona<br />
15 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Enjoy the food, art and culture of the Catalan and Basque provinces<br />
• Visit the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao’s modernist masterpiece<br />
• Sample fine Rioja wines in Logrono, a city surrounded by vineyards<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04<br />
05<br />
06<br />
07-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Barcelona<br />
The well-defined provinces of Spain are fiercely proud of their own<br />
individual culture and heritage, as you’ll notice when you arrive today<br />
in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. If time permits, head out to<br />
explore the city before meeting your group this evening.<br />
Barcelona / Pyrenees Mountains<br />
Start the day with an orientation walk of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter<br />
before heading into the Pyrenees Mountains for a two-night stay in a<br />
‘casa rural’, or converted farmhouse, where you’ll enjoy home-cooked<br />
meals and some optional hikes in this beautiful region. (B, 2D)<br />
San Sebastian<br />
Catch the bus to the stylish seaside resort of San Sebastian, your<br />
first stop in the Basque Country, where you can opt to take a tapas<br />
tour to learn about the region’s distinctive food and language. (B)<br />
Bilbao / San Sebastian<br />
Day trip to the bustling city of Bilbao to explore the Casco Viejo (Old<br />
Quarter) and visit the art installations on display at the Guggenheim,<br />
Frank Gehry’s iconic, modernist building covered in titanium panels.<br />
Logrono<br />
Head inland to the lovely and crazily underrated city of Logrono, at<br />
the heart of the Rioja wine-producing region. It would be a crime not<br />
to sample the region’s local vintages, so we’ve included a wine tasting<br />
session. Head to ‘pintxo street’ this evening to sample great tapas.<br />
Madrid<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> to Madrid for an orientation walk and a free afternoon and<br />
evening in Spain’s capital city (and the only place on this trip where<br />
Spanish is the first language!). Depart at any time on Day 8.<br />
Highlights<br />
• See stunning mosaics in Lisbon and the ‘Chapel of Bones’ in Evora<br />
• Feel the rhythm of flamenco in Seville and bar hop around Madrid<br />
• Relax on the beach in Valencia and enjoy tapas in Barcelona<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-12<br />
13-15<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Lisbon<br />
Arrive in Lisbon at any time and meet the group in the evening. Dive<br />
straight in on Day 2, and enjoy an orientation tour with your guide<br />
before you set off to explore its narrow medieval streets.<br />
Lisbon / Evora / Algarve Coast<br />
Jump on a local bus to Evora this morning and enjoy a tour including<br />
the ghoulish ‘Chapel of Bones’. Use your free time to explore this<br />
lively city of bustling alleyways and quaint architecture. Afterwards,<br />
make your way to Lagos for a two-night stay on the Algarve Coast.<br />
Algarve Coast / Seville<br />
Head east to Seville, one of the most colourful and exciting cities in<br />
Spain. After an orientation walk, you have two days to get a feel for<br />
the city; explore monuments and gardens, savour tapas and wine and<br />
see a dramatic evening flamenco performance.<br />
Cordoba / Granada<br />
You’re off to explore Cordoba and its incredible Moorish mosque,<br />
the Mezquita-Catedral. On Day 8, next up it’s the Andalucian city of<br />
Granada, where there will be an included visit to the Alhambra Palace.<br />
Granada / Madrid / Valencia<br />
Madrid has it all - history, architecture, galleries, beautiful parks and<br />
wild nightlife. On Day 11, travel to the vibrant city of Valencia. Use<br />
Day 12 to explore all this outstanding place has on offer.<br />
Valencia / Barcelona<br />
Take a morning train to Barcelona and familiarise yourself with the<br />
sights of the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas on a walking tour. Next<br />
day, make the most of your time here in this cosmpolitan city as it all<br />
wraps up in the morning of Day 15.<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Converted farmhouses (2 nts)<br />
hotels (5 nts) Transport: Public bus Meals: 2<br />
breakfasts, 2 dinners Budget: Allow EUR 240-<br />
300 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief<br />
Experience Officer (CEO), local guides Group<br />
Size: Max 16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAESNS<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
OCEAN<br />
SPAIN<br />
FRANCE<br />
San Sebastian<br />
Bilbao 2<br />
Pyrenees<br />
Logrono 1<br />
2<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $699 Barcelona My Own Room Available: Fr $1,099<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
Madrid 1<br />
SEA<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 01 Jun 08<br />
Jun 28 Jul 05<br />
Jul 12 Jul 19<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 27 Aug 03<br />
Aug 24 Aug 31<br />
Sep 14 Sep 21<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 28 Oct 05<br />
1<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (14 nts) Transport:<br />
Public bus, train Meals: No meals included<br />
Budget: Allow EUR 315-415 for meals not<br />
included Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO), local guide Group Size: Max 16,<br />
Avg 12 Tour Code: GAESSP<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 18 Jun 01<br />
Jun 14 Jun 28<br />
Jun 28 Jul 12<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 13 Jul 27<br />
Aug 10 Aug 24<br />
Aug 31 Sep 14<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 14 Sep 28<br />
Oct 12 Oct 26<br />
POR TUGAL<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
OCEAN<br />
SPAIN<br />
Madrid<br />
Lisbon<br />
2<br />
2 Barcelona<br />
Evora<br />
Cordoba<br />
1<br />
2<br />
2<br />
2 Valencia<br />
Seville 1<br />
Algarve<br />
Granada MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Coast<br />
2<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
71
SPANISH SPREE<br />
Madrid Madrid<br />
FR<br />
$1,999<br />
14 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Explore Madrid’s vast Royal Palace<br />
• Hit the beaches in San Sebastian<br />
• Discover Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter<br />
• Party ‘til dawn in Ibiza (summer only)<br />
• Admire the beauty of Seville<br />
• Wander Granada’s cobbled streets<br />
• Tour the Moorish Alhambra Palace<br />
• Visit Cordoba’s Mosque of Caliphs<br />
Departures 2014/15<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jan 06 Jan 19 Jul 09 Jul 22 Oct 20 Nov 02<br />
Apr 28 May 11 Jul 21 Aug 03 Nov 24 Dec 07<br />
May 26 Jun 08 Aug 04 Aug 17 Dec 28 Jan 10<br />
Jun 09 Jun 22 Aug 18 Aug 31<br />
Jun 23 Jul 06 Sep 01 Sep 14 2015<br />
Jul 07 Jul 20 Sep 22 Oct 05 Mar 23 Apr 05<br />
Additional departure dates are available, please ask for details<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Superior Age Group: Only for<br />
18-35s Accommodation: Hotels (13 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern, air-conditioned coach,<br />
ferry crossing, flight to Ibiza (summer only)<br />
Meals: 13 breakfasts, 4 dinners Group<br />
Leader: Tour Manager and Driver team<br />
Group Size: Max 51 Notes: Hotel tips, local<br />
taxes and service charges are included Tour<br />
Code: COBBEH/COWWEH - note that winter<br />
departures (Jan-Mar 2014 & Oct 2014-Mar<br />
2015) follow a modified itinerary and do not<br />
visit Ibiza, please ask for details<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
OCEAN<br />
SPAIN<br />
FRANCE<br />
San Sebastian Pyrenees<br />
Bilbao 1<br />
Mountains<br />
1 Pamplona<br />
Segovia<br />
Madrid<br />
Toledo<br />
Cordoba<br />
Seville<br />
1<br />
3<br />
1<br />
Gibraltar<br />
2<br />
Zaragoza<br />
2 Ibiza<br />
Denia<br />
Granada<br />
2<br />
Barcelona<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Spain is a mix of cultures where each region has its own distinct style. Not only is it rich in<br />
cultural traditions, it’s innovative and has a cutting edge arts scene and youthful party vibe.<br />
The Spanish Spree is just that, a spree taking in the perfect blend of culture and partying.<br />
You’ll get to wander through the Royal Palace in Madrid, visit the magnificent Moorish-style<br />
Alhambra Palace in Granada and see the Rock of Gibraltar. Then, put on your dancing shoes<br />
and take in the magic of Barcelona where the nightlife is pumping every day of the week,<br />
and head to the beaches of Ibiza where you can dance ‘til dawn.<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03<br />
04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-10<br />
11<br />
12<br />
13-14<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Madrid<br />
Arrive in Madrid and check yourself into the hotel. Later, meet your new travel buddies over dinner.<br />
Get straight into it on Day 2 as you explore the heart of Madrid. Wander along Gran Via, the Plaza<br />
Mayor and Puerta del Sol. Then, step into the largest palace in Europe as your local guide expertly<br />
shows you through the lavish rooms of the magnificent Royal Palace. Perhaps treat yourself to a<br />
traditional tapas dinner, then head off into the city that never sleeps. (B, D)<br />
Madrid / Segovia / Bilbao<br />
Head north to Bilbao in the Basque Country, with its unique language and culture. Stop by the pretty<br />
clifftop town of Segovia, with its grand mansions and many squares. See the jaw-droppingly beautiful<br />
Roman aqueduct before arriving in Bilbao, home of the Guggenheim Art Museum. (B, D)<br />
Bilbao / San Sebastian / Pamplona<br />
Start the day with free time in the elegant and stylish seaside resort of San Sebastian, a surf hot<br />
spot. Later, pull into Pamplona, home to the extreme festival of the ‘Running of the Bulls’. Enjoy a<br />
walking tour of the well-preserved old town and see the route of the infamous run. (B)<br />
Pamplona / Zaragoza / Barcelona<br />
Stop in Baroque-style Zaragoza before making your way to the buzzing city of Barcelona. First up on<br />
Day 6 is hilltop Montjuic, from where you can take in full-blown vistas of the city. You can also check<br />
out the 1992 Olympic Games complex. Next, get a look into the wild imagination of the architect<br />
Antoni Gaudi, and visit his fabulous, though as yet unfinished, Sagrada Familia Cathedral. (2B, D)<br />
Barcelona / Ibiza<br />
Jump on a plane to Ibiza, Spain’s party paradise. Popular with sun worshippers, backpackers and<br />
those that want to party! Honour the birthplace of the rave by checking out Ibiza’s world famous<br />
clubs, which keep going until the sun comes up. On Day 8, relax, catch up on sleep, soak in the sun<br />
and people-watch until the bars open and the dance floor is calling once again. (2B)<br />
Ibiza / Granada<br />
Ferry back to the mainland and take in the views on the drive south to beautiful Granada. Start Day<br />
10 with a locally-guided optional tour through the old Muslim Quarter of Albaicin. Next up is the<br />
Alhambra where a specialist guide will bring the magic of this former home of the sultans to life. Take<br />
a walk through the complex of fortifications, luxurious palaces and gardens. (2B, D)<br />
Granada / Gibraltar / Seville<br />
Wind along the Costa del Sol with the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop, and enjoy a stop at<br />
the Rock of Gibraltar. This quirky British territory guards the entrance to the Mediterranean. (B)<br />
Seville / Cordoba<br />
Spend the morning exploring this fun, laid back city where the locals focus on the good life; long<br />
lunches, afternoon siestas, late dinners and dancing. It’s then into the heart of Andalucia, through to<br />
Cordoba to see the Mezquita and learn about the Spanish Inquisition. (B)<br />
Cordoba / Toledo / Madrid<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> to the hill-top town of Toledo, whose narrow streets are packed with monuments reflecting<br />
the Romans, Jews, Muslims and Christians that have all called this place home. Head back to the<br />
Spanish capital, and make your last night one to remember. The tour comes to an end on Day 14<br />
after breakfast, so it’s time to bid adios to your new amigos. (2B)<br />
72<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
IBERIAN VOYAGER<br />
Barcelona Barcelona<br />
FR<br />
$2,725<br />
Includes Local Payment - 21 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Admire Gaudi’s creations in Barcelona<br />
• Stroll the courtyards of the Alhambra<br />
• Sail across the Strait of Gibraltar<br />
• Explore the ancient medina of Fes<br />
• Sample flavoursome tapas and tagine<br />
• Grab your maracas for some flamenco!<br />
• Discover Lisbon aboard its old trams<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Apr 29 May 19<br />
May 06 May 26<br />
May 20 Jun 09<br />
May 27 Jun 16<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jun 10 Jun 30<br />
Jun 17 Jul 07<br />
Jul 01 Jul 21<br />
Jul 08 Jul 28<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jul 22 Aug 11<br />
Aug 12 Sep 01<br />
*Aug 25 Sep 14<br />
Sep 02 Sep 22<br />
Tour marked (*) will be in Valencia for the La Tomatina Festival and<br />
includes a day trip to Bunol to join in the fun.<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Only for 18-<br />
39s Accommodation: Hostels (16 nts), hotels<br />
(4 nts) Transport: Air-con coach, ferry Meals:<br />
20 breakfasts, 12 dinners Group Leader:<br />
Trip Leader & Driver, local guides Group Size:<br />
Max 48, Avg 35 Note: Price includes food<br />
supplement of $455 Tour Code: TDEESPBB<br />
How are your language skills? You’ll hear Spanish, Portuguese, Basque, Catalan, French and<br />
Arabic spoken on this wonderful three-country journey that straddles Europe and North<br />
Africa. From stylish Barcelona, you’ll travel south through the Moorish-influenced cities<br />
of Andalucia then sail across the Strait of Gibraltar to discover the sights and sounds of<br />
Morocco, including the ancient city of Fes. Get lost in winding souks and bargain for unique<br />
goods and meet some friendly locals along the way. Next up are the gorgeous capitals of<br />
Lisbon and Madrid, before a final chill out on the beaches of San Sebastian.<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Porto<br />
2<br />
PORTUGAL<br />
Sintra<br />
2<br />
Lisbon<br />
Seville<br />
Tangier<br />
Volubilis<br />
Meknes<br />
SPAIN<br />
Salamanca<br />
2<br />
1<br />
MOROCCO<br />
You might like<br />
San Sebastian<br />
Madrid<br />
3<br />
2<br />
2<br />
2<br />
Zaragoza<br />
Segovia 2<br />
Barcelona<br />
Granada<br />
Fes<br />
Stay Longer in Barcelona<br />
See pages 144/145<br />
2<br />
FRANCE<br />
Valencia<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04-05<br />
06<br />
07-09<br />
10-11<br />
12-13<br />
14-15<br />
16-17<br />
18-19<br />
20-21<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Barcelona<br />
Meet your Trip Leader and the rest of your group this afternoon for a tour of Barcelona’s highlights<br />
including the Sagrada Familia, Montjuic and Las Ramblas. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. (D)<br />
Barcelona / Valencia<br />
Explore more of Barcelona before heading south to the vibrant city of Valencia, home of Spain’s best<br />
paella. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Quarter to see the Silk Exchange and central market. The<br />
afternoon of Day 3 is at leisure, we’re thinking it could be time to head to the beach? (2B, D)<br />
Valencia / Granada<br />
Head into Andalucia to Granada, the last Moorish city in Spain to fall to the Christians. Enjoy a<br />
guided tour of the magnificent Alhambra, a former fortress, palace and gardens all in one. (2B, D)<br />
Granada / Tangier<br />
Head to the southernmost tip of Spain, and travel by ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco.<br />
In distance terms, it’s not that far, but you’re hit with a wonderful sensory overload – welcome to<br />
Africa! Spend the afternoon in Tangier, an ancient port guarding the entrance to the Med. (B, D)<br />
Tangier / Fes<br />
Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the Islamic world. Enjoy a sightseeing tour plus time to<br />
explore its narrow alleyways and covered bazaars. You’re sure to get lost, but that’s half the fun! On<br />
Day 9, take a day trip to Meknes and the Roman ruins at Volubilis, which date back to 40AD. (3B, 2D)<br />
Fes / Seville<br />
Bid farewell to the sights and sounds of North Africa and return to Spain for a tour of Seville, with<br />
time to take in the Alcazar royal residence, the Jewish Quarter and a fiery flamenco show. (2B, D)<br />
Seville / Lisbon<br />
Head into Portugal today and, on arrival into its authentic and colourful capital, see the sights<br />
including Jeronimos Monastery and the Belem Tower. Don’t forget to check out the Bairro Alto, one of<br />
the oldest districts in Lisbon and the heart of the city’s nightlife. (2B, D)<br />
Lisbon / Sintra / Porto<br />
En route to Porto, admire the romantic architecture of Sintra and visit Vila Nova de Gaia for a tasting<br />
tour at a typical port cellar. Porto itself is a lively city where you can stroll the atmospheric riverfront<br />
district of Ribiera, whose buildings are adorned with characterful hand-painted tiles. (2B, D)<br />
Porto / Salamanca / Madrid<br />
On the way to Madrid, make a detour to visit the university city of Salamanca, one of the finest<br />
Renaissance cities in Europe. Enjoy a city tour of Madrid to see the magnificent Royal Palace, with<br />
plenty of free time to admire world-class art in the Prado Museum or explore the nightlife. (2B, D)<br />
Madrid / San Sebastian<br />
Head via Segovia into the Basque Country for a two-night stay in the glorious seaside resort of San<br />
Sebastian. Stroll along the promenade to discover the Old Town’s many ‘pintxos’ (tapas) bars. (2B, D)<br />
San Sebastian / Zaragoza / Barcelona<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> from the Basque Country into Catalonia, both fiercely proud regions of Spain where many of<br />
the locals don’t speak Spanish as their native tongue. Enjoy a last night out with the group, before<br />
the tour comes to an end after breakfast on Day 21. (2B, D)<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
73
ULTIMATE SPAIN & PORTUGAL<br />
Lisbon Madrid<br />
FR<br />
$3,699<br />
22 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Explore the great Iberian cities<br />
• Chill out on the coast of the Algarve<br />
• Marvel at the Mezquita-Catedral<br />
• Sample the best tapas in the world<br />
• Experience the Basque way of life<br />
• Watch some fiery flamenco in Seville<br />
• Live like a local staying in a casa rural<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
May 18 Jun 08<br />
Jun 14 Jul 05<br />
Jun 28 Jul 19<br />
Inclusions<br />
Lisbon<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Algarve<br />
Coast<br />
Evora<br />
Bilbao<br />
Logrono<br />
Madrid<br />
Cordoba<br />
1<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jul 13 Aug 03<br />
Aug 10 Aug 31<br />
2<br />
Seville<br />
Granada<br />
2<br />
1<br />
San<br />
Sebastián<br />
2<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 31 Sep 21<br />
Sep 14 Oct 05<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (19 nts), ‘casa rural’<br />
converted farmhouse (2 nts) Transport: Public<br />
bus, train Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners<br />
Budget: Allow EUR 550-650 for meals not<br />
included Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO), local guides Group Size: Max<br />
16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAESLM<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $1,749<br />
You might like<br />
1<br />
Pyrenees<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Barcelona<br />
Valencia<br />
Best of Spain & Portugal<br />
(15 days, Lisbon-Madrid)<br />
(GAESSP) see page 71 Fr $2,499<br />
Best of Northern Spain<br />
(8 days, Barcelona-Madrid)<br />
(GAESNS) see page 71 Fr $1,299<br />
Extend Your Stay in Madrid or Lisbon<br />
See pages 147-148<br />
FACEBOOK.COM/<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.AU<br />
Dynamic culture, thumping nightlife, compelling history, to-die-for cuisine, fresh local<br />
produce - the Iberian Peninsula really is a gold mine of riches for every sense and interest.<br />
Wander the streets of Lisbon, learn about the Moorish history in Cordoba (El Cid, Don<br />
Quixote...ring any bells?), be treated to a lively flamenco performance in Seville, witness<br />
Gaudi’s fantastical Barcelona with your own eyes, party in the buzzing Madrid, step up into<br />
the Pyrenees and live the culture alongside the locals themselves. If that sounds exciting<br />
already, trust us it will be even better in real life!<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-12<br />
13-15<br />
16-19<br />
20-22<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Lisbon<br />
Arrive in Lisbon, a fascinating city with over 20 centuries of history. Enjoy a little exploration on<br />
your own before meeting up with the group this evening. On Day 2, enjoy an orientation tour with<br />
your guide before you set off to explore its typical tile-covered building façades and narrow medieval<br />
