YOUR BIG TRIP. start the. sabbatical. adventure. working holiday. round the world. save hard run away

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1 YOUR BIG TRIP start the adventure save hard run away sabbatical round the world working holiday

2 Adventure... It s in our DNA. Whether we re haggling with locals, trying bizarre new street food or trekking new territory, we like to keep things interesting. It s the whole reason we set up STA Travel in We love nothing more than getting to know a new language, culture or environment and, 35 years later, we re still exploring. We re convinced that experiencing the wonders of our planet opens your mind and stretches your horizons. We listen to our travellers, our expert staff visit faraway places and use this knowledge to create your very own life-changing experience. We are all have different reasons for packing our lives into rucksacks and heading out into the world - some leave for a man, an awesome tan or well, just because they can. Whatever your reason, this brochure features some our favourite places on the planet and 10 unique round the world itineraries to inspire your own trip - of which we solemnly promise are better than our rhymes. We understand that your travels are as individual as you so, if none of this takes your fancy, don t panic, just call us or pop in and we ll design you your very own adventure - it s your big trip after all. So, shed your woolly bedsocks and melancholy tea ways, it s barefoot from here on in. Things will never be quite the same again, we promise. Love, STA Travel. Start the adventure 2

3 Contents Introduction Contents We Know Because We go Booking Your Big Trip - The Facts DIY Your Trip - Round the World Your Way big trip inspiration big trip routes Volunteer Earn & Learn USA & Canada South America Central America Fiji New Zealand Australia Africa & the Middle East South East Asia Oriental Asia Indian Sub-continent Flying High - Plan your route kwik fire kiwi Travelling wild open roads, headphones & motorhomes Mighty Mighty Golden rays, hazy days, moonlit hikes & campfire nights 29 panda goes to hollywood 30 Travel tales from across the top of the world fly south for the winter Your barefoot summer, no pants - just swimmers sunny days & hipster ways the bobby dazzler Showing off, just because you can folked up in the americas Flowers in your hair, summer drives & indie folk vibes on the rum Melancholy bus rides, crazy rum nights & late mornings 34 lost & found in asia Easy days when you re just so completely happy feel the love (tonight) africa 34 Coffee shop journals, soul-searching skies & sweet bike rides Nature, it s all over me, get it off! Forgetting something? 3

4 we know because we go Top 10 REASONS to travel with STA Travel Global travel help Wherever you are, we re there with you World class travel partners Only the best for you Exclusive low Flexible air fares Our unique airline partnerships mean you always get the lowest fares around and you can also change your plans at the last minute without breaking the bank HAND PICKED Experiences, trips and projects - all hand picked and vetted by us 100 S of branches worldwide With branches all over the world, you re never far from one of our Travel Experts One-stop shop Book everything with us and spend less time worrying, more time having fun We are the experts Our Travel Experts are the go-to people for tips and advice, wherever you are Over 30 years experience We know our stuff when it comes to travel adventures Price beat guarantee We ll beat any price that you find lower elsewhere* Not just for students While students and under 26s get some really great deals, our adventures have no age limit 4

5 booking your big trip - the facts I m not a student, and I feel old, can I still book? Absolutely not, get back to work. OF COURSE YOU CAN, we don t discriminate just because you pay taxes! We offer exclusive airfares and have the best deals around WHOEVER you are, even for you nan. You may come across a ticket that s just for full-time students but, before you go running off to enrol on a course, speak to us as we ll always be able to find you flights that will work just as well. Besides, university is never as much fun the second time around and it s blummin expensive. We also have under 26, under 31, teacher tickets, and special discounts for customers that bring their Travel Expert a latte to their 9am Saturday appointment. Do I have to go around the world? First up, and rather disappointingly as the notion of travelling around the world is really rather romantic, your plane won t fall out of the sky if you don t actually complete a circuit of the Earth. Some more typical routes do (go round the world, not fall out of the sky), but our airfares are pretty magical and we re remarkably uninhibited so please, zig zag and backtrack away. For want of a better term, they re still called round the world tickets but we won t worry about the misleading geographical terminology if you don t. Where can I go? Your call sweet cheeks. For inspiration we ve put together some of our favourite things on each continent and 10 example routes for you to wanderlust after. However, at the end of the day, this is your big trip and your travels are as individual as you. If, after all of this, you still don t know where to go, you could always ask your Travel Expert to book you their dream trip? Pretty risky though, sci-fi themed multi-stops aren t for everyone. What kind of ticket should I get? Your routing, budget and the length of your trip will usually determine what airline tickets we think will work best for you. We re experts at this so give us your list of demands and we ll do the rest. Besides, you have more important things to worry about, like how to pack for a year (the answer is lightly, believe it or not they do sell shampoo in the rest of the world). To help you out we ve included some top booking tips on page 26. HOW LONG CAN I GO FOR? How much money do you have? Joking. Plan for a month, stay forever, it s really up to you (no really, how much money DO you have?). Some tickets are only valid for 12 months. However, we know that this can fly by, especially if you re planning on doing a working holiday. So, having taken into consideration that you may want to stay out in the real world a little longer (conversely, this may not be the real world that your parents had hoped for you) or that you may fall madly in love with a shepherd (again, maybe not part of the plan) we can put together some exclusive 18 month tickets especially for you and your indecisiveness. WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND? Look, however well you ve mapped this trip out on a spreadsheet (admirable, if not a little terrifying) most peoples plans change. For better or worse, better being that shepherd/shepherdess that you just can t live without and worse being you ve run out of money, you ll thank us for building some flexibility into your flights. On our exclusive tickets we offer multiflex passes that allow you to date change your tickets for free whilst you re away. This will save you 100s that can frankly be better spent on well, beer. I WANT IT ALL This isn t going to happen. Well actually, it might. We love our customers and want to give them the best flight prices on the (translate, I want it for free) market. We re confident that we can do this so, if you happen to come across a genuinely cheaper airfare and we can t beat it, then we ll give you 1000 credit for your trip.* now what? Well, if you re that person with the spreadsheet and know exactly where you want to go, smugly go to page 27 to look at some example routes that may suit you. Or, if you re not sure what s out there, then the next few pages will take you on a brief journey around the world, picking out some awesome highlights to inspire your travels. And, if at the end of this, it s still not working for you, no biggie, we ll just make you up your own route. You can even name it if you like, although some kind of pun is obligatory here. So, go crazy, the world s your oyster (Shakespeare apparently, no really), you only live once (not you Buddhists), seize the day etc. And get in touch soon, you ve got an epic trip to plan. *For our full terms and conditions on our price beat guarantee, visit 5

