LOVE YOUR LIFE START OVER START NOW TOP 10 START THE ADVENTURE BOOK YOUR WAY Book an appointment at your nearest store and receive a £30 off voucher. WWW.STATRAVEL.CO.UK/BRANCH-APPOINTMENTS.HTM CALL US: 0333 321 7849* INSTORE. ONLINE. MOBILE www.statravel.com Image Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland * Free within inclusive minutes package on mobile, otherwise standard rates apply HAND PICKED THE ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST TOP 10 HAND PICKED THE ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST Maybe you have some must-see destinations you want to experience in mind - now’s the time to start making these happen. From working abroad and cruising down Route 66 to touring Peru and islandhopping in Thailand, there are so many things to see and do; the question is where to start? So, to make things a little bit easier we have whittled down the Top 10 of everything, from all over the globe. How many are you going to tick off? SLEEP WITH US River Kwai Floathouse, Thailand From quirky, modern hostels in the centre of the action to full-blown luxury in the confines of a flash hotel, we have it all. Nothing, however, can beat getting stuck into the true lifestyle of your surroundings. Unique lodgings, authentic camps and traditional homestays. As you can imagine, picking our favourite ten has been tricky but we’ve searched high and low for the very best digs around. 1 CLINK 78, LONDON 6 Set in a 200 year-old courthouse, this quirky hostel has a buzzing bar and free all-you-can-eat brekkie. Fr £17 dorm, per night LONCLI 2 1888 PYRMONT, SYDNEY Check out this stylish hostel’s rotating bar, gastropub, outdoor terrace and playroom with Skype booth. Fr £20 dorm, per night PRGFUS 7 Think high ceilings, period features, bespoke art and luxurious rooms at this hip, heritage-listed hotel. Fr £48 twin/double, per night ASYD18 3 Sleeping in a floating villa amidst the unspoilt jungle of kanchanaburi was a real highlight of our thai trip. Amber Kelly, STA Australia HILLTRIBE HUT EXPERIENCE, THAILAND MAYAN DUDE RANCH, USA 8 KRUGER TREEHOUSE SAFARI, SOUTH AFRICA 10/10 game viewing, an adrenalin-packed bush walk plus unique treehouse accommodation. Awesome. Fr £499, 4 days JNBTRE RIVER KWAI FLOATHOUSE, THAILAND By day, take in unspoilt Kanchanaburi’s must-see sights. By night, relax in your elegant, floating villa. Fr £188, 2 days BKKRKF 9 OVERNIGHT STAY DESERT CAMP, DUBAI Camp in large, canvas tents as part of this magical package. Includes a 4x4 ride and tasty BBQ dinner. Fr £219, 2 days DXBODC With a family-run ranch as your base, saddle up cowboy and prepare for a great Texan adventure! Fr £139, 2 days SATMAY 5 LAKE TITICACA HOMESTAY, PERU Visit floating islands, explore Inca remains and enjoy local hospitality as part of an authentic homestay. Fr £52, 2 days FJZTIT Bed down like a local in traditional bamboo huts as part of this Chiang Mai jungle trekking experience. Fr £181, 3 days CNXHUT 4 FUSION, PRAGUE 10 RYOKAN STAYS, JAPAN Kip in a traditional ryokan (guest inn) in Tokyo or Kyoto, with futon bed, tatami mat and kimono. Fr £216, 3 days TYORYO/KYOKRP Skyjump at the Sky Tower, Auckland Heart thumping. Nervous laughter. Excitement building. You’re bound to experience all of these before you head off on an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life (cheesy, we know, but it’s true!). Whether you’re about to conquer one of your biggest fears or just enjoy the pure adrenalin rush as you throw yourself in at the deep end, there’s nothing like the feeling when you come out the other side. If you have a bucket list, now’s the time to start ticking it off. Ready, steady, go! 1 JETBOATING, NEW ZEALAND 