European Expedition Program

Copenhagen means ‘merchant’s harbour’ in Danish and everywhere you look in this vibrant city you’ll find canals, sail boats and brightly coloured merchants houses of old recalling the Copenhagen’s affluent maritime heritage.
Modern Copenhagen achieves a world renowned balance of orderliness without rigidity. It is a city that honours and preserves its heritage while embracing modernity and of course is the embodiment of sleek Scandinavian design and architecture.
While in Copenhagen we’ll be exploring the colourful and historical ‘Sailor’s Quarters’, the Stoget (old-town centre) and the cities thriving café’ and restaurant scene.

Our time in Norway starts in Oslo, the trendy and architecturally rich capital of Norway. We’ll get oriented with a walking tour of the City centre and learn about the history of Oslo as we explore the docks, the Akershus Fortress, The Viking Museum and Embassy row. You will have lunch in the city’s street food district and enjoy free time in the afternoon to settle in and explore the city for yourself.
On our second day in Oslo you will walk along the water’s edge of Oslo Harbour to the King of Norway’s Castle and grounds, where one of our favourite museums in Norway is located - The Norwegian Folk museum. Here you will find original homes and buildings collected from all over the country, ranging from Viking log cabins from the 900s to 1950s farmhouses. you will have free rein to explore and connect with these amazing buildings. We will enjoy a group meal and time in one of our favourite Oslo bars on our final evening before we make our way west into the Fjords.

The train from Oslo to the western port city of Bergen has consistently been voted one of the world’s most magnificent train journeys. you will pass through lush regions with pristine rivers, lakes and snowy mountains eventually arriving at the fjord lands of south-western Norway.
While in Bergen we will tour the colourful wooden houses of the old wharf in the downtown, learning about the Hanseatic League (once headquartered on this very old wharf) and its influence on the shaping of modern north European commerce and culture. We will then take the funicular to the top of the spectacular Fløyen Mountain and take in the vast views over the fjords and city below.
Bergen will also provide you some much needed rest before and after our week-long kayaking and camping expedition through the fjords.
Kayak-Camping Under the Northern Lights
Your time kayaking and camping in the Norwegian Fjords will be something you will never forget and probably one of the most amazing awe inspiring of your life.
On this 7-day kayaking, camping and hiking expedition through Norway’s fjords you will paddle your way through some of the world’s most striking landscapes. You will camp on beaches where Viking villages once thrived, eat and sleep under the stars as the northern lights dance overhead.
On our expedition through the fjords we’ll hike to glaciers, zipline through gorges and learn about the effects of climate change at first-hand from Norwegian climate scientists.
The kayak-camping expedition is where you push your limits. It is where you realize what you’re made of and it is where you will face true moments of realisation.
Remember this program is designed for students who want to push themselves. You don’t need to be an ultra-fit, experienced outdoors-person to enjoy this expedition. All you need is a willingness to try, enthusiasm and a dash of determination.

Amsterdam is known for its rich artistic heritage, progressive culture, distinctive narrow gabled houses and elaborate canal system.
Here you’ll explore the heart of Amsterdam with the local Dutchman, Julius, our friend, local historian and tour guide. You’ll discuss the very interesting and oftentimes dark history of the Netherlands as we spend a wonderful day walking the city.
In true Irish Gap Year fashion, you’ll be venturing a bit off the beaten track in subsequent days as we cycle the beautiful islands and villages surrounding Amsterdam. On return explore the city’s vintage shops and take part in a ‘fishing for plastic’ tour of the city, where we will discuss the impact of plastics in the world's oceans while also learning about Holland's progressive environmental stance.
As with all of the stops on our inter-railing journey, you will also have ample free-time to get out and self-explore all that Amsterdam has to offer.