6 diy your trip Round the world your way This brochure is full of adventure, some mildly amusing but often useless facts, and a heap of example round the world routes to give you inspiration for your own trip. Have a flick through, study intensely (or at least look at the pretty pictures) and then get scribbling and plan your dream route. We are experts at this so, if you are personally weird and wonderful and have a route to reflect this, we can probably make it happen. In fact, we encourage this, weird works for us too. You re only ruled by your imagination, your drawing skills and your bank balance. And when you re done, or just extremely confused, pop into one of our 50 stores to speak to a Travel Expert or call us on NORTH AMERICA Remember, you don t have to go all the way around the world so free spiritedly play dot-to-dot with your dream destinations. We can reign you in when things are getting too err, ambitious (expensive) or just turn you loose with an epic trip of a lifetime, a bit of jealousy on our part (not gonna lie) and some awesome advice from our own travels. Sometimes people even hug us. latin AMERICA create your dream trip Songkran (Thailand, April) 6 essentials Add a multiflex pass - date changes for dreams, mistakes & mishaps add travel insurance - for EVEN BIGGER MISHAPS add a pre-paid cashcard - well for your money, clearly Dia de Muertos (Mexico, Oct-Nov)

7 - Birmingham Uni Guild of Students, Edgbaston Park Rd, B15 2TU - 33 George Street, EH2 2HN Byres Road, G12 8SN Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9HB ( Victoria)* Eurail Aid Office EUROPE HOLI (India & NEPAL, March) AFRICA ASIA New Year Sydney (duh) AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH PACIFIC Gold Coast facebook.com/statravel.uk twitter.com/statravel_uk statravel.co.uk/travel-blog FOR MORE INSPIRATION POP INTO A STORE OR DOWNLOAD OUR FULL RANGE OF BROCHURES AT LOVE YOUR LIFE START OVER START NOW START THE ADVENTURE BOOK YOUR WAY Book an appointment at your nearest store and receive a 30 off voucher. CALL US: * *Free within inclusive minutes package on mobile, otherwise standard rates apply ONLINE: STORE: VISIT YOUR NEAREST STORE In Store: Aberdeen - 30 Upperkirkgate, AB10 1BA Bath - 3 Cheap Street, BA1 1NE Belfast - 92 Botanic Avenue, BT7 1JR Birmingham Corporation St, B4 6QB Bournemouth Old Christchurch Road, BH1 1LU Brighton - 38 North Street, BN1 1RH Bristol - 43 Queens Road, BS8 1QQ* Cambridge - 38 Sidney Street, CB2 3HX* Canterbury - 27 St. Peters St, CT1 2BQ Cardiff - 11 Duke Street (opp. Castle), CF10 1AY Chelmsford - Unit 13 High Chelmer Shopping Centre, CM1 1XB Cheltenham High St, GL50 1EE Chester - 28 Bridge St, CH1 1NP Dundee Nethergate, DD1 4DW Durham - 93 Elvet Bridge, DH1 3AG Edinburgh - 27 Forrest Road, EH1 2QH Exeter - 25 Queen Street, EX4 3SH Glasgow George St, G1 1RF Guildford High St, GU1 3JD Kingston - 18 Castle Street, KT1 1SS Leeds - 88 Vicar Lane, LS1 7JH* Leicester - 30 Belvoir Street, LE1 6QH Liverpool - 78 Bold Street, L1 4HR* London - 52 Grosvenor Gardens, Victoria, SW1W 0AG - 33 Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED ( Covent Garden) - 24 Ludgate Hill, EC4M 7AA ( St Pauls) - 11 Goodge Street, W1T 2PF ( Goodge Street) - 5 The Mall, W5 2PJ ( Ealing Broadway) - 6 Wrights Lane, W8 6TA ( High Street Kensington) - 24 Islington Green, London N1 8DU ( Angel) - 18 St John s Rd, SW11 1PN ( Clapham Junction) - Unit 15 Boxpark, 2-10 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY ( Shoreditch High Street overground) Manchester - 14a Oxford Road, M1 5QA - 6 Barton Arcade, 55 Deansgate, M3 2BW* Newcastle - 9 St Mary s Place, NE1 7PG Norwich - 54 London Street, NR2 1LA Nottingham - 26 King Street, NG1 2AS Oxford - 36 George Street, OX1 2BJ Plymouth - Unit 49 Drake Circus, PL1 1EA Portsmouth - 97A Commercial Road, PO1 1BQ Preston - 65 Fylde Road, PR1 2XQ Reading Friar Street, RG1 1HE Sheffield - 98 Devonshire Street, S3 7SF Southampton - 6 Civic Centre Road, SO14 7FL * Warwick - University of Warwick, Student Union, CV4 7AL York - 3 Low Ousegate, YO1 9QX * STA Travel Clinic: The STA Travel Clinics can take care of all of your travel health needs, and offers a full range of travel vaccinations, anti-malarials and expert advice. latin america 2014 DREAM BIG wake early eat well share leftovers talk to strangers introduce friends LATIN AMERICA 2014 STA TRAVEL Call to book 7

8 WHAT YOU CAN DO Volunteering We cherish the freedom that travel affords us. We also passionately believe that our travellers have the individual freedom and liberty to create their own life-changing adventures however they choose to. So, we don t believe in engulfing you in a hippy cloud of patchouli incense (although a personal favourite of ours) or throwing any kind of sanctimonious do-gooding at you. We d just like to be honest and pick out a few reasons why you may want to incorporate volunteering into your trip and include some of our favourite projects throughout the brochure. YOU can make a difference EMMA MORETON, STA TRAVEL thai elephant conservation Feeding, bathing and well, waste management! An incredible opportunity to get involved in every aspect of the care of these majestic gentle giants and get to know each of their truly wonderful characters. Make a difference on your travels. Throughout your trip you ll come across people, communities and environments that warm your heart. As certain as we are of this, you ll inevitably also find your heart broken by some of the experiences that you encounter. Yes, some issues are insurmountable but the planet won t be a better place for your sympathy or apathy, however well intentioned. Don t underestimate the impact that a couple of weeks of your time can have on the lives of others. Immerse yourself in a country. Some people are only lucky enough to be passing through (it s called travelling after all). However, volunteering will give you a unique opportunity to stop for a while, live within a community and really get under the skin of that country. You may only be there temporarily but your impact can be lasting. Experience and independence. We re not your parents, or your conscience, but volunteering is an incredible way to learn new skills, experience new cultures and forge great new friendships. You also become a better person - not really, you re great as you are. So, volunteering is rarely entirely altruistic (yep, we can admit it) so yes, it can also looks pretty good on your CV and open up new doors for you. We have a whole brochure dedicated to volunteering with 100 (the number of projects we have) reasons why you should volunteer. Pick up a copy from store or view it online. WHAT WE DO We don t believe in just telling you to give something back, this is also at the heart of what we do. We owe everything to the incredible communities that open their doors and allow us to experience their beautiful backyards. STA Travel has its own charitable foundation and we work with credible partners, working alongside old friends and funding start-ups, to create opportunities that are authentic, responsible and sustainable. By funding projects around the world we are already making a difference to the local communities that ourselves and our customers have enjoyed for years. Sometimes facts speak louder than words, or trumpet blowing, so let us put this into context for you The number of young people who are currently studying for their futures at the Cusco drop in centre that we support The number of projects we offer around the world. 25, The amount our new water tank in Panama s Bocas del Toro cost us. It s been going strong for over a year now but is a lifeline for the community who prior to this had no safe drinking water. 230, The amount we have invested so far in our projects. EMMA ALLEN, STA TRAVEL zambia liion research project Volunteering (and playing!) with beautiful baby lions in Zambia was an amazing experience, but most of all it felt great knowing that I was making a real difference to their long term welfare. ways that you can volunteer Work with animals With so many endangered species fighting for survival, they need your help right now. Understand their plight and work to protect them on one of our animal projects. Work with children Give local children the hope of a decent future by working with them to teach the skills they need to break out of the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential Work with communities Improve the quality of life for people in some of the world s most remote areas. Work with them to create a sense of community and help build a future for themselves and generations to come. Work in conservation Help the local community to preserve their fragile ecosystem. Contribute to long term sustainability and education, protecting the very environment travellers like you want to explore. Do it all So many projects, so little time! Wouldn t it be nice if you could combine them in some way? Well now you can. Work with children, protect the local wildlife and help the community whilst ensuring their environment is preserved for future generations. Teaching sports If there s anything that can unite and encourage while crossing linguistic and cultural boundaries, it s sport. Your skills and enthusiasm will help develop vital skills like teamwork, improve confidence and most of all, put a big smile on their face and yours. 8 visit statravel.com