6 Choose from high-speed ‘thrill therapy’ at spectacular Huka Falls or hurtle through Shotover River canyons. Fr £60, half day ZQNFUN/TUOHUC 2 SYDNEY BRIDGE CLIMB, AUSTRALIA DIVE WITH WHALE SHARKS, MEXICO 7 SKYDIVE, AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND 8 GOLDEN EAGLE HELICOPTER RIDE, USA Enjoy 180-degree, bird’s-eye views of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Wow! Fr £196, half day LASEH1 WHITE WATER RAFTING, NEW ZEALAND / AFRICA BUNGEE JUMPING, AFRICA / NEW ZEALAND Take the plunge at Victoria Falls Bridge or choose from five NZ options including the mighty Nevis Swing. Fr £82, half day AKLAJB/CNSBUN/LVILBJ 9 Choose when and where (five Oz jump sites) with the tandem flexi pass or take the plunge at NZ’s Taupo. Fr £149, half day CNSFPS/TUOFRE 5 SHARK CAGE DIVING, SOUTH AFRICA / AUSTRALIA Ride Rotorua’s Grade V rapids or experience the raw power of the mighty Zambezi River at Victoria Falls. Fr £52, half day ROTRAF/LVIWAT Swim alongside these giant (but gentle) fish -amongst the world’s largest - off Cancun’s Isla Holbox coast. Fr £131, half day CUNSRK 4 Hayley Willis, STA New Zealand Get up close and personal with fearsome Great Whites at Gansbaai or Australia’s Neptune Islands. Fr £140, full day CPTSCD/PLOSWI Make your way up this iconic landmark. Thrilling views of the city and harbour await you at the summit! Fr £124, half day SYDBCS 3 Nothing beats an adrenalin-pumping experience when you’re abroad. No matter how scared you are, you never regret it. DOWNHILL BIKE THE DEATH ROAD, BOLIVIA Drop 4,000 metres in five hair-raising hours on this guided mountain bike ride. Not for the fainthearted! Fr £95, full day LPBBIK 10 SURF @ G-LAND JOYO’S SURF CAMP, BALI Experience the best of Indonesia’s legendary waves whilst staying in funky, jungle accommodation. Fr £410, 4 days BGLJSC THRILL SEEKERS a huge food fight, defintely the messiest festival i’ve ever been to . . it was awesome. Georgina Downs, STA UK If you’re the life and soul of the party, this top ten is for you. Whether you prefer to be dressed to the nines in a slick superclub, covered in neon paint on a white sand beach, or raving the night away at a muddy festival, we have something for you. As the music thumps around you and the place explodes into a dancing frenzy, raise your glass (or bucket) and toast the festivities because it’s going to be one to remember. Cheers! 1 OKTOBERFEST, MUNICH 6 Hit the beer tents, grab a stein (or three) and sing along to ‘oompah’ bands. Fr £189, 4 days camping BU 2 PARTY ANIMALS ST. PATRICK’S DAY, DUBLIN Cheer on the archers, wrestlers and horse riders at Ulaanbataar’s unique festival. Fr £1,699, 15 days GAAMNF 7 A huge street parade and festival. Sample the ‘black stuff’ at the Guinness Storehouse. Fr £219, 4 days BU 3 RIO CARNIVAL PACKAGE, RIO DE JANEIRO HOGMANAY, EDINBURGH 8 FULL MOON PARTY, KOH PHANGAN Grab a bucket and join 30,000 hedonists at Thailand’s world-famous beach party. Fr £148, 6 days KHRFUS KING’S DAY, AMSTERDAM Celebrate all things Dutch at one of the world’s largest street parties. Fr £329, 4 days BU 9 The ultimate NYE party. The following day, cure your hangover with an icy dip in the sea! Fr £379, 5 days BU 5 LA TOMATINA, VALENCIA Imagine 20,000 strangers slugging tomatoes at each other in the streets. Excellent fun. Fr £279, 3 days BU A once-in-a-lifetimer. Expect sleepless nights, epic fun and countless caipirinhas! Fr £569, 8 days RIOBOT 4 NAADAM FESTIVAL, MONGOLIA NEW YEAR’S EVE, LAS VEGAS / NEW YORK Celebrate NY in style on the glittering ‘Strip’ or at Times Square. Sydney option available. Fr £569, 4 days COLVNY/CONYNY 10 MEXICO DAY OF THE DEAD, OAXACA A macabre, ancestry celebration and huge knees-up. Ghoulishly good! Fr £639, 7 days GACMDO La Tomatina, Valencia OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Get off the well-trodden tourist trail and grab your walking boots! Whether you fancy climbing a mountain, trekking near hilltribe villages, wandering around lush cloud forest or marching through the jungle, we’ve got some of the best. After all, with no-one around, it’s the perfect time to get back to nature and soak up the pure tranquillity of your surroundings. Are you up for the challenge? 