VOLUNTEER WORK & LEARN
2016
Go paperless
Did you know, you can now access digital versions of our brochures? Available to download to your phone or tablet, it’s now a heck of a lot easier to take your inspiration on the road with you / hide holiday reading from your boss / care for trees. Get interactive with the world, see our products come to life with videos and more images, and click straight through to book. TO DOWNLOAD ENTER STA TRAVEL IN THE APP STORE
START THE ADVENTURE At STA Travel, we’ve been travelling the world spreading love, peace and adventure since 1979. Over 35 years later, we’re still travelling. We may have swapped our 70s socks and sandals for a fashionable new pair of Havaianas (we’re much happier now, people laugh a lot less) but as travellers, we haven’t changed. We’re still just as wide-eyed with the world and just as bonkers about getting you out there to see it. This Volunteer, Work & Learn brochure is all about you, the planet and the people in it. It’s about exploring those corners of the world that need us most through community, education and conservation projects; and starting over with new adventures - taking off to learn languages, teach strangers and work abroad. We can’t wait to see you out there! Start the Adventure, Love STA Travel
CONTENTS 04 Making it Count
73 Work in Canada
06 Come Travel With Us
74 Work in the USA
07 Go Smart or Go Home
76 TEFL
08 Stay Connected
78 LEARN A LANGUAGE
09 On The Road 10 Where In The World 11 Our Code of Conduct 12 Intro to Volunteering 13 Where Your Money Goes 14 Home Sweet Home 15 Any Questions
16 VOLUNTEER ASIA 36 VOLUNTEER AFRICA 49 VOLUNTEER LATIN AMERICA
80 Learn Spanish 88 Learn French 89 Learn Italian 90 Learn German 91 Learn Japanese 92 Learn Mandarin/Korean
93 LEARN A NEW SKILL 93 Learn to Surf 94 Learn to Dive 94 Learn to Free Dive 94 Learn to be a Safari Field Guide
49 South America
95 Learn to Sail
56 Central America
95 Learn to be a Surf Instructor
60 VOLUNTEER AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC 64 VOLUNTEER EUROPE 66 WORKING ABROAD
95 Learn to be a Ski Instructor
96 TERMS & CONDITIONS 98 INSURANCE
68 Work in Australia 71 Work in New Zealand
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One world Make it count SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Over the last five decades, we’ve helped millions of travellers make connections to the places they visit, witnessing them return with a greater sense of the world we share. We believe that far from being a negative force, real sustainable travel has the power to create positive changes within communities. To ensure we are fulfilling our responsibilities we have adopted a three pillar approach towards social tourism: OUR WORLD As travellers, it is our responsibility to do all we can to ensure our planet is protected for future generations by reducing our environmental impact. OUR ACTIONS We only work with credible partners to secure travel experiences that are not only authentic, but responsible and sustainable. We regularly assess all our operations to ensure that we can be proud of how we conduct our business. OUR PEOPLE As an employer, we support the next generation through our apprenticeship programmes and our local community partners through staff volunteering. Learn more at statravel.co.uk/our-social-responsibility.htm
Established in 2012, the STA Travel Foundation is how we choose to give back to the people and places where we work. By funding a number of projects around the world and supporting local causes in the countries where we have offices, we are already making a difference to local communities. In times of emergency, such as the Vanuatu cyclone and Nepal earthquakes in early 2015, we were able to harness our brand to raise money from our staff, customers and suppliers to help charities and NGOs on the ground access vital funds. STA Travel covers all costs of running this registered charity so every penny goes towards our chosen causes. We also donate $30,000 per year to the foundation via staff donation matching. Learn more at statravelfoundation.com
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VOLUNTEERING CODE OF CONDUCT To ensure our volunteer projects make a worthwhile contribution to the areas you visit, we only work with a select number of partners who have established meaningful relationships with local communities. Through this collaboration we have developed a set of criteria to help voluntourism providers plan and manage their programmes in a responsible and sustainable manner. This has ensured that both the local needs of communities, and the desires of travellers to create a positive and lasting impact, are met. See page 11 for more information.
ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY STA Travel is privileged to partner with international wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation to adopt a pioneering animal welfare policy. Setting an industry-wide benchmark for safeguarding the wellbeing and protection of animals, together we are committed to improving welfare across all of our operations. To raise awareness and encourage the wider travel industry to uphold higher standards, the Travellers’ Animal Alert initiative allows customers to report animal welfare breaches when travelling.
CUSTOMER SAFETY MATTERS At STA Travel, your safety is our principal concern. Customer Safety Matters is designed to promote the good health and safety of all of our passengers abroad. As a matter of course, we only work with reputable tour and accommodation operators who meet local and national safety standards. As we are acutely aware that safety standards can vary across the world, we also employ our own guidelines to assess our suppliers’ health and safety levels, always pushing for further improvements that will benefit our customers.
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COME TRAVEL WITH US
1. THE ORIGINAL ROUND THE WORLD EXPERTS Our exclusive Round the World tickets have been flying
2. WE KNOW BECAUSE WE GO We’re travellers, just like you. So when our Travel Experts
3. WORLD’S LEADING STUDENT TRAVEL COMPANY We’ve been successfully delaying students from entering
4. LEGENDARY AIRFARES Having flirted quite outrageously with the world’s leading
adventurers around the planet on the cheapest and most flexible airfares for over 35 years.
aren’t helping you start your adventure, they’re probably off having their own. Or failing that, they’re in the pub.
full-time employment since 1979! But we welcome all adventurers - our only requirement is a love for travel.
airlines, we have the lowest and most flexible airfares around. Book yours now with a deposit, and pay it off later.
5. INSTORE. ONLINE. MOBILE We have stores in over 60 countries, 24/7 customer service and a mobile app to book on the road. So wherever you are, we’re probably there too (although not in a creepy way).
6. PRICE BEAT GUARANTEE Lovers of big adventures on backpacker budgets, we’ll
7 RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL We dream big and think local, working with the Born Free
8 TRUSTED BY TRAVELLERS SINCE 1979 We only work with the most reputable suppliers, ensuring
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guarantee to beat the price of our competitors’ scheduled airfares, tours and accommodation. *
Foundation on a pioneering animal welfare policy and supporting local communities via the STA Travel Foundation.
our standards of customer health and safety are met around the globe. Book knowing we’re ATOL protected.
*For full terms and conditions on our price beat guarantee please visit www.statravel.co.uk/pricebeat
GO SMART OR GO HOME Get insured
So quite clearly, talk of travel insurance was never going to be the most thrilling part of your trip. However, it could be the most important purchase you make before you go. You can’t buy insurance once you’ve left your home country, so cover must be purchased before you leave. Once you’ve bought any of our policies, you’re instantly covered against cancellation so you can run around without a care in the world (well, not quite) knowing your investment is safe. Head over to page 98 for our full range of policies and add-ons.
Check your visas
How to ruin your trip without leaving the airport part 1: not checking your visas. Always check entry requirements for every country you visit well in advance of your trip. If you do need a visa, our tourist and working holiday visa service is safe, speedy and free of stress and boring embassy queues.
Stay in touch
Avoid the travel bug
Having to discuss vaccinations and anti-malarials is never going to be particularly pleasant, so at least get the best advice at a STA Travel Clinic. Book a consultation with our professional, fully-trained and friendly staff, who’ll smile at you nicely while using you as a human pin cushion.
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Airport parking, hotels & lounges
Insanely early flight and no one carzy enough to drive you to the airport? Save up to 50% by pre-booking airport hotels and parking. Or start your trip off in style by arranging airport lounge access and then wearing massive celebrity sunglasses indoors. Very “un-VIP” prices start from £16pp.
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STA ISIC CASHCARD FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS • A student ID, discount card & prepaid currency card in one • Student discounts with STA Travel • Use your card as an internationally recognised student identity card with 1000s of student offers in the UK and abroad
STA CASHCARD FOR NON STUDENTS • Free second card purchase fee • Comes with a £10 loaded to start you off The STA Travel ISIC Prepaid MasterCard Cashcard and the STA Travel Prepaid MasterCard Cashcard are issued by IDT Financial Services Limited pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. IDT Financial Services Limited is a regulated bank, licensed by the Financial Services Commission, Gibraltar. Registered Office: 57-63 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar. Registered No. 95716. All communications should be sent to STA Travel, PO Box 3753, Chester, CH1 9UH.
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STAY CONNECTED
Read the STA Travel BLOG Written by a motley travel crew of resident bloggers, literate staff members and some well-travelled customers, get your travel tips and ideas straight from the source by reading our blog! READ AT statravel.co.uk/travel-blog
Like us on Facebook Almost 1 million travellers like us on Facebook. When contemplating why, we came up with the following: 1. We’re naturally lovable 2. We have the best social space for travellers to connect on the whole damn internet 3. Our travellers are hot 4. You get to see our latest deals and win the world’s best prizes. Like us now? LIKE US facebook.com/statravel
Sign up to our Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter and get the hottest deals and latest competitions lovingly delivered straight to your inbox each week. SIGN UP AT statravel.co.uk/newsletter
Follow us on Twitter Reasons to follow us: 1. You can ask us anything, preferably but not exclusively travel-related 2. All kinds of pretty travel photos, inspirational quotes and INCREDIBLE DEALS will magically appear on your feed 3. Our competition prizes are legendary 4. We retweet heaps of useful travel-related stuff, mostly about beer. FOLLOW twitter.com/statravel_uk
Watch us on youtube Somewhat regrettably, our YouTube channel doesn’t have footage of cats playing the keyboard. However, what is does have is equally addictive footage of the best parts of the planet as seen by our staff, vloggers and STA Travellers. WATCH US youtube.com/statravel
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ON THE ROAD Wherever you are we’re here 24/7
Get the STA Travel app
Life’s better with MySTA
Follow @STATravelCares
Free to download to iPhone or Android
Sign up to MySTA after you book
This is how much we care about giving you the best customer service: we have dedicated teams in Manchester and Liverpool, England (where it rains, a lot) 24 hours a day to help you out. Nothing says “we care” like battling the British weather.