streets. Listen out for Portugal’s traditional music, the fado, being played and sung at night.<br />
Evora / Algarve<br />
Today travel to Evora and enjoy an orientation walk including a visit to the ‘Chapel of Bones’, which<br />
is constructed almost entirely from the bones of thousands of people, and the centrally-located<br />
ruins of the Temple of Diana. Later, continue to beautiful Lagos, where, on Day 4, you will enjoy an<br />
included hike along the golden cliffs and sandy coves of the Algarve.<br />
Seville<br />
This morning, head to one of the most exciting cities in Spain, Seville. After an orientation walk, you<br />
will have two days to explore this amazing city with its winding medieval lanes and romantic, hidden<br />
plazas. Sample the best tapas in Spain and get a taste of Seville’s energetic pulse with an included<br />
visit to a dramatic evening flamenco performance.<br />
Cordoba / Granada<br />
Set off to Granada with a stop in Cordoba to visit its incredible Moorish Mosque, the Mezquite-<br />
Catedral, and the medieval Jewish Quarter, full of narrow lanes and traditional houses. Experience<br />
the stunning sunset along the banks of the Guadalquivir River and sample some of the region’s divine<br />
food. On Day 8, it is on to the city of Granada, where there will be an included visit to the Alhambra<br />
Palace, one of the greatest accomplishments of Islamic art and architecture.<br />
Madrid / Valencia<br />
Welcome to the lively and buzzing Madrid, pulsing with sheer energy and offering it all - architecture,<br />
museums, amazing tapas bars, beautiful parks and wild nightlife. Set off on an included orientation<br />
walk before an optional visit to the Museo del Prado and an evening tapas and wine bar walk. On Day<br />
11, travel to the vibrant city of Valencia and enjoy an orientation walk of the Old Quarter. Opt to<br />
visit the Valencia City of Arts and Sciences or relax at one of the beautiful beaches.<br />
Barcelona<br />
Known worldwide for its dynamic atmosphere and exciting style, Barcelona never disappoints.<br />
Familiarise yourself with the sights of the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas on a walking tour, visit<br />
Gaudi’s Parc Güell and enjoy an evening of tapas and wine to round out the days.<br />
Pyrenees / Bilbao / San Sebastian<br />
Head into the Pyrenees Mountains for a two-night stay in a ‘casa rural’, or converted farmhouse,<br />
where you’ll enjoy home-cooked meals and some optional hikes in this beautiful region. Catch the bus<br />
to the stylish seaside resort of San Sebastian, your first stop in the Basque Country, where you can<br />
opt to take a tapas tour to learn about the region’s distinctive food and language. On Day 19, enjoy<br />
a day trip to Bilbao, known for the stunning Guggenheim Museum. (2B, 2D)<br />
Logrono / Madrid<br />
Head inland to the lovely and underrated city of Logrono, at the heart of the Rioja wine-producing<br />
region. It would be a crime not to sample the region’s local vintages, so we’ve included a wine tasting<br />
session. Head to ‘pintxo street’ this evening for a spot of bar-hopping and to sample great tapas. On<br />
Day 21, return to Madrid and enjoy some free time in the capital before departing the next day.<br />
74<br />
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TREKKING<br />
MONT BLANC<br />
LOIRE VALLEY<br />
FR<br />
$1,599 CYCLING<br />
FR<br />
$1,199<br />
Chamonix Chamonix 10 DAYS Blois Nantes<br />
8 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Trek the world-class hiking circuit of Europe’s highest peak<br />
• Conquer steep climbs and high mountain passes<br />
• Admire spectacular views of glaciers, valleys and Alpine meadows<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03<br />
04-05<br />
06-07<br />
08-10<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Chamonix / Les Contamines<br />
Arrive in Chamonix for a welcome meeting with your fellow hikers.<br />
On Day 2, take a cable car from Les Houches to Bellevue, and then<br />
hike through spruce forests and Alpine meadows past the Bionnassay<br />
Glacier. Descend to Les Contamines for a night in a mountain gite. (D)<br />
Les Contamines / Les Chapieux<br />
Today is the first real challenge as you have a steep ascent to the Col<br />
du Bonhomme (2,329m), a perfect lunch stop with awesome views.<br />
The auberge at Les Chapieux serves local specialities for dinner. (B, D)<br />
Les Chapieux / Courmayeur<br />
Climb to the Col de la Seigne (2,516m) and the border with Italy.<br />
Today’s route is demanding, but the views are fabulous and Day 5 is<br />
at leisure to recover in the town of Courmayeur. There’s an optional<br />
cable car ride to Pointe Helbronner on Mont Blanc. (2B)<br />
Courmayeur / Val Ferret / La Fouly<br />
The steep climb up to Rifugio Bertone (1,970m) is rewarded with a<br />
great view of Mont Blanc Massif. Continue along the Mont de la Saxe<br />
for a picnic lunch facing the ridge of the Grandes Jorasses, before<br />
descending to the Italian Val Ferret. Start Day 7 with a steep climb to<br />
cross the Grand Col Ferret (2,537m) and drop down into Switzerland.<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> on to the Swiss mountain village of La Fouly. (2B, 2D)<br />
Trient / Chamonix<br />
Hike the ‘Bovine Way’; an ancient trail used to access the high<br />
summer cow pastures. Cross the Col de la Forclaz and down into<br />
Trient. On Day 9, a final day of trekking takes you over the Col de la<br />
Balme back into France’s Chamonix Valley, for a bus or train ride back<br />
to Chamonix. Tour ends after breakfast on Day 10. (2B, D)<br />
Highlights<br />
• Cycle through the history books at a string of glorious châteaux<br />
• Take time to appreciate the lush scenery of Loire Valley<br />
• Pedal through the ‘Garden of France’ and sample regional produce<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05<br />
06<br />
07-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Blois / Chenonceau<br />
Arrive at any time and spend your day in the twisting streets of the<br />
town, or sample delicious French cuisine. Start Day 2 pedalling the<br />
French countryside. On your way to Chenonceau, stop at Château de<br />
Blois and get a real sense of the regal history in the Loire. (B)<br />
Tours / Chinon<br />
Continue on to the spectacular Château de Chenonceau, then through<br />
villages to the town of Tours, passing the city of Amboise. Stop by<br />
the markets to pick up some succlulent treats! Day 4 begins cycling<br />
along the river passing the meadows of the Loire to Chinon. Along<br />
the route stop at Château Usse and the famous Renaissance era<br />
gardens of the Château de Villandry before arriving in Chinon. (2B, L)<br />
Saumur<br />
Visit a vineyard to sample some Chinon red wine. As you cycle in<br />
the shadow of a steep limestone cliff, known as ‘Tuffeau’ you’ll pass<br />
houses built out of the cliff face, visit troglodyte caves and wine<br />
cellars. See a unique regional sight, ‘pommes tapees’, translated as<br />
hammered apples. Arrive in Saumur for the night. (B)<br />
Gennes<br />
On today’s ride, you might even be able to sample the delicious fruit<br />
sold in the harvest season from roadside stalls. Visit the unusual<br />
mushroom caves of the Musée du Champignon. In Gennes, visit the<br />
château of Milly-le-Meugon. (B)<br />
Angers / Nantes<br />
Once in Angers, visit the château, famous for the Apocalypse<br />
Tapestry, and make the most of the cuisine and wine from the region.<br />
On Day 8, take the train to Nantes where your trip ends. (2B)<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Active Service Level: Basic<br />
Physical Grading: 5 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (2 nts), basic hotels<br />
(2 nts, possibly multishare), mountain refuges<br />
(5 nts) Transport: Local bus, cable car<br />
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners Budget: Allow<br />
EUR240-315 for meals not included Group<br />
Leader: Qualified International Mountain<br />
Leader as Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group<br />
Size: Max 12, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEFMB<br />
Departures 2014<br />
Jun - Sep<br />
Selected Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays<br />
Trient<br />
Chamonix<br />
1<br />
Les<br />
Contamines<br />
1<br />
SWITZERLAND<br />
2<br />
1 1<br />
Les Chapieux<br />
La Fouly<br />
Val<br />
Ferret<br />
Courmayeur<br />
I T A L Y<br />
FRANCE<br />
2<br />
1<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Active Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (7 nts) Transport:<br />
Train, bus, bicycle Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1<br />
lunch Budget: Allow EUR340-415 for meals<br />
not included Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO) throughout Group Size: Max 12,<br />
Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEFAA<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 17 May 24<br />
Jun 21 Jun 28<br />
Jul 12 Jul 19<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 26 Aug 02<br />
Aug 16 Aug 23<br />
Aug 30 Sep 06<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 13 Sep 20<br />
Oct 04 Oct 11<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
OCEAN<br />
ENGLISH CHANNEL<br />
Blois<br />
Angers 1<br />
Tours<br />
1<br />
Nantes<br />
1<br />
Gennes<br />
Saumur<br />
1<br />
1<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Chinon<br />
Chenonceau<br />
FRANCE<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
75
FRANCE & ITALY ADVENTURE<br />
Paris Rome<br />
FR<br />
$2,599<br />
14 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
ENGLAND<br />
ATLANTIC<br />
OCEAN<br />
Highlights<br />
• Admire charming medieval cities<br />
• Stroll the chic streets of Paris<br />
• HIke the glorious Cinque Terre<br />
• Taste fine wines and local delicacies<br />
• Soak up the real European vibe<br />
• Witness Florence’s masterpieces<br />
• Explore Rome’s museum-like streets<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
May 30 Jun 12<br />
Jun 06 Jun 19<br />
Jun 20 Jul 03<br />
Inclusions<br />
ENGLISH<br />
CHANNEL<br />
1<br />
Beaune<br />
FRANCE<br />
Paris<br />
2<br />
Avignon<br />
2<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jul 04 Jul 17<br />
Aug 01 Aug 14<br />
Sep 05 Sep 18<br />
Monaco<br />
2<br />
Nice<br />
MEDITERRANEAN SEA<br />
2<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 12 Sep 25<br />
Sep 19 Oct 02<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (13 nts) Transport:<br />
Public bus, train Meals: 1 dinner Budget:<br />
Allow EUR 430-565 for meals not included<br />
Group Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO)<br />
throughout, local guides Group Size: Max 16,<br />
Avg 12 Tour Code: GAEFPI<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $1,199<br />
ITALY<br />
Cinque<br />
Terre<br />
ADRIATIC<br />
SEA<br />
2<br />
Florence<br />
2<br />
Rome<br />
Start the adventure<br />
Raise your glass to the best of France and Italy! Get seduced by the colourful cultures of<br />
these beautiful countries, where daily life is woven around café terraces, village squares,<br />
produce-laden markets, unbelievable architecture and oh-so-delicious traditional cuisines.<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> from Paris to Rome and savour some of the most enticing cultural and natural<br />
highlights. Get your head spinning in Paris, sip wine in Burgundy, feast on local delicacies in<br />
Provence, experience the real ‘dolce vita’ following scenic tracks along Italy’s Cinque Terre<br />
coast and prepare to be amazed by the astonishing architecture of Rome.<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04-05<br />
06-07<br />
08-11<br />
12-14<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Paris<br />
Arrive to Paris, the city of love, and prepare to discover its certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ as you wander<br />
through the arty Montparnasse, marvel at the Arc de Triomphe, stare at the priceless works of art at<br />
the Louvre, stroll the glamorous Champs-Élysées, cruise down the river Seine or challenge the steps<br />
of the Eiffel Tower. Smell the love in the air!<br />
Beaune<br />
Today, arrive to the charming town of Beaune, best known for its wine: making it, tasting it, selling<br />
it, but most of all, drinking it. Enjoy an included local wine tasting as an introduction to the region’s<br />
famous vintage. Visit the local markets and the historic centre before enjoying an optional dinner<br />
with your group here in the heart of Burgundy, one of France’s most distinguished culinary and wineproducing<br />
regions. Spend Day 3 visiting neighbouring Dijon or exploring the famous Beaune Hospice,<br />
France’s most splendid medieval charity hospital.<br />
Avignon<br />
Take the train to the heart of lavender-scented Provence and the spectacular walled medieval town of<br />
Avignon, ringed by amazingly well-preserved 800-year-old stone ramparts. Explore the magnificent<br />
art and architecture, none grander than the impressive medieval fortress, the Papal Palace. Visit Pont<br />
St. Bezenet and top-notch museums, as well as ancient cobbled streets and leafy squares bustling<br />
with cafés and restaurants offering gorgeous Provençal cuisine.<br />
Nice / Monaco<br />
Today, arrive to the gleaming Mediterranean coast and the Côte d’Azur’s cultured capital, Nice. With<br />
its mix of modern city grit, old-world opulence and year-round sunshine, Nice is the place to be! Soak<br />
up the amazing atmosphere, visit some of the must-see museums and explore the ancient Roman city<br />
of Cemenelum. Spend the evening wandering the romantic old town streets and treating yourself at<br />
some of France’s best bars and trendiest restaurants. Take a day trip to the principality of Monaco,<br />
the world’s second-smallest country, to admire the expensive yachts lining its glamorous marina.<br />
Cinque Terre / Pisa / Florence<br />
Head along the coast into Italy and spend two nights by the sensational Cinque Terre National Park,<br />
where five little villages are built into the rocks between the beach and the hills. Get your heart<br />
racing on the coastal walk or meander from town to town with an included train pass. On Day 10,<br />
continue to the town of Pisa and its Leaning Tower, drawing its fame from an architectual project<br />
gone seriously wrong! Continue to the heart of Tuscany and enjoy a relaxing walk in the Renaissance<br />
city of Florence. Pay a visit to Piazzale Michelangelo for a stunning panoramic view of the city. Opt to<br />
see the Statue of David, wander the Uffizzi Gallery or swing by the shopping stalls.<br />
Rome<br />
Welcome to one of the world’s most alluring and seductive cities; Bella Roma! Take an orientation<br />
walk of the thrilling Italian capital before a free afternoon for a spot of independent exploration.<br />
Nicknamed the ‘Eternal City’, Rome is also home to His Holiness the Pope, whose residence at<br />
the Vatican City is a sovereign state within the city of Rome. Visit the Roman Forum, the famous<br />
Colosseum where the gladiators battled to the death, and the Catacombs that entombed early<br />
Christians. In the evening, enjoy a true taste of Italy with a Roman meal with some new local friends.<br />
Your tour ends on Day 14 and you are free to depart this living history museum at any time but not<br />
before you turn your back on the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin over your shoulder into the water;<br />
it’s said this will ensure your safe return to the city. Well, who wouldn’t want to come back? (D)<br />
76<br />
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ULTIMATE<br />
ITALY<br />
FR<br />
$2,499<br />
ITALIAN<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR<br />
$409 / FR $395<br />
Rome Venice 14 DAYS Rome Rome<br />
3 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Relax at a pavement café in Siena’s magnificent Piazza del Campo<br />
• Marvel at a Mediterranean sunset in the Cinque Terre<br />
• Admire the splendour of Lake Como’s waterfront villas and mansions<br />
DAY<br />
01-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-09<br />
10-11<br />
12-14<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Rome / Siena<br />
Get yourself to Rome and start discovering this Eternal City. There<br />
will be an orientation walk on Day 2 before a free day to explore<br />
myriad options. On Days 3 and 4, take on Siena, one of Italy’s<br />
best-preserved medieval towns, starting your exploration with an<br />
orientation walk and a spot of Chianti wine tasting. (D)<br />
Florence<br />
Jump on a local bus for the journey to the Tuscan capital. Exquisite is<br />
the only way we can describe Florence, so enjoy spending your time<br />
exploring this open-air, living, breathing museum of Renaissance art.<br />
Lucca / Pisa / Cinque Terre<br />
Head to the beautiful little Tuscan town of Lucca. Spend a day<br />
exploring the piazzas, towers and churches of this enchanting walled<br />
city. After a half-day visit to Pisa on Day 8, take the train to the<br />
Cinque Terre National Park. Five stunning villages are sandwiched<br />
between the beach and the hills, and the whole area has been<br />
designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meander from one town<br />
to the next with an included train pass.<br />
Como<br />
Just north of Milan, the town of Como is the gateway to its namesake<br />
lake, the Lago di Como. With an included day pass for the boat<br />
services on the lake, you can explore resorts and villages such as<br />
Bellagio, often described as the most beautiful town in all of Europe.<br />
Venice<br />
Venice is embellished with monuments of rare splendour that make<br />
it a city like no other in the world. Explore the canals on an optional<br />
gondola cruise, and take time to discover sights including the Doge’s<br />
Palace. The tour comes to an end on Day 14, depart at any time.<br />
Highlights<br />
• Discover ancient Roman life on a guided tour of the ruins of Pompeii<br />
• Enjoy the glamorous Isle of Capri with its famous Blue Grotto<br />
• Treat yourself with some home-made gelato and a shot of limoncello<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02<br />
03<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Rome / Pompeii / Sorrento<br />
Rise and shine for an early departure from Rome down to Pompeii,<br />
Europe’s most compelling archaeological site and one of Italy’s<br />
most visited tourist attractions. Enjoy a tour of this UNESCO World<br />
Heritage site, whose treasures were buried by the volcanic eruption<br />
of Mt. Vesuvius. Continue down the Amalfi Coast, twisting through<br />
a succession of lovely villages to the resort of Sorrento, your base<br />
for the next two nights. Dip in the pool or visit the campsite beach<br />
before heading into sun-kissed Sorrento for an orientation walk, a<br />
limoncello and chocolate tasting and an optional meal at a traditional<br />
restaurant followed by a few cocktails at some local bars.<br />
Isle of Capri<br />
Get a taste of the real ‘dolce vita’ as you spend the whole day on<br />
the Isle of Capri. Tour along the coastline and check out the surreal<br />
Blue Grotto, incredible celebrity homes and gorgeous scenery. Take<br />
the cable car up to Anacapri and look out for the paparazzi chasing<br />
the visiting celebrities. Discover true Italian ice cream and enjoy the<br />
beach before heading up to the spectacular Giardini di Augosto for a<br />
view of the Faraglioni rocks. Return to Sorrento for the night.<br />
Amalfi Coast / Rome<br />
Make the most of your final day driving the spectacular Amalfi<br />
coastline, past the town of Positano, with relaxed stops in Amalfi<br />
and Ravello. For a true taste of the Italian South chill out on the<br />
beach and eat the best cakes ever at the local bakeries in Amalfi. In<br />
the afternoon, head back to Rome where the trip concludes - local<br />
traffic conditions mean we cannot guarantee the return time. We<br />
recommend you book your onward travel the day after your trip ends.<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (13 nts) Transport:<br />
Public bus, train, boat Meals: 1 dinner Budget:<br />
Allow EUR 430-565 for meals not included<br />
Group Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO)<br />
throughout Group Size: Max 16, Avg 12<br />
Tour Code: GAEIRV<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $799<br />
Departures 2014<br />
Mar - Oct<br />
Selected Sundays, typically 2-3<br />
departures per month<br />
Como<br />
2<br />
ITALY<br />
Cinque<br />
2 Terre<br />
Lucca<br />
1<br />
2 Florence<br />
Pisa<br />
2<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Venice<br />
Siena<br />
2<br />
2<br />
AEGEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Rome<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: Twin share tent-cabins (2<br />
nts) Transport: Modern air-conditioned coach<br />
Meals: None included Group Leader: Guide<br />
& Driver team Group Size: Avg 35 Notes:<br />
Included tour of Pompeii & Sorrento, boat trip<br />
to/around Capri (weather permitting), limoncello<br />
& chocolate tasting, free Lonely Planet guide<br />
Tour Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
May - Sep<br />
Every Monday & Friday and selected<br />
Wednesdays<br />
Rome<br />
ITALY<br />
Sorrento<br />
Isle of<br />
Capri<br />