9 earn WHY WORK ABROAD? Working abroad will allow you live as a local, open up amazing new experiences, boost your CV, and make you feel more worthwhile as a person. Okay, so bar the latter maybe, this is probably all true but we expect that really, you actually just need the cash and don t want to work here anymore! We wholeheartedly agree and cannot think of a single good reason why you shouldn t do it either. So, now we re all clear on the reasons for working abroad, here s some excellent advice. Always discuss with your Travel Expert where you can work before you start to pin down your route. Some visas are easier to get than others, with some taking a lot of forward planning (hello Canada). We can also figure out from the start whether you need a one way, 12 month or 18 month ticket. All working visas have an age limit (see the incredibly useful chart). If you re over 31 years, don t panic grandpa, we can t help with your jaded soul but we can get you a work visa for New Zealand up until you turn 35. Most countries will only allow you to have one visa in your lifetime so don t waste future opportunities by getting a visa and not utilising it on this trip. More than likely your Travel Expert will have worked abroad so have a chat to weigh up the pros and cons. Finally, both the logistics behind getting visas and finding work itself is stressful - it is work after all, even if you are in flipflops. From organising visas to tax packs, bank accounts, starter packs and job assistance when you arrive, we can help with it all. We re also partners with BUNAC, the work and travel specialists, who provide unparalleled advice on working holidays and offer the ultimate support packages to help out every step of the way. learn So, you may have just escaped academia and be visibly recoiling at the thought of more studying, or have come to the wits-end of a decade of work and really just want to lie in a hammock. While we don t wish to stress you out unduly, we honestly think that this is going to be a good idea for your trip. Stay with us. Firstly, we re floating the idea of fun stuff like learning to dive in Thailand; learning to be a ski instructor in Canada; a surf instructor in Australia; or a game ranger in South Africa. Feeling better now? WORKING ABROAD QUICK FACTS COUNTRY AGE VALIDITY Australia New Zealand Canada USA 18 years - 30 years & 11 months old 18 years - 30 years & 11 months old for the standard working visas. Option available for those aged years & 11 months. 18 years - 30 years & 11 months old. No age requirements, must be a full time university student 12 months UK applicants can live in New Zealand for a period of either 12 months or 23 months 12 months 3-4 months PROCESSING TIME At least 4 weeks to process, and a maximum of 8 weeks if further information is required At least 4 weeks to process, and a maximum of 8 weeks if further information is required Allow 8-12 weeks for processing. However, it can take longer if medical is needed Apply as early as you can, places are limited COST fr 330 fr 138 fr 100 plus programme fee Note: Limited number of visas released each year, ask us for details fr 145 plus programme fee, mandatory insurance and US government fees. Secondly, you may not believe this, but eventually you will get sick of living out of a rucksack - watching it explode over a dorm room every day and tediously re-packing it the next, unsure as to why it no longer fits. We re all for being nomadic but the experience of stopping, getting to know a place, learning a new language, having genuine exchanges with locals and having clothes that don t constantly have an air of damp about them, is really quite amazing and rewarding. Finally, do you really want to be that gesticulating tourist who thinks that shouting in a Eurotrash accent will help them buy a bus ticket? Even 2 weeks immersed in a language school abroad will teach you way more than listening to 6 months of CDs on the tube / in your car ever could (not guaranteed, languages really may not be your thing). We probably don t need to mention this, but it will also give you life-long career boosting skills etc and will look terribly impressive to your friends. So, from learning Spanish in Cusco to learning to sail in Australia s Whitsundays, we have a whole heap of options. A few are scattered throughout this brochure but for more ideas pick up one of our Volunteer, Work & Learn brochures or download it online. Call to book 9