We figured internet cafés were a bit 90s, so we politely asked the web gods to develop an app that would give you instant access to thousands of the cheapest hotels, hostels and activities - wherever you were in the world. The result was the new STA Travel app.
While out searching the planet looking for cool stuff, we stopped and asked “how could we make your travels even better?” So we took all the important stuff you’d booked and put it in one online account to carry on the road with you.
CARES
• Get your issues resolved quicker with one-on-one conversations 24/7 on Twitter @STATravelCares • Contact our Global Travel Help 24/7 for help with changing your ticket • For on the road emergencies, call our 24/7 incident support desk line And we don’t just say it, we like to show it too by randomly sending surprise care packages out to our travellers on the road. We’re just nice like that.
Here’s why you need it on the road: • It’s free (we like free) • Search and book from over 144,000 of the planet’s cheapest hostels and hotels from your smartphone • Make same day hotel bookings • As you travel, our location finder will recommend the coolest stuff to do • Book at the lowest prices and even check Trip Advisor ratings • Access limited-time discounts and secret app deals • No passwords for forgetful travellers • Book with our secure payment system • Access MySTA via the app to view, manage and share your flights, hotel and tour bookings So, while you’re off having a lovely time, we’ll be casually orbiting the Earth waiting for you to need us. It’s a no brainer really, download the app today.
MySTA
Why MySTA is cleverer than you are: • MySTA safely stores all your flight itineraries, tour and accommodation documentation in one place • See past bookings, access current ones and whenever you book something new, it lands straight into MySTA • If you’ve had a schedule change, MySTA will always show your most up-to-date flight itinerary • Access 24/7 help on the road • Log on anytime from a mobile, desktop or the STA Travel app; and sign up using Facebook, Twitter or Google+ • Share your trip details with lovedones or brag about them via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram No more lost paperwork panic or “dog ate my itinerary” issues, MySTA will organise you at home and abroad way better than you ever could.
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WHERE IN THE WORLD.. YOU CAN VOLUNTEER, WORK OR LEARN A LANGUAGE
CANADA CANADA
GERMANY FRANCE USA PORTUGAL SPAIN
MEXICO CUBA
We’re experts at visa support and work programmes for the USA and Canada. Or if you don’t qualify to work, you could always learn to be a snowboard instructor in Lake Tahoe. No really, we can do this.
ITALY GREECE
GUATEMALA COSTA RICA COLOMBIA GALAPAGOS
KENYA
ECUADOR
TANZANIA PERU
Nowhere is more alive than Latin America. One of our favourite places to travel, it’s even better to stop awhile and pretend you live here. Volunteering, teaching English or learning Spanish … either way, your experience will be awesome, and your karma epic.
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SEYCHELLES
BRAZIL
ARGENTINA
In the rush to reach Africa’s iconic wildlife, it can be too easy to let incredible local communities pass you by. If you do jump off the overland trail, no other continent will open up their heart and envelop you in the joys and challenges of life like here.
ZIMBABWE
SOUTH AFRICA
We’re all for dancing barefoot covered in neon paint on a Full Moon (or any moon come to that), but if you did want to give a bit back, Asia’s people and communities are the most generous in the world. Just sayin’
Spanish siestas, riding Vespas with dreamy Italians, warm French baguettes … with sleep, love, carbs and vaguely offensive stereotypes, well who wouldn’t want to learn a language in Europe?
our code of conduct SOUTH KOREA
CHINA
JAPAN
For a totally different experience while travelling through Asia (more different from group naked Japanese onsen baths) then stop to learn Japanese or Korean. Or, for those who can’t learn, teach instead with amazing TEFL opportunities.
NEPAL INDIA LAOS THAILAND CAMBODIA
PHILIPPINES
MALAYSIA BORNEO
FIJI
AUSTRALIA
Well, you could just go to Oz to party, solemnly promise to learn to surf, but actually just drink wine out of boxes instead? Or, instead of watching your Aussie aspirations disappear down the dunny (toilet), book a learn to dive, sail or surf course or a working holiday starter package. Much cooler this way.
NEW ZEALAND
STA Travel is committed to encouraging young people to volunteer responsibly for worthwhile projects around the world. We want to create a more meaningful experience for our customers and the communities they touch by encouraging understanding and respect of local cultures and environmental issues. As a responsible travel agent our aim is to work alongside local organisations to create positive benefits from tourism and encourage sustainable livelihoods. Responsible volunteering is crucial to ensure a valuable, worthwhile and long-standing contribution is made to the local community. We can help create benefits for these communities and reduce negative social, economic and environmental impacts. We collaborate with local partners to clearly define what the success of volunteerism projects means to community stakeholders (and to our volunteers), and continually work towards delivering on that vision. This ensures that our volunteering projects are developed with the local communities’ needs and not the travellers’ or STA Travel’s needs as the first priority. We have therefore developed the STA Travel Code of Conduct plus our STA Travel Volunteering Statement of Commitment. These documents clearly define our responsibility to the project and our responsibility to the volunteer. They highlight our commitment towards the economic stability of the host community plus our socio-cultural, environmental and conservation responsibilities. If you would like a copy of the Code of Conduct please ask your STA Travel Expert.
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WHAT KIND OF WORK DO YOU WANT TO DO? So kind traveller, now have a think about how you’d like to dedicate the majority of your time. All our projects are categorised below to help you decide.
Work with animals With so many endangered species around the world fighting for survival, work towards their protection on one of our animal projects.
Work with children Help to break the cycle of poverty by teaching local children the skills they need for a better future.
Work with communities Work in some of the world’s most remote areas to improve the quality of life for local communities, helping to build a more sustainable future.
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUNTEERING
Work in conservation Help local communities to preserve their fragile ecosystems, contributing to the long-term education of the environments we all enjoy as travellers.
Do it all Combine all the different ways to volunteer in one project - working with children, protecting local wildlife and helping the local community.
You can volunteer in a number of different ways and in a number of locations. Deciding which project is best for you depends on a number of factors.
Teaching sports Sport has the power to cross all linguistic and cultural barriers. Use your enthusiasm to develop vital teamwork skills, boost confidence, and put a great big smile on the kids’ faces and yours.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Do you want to immerse yourself into a community or are you looking for a way of giving back as a small part of a longer tour? We offer straight-up, no messing volunteering projects and also equally popular voluntours where you also get to see some of the highlights of your destination. Check out the following snapshot to help make your decision.
Volunteer Immerse yourself in the project. The longer you stay the more you’ll get out of it Get under the skin of a country - live like a local Be more independent - you’re not always travelling as part of a group
Voluntour Make a difference and tour the highlights Your time at the volunteer project is just one aspect of a longer tour See the country from a local perspective Meet and travel with like-minded people
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WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BASED? Okay armchair conservationist / teacher / local community hero … this is where the fun starts and the travelling bit happens. We have projects that span the globe - from the wilds of Africa to the palm-fringed beaches of the Pacific. Combine your passion for working with children with some temple gazing in Asia; mix a project preserving the fragile African eco-system with a safari to get up close and personal to the ‘Big 5’ in their natural habitat; or spend your weekends chilling by the ocean in Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand and Fiji, just to mention a few.
FINALLY We know what it means to volunteer and how rewarding it can be. We’ve sent over 100 of our own staff to check out the projects we work with so you know you’re getting the best advice from people who have actually been. Speak to your STA Travel Expert who can help you decide which project is best for you.
WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY GO? Why pay to volunteer? Your time and effort is invaluable on our volunteer projects, but while we certainly couldn’t do it without you, we also couldn’t make as big a difference without a few other vital tools. Paying to join a project provides the materials and training needed to actually make a difference. This means we can support both you and the communities you are working with. The challenging environments make volunteering totally worthwhile but we have to ensure you are safe too and when you’ve said goodbye and flown back home, the projects continue in a sustainable way. After all, it would be a shame for all of your hard work to go to waste, wouldn’t it? The truth of the matter is, there are costs associated with volunteering because there’s a cost to host volunteers. These include accommodation, meals, staff to administer your activities, staff to run the programmes whether it be community outreach, healthcare, education - you name it. Infrastructure is often poor in these environments and running costs of projects can be high. Significant time and research goes into making sure our programmes are sustainable for the communities but also authentic for you. The rest of your money goes towards costs to administer and support these programmes and to cover recruitment, training and resources to ensure we are offering credible and safe experiences.
In addition, all of the projects are non-profit organisations that need financial support to keep going. Therefore your trip provides an important economic impact to the local project and the community you visit with the help of your donation included in the project fee.