Pompeii<br />
2<br />
ADRIATIC SEA<br />
Ravello<br />
Amalfi<br />
Coast<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
77
SIMPLY<br />
ITALY<br />
ITALIAN<br />
FR<br />
$1,985 ESPRESSO<br />
FR<br />
$1,419<br />
Rome Rome 12 DAYS Rome Venice or Rome<br />
8 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Boat trip to the beautiful and romantic Isle of Capri<br />
• Take in the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo on a tour of Florence<br />
• Explore the dramatic cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03<br />
04-05<br />
06-07<br />
08-09<br />
10-12<br />
Inclusions<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Rome / Sorrento<br />
Check-in to your hotel and meet your new travel friends over dinner.<br />
On Day 2, travel south towards Naples, before arriving into the<br />
charming holiday resort of Sorrento. Enjoy a sunset drink overlooking<br />
the Bay of Naples. (B, D)<br />
Capri<br />
Take the boat over to the glamorous Isle of Capri, famous for its<br />
natural beauty, caves and rock formations. Explore the hillside town<br />
of Anacapri, or take an optional cruise to the Blue Grotto. (B, D)<br />
Sorrento / Florence<br />
Head north to enjoy a spot of wine tasting in the Chianti region,<br />
before admiring the rolling hills of Tuscany en route to Renaissance<br />
Florence. A local guide will help bring all its secrets to life. (2B, D)<br />
Florence / Verona / Venice<br />
Stop to admire Romeo and Juliet’s balcony in Verona, before arriving<br />
into Venice, where there’s time to explore its alleyways and grand<br />
squares, plus an optional gondola ride to admire its canals. (2B)<br />
Venice / Lake Garda / Milan / La Spezia (Cinque Terre)<br />
Call into the lakeside resort of Sirmione, before reaching Italy’s<br />
fashion capital and economic powerhouse, Milan. Discover the<br />
stunning cliffside village of the Cinque Terre on Day 09. (2B, D)<br />
La Spezia / Pisa / Rome<br />
They say ‘all roads lead to Rome’, and that’s true today but not<br />
before you’ve stopped in Pisa to check out its famous Leaning Tower.<br />
In Rome, enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican and soak up ‘La Dolce<br />
Vita’. The tour concludes after breakfast on Day 12. (3B)<br />
Service Level: Superior Age Group: Only for<br />
18-35s Accommodation: Hotels (11 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern, air-conditioned coach<br />
with power points for charging Meals: 11<br />
breakfasts, 4 dinners Group Leader: Tour<br />
Manager & Driver Group Size: Max 51 Notes:<br />
Hotel tips, local taxes and service charges are<br />
included Tour Code: COBBSY / COWWSY<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Feb 03 Feb 14 Jun 15 Jun 26 Sep 07 Sep 18<br />
Mar 03 Mar 14 Jun 25 Jul 06 Sep 14 Sep 25<br />
Apr 06 Apr 17 Jul 02 Jul 13 Sep 28 Oct 09<br />
May 04 May 15<br />
May 18 May 29<br />
Jul 13<br />
Jul 23<br />
Jul 24<br />
Aug 03<br />
Oct 20<br />
Nov 03<br />
Oct 31<br />
Nov 14<br />
Jun 01 Jun 12 Aug 10 Aug 21 Dec 01 Dec 12<br />
Jun 08 Jun 19 Aug 31 Sep 11 Dec 29 Jan 09<br />
Additional departure dates are available, ask for details<br />
Milan Lake Garda<br />
1 2 Venice<br />
La Verona<br />
Spezia<br />
1<br />
Cinque 2 Florence<br />
Terre<br />
Chianti Region<br />
Pisa<br />
Apennine Mountains<br />
ITALY<br />
Rome<br />
3<br />
Vatican City<br />
Mt.<br />
Vesuvius<br />
Pompeii Naples<br />
Isle of Capri<br />
2<br />
Sorrento<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Highlights<br />
• Rome, Florence and Venice - Italy’s very own triple espresso!<br />
• Locally-guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel<br />
• Sample antipasto and Chianti at a 16th Century Tuscan castle<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05<br />
06<br />
07<br />
08<br />
Inclusions<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Rome<br />
Check-in and meet your new travel buddies, perhaps with time to<br />
enjoy a bit of independent sightseeing before dinner. Though modern<br />
and cosmopolitan today, the ancient monuments that litter the<br />
streets of Rome can sometimes make this powerhouse of the former<br />
Roman Empire feel like a living museum. An optional sightseeing tour<br />
on Day 2 introduces highlights such as the Colosseum. (B, D)<br />
Rome / Florence<br />
Enjoy views of terraced vineyards as you pass through the rolling hills<br />
of Umbria en route to the Renaissance splendour of Florence, one of<br />
Europe’s most enlightened and cultured cities. A local guide gives you<br />
the inside track on the city’s sacred art and striking buildings. (2B, D)<br />
Florence<br />
Today’s day trip into the Chianti region offers the perfect excuse<br />
to enjoy a spot of wine tasting. Also visit the medieval town of San<br />
Gimignano, the classic Tuscany of your imagination. (B)<br />
Florence / Venice<br />
Pick up some designer gear at bargain prices this morning at a stylish<br />
outlet mall. Later, romance could be on the cards in Verona, where<br />
you’ll see Romeo and Juliet’s balcony, before arriving in Venice. (B, D)<br />
Venice<br />
There’s no better place to find yourself lost than in the narrow<br />
alleyways and winding canals of Venice, where there’s also a chance<br />
to enjoy an unforgettable gondola ride to take it all in. (B)<br />
Venice / Rome<br />
The tour concludes after breakfast in Venice, or you can opt to take<br />
a complimentary transfer back to Rome. (B)<br />
Service Level: Superior Age Group: Only<br />
for 18-35s Accommodation: Hotels (7 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern air-conditioned coach with<br />
power points for charging Meals: 7 breakfasts,<br />
3 dinners Group Leader: Tour Manager &<br />
Driver team Group Size: Max 51 Notes: Hotel<br />
tips, local taxes & service charges included<br />
Tour Code: COBBHI / COWWHI<br />
Departures 2014/15<br />
FINISH<br />
Feb 22 Mar 01<br />
Mar 08 Mar 15<br />
Apr 12 Apr 19<br />
May 10 May 17<br />
May 24 May 31<br />
Jun 14 Jun 21<br />
Jun 28 Jul 05<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 05 Jul 12<br />
Jul 19 Jul 26<br />
Aug 02 Aug 09<br />
Aug 16 Aug 23<br />
Sep 06 Sep 13<br />
Sep 20 Sep 27<br />
Oct 18 Oct 25<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Nov 22 Nov 29<br />
Dec 13 Dec 20<br />
Dec 27 Jan 03<br />
2015<br />
Jan 17 Jan 24<br />
Mar 21 Mar 28<br />
Departure dates for winter 2014/15 are to be confirmed.<br />
Ask your <strong>Travel</strong> Expert for details.<br />
Verona<br />
Pisa<br />
Chianti<br />
Region<br />
3<br />
San Gimignano<br />
2<br />
Vatican City<br />
Venice<br />
Barberino<br />
Florence<br />
Apennine Mountains<br />
2<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Rome<br />
ADRIATIC<br />
SEA<br />
ITALY<br />
78<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
THE BEST OF EASTERN EUROPE<br />
Berlin Budapest<br />
FR<br />
$1,999<br />
15 DAYS<br />
SLOVENIA<br />
Highlights<br />
• Climb the Reichstag’s dome in Berlin<br />
• Hike in the scenic Tatra Mountains<br />
• Learn about Auschwitz from a local<br />
• Grab an ice-cold Czech beer in Prague<br />
• Go rafting along the River Vltava<br />
• Waltz your way through Vienna<br />
• Pick your favourite – Buda or Pest?<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
May 11 May 25<br />
May 25 Jun 08<br />
Jun 08 Jun 22<br />
Jun 15 Jun 29<br />
Jun 29 Jul 13<br />
Inclusions<br />
Berlin<br />
GERMANY<br />
Prague<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
POLAND<br />
Krakow<br />
CZECH REPUBLIC<br />
2<br />
Zakopane<br />
2<br />
SLOV AKIA<br />
Ceský ˇ<br />
Krumlov<br />
2<br />
Vienna<br />
AEGEAN<br />
SEA<br />
2<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jul 06 Jul 20<br />
Jul 20 Aug 03<br />
Jul 27 Aug 10<br />
Aug 10 Aug 24<br />
Aug 17 Aug 31<br />
2 2<br />
Bratislava<br />
1<br />
HUNGAR Y<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 31 Sep 14<br />
Sep 07 Sep 21<br />
Sep 14 Sep 28<br />
Sep 28 Oct 12<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels/pensions (14 nts)<br />
Transport: Train, private bus, local bus<br />
Meals: 14 breakfasts Budget: Allow EUR 335-<br />
440 for meals not included Group Leader:<br />
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size:<br />
Max 16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAEABE<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $899<br />
Warsaw<br />
1<br />
Budapest<br />
From the urban attractions of Berlin to the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, Budapest, this two-week<br />
trip through Central and Eastern Europe offers an intriguing combination of historic towns,<br />
village life and outdoor pursuits. Float down the river on a traditional raft, enjoy hiking in<br />
the scenic Tatra Mountains and savour the café cultures of Prague and Vienna. Experience<br />
the unique culture, food and history of Eastern Europe, and grab your sightseeing checklist<br />
of must-do cities, from trend-setting Berlin to the medieval streets of Prague, this little<br />
beauty will tick them all off!<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03<br />
04-05<br />
06-07<br />
08-09<br />
10-11<br />
12-13<br />
14-15<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Berlin<br />
Make your own way to Berlin and meet up with your new travel mates this evening. Day 2 is yours<br />
to discover this amazing city, which has many tangible reminders of its starring role in the history<br />
of both Germany and Europe – not least the Reichstag, ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ and surviving fragments<br />
of the Berlin Wall. Districts such as edgy Kreuzberg and bohemian Prenzlauer Berg are well worth<br />
exploring, by day and by night. (B)<br />
Warsaw<br />
Poland’s reconstructed capital is a testament to the courage and determination of its people, and the<br />
city’s story can be learnt with an included visit to the unmissable Warsaw Historical Museum. Smaller<br />
museums of interest here are dedicated to Frédéric Chopin and Marie Curie, amongst others; all are<br />
well worth a visit. (B)<br />
Warsaw / Zakopane (High Tatra Mountains)<br />
Visit the unmissable Warsaw Rising Museum in the morning then take in the relaxed, laid-back vibe<br />
of the outdoors resort town of Zakopane, at the foot of the High Tatra Mountains, where there’s time<br />
to enjoy one of the many hiking options in this breathtaking region. (2B)<br />
Krakow<br />
An effortlessly beautiful city, Krakow is centred on Europe’s largest medieval square, the Rynek<br />
Glowny. It’s hard to know what to explore first in Krakow; the attractive Old Town which miraculously<br />
escaped significant damage in WWII, or the former royal residences sitting proudly atop Wawel Hill.<br />
Included is a visit to the former concentration camp at nearby Auschwitz, a sobering reminder of<br />
man’s inhumanity to man, followed by an overnight train to Prague. (2B)<br />
Prague<br />
Regarded by many as the unspoilt jewel in Europe’s historic crown, there’s time in the Bohemian Czech<br />
capital to simply soak up the atmosphere of its unique cobbled streets, where it seems every building<br />
has its own story to tell. Find a little beer garden and grab a cold glass of Pilsner as you watch the<br />
sun set over the Vltava River. (2B)<br />
Prague / Ceský Krumlov<br />
Step back into medieval times with a visit to the castle in Ceský ˇ Krumlov. The castle towers over the<br />
fairytale-like streets of this gorgeous town, whose graceful Renaissance and Baroque houses line<br />
the banks of a sharp bend in the River Vltava. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site oozing with<br />
culture, history and life before taking to the water with an afternoon of rafting. (2B)<br />
Vienna<br />
Enjoy a walking tour of some of Vienna’s most beautiful sights including St. Stephen’s Cathedral and<br />
the Hofburg Palace, the former city home of the Habsburg Emperors. Austria’s capital has plenty of<br />
other diversions too. We’d like to recommend the Schönbrunn Palace, but we’d understand if you got<br />
distracted by the superb gateaux served in the elegant cafés. (2B)<br />
Bratislava / Budapest<br />
Enjoy a visit to Slovakia’s charming but little-known capital, Bratislava, before continuing on to<br />
Budapest. There’s plenty to explore here, both in historic Buda and modern Pest, which face each<br />
other from either side of the River Danube. Don’t miss the chance to visit one of the city’s many<br />
thermal spas, which range from the open-air Szécheny Baths to the magnificent Gellért Baths. Your<br />
tour ends on Day 15, and you’re free to leave at any time of your choosing. (2B)<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
79
EASTERN ROAD<br />
Berlin Warsaw or Berlin<br />
FR<br />
$2,389<br />
13 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Soak up Berlin’s unbelievable nightlife<br />
• Admire the rebuilt city of Dresden<br />
• Sample Czech beers in Prague<br />
• Tuck into schnitzel and strudel<br />
• Relax in Budapest’s thermal spa baths<br />
• Check out Krakow’s beautiful old town<br />
• Visit Auschwitz concentration camp<br />
• Take a tour of Warsaw’s Jewish Ghetto<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Apr 27 May 09 Jul 13 Jul 25 Sep 07 Sep 19<br />
May 25 Jun 06 Jul 20 Aug 01 Sep 21 Oct 03<br />
Jun 08 Jun 20 Aug 03 Aug 15<br />
Jun 29 Jul 11 Aug 17 Aug 29<br />
Additional departure dates are available, please ask for details<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Superior Age Group: Only for<br />
18-35s Accommodation: Hotels (12 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern, air-conditioned coach<br />
with power points for charging Meals: 12<br />
breakfasts, 4 dinners Group Leader: Tour<br />
Manager & Driver Group Size: Max 51 Notes:<br />
Hotel tips, local taxes and service charges are<br />
included Tour Code: COBBRH<br />
Berlin<br />
2<br />
GERMANY<br />
Dresden<br />
2<br />
Kutna Hora<br />
Prague<br />
CZECH REP<br />
Vienna<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
You might like<br />
Czestochowa<br />
2<br />
2<br />
HUNGARY<br />
POLAND<br />
Warsaw<br />
2<br />
Auschwitz<br />
Krakow<br />
Banska<br />
Bystrica<br />
Budapest<br />
Our Top Optional Activities:<br />
• Locally-guided walking tour of Berlin<br />
• Traditional Czech dinner in Prague<br />
• Classical music concert in Vienna<br />
• Guided tour of Poland’s salt mines<br />
2<br />
Take a peek behind the former ‘Iron Curtain’ on this amazing six-country tour and find out<br />
exactly why Eastern Europe is right now one of the hottest destinations on the planet.<br />
From the edgy and exciting city of Berlin, you’ll visit historic Prague and cultured Vienna,<br />
the showcase capital of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. Straddle the Danube River as<br />
you explore the twin cities of Buda and Pest before moving on into Poland, where you’ll<br />
have four nights to discover the sights and sounds of Krakow and Warsaw. The history and<br />
beauty of these fascinating destinations will captivate your imagination.<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03<br />
04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-10<br />
11-12<br />
13<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Berlin<br />
Arrive in Berlin, and meet your group over dinner. On Day 2, hit the ground running as you soak<br />
up the intoxicating mix of old and new in this ever-changing city. See commemorative artwork and<br />
graffiti on the remains of the Berlin Wall, visit the sight of ‘Checkpoint Charlie’, explore the beautiful<br />
Tiergarten and snap yourself under the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin is truly one of Europe’s most<br />
exciting cities, and the nights are even more fun than the daytimes, so head out into the mix. (B, D)<br />
Berlin / Dresden / Prague<br />
Make a rewarding stop in historic Dresden on your way south to Prague. Dresden was almost totally<br />
destroyed during World War II, having previously been known as the ‘Florence of the North’. It rose<br />
phoenix-like from the ashes and was painstakingly rebuilt in the Baroque style, so today you can<br />
admire stunning architecture such as the Royal Residence, Opera House and Frauenkirche. (B, D)<br />
Prague<br />
You have the full day to get to grips with the sights, the history and the stupidly cheap beer on<br />
offer in this Bohemian beauty! Wander the maze of cobbled streets as you hunt for souvenirs and<br />
treasures in the old town, stroll across the Charles Bridge to explore Hradcany Castle and St. Vitus’<br />
Cathedral, or bag yourself a prime spot on Wenceslas Square for some people-watching. (B)<br />
Prague / Vienna<br />
Head south through the Czech countryside via the small town of Kutna Hora on your way to explore<br />
Austria’s cultured capital; Vienna. Take a scenic drive along the city’s showpiece Ring Road, and<br />
admire the beautiful architecture of the Habsburg Palaces, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the elegant<br />
State Opera House. Day 6 is yours to stuff yourself silly with strudel and scream yourself hoarse on<br />
the theme park rides at Prater Park. More cultured activities are available too, of course, you might<br />
prefer to spend your time wandering through art galleries, admiring the jewellery collection of the<br />
Habsburgs, taking in an optional Mozart concert or checking out the schnapps museum! (2B)<br />
Vienna / Budapest<br />
On Day 7, hop across the Hungarian border to visit Budapest. Head over to the castle district for<br />
lovely views along the Danube River, taking in sights such as the Church of St. Mattias, the Chain<br />
Bridge and Hungary’s beautiful parliament building. The next day is a free day to explore; all your<br />
senses are surrounded by the history of this city; split into hilltop Buda and bustling Pest. (2B)<br />
Budapest / Banska Bystrica / Krakow<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> north through Slovakia and stop for lunch in Banska Bystrica before arriving in Krakow. On Day<br />
10, wander through the lively market stalls and enjoy a guided tour of the Cathedral and Royal Castle<br />
on Wawel Hill. Alternatively, choose an optional guided tour of the amazing salt mines. (2B, D)<br />
Krakow / Auschwitz / Warsaw<br />
This morning’s first stop is at the WWII concentration camp of Auschwitz to understand more about<br />
the horrors of the Holocaust. Then head off to explore Warsaw; Poland’s revitalised capital where you<br />
can immerse yourself in its impressive cultural scene and thriving nightlife. On Day 12, take a guided<br />
tour of the old town, the Royal Palace and Warsaw’s Jewish Ghetto. (2B, D)<br />
Warsaw / Berlin<br />
The tour ends after breakfast this morning, so it’s time to say goodbye and swap e-mail addresses<br />
with your travelling mates. You can stay on in Warsaw or take the free transfer back to Berlin where<br />
your tour will end upon arrival. (B)<br />
80<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
BERLIN TO<br />
BUDAPEST<br />
SKI<br />
FR<br />
$1,685 AUSTRIA<br />
FR<br />
$905<br />
Berlin Budapest 11 DAYS London (or Austria) London (or Austria) 9 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Cruise the bohemian streets of Prague by bike (summer only)<br />
• Experience the opulent lifestyle of the Habsburg Emperors in Vienna<br />
• Goulash galore as you enjoy a Hungarian dinner cruise in Budapest<br />
DAY<br />
01-03<br />
04-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-11<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Berlin<br />
All you have to do is get yourself to Berlin on Day 1. If there’s time,<br />
head out and explore before meeting up with the rest of your group<br />
this evening. Over the next two days, you’ll get under the skin of this<br />
urban utopia. Get a feel for the city’s history and visit the remaining<br />
sections of the Berlin Wall, Alexanderplatz, the Jewish Memorial,<br />
Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag. You can shop the cool markets, eat<br />
delicious German food and party tonight in the cool clubs. (2B, D)<br />
Berlin / Dresden / Prague<br />
Head through Dresden; a beautiful city with a tragic history and<br />
enjoy lunch in a riverside beer garden before travelling on to Prague.<br />
You’ll have two days to explore the sights starting with a walking<br />
tour over the Charles Bridge to discover Hradcany Castle and St.<br />
Vitus’ Cathedral. Uncover the hidden treasures of the old town as you<br />
navigate through little lanes, alleys and courtyards. By night there’s<br />
something for everyone from jazz bars and hip DJs to opera. (3B, D)<br />
Prague / Kutna Hora / Vienna<br />
Next stop is the cultural hub of Vienna, from where the Habsburg<br />
Emperors once ruled huge swathes of Central Europe. This city was<br />
designed to impress, and boasts a legacy of grand architecture<br />
including the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and the Baroque-style<br />
State Opera House. In the evening, you might like to see a classical<br />
music concert in one of the city’s many theatres and palaces. (2B, D)<br />
Vienna / Bratislava / Budapest<br />
A quick stop in Bratislava before reaching Budapest, two cities rolled<br />
into one. Buda and Pest sit on different sides of the river, but bring<br />
together the stunning buildings and atmosphere that makes Hungary<br />