1 NORTHERN THAILAND HILLTRIBES TREK, THAILAND Trek, bamboo raft and meet locals from traditional tribal villages around Chiang Mai. Fr £199, 5 days GAATHH 2 LOST CITY TREK, COLUMBIA Venture deep into the Colombian jungle and explore the magical, ancient city of Perdida. Fr £361, 5 days SMRLCT 3 TREKKING MONT BLANC, FRANCE 6 Peppered with vividly-coloured craters and lakes this 19km trek is one of NZ’s best. Fr £173, half day TUOTON 7 Jade Tyrrell, STA UK 4 5 BORNEO SABAH ADVENTURE, THE INCA TRAIL, PERU This cultural gem takes in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and stunnning mountainscapes. Fr £649, 7 days GASPIT 8 Hike the world-class circuit of Europe’s highest peak with knock-out Alpine views. Fr £999, 10 days GAEFMB the pictures don’t do this place justice. a challenging hike but totally worth it. it’s stunning. TONGARIRO CROSSING, NEW ZEALAND TREK KILIMANJARO: MACHAME ROUTE, TANZANIA Scenic with different paths to the summit and back. Ask about Marangu and Rongai routes. Fr £1,299, 8 days GADTM8 9 MARRAKECH MULTI ACTIVE STAY, MALAYSIA MOROCCO Trek and conquer mighty Mount Kinabalu. See wild orang-utans and turtles. Fr £1,299, 10 days GAAASA Hike, climb and bike as part of this adventure package with routes for every ability. Fr £343, 6 days RAKACT EVEREST ADVENTURE, NEPAL Marvel at glaciers, stunning views and remote Sherpa villages as you trek to Base Camp. Fr £999, 15 days GAANEA 10 TREKKING IN ICELAND, ICELAND Glacier hike, soak in natural springs and witness boiling waters exploding at Geysir. Fr £2,099, 10 days GAELST Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand With the wind beneath your sails, you won’t feel more free than on an adventure by boat where the only things that surround you are the water and horizon. Whether it’s lush scenery, picturesque beaches or stunning ice formations that you’re after, we have pulled out gems from around the globe that will lead you into sailing temptation. So kick back on deck, take in the rippling waters, stunning scenery and pure tranquillity as you leave land-life behind. Ahoy, Captain! 1 CROATIA ISLAND HOPPER, CROATIA ALL ABOARD 6 Cruise the azure waters of the Dalmatian Coast island-hopping aboard your fantastic sailing boat. Fr £499, 8 days BU 2 VOYAGE GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR WHITSUNDAY SAILING, AUSTRALIA 7 CANAL BOAT ADVENTURE, UK 8 AMAZON RIVERBOAT ADVENTURE, BRAZIL Cruise the jungle in style, swim with pink dolphins, see exotic wildlife and meet traditional communities. Fr £1,549, 9 days GAPVIIA BLUE LAGOON CRUISES, FIJI Enjoy crystal-clear waters, coral reefs and a wide range of activities aboard this boutique cruise. Fr £746, 3 days NANFJF 9 Country and cityscapes, traditional English pubs and hearty fare. The ultimate, hands-on barge tour. Fr £195, 4 days MANADV 5 GREEK ISLAND SAILING, GREECE Ports of call on this relaxing cruise include bustling Athens, glamorous Hydra and fun-loving Mykonos. Fr £849, 8 days GAGVAM Sail this tropical paradise on a full day trip or get really stuck in and spend a few nights on board. Fr £91, 1 day WDSCAM/GZC2SF 4 THAI ISLAND HOPPER EAST, THAILAND Island hop by ferry