Support the local economy Once you have paid to volunteer, where does your money go? How do you know it’s actually going where we say it’s going? Take one of our volunteer projects and you can rest assured that it: Is well run by one of our trusted partners who follow the STA Travel Volunteering Statement of Commitment Is sustainable Benefits the local community and the environment Has a long-term impact Offers all the support and guidance you need The money you pay gets passed on to our partners and spent in-country, supporting local communities, employing local people and providing local food and accommodation for volunteers. Up to 70% of your cash goes straight back to benefitting the local people. A further proportion of your money also goes directly to your chosen project too, so before you’ve even arrived, your help makes a difference!
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HOME SWEET HOME Penguin rescue - Page 39
One thing’s for sure, on a volunteer project you’ll be getting stuck in and living like a local. We have some amazing accommodation options that are often just the icing on the cake on an already unforgettable adventure. While some trips offer a more ‘back to basics’ experience, wherever you stay you’ll be sure to meet new friends, have the experience of a lifetime and live in some of the most unbelievable areas on earth. We think it’s worth it.
SHAmWARI conservation experience - Page 42
help children in cape town - Page 38
VOLUNTEER WITH ELEPHANTS IN northern THAILAND - PAGE 18
On-site accommodation
Volunteer House
Homestay
Stay on-site and you’ll have the shortest commute to work ever and the chance to really interact with the community. From fixed-platform tents in Nepal to simple cabins in Argentina, they vary to say the least! You’ll share with other volunteers too, so you’ll make friends in no time!
Perfect for meeting other volunteers, sharing stories and experiences. Volunteer houses have shared rooms and bathrooms plus communal living areas, with kitchen access. You’ll be close to the project, often near a town so you can lap up that local life.
Immerse yourself in the local community with a homestay. What better way to live like a local than to actually live with the locals? You might stay with other volunteers and facilities may be basic, but you’ll really get to see what life is like in some pretty remote areas.
volunteer with turtles in Greece - Page 65
Experience Borneo & conserve orang-utans - Page 25
Camping
Guest houses, hotels & lodges Extend your stay
Not always glamping, but if you don’t mind giving up a few home comforts and want the chance to spend a few nights under the stars, camping is a wicked option on some of our projects. While they may be remote, the campsites are secure and well-equipped.
We won’t throw you completely in at the deep end, we promise! The start and end of a project often mean a stay in a guest house or hotel in some of the most amazing locations! If you’re on a voluntour, chances are you’ll also stay in some of these.
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Many of our programmes offer additional weeks up to several months. If you fancy staying longer and making an even bigger difference whist getting more out of it yourself, longer durations are excellent value as you’ve already been trained so the costs are lower.
ANY QUESTIONS?
We’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions to put your mind at ease and set you on your way to a completely unforgettable experience!
What will I get out of volunteering? You mean, what won’t you get out of volunteering? Make a difference to the people and wildlife around the world, fight poverty, protect the environment and improve the lives you touch, while adding invaluable skills to your CV and gaining knowledge you definitely won’t learn from a textbook!
Are there any minimum numbers? Not usually but some projects can’t run with fewer than two people, so check the project details or ask a Travel Expert before you book. Group size differs from project to project and from month to month so it’s very hard to say how many others will be sharing your experience but you can be sure they will all be like-minded.
Do I need special skills to participate? Your enthusiasm and willingness to get involved are the most important requirements to volunteer however some projects do require a level of Spanish or dive qualifications. Check the notes for each project.
What support is available locally? You will have local support and our global network of STA Travel stores. All our projects are closely monitored to ensure you will be safe and get the most of out your time volunteering.
What extras do I need to think about? You’ll need to check local visa requirements and some projects require a background check. Please allow 4-6 weeks for this. You will also need to give some thought to your flight itinerary, travel insurance and onward travel plans. Ask your STA Travel Expert for further information.
What is included in my trip? All projects vary but generally transfers and meals are included meaning you won’t need a lot of extra cash. As usual, check the project inclusions to be sure.
What age do I have to be to volunteer? You’ll need to be at least 18 years-old.
How do I get to the project? This varies. Sometimes you need to make your own way to a central joining hotel and from there your transfer to the project will be arranged and included in the price you’ve paid. For others you will need to make your own way there. Check the inclusions sections on each project or ask your Travel Expert for more details.
How long should I volunteer for? The most frequent comment from people who volunteer with us is ‘I wish I’d stayed longer’. Check the individual project for how long you can stay – the longer the better as it’s often much better value and both you and the project will get more out of your stay. We can work closely with you, whether you want to dedicate your whole trip to volunteering, or add a shorter project on to a longer itinerary.
ASIA ASIA
A SPIRITUAL PLACE, DIVERSITY AT EVERY TURN “I was overwhelmed by the kind reaction to my English lessons with the novice monks. It was such an enlightening experience.” Adrian Walker - Volunteer with Local Communities & Novice Buddhist Monks
£371
THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
FR
1 - 2 WEEKS
Mae Taeng District (Chiang Mai), Thailand
L AO S
Chiang Mai B U R M A
T H A I L A N D
Bangkok C A M B O D I A
Inclusions Project Start Date: Mondays Project Location: Mae Taeng District (60km north of Chiang Mai city) Getting There: make your own way to the project office in Chiang Mai on Day 1 just before 8am. Transfer to the project is included Accommodation: multi-share volunteer huts (6 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: BKKELE
Highlights • Bathe & feed elephants • Assist with local conservation • Stunning, rural location
• Up close, hands-on experience • Learn about elephant treatment • On-site dog rescue project
Stay Longer: Fr £371 per week
Set in a valley surrounded by forested mountains, this project offers a peaceful home for more than 30 neglected and abused elephants. You will play an essential role in caring for this endangered species, at this internationally-renowned conservation project. Day to day, you’ll assist veterinary inspections, feed these majestic, grey giants and learn how they choose their friends and interact. Over the duration of your stay, you’ll get up close with these creatures and see how they actually start to recognise you - elephants don’t forget, remember! All the mahouts (elephant caretakers) bring the elephants down to the river so that everyone can have a go at bathing them – the best part of the day!
THE LOWDOWN
Your activity-packed day typically starts at 8am and finishes at 5pm Share simple but comfy accommodation with two other volunteers Opportunity to assist with lovable stray dogs at a rescue project In your free time, socialise with fellow volunteers at the on-site bar You’ll maintain the grounds and care for the organic garden Work with locals and discover Thai life off the tourist trail
Getting up close and personal with these gentle giants, supporting their rehabilitation & learning from the mahouts was a really special experience. Bath time rocked! Lilly Thomas - volunteer
Start the adventure
One of the world’s most expensive coffee brands is made from the dung of Thai elephants CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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VOLUNTEER WITH ELEPHANTS IN NORTHERN THAILAND
£920
FR
1 - 12 WEEKS
Huay Pakoot (Chiang Mai Province), Thailand
Highlights
• Work with rescued elephants • Live with & teach English to Karen locals
ASIA
Set in a remote hilltribe village, this grass roots project is for true elephant enthusiasts and those seeking a rural and rustic homestay experience. Assist mahouts (traditional keepers) with the rehabilitation of elephants rescued from working tourist camps. In your free time, discover the fascinating culture and surrounding lush mountain forests.
Inclusions
L AO S
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Chiang Mai province (approx. 5 hrs from Chiang Mai) Getting There: Chiang Mai airport pick-up included Accommodation: safe & basic rural village homestay, shared, with electricity & cold running water Meals: all meals included Notes: medium to high level of fitness required; days include long walks in the forest on hilly terrain Trip Code: GVIVOL
Chiang Mai B U R M A
T H A I L A N D
Bangkok C A M B O D I A
Stay Longer: Fr £125 per week
ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE IN SURIN
8 DAYS +
Surin Province, Thailand
Highlights
• Feed and bathe these majestic giants • Kayak, go fishing & learn Thai cooking
Enjoy the unique experience of working off the beaten track, alongside a traditional ‘elephant village’ in rural Surin. Through sharing their lives with visitors, mahouts are able to support their elephants and families, meaning a greater quality of life for all parties. You’ll care for, feed and bathe these gentle giants as well as help the mahouts harvest and plant crops.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Fridays Project Location: Surin Province, east Thailand Getting There: transfers from Bangkok Airport to Khao San hostel, 7hr train ride from Bangkok to Surin & transfer to project included (selected times). Accommodation: Khao San hostel, twin-share with en suite & air con (2 nts), multi-share in Surin (2 nts), elephant village homestay, multi-share (3 nts) Meals: most meals included Trip Code: SURELE
T H A I L A N D
Surin
Bangkok
Stay Longer: Fr £141 per week
18
£546
FR
C A M B O D I A
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TEACHING IN SURIN
£399
FR
8 DAYS+
Surin Province, Thailand
Highlights
• Teach English to primary school children • Tick off spirited Bangkok’s top sites
ASIA
Experience Thai contrasts, with two nights in Khao San’s bustling backpacker district and a day tour of Bangkok’s attractions before easing into relaxed, rural life in the charming town of Surin. Working in small groups, you’ll plan and teach English classes to 5-12 year-old school kids. Come the weekend, check out the night market and lively local bar scene.