so romantic. The tour ends after breakfast on Day 11. (3B, D)<br />
Highlights<br />
• Ski and snowboard your way down 279kms of runs for all abilities<br />
• Enjoy an excursion to Salzburg, home of the musical Von Trapps<br />
• Socialise with party nights at the gasthof and some lively après-ski<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02<br />
03-08<br />
09<br />
ITINERARY<br />
London / Hopfgarten<br />
This awesome week of skiing and snowboarding starts in London at<br />
7pm this evening as you board the overnight coach to Austria.<br />
Hopfgarten<br />
Arrive into the typically Tyrolean village of Hopfgarten and check-in<br />
to your gasthof, your home for the week. If you prefer (and at a small<br />
discount on the prices shown), make your own way to Austria and be<br />
picked up today either at Innsbruck Airport or Wörgl railway station,<br />
which has easy access from both Munich or Salzburg. The gasthof<br />
features single, twin and quad rooms, a cosy bar, Wi-Fi facilities, and<br />
serves a delicious hot buffet breakfast daily. Lift passes, ski school,<br />
snowboard lessons and all equipment hire can be arranged.<br />
Hopfgarten<br />
Hopfgarten is the perfect location for a ski or snowboard holiday<br />
and is your gateway to the SkiWelt, one of Europe’s top ski resort<br />
areas, which boasts over 279kms (174 miles) of piste incorporating<br />
63 beginners runs, 51 intermediate runs and 7 black runs, making<br />
it ideal for learners and hardcore snow fans alike. You’ll scope out<br />
the slopes with a couple of guided piste tours courtesy of a local ski<br />
guide and enjoy a day trip to Salzburg, the home of ‘The Sound of<br />
Music’. The rest of the time is free to explore the SkiWelt resort area,<br />
but don’t forget to practice for the fun of the Grand Slam, as you’ll<br />
want to show off your skills in this downhill race. By night, hang out<br />
in the gasthof bar or check out the après-ski scene at the pubs,<br />
clubs and outdoors schnaps stands. (6B)<br />
Hopfgarten / London<br />
An early departure this morning to board the return coach to London,<br />
where your tour comes to an end with a late evening arrival. (B)<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Superior Age Group: Only for<br />
18-35s Accommodation: Hotels (10 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern, air-conditioned coach<br />
with power points for charging Meals: 10<br />
breakfasts, 4 dinners Group Leader: Tour<br />
Manager & Driver Group Size: Max 51 Notes:<br />
Hotel tips, local taxes and service charges are<br />
included Tour Code: COBBIT / COWWIT<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jan 04 Jan 14 Jun 28 Jul 08 Sep 20 Sep 30<br />
Mar 09 Mar 19 Jul 12 Jul 22 Oct 18 Oct 28<br />
Apr 12 Apr 22 Jul 19 Jul 29 Nov 01 Nov 11<br />
May 10 May 20 Aug 02 Aug 12 Nov 29 Dec 09<br />
May 31 Jun 10 Aug 30 Sep 09 Dec 27 Jan 06<br />
Additional departure dates are available, ask for details<br />
Berlin<br />
3<br />
POLAND<br />
GERMANY<br />
Dresden<br />
3<br />
Kutna<br />
Hora<br />
CZECH REP<br />
Vienna<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
Prague<br />
2<br />
Bratislava<br />
2<br />
Budapest<br />
HUNGARY<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Superior Age Group: Only for<br />
18-35s Accommodation: Austrian gasthof (7<br />
nts), overnight coach (1 nt) Transport: Modern,<br />
coach with power points for charging Meals:<br />
7 breakfasts (upgrade to include 5 nights’ half<br />
board at a supplement) Group Leader: On-site<br />
team at the gasthof Tour Code: COC7SWBIT<br />
Departures 2014/15<br />
FINISH<br />
Jan 10 Jan 18<br />
Jan 17 Jan 25<br />
Jan 24 Feb 01<br />
Jan 31 Feb 08<br />
Feb 07 Feb 15<br />
Feb 14 Feb 22<br />
Feb 21 Mar 01<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Feb 28 Mar 08<br />
Dec 12 Dec 20<br />
Dec 19 Dec 27<br />
Dec 26 Jan 03<br />
2015<br />
Jan 02 Jan 10<br />
Jan 09 Jan 17<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jan 16 Jan 24<br />
Jan 23 Jan 31<br />
Jan 30 Feb 07<br />
Feb 06 Feb 14<br />
Feb 13 Feb 21<br />
Feb 20 Feb 28<br />
Feb 27 Mar 07<br />
GERMANY<br />
Munich<br />
Wörgl<br />
Salzburg<br />
Innsbruck<br />
Hopfgarten<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
ITALY<br />
SLOVENIA<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
81
BOHEMIAN<br />
TREK<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR<br />
$969 / FR $939<br />
CLASSIC<br />
RHAPSODY TREK<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR<br />
$1,179 / FR $1,145<br />
Split Prague 7 DAYS Prague Split<br />
9 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Uncover Slovenia’s Alpine playground; Lake Bled and its island church<br />
• Visit the Bohemian capital of Prague and ‘Czech’ out its charms<br />
• Wine tasting in Slovakia’s stunning Carpathian region<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04-05<br />
06-07<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Split / Zagreb<br />
A stunning drive through scenic mountains to buzzing Zagreb,<br />
Croatia’s capital. A city that oozes with energy and a zest for life,<br />
but still has a refreshing amount of old-world graciousness. After an<br />
orientation walk, hit the bars and local eateries with your new mates!<br />
Zagreb / Ljubljana / Lake Bled<br />
A short drive over the border to magnificent Slovenia this morning<br />
and en route you’ll stop and enjoy the eastern princess of Ljubljana.<br />
Later on, you’re back on the scenic road to Lake Bled. On Day 3, get<br />
your adventure fix with an optional day trip on the Emerald River.<br />
Here you can swim and raft your way through cascading waterfalls<br />
and mountain peaks, in the midst of the Slovenian Alps. (2B)<br />
Lake Bled / Bratislava<br />
Explore the lake and row out to the church perched beautifully on its<br />
island. After that, you’ll be Bratislava bound! After a city orientation,<br />
you’ll see its castles and its electric atmosphere. Head out for some<br />
local delicacies and inspect the bar scene. On Day 5, take a private<br />
tour and visit Devin Castle, lunch up high at the TV tower, visit the<br />
Slavin monument, Bratislava castle, a real operational bunker, then<br />
finish with wine tasting at a traditional Slovak restaurant. (2B)<br />
Bratislava / Prague<br />
Explore the small Czech town of Mikulov before being greeted by<br />
picture-perfect Prague. You’ll have time to see all of its iconic sights<br />
like the Old Town and Hradcany Castle, before indulging in absurdly<br />
cheap beers and unforgettable nightlife! Bid your farewells as your<br />
trip finishes after breakfast on Day 7. (2B)<br />
4 Day Mini Bohemian Trek (Split-Lake Bled) option available.<br />
Highlights<br />
• Visit the incredible Church of Human Bones in Kutna Hora<br />
• Pay your respects with a visit to infamous Auschwitz & Birkenau<br />
• Wander between the lakes in Croatia’s Plitvice National Park<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04-06<br />
07-09<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Prague / Kutna Hora / Olomouc<br />
Leaving the Czech capital this morning, your first stop is the UNESCO<br />
World Heritage town of Kutna Hora. Explore an ancient church made<br />
from human bones then head to Olomouc. Enjoy a city walk and an<br />
optional dinner in a Moravian restaurant, then it’s time to party. (B)<br />
Olomouc / Auschwitz / Birkenau / Krakow<br />
Stop for a visit at the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps<br />
to learn about the sad and harrowing history of the Holocaust. It’s<br />
then on to Krakow, where the drinks are cheap and the nightlife is<br />
buzzing. On Day 3, explore the sights of this beautiful town. (2B)<br />
Krakow / Zakopane / Budapest<br />
A short drive to the adventure resort of Zakopane, where you’ll find<br />
mountains galore - hiker heaven! On Day 5, head for the Hungarian<br />
capital, Budapest, with an optional tank ride and stop in the Velka<br />
Fatra mountains. Enjoy a Danube River cruise and a night out. Day<br />
6 is yours to explore; chill out in the thermal baths, visit the best<br />
markets or explore the city by bike. (3B)<br />
Budapest / Plitvice / Split<br />
You’re off to Croatia today, with a swim stop at Lake Balaton. Visit<br />
the Balkan open-air war museum before arriving in Plitvice National<br />
Park at sunset for a barbecue and a few beers. On Day 8, explore<br />
the aqua-blue lakes and water wonderland of Plitvice National Park,<br />
before heading over lunar landscapes to Split and the Croatian coast.<br />
Check out the Old Town and Diocletian’s Palace before your last<br />
night. Day 9, and it’s time to say your sad farewells. (2B, D)<br />
7 Day Rhapsody Trek (Prague-Budapest) & 3 Day Mini Rhapsody Trek<br />
(Budapest-Split) options available.<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: Hostels (4 nts), boat hotel (2<br />
nts) Transport: Modern air-conditioned coach<br />
Meals: 6 breakfasts Group Leader: Guide &<br />
Driver Group Size: Avg 35 Notes: Includes<br />
orientation walks in Zagreb, Ljubljana, Mikulov,<br />
Bratislava & Prague, free Lonely Planet guide<br />
Tour Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 10 May 16<br />
May 24 May 30<br />
Jun 07 Jun13<br />
Jun 14 Jun 20<br />
Jun 21 Jun 27<br />
Jun 28 Jul 04<br />
Jul 05 Jul 11<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 12 Jul 18<br />
Jul 19 Jul 25<br />
Jul 26 Aug 01<br />
Aug 02 Aug 08<br />
Aug 09 Aug 15<br />
Aug 16 Aug 22<br />
Aug 23 Aug 29<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 30 Sep 05<br />
Sep 06 Sep 12<br />
Sep 13 Sep 19<br />
Sep 20 Sep 26<br />
Sep 27 Oct 03<br />
CZECH REP<br />
1<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
Bled<br />
Prague<br />
Bratislava<br />
2<br />
Ljubljana Zagreb<br />
1<br />
SLOVENIA<br />
CROATIA<br />
Split<br />
2<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: Hostels/hotels (7 nts)<br />
bungalow (1 nt) Transport: Modern air-con<br />
coach Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 barbecue dinner<br />
Group Leader: Guide & Driver team Group Size:<br />
Avg 35 Notes: Includes city orientation walks,<br />
tour of Auschwitz, entrance to Plitvice National<br />
Park, free Lonely Planet guide Tour Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 02 May 10<br />
May 16 May 24<br />
May 30 Jun 07<br />
Jun 06 Jun 14<br />
Jun 13 Jun 21<br />
Jun 20 Jun 28<br />
Jun 27 Jul 05<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 04 Jul 12<br />
Jul 11 Jul 19<br />
Jul 18 Jul 26<br />
Jul 25 Aug 02<br />
Aug 01 Aug 09<br />
Aug 08 Aug 16<br />
Aug 15 Aug 23<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 22 Aug 30<br />
Aug 29 Sep 06<br />
Sep 05 Sep 13<br />
Sep 12 Sep 20<br />
Sep 19 Sep 27<br />
Prague<br />
CZECH REP<br />
AUSTRIA<br />
1<br />
Krakow<br />
1<br />
Zakopane<br />
Olomouc<br />
Budapest<br />
HUNGARY<br />
Plitvice<br />
1<br />
Split<br />
POLAND<br />
2<br />
1<br />
SLOVAKIA<br />
2<br />
82<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
CROATIA<br />
OTTOMAN<br />
TREK<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR<br />
$1,019 / FR $989<br />
CLASSIC<br />
BALKAN TREK<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR<br />
$1,019 / FR $989<br />
Split Istanbul 8 DAYS Istanbul Split<br />
8 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• See the famous rebuilt 16th Century bridge in Mostar’s old town<br />
• Discover archaeological ruins from the Ottomans in Plovdiv<br />
• Explore the nightlife scenes in three Eastern European capitals<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-04<br />
05<br />
06-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Split / Mostar / Sarajevo<br />
From the historic city of Split, you’ll enjoy the drive along the<br />
dramatic Croatian coast and into Bosnia. Stop in magnificent Mostar,<br />
famous for its quirky old town and 16th Century Ottoman bridge,<br />
beautifully rebuilt since its destruction during the war in 1993.<br />
Continue on to Sarajevo; top nightlife, live bands and great food.<br />
Sarajevo / Belgrade<br />
Today, get to know the Bosnian capital and its incredible history.<br />
Visit the famous Sarajevo Tunnel, which once provided the only<br />
access to the outside world for its beseiged citizens. Relax the<br />
afternoon away shopping in the old town bazaar. On Day 3, head<br />
to the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Explore the city with its grand<br />
Orthodox churches - but the real highlight here is the people. (3B)<br />
Sofia<br />
Head across the border into Bulgaria where you’ll get to inspect<br />
some Ottoman ruins in Nis before arriving into the energetic capital,<br />
Sofia. The inner city is full of monuments, sweeping boulevards and<br />
chic eateries. At night, feast your ears on gypsy music! (B)<br />
Black Sea Resort / Istanbul<br />
Today, journey to the beautiful Bulgarian coast. From watersports<br />
and beaches by day and lively parties by night, this is the place to be!<br />
On Day 7, reach the end of Europe as you travel on to Istanbul and<br />
trace the footsteps of the once-mighty Ottoman Army back to the<br />
very edge of Asia. Enjoy scrumptious Turkish food and check out the<br />
lively nightlife. Sadly, it’s all over after breakfast on Day 8. (3B)<br />
Highlights<br />
• Tuck into delicious local Greek food in Thessaloniki<br />
• Admire Meteora’s stunning cliff top monasteries<br />
• Unwind on the sun-drenched beaches of Albania and Montenegro<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04-05<br />
06<br />
07-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul / Thessaloniki<br />
Set off from Istanbul across the Greek border for a stop in Kavala<br />
to see the impressive ancient Roman aqueduct. Continue to<br />
Thessaloniki, where the nightlife is legendary, the food is some of the<br />
best in Greece and the history is awe-inspiring!<br />
Meteora / Athens<br />
Today, visit the ancient site of Meteora to see the 9th Century<br />
monasteries perched high up on the cliffs. It’s then on to the bustling<br />
Greek captial, Athens. On Day 3, it’s up to you how you spend your<br />
time, but one thing’s for certain, you’ll never be far from ancient<br />
monuments. Tonight, try some of the local specialities. (2B)<br />
Parga / Gjorkastra / Tirana<br />
The next stop is Parga, a party town with great beaches and traces<br />
of Greek mythology. On Day 5, head into Albania, an up-and-coming<br />
hot spot, with beaches and history to back it up. Visit bunkers and<br />
the UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjorkastra, before heading to<br />
the capital city, Tirana (2B)<br />
Budva<br />
Head north into Montenegro, one of the most beautiful corners of<br />
Europe. We stay in the atmospheric town of Budva, set directly on<br />
the Mediterranean and with the best beach culture in the Balkans. (B)<br />
Dubrovnik / Split<br />
Save the best ‘til last - you’re off to Croatia! Take a walk around<br />
Dubrovnik’s historic city walls before heading up the coast to Split for<br />
your final night. Depart after breakfast on Day 8. (2B)<br />
4 Day Mini Balkan Trek (Istanbul-Athens) & 5 Day Balkan Trek<br />
(Athens-Split) options also available.<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: Shared hotels/hostels (7 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern air-con coach Meals: 7<br />
breakfasts Group Leader: Guide & Driver Group<br />
Size: Avg 35 Notes: Includes Sofia, Istanbul<br />
and Nis orientation walks, Mostar local guide,<br />
free Lonely Planet guide Tour Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Sarajevo Belgrade<br />
2<br />
2 Nis<br />
Black<br />
Sea<br />
Mostar<br />
Split Sofia 1<br />
Istanbul<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: Hotels/hostels (7 nts)<br />
Transport: Modern air-conditioned coach<br />
Meals: 7 breakfasts Group Leader: Guide &<br />
Driver Group Size: Avg 35 Notes: Includes<br />
Meteora Monastery entrance, orientation walks<br />
of Thessaloniki, Tirana and Budva, free Lonely<br />
Planet guide Tour Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Split<br />
1<br />
Budva<br />
Gjirokastra<br />
Dubrovnik<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Parga<br />
Tirana<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Istanbul<br />
Kavala<br />
Thessaloniki<br />
Meteora<br />
2<br />
Athens<br />
May 17 May 24<br />
May 31 Jun 07<br />
Jun 14 Jun 21<br />
Jun 28 Jul 04<br />
Jul 12 Jul 19<br />
Jul 26 Aug 02<br />
Aug 09 Aug 16<br />
Aug 23 Aug 30<br />
Sep 06 Sep 13<br />
Sep 20 Sep 27<br />
MEDITERRANEAN SEA<br />
May 24 May 31<br />
Jun 07 Jun 14<br />
Jun 21 Jun 28<br />
Jul 05 Jul 12<br />
Jul 19 Jul 26<br />
Aug 02 Aug 09<br />
Aug 16 Aug 23<br />
Aug 30 Sep 06<br />
Sep 13 Sep 20<br />
Sep 27 Oct 04<br />
MEDITERRANEAN SEA<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
83
CROATIA<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
CON<strong>STA</strong>NTINOPLE<br />
FR<br />
$799 TO HELLAS<br />
FR<br />
$2,184<br />
Zagreb Dubrovnik 7 DAYS Istanbul Athens<br />
12 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Island-hop your way down Croatia’s long and dramatic coastline<br />
• Scramble around medieval fortresses and old Roman ruins<br />
• Sail, snorkel, swim or sunbathe, and then party in exclusive clubs<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02<br />
03-04<br />
05<br />
06-07<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Zagreb<br />
Arrive into Croatia’s attractive capital any time and meet the rest of<br />
your travelling companions this evening.<br />
Zagreb / Plitvice<br />
Enjoy a guided orientation walk of Zagreb and its very charming<br />
old town complete with cobblestone streets and medieval buildings<br />
before your transfer to Plitvice for the night.<br />
Plitvice / Split<br />
Explore an absolutely stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park, wander<br />
the wooden paths arching over crystal clear pools at the base of<br />
steep forested mountains and admire the many waterfalls. Catch your<br />
transfer to Split to enjoy an evening walking tour. Here in Croatia’s<br />
second city, enjoy a free day exploring on Day 4. You may choose to<br />
visit the famous Zlatni Rat beach on Bol, make a trip to Trogir or the<br />
ancient ruined city of Solin, or visit the bars and restaurants, and<br />
experience the nightlife once the sun goes down.<br />
Split / Hvar<br />
Hvar’s lush fields are filled with lavender, rosemary and heather,<br />
and it’s the sunniest place in Croatia! By day, you can enjoy hiking,<br />
kayaking, sailing and snorkelling. Late afternoon, as the heat of the<br />
sun fades, stroll the medieval backstreets of Hvar Town and climb the<br />
hill for panoramic views from the 16th century Venetian Fortress. By<br />
night, hit the Carpe Diem night club.<br />
Hvar / Dubrovnik<br />
Arrive to the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik. Rich in history and<br />
filled with stunning architecture, museums and fountains, it is a great<br />
city to explore. Enjoy a final optional night out on the town with a<br />
group before saying your farewells on Day 7.<br />
Highlights<br />
• Visit the WWI battlefields at Gallipoli<br />
• Roam among the ruins of ancient Ephesus<br />
• Party ‘til dawn at a beach party in Mykonos<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-05<br />
06-08<br />
09-12<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul<br />
You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. On Day<br />
2, prepare for a city tour visiting the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sofia,<br />
Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome. (B)<br />
Istanbul / Gallipoli / Troy / Ephesus / Kusadasi<br />
Head out of the city to the battlefields of Gallipoli. Visit the Lone<br />
Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove and Johnston’s Jolly.<br />
Day 4, visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan Horse. You’ll then tour<br />
the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum before heading to Kusadasi<br />
for the night. Day 5, visit the ancient city of Ephesus and the site of<br />
the Temple of Artemis. (3B, 3D)<br />
Kusadasi / Samos / Mykonos / Delos / Santorini<br />
Leaving Turkey, take a ferry to Samos. Depending on ferry schedules<br />
you may head straight for Mykonos or spend a day exploring Samos.<br />
Tonight you stay in Mykonos. Relax on the beach or take an optional<br />
day trip to the neighbouring island of Delos. This mecca of ancient<br />
Greece is an island-wide, open-air museum. Revitalise with an<br />
early morning swim and wander the charming white-washed narrow<br />
alleyways of Mykonos Town before ferrying to Santorini. (3B)<br />
Santorini / Athens<br />
Take an optional boat trip in the world’s biggest volcanic crater above<br />
sea level. Swim in the warm thermal water, take a therapeutic mud<br />
bath or sunbathe on the black sand beaches before taking the ferry<br />
to Athens on Day 10. Take a half-day tour to the Acropolis on Day<br />
11, stopping at the stadium where the first Olympic Games of the<br />
modern era were held. Admire the Olympian Zeus, Hadrians Arch, the<br />
Temple of Nike and the most famous of Greek relics, the Parthenon.<br />
On Day 12 it’s time to say goodbye. (4B)<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for<br />
18-39s Accommodation: Hotels/hostels (6<br />