10 Alaska ALASKA Venture into the wild with an Eddie Vedder sountrack and explore Denali NP, fish for salmon, run from bears and watch glaciers shearing in the Kenai Fjords. WORK IN CANADA Working Holiday visas are limited, usually running out in minutes, and are released once a year. Our support packages offer the best chance of securing one. USA & YUKON Work Canada NUNAVUT CANADA NORTHWEST TERRITORIES OF AMERICA AII) VANCOUVER Man, are we jealous of you healthy, clean living Canadians. Loop from beautiful Vancouver with a Moose pass into the epic lakes and peaks of Banff, Whistler and Jasper. SAN FRANCISCO Unique, liberal, cool as heck. Bike across Golden Gate Bridge, check out Haight Ashbury, head out to Napa Valley for WINE (over 21s only, please) HONOLULU Yosemite NP BRITISH COLUMBIA WHISTLER VANCOUVER SEATTLE WASHINGTON OREGON SAN FRANCISCO NEVADA CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ARIZONA SAN DIEGO ALBERTA EDMONTON JASPER SASKATCHEWAN BANFF IDAHO UTAH LAS VEGAS CALGARY MONTANA WYOMING COLORADO NEW MEXICO CANADA WINNIPEG MANITOBA UNITE D STATES OF AMERICA ONTARIO QUEBEC MONTRÉAL MAINE NORTH DAKOTA MINNESOTA OTTAWA VT NH SOUTH DAKOTA WISCONSIN TORONTO MA BOSTON MICHIGAN NEW YORK CT RI NJ NEW YORK PENNSYLVANIA NEBRASKA IOWA CHICAGO PHILADELPHIA MD ILLINOIS OHIO DE INDIANA WV WASHINGTON D.C. KANSAS MISSOURI VIRGINIA KENTUCKY NASHVILLE TENNESSEE NORTH CAROLINA OKLAHOMA ARKANSAS SOUTH CAROLINA TEXAS DALLAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA NEW ORLEANS ALABAMA GEORGIA FLORIDA QUÉBEC CITY ORLANDO MIAMI NEWFOUNDLAND NEW PEI BRUNSWICK NOVA SCOTIA AND LABRADOR TORONTO Go to bohemian Kensington for lush food stalls, great coffee shops and street art. Head out to Niagara early morning to avoid the tourists (travel snob). Woof! BOSTON Drive out to Cape Cod for local s beaches and amazing seafood. NEW YORK Catch a game, get a slice from Joe s, karaoke in K-Town, find a Speak Easy or a bar where you get a free hot dog with every beer (for real) Campervan with a massive ghetto blaster BIKES & HIKES Zion NP - hike Angels Landing, best trek in the west. Yosemite NP - get up early to hike Half Dome Moab - mountain bike capital of the world. Head into Arches & Canyonlands NP from here. We believe the word is gnarly. AUSTIN, TEXAS Swim at Barton Springs, eat at Franklin BBQ, buy some snakeskin boots, try not to offend locals when you unintentionally copy their Texan drawl. ST LOUIS Get some Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. There s more to St Louis but this rocks. NEW ORLEANS Try and hit up Mardi Gras, listen to some sweet bands in the French Quarter, grab some beignets at Cafe du Monde. MIAMI Party on South Beach, eat amazing Cuban food, snorkel off the Keys, woop stuff like Spring Break, pop a keg. epic north american driving days (your ABBA mixtape sucked dave) YELLOWSTONE NP monument rockies times square waikiki whistler 10 visit statravel.com

11 GETTING AROUND SELF DRIVE & camper Alright sugar, throw your surfboard on the roof, your baggage in the trunk (boot) - it s time to sing to your own tune. Not that tune. We were thinking more Johnny Cash? Fine. Legendary highways, mind blowing national parks, moonshine towns and sunkissed coastal routes - America was made for this. Hire a car, RV or throw your uptight Englishness in the back of a psychedelic campervan. We ll love you whatever you decide. Campers fr 34 a day ADVENTURE Tours The USA is easy to travel around, they speak English right? Well, questionable in both instances, particularly the latter. Eerie motels in the middle of Bumblefudge with vacancy signs creaking above tumbleweed, or deserts of gangsters stuffed into pianos? So, we exaggerate, but often this vast jaw-dropping country requires some home-spun local knowledge, a group of like-minded travellers, and someone to take the strain (and the wheel, way more fun this way). Choose from trips exclusively for s or a small group adventure. HOP ON, HOP OFF buses Explore North America the classic movie way, like you re running away from home/a boy/a girl/the Feds. However, with heaps of activities included along the way, we promise this bus journey to be way more glamorous. Grab a Bamba pass for the ultimate freedom, making unlimited changes as you travel over 12 months. (Incidentally, if you do spend 12 months without a visa then you probably will get chased by the Feds). Or, pick up a Moose pass for an epic wilderness adventure through Canada. Passes fr 266 NEW YORK & NIAGARA FALLS Left NYC for hiking and swimming at Fingers Lake, crossed into Canada, got soaked at Niagara. 3 days fr 355 mayan dude ranch, texas Saddled up for 2 days of riding, hayrides, cookouts and country music in the sweet sweet south. Fr 139 YOSEMITE & LAKE TAHOE 3 days of nature trails, towering peaks, thundering falls and camping out at Lake Tahoe. Pretty epic. Fr 265 TRAVEL EXPERT COACHELLA FESTIVAL If you re not sentimental about swapping the mudslides of British festivals (frankly, why would you be) for watching the biggest headline acts on the planet underneath pure Californian sunshine, then get your good self to Coachella s annual music festival. Spend 3 days partying with the rich and famous and dancing your socks off til dawn. Actually, not socks. Not with sandals. DAVID BLADES, STA TRAVEL EXPERT BE A SKI OR SNOwBOARd INSTRUCTOR Leave your ski or snowboard holiday with more than just hazy memories of fondues and hot tubs. From 3 week courses to full season internships (including a job offer), our fully inclusive instructor courses are an epic opportunity to boost your CV, take some awesome time out, or launch a career on some of the best powder on the planet. Clearly, still eat the cheese though week Instructor courses fr 4,315 Instructor Internship Courses fr 4,806 CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE If you re passionate, love a challenge and require more than an I love NYC t-shirt from your trip to the US, then this is for you. Projects on the island paradise of Catalina and breathtaking wilderness of Bryce and the Grand Canyon offer a unique experience volunteering with great new friends and the National Park Service to conserve America s great outdoors. Conscience and a t-shirt - we like you a lot. 12 day Volunteer Project fr 596 moab new orleans alaska road trip texas california Call to book 11