Inclusions T H A I L A N D
Project Start Date: selected Fridays Project Location: Surin Province, north east Thailand Getting There: transfers from Bangkok Airport to Khao San hostel, 7hr train ride from Bangkok to Surin & transfer to project included (selected times). Accommodation: Khao San hostel, twin-share with en suite & air con (2 nts), volunteer house with dorms, shared bathroom, fans, fully-equipped kitchen, lounge & free Wi-Fi (5 nts) Meals: breakfast on Days 2 & 3 included Notes: background check required Trip Code: SURTEA
Surin
Bangkok
C A M B O D I A
Stay Longer: Fr £54 per week
£396
TEACHING IN KOH SAMUI
FR
8 DAYS+
Koh Samui, Thailand
Highlights
• Teach English to primary school children • Live by the beach, thriving party scene
Based in a small fishing community 45 minutes from popular tourist hub Chaweng Beach, this project is ideal for those wanting to combine teaching local kids with a beach party or two. Weekdays you’ll plan lessons and team-teach English 9.30am-2.30pm, with plenty of time to explore the island and hit the beach, a mere five-minute stroll from your accommodation.
Inclusions
Bangkok
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Thong Krut, Koh Samui (approx. 45-minute drive from Chaweng) Getting There: transfer from Koh Samui Airport to accommodation is included (selected times) Accommodation: basic but clean uni-sex dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms, kitchen, garden & free Wi-Fi. Five minutes from the beach Meals: no meals included Note: background check required Trip Code: STARTE
C A M B O D I A
Koh Samui
Stay Longer: Fr £121 per week
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
19
THAILAND COASTAL CONSERVATION EXPEDITION
£1,045
FR
2 - 24 WEEKS
Phang Nga, Thailand
Highlights
• Help preserve the marine environment • Gain insights into conservation
ASIA ASIA
Help protect some of the world’s most beautiful beaches through biodiversity studies, turtle rehabilitation, seasonal mangrove work and beach cleans. As part of a hands-on team, you will be involved in various conservation efforts as well as teaching children English and promoting environmental awareness. In your free time, surf, dive, kayak and snorkel.
Inclusions
T H A I L A N D
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Phang Nga (2 hrs north of Phuket) Getting There: airport transfer from Phuket Airport included (selected times). Arrive into Phuket the day before project starts Accommodation: basic, comfortable mixed sex rooms with bunk beds (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: medical form and background check required Trip Code: GVITHI
Bangkok C A M B O D I A
Phang Nga Phuket
Stay Longer: Fr £250 per fortnight
VOLUNTEER & TEACH KIDS IN THAILAND
2 - 12 WEEKS
Phang Nga, Thailand
Highlights
• Help with local kids’ development • Teach and tutor children one-on-one
Most days will be spent assisting teachers in the local school leading English classes, helping with homework assistance and tutoring. By volunteering, you’ll help provide children with better opportunities as jobs in the tourism industry allow them to break out of the cycle of poverty. In your free time, explore the region’s amazing beaches, islands and mountains.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Phang Nga (approx. 2hrs north of Phuket) Getting There: airport transfers from/to Phuket Airport included (selected times). Arrive into Phuket the day before project starts Accommodation: basic shared rooms, mixed sex (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: medical form & background check required Trip Code: GVIKID
T H A I L A N D
Bangkok C A M B O D I A
Phang Nga Phuket
Stay Longer: Fr £250 per fortnight
20
£1,045
FR
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£715
THAILAND VOLUNTOUR
FR
15 DAYS
Bangkok - Surin - Koh Phangan - Bangkok
ASIA
Take in world-famous sites in the buzzing metropolis of Bangkok, experience firsthand everyday life in rural Thailand and dance up a storm on the white beaches of hedonistic party isle Koh Phangan. This diverse voluntour also offers a choice of two volunteer programmes to take part in, both based in Surin. Opt to teach at a local school or work in an elephant village, assisting mahouts (elephant keepers) in caring for these grey giants. Moving on to Koh Phangan, split your time between massages, raving on the beach and yoga retreats.
DAY Itinerary Bangkok
01-02 03
Arrive in bustling Bangkok, transfer to your guesthouse in backpacker central AKA Khao San Road and head out for some beers with your group. Day 2, enjoy a tour of the city’s highlights including decadent temples, Wat Pho (the Reclining Buddha), The Golden Palace (entrance fee not included) and a boat trip. Spend the evening soaking up the buzz of Khao San’s bars and stalls. Bangkok / Surin
Take the pleasant 6-7-hour train journey to Surin, passing the edges of Khao Yai National Park. On arrival, transfer to you accommodation. Surin
04-07 08-09
Spend the next few days at your chosen volunteer project. Those on the teaching programme will teach four hours of classes each morning in schools, assisting children with conversational English. Afternoons are free for exploring and lesson planning. Volunteers at the elephant village will stay at the village leader’s home and help the mahouts with duties including bathing elephants, planting and harvesting crops as well as kayaking on the local river and learning how to make basic Thai dishes.
Highlights
• Explore backpacker mecca, Khao San Rd • Choice of two, fab volunteer projects • Koh Phangan’s legendary nightlife
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Fridays Project Location: Surin, north east Thailand Getting There: airport transfer from Bangkok airport to Bangkok guesthouse included (selected times) Accommodation: twin share private room with en suite & air con on Khao San Rd (4 nts), shared rooms in volunteer house with fans & Wi-Fi in Surin OR multi-share elephant village homestay (5 nts), twin-share private room with en suite & air con in Koh Phangan hotel (4 nts), overnight coach trip (1 nt) Meals: breakfast on Days 2 & 3 and all meals in the elephant village included Notes: if teaching children, background check required Trip Code: THISTA Elephant Village T H A I L A N D
Surin
Surin / Bangkok / Koh Phangan
Leave Surin on Day 8 and return to Bangkok by coach. Next day, explore the Thai capital before your overnight transfer by coach to Koh Phangan.
Bangkok
Koh Phangan
10-13
Arrive at Koh Phangan pier morning of Day 10 and transfer to your beachside hotel. Spend the next three days at your leisure; a blend of lazy sunbathing, beach parties and relaxing with massages and yoga.
C A M B O D I A
Koh Phangan/Bangkok
14-15
Morning of Day 14, it’s time to head back to Bangkok for a final night’s stay in Khao San Road before bidding the City of Angels goodbye on Day 15 following morning check out.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
Koh Phangan
21
THAILAND VOLUNTOUR EXPLORER Bangkok - Surin - Sangkhlaburi - Koh Phangan - Bangkok
£845
FR
29 DAYS
ASIA ASIA
Highlights
The perfect blend of volunteering, relaxation and living it up in stunning Thailand. Spend time caring, bathing and feeding elephants in friendly, rural Surin, a province famous for being the ‘home’ of the Thai elephant. You’ll then get the chance to help the local community with a building project in beautiful Sangkhlaburi. After helping out with these two local projects, head to the party paradise island of Koh Phangan for some much-deserved rest, relaxation and raving on its beautiful beaches!
• Care for elephants in Surin • Help build a project in Sangkhlaburi • Party ‘til dawn in Koh Phangan
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Fridays Project Location: Surin / Sangkhlaburi Getting There: pick-up transfer from Bangkok Airport included Accommodation: twin share with en suite in Bangkok (5 nts), multi-share in Surin Town (3 nts), elephant village homestay multi-share (3 nts), twin share with en suite in Sangkhlaburi (6 nts), overnight transport (1 nt) twin-quad rooms in Koh Phangan (10 nts) Meals: some meals included Transport: minibus, train, coach & ferry Trip Code: THIVOL
DAY Itinerary Bangkok / Surin
01-03
Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to your accommodation on Khao San Road. Next day, enjoy an orientation before a walking tour of Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. Day 3, board your train or coach to Surin with a guide. Surin / Elephant Village / Surin
04-08
Transfer to an elephant village where you’ll be living the local life in traditional Thai houses. Days 4-7 involve bathing, feeding and caring for the elephants and working alongside the mahout to harvest crops (season dependent). In your free time, learn to cook tasty Thai dishes, kayak along the river and make dung paper (a source of income for the village). Chill out in Surin on Day 8. Surin / Bangkok / Sangkhlaburi
09-10
Elephant Village Sangkhlaburi
T H A I L A N D
Sangkhlaburi
Surin
11-15 Bangkok
Travel back unguided to bustling Bangkok where you’ll be met by one of the Sangkhlaburi team members for the next part of your adventure. On Day 10, take in the scenery on the 5-7 hour journey to Sangkhlaburi.
16-17
Flex your muscles in preparation for the building project today! The type of work depends on the progress of ongoing projects but can range from building community facilities to local schools and day centres. Bangkok / Koh Phangan
Make your way back to buzzing Bangkok. On Day 17, travel overnight to dreamy Koh Phangan where some well-deserved R&R awaits! Koh Phangan
C A M B O D I A
Koh Phangan
22
18-27 28-29
Arrive at the exotic island Koh Phangan on the morning of Day 18. Snorkel in aquamarine waters, cover yourself in neon paint and rave it up ‘til dawn on Haad Rin beach or just kick back and relax on the white sandy beaches. Koh Phangan / Bangkok
It’s back to Bangkok today for one final night out along Khao San Road where you can raise your Chang beer and toast your trip! Check out on Day 29.