nts, multishare) Transport: Train, bus Meals:<br />
None included Budget: Allow EUR 220-300<br />
for meals not included Group Leader: Chief<br />
Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 16,<br />
Avg 10 Tour Code: GAECZD<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 29 Jul 05<br />
Jul 06 Jul 12<br />
Jul 13 Jul 19<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 20 Jul 26<br />
Jul 27 Aug 02<br />
Aug 03 Aug 09<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 10 Aug 16<br />
Aug 17 Aug 23<br />
Aug 24 Aug 30<br />
Zagreb<br />
1<br />
Hvar<br />
1<br />
CROATIA<br />
Plitvice<br />
BOSNIA AND<br />
HERZEGOVINA<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Split<br />
Dubrovnik<br />
AEGEAN<br />
SEA<br />
1<br />
Inclusions<br />
Accommodation: 4 and 5* Hotels (11 nts)<br />
Transport: Fully air-conditioned coach, airport<br />
transfers Meals: 11 breakfasts, 3 dinners<br />
Group Leader: Professional English-speaking<br />
tour guide for the duration of the tour Group<br />
Size: Max 20 Tour Code: <strong>STA</strong>ISTCHT<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 14 Jun 25<br />
Jun 28 Jul 09<br />
Jul 12 Jul 23<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 26 Aug 06<br />
Aug 09 Aug 20<br />
Aug 23 Sep 03<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 06 Sep 17<br />
Sep 20 Oct 01<br />
GREECE<br />
2<br />
Gallipoli<br />
Troy<br />
AEGEAN SEA<br />
1<br />
MARMARA SEA<br />
BLACK SEA<br />
Istanbul<br />
Canakkale<br />
TURKEY<br />
Pergamum<br />
Samos<br />
Athens<br />
Ephesus<br />
2<br />
Kusadasi<br />
2<br />
Delos Mykonos<br />
Ios<br />
2 Santorini<br />
2<br />
MEDITERRANEAN SEA<br />
84<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
MAGIC<br />
CARPET<br />
TURKISH<br />
FR<br />
$1,138 DELIGHT<br />
FR<br />
$1,092<br />
Istanbul Istanbul 10 DAYS Istanbul Istanbul<br />
14 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Explore Istanbul’s ancient monuments<br />
• Visit the Gallipoli battlefields<br />
• Tour the ancient ruins of Troy<br />
DAY<br />
01-03<br />
04-05<br />
06-07<br />
08-10<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul / Gallipoli / Canakkale<br />
You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The<br />
remainder of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Day 2, enjoy a<br />
fully guided city tour, visiting the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi<br />
Palace and the Hippodrome. Day 3, visit the WWI battlefields of<br />
Gallipoli, including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove<br />
and Johnston’s Jolly. Stay overnight in Canakkale. (2B, D)<br />
Canakkale / Troy / Kusadasi / Ephesus<br />
Take a trip to Troy, home of the famed Trojan Horse and battlefield<br />
of Hercules, followed by a tour of the Acropolis of Pergamum, before<br />
heading on to Kusadasi. Day 5, enjoy a guided tour of the ancient<br />
city of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis<br />
before continuing to the house of the Virgin Mary. Overnight in<br />
Kusadasi. (2B, 2D)<br />
Kusadasi / Hierapolis / Pamukkale / Konya / Cappadocia<br />
Head to Pamukkale, where you’ll overnight. Explore the ancient city<br />
of Hierapolis and take a dip in the hot springs that were considered,<br />
in Roman times, to have theraputic powers. Day 7, travel the ancient<br />
Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansaray and the Mevlana Museum<br />
in Konya. (2B, 2D)<br />
Cappadocia / Goreme / Ankara / Istanbul<br />
Marvel at the lunar landscapes of the Goreme Valley Open Air<br />
Museum and explore the many levels of an underground city. Day 9,<br />
depart to the nation’s capital, Ankara, where you’ll visit Anitkabir,<br />
mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Later, head back<br />
to Istanbul, where you’ll overnight. Day 10, after breakfast, you’ll be<br />
transferred to the airport where your tour ends. (3B, D)<br />
Highlights<br />
• Cruise the Aegean Coast to the ruins of Troy<br />
• Trek up Saklikent Gorge taking in Fethiye en route<br />
• Swim in the clear waters of the Turquoise Coast<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04-06<br />
07<br />
08-14<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul / Gallipoli / Canakkali<br />
Depart Istanbul to visit the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli, including<br />
Lone Pine, ANZAC Cove and Johnston’s Jolly. Stay in Canakkale.<br />
Canakkale / Troy / Pergamum / Kusadasi<br />
Today, travel along the Aegean Coast stopping at the city of Troy for<br />
a one-hour tour. On the way to Kusadasi, visit the site of Pergamum.<br />
On Day 3, visit the Temple of Artemis on a tour and Ephesus. (2B)<br />
Kusadasi / Pamukkale / Bodrum / Koycegiz / Fethiye<br />
Leaving Kusadasi, drive through Pamukkale where you can paddle<br />
in the natural calcium formations and visit the ancient spa town of<br />
Hierapolis before heading to Bodrum. On Day 5, head to Koycegiz<br />
for an optional late-night boat cruise on Lake Koycegiz. The next<br />
morning trek up Saklikent Gorge to Fethiye. (3B)<br />
Fethiye<br />
Spend a relaxing day in Fethiye. If you choose the gulet option which<br />
goes between May and September, you will board your traditional<br />
handmade gulet. Cruise your way along the Mediterranean coastline<br />
stopping enroute for sunbathing and swimming before reaching<br />
Olympos on Day10. (B on Day 7 and all meals included on the gulet)<br />
Fethiye / Kas / Olympos / Konya / Cappadocia / Istanbul<br />
On the way to Olympos, stop at Kas, a traditional small Turkish<br />
fishing village. Days 9-10 you’ll spend in Olympos, famous for<br />
its tree houses. Try rockclimbing, caving or just chill out. Gulet<br />
passengers rejoin the tour here. On Day 11, follow the ancient silk<br />
trade route across the Anatolian Plain to Konya and Cappadocia. Day<br />
12 and 13 explore the carved cave villages and underground cities of<br />
the region. Early in the morning head back to Istanbul, via Ankara to<br />
vist the mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. (7B, 2D)<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Accommodation: 4* and 5* hotels (9 nts)<br />
Transport: Air-conditioned coach, airport<br />
transfers Meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 dinners Group<br />
Leader: Professional English-speaking tour<br />
guide for the duration of the tour Group Size:<br />
Max 20 Tour Code: <strong>STA</strong>ISTMCT<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jan 18 Jan 27<br />
Feb 15 Feb 24<br />
Mar 08 Mar 17<br />
Mar 22 Mar 31<br />
Apr 12 Apr 21<br />
Apr 19 Apr 28<br />
May 10 May 19<br />
May 17 May 26<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 24 Jun 02<br />
Jun 07 Jun 16<br />
Jun 14 Jun 23<br />
Jun 28 Jul 07<br />
Jul 12 Jul 21<br />
Jul 19 Jul 28<br />
Jul 26 Aug 04<br />
Aug 09 Aug 18<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 16 Aug 25<br />
Aug 30 Sep 08<br />
Sep 13 Sep 22<br />
Sep 20 Sep 29<br />
Oct 04 Oct 13<br />
Oct 18 Oct 27<br />
Nov 15 Nov 24<br />
Dec 13 Dec 22<br />
Gallipoli<br />
Canakkale<br />
Troy<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Kusadasi<br />
AEGEAN SEA<br />
MARMARA<br />
SEA<br />
3<br />
Pergamum<br />
Ephesus<br />
BLACK<br />
SEA<br />
Istanbul<br />
Ankara<br />
Cappadocia<br />
1<br />
Konya<br />
Pamukkale<br />
MEDITERRANEAN SEA<br />
2<br />
Inclusions<br />
Accommodation: Hotel (8 nts), budget shared<br />
hotel/guesthouse (3 nts), tree house (2 nts).<br />
Gulet option replace - the hostel/guesthouse<br />
with 3 nts Gulet cabin share Transport: Fully<br />
air-conditioned coach Meals:13 breakfasts, 2<br />
dinners. Gulet option: 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches<br />
and 4 dinners Group Leader: Professional<br />
English-speaking tour guide Group Size: Max<br />
20 Tour Code: <strong>STA</strong>ISTSHO/<strong>STA</strong>ISTTDG<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 04 May 17<br />
May 18 May 31<br />
Jun 01 Jun 14<br />
Jun 15 Jun 28<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 29 Jul 12<br />
Jul 13 Jul 26<br />
Jul 27 Aug 09<br />
Aug 10 Aug 23<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 24 Sep 06<br />
Sep 07 Sep 20<br />
Sep 21 Oct 04<br />
1<br />
Istanbul<br />
Gallipoli<br />
Canakkale<br />
Troy Pergamum Cappadocia 2<br />
Ephesus 1<br />
Pamukkale Konya<br />
2<br />
Kusadasi Fethiye<br />
2 1 2<br />
Bodrum<br />
Kas<br />
Koycegiz<br />
BLACK<br />
SEA<br />
2<br />
Olympos<br />
Gulet Option<br />
MEDITERRANEAN SEA<br />
TURKEY<br />
Ankara<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
85
BLACK<br />
ABSOLUTE TURKEY<br />
Istanbul Istanbul<br />
FR<br />
$1,799<br />
15 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
1<br />
Highlights<br />
• Wander Istanbul’s spice market<br />
• Create your own pottery masterpiece<br />
• Explore Cappadocia’s hidden caves<br />
• Stay in a traditional Turkish village<br />
• Sleep under the stars on board a boat<br />
• See the famous cliffs in Pamukkale<br />
• Visit ancient Troy and Gallipoli<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Mar 30 Apr 13<br />
Apr 06 Apr 20<br />
Apr 13 Apr 27<br />
Apr 20 May 04<br />
Apr 27 May 11<br />
May 04 May 18<br />
May 07 May 21<br />
May 11 May 25<br />
May 14 May 28<br />
May 18 Jun 01<br />
May 25 Jun 08<br />
May 28 Jun 11<br />
Jun 01 Jun 15<br />
Jun 08 Jun 22<br />
Inclusions<br />
1<br />
Çanakkale<br />
(Troy)<br />
Ayvalik<br />
Pamukkale<br />
1<br />
Selçuk<br />
1<br />
Istanbul<br />
2<br />
TURKEY<br />
Kas<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Antalya<br />
1<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jun 11 Jun 25<br />
Jun 25 Jul 09<br />
Jun 29 Jul 13<br />
Jul 06 Jul 20<br />
Jul 13 Jul 27<br />
Jul 16 Jul 30<br />
Jul 20 Aug 03<br />
Jul 27 Aug 10<br />
Aug 03 Aug 17<br />
Aug 10 Aug 24<br />
Aug 17 Aug 31<br />
Aug 24 Sep 07<br />
Aug 31 Sep 14<br />
Sep 03 Sep 17<br />
1<br />
1<br />
SEA<br />
Cayagzi<br />
Ankara<br />
1<br />
Konya<br />
Homestay<br />
1<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 07 Sep 21<br />
Sep 10 Sep 24<br />
Sep 14 Sep 28<br />
Sep 17 Oct 01<br />
Sep 21 Oct 05<br />
Sep 24 Oct 08<br />
Sep 28 Oct 12<br />
Oct 05 Oct 19<br />
Oct 12 Oct 26<br />
Oct 19 Nov 02<br />
Oct 26 Nov 09<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (12 nts), simple<br />
homestay (1 nt), boat (1 nt, multishare) (this<br />
night will be spent in a hotel in inclement<br />
weather) Transport: Private van, boat Meals:<br />
14 breakfasts, 3 dinners Budget: Allow<br />
USD 285-375 for meals not included Group<br />
Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group<br />
Size: Max 15, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAETAT<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $499<br />
You might like<br />
Göreme<br />
(Cappadocia)<br />
Stay longer in Istanbul<br />
See pages 160-161<br />
Budapest to Istanbul<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> through Hungary, Romania and<br />
Bulgaria to arrive in Istanbul<br />
(14 days, GAEABI) Fr $1,799<br />
3<br />
Get ready, we’re here to shake things up and give you a taste of the real, exciting, Turkey!<br />
Full of ancient monuments, a fascinating history and timeless, out-of-the-way villages that<br />
really pack a cultural punch, this tour allows you the freedom to explore all the highlights.<br />
Begin your trip roaming the palaces and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the<br />
bizarre as you explore otherworldly Cappadocia. From the amazing white cliff waterfalls<br />
at Pamukkale to the battlefields of Gallipoli, you’ll see the country’s hidden gems as you<br />
explore the crossroads of Asia and Europe.<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-05<br />
06-07<br />
08<br />
09-11<br />
12-13<br />
14-15<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul / Ankara<br />
Arrive in Istanbul and meet up with the rest of the group. Begin Day 2 with an orientation walking<br />
tour of the city, passing Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace and wandering through the Spice Bazaar.<br />
There may be a little free time to explore, prior to today’s transfer to Ankara, Turkey’s capital. (B)<br />
Ankara / Cappadocia<br />
From Ankara, you’ll be whisked away to the town of Göreme, your base for exploring the otherworldly<br />
landscapes of Cappadocia. Enjoy lots of optional activities over the next two days; hire a bike to<br />
explore these fairytale surroundings, hike in the Rose Valley or visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum.<br />
On one of the evenings, have dinner with a local family. (3B, D)<br />
Cappadocia / Konya / Village Stay / Antalya<br />
An early start as you head to one of the many underground cities in the region, most famously used<br />
as hiding places for Christians being persecuted by the Romans. Then, head to the Ihlara Valley<br />
whose cliff-like walls are 100-150m high. After lunch, travel to Konya and admire its beautiful,<br />
turquoise-domed shrine before continuing to a local village where you’ll learn about traditional<br />
life and enjoy a home-cooked meal. On Day 7, you’re off to the Mediterranean coast and the city<br />
of Antalya. Arriving around lunchtime, spend your afternoon wandering the charming cobbled<br />
hillside streets of the district of Kaleiçi. This is a great place to stop and have a drink at one of the<br />
restaurants with great views of the marina below. (2B, D)<br />
Antalya / Cayagzi / Boat Cruise<br />
Today, enjoy a free morning in Antalya then continue to the beautiful coastal village of Cayagzi<br />
where, after lunch, you’ll board the boat for an unforgettable night on the sea (weather permitting).<br />
Sleep on deck under the stars and enjoy dinner with the group. This really is the perfect opportunity<br />
to relax and enjoy the warm crystal waters that Turkey is famous for! (B, D)<br />
Kas / Pamukkale / Selçuk<br />
Enjoy a morning sailing on board soaking up the sunshine and scenery and admiring the passing<br />
views. After lunch, you’ll dock and make your way to the coastal town of Kas. You’ll be charmed<br />
by the cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings as you wander among its many antiques stores.<br />
On Day 10, leaving the sea behind, pass through almond orchards as you travel to Pamukkale<br />
where you’ll visit the famous white cliffs. You’ll also have the chance to explore the ancient site of<br />
Hierapolis built on top of the white ‘castle’. On Day 11, travel to the town of Selçuk where you’ll visit<br />
the spectacular ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. (3B)<br />
Ayvalik / Troy / Çanakkale<br />
You’ll be charmed by Ayvalik’s blend of old Ottoman architecture and attractive harbour, and if you<br />
are itching to get back into the turquoise Mediterranean, the beach of Sarimsakli is only a short bus<br />
ride away. On Day 13, pay a visit to Troy, made famous by the Iliad, Homer’s epic poem, and more<br />
recently by Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt! This evening you’ll enjoy the delights of the harbour town of<br />
Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population. (2B)<br />
Gallipoli / Istanbul<br />
This morning, make an early visit to Gallipoli, where thousands of ANZAC troops gave their lives<br />
during WWI, to see the war cemeteries and famous ‘Lone Pine’. Continue back to Istanbul, where you<br />
can finish your sightseeing or get in some last-minute shopping in the aromatic spice bazaars and<br />
sparkling jewellery stores. The tour sadly ends after breakfast on Day 15. (2B)<br />
86<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
THE BEST OF<br />
TURKEY<br />
TURKEY<br />
FR<br />
$1,249 ON A BUDGET<br />
FR<br />
$1,249<br />
Istanbul Istanbul 8 DAYS Istanbul Istanbul<br />
15 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Eat handmade Turkish delights in the bazaars of Istanbul<br />
• Visit the dramatic and moving WWI battlefields at Gallipoli<br />
• Sip Turkish coffee at a seaside cafe in Ayvalik<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03<br />
04-05<br />
06-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul / Gallipoli / Çanakkale<br />
Arrive in Istanbul and meet up with your group this evening. On Day<br />
2, it’s an early start as you travel to the important WWI battlefield<br />
site of Gallipoli for a guided visit to ANZAC Cove and the war<br />
cemeteries. Later, make your way to the town of Çanakkale - a great<br />
place to watch the locals promenade by the harbour. (B)<br />
Troy / Ayvalik<br />
Visit the ruins of ancient Troy and marvel at the story behind this<br />
great site. You won’t want to miss your chance to have your photo<br />
taken with the Trojan Horse! You’ll be charmed by Ayvalik’s blend of<br />
old Ottoman architecture, cobbled streets and attractive harbour;<br />
this afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise of the beautiful area before<br />
spending the night in a converted Ottoman-style mansion. (B)<br />
Ayvalik / Ephesus / Selçuk<br />
Enjoy a free morning exploring Ayvalik at leisure, and in the<br />
afternoon, travel to Selçuk, your base for exploring the ruins of the<br />
ancient Roman town of Ephesus. <strong>Travel</strong> to the picturesque village of<br />
Sirence where you can sample some of the local wine, shop for crafts<br />
and perhaps sample some tasty Turkish specialities for lunch. (2B)<br />
Selçuk / Pamukkale / Istanbul<br />
This morning, journey to the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale before<br />
exploring the ancient site of Hierapolis, built originally by the Romans<br />
as an elegant spa resort. After a short flight to Istanbul on Day 7,<br />
head to your hotel to check in. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour<br />
to discover more of this fascinating city taking in the Hippodrome<br />
and Blue Mosque. A great way to end the day is with a traditional<br />
hammam (Turkish bath). After breakfast on Day 8, it’s time to say<br />
goodbye to your new friends. (3B)<br />
Highlights<br />
• Admire Istanbul’s Hagia Sofia Church & Blue Mosque<br />
• Delve into an underground world in Cappadocia<br />
• Enjoy an overnight Aegean boat cruise and sleep under the stars<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-05<br />
06-07<br />
08-09<br />
10-12<br />
13-15<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul<br />
Arrive at any time and meet the rest of your group this evening.<br />
Enjoy an orientation walk, and free time to discover the thousands of<br />
years of history represented within Istanbul’s mosques, palaces and<br />
covered bazaars. <strong>Travel</strong> by overnight bus to Cappadocia. (B)<br />
Cappadocia<br />
A landscape like no other on the planet. Explore the rock chimneys<br />
and underground cities, sample a home-cooked dinner with a local<br />
family, and perhaps even consider an optional hot-air balloon ride.<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> overnight on Day 5 to Antalya. (2B, D)<br />
Çirali / Kekova<br />
Board your boat today for a relaxing mini-cruise, weather permitting,<br />
on the Aegean Sea. See the flames of Olympos Mountain by night and<br />
enjoy a freshly-cooked dinner before sleeping under the stars. (B, D)<br />
Dalyan<br />
Back on land at Uçagiz, travel on to charming resort of Dalyan. Take<br />
a trip to the famous mud baths, or swim and chill out at the beach,<br />
which is also a nesting site for turtles. (2B)<br />
Pamukkale / Ephesus / Selçuk<br />
Explore the whitewashed calcium terraces of Pamukkale, the ancient<br />
city of Hierapolis, and the well-preserved Roman ruins of Ephesus<br />
including the magnificent façade of the Library of Celsus. (3B)<br />
Troy / Çanakkale / Istanbul<br />
From the harbour town of Çanakkale, there are optional visits to the<br />
ruined city of Troy and Gallipoli to learn about this important WWI<br />
battle site. On Day 14, return to the big city for one last night out<br />
with the group, before departing at any time on Day 15. (3B)<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (7 nts) Transport:<br />
Private air-conditioned van, plane Meals:<br />
7 breakfasts Budget: Allow USD 190-250<br />
for meals not included Group Leader: Chief<br />
Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 15,<br />
Avg 10 Tour Code: GAETBT<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $<strong>349</strong><br />
Departures 2014<br />
Mar - Oct<br />
Selected Saturdays, typically 2-3<br />
departures per month<br />
1<br />
Gallipoli<br />
Canakkale (Troy)<br />
1<br />
Ayvalik<br />
2<br />
Selçuk<br />
SEA OF<br />
MARMARA<br />
TURKEY<br />
Istanbul<br />
1<br />
2<br />
BLACK<br />
SEA<br />
Pamukkale<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic Physical<br />
Grading: 2 Age Group: Recommended for 18-<br />
39s Accommodation: Hotel (11 nts), bus (2<br />
nts), boat (1 nt, weather permitting) Transport:<br />
Bus, van, boat Meals: 12 breakfasts, 2 dinners<br />
Budget: Allow USD 285-375 for meals not<br />
included Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 16, Avg 10 Tour<br />
Code: GAETTO<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $319<br />
Departures 2014<br />
Apr - Oct<br />
Selected Fridays, typically 1-3 departures<br />
per month<br />
1<br />
Istanbul<br />
2<br />
TURKEY<br />
Gallipoli<br />
Çanakkale<br />