12 Angel Falls, Venezuela CARTAGENA Dreamy Cartagena. Head to Rosario Islands, catch a boat to Panama via San Blas Islands or fly up to Panama City and carry on up the Americas. LOST CITY 5 day epic trek from Santa Marta. CHORONI Idyllic Caribbean beaches, hippy markets, surf, local weekend hangout. ANGEL FALLS Highest falls in the world. Best during wet season to avoid a trickle Jun-Nov (ish). GALAPAGOS Once in a lifetime voyage - 6, 7 or 10 day sailing options. Worth every penny. AMAZON Fly to Puerto Maldonado from Cusco or Lima for a few days at an Amazon lodge. Take repellant, although this should be obvious. GALAPAGOS ISLANDS Licancabur, Chile COTOPAXI Climb or bike (both mad). Treks depart from Quito. COLCA CANYON Head from lovely Arequipa for an overnight trek. One of the only places in the world to see GIANT condors. Empty memory stick required here. QUITO ECUADOR GUAYAQUIL PERU MEDELLIN BOGOTÁ COLOMBIA IQUITOS LIMA PUERTO MALDONADO CUZCO salt flats Spend 3 days 4WD between Uyuni & San Pedro. Mindblowing landscapes and the highlight of your trip for sure. P.S. also freezing. chile Don t hate us just because we re skinny. Hop-on and off the length of Chile, through deserts, volcanos, beaches and alpine lakes on the Pachamama Bus. SOUTH america AREQUIPA CHILE VENEZUELA LA PAZ ATACAMA DESERT PUNTA ARENAS CARACAS UYUNI SANTIAGO BOLIVIA SUCRE SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE ARGENTINA PUERTO MONTT VALDES PENINSULA EL CALAFATE GUYANA SURINAME PARAGUAY ASUNCIÓN CORDOBA MANAUS BUENOS AIRES USHUAIA FRENCH GUIANA URUGUAY MONTEVIDEO FALKLAND ISLANDS B RAZ I L IGUASSU BRASILIA SAO PAULO BARILOCHE Epic alpine lakeside town, ski in winter, trek in summer. Mmmm, wine and fondue. VALDES PENINSULA Amazing whale watching, orcas, colonies of everything - including Welsh Patagonians. How mad s that? AMAZON Manaus is the gateway into the Brazilian Amazon. Probably fly here, have you seen where it is? RIO DE JANEIRO SALVADOR ilha grande Idyllic to hang out, surf and hike after some Rio chaos. FLORIPA Especially awesome in summer, head to Florianopolis & Ilha de Santa Catarina for surf comps and local s beaches. PATAGONIA Fly to El Calafate or Puerto Natales between Nov-Apr to explore Torres del Paine, El Chalten and Perito Moreno Glacier. The weather usually sucks but you ve never seen anything like it. RECIFE Fly to Fernando de Noronha, for amazing diving and no other travellers. SALVADOR Carnival, colour, capoeira. Get a boat to Morro de Sao Paolo for a slice of island paradise. PANTANAL 4 days riding, trekking, piranha fishing. Mental wildlife, including giant guinea pigs. No, really giant. HUGE. RIO Party in Lapa with dangerously strong caipirinhas followed by hungover Copacabana beach days. IGUASSU falls Spend a couple of days to see both sides of the falls. Unforgettable. BUENOS AIRES Spend too long in BA eating steak, drinking malbec and going out dancing at 1am. One of best places to stop and go to Spanish school. Cathal O Connor, STA Travel Expert, in Rio awesome south america TRIP. woahhh, dude, are you wearing speedos? ANTARCTICA SALT FLATS TORRES DEL PAINE ILHA GRANDE DEATH ROAD ATACAMA 12 visit statravel.com

13 GETTING AROUND HOP ON, HOP OFF buses The inside of a South American bus will become as familiar to you as your best friend. Says a lot for you Barry. Other than the odd train journey and a very well known pair of revolutionary motorcyclists, most people (including a Bolivian family and ALL their belongings) travel by bus. 12 month passes give you all the independence and authenticity of public buses but without the hassle - with guidance on routes, recommended timescales, included trips along the way, and unlimited date changes should you fall for a Chilean sandboard teacher. We just want you to be happy. Bamba Pass Rio to Buenos Aires fr 539 ADVENTURE tours Local knowledge and guidance are invaluable to getting off the pages of a very worn blue guidebook on South America. Also, particularly great if your Spanish only extends to asking for a beer (while essential, really?). This unbelievable continent is strewn with life-changing treks, teeming jungles, paradise islands and iconic cities - all of which require time, planning, budget and Spanish. From helping with independent treks, Galapagos cruises, Antarctica expeditions or months of overlanding, we d like to shoulder some of the burden and intricate language exchanges, leaving you free to order the beers. You re welcome ( de nada by the way). 15 days Peru on a Shoestring Lima - Cusco fr 929 INCA TRAIL Lake Titicaca Not gonna lie, day 2 of the trek hurt like hell but worth every blister. Self-righteous beers after in Cusco. 7 days fr 649 Took boats out to the astounding floating islands, hiked Inca ruins on Isla del Sol, incredible sunrises from shore. 3 days fr 84 AMAZON Once-in-a-lifetime adventure into the depths of the Amazon from Brazil, Peru or Ecuador. 3 days fr 230 TRAVEL EXPERT RIO CARNIval (feb/mar) So, if you re not a fan of crowds, you need to leave now and head to Ilha Grande. If you want to party, there s nowhere like it on the planet. 1000s of people on the streets, steel bands, floats, dancing and an exhausting week of street beers. The Sambadrome is an amazing finale, and they often dump their costumes after if you fancy picking up some sequins and tail feathers. Book hostels MONTHS in advance - it s mental. LINDSEY HOULGATE, STA TRAVEL EXPERT GALAPAGOS ISLAND CONSERVATION Make everyone s celebrity grandpa proud (that s you David) by helping to protect one of the rarest and most astounding natural environments on the planet. Based on the pristine island of San Cristobal, witness the unique wonders of the Galapagos while you work with the island research station and local landowners to conserve this incredibly special natural habitat for future celebrity grandkids. 10 day volunteer project fr 719 LEARN SPANISH IN BUENOS AIRES We can t prevent you gesticulating wildly when attempting to speak a foreign language, but stopping a while and learning Spanish in the coolest city on the planet will increase your experience in South America enormously, get you more friends, and help prevent awkward linguistic moments. Oh, you did mean to tell the waiter you had a man (hombre) instead of hunger (hambre)? Good for you Jeremy! 1-48 weeks Spanish School fr 305. PANTANAl CARTAGENA IGUASSU FALLS LOST CITY LAMA BOTTOMS BARRILOCHE Call to book 13

14 central america M E XIC O MEXICO CITY ACAPULCO HAVANA MERIDA CANCUN BELIZE GUATEMALA ANTIGUA HONDURAS EL SALVADOR NICARAGUA GRANADA VARADERO CUBA HOP ON, HOP OFF buses Bamba s hop on, hop off network stretches from Mexico to Panama, including a rum drenched loop of Cuba, giving you limitless freedom, flexibility and happiness to travel independently. Enjoy included trips to Mayan ruins, volcano treks, homestays and surf camps - not to mention the fun to be had on a Guatemalan chicken bus (this is a lie - the fun, not the bus). Plan your own journey or pick a route designed by Bamba s Happy Team. Ahh, that s nice. Chido Ways Mexico City to Cancun fr 362 SAN JOSÉ COSTA RICA PANAMA CITY PANAMA legendary latin discoveries BEFORE TEQUILA HAPPENED SAN BLAS islands CHICHEN ITZA ARENAL BLUE HOLE MONTEVERDE SHOTs TRAVEL EXPERT CUBA Beautiful crumbling architecture, old men in Panama hats stringing double basses, mental beaches, the solemn inward promise that you ll learn how to salsa when you get home, and a few less Americans (I M JOKING!) - what s not to love? The free-pouring rum more than makes up for pretty mediocre food, and staying in local casas keeps things authentic. And cheap. Mmmm, mojitos. CAROLINE KEYZOR, STA DESIGNER COSTA RICA TURTLE CONSERVATION We ve all sat in front of TV documentaries gunning through our tears for baby turtles to make it to the sea. Well, time to stop being an armchair conservationist. Go. Now. The Pacific Sea Turtle Project fights to improve the chance of survival for endangered hatchlings on blissful Matapalo Beach. Take part in night patrols, monitor nests, release turtles, and surf poorly in your free time. Pura Vida. 1-8 week volunteer project fr visit statravel.com best of central america Central America is a lively trail of blissful beaches, ruins, volcanos and cold beers. Once we saw a Mexican BOLIVIA man charging $1 to have a photo taken with his donkey painted as a zebra. So, on this small SUCRE group adventure you ll get into all those lesser known corners, get some ace local advice UYUNI (and help with all those borders) while keeping your freedom. This epic trip can be broken into sections if you don t have CHILE room for the whole enchilada. 33 days Cancun - San Jose fr 1,549 ATACAMA DESERT PARAGU ASUNCIÓN