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£943
HILL TRIBE HELPING HANDS ADVENTURE
FR
28 DAYS
Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Bangkok
ASIA
Provide skills training, education and support to help villages thrive without losing their cultural identity. You will assist at one of the following: childcare centres, schools, a temple, the hospital, a vocational college or outdoor work. Explore Bangkok and Chiang Mai and enjoy a three-day trek to hill tribe villages.
Highlights
• A variety of volunteering activities • 3-day trek to authentic hill tribe villages • Explore Bangkok & Chiang Mai
DAY Itinerary 01
Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok at any time to be transferred to your accommodation. Bangkok
02
You’ll be given an orientation and overview of the project where you will volunteer before heading out into Bangkok for a walking tour. Then, travel by overnight train to the ancient and charming old capital, Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai
03 04
Hit the streets and soak up the rich cultural history and colonial architecture of the old city. From mesmerising markets to impressive temples, Chiang Mai ticks all the right boxes! Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai
Take a bus to Chiang Rai and spend the afternoon at your own pace, immersing yourself in this quaint Thai town.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Thursdays Project Location: Chiang Rai Getting There: transfers to/from Bangkok Airport included at the start and end of the tour Accommodation: multi-share rooms in a hotel/hostel (6 nts), multi-share room/dorm at the project (19 nts), sleeping berth on overnight train (2 nts) Meals: all meals at project site included Notes: application form & background check required Trip Code: BKKHIL
Chiang Rai Volunteer Project
05-23 24 25 26 27 28
Spend three weeks volunteering on various activities, dependent on the community’s needs. Help with teaching English to locals from surrounding hill tribes and villages or opt for outdoor work. You’ll also visit Chiang Rai night bazaar, the White Temple, stunning waterfalls and enjoy trekking.
B U R M A
L AO S
Chiang Rai Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Say goodbye to the project’s staff and head back to your hotel in Chiang Rai town. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this sacred spot. Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai
After breakfast, take the bus back to Chiang Mai.
T H A I L A N D
Bangkok C A M B O D I A
Chiang Mai
Gorge yourself at Chiang Mai’s multiple food stalls before boarding the overnight train back to Bangkok. Bangkok
Early morning, arrive in Bangkok and make your own way to the hotel. Bangkok
Leave Bangkok any time today for your flight home.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
23
£465
TIGER TRAIL CONSERVATION
FR
8 DAYS
Merapoh, Malaysia
Highlights
• Assist Malaysia’s largest tiger NGO • Learn the ways of native tribe, the Batek
ASIA ASIA
Based in a town on the borders of Malaysia’s largest national park, you will support tiger conservation efforts by dismantling snares, tracking large mammal footprints and collecting camera trap data. Four days and one night will be spent trekking through the jungle with a local guide. You will also spend a day caving and visit a forest tribal village where you’ll forage with women and teach English to the young adults.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: 08Feb16, 22Feb16 then Mondays Mar-Nov Project Location: Merapoh (approx 4 hrs from Kuala Lumpur) Getting There: take the 10am transnational bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu which stops for lunch at Merapoh Accommodation: simple dorms (7 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: KULTIG
Merapoh M A L AYS I A
Kuala Lumpur
WORK WITH ENDANGERED ORANG-UTANS
2 WEEKS
Kuching (Borneo), Malaysia
Highlights
• Rehabilitate rescued orang-utans • See sunbears, bear cats and other animals
This project safeguards Borneo’s endangered orang-utan population through the centre’s rescue and rehabilitation programme. You’ll help with the ‘enrichment’ process, building hammocks, swings and platforms as well as preparing food and cleaning enclosures. Help these incredible animals move a step closer to living independently and enjoy the camaraderie of living in shared jungle chalets.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: 5th &19th day of each month Project Location: Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak Getting There: transfers from Kuching Airport included Accommodation: guesthouse (2 nts), shared jungle chalet (12 nts) Meals: meal allowance & kitchen facilities provided. £50 for catered option. Notes: see notes on page 25 Trip Code: KCHORA
24
£1,280
FR
Matang Wildlife Centre Kuching
SA R AWA K
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EXPERIENCE BORNEO AND CONSERVE ORANG-UTANS
£1,195
FR
14 DAYS
Kuching (Borneo) – Matang – Bako – Semenggoh – Batang Ai – Kuching
ASIA
Highlights
• Visit an orang-utan rehabilitation centre • Live with local rainforest tribes • Take a boat tour of the mangrove swamps
Inclusions This voluntour is designed to raise awareness of the conservation efforts made in Sarawak and to bring harmony between people and orang-utans. Be one of the special few who experience and help with orang-utans being rehabilitated and see the semi-wild orang-utans at the world-famous Semenggoh Nature Reserve.
Project Start Date: 3rd of each month Project Location: Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak Getting There: transfers from/to Kuching Airport included Accommodation: basic shared rooms (4-6 per room), hostel, park lodges and longhouse lodges (13 nts) Meals: most meals included Notes: there is no touching of orang-utans on the tour as this runs contrary to efforts to rehabilitate them back to the wild as well as carrying significant risks for injury or disease to both animals & humans Trip Code: KCHVOL
Post-volunteering, enjoy an exhilarating week’s adventure into the rainforest where you’ll meet the descendants of the legendary headhunters of Borneo – the Iban tribe – who are now custodians of the wild orang-utans. Experience an incredible stay with them in a traditional longhouse.
DAY Itinerary 01 02-03 04
SA R AWA K
Bako
Matang
Kuching
Kuching
Semenggoh
Batang Ai
After arriving into Kuching you will be transferred to your accommodation. Matang Wildlife Centre Volunteering Project
Assist with the rehabilitation of these incredibly beautiful creatures at Matang Wildlife Centre in Kubah National Park. Bako National Park
Enjoy a short boat ride through winding mangrove swamps until you reach Sarawak’s oldest national park, Bako National Park.
I N D O N E S I A N
B O R N EO
Bako National Park
05-06 07
Spend two days exploring this incredible park, spotting proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, silvered langurs and monitor lizards in addition to an amazing variety of bird and insect life. Sarawak Cultural Village
Today check out a cultural village, a living museum to the Dayaks - the indigenous tribes of Borneo. Batang Ai Rainforest
08-12
Travel to Batang Ai and enjoy time trekking into the rainforest in search of orang-utans and other wildlife, meeting the Iban tribe and learning traditional handicrafts and cooking skills along the way. Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre
13
On today’s menu: a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll visit Semenggoh Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre where you can get up close to the orang-utans at feeding time. Afterwards travel on to Kuching.
14
Kuching
YOU MIGHT LIKE SAMBOJA LESTARI ORANG-UTAN VOLUNTEER PROJECT 2 - 4 WEEKS Fr £1,195 Help rehabilitate orang-utans and sun bears in Samboja, East Kalimantan, Borneo at this sanctuary nestled in tropical rainforest. Tasks will include forest plantation, general maintenance and assisting with feeding and cleaning. Trip Code: KCHSAM
Reminisce about your unforgettable experience. Depart at any time.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
25
JUNGLE OR ISLAND ADVENTURE IN BORNEO
£845
FR
2 WEEKS – 3 MONTHS
Kota Kinabalu (Borneo), Malaysia
Camp Mantanani Island Camp Tinangol Kota Kinabalu
Camp Bongkud
Camp Batu Puteh
ASIA ASIA
SA BA H
Inclusions Project Start Date: selected dates throughout year Project Location: various camps in the Sabah region Getting There: all in-country transfers included Accommodation: mainly traditional longhouses in permanent camps Meals: all meals included Notes: for volunteers aged 18-30. Three-month itinerary includes 1 month working on projects in Cambodia Trip Code: CAMBRN
Highlights • Work on turtle conservation • Choose a tropical jungle adventure • Or opt for an lush island escapade
Stay Longer: Fr £750 for 1 fortnight Camps International own, manage and operate 25 permanent and exclusive camps, which bring significant revenue and assistance to poor rural communities. They have up to 100 award-winning projects running at any time, which means you get to experience a wide range of activities that address local poverty, healthcare, education, welfare, conservation and environmental issues. This really is doing it all!
• See orang-utans • Community & conservation work • Work alongside Malay locals
Get off the well-trodden backpacker trail and experience authentic culture and traditions, living and working alongside rural Malay locals. According to your trip duration, you’ll rotate through a range of camps, working on a number of community, wildlife and environmental projects. If you opt to volunteer at the island’s community initiative, work may involve painting classrooms, making local arts and crafts, teaching sports and planting crops. Alternatively, if you pick the jungle project, you’ll help reforest areas while being privy to amazing wildlife viewing - if you’re lucky you’ll spot endangered orang-utans - and help with beach clean-ups and raising environmental awareness amongst communities.
THE LOWDOWN
An idyllic island or rustic jungle location - enjoy both if staying 1 month+ Enjoy a day trip to Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary (1-month + stay) Activities may include construction work & improving water supplies Support marine conservation, helping protect endangered green turtles Weekends free to go mountain climbing or explore local towns & beaches Varied accommodation: long houses, tents & the occasional hammock!