Göreme<br />
(Troy) (Cappadocia)<br />
2 1 Pamukkale<br />
Selçuk<br />
2 Çirali 1 Antalya<br />
Dalyan<br />
Kekova<br />
1<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
BLACK<br />
SEA<br />
2<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
87
AEGEAN<br />
DELIGHT<br />
FR<br />
$935<br />
TURKEY<br />
AEGEAN ADVENTURE<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR<br />
$759 / FR $739<br />
Istanbul Istanbul 8 DAYS Istanbul Fethiye<br />
6 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Absorb amazing Istanbul from two continents<br />
• Tour the ancient ruins of Troy and see the Trojan Horse<br />
• Visit the site of the mystical Temple of Artemis<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul<br />
You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Spend<br />
the day exploring the city at your leisure. On Day 2, a fantastic city<br />
tour will cover off the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, the<br />
Basilica’s underground cistern and the Hippodrome. (B)<br />
Istanbul / Gallipoli / Troy / Kusadasi<br />
Head out of Istanbul to the battlefields of Gallipoli. Visit Lone Pine<br />
and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove and the Gallipoli Museum.<br />
Tonight you’ll stay in Canakkale. Day 4, visit Troy, home of the famed<br />
Trojan Horse and ancient battlefield of Hercules. You’ll then tour the<br />
magnificent Acropolis of Pergamum before heading to Kusadasi for<br />
an evening by the sea. (2B, 2D)<br />
Kusadasi / Ephesus / Pamukkale<br />
Enjoy a history-steeped guided tour of the ancient city of Ephesus<br />
which has the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern<br />
Mediterranean. Visit the site of the Temple of Artemis (one of<br />
the seven wonders of the ancient world) and a carpet village. End<br />
your day in Kusadasi. Day 6, head towards the magnificent white<br />
calcium terraces of Pamukkale and then it’s off to the ancient city<br />
of Hierapolis. Take a dip in the hot springs that were used in Roman<br />
times for their therapeutic powers. You’ll sleep in Pamukkale tonight.<br />
(2B, 2D)<br />
Pamukkale / Istanbul<br />
Head back to Istanbul, passing through rural Turkey and ancient<br />
Bursa to visit the famous Green Mosque and explore the Silk Bazaar.<br />
On Day 8, tuck into a final breakfast with your travel buddies and say<br />
your goodbyes. (2B)<br />
Highlights<br />
• Explore the ancient ruins of Troy and the Acropolis of Pergamum<br />
• Stay in a treehouse in Saklikent Gorge<br />
• Explore the unique calcium limestone terraces of Pamukkale<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-03<br />
04<br />
05-06<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Istanbul / Gallipoli<br />
It’s an early start this morning as you head out of Istanbul and on<br />
to Gallipoli to visit the peninsula, famous for the brave ANZACs<br />
who fought their way into history back in 1915. After the moving<br />
experience, enjoy a barbecue dinner with your fellow explorers. (B)<br />
Ephesus<br />
Today is filled with historic marvels, as you travel to legendary Troy,<br />
where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Illiad, then Pergamum<br />
and its staggering remains, and finally reaching your overnight oasis<br />
at the ancient Ephesus. On Day 3, all the time is yours to explore<br />
Ephesus or just hang around the oasis pool. If you choose to attack<br />
historic sights, don’t miss a remarkable 25,000 seater colisseum or<br />
the incredible Curetes Way. In the evening, enjoy great Turkish food<br />
and wine well into the balmy night. (2B)<br />
Pamukkale / Saklikent Gorge<br />
Leave Ephesus behind and head inland to Pamukkale, famous for<br />
its stunning limestone baths, healing waters and glowing white<br />
travertines that wind down the hill. Move on to the impressive<br />
Saklikent Gorge, its waters icy cool even in the height of summer,<br />
before reaching your treehouse escape for the night. (B)<br />
Saklikent Gorge / Fethiye<br />
Rise to a burst of nature atop the tree line in your own treehouse.<br />
Spend an unforgettable day in this delicious refuge rafting down<br />
the crystal clear waters before immersing yourself in a mudbath.<br />
Wallow in the cool natural environment of the gorge, hike and enjoy<br />
a beautiful lunch before heading to the Mediterranean coast and<br />
reaching Fethiye. Sadly, your wonderful trip ends on Day 6 after<br />
breakfast. But not to worry, just board an authentic Turkish gulet and<br />
continue your adventure on a Sail Turkey trip (see page 110). (2B)<br />
Inclusions<br />
Accommodation: 4 and 5* Hotels (7 nts)<br />
Transport: Fully air-conditioned coach, airport<br />
transfers Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners Group<br />
Leader: Professional English-speaking tour<br />
guide for the duration of the tour Group Size:<br />
Max 20 Tour Code: <strong>STA</strong>I<strong>STA</strong>DT<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jan 25 Feb 01<br />
Feb 15 Feb 22<br />
Mar 08 Mar 15<br />
Apr 12 Apr 19<br />
Apr 26 May 05<br />
May 10 May 17<br />
May 17 May 24<br />
May 31 Jun 07<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 07 Jun 14<br />
Jun 14 Jun 21<br />
Jun 21 Jun 28<br />
Jul 05 Jul 12<br />
Jul 19 Jul 26<br />
Jul 26 Aug 02<br />
Aug 09 Aug 16<br />
Aug 16 Aug 23<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 23 Aug 30<br />
Sep 06 Sep 13<br />
Sep 13 Sep 20<br />
Sep 20 Sep 27<br />
Oct 04 Oct 11<br />
Oct18 Oct 25<br />
Nov 08 Nov 15<br />
Dec 13 Dec 20<br />
AEGEAN<br />
SEA<br />
Canakkale<br />
Troy<br />
TURKEY<br />
1<br />
Kusadasi<br />
MEDITERRANEAN<br />
SEA<br />
MARMARA<br />
SEA<br />
Pergamum<br />
BLLACK<br />
SEA<br />
Istanbul<br />
EphesusPamukkale<br />
2<br />
3<br />
1<br />
Inclusions<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: hostels/motels (4 nts), tree<br />
house (1 nt) Transport: Modern air-con coach<br />
Meals: 6 breakfasts Group Leader: Guide &<br />
Driver team Group Size: Avg 35 Notes: Gallipoli<br />
tour, Troy and Pergamum entrance fees Tour<br />
Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 12 May 17<br />
May 26 May 31<br />
Jun 09 Jun 14<br />
Jun 23 Jun 28<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 07 Jul 12<br />
Jul 21 Jul 26<br />
Aug 04 Aug 09<br />
Aug 18 Aug 23<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 01 Sep 06<br />
Sep 15 Sep 20<br />
Sep 29 Oct 04<br />
Oct 13 Oct 18<br />
1<br />
Gallipoli<br />
BLACK SEA<br />
Istanbul<br />
Troy<br />
TURKEY<br />
Bergama<br />
Pamukkale<br />
2<br />
Ephesus<br />
AEGEAN SEA<br />
1<br />
Fethiye<br />
1<br />
Saklikent<br />
Gorge<br />
88<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
REALM OF THE POLAR BEAR<br />
Longyearbyen Longyearbyen<br />
FR<br />
$3,599<br />
8 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Set off on an adventure of a lifetime<br />
• Search for polar bears and whales<br />
• Take a plunge in the Arctic<br />
• Look out for walrus on the ice floes<br />
• Discover stunning ice-covered fjords<br />
• Glimpse herds of Svalbard’s reindeer<br />
• Enjoy the silence of the Arctic tundra<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jun 12 Jun 19<br />
Jun 19 Jun 26<br />
Inclusions<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jul 06 Jul 13<br />
Jul 13 Jul 20<br />
Svalbard Archipelago<br />
/ Spitsbergen<br />
Longyearbyen<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jul 30 Aug 06<br />
Trip Style: Marine Service Level: Upgraded<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Twin, triple and quad share<br />
cabins or suites, all with en suite bathrooms<br />
and porthole or window (7 nts) Transport:<br />
MS Expedition, Zodiac, local bus Facilities:<br />
Dining room, lounge, library, Polar Bear Pub,<br />
outdoor observation deck, gift shop, computer<br />
room, fitness room, sauna, medical clinic<br />
Meals: Daily breakfast and lunch (buffetstyle),<br />
gourmet dinners (table service with one<br />
sitting), occasional polar barbecues (weather<br />
permitting) Note: Drinks and tips not included<br />
Group Leader: Full crew of up to 55 on board<br />
with a 10:1 guest/staff ratio. Group Size: Max<br />
134 passengers Tour Code: GAXVRPNX<br />
Ice and weather<br />
conditions permitting<br />
From close-up encounters with mighty glaciers, to polar bears and other plentiful wildlife, a<br />
voyage aboard the MS Expedition is a voyage of non-stop highlights. When summer arrives<br />
in Spitsbergen, the region springs to life with a magnificent bounty of flora and fauna,<br />
and awe-inspiring natural wonder. You’ll explore not only by boat, but also by Zodiac and<br />
on foot, keeping a look out for roaming wildlife, lounging seals, grazing reindeer and bird<br />
colonies, all of whom co-exist in this harsh land we dare only to explore for a few months of<br />
the year. This is the Arctic – this is an adventure.<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-07<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Longyearbyen<br />
Get your first glimpses of the midnight sun in Spitsbergen’s capital, Longyearbyen, where there are<br />
as many snowmobiles as people! The community offers a wide range of activities and facilities, so<br />
there is plenty to keep you occupied before boarding time. You’ll embark on the MS Expedition in the<br />
afternoon, she is uniquely equipped to meet the demands of sailing in polar environments. Set sail<br />
this evening. (D)<br />
Svalbard Archipelago / Spitsbergen<br />
Each day of the cruise is planned to take advantage of local ice and weather conditions. Distances<br />
are relatively short in the Archipelago and as there are no ‘open ocean’ crossings, the seas are<br />
normally calm. Svalbard is one of the few places on the planet to offer such a plethora of natural and<br />
historic extravaganzas and you‘ll spend the next six days exploring this remote polar region. Visit<br />
ice-covered seas and fjords with breathtaking mountain scenery, and witness glaciers crashing into<br />
the sea around you. Spend time steaming through the ice in search of polar bears busy hunting seals,<br />
and keep a constant lookout for walruses hauled out on ice floes or on sandy beaches. At one or<br />
more of the stops, you can hope to see one of Svalbard’s unique species of reindeer, they are much<br />
smaller than their southern relatives, but still carry impressive antlers. There is also the possibility to<br />
see Arctic foxes. You’ll visit - ice permitting - spectacular bird cliffs filled with thousands of murres<br />
(guillemots) as well as kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. There may be the opportunity to walk on shore,<br />
observe and photograph the Arctic flora and fauna and cruise in Zodiacs along the ice edge viewing<br />
seals or walrus, in fjords with glaciers spilling down to the sea or in front of spectacular seabird<br />
cliffs. This is also a land of history: from whaling to reaching for the North Pole, from trapping to<br />
coal mining and war, and you’ll get the opportunity to visit some of these historic sites. (6B, 6L, 6D)<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
7<br />
You might like<br />
Norwegian Fjords<br />
Edinburgh to Longyearbyen<br />
(15 Days) (GAXVNFNX) Fr $4,949<br />
Realm Of The Polar Bear in Depth<br />
Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen<br />
(11 Days) (GAXVRDNX) Fr $5,199<br />
Arctic Highlights<br />
Longyearbyen to Reykjavik<br />
(14 Days) (GAXVAHNX) Fr $4,949<br />
08<br />
The final itinerary is dependent on ice and weather conditions, which have to be assessed by the<br />
captain during the voyage, and it may not be possible to visit all the sites mentioned above. In<br />
particular, it is not always possible to sail the eastern coast of Spitsbergen. By not having a set<br />
itinerary, however, you take on the expedition spirit and are free to capitalise on the best that<br />
Svalbard has to offer.<br />
Longyearbyen<br />
Arrive back in Longyearbyen in the morning for disembarkation. Wave goodbye to your new friends<br />
and take home the incredible memories and photos of this once-in-a-lifetime voyage. (B)<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
89
TREKKING<br />
IN ICELAND<br />
LAPLAND ACTIVE<br />
FR<br />
$3,299 ADVENTURE<br />
FR<br />
$2,699<br />
Reykjavik Reykjavik 10 DAYS Kiruna Kiruna<br />
6 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Highlights<br />
• Visit the world’s most northerly capital, laid-back Reykjavik<br />
• Witness the spectacular eruption of boiling waters at Geysir<br />
• Hike across the icy surface of the Solheimajökull Glacier<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02<br />
03-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-10<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Reykjavik<br />
Arrive into Iceland’s capital, and if time permits head out to explore<br />
its quirky charms. This evening, meet your new travel mates.<br />
Golden Circle<br />
Today get a first taste of the natural splendour that lies ahead. At<br />
Pingvellir, walk in the rift valley that marks the meeting point, or<br />
rather the ‘tearing apart’ point, of the North American and Eurasian<br />
tectonic plates. Witness boiling waters exploding at Geysir, and<br />
marvel at the twin waterfalls at Gullfoss. (B, D)<br />
Landmannalaugar<br />
Reachable only by 4WD vehicle, and in the shadow of Iceland’s<br />
most feared volcano, Hekla, today’s hike is through the astonishing<br />
Landmannalaugar, most famous for its natural hot springs. Spend<br />
Days 4 to 6 on the Laugavegur Trail. Covering an average of 15kms<br />
per day between remote campsites at Lake Alftavatn and Emstrur,<br />
you’ll cross volcanic plateaux in search of waterfalls and glaciers.<br />
Bring waterproof clothes and a sense of adventure. (4B, 4L, 4D)<br />
Thorsmork / Skogar<br />
The highland valley of Thorsmork is the start point for today’s 20km<br />
hike through ‘Volcano Alley’ to the foot of the iconic, 60-metre<br />
Skogar waterfall. Hike between the ice-covered volcanoes of<br />
Myrdalsjökull and Eyjafallajökull, which disrupted worldwide air traffic<br />
during its 2010 eruption. From Skogar, enjoy a day of ice hiking on<br />
the Solheimajökull Glacier. (2B, 2L, D)<br />
Skogar / Reykjavik<br />
Take a well-deserved soak in the natural springs of the Hellisheidi<br />
mountain range, and hike into the beautiful valley of Reykjadalur as<br />
you return to Reykjavik, where the tour ends on Day 10. (2B, L)<br />
Highlights<br />
• Dog-sledding through icy wilderness with a pack of huskies<br />
• Seeing the Northern Lights in all their multi-coloured glory<br />
• Bedding down for the night in the renowned ICEHOTEL®<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02-04<br />
05<br />
06<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Kiruna<br />
Arrive in Kiruna Airport at any time where your transfer to your<br />
hotel awaits. There is no time to waste as you head out into the<br />
icy wilderness and on to Vittangi Moose Park to get up close and<br />
personal with some of these noble creatures in their natural habitat.<br />
Lapland Wilderness<br />
Today make friends with your team of dogs, your personal transport<br />
for the next few days. Slide across the Swedish wilderness in<br />
complete silence, listening to the panting of the dogs and the<br />
whoosh of your sled over the snow. Stop to try a local skill, ice<br />
fishing, relax in the cabin for lunch or try out the sauna. In the<br />
evening of Day 3, experience even more Arctic goodness, as you<br />
spend the night in a teepee out in the snow. On Day 4, choose to try<br />
snowshoeing, developed as the easiest way to get across the snow<br />
thousands of years ago. After dinner, go off in search of the famous<br />
Northern Lights while being pulled along on your sled. (3B, 3L, 3D)<br />
ICEHOTEL®<br />
This morning bid farewell to your new canine friends and return back<br />
to civilisation. Stop at the Sami village to learn about the indigenous<br />
people who live in this region, their rich culture and long-established<br />
traditions. You will take a short reindeer safari through the snow<br />
before continuing to the world-famous Icehotel for a free afternoon.<br />
Choose to head out on a snowmobiling tour, or just stroll around the<br />
remarkable ice structure and enjoy a visit to the Icebar. (B, L)<br />
Kiruna<br />
Return to Kiruna and enjoy a free morning for optional activities.<br />
Depart at any time on your included airport transfer. (B)<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Active Service Level: Camping<br />
Physical Grading: 4 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hostels (3 nts, multishare),<br />
camping (6 nts) Transport: Local bus, private<br />
minivan Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6<br />
dinners Budget: Allow EUR 100-150 for meals<br />
not included Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 16, Avg 10 Tour<br />
Code: GAELST<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 21 Jun 30<br />
Jun 28 Jul 07<br />
Jul 12 Jul 21<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 26 Aug 04<br />
Aug 09 Aug 18<br />
Aug 23 Sep 01<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 30 Sep 08<br />
Sep 13 Sep 22<br />
ICELAND<br />
Reykjavik<br />
Golden Circle<br />
2<br />
Landmannalaugar<br />
Hveragerdi<br />
Skogar<br />
2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
1<br />
Alftavatn<br />
1<br />
Emstrur<br />
Thorsmork<br />
Inclusions<br />
Trip Style: Active Service Level: Basic<br />
Physical Grading: 4 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotel (1 nt), wilderness lodge<br />
(2 nts), teepee (1 nt), ICEHOTEL® (1 nt)<br />
Transport: Bus, dog-sled, shoeshow Meals: 5<br />
breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners Budget: Allow<br />
EUR130-190 for meals not included Group<br />
Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local<br />
guides Group Size: Max 10, Avg 8 Tour Code:<br />
GAEWLA<br />
Departures 2014<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jan 10 Jan 15 Feb 07 Feb 12 Mar 21 Mar 26<br />
Jan 17 Jan 22<br />
Departure dates for winter 2014/15 are to be confirmed.<br />
Ask your <strong>Travel</strong> Expert for details.<br />
Lapland<br />
Wilderness<br />
Kiruna<br />
1<br />
3<br />
SWEDEN<br />
GULF OF BOTHNIA<br />
1<br />
Icehotel<br />
FINLAND<br />
90<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
Montenegro<br />
Bulgaria<br />
SCANDINAVIA<br />
RUSSIA<br />
FR<br />
$1,855 PLUS<br />
FR<br />
$2,795<br />
Berlin or Copenhagen Stockholm 9 DAYS Stockholm Warsaw or Berlin<br />
14 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Three cool countries, three über-cool capital cities<br />
• Breathtaking views as you cruise the remote Geirangerfjord<br />
• Savour the flavours of Scandinavia’s distinctive cuisine<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05-06<br />
07<br />
08<br />
09<br />
Inclusions<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Berlin / Copenhagen<br />
Meet your group in Berlin, and travel by ferry to Denmark’s<br />
harbourside capital, Copenhagen (or you can join here). On Day 2,<br />
take in the sights of the vibrant Nyhavn waterfront area and explore<br />
the counter-cultural vibe in Christiania. This evening, why not enjoy<br />
the rides at the famous Tivoli Amusement Park? (B, D)<br />
Copenhagen / Oslo<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> via Sweden to Oslo, Norway’s beautiful capital, where there’s<br />
a sightseeing tour and free time to explore its 9th Century Viking<br />
ships, harbour and National Gallery. (2B, D)<br />
Oslo / Voss / Geirangerfjord<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> across the starkly beautiful high mountain plateau of<br />
Hardangervidda to the adventure capital of Voss. On Day 6, head to<br />
the Boyabreen Glacier in Skei and on to Norway’s longest and most<br />
spectacular fjord, Sognefjord. (2B, D)<br />
Geirangerfjord / Lom / Lillehammer / Gjovik<br />
Cruise along the Geirangerfjord before admiring one of the few<br />
remaining medieval ‘stave’ churches in Norway. Enjoy an optional<br />
thrill ride down an Olympic bobsled track! (B, D)<br />
Gjovik / Stockholm<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> past Lake Vänern before arriving into Stockholm, where you’re<br />
free to explore this coolest of capitals. (B)<br />
Stockholm<br />
Tour ends today in Stockholm, but you might like to extend your trip<br />
to 12 days (Tour Code: COCCSH) with an overnight cruise across the<br />
Baltic Sea and a day to explore Helsinki. (B)<br />
Service Level: Standard Age Group: Only for<br />
18-35s Accommodation: Hostels (7 nts),<br />
hotel (1 nt) Transport: Modern air-conditioned<br />
coach with power points for charging, ferry<br />
crossings Meals: 8 breakfasts, 4 dinners Group<br />
Leader: Tour Manager & Driver Group Size:<br />
Max 51 Notes: Hotel tips, local taxes & service<br />
charges included Tour Code: COCCSS<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 17 May 25<br />
Jun 07 Jun 15<br />
Jun 21 Jun 29<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 05 Jul 13<br />
Aug 02 Aug 10<br />
Aug 23 Aug 31<br />
Additional departure dates are available,<br />
please ask for details<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Aug 30 Sep 07<br />
Geiranger<br />
1<br />