Divided by the Berlin wall in 1961, Berlin has had a tumultuous history. The fall of the wall and the city’s reunification in 1989 heralded the start of a creative and cultural regeneration which continues today. Berlin is a hub of creativity, industry and culture. The city expertly melds its difficult history with a new modern outlook. It’s easy to understand why Berlin is one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations.
While in Berlin, you will have the opportunity to check out the city’s most iconic historical locations and explore the lesser known hotspots of Germany’s capital city.
The Classics:
The Berlin Wall and more specifically Checkpoint Charlie were the physical and ideological border that defined a generation of Berliners and infamous crossing point from East to West Berlin during the Cold War era.
The Brandenburg Gate was built in the 18th century when the city was part of Prussia to represent the entrance to the city. It was appropriated by Nazis during World War II and badly damaged during the Allied bombardment of the city. After the fall of the Berlin Wall the east and west governments worked together to restore it and it now stands as a symbol of peace and reunification.
The Reichstag Building is Germany’s national parliament building. It was severely damaged by fire during World War II. When Berlin became Germany’s new capital city this 19th century building was fantastically restored with an amazing modern addition which you will tour and hopefully parliament will be sitting on that day and you can have a peek at all the political heavyweights through the glass ceiling.
Off the Beaten Track:
Refugee Voices Tour is a powerful, controversial and moving tour of Berlin’s city centre as told by Syrian refugee guides. This tour speaks of Syria's own secret police, government repression, and natives fleeing for safer destinations, drawing parallels between modern day Syria and 1930s Germany. Following the tour, our Syrian friends will host us for a traditional dinner and conversation at their home.
The Swimming Pool in the Spree is a harboured barge that functions as a swimming pool with unique panoramic view of the river Spree, the Oberbaumbrücke and Berlin’s iconic TV tower. Besides bathing, the beach area around the Badeschiff has become an urban recreational area and a focal point of urban culture and entertainment for many Berliners at any time of the day.
The Urban Garden in Berlin is self-described as “a piece of nature in a concrete jungle”. You will visit the artisan cafes in these city centre organic gardens where trendy Berliners like to hangout.
The Prinzipal Bar allows you to drink in the past in this real life 1920s speakeasy. The Prinzipal Bar is typical of pre-war Germany and has become an underground icon of Berlin in recent years.

A thousand shades of terracotta, hundreds of spires reaching for the blue sky, colourful baroque buildings leading from one medieval town square to another, the sound of church bells ringing out as they’ve done for hundreds of years. Prague is a bohemian fairy tale.
Our visit to the capital city of the Czech Republic will be a dive into the past. You will visit the old town square, tour the Prague Castle and enjoy the show that’s been going on since 1402 at the medieval astronomical clock.
We will also speak with locals about Prague’s recent history and the Prague Spring movement and the velvet revolution in 1989 as the former Soviet Union collapsed.
Of course, no time in Prague is complete without a visit to a beer hall for a tasty dish of Vep'o knedlo zelo (roasted pork)

Salzburg is a magnificent city of antiquity and grandeur nestled on the Salzach River in the Austrian Alps. Its cobble stoned streets, lined with medieval and baroque buildings and surrounded by snow-capped alpine peaks makes this city impossibly picturesque, as if it’s sprung straight from a fairy tale.
The city centre (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) is one of the best-preserved old town centres in all of Europe and feels very much like a fairy-tale setting.
You will tour the enchanting city and the surrounding countryside, exploring the striking 1,000-year-old Salzburg Fortress and learning about its significance in Austrian history, touring the Old Town Centre, cruising the Salzach River by power-boat, admiring the ornate intricacy of St. Peter’s Abbey and visiting one of Austria’s best outdoor markets.

Zell am See is a small Austrian town located on Lake Zell, in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Surrounded on all sides by towering, forested and snow-capped mountains, Zell am See is a place of great natural beauty and a mecca for outdoor adventure.
The town offers excellent alpine hiking, water-sports on the lake and rural Austrian culture. There are many excellent cafés, traditional beer halls and shops in the area.
We will be staying in a traditional, mountainside, Austrian chalet close to the town centre and the start of mountain trails. We’ll cycle around the lake, stopping in the nearby villages to explore castles and learning about the local history, we will tour the infamous ‘Eagles Nest’ located nearby, learn about Austria’s role in WWII and enjoy easy hikes in the mountains and gorges that surround Zell am See.

Florence is the capital of the Tuscany Region of Italy and is home to exquisite art and architecture harking back to the Renaissance. Wherever one goes in Florence they are reminded of the power, sophistication and genius that flowed from here to the rest of Europe from the 14th to 17th Century.
While in Florence we will explore lavish Medici palaces, original sculptures by Michelangelo and strolling the cities many squares and pedestrian friendly streets.

Built on over 100 small islands, Venice is home to more beautiful canals, Gothic Palaces, Basilicas and impressive architecture than just about any other European City.
We will be staying at the Generator Hostel right on the water’s edge in the city centre of Venice. This smartly converted 18th century public library comes with amazing views of the city and plenty of other like-minded travellers to socialize with.
While in Venice we will be discussing the issue of climate change and the impending threat to Venice as sea-levels rise. You will have the opportunity to compare the Venetian approach to the issue as compared to other European cities you’ve visited on the program.
Our time in Venice will also include walking tours giving you an overview of Venetian history, a day-trip to the nearby island city of Burano to take in its amazing sights and culinary delights. You will be able to have lots of delicious meals, plenty of free time for you to get lost in the amazing labyrinth that is Venice and take a trip to Venetians’ favourite outdoor market for lovely fresh foods. You will also take part in our very own ‘Venice Challenge’.