Borneo’s tropical rainforest is about 130 million years-old, making it one of the world’s oldest jungles 26
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We met so many new people & enjoyed everything we did. In fact, we loved it so much, that me & my twin sister have already started fundraising for our next Tanzania volunteering expedition. Mary Sumandak - volunteer
TWITTER.COM/STATRAVEL_UK
£835
COMMUNITY & CULTURE IN CAMBODIA
FR
2 WEEKS - 1 MONTH
Siem Reap & Phnom Penh, Cambodia
T H A I L A N D
Camp Beng Mealea Siem Reap
Camp Beng Pae C A M B O D I A
ASIA
Phnom Penh V I E T N A M
Inclusions
Highlights • Live alongside rural communities • Authentic Cambodian culture • Work in primary schools
• Explore the formidable Angkor Wat • Visit S-21 & the Killing Fields • Vibrant Siem Reap & Phnom Penh
Project Start Date: selected dates throughout year Project Location: either near Siem Reap or Phnom Penh (location dependent on season & duration of stay) Getting There: all in-country transfers included Accommodation: traditional longhouses & hostel/ hotel accommodation when visiting towns Meals: all meals included Notes: for volunteers aged 18-30. This project is ideally combined with Jungle or Island Adventure in Borneo. Trip Code: CAMCAM
Stay Longer: Fr £455 for a fortnight
Experience the real Cambodia, living alongside a traditional Khmer community and working on a number of initiatives designed to improve living standards in SE Asia’s poorest country. Most projects will be based at rural primary schools where you’ll help improve facilities and enhance learning opportunities for the wonderful local children. Outside of volunteering, you’ll also get to explore the lively cities of Siem Reap and Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Enjoy trips to the sprawling and spectacular temple complex of Angkor Wat as well as the poignant must-sees of S-21 and the Killing Fields. Weekends will typically be free for you and your group to enjoy the many local bars, restaurants and markets.
THE LOWDOWN
Improve school facilities & assist with food security projects Promote sustainable living & assist villages with clean water projects Trips to Angkor Wat, S-21 and the Killing Fields included in tour cost Unisex accommodation in basic but comfy & traditional long houses Enjoy local produce & Cambodian cuisine prepared by the camp’s cook Support teachers with lessons at under-resourced local primary schools
My intention with volunteering was to ‘give something back’ & open up my eyes to cultures other than my own. The Community & Culture in Cambodia trip allowed me to do that. Sallie Coxon - volunteer
youtube.com/statravel
Cambodia’s flag is the only national flag that features an image of a building - Angkor Wat. CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
27
£666
TEACHING CHILDREN IN CAMBODIA
FR
2 - 6 WEEKS
Siem Reap, Cambodia
T H A I L A N D
Siem Reap C A M B O D I A
ASIA ASIA
V I E T N A M
Inclusions
Project Start Date: every Sunday Project Location: Mondul Bai, Siem Reap Getting There: transfer from Siem Reap Airport included Accommodation: guesthouse private room with bathroom, air con/fan & pool (13 nts) Meals: breakfasts included Notes: background check required. Town orientation included Trip Code: CAMCHI
Highlights • Assist with teaching English • Varied community programmes • Two kilometres from Angkor Wat
Stay Longer: Fr £135 per week
YOU MIGHT LIKE TEACH ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TEFL) A TEFL certificate will qualify you to teach English in schools, private language institutes, local businesses and universities. Doing the short course prior to volunteering not only equips you with skills and future employment options but ensures you get the most out of your time spent volunteering. See pages 76-77.
• Help break the poverty cycle • Explore nearby temples & markets • Guesthouse with pool
New Hope Cambodia is based in one of the poorest slum areas on the outskirts of Siem Reap. This project aims to restore hope and dignity to these once-proud and prosperous communities by providing free education, healthcare and vocational training. Project hours will vary from half to full days, where you’ll support Khmer teachers to assist with English, maths, sewing and computer lessons. A portion of the cost of your trip will be used to buy a bicycle for you to transport yourself to and from the project. After you leave, the bike is donated back to the community for their use.
THE LOWDOWN
Volunteer at either morning or afternoon classes or opt for both sessions Simple en suite guesthouse accommodation has hot water, Wi-Fi and a pool In your free time, explore night markets, ancient temples & floating villages Desirable qualifications: bags of enthusiasm, commitment & flexibility Assist with support of the outreach and medical centres Includes orientation plus ongoing support from volunteer co-ordinators
In Cambodia, a person’s head is considered sacred and should not be touched at any time. 28
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This was such a rewarding project to be a part of. Not only were we teaching some fantastic kids, but we also felt like we were really helping contribute to the local communities within Siem Reap. Andy Smith - volunteer
statravel.co.uk/travel-blog
£662
MEANINGFUL CAMBODIA EXPERIENCE
FR
14 DAYS
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat - Kampong Phluk
ASIA
Improve the poor conditions and brighten opportunities for underprivileged Cambodian children at a volunteering project in Phnom Penh. As part of this voluntour experience you’ll explore this colourful country and admire one of the most beautiful temple complexes in the world - Angkor Wat.
Highlights
• Help underprivileged children • Experience fascinating Cambodian culture • Explore the temples of Angkor Wat
DAY Itinerary 01
Phnom Penh
Arrive at Phnom Penh airport and transfer to your accommodation. Take a stroll round the city and later on be sure to check out the wild nightlife. Phnom Penh
02
Visit the Royal Palace, the sobering Tuol Sleng Museum and the infamous Killing Fields. The latter two sights give a clear understanding of the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Phnom Penh Volunteer Project
03-07 08-09
Support a local underprivileged kids project to provide a safe shelter for the children by assisting with painting, drawing, teaching English and other general duties. Phnom Penh / Siem Reap
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays 16Jan16 -10Dec16 Project Location: Phnom Penh Getting There: transfer from Phnom Penh International Airport included Accommodation: multi-share room/dorm with fan (13 nts) Meals: breakfasts included Notes: background check required Trip Code: REPCAM
Check out the capital at your own pace today. On Day 9 leave Phnom Penh behind and take the bus to Siem Reap. A guide will meet you on arrival. Angkor Wat Complex
10-11
Greeted by a guide and a tuk tuk, today you’ll explore the world heritage temple complex. Take in Angkor Thom, the 54 four-headed Buddha statue of the Bayons, Angkor Wat itself and the Ta Prohm ‘Tomb Raider’ temple. Start off Day 11 by visiting the natural bridge of Kbal Spean, followed by a hilly climb which promises incredible scenic views from the top! After a lunch next to the Kbal Spean river, admire sculptures of lingas (the symbol of the God Shiva’s supreme essence) and visit one of the best-preserved temples; Banteay Srei temple, one of Cambodia’s most remarkable temples. Kampong Phluk village
12-13 14
Visit a floating village, discovering the flooded forest and its birds by rowboat (Sep - Jan only) as well as the Roluos Group, one of the first Angkor temples. On Day 13 you’ll help children with English or craft classes at a local project. Kampong Phluk village
Sadly your trip ends today, so bid farewell to your trip mates and get ready for your next destination!
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
T H A I L A N D
Siem Reap
C A M B O D I A
Phnom Penh V I E T N A M
29
TEACH CHILDREN IN LAOS
FR
Luang Prabang, Laos
2 - 12 WEEKS
£945
Highlights
• Lead creative exercises to engage kids • Tutor kids and develop them one-on-one
ASIA ASIA
Working in a range of schools and educational centres, you will provide essential English language tuition to children of a variety of age ranges. Through telling stories, singing songs and playing games you’ll be teaching basic conversational English. Your enthusiasm and organisation will bring alive the resources and art materials available to engage with the children, encouraging education in this very underprivileged area.
Inclusions
V I E T N A M
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Luang Prabang Getting There: transfers to and from Luang Prabang Airport included (arrive day before project starts) Accommodation: basic guesthouse, shared (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: background check required Trip Code: GVITCL
L AO S
Luang Prabang
T H A I L A ND
Stay Longer: Fr £250 per fortnight
VOLUNTEER WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES & NOVICE BUDDHIST MONKS
Luang Prabang, Laos
2 - 12 WEEKS
Highlights
• Teach and practice English with locals • Work with novice Buddhist monks
As the economic benefit from tourism rises in Laos, so does the importance of English skills. Based in Luang Prabang, you will connect with the real Laos and its people through teaching English to kids and the local community, and on occasions novice Buddhist monks. Practical English use and conversation are the main focus and will be taught to students with varying levels of ability, so be prepared for a bit of ‘lost in translation’ fun!
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Project Location: Luang Prabang Getting There: transfers from/to Luang Prabang Airport included (arrive day before project starts) Accommodation: basic shared guesthouse (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: background check required Trip Code: GVIMON
V I E T N A M
L AO S
Luang Prabang
T H A I L A N D
Stay Longer: Fr £250 per fortnight
30
£945
FR
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HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
£569
FR
10 DAYS
The GK Enchanted Farm - Zambales
ASIA
This unique project runs alongside Gawad Kalinga (GK), an award-winning Philippine-based NGO that aims to eradicate the country’s poverty through creating sustainable communities. Volunteer at the Enchanted Farm - a thriving hub for social entrepreneurs - supporting workers in their day-to-day tasks and business plans. Teach English at the local school, and pitch in with cooking and farming duties before rounding off the week with a two-day R&R session on the beaches of San Felipe, Zambales.