Skei Lom<br />
Lillehammer<br />
Sognefjord<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Voss Gjovik<br />
Hardangervidda<br />
NORWAY<br />
2<br />
Oslo<br />
DENMARK<br />
2<br />
GERMANY<br />
SWEDEN<br />
Stockholm<br />
Copenhagen<br />
Berlin<br />
1<br />
Highlights<br />
• Cruise across the Baltic from super-cool Stockholm to Helsinki<br />
• Explore the breathtaking Hermitage in St. Petersburg<br />
• See the guards in Red Square and visit the grounds of the Kremlin<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-10<br />
11-13<br />
14<br />
Inclusions<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Stockholm<br />
Check-in to your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the very<br />
cool Swedish capital before dinner with your fellow travellers. Day 2<br />
is yours to explore the 14 islands of Stockholm, before boarding the<br />
overnight cruise to Helsinki. (B, D)<br />
Helsinki / St. Petersburg<br />
At the forefront of Finland’s fashion and design scene, the quirky<br />
city of Helsinki boasts any number of independent shops, bars and<br />
restaurants, plus the remarkable fortress of Suomenlinna. On Day 4,<br />
cross the border into Russia to reach St. Petersburg. (2B, D)<br />
St. Petersburg<br />
Two full days to explore the riches and palace-lined waterways of<br />
this enchanting city. Visit the Hermitage, one of the world’s leading<br />
cultural museums. Take in a performance by the Russian Ballet, shop<br />
for Matryoshka dolls or tuck into beef stroganoff and vodka! (2B)<br />
St. Petersburg / Novogorod / Moscow<br />
Discover the ancient fort town of Novgorod and Tchaikovsky’s former<br />
house in Klin, en route to Moscow. Here, you can visit the Kremlin,<br />
Red Square and the magnificent St. Basil’s Cathedral. (4B, 2D)<br />
Moscow / Minsk / Warsaw<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> into Belarus for a locally-guided tour of Minsk, one of the<br />
least westernised of all the former Eastern Bloc capitals. Visit the<br />
Brest Fortress and cross into Poland to head for Warsaw which is<br />
packed with palaces, churches and mansions. Delve into the city’s<br />
darker history with a guided tour of the old Jewish ghetto. (3B, 2D)<br />
Warsaw / Berlin<br />
Tour ends in Warsaw, or you can catch a free transfer to Berlin. (B)<br />
Service Level: Standard Age Group: Only for<br />
18-35s Accommodation: Hotels (12 nts), ferry<br />
(1 nt) Transport: Modern air-conditioned coach<br />
with power points for charging, ferry crossing<br />
Meals: 13 breakfasts, 6 dinners Group Leader:<br />
Tour Manager & Driver Group Size: Max 51<br />
Notes: Hotel tips, local taxes & service charges<br />
included Tour Code: COCCRS<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
May 25 Jun 07<br />
Jun 15 Jun 28<br />
Jun 29 Jul 12<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 13 Jul 26<br />
Aug 10 Aug 23<br />
Aug 31 Sep 13<br />
Additional departure dates are available,<br />
please ask for details<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 07 Sep 20<br />
SWEDEN<br />
FINLAND<br />
GULF OF<br />
BOTHNIA St Petersburg<br />
Helsinki<br />
1<br />
1<br />
1 3<br />
Petrodvorets 1<br />
Stockholm Novgorod<br />
Klin<br />
BALTIC SEA<br />
Moscow<br />
Minsk<br />
Berlin Brest 1<br />
2 BELARUS<br />
Warsaw<br />
3<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
Belgium<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
91
BALTICS TO ST. PETERSBURG<br />
Vilnius St. Petersburg<br />
FR<br />
$1,999<br />
14 DAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
BALTIC SEA<br />
2<br />
Highlights<br />
• Wander the cobbled streets of Vilnius<br />
• Admire the dunes of the Curonian Spit<br />
• Enjoy a picnic in beautiful Riga<br />
• Live like a local on an Estonian farm<br />
• Join in lively nightlife of the Baltics<br />
• Live like a Tsar in St. Petersburg<br />
• Experience legendary ‘white nights’<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
May 25 Jun 07<br />
Jun 22 Jul 05<br />
Inclusions<br />
2<br />
Saaremaa<br />
FINLAND<br />
Curonian Spit<br />
POLAND<br />
2<br />
2<br />
Tallinn<br />
Riga<br />
LITHUANIA<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jul 20 Aug 02<br />
Aug 17 Aug 30<br />
2<br />
Vilnius<br />
ESTONIA<br />
LATVIA<br />
Narva<br />
1<br />
BELARUS<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 14 Sep 27<br />
Oct 12 Oct 25<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (11 nts), farm stay<br />
(2 nts) Transport: Public bus, ferry, bike<br />
Meals: 1 lunch Budget: Allow EUR 380-450<br />
for meals Group Leader: Chief Experience<br />
Officer (CEO), local guides Group Size: Max<br />
16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAEXVS<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $1,449<br />
St.Petersburg<br />
2<br />
RUSSIA<br />
FACEBOOK.COM/<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.AU<br />
The Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia remain a mystery to many travellers but<br />
this region will take no time at all to steal your heart. Beginning in charming cobblestoned<br />
Vilnius and ending in St. Petersburg, Russia’s cultural capital, this two-week trip gets to the<br />
very heart of the region. Enjoy inspiring views while cycling around spectacular dunes on<br />
Lithuania’s Curonian Spit, get an up-close glimpse of Riga’s castles and art nouveau district,<br />
experience rural life in Estonia, and venture into the fortresses and medieval architecture of<br />
Tallinn before crossing into Russia by land. Make the Baltics your special travel secret.<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
09-10<br />
11<br />
12-13<br />
14<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Vilnius / Trakai<br />
Arrive in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania and explore the Old Town - one of the oldest surviving<br />
medieval centres in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On Day 2, you’ll visit the Gothic-style<br />
Trakai Castle, perfectly sited on an island so you can take in beautiful lake views and the wooden<br />
architecture of the town. Return to Vilnius to admire its open-air markets and quirky attractions<br />
such as the Frank Zappa monument, a giant egg statue, and many more.<br />
Curonian Spit<br />
Jump on a public bus and ferry to make your way to the Curonian Spit and prepare to be amazed by<br />
some of the world’s most precious sand dunes. This spit of land dangling off the western part of<br />
Lithuania hosts hills of soft white sand, superb views and a collection of elk, deer and avian wildlife.<br />
Enjoy an included bicycle tour around Hill of Witches, Parnidis dune, and a visit to sea bird colonies.<br />
Riga<br />
Today, you will cross the border into Latvia and head to the funky and vibrant capital of Riga. Enjoy a<br />
guided tour of the city and a lunch of delicious treats from the Central Market. Once your taste buds<br />
are satisfied, choose to visit the Occupation Museum, the Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Riga Castle, the<br />
Andrejsala artists’ district or just wander the winding cobbled streets of the beautiful old town. (L)<br />
Saaremaa<br />
Another day, another Baltic border! Cross into Estonia and on to its largest island, Saaremaa, covered<br />
in thick pine forests and boasting empty stretches of sparkling coastline. It is a remote island in the<br />
Baltic Sea with unique traditions and heritage, tiny villages and old windmills seemingly unchanged<br />
by the passage of time. Experience a real taste of local life by spending two nights on a farm stay.<br />
There will be plenty of things to do, including hiking, cycling, mustard-making, fruit-picking and folk<br />
evenings with traditional music. Don’t miss an included tour of local breweries and bakeries.<br />
Tallinn<br />
It is time to leave the country life behind and continue on to the capital of Estonia and one of<br />
Europe’s most enchanting cities, Tallinn. Fall in love with this medieval town, its carved stone walls<br />
and 14th Century churches mixing with modern restaurants, boutiques and vibrant nightlife. Enjoy an<br />
included visit to Kadriorg Palace and use your free time to visit the Museum of the Occupation, the<br />
Dome Church, the open-air museum, go sea kayaking, visit the beaches or bask in a sauna.<br />
Narva<br />
Head towards the border of Estonia and Russia to the town of Narva, famous for its magnificent<br />
castle and an intriguing history. Visit the Hermann Fortress with two fortresses facing each other<br />
across the river - one in Russia, one in Estonia. You will have an option to go kayaking on the river.<br />
St. Petersburg<br />
Wave farewell to the Baltic countries and travel by bus to the ‘Paris of Russia’, St. Petersburg. An<br />
included walking tour exposes the secrets of this captivating city, bringing its history and culture<br />
to life. On Day 13, visit the famous Hermitage Museum. Opt to take a canal boat tour at midnight,<br />
experience the legendary ‘white nights’ in June when the sun barely dips below the horizon, ride the<br />
deepest subway in the world, lounge in the city parks or relax in a café with some tea and traditional<br />
Russian fare. This lavish, sprawling city is sure to charm you with its history, architecture and vibe.<br />
St. Petersburg<br />
Your tour ends today in St. Petersburg and you are free to depart at any time.<br />
92<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
SCANDI-BALTIC<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
STUDENTS<br />
FR<br />
$1,059 / FR $1,029<br />
GOLDEN RING<br />
OF RUSSIA<br />
FR<br />
$1,999<br />
Vilnius Tallinn 8 DAYS Moscow St. Petersburg<br />
8 DAYS<br />
Highlights<br />
• Visit all three Baltic capitals - Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn<br />
• Party in the outdoor bars in the ‘Summer Night City’ of Stockholm<br />
• Relax in typically Finnish style with a visit to a sauna<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02<br />
03-04<br />
05-06<br />
07-08<br />
Inclusions<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Vilnius / Klaipeda<br />
Today, get to know the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius with all its quirky<br />
nooks and crannies. You’ll enjoy a walking tour of the beautiful,<br />
historic old town and a trip to Trakai to visit the castle. It’s then<br />
off to Klaipeda and the famous Curonian Spit, a UNESCO-protected<br />
national park. Look out for elk and deer amidst the sand dunes!<br />
Klaipeda / Riga<br />
Explore the eerie Hill of Crosses before arriving into Riga, the capital<br />
city of Latvia, which is full of landmark Baltic sights and top nightlife.<br />
It also boasts 750 fine examples of art nouveau architecture. (B)<br />
Riga / Stockholm<br />
Today board the ferry for an overnight mini-cruise to Sweden’s<br />
capital, Stockholm. It promises to be a night full of entertainment,<br />
with karaoke and quite possibly an ABBA-themed tribute band. Arrive<br />
at sunrise on Day 4, and after checking-in, head off to discover the<br />
Old Town with our Viking friends. (2B)<br />
Stockholm / Helsinki<br />
Introduce yourself to Swedish meatballs with a carefree look<br />
around some of Stockholm’s 14 islands, before boarding the second<br />
overnight cruise, this time headed to Finland. On arrival, you’ll have<br />
the chance to explore Helsinki, a city at the forefront of Nordic<br />
design, get steamy in a sauna and party ‘til the sun comes up. (2B)<br />
Helsinki / Tallinn<br />
Today, you’ll cross the Baltic Sea to Estonia’s historic capital, Tallinn.<br />
Delve into the city’s history with a walk around the incredibly wellpreserved<br />
medieval centre, and take in the views over the city’s red<br />
tiled roofs. The trek finishes after breakfast on Day 8. (2B)<br />
Service Level: Basic Age Group: Min 18<br />
Accommodation: Hostels (5 nts), overnight<br />
ferry (2 nts, multishare) Transport: Modern airconditioned<br />
coach, ferry Meals: 7 breakfasts<br />
Group Leader: Guide Group Size: Avg 35<br />
Notes: Includes all orientation walks, Viking<br />
walk in Stockholm Tour Code: BU<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT IN VILNIUS - FINISH IN TALLINN<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH <strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jun 14 Jun 21 Jul 12 Jul 19 Aug 09 Aug 16<br />
Jun 28 Jul 05 Jul 26 Aug 02 Aug 23 Aug 30<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT IN TALLINN - FINISH IN VILNIUS<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jun 21 Jun 28<br />
Jul 05 Jul 12<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Jul 19 Jul 26<br />
Aug 02 Aug 09<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT<br />
FINISH<br />
Aug 16 Aug 23<br />
Aug 30 Sep 06<br />
Helsinki<br />
Overnight 1<br />
Cruise<br />
Stockholm<br />
1 Overnight<br />
Cruise<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Riga<br />
Hill of Crosses<br />
Klaipeda<br />
FINLAND<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Tallinn<br />
1<br />
Vilnius<br />
Highlights<br />
• Check out Moscow’s showpieces - Kremlin, Armoury and Red Square<br />
• Stay in a traditional Russian guesthouse on the shores of Nero Lake<br />
• Admire Orthodox frescoes and golden domes in grand cathedrals<br />
DAY<br />
01-02<br />
03-04<br />
05-08<br />
Inclusions<br />
Apr - Oct<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Moscow<br />
Arrive in the Russian capital at any time; meet your new tour buds<br />
and an old friend - vodka! On Day 2, get busy exploring Moscow, rich<br />
in history and housing many of the country’s most famous sights.<br />
Enjoy an included walking tour of the impressive Kremlin, the official<br />
residence of the President, and its immense complex of palaces and<br />
churches, as well as the Armoury Chamber.<br />
Moscow / Suzdal / Rostov<br />
After departing Moscow, you cover the Golden Ring; one of the<br />
oldest routes to be found in Russia, dotted with ancient towns each<br />
representing a different historic spirit of the Russian people. On the<br />
morning of Day 3, a private transfer will take you to Suzdal, a small<br />
town and former capital of European Russia in the 11th Century. On<br />
Day 4, travel to Rostov via Yuriev Poslki, the towns resembling openair<br />
museums, where life is slow and old traditions are maintained.<br />
Overnight will be spent in a traditional Russian guesthouse on the<br />
shore of Nero Lake. (B, D)<br />
Yaroslavl / St. Petersburg<br />
Enjoy a guided tour of Yaroslav, an ancient Russian town, located<br />
at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers. In the evening,<br />
board an overnight train to St. Petersburg, the most European<br />
Russian city and often called ‘Venice of the North’. Enjoy a walking<br />
tour with a local guide to give you a real insight to its stunning<br />
architecture and history. In the morning of Day 7, travel to one of<br />
the most beautiful suburbs of St. Petersburg, Pushkin, once the royal<br />
estate of the Tsars and enjoy a guided tour of Catherine’s Palace. In<br />
the afternoon, return to St. Petersburg for a final dinner, and there<br />
is the option to take a night tour of the city’s beautiful rivers and<br />
canals. On Day 8, say ‘cheers’ with a final vodka and bid farewell to<br />
your new mates. Depart at any time. (3B)<br />
Trip Style: Classic Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age<br />
Accommodation: Hotels (5 nts), guesthouse<br />
(1 nt), train (1 nt) Transport: Van, train, bus<br />
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 dinner Budget: Allow<br />
USD 160-250 for meals not included Group<br />
Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO), local<br />
guides Group Size: Max 15, Avg 10 Tour Code:<br />
GAARGR<br />
My Own Room Available: Fr $1,199<br />
Departures 2014<br />
Selected Sundays, typically 2-3<br />
departures per month<br />
2<br />
St. Petersburg<br />
Moscow<br />
Rostov<br />
2<br />
RUSSIA<br />
Yaroslavl<br />
1<br />
1<br />
Suzdal<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
93
VODKATRAIN<br />
Trans Mongolian Railway & the Silk Road<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
what’s included<br />
• Honcho services in every city stop<br />
• All your train tickets<br />
• Accommodation on shared basis<br />
• Arrival / departure transfers en route<br />
• All Trans Mongolian journeys include a<br />
stay in a traditional Mongolian ger<br />
• Visa support for pre-booked tours<br />
extend your journey<br />
Vodkatrain has a range of VodkaPack<br />
city breaks and RailPacks through<br />
Europe and China to help you plan<br />
your journey. If Vodkatrain is part of<br />
a bigger trip and you are leaving or<br />
returning to Europe we’ve even made<br />
sure that the tour dates match up<br />
with those at Busabout (see pages<br />
88 and 93) so you won’t have to get<br />
on a plane between London and Hong<br />
Kong. That’s 12,000km overland!<br />
Experience the Trans Siberian Railway, Mongolia and the Silk Road at ground level. <strong>Travel</strong><br />
with the locals, explore cities with your local Honcho, decide what you want to see and do<br />
and pay local prices along the way!<br />
Vodkatrain brings together young, like-minded individuals with different backgrounds from<br />
all around the world to travel together through some of the most unique and interesting<br />
destinations on routes less travelled. You’ll be travelling with the locals wherever you go and<br />
will discover each new city with the help of your local Honcho.<br />
Vodkatrain is a great combination of independent backpacking and small group travel at<br />
affordable do-it-yourself prices. If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional tour<br />
groups with fixed schedules and regimented sightseeing, Vodkatrain gives you the chance to<br />
do your own thing or let your Honcho show you around the city they live in and love!<br />
You might like<br />
Project Vodkatrain<br />
Complete a full Trans Mongolian journey<br />
and spend a week discovering Mongolia’s<br />
wilderness, learning the nomadic life and<br />
assisting with an environmental project.<br />
(19 days) (PVMB) Fr $2,895<br />
Please ask us about other great trips:<br />
The Ruski Huski Fr $2,445<br />
The Cossack Fr $3,965<br />
The Budgeting Bolshevik Fr $1,575<br />
The Marco Polo Fr $3,965<br />
94<br />
TRANSPORT & ACCOMMODATION<br />
The trains are a destination in themselves,<br />
especially the dining car! These are not<br />
chartered trains but regular scheduled<br />
services and they ferry families, traders,<br />
students, soldiers, business people,<br />
travellers and monks, so there is always an<br />
interesting mix of people. Overnight trains<br />
have comfortable bunk-bed style, mixed<br />
gender, four-berth compartments (sleeping<br />
configurations and facilities differ for some<br />
journeys) and they have bedding, reading<br />
lights, a big window, a small table, room for<br />
your backpack and constant hot water so<br />
you’ll never run out of instant noodles!<br />
At each stop a local Honcho will meet<br />
you and transfer you to and from your<br />
accommodation. They’ll also take care of the<br />
train tickets and make sure you’re on the<br />
right train and going in the right direction!<br />
You’ll stay in a mixture of hotels, hostels,<br />
guesthouses and traditional Mongolian gers<br />
(a real highlight); some accommodation<br />
may be multi-share but most will be twins.<br />
All are centrally located (or really close to<br />
public transport) and clean.<br />
GROUP TRAVEL AS INDIVIDUAL AS YOU<br />
Vodkatrain is 18-35 only, so you’ll be<br />
sharing your adventure with like-minded<br />
and independent travellers from across the<br />
globe. These are not ‘escorted’ tours but it<br />
is group travel. This means you’ll have other<br />
VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU<br />
travellers around to share experiences with<br />
and to provide a support network so you<br />
don’t have to tackle any hard bits alone!<br />
Vodktatrain is a travel revolution born out<br />
of the bureaucracy and challenges of travel<br />
through some of Asia’s most incredible,<br />
unique and unusual destinations.<br />
HONCHOS<br />
Honchos have grown up in their city and<br />
love showing you around, not only to the<br />
tourist sites (they are important too) but to<br />
the real heartbeat of the city, its people and<br />
those underground places you normally need<br />
weeks to find! They can show you how to<br />
use local transport, where to change money,<br />
their favourite cafés, bars and restaurants,<br />
can translate all the latest gossip and if<br />
there is something they don’t know they<br />
have the language skills to find out.<br />
Your Honchos are available from 9am ‘til<br />
9pm each day and some choose to stay<br />
out later for a drink. All their expenses<br />
are covered to ensure they’ll only take<br />
you to the places they would want to go<br />
themselves so there’s no funny business!<br />
Your Honcho probably has some ideas about<br />
what you should see in their city - but<br />
there is no pressure to do any suggested<br />
activities; if you want to do your own thing,<br />
they will help you with directions, a few local<br />
sayings or maybe scrawl a basic map on a<br />
napkin - then leave you to it...