15 GETTING AROUND ISLAND HOPPING Fiji s islands (all 300 of them, wowzers) are an idyllic trail of white sand, swaying palms and drinks in coconuts. Each island has its own character so PLEASE talk to us before surprising your missus with a quiet honeymoon on Beachcomber?! Independent types can pick up island hopping passes to use as they go. Alternatively, if you re on Fiji time for a set number of days, or cannot contemplate little more than the application of suntan lotion and some mild flirting, choose one of our accommodated island hopping itineraries. You re in Fiji now, don t overcomplicate things. Bula Passes fr 135 KUATA Beautiful and rustic. Ideal for dreamy backpackers who love the simple island life. DRAWAQA NANUYA BALAVU NAUKACUVU KUATA BEACHCOMBER This is the original party island, every night is Friday and every beached day under a palm tree is hungover. NANUYA LAILAI Good for lovers - laidback, peaceful and romantic. Maybe don t go alone then. NAVITI WAYA WAYA LAILAI MATACAWALEVU YAQETA VOMO TAVEWA NACULA NANUYA LAILAI MANTARAY RESORT Some of Fiji s best snorkelling & diving. Swim with mantarays between May - Oct. WAYA LAILAI Best for a slice of paradise mixed with traditional island life, bowls of Kava (danger) and huge smiles. SOUTH SEA Gorgeous little island, surrounded by coral reef for snorkelling off the beach. Close to mainland for a quick Fiji stopover. fiji Mantaray FEEJEE EXPERIENCE So, we ll never condemn you to shallow traveller s hell for wanting to lie in a hammock for a week, but to do so may see the real Fiji pass you by in your haste to get to the beach. A loop around the mainland will throw you into the unique culture and grinning charm of the friendliest island in the Pacific. Visit locals in remote villages, swim under secluded waterfalls, trek through rainforest and board down dunes - likely without seeing any other tourists. Pick a transport-only pass or add in accommodation and an island paradise for afterwards (after all, no need to take things too far). Hula Loop Pass fr 178 BEACHCOMBER MANA CASTAWAY MALOLO Some other completely lush Fijian island BOUNTY SOUTH SEA ISLAND Port Denarau Marina NADI AIRPORT FIJI MAMANUCA ISLANDS YASAWA ISLANDS LEARN TO DIVE, Mantaray island Bar a gloomy quarry in Leicestershire, or your plaster-strewn local baths, the opportunity to dive thus far may have been limited. So, shed your drysuit and submerge into Fiji s kaleidoscopic coral waters for this 5 day Open Water course. Learn a new skill, perfect a wetsuit tan (like an adventurous farmer tan), hang out with locals at night and sleep in bures off the beach. Leicester this ain t duckie. 5 day SSI course fr 444 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER Welcome to the Yasawas and the ultimate coconut-strewn island paradise. However, behind the coloured leis, world-famous smiles and captivating charm, life isn t always idyllic for Fiji s lovely locals. This hands on project supports local villages to improve living conditions through nutrition and access to drinking water, bringing a whole new dimension to your Fiji experience. Plus more smiles and hugs weeks project fr 573 the ULTIMATE LEI A few things about the Ultimate Lei. Firstly, we can t promise that. Secondly, please don t ask your parents to call up and pay, we embarrass easily. Finally, this is one dreamy week in paradise. For 7 days soak up golden rays and local hospitality hopping across 3 palm-fringed islands in the Yasawas. Kayak, snorkel, catch your own dinner, read an outdated copy of Heat magazine, we don t care. Fixed or Open-dated package fr 387 Call to book 15

16 NEW ZEALAND Campervan somewhere epic FJORDLANDS Goosebumps. Milford or Doubtful Sound, whichever you do, the most humbling and astounding natural beauty of your life. Actually, do both. WEST COAST Pick up some Whittakers (chocolate, but amazing, and we agree that foreign chocolate is usually rubbish) and go on one of the best drives of your trip. Snow-capped alps on one side, azure ocean on the other. Stop at Pancake Rocks, nothing to do with food. GLACIER COUNTRY Franz Josef and Fox (like the mints). Heli, hike, whatever, glaciers are just cool. DOUBTFUL SOUND south island QUEENSTOWN DUNEDIN ABEL TASMAN Hikers paradise, gorgeous beaches, wilderess trails and generally just awesome. FRANZ JOSEF / WAIAU FOX GLACIER GREYMOUTH PAIHIA RAGLAN Surf some of the best left hand breaks in the world (what does this even mean?). Whatever, locals rule etc. CHRISTCHURCH NELSON DUNEDIN Fun student town, very Scottish. This is a good thing we guess? Great for music and wildlife, in whichever order. WHANGARAI PICTON BLENHEIM KAIKOURA NEW PLYMOUTH QUEENSTOWN Adventure capital of the world, all you need to know. No wait, also Winnies and Fergburger. Now we re done. BAY OF ISLANDS Stunning marine paradise of 144 islands, whales, dolphins etc. Do not dare to go to Auckland without heading up, even if it s winter and you re on the beach in your puffa. AUCKLAND HAMILTON COROMANDEL ROTORUA TAUPO WHAKATANE north island PALMERSTON NORTH MASTERTON WELLINGTON NAPIER HASTINGS KAIKOURA Probably the best whale watching anywhere. Also snow-capped stunningness. Take your togs and drive to Hanmer Springs afterwards. Group hot tubs, not awkward at all. You re so pretty COROMANDEL PENINSULA MILES of utterly dreamy untouched golden beaches. Make sure you don t miss Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. That s a picture in case you decide to ignore us. HAWKES BAY Lush vineyards plus bikes plus awesome scenery. Be careful with that combination please kids. Coromandel Peninsula Tongariro NP North Island ROTORUA Heart of Maori culture and volcanic activity - spurting geysers, bubbling mud pools, thermal springs. Unreal but stinks a bit if we re honest. TAUPO One of best places in NZ to throw yourself off stuff - skydive, ski, shotover... if that s not for you, also good for dancing on tables and eating pies. Either way. MARLBOROUGH SOUND Breathtaking maze of turquoise waterways, wooded headlands, secluded coves and the best sauv blanc on the planet. Wine theme at all? bro, was that in lord of the rings? yes. and that? yes. And tha...shut it derek. BRET & JEMAINE SHOTOVER JET HAWKES BAY MOUNT COOK KAIKOURA ROTORUA 16 visit statravel.com