DAY Itinerary Metro Manila/GK Enchanted Farm
01
Meet your rep in Manila at 10am and take an hour’s drive to a GK community, a former slum that’s been transformed into a colourful and empowered community. There, you’ll play games with the local kids, learn how to cook a typical Filipino dish and hear firsthand the remarkable stories of its residents conquering adversity. Afterwards, transfer to Enchanted Farm for your welcome dinner. GK Enchanted Farm
02
Take a tour of the 34-hectare farm and learn about the GK approach to ending poverty by changing the approach to business, education and tourism. See demos from resident entrepreneurs and learn about their novel business strategies before moving on to the local school ahead of your volunteering placement, where you’ll plan for your lessons.
Highlights
• Teach English to local school children • Be inspired by change-makers • Lazy, beachy days at San Felipe
Inclusions
Project Start Date: 16Jan16, 20Feb16, 19Mar16, 16Apr16, 21May16, 18Jun16, 16Jul16, 20Aug16, 17Sep16, 22Oct16, 19Nov16, 03Dec16 Project Location: GK Enchanted Farm (north east of Manila) & San Felipe, Zambales Getting There: return private van transfers or by bus to/from Manila, the Enchanted Farm & San Felipe included Accommodation: simple, shared dorms with air con at Enchanted Farm (6 nts) & Circle Hostel in San Felipe (3 nts) Meals: 12 meals included Trip Code: MNLPHL
GK Teaching & Volunteer Project/San Felipe
03-07
Spend mornings teaching 5-11 year-olds at the local school. In the afternoons, volunteer with farming and cooking tasks at Enchanted Farm, prepare for the next day’s lessons and relax by the farm’s infinity pool. Afternoon of Day 7, check out and accompanied by your guide, return to Manila and transfer to San Felipe in Zambales. Overnight at Circle Hostel. San Felipe
08-09 10
It’s beach time! The next two days are yours to spend at your leisure. Optional activities include: surfing, island hopping, a trip to local waterfalls or turtle conservation (season dependent).
Enchanted Farm San Felipe Manila
San Felipe / Metro Manila
After breakfast, hop on the return bus to Metro Manila, where your tour comes to an end, five hours later.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
31
VOLUNTEER CHINA PANDAS
£1,045
FR
11 DAYS
Chengdu - Xi’an - Dengfeng - Beijing
ASIA ASIA
Highlights
• Care for endangered pandas • Kung Fu lesson from Shaolin Masters • Hike & camp on the Great Wall of China
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Thursdays & Saturdays Project Location: Dujiangyan City (approx. 40 miles from Chengdu) Getting There: pick-up from Mr Panda Hostel in Chengdu, transfer to project & transport throughout included Accommodation: shared accommodation at Panda Centre (4 nts), youth hostels & guesthouses (4 nts), tent on Great Wall (1 nt), sleeping berth on overnight train (1 nt) Meals: breakfasts at Panda Centre included Notes: all bedding, sleeping bags & mats provided during Great Wall camping Trip Code: PEKPAN
This trip is simply panda-monium! *cue tumbleweed* Dad jokes aside, this gem of a voluntour will see you getting up close and personal with very cute and very endangered pandas in Dujiangyan. Added to this, you’ll tick off some of China’s most iconic attractions including the phenomenal Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall. Limber up for the ultimate Kung Fu lesson from Shaolin monks then zen out at Buddhist hotspot, Dharma Caves. Finish up in dynamo Beijing for a tour of the Olympic Stadium and reeee-lax!
DAY Itinerary 01
Chengdu/Dujiangyan
Transfer from your Chengdu hostel to Dujiangyan Panda Research Centre. Meet with a representative from the park for an orientation. Dujiangyan
02-04
For the next couple of mornings, you’ll be feeding the pandas and cleaning their enclosures. Come the afternoons, help the rangers with general work depending on what needs doing. Dujiangyan/Chengdu
05
Wave goodbye to the pandas and collect your certificate from the reserve in recognition of your efforts. After lunch, meet the rest of your group and return to Chengdu. Xi’an
06
Beijing
Arrive in Xi’an, meet your guide and take your pick from optional activities including a bike ride atop the Ming Dynasty city walls. Then, explore the city’s nightlife along with the Muslim quarter, Great Mosque and Silk Road market. Xi’an
07
C H I N A
Xi’an
Dujiangyan City
Dengfeng / Shaolin Temple
Dengfeng
08-09
Days 8 & 9, you’ll visit the Shaolin Temple area where you can learn Kung Fu with esteemed Shaolin Masters, enjoy a whistlestop Mandarin lesson and hike to Dharma Cave, a spiritual spot for Buddhist pilgrims with knock-out views. Beijing / Great Wall
Chengdu
10-11 32
Marvel at the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. In the afternoon, there’s the option of volunteering at a soup kitchen for the homeless or at a care home for the disabled.
Arrive in Beijing on Day 10 and head to the Great Wall which you’ll hike along before setting up camp. Start Day 11 with a stunning sunrise, then return to Beijing for a visit to the Olympic Stadium plus a mind-bending acrobatics performance, marking the close of your trip.
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TEACH CHILDREN IN JAIPUR
FR
Jaipur, India
2 - 24 WEEKS
£793
Highlights
• Teach underprivileged kids • Visit the spectacular Taj Mahal
Inclusions
T I B E T
PA K I S TA N
ASIA
Varied and ‘hands-on’, this adventure will give you a real taste of India as well as helping teach and inspire disadvantaged school children - no formal education training required! In addition to volunteering, you’ll get to see the sights of Delhi, Agra and Pushkar, including the resplendent Taj Mahal. Plus, enjoy authentic experiences through workshops on henna, Hindi, yoga and Indian clothing.
Project Start Date: selected Mondays Project Location: Jaipur, India Getting There: includes return Delhi Airport transfers (selected times) & local transport from accommodation to project Accommodation: volunteer house, unisex-style dorms (14 nts) Meals: most meals included Notes: background check required Trip Code: JAICHI
N E PA L
New Delhi Agra
Jaipur Pushkar I N D I A
Stay Longer: Fr £140 per week
VOLUNTEER WITH CHILDREN IN NEPAL
£617
FR
2 - 24 WEEKS
Kathmandu, Nepal
Highlights
• Use creative methods to teach kids • Weekend trips to Chitwan & Pokara
Pre-project, enjoy a few days of helpful and fun sessions about volunteering and the local culture. So no need to fret; those of you without formal teacher training will comfortably be able to tutor. And, workbooks and guidelines are provided. You’ll teach English and maths to Nepalese school children, as well as organising creative projects. Through puppet-making, to help with storytelling, and painting and drawing you’ll excite students about learning.
Inclusions
C H I N A
Project Start Date: selected Mondays Project Location: Kathmandu Getting There: transfers to/from Kathmandu Airport included Accommodation: volunteer house unisex dorm-style rooms (14 nts) Meals: most meals included Notes: background check required Trip Code: KTMVOL
Stay Longer: Fr £118 per week
N E PA L
Kathmandu I N D I A
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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THE INDIA EXPERIENCE & ADVENTURE New Delhi - Jaipur – Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - New Delhi - Himalayas - New Delhi - Goa
£1,215
FR
29 DAYS
ASIA ASIA
Highlights
• Work at projects in Rajasthan and Goa • Engage with local communities & kids • See India’s mountains, desert and beach
DAY Itinerary
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Fridays Project Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan & Goa Getting There: meet representative at Delhi airport on Day 1, who will accompany you throughout the programme Accommodation: simple hotel & volunteer house (multi-share) (28 nts) Meals: most meals included Note: background check required Trip Code: DELINZ PA K I S TA N
Get a mouth-watering taste for India’s sights, colours and overwhelming cultures on this 29-day adventure. You’ll split your time between traversing its well-trodden and fascinating backroads, as well as volunteering at two local projects, one in rural Rajasthan and the other on the beautiful Goan coast. Make a difference to this country and give something back to remarkable India.
Himachal Prades
T I B E T
New Delhi / Jaipur
01-04
Arrive into Delhi and you have the day at leisure to explore. On Day 2 meet your project representative who will take you to the camp in Jaipur. Spend the next few days checking out the Pink City’s bazaars and sights, practice your Bollywood grooves. Visit the famous Amber Fort and finish off with a bicycle rickshaw ride through Jaipur’s busy markets.
05-11
Today you’ll admire one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus - Pushkar. Enjoy a camel safari with amazing views of the Thar Desert. After your overnight camp, soak up Pushkar’s vibes and head through rural Rajasthan to Jaipur, your first volunteering stop. For the next five days you’ll help the Banzara community with teaching kids at local schools, as well as helping with painting the schools with educational murals designed to encourage education in this poor area.
Jaipur / Pushkar / Jaipur
A KI S TAN N E PA L
Lalsot / Agra / Delhi / Haridwar / Rishikesh
New Delhi Jaipur
Agra
12-20
Pushkar
I N D I A
Rishikesh / Delhi / Goa
Goa
21 -29 34
Visit the Taj Mahal and learn why it’s a true wonder. On Day 12 head to Delhi and spend the next day sightseeing. Relax in Haridwar on Day 14 before admiring Rishikesh’s famous temples, ashrams and the almighty River Ganges the next day. On Days 16 and 17 you’ll practice yoga, meditate and stay in a local ashram. Step up the pace on Days 18 and 19 as you trek a nearby mountain. Back on the train to Delhi and on Day 22 fly to Goa where you’ll spend the next six days helping kids with schooling, painting educational murals and local restoration projects. Reminisce on the past few incredible days as you depart after breakfast on Day 29.