THE VODKATRAIN<br />
Beijing St.Petersburg 21 DAYS<br />
This is the classic Trans Mongolian<br />
journey. Visit all the best places from<br />
electrifying Beijing, through to St.<br />
Petersburg, known as Russia’s ‘Venice<br />
of the North’. You’ll stay with the<br />
nomads in Mongolia and party in quirky<br />
Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy a dip in Lake Baikal<br />
after a few nights on the train and<br />
absorb fascinating history in Moscow or<br />
while strolling along the Great Wall.<br />
TOUR CODE: VTBS / VTSB<br />
DAY<br />
01-03<br />
04<br />
05-07<br />
08-09<br />
10-11<br />
12-15<br />
16-18<br />
19-21<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Beijing<br />
Start your journey in Beijing. Check out the<br />
Chinese capital’s hutongs, markets, Tiananmen<br />
Square and try some Peking Duck.<br />
Beijing / Ulaanbaatar<br />
Your first train and an opportunity to spot<br />
your first camel in the Gobi Desert.<br />
Ulaanbaatar / Terelj National Park<br />
Have a look around this quirky capital. On Day<br />
6 head to Terelj National Park and settle into<br />
life as a nomad in the ger camp.<br />
Trans Mongolian Railway / Irkutsk<br />
Return to Ulaanbaatar and depart for Irkutsk.<br />
Watch the traders at the border and catch a<br />
glimpse of your first yak.<br />
Irkutsk / Lake Baikal<br />
Morning arrival into Irkutsk, and then head<br />
to Lake Baikal. Pack a picnic and enjoy a hike<br />
along its beautiful shores.<br />
Trans Siberian Railway<br />
Head down to the dining car to practice your<br />
Russian!<br />
Moscow<br />
Discover the highlights around Red Square<br />
and spend some time in Gorky Park. Depart<br />
for St. Petersburg in the afternoon of Day 18.<br />
St. Petersburg<br />
Visit the grand avenue of Nevsky Prospekt<br />
and say your farewells to your group enjoying<br />
the live music scene before your epic journey<br />
is completed on Day 21.<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Beijing St Pete<br />
Jan 26 Feb 14<br />
Feb 22 Mar 14<br />
Mar 08 Mar 28<br />
Mar 22 Apr 11<br />
Mar 29 Apr 18<br />
Apr 12 May 02<br />
Apr 26 May 16<br />
May 10 May 30<br />
May 17 Jun 06<br />
Jun 04 Jun 24<br />
Jun 11 Jul 01<br />
Jun 25 Jul 15<br />
Jul 02 Jul 22<br />
Jul 09 Jul 29<br />
Jul 30 Aug 19<br />
Aug 13 Sep 02<br />
Aug 20 Sep 09<br />
Sep 03 Sep 23<br />
Sep 10 Sep 30<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 17 Oct 07<br />
Oct 01 Oct 21<br />
Oct 08 Oct 28<br />
Oct 15 Nov 04<br />
Oct 29 Nov 18<br />
Nov 12 Dec 02<br />
Nov 26 Dec 16<br />
Dec 10 Dec 30<br />
Dec 24 Jan 13<br />
St Pete Beijing<br />
Jan 06 Jan 26<br />
Jan 13 Feb 02<br />
Jan 27 Feb 16<br />
Feb 17 Mar 09<br />
Mar 03 Mar 23<br />
Mar 17 Apr 06<br />
Mar 31 Apr 20<br />
Apr 14 May 04<br />
May 05 May 25<br />
FR<br />
$3,320<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
May 12 Jun 01<br />
May 19 Jun 08<br />
May 26 Jun 15<br />
Jun 09 Jun 29<br />
Jun 16 Jul 06<br />
Jun 30 Jul 20<br />
Jul 07 Jul 27<br />
Jul 14 Aug 03<br />
Jul 28 Aug 17<br />
Aug 04 Aug 24<br />
Aug 18 Sep 07<br />
Sep 01 Sep 21<br />
Sep 08 Sep 28<br />
Sep 15 Oct 05<br />
Sep 22 Oct 12<br />
Sep 29 Oct 19<br />
Oct 13 Nov 02<br />
Oct 27 Nov 16<br />
Nov 17 Dec 07<br />
Dec 08 Dec 28<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
THE GENGHIS KHAN<br />
Beijing Moscow 15 DAYS<br />
Just because you are a bit tight on time<br />
it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on<br />
a Trans Mongolian Adventure. Try exotic<br />
delicacies at the Beijing night markets,<br />
experience traditional Mongolian<br />
hospitality at a ger camp and delve into<br />
history in Moscow. Hit three countries<br />
and do all this in two weeks - now that’s<br />
what we call an adventure!<br />
TOUR CODE: GKBM / GKMB<br />
DAY<br />
01<br />
02<br />
03<br />
04-07<br />
08<br />
09-12<br />
13-15<br />
ITINERARY<br />
Beijing<br />
Meet your group and Honcho in Beijing.<br />
Beijing<br />
Explore the hutongs, markets and Tiananmen<br />
Square here in China’s capital. Ride a bicycle<br />
around to get an idea of the scale of the city<br />
and the metro to grasp the density of the<br />
population.<br />
Trans Mongolian / Ulaanbaatar<br />
Board the train and get ready for an<br />
impressive change of wheels at the border!<br />
Ulaanbataar / Terelj National Park<br />
Check out Mongolia’s capital city. On Day 5,<br />
head out to Terelj National Park and your ger<br />
camp, climb Turtle Rock and play some pool<br />
with the locals in the wilderness. On Day 7,<br />
return to Ulaanbaatar.<br />
Ulaanbataar<br />
Get a great view of the town from the Zaisan<br />
Memorial or mingle with monks at the<br />
Gaandan Khiid Monastery.<br />
Trans Siberian Railway<br />
Cross the border into Russia and watch the<br />
landscapes change as you enter Siberia.<br />
Spend time with the locals, share stories and<br />
watch the landscapes change out the window.<br />
Moscow<br />
Check out the Kremlin, visit Lenin or travel on<br />
the dazzling metro system. On Day 15, it’s<br />
time to bid farewell to your new friends.<br />
Departures 2014<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Beijing Moscow<br />
*Feb 02 Feb 05<br />
*Feb 12 Feb 26<br />
*Mar 12 Mar 26<br />
*Mar 26 Apr 09<br />
*Apr 09 Apr 23<br />
*Apr 23 May 07<br />
*May 14 May 28<br />
Jun 05 Jun 19<br />
Jun 12 Jun 26<br />
Jun 26 Jul 10<br />
Jul 10 Jul 24<br />
Jul 24 Aug 07<br />
Aug 14 Aug 28<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Sep 11 Sep 25<br />
Oct 16 Oct 30<br />
Nov 20 Dec 04<br />
Moscow Beijing<br />
Jan 13 Jan 26<br />
Feb 10 Feb 23<br />
Mar 10 Mar 23<br />
Apr 07 Apr 20<br />
Apr 21 May 04<br />
May 06 May 18<br />
May 19 Jun 01<br />
Jun 02 Jun 15<br />
Jun 09 Jun 22<br />
FR<br />
$2,065<br />
<strong>STA</strong>RT FINISH<br />
Jun 23 Jul 06<br />
Jun 30 Jul 13<br />
Jul 07 Jul 20<br />
Jul 14 Jul 27<br />
Jul 28 Aug 10<br />
Aug 04 Aug 17<br />
Aug 18 Aug 31<br />
Sep 01 Sep 14<br />
Sep 08 Sep 21<br />
Sep 22 Oct 05<br />
Oct 20 Nov 02<br />
Nov 24 Dec 07<br />
Due to rail schedules, dates marked (*) have one less night in Beijing<br />
and Moscow, two extra nights on trains and a day trip to Hohot.<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
95
LOCAL LIVING HOLIDAYS<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
For those travellers who don’t enjoy long days travelling from place to place, and like to<br />
unpack rather than live out of suitcase, our ‘Local Living’ holidays are designed to really<br />
get you under the skin of your favourite destination. Staying in authentic country homes,<br />
farmhouses, agriturismos and characterful apartments, you’ll get close to the land and its<br />
people whilst discovering the local culture through daily activities such as hiking, cycling,<br />
vineyard or market visits, language classes or cooking demos. The experience differs by<br />
region, but the result is always immersive and one-of-a-kind.<br />
WHAT’S LIFE LIKE LOCAL LIVING?<br />
TAKING IT SLOW<br />
If it’s Thursday, it must be Belgium, right?<br />
Wrong. Local Living trips are designed for<br />
travellers who don’t want to rush around<br />
Europe at breakneck speed, ticking off all<br />
the must-see sights and countries from a<br />
checklist. Local Living trips are for those<br />
who prefer to slowly slip into a destination<br />
and let it get under their skin. These trips<br />
open up some of Europe’s most memorable<br />
places, allowing you to stay among the<br />
locals, set your own agenda and witness real<br />
life in your new favourite place.<br />
UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION<br />
You won’t move around much on a Local<br />
Living trip, but considering the possible<br />
settings - Burgundy, Tuscany, Sorrento,<br />
to name just a few - you won’t want to.<br />
The centrepiece of each trip is a charming<br />
and unique home base, carefully selected<br />
to provide you with a relaxed atmosphere<br />
and an authentic feel for the region you’re<br />
in. These aren’t hotels, we’re talking Italian<br />
agriturismos, Icelandic farmhouses, sedate<br />
river barges and the like. Best of all? You’ll<br />
only have to unpack once!<br />
YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND<br />
Just like on a regular tour with G Adventures<br />
you’ll benefit from having a CEO (that’s a<br />
Chief Experience Officer) to help with any<br />
questions you might have. He or she is wellversed<br />
in the inner workings of your chosen<br />
regions and can help with translations, bike<br />
rental, restaurant recommendations, day<br />
trips and just about anything else you need.<br />
COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY<br />
Local Living trips are intentionally kept loose<br />
and open, there’s no fixed itinerary and no<br />
early morning wake-up calls. Your CEO will<br />
have a cheat sheet of ideas, sights, sporting<br />
activities and local markets (and will know<br />
how to get you to each place smoothly and<br />
effortlessly), but essentially you’re free to<br />
do as much or as little as you feel like.<br />
FOOD & DINING<br />
Your CEO will equip you with a starter kit<br />
of breakfast essentials and local delicacies<br />
when you arrive. Dine in, dine out, it’s up to<br />
you. On almost every trip you’ll also have<br />
the chance to sit down to a delicious feature<br />
meal experience with a special local guest.<br />
96 VISIT WWW.<strong>STA</strong>TRAVEL.COM.AU
AMALFI COAST LOCAL LIVING<br />
Naples Naples<br />
FR<br />
$1,799<br />
8 DAYS<br />
Arrive into Naples and transfer the next day to your comfortable<br />
agriturismo, a converted 17th Century monastery in the village of<br />
Furore, high in the hills above the Amalfi Coast. Live like one of the<br />
very lucky locals, enjoying pre-dinner cooking demos and delicious<br />
home-cooked meals. Tour the ruins of Pompeii, visit picturesque<br />
coastal towns and go hiking on breathtaking walking routes.<br />
Departs: Saturdays (Mar-Nov) Trip Style: Local Living Service Level: Upgraded<br />
Physical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Agriturismo (6 nts),<br />
hotel (1 nt) Transport: Bus, minibus, boat Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6<br />
dinners Budget: Allow EUR 100-150 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief<br />
Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAEIAL<br />
SOUTHERN TUSCANY LOCAL LIVING<br />
Rome Rome<br />
FR<br />
$1,399<br />
7 DAYS<br />
Arrive into Rome and transfer by train to a rural agriturismo in a<br />
country setting with beautiful valley views. Your host, Stefano,<br />
is a keen organic producer and loves showing visitors around his<br />
family’s orchards, olive groves and vineyards. Peruse local markets,<br />
get your hands dirty in the kitchen, explore Tuscany’s stone-walled<br />
towns, visit Florence or Siena, and soak up the idyllic scenery.<br />
Departs: Saturdays (Apr-Oct) Trip Style: Local Living Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Small, locally-owned<br />
farmhouse / agriturismo (6 nts) Transport: Bus, train Meals: 6 breakfasts, 5<br />
dinners Budget: Allow EUR 120-170 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief<br />
Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 12, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAEIST<br />
REGIONAL TOURING & SMALL GROUP ADVENTURES<br />
TUSCANY SAN GIMIGNANO LOCAL LIVING<br />
Rome Rome<br />
FR<br />
$1,399<br />
7 DAYS<br />
BURGUNDY CANAL BOAT LOCAL LIVING<br />
Louhans Louhans<br />
FR<br />
$1,299<br />
8 DAYS<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> by train from Rome to the beautiful Tuscan hill town of San<br />
Gimignano to stay in a medieval house converted into apartments.<br />
Enjoy orientation walks in Rome, Siena and Florence, a half-day<br />
cooking class, wine tasting at a local cooperative, walks through<br />
the beautiful Tuscan countryside and a home-cooked dinner<br />
courtesy of your charming host, Ugo, a native of San Gimignano.<br />
Departs: Saturdays (Apr-Oct) Trip Style: Local Living Service Level: Standard<br />
Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Apartments in<br />
locally-owned house (6 nts) Transport: Local bus, train Meals: 6 breakfasts, 2<br />
dinners Budget: Allow EUR 240-320 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief<br />
Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 8, Avg 6 Tour Code: GAEIGL<br />
Get a new perspective on France with like-minded travellers aboard<br />
a charming canal boat with just four ensuite cabins. Maneouvre<br />
through locks as you cruise for 4-5 hours each day, stopping for<br />
wine tastings and gastronomic indulgences, cycling along country<br />
lanes and hiking in verdant valleys. Facilities include shared lounge<br />
and kitchen, plus a furnished sundeck complete with barbecue.<br />
Departs: Selected Saturdays (May-Oct) Trip Style: Local Living Service Level:<br />
Standard Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: 49-foot<br />
canal boat (7 nts) Transport: Canal boat Meals: None Budget: Allow EUR 250-<br />
320 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group<br />
Size: Max 8, Avg 6 Tour Code: GAEFBL<br />
SORRENTO LOCAL LIVING<br />
Naples Naples<br />
FR<br />
$1,499<br />
7 DAYS<br />
ICELAND SOUTH LOCAL LIVING<br />
Reykjavik Reykjavik<br />
FR<br />
$2,249<br />
7 DAYS<br />
Enjoy an orientation walk and optional group dinner in Naples<br />
before transferring to Sorrento where your home for the week<br />
is an organic lemon farm with sweeping views of the sea. Enjoy<br />
home-cooked dinners using organic produce, limoncello tasting<br />
and a pizza-making demo. Take a day trip to the Isle of Capri, hike<br />
the famous ‘Walk of the Gods’ and tour the ruins of Pompeii.<br />
Departs: Selected Sundays (Apr-Oct) Trip Style: Local Living Service Level:<br />
Upgraded Physical Grading: 3 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Agriturismo<br />
(5 nts), hotel (1 nt) Transport: Minibus, boat Meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5<br />
dinners Budget: Allow EUR 100-150 for meals not included Group Leader: Chief<br />
Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 16, Avg 12 Tour Code: GAEISO<br />
Take a bike ride around Reykjavik and tour the Golden Circle’s three<br />
star attractions - Pingvellir, Gulfoss and Geysir - before arriving<br />
at your homestay, an old farmhouse with two kitchens, hot tub<br />
and sauna. Enjoy home-cooked Icelandic specialities for dinner<br />
and a spectacular range of optional activities such as snorkelling,<br />
canoeing, hiking, whitewater rafting and whale watching cruises.<br />
Departs: Selected Saturdays (Jun-Sep) Trip Style: Local Living Service Level:<br />
Standard Physical Grading: 2 Age Group: Any age Accommodation: Fully-equipped<br />
farmhouse (5 nts), hotel (1 nt) Transport: Private van, bike Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4<br />
lunches, 5 dinners Budget: Allow EUR 40-50 for meals not included Group Leader:<br />
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size: Max 14, Avg 10 Tour Code: GAELIL<br />
CALL 1300 676 561 TO BOOK<br />
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