Your journey into southern Europe begins with the beautiful train ride from Venice to the coastal city of Split, on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. We have chartered the group’s own yachts and you will set sail from Spilt island hopping along the coast to the capital city of Dubrovnik.
The yachts each have an experienced, local skipper who will teach you the basics of seamanship and sailing. It will literally be all hands on deck as you glide through the azure waters of the Dalmatian Coast and Adriatic Sea. You will learn to cook fresh Croatian cuisine and you will receive an in-depth, first-hand education on the history of Croatia and the Adriatic Sea from our Croatian skippers.
you will be living, eating and sleeping on these boats as we make our way south from Split to Dubrovnik. On our way, you will anchor in the evenings in harbours on the islands either making our way into coastal villages or enjoying the secluded, spectacular beaches of the coves all to ourselves.
After a glorious, educational and adventurous week on the sea you will say goodbye to our skippers and our sea legs as we arrive at the medieval port-city of Dubrovnik.

Slovenia is one of Europe’s most under-rated, enchanting and beautiful countries. At the intersection of Salvic, Germanic and Italian culture, Slovenia presents each country's finest qualities.
While in Slovenia we’ll be balancing our time between visiting the capital city of Ljubljana and the spectacularly beautiful Lake Bled.
Known as one of Europe’s greenest and cleanest cities, Ljubljana is also renowned for the picturesque architecture in its beautiful old town centre, its many museums and as a gateway to some of Europe’s finest national parks and nature reserves.
We’ll base ourselves in the charming town of Bled for the back half of our time in Slovenia. This nature-lovers paradise is the perfect home-base for exploring the region's abundant natural beauty. While in Bled we’ll SUP (or ice skate depending on the time of year!) on the lake, explore the dramatic gorges and alpine rivers and recharge our batteries from our train travels.

The City of Dubrovnik sits on the warm, shimmering waters of the Adriatic Sea where its ancient, fortress walls have protected her position of wealth, sophistication and progression since the times of the Byzantine Empire.
Entering the Old City of Dubrovnik is like stepping back in time a thousand years, to another world where you can reach out in any direction and touch history.
As is often the case, fact is far more interesting than fiction when it comes to Dubrovnik. Its recent popularization as a film location for the Game of Thrones series pales in comparison to the incredibly rich history of the city.
While in Dubrovnik we will be touring the city with local guides and learning about the city’s ancient past, recent conflict and status as a UNESCO World Heritage city. We’ll discuss with our local guides and hosts the evolution of Dubrovnik’s identity in recent times along with the Croatian War of Independence during the 1990’s.
We will also explore the magnificent palaces, fortresses and cathedrals built by an ancient society that rivalled Venice for the control of commerce in the Adriatic Sea. The group will kayak out to beautiful island of Otok Lorum just 2 kms from Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is always a favourite destination among European travellers and for good reason. Visually Dubrovnik is a feast for the senses with its red terracotta rooftops, the glistening Adriatic Sea under its giant medieval city walls, narrow cobblestone streets and cathedrals around every corner.
Our students will take more than just memories and great photos with them from Dubrovnik though. We aim to delve into the city’s influential past in the shaping of southern Europe, its modern history of conflict and resolution and emergence as a peaceful and vibrant modern city.

The stunning Amalfi Coast along Southern Italy’s Mediterranean has been a popular destination for travellers since the time of the Romans and Greeks. Here the azure waters of the Mediterranean meet colourful town and villages set against the backdrop of sea cliffs and lush mountains.
We will be exploring the region on a pilgrimage of sorts (non-religious, but inspiring, insightful and on foot!) as we walk this UNESCO listed landscape over 8 days. Our trail will meander through rugged mountain scenery along ancient paths winding through picturesque countryside dotted with chestnut forests, terraced lemon and olive groves, medieval churches and vineyards. We will explore ruins of castles and bright, charming fishing villages as the trail dips into the coastal towns of Amalfi and Praiano.
While on our Amalfi coastal trek we will be staying in homestays and farmsteads, providing our students with an authentic experience of this truly magnificent region of Italy. Don’t worry if you are not a big hiker, we will be averaging just 10km/day.

Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city and boasts a vibrant water-front, celebrated arts district and lively counter-culture. Despite this, Hamburg is rarely atop international visitors lists of places to visit in Germany.
While in Hamburg we will explore the Reeperbahn (arts district), seeking out live music, we’ll check out WWII bunkers that once housed Nazi strongholds and are now home to museums, café’s and clubs and we’ll visit the Shanze district, Hamburg’s fun-loving, counter culture hub.

Munich is just about every German’s favourite city and for good reason. This fun-loving, unabashed bastion of Bavarian culture is home to some of Europe's most ornate palaces, romantic castles, suddy beer halls and giant pretzels - All of which we will be sampling while in Munich!
Munich embraces its tradition with zest, but it is also a cutting edge, modern city. Home to Germany’s ‘glitterati’, tech scene and one of Europe's major economic powerhouses Munich is a must-see location on the grand tour of Europe.