17 GETTING AROUND KIWI EXPERIENCE hop on, hop off People are going to say stuff like sweet as A LOT but irrespective, best trip imaginable. Buy a pass here, hop on a bus, listen to your legendary (self-proclaimed but probably true) Kiwi driver talk about how epic NZ is (true) and how good their NZ tunes are (not true). Gaze in awe with your face stuck to the window/get cooler mates/nap. Hop off for sweet stops (sweet as in awesome, not actual sweets), drop off at hostels, dive off stuff, pub, hop back on when you re ready. Too easy (get used to this too). Passes last for 12 months. Have fun! Fr 334 SELF DRIVE & camper New Zealand s jaw-dropping coastal roads, alpine passes and breathtaking campgrounds are made for driving. And, if it s true that there are more sheep than people, you don t even have to be a very good driver (we re kidding, that IS NOT true). If you re lovers, grab a camper and Phil Collins (mixtape, not man). If you re friends, a power ballads compilation and some assurances that Jean doesn t snore? Or, freestyle (actually and lyrically) with a Mighty Camperflex pass, allowing you to save up to 54% and keep things flexible. Campers fr 15 per day ADVENTURE Tours New Zealand is a maze of rivers to raft, passes to hike and planes to jump out of, all tied together with scenery that will make you weep, a pub culture equivalent to ours, and too many people name dropping the Hobbit (we get it). In short, IMMENSE. Stay in the best spots, make awesome friends, and let someone else organise the dull bits while you sit back and see the stuff that only Kiwi s know about. Choose from trips exclusively for 18-35yrs or a small group adventure. 24 days New Zealand Encompassed fr 2,099 GLACIER HIKE MILFORD SOUND Utterly spine-tingling. Cruised underneath mist-covered peaks and tumbling falls. Best day so far. Fr 68 Heaps of fun squeezing through cracks and sliding through ice tunnels in unattractive waterproof clothing. Fr 63 BAY OF ISLANDS Sailed around islets alongside dolphins, hiked trails, kayaked, snorkelled, fished... finally chilled out. 4 days fr 249 TRAVEL EXPERT QUEENSTOWN winter festival Unlike our seasonal affective whinging, Kiwi s celebrate the onset of winter. Can t blame them, they get pristine pistes, an annual dog derby down Coronet Peak (for real) and get to party in the coolest town on the planet. We get drizzly apocalyptic nights from 3pm. At any time of year, Queenstown is relentless, but the nighttime tangles of boozy teapots and Fergburgers are easily wiped away the next day on the slopes, lake or doing something nuts. CRAIG UMENYI, STA TRAVEL EXPERT ADRENALIN PACKS There are no comfort zones in New Zealand, only drop zones. And these are obligatory. The overriding aim is to maintain banter/flirting with the person counting you off a 134m bridge, not cry, and look good in your photo (this never happens). Bungys, skydives, rafting, Shotover jets.. book in advance so you can t back out. Save s by buying a bundle of crazy stuff in advance. You ll leave your heart in NZ so you may as well leave your stomach. Packs fr 158 work Ski instructor, grape picker, shepherdess? Working in New Zealand should be fun so let us sort the logistics out before you go, leaving you to just settle in and get used to the obscenely cold beer. Our starter packs include your first few nights accommodation, setting up a tax file number and bank account, job placement service and more. For the ultimate survival package, with optional group flights, ask us about our BUNAC programme. Work & Starter Packs fr 183; BUNAC Work NZ fr 339. FJORDLANDS LAKE TAUPO QUEENSTOWN AUCKLAND ABEL TASMAN A SHEEP Call to book 17

18 AUSTRALIA Hammock somewhere rainforesty Shark Bay, WA TOP END In Darwin you can dive in a giant cage with saltwater crocodiles. Strange. Anyway, head out for an amazing 4WD adventure into the thundering falls and teeming wetlands of Kakadu and Litchfield NP RED CENTRE Fly between Alice and Darwin or do an epic outback overland safari. And anyone who says Uluru is just a rock hasn t been - this will be the highlight of your Oz trip (not guaranteed, we re all different). TROPICAL QUEENSLAND Use Cairns or Port Douglas as a base to explore the Daintree rainforest & Great Barrier Reef. Dive, bungy, raft, oh and almost as dangerous, the Woolshed pub in Cairns. Just wait. WEST COAST PLEASE do not forget about the West Coast, it rocks. Feed dolphins off the beach at Monkey Mia; dive the Ningaloo Reef; and swim with gentle giant Whale Sharks (misty-eyed teary snorkel mask thing going on) BROOME DARWIN KATHERINE NORTHERN TERRITORY CAPE TRIBULATION PORT DOUGLAS CAIRNS TOWNSVILLE AIRLIE BEACH WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS QUEENSLAND COAST So many Aussie icons. Stop for stunning Magnetic Island, a few epic days to sail around the Whitsundays, and a couple of days to 4WD Fraser Island. GREAT BARRIER REEF NOOSA Oooh, fancy. Beautiful beaches, lush everglades to camp and canoe, great boutiques, bars and restaurants. But yes, a bit fancy. EXMOUTH MONKEY MIA GERALDTON PERTH MARGARET RIVER ALBANY SOUTH WEST Fall in love with laid-back Perth and do a loop around the south-west. Epic surf, empty beaches and lush Margaret River vineyards - beaches and wine, what s not to love? WESTERN AUSTRALIA ESPERANCE GREAT OCEAN ROAD So, on top of the amazing description on the opposite page, Bell s Beach is also on this epic road trip. Come on, Point Break? Jeez. Melbourne ULURU ALICE SPRINGS KANGAROO ISLAND COOBER PEDY SOUTH AUSTRALIA ADELAIDE MELBOURNE Melbournians are by far the coolest of all Australians (oops, sorry Sydney). Arty, party and a lot of coffee drinking. Make it out of the city to Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsula please. QUEENSLAND VICTORIA TASMANIA NEW SOUTH WALES CANBERRA MELBOURNE LAUNCESTON HOBART FRASER ISLAND SYDNEY NOOSA BRISBANE GOLD COAST BYRON BAY CANBERRA We re not really sure what happens here. SURFERS PARADISE Go crazy. NEW SOUTH WALES COAST Stop on the coast at a surf camp - much less embarrassing than wiping out to the crowds on Bondi in Sydney. Also, you may look vaguely competent by the time you get up to Byron Bay, which is awesome by the way. SYDNEY Well obviously. Head to Newtown for local haunts as well as the usual spots. Drive to the Blue Mountain for epic wilderness and Hunter Valley for WINE (don t drive after this) SO PA C N presenting your oz trip. featuring everything but the sydney stone (you ll see) TULLY RAFTING TASMANIA SYDNEY NEW YEAR NINGALOO REEF ULURU BLUE MOUNTAINS 18 visit statravel.com