and bliss out with sunbathing. Then, go wild at the Full Moon Party! Fr £539, 9 days COTIKS Aboard the Daphne, you’ll get to snorkel with sea lions and giant tortoises and visit El Solpador blow hole. Fr £1,299, 3 days GAEV06HB 3 Camira Sailing Adventure, Whitsunday Islands HALONG BAY CRUISE, VIETNAM Meander through the emerald waters of this World Heritage site aboard a traditional Vietnamese junk. Fr £171, 3 days HANCRU 10 ANTARCTICA CLASSIC, ANTARCTICA Encounter huge whales, sprawling colonies of penguins and amazing landscapes few have witnessed. Fr £2,999, 11 days GAXVCASX Snorkelling amongst coral reefs and chilling out on deck was the best place to get away from real life. Rhiannon Lee, STA Australia Shwedagon Paya Buddhist Temple, Burma START THE ADVENTURE Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? For those of you with the travel bug, there are so many countries and so many places to see, it can be tough choosing your next adventure. So let us help you. We’ve hand-picked the very best small and large group tours from all over the world, and they’re true treasures. Asia, Latin America, USA, Australasia, Africa or Europe - the choice is yours! What are you waiting for? The world’s your oyster. 1 CHINA ON A SHOESTRING 6 Walk The Great Wall, marvel at the Terracotta Army and visit Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Fr £1,049, 18 days GAACRG 2 UNCOVER INDIA 7 Brazen Delhi, glitzy Mumbai, spiritual Pushkar and party-central Goa. Prepare for a sensory overload! Fr £699, 15 days GAAHUH 3 Deciding to explore the world was one of the scariest decisions I’ve ever made but definitely one of the best. Kweku Mills, STA UK KIWIANA PANORAMA VODKATRAIN: THE GENGHIS KHAN 8 EUROPEAN HIGHLIGHTS Tick off eight countries in 14 days; see iconic attractions with a ready-made bunch of mates! Fr £1,245, 14 days COCCPE PERU ON A SHOESTRING A cracking tour packing in the essentials - Sacred Valley homestay, the Inca Trail and Nazca Lines. Fr £929, 15 days GASPPS 9 Start in Moscow, finish in Beijing along the epic Trans-Mongolian route. Three countries in two weeks! Fr £1,240, 14 days GKMB/GKBM 5 CALIFORNIA HIGHLIGHTS Experience the best of Western USA, including a limo ride in Vegas and the beauty of Yosemite N.P. Fr £895, 8 days COWWAV Bungee, ski and skydive on a whistlestop tour of NZ, seeing this magical country at its very finest. Fr £1,615, 16 days CONPZAD 4 INDOCHINA DISCOVERY Discover ancient temples, lost cities, pristine beaches and misty mountains on this all-encompassing trip. Fr £1,599, 30 days GAATID REEFS & RAINFORESTS Cairns, the Whitsundays, Daintree Rainforest, Sydney - this East Coast Oz adventure ticks all the boxes. Fr £1,785, 16 days COBWCSD 10 NAIROBI TO CAPE TOWN ADVENTURE Absorb ancient cultures, ‘Big 5’ wildlife and otherworldly landscapes on this epic overland adventure. Fr £2,899, 40 days GADKNC HIT THE ROAD Make the most of a country or continent. With the open road ahead of you, crank up the tunes, wind down the windows and immerse yourself in your surroundings. Whether you fancy doing a self-drive, renting a campervan or taking a hop-on-hop-off bus, what could be better than travelling at your own pace? Stop when you feel like it and still see the major sites along the way, all on your terms. Who doesn’t love a road trip? 1 MIGHTY CAMPERVANS, AUSTRALIA / NZ 6 Wallet-friendly rental with unlimited kilometres. For ultimate flexibility, invest in a camperFLEX pass. Fr £15, per day 2 BUSABOUT HOP-ON HOP-OFF, EUROPE Great value coach tickets. The Mini Traveller and The Kilometre passes are our top picks. Fr £262, Sydney to Cairns 7 Operating on three coach ‘loops’, choose one or more combos. Flex-stops and