19 GETTING AROUND SELF DRIVE & camper Having friends and chucking your chaos in the back of a van or stationwagon (looks like your pa s estate car) is an iconic and budget way to travel around Oz. Buy a surfboard (this is just for show), slot in a Dire Straits tape (get this from your dad s actual car) and embrace your freedom. Hire a grafittied camper or a motorhome resembling your nan s Norfolk caravan, what you do between pick-up and drop-off is up to you - within reason, regular laws still apply. For total freedom, buy a Mighty Camperflex pass for serious savings. Fr 22 per day ADVENTURE Tours There s a lot more out there than stubbies, stereotypes and outrageously competitive locals (mention the Ashes and Lions pleeease). Exploring with a gang will take you to the must-see spots but also lead you off into those out-of-the-way places that only expert guides and locals know about. Hassle free and great for budgeting, you ll probably save money overall and leave with more friends than you care for. Popular and wealthy. Choose from trips exclusively for 18-35s or a small group adventure. hop on, hop off If you re often too hungover to drive in a morning, are a bit wayward and prone to getting lost, require some structure but need to travel at your own pace (sound familiar?), then hop-on hop-off buses will be your saviour. Buy a pass in advance, have some key highlights included to satisfy your FOMO (fear of missing out apparently), plan manically on a spreadsheet or procrastinate like hell. You ve got up to 9 months to ride this journey out. Passes fr 249 FRASER ISLAND RED CENTre Ancient legends, sunbaked treks, flaming sunsets, crackling campfires, sleeping under the stars. 3 days fr 349 Epic 2 days. 4WD over dunes, wild swims, rainforest hikes, BBQs and swarming sharks from Indian Head. 4 days fr 274 GREAT OCEAN ROAD One of the best drives on earth. And seafood. Cruised rugged cliffs past wild surf breaks & roaming wildlife. 3 days fr 269 TRAVEL EXPERT working holiday Now, what can I tell you about working as a male model in Oz? Ok, that s a lie, but believable? No? Dammit. So, after 2 months travelling, working was a necessity. I first got an epic job with a travel company in Melbourne (inspiring this job) and then got my head down with some unusual work in the outback for 3 months. This allowed me to save all my $ (what would I spend it on?), qualified me for a 2nd visa, and funded my trip home via Asia. Now, about this torso... JOSH KAVANAGH, STA TRAVEL SHOW OFF work This should be fun, yet lucrative enough to cover the cost of Aussie beer (think high). So, if you re an accountant, put a wetsuit on and grow your hair long or at least attempt a Cell Block H mullet whilst fruit picking (actually, if you can remember this, you re too old for a visa. Go home). For all their laid-back surfer talk, Aussie s love rules so let us take care of the bureaucracy whilst you work on your traveller hair. Working Holiday Visas fr 330 Tax Packs & Bank Account fr 25 each Work & Travel Starter Packs fr 176 Accommodation, job support, tax file number, bank account, medicare card, 2nd year visa & migration support + more. BUNAC Work Australia fr 339 The ultimate support package, including incountry support and option for group flights. LEARN So, it s Australia so learning a language is out (although teaching may not be. Joking, we love your endearing mispronunciations?). However, unless you have a debilitating fear of water, learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef; surf near Byron Bay; or sail on the sunsoaked Whitsundays, isn t. These certified courses and instructor programmes will immerse you in Aussie life and send you home with something awesome. Plus an epic tan. 3 weeks Learn to Sail fr 1,645 PHILLIP ISLAND KAKADU NP ROAD TRIP KANGAROO ISLAND BARRIER REEF A TIM TAM Call to book 19

20 Souks, Marrakech Morocco Head south from the souks of Marrakech to kitesurf or windsurf in Essaouira RED SEA After a lot of bustle and pyramids, head to laid-back Dahab for some of the best diving in the world. JORDAN Explore the magical ancient wonders at Petra and Wadi Rum Red Sea, Egypt MARRAKECH MOROCCO TUNISIA CAIRO ISRAEL TEL AVIV AMMAN JORDAN WESTERN SAHARA MAURITANIA ALGERIA LIBYA EGYPT SAUDI ARABIA DUBAI ABU DHABI U.A.E MUSCAT MALI NIGER CHAD YEMEN OMAN GAMBIA GUINEA-BISSAU SENEGAL GUINEA BURKINA FASO BENIN NIGERIA SUDAN ERITREA ETHIOPIA SIERRA LEONE LIBERIA SIERRA LEONE Learn of Sierra Leone s harrowing history, travel through remote villages, trek through monkey filled rainforest on Tiwai Island, relax on breathtaking beaches. IVORY COAST GHANA TOGO EQUATORIAL GUINEA UGANDA Chill out on the serene banks of the White Nile at Jinja. Alternatively go nuts and raft, bungy, bike and eat a heap of delicious Ugandan chapatis. AFRICA & middle east RWANDA Explore beautiful Rwanda, learn of its haunting past in Kigali, and trek to see the Gorillas. NAMIBIA Game drive through Etosha, jump out of planes and sandboard in Swakomund, climb Dune 45 and drink a lot of German beer. CAMEROON GABON CONGO ANGOLA NAMIBIA WINDHOEK CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO LIVINGSTONE BOTSWANA SOUTH AFRICA CAPE TOWN ZAMBIA LUSAKA GABARONE JOHANNESBURG LESOTHO SOUTH SUDAN UGANDA KENYA KAMPALA NAIROBI RWANDA BURUNDI HARARE ZIMBABWE SWAZILAND KIGALI KILIMANJARO TANZANIA DAR ES SALAAM MALAWI MOZAMBIQUE CAPE TOWN Shop the vintage stores of lovely Long St, dive with Great Whites, climb Table Mountain and drink cocktails at swanky Camps Bay. MOMBASA SOMALIA MADAGASCAR ANTANANARIVO SOUTH AFRICA Great place to stop and volunteer, hug cute furry (baby) animals, safari through Kruger to see the grown-ups with teeth, surf the garden route, drink the wineries. ETHIOPIA Do something different to discover something extraordinary - trek through the Simien mountains, explore ancient castles and churches. ZANZIBAR Whatever you do in Africa, fly to Zanzibar afterwards to chill out. You ll thank us, it s epic. All this holidaying can be tough man. MADAGASCAR Discover one of the most unique places on earth. Get-face-to-face with, quite frankly, some bizarre animals, and probably quote a certain film a lot too. Lake Nakuru, Kenya the only shots that didn t show steve dressed as a sartorial englishman abroad NAMIBIA CHOBE NP MADAGASCAR ZAMBEZI GIZA ACCRA 20 visit statravel.com