one-ways are also options. Fr £449 1 loop, Fr £769 2 loops, Fr £929 3 loops 3 BAMBA EXPERIENCE, LATIN AMERICA KIWI EXPERIENCE, NEW ZEALAND 8 Going on a road trip was a great way to see all the main sites of the country at our own pace. Paul Celaschi, STA UK HISTORIC ROUTE 66, USA Discover Native Indian history and roll through the desert to dazzling Vegas on this epic self-drive. Fr £728, 18 days ORDSFD STRAY, ASIA Expert guides, reliable buses, like-minded travel buddies and authentic, Asian experiences. Fr £71, 3 days minimum LAOSTA/LAOSTR 9 Travel by bus, at your own pace, with 25 different pass options and awesome inclusions. Fr £657, 15 days minimum AKLSHE 5 MOOSE TRAVEL NETWORK, CANADA This off-the-beaten track backpacker bus system offers accommodated and non-accommodated tours. Fr £289, 8 days YVRCAR/YVRBOU Flexible hop-on hop-off bus passes. Tango & Samba Ways (Rio to Buenos Aires) is highly recommended. Fr £673, 7 - 9 days BRZBAM 4 GREYHOUND, AUSTRALIA INTERRAIL, EUROPE Whizz in, out and around 30 countries in comfort using the Global Travel Pass. Fuss-free rail value. Fr £166, 5 days travel within 10 days 10 BAZ BUS, SOUTH AFRICA Hop-on hop-off bus tickets. Save big by opting for an exciting wildlife safari and adventure package. Fr £485, 14 days minimum BA2BUS/BAZBSS Camp Kenya Throwing yourself into a different way of life, seeing it like a local and getting to the heart of a new culture. This is what travelling is all about. Get tongue-tied whilst learning a new language, put your thinking cap on when teaching, get in touch with nature or communities by volunteering or earn as you travel to fund your upcoming adventures. Nothing is more satisfying. And, what’s more, you’ll have the time of your life. 1 THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION 6 Bathe, feed and learn about these majestic grey giants. Plus, actively contribute to local conservation. Fr £399, 1 - 8 weeks GATATECT 2 WORK IN CANADA Work amongst the ‘Big 5’ and support anti-poaching efforts at a South African game reserve. Grrrreat! Fr £588, 2 - 12 weeks STAOLZSHA 7 Earn $$$ and live and travel here! The BUNAC support programme will help you sort out your visa and job. Fr £339 WORK HARD PLAY HARD 3 TEACHING KIDS IN CAMBODIA Getting out of my comfort zone to support a project was hugely rewarding. I want to go back! Giedre Salciunaite, STA UK LEARN TO SAIL 8 LEARN TO BE A SKI OR SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR, USA / CANADA Get some serious snow skills on some of the world’s best powder. Ski or board by day and party by night! Fr £4,315, 3 - 11 weeks EDASCT CAMP KENYA Support award-winning initiatives, teach kids and spot wildlife on game drives at this Kenyan project. Fr £980, 2 weeks - 3 months STACAMKEN 9 Be part of a yacht crew sailing round Australia’s stunning Whitsunday Islands - and earn certification. Fr £1,645, 3 weeks WDSSLE 5 LEARN SPANISH IN BUENOS AIRES Small class sizes allow you to get the most out of lessons, based in the cosmopolitan Argentine capital. Fr £305, 1 - 48 weeks GLOBO Get creative! Support teachers at a Siem Reap outreach centre by providing art-based workshops. Fr £569, 2 - 8 weeks GATAKSRT 4 SHAMWARI CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE TEACH ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE Teach English abroad with a TEFL qualification. Online, 120-hour courses and TEFL internships also available. Fr £99 (online) LONTEA (COURSE)/CNTEFL/THTELF/CATEFL/SATEFL 10 BASE WORK & TRAVEL STARTER PACKAGES These do all the hard stuff for you so you can concentrate on settling in to your new life in OZ or NZ. Fr £176, 3 - 7 nights
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