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£575
GOA BEACH & VOLUNTEER
FR
Goa, India
2 - 24 WEEKS
PA K I S TA N
T I B E T
PA K I S TA N N E PA L
New Delhi
I N D I A
ASIA
Goa
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Mondays Project Location: Goa Getting There: transfers from/to Goa Airport included Accommodation: volunteer house with unisex, dorms-style rooms with shared bathrooms (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Note: background check required Trip Code: GOIGOA
Highlights • Teach English & maths in schools • Postcard-perfect Goan beaches • Care for communities in slum areas
• Experience authentic, local culture • Yoga & Bollywood dancing sessions • Live with like-minded volunteers
Stay Longer: Fr £139 per week
Want to be part of a project that makes a lasting impact? Due to the underfunding and mismanagement of Goa’s public services, its rural regions are rife with poverty and illiteracy. Get stuck into this programme and improve the future prospects of women and children from local fishing communities. You’ll do this by supporting them in learning crucial skills like English and maths, as well as deepening their understanding of health and nutrition. Working alongside local teachers, you’ll regularly meet local families, giving you the opportunity to get under the skin of ‘real’ Goan life and culture. And with your base a mere hop away from a twenty-five kilometre stretch of paradise beaches, your free time is already taken care of!
THE LOWDOWN
Volunteer weekdays, with evenings & weekends at your leisure Bed down with volunteers from across the globe in dorm-style rooms Socialise & tuck into tasty meals in the communal dining area Zen out with yoga sessions, Bollywood dancing & Henna workshops Plenty of free time for exploration and R&R Chill out on the palm-fringed, silky sands of nearby Madgaon Town
Loved working with the local kids, made a bunch of awesome new mates, discovered a new-found passion for yoga & fell more than a little in love with Goa. Take me back! Rhona Drake - volunteer
India - the birthplace of yoga - also hosts about 1,000 festivals every year!
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35
AFRICA AFRICA
THE DANCING, SINGING AND LAUGHING IT RINGS IN YOUR SOUL LONG AFTER YOU’VE LEFT “True grass-roots conservation that protects and rehabilitates wildlife. I’m honoured to have worked on the reserve.” Hansie Bez - Shamwari Conservation Experience
£777
TEACH CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA
FR
15 DAYS +
Cape Town townships, South Africa Z A M B I A
Z I M BA B W E N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
S O U T H
A F R I C A
AFRICA
Cape Town
Inclusions
highlights • Teach primary & pre-school kids • Foster creativity with art & crafts • Boulders Beach & Table Mountain
• Live in hip & artsy suburb of ‘Obs’ • Organise sports activities • Roomy house with own cook
Project Start Date: every 1st & 3rd Monday Project Location: Cape Town townships (includes Khayelitsha, Langa & Philippi) Getting There: airport or central accommodation transfer (selected times) to volunteer house included Accommodation: comfy & safe volunteer house, up to 6 volunteers per bedroom with shared bathroom & Wi-Fi access (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: background check required Trip Code: SFACHI
Stay Longer: Fr £210 per week
Combine a passion of working with children with leisure time spent in and around the stunning South African capital of Cape Town. On this project, based at the city’s townships, you’ll support teachers at schools and day cares. With classes of up to 50 children, the extra pair of hands you’ll provide will be invaluable, giving two and six years-old the one-on-one attention they so need. As well as teaching English and Maths and getting creative with arts and crafts projects, you’ll also assist local community projects such as running after-school programmes for disadvantaged children. In your free time, hit the vibrant festival and market scene of Cape Town or head to the coast for whale and dolphin-spotting or even a shark cage dive.
THE LOWDOWN
Volunteer mornings & afternoons, with weekends & evenings free Live in bohemian Observatory, a ten-minute drive from the city centre Spacious volunteer house with cool bars & live music a stone’s throw away On arrival, receive a full volunteer induction & orientation of the area Help kids with activities like reading, sports, computer literacy & crafts In your downtime, visit Stellenbosch & Robben Island or do a skydive!
Being a creative type, I was absolutely in my element doing arts & crafts with a load of excitable kids! And our ‘Obs’ digs were spot-on; funky live music & eclectic bars & shops were all on our doorstep. Niamh Begley - volunteer
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Top tip: sip excellent vino at stunning wine estates & stroll through bokaap’s colourful, cobbled streets. CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
37
£370
HELP CHILDREN IN CAPE TOWN
FR
10 DAYS +
Cape Town, South Africa Z A M B I A
Z I M BA B W E N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
S O U T H
A F R I C A
AFRICA
Cape Town
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Mondays (arrive Thursday for 3-day orientation) Project Location: Cape Town suburb of either Athlone or Kommetjie (approx 30 mins south of Cape Town) Getting There: transfers from Cape Town International Airport included Accommodation: shared room in volunteer house with lounge & kitchen or own/shared room in a local homestay with a South African family (9 nts) Meals: breakfast & dinners included Notes: background check required Trip Code: CPTHFO
highlights • Storytelling, art, drama & music • Cool & quirky optional activities • Striking Table Mountain location
• Free Cape Peninsula surf lesson • Take children on fun outings • Cape Town’s sizzling nightlife
Stay Longer: Fr £219 per week If you want to work with children and have a knack for storytelling, organising rounders tournaments or even bashing out a few questionable tunes on the recorder, listen up. Based in a township in the Table Mountain range, you’ll care for infants and children in local day care centres. From newborns to teenagers, some will be awaiting adoption; abandoned by their families or rescued from abusive homes. You’ll help to create a caring environment for them, assisting teachers and developing their creative skills through painting, colouring-in and playing games. In your spare time, bliss out on beaches, hike through the mountains or get stuck into optional actvities including turning plastic into art.
THE LOWDOWN
Work in a township creche in the mornings & a day care in the afternoons Bed down in a volunteer house dorm or live like a local with a host family Optional activities: visit a traditional healer or carnival project Assist with feeding, afternoon nap times & taking the kids on outings Weekends and evenings free to relax with your fellow volunteers Complimentary Cape Peninsula tour & surf lesson included
the south african institution of a ‘BRAAI’ (BBQ) is typically a big, meaty affair, washed down with a few beers. 38
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Days filled with playing games, singing songs and looking after wonderful little people. Evenings of belly laughs, beerfuelled braais and new buddies. I only wish I had been able to stay longer. Tony Hopkins - volunteer
Start the adventure
£458
MAKING WAVES SURF PROJECT
FR
17 DAYS +
Cape Town, South Africa
highlights
• Hit the waves & learn to surf • Mentor & inspire young people
Z I M BA B W E N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
S O U T H
A F R I C A
Cape Town
AFRICA
Help some of Cape Town’s most vulnerable youngsters feel loved and achieve a sense of self-worth through surfing. In the mornings, you’ll hit the waves, helping with surf lessons and supporting fitness training. In the afternoons, assist tutoring, reading and homework sessions. Enjoy socials with fellow volunteers plus a full-day peninsula tour.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Tuesdays (arrive Thursday before for 4-day orientation) Project Location: Muizenburg, Cape Town Getting There: airport transfers included. Free transport to/from project Monday-Friday Accommodation: shared bedroom (up to 3 people) in Muizenberg volunteer house with communal kitchen & lounge (16 nts) Meals: breakfasts & dinners included Note: background check required, surfing experience unnecessary but must be able to swim Trip Code: CPTWAV
Stay Longer: Fr £398 per week
£1,397
PENGUIN RESCUE
FR
45 DAYS
Cape Town, South Africa
highlights
• Hands-on work with penguins & seabirds • Free Cape Peninsula tour & surf lesson
Help this endangered seabird rescue project with cleaning and feeding oiled, injured or sick penguins and other seabirds. Volunteers will be taught how to catch, handle, feed, tube and administer medication. Experience a release trip to Robben Island, (home to one of the largest African Penguin colonies in the world), where you’ll hopefully enjoy the unforgettable reward of seeing a saved bird swim free. Check out the outstanding backpacker lodge with pool! Z I M BA B W E
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Mondays, arrive Thursday for 3-day orientation Project Location: Table View, Cape Town (30 mins from city centre) Getting There: transfer from Cape Town International Airport or city centre included Accommodation: backpacker lodge dorm (44 nts) Meals: volunteers receive daily food budget ZAR100 Trip Code: CPTPEN
Stay Longer: Fr £204 per fortnight
N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
S O U T H
A F R I C A
Cape Town
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
39
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
£1,195
FR
2 - 12 WEEKS
Limpopo Province, South Africa
highlights
• Learn animal behavioural study skills • Analyse important local wildlife data
AFRICA
Based at a South African game reserve, you’ll be in the thick of it with large game such as lions, leopards, elephants and hyenas. You’ll learn to use research equipment to help locate collared animals and gather information on predators to help determine their movements and social structures. If you stay four weeks, spend time at the mountain satellite camps to analyse data, track and monitor wildlife.
Limpopo Province
Inclusions
B OT S WA N A
Hoedspruit
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays (arrive the day before the project starts) Project Location: Limpopo Province Getting There: transfers from Hoedspruit Airport Accommodation: farmhouse multi-share (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: GVIWCV
Johannesburg
S O U T H
A F R I C A
Stay Longer: Fr £510 per fortnight
SPORTS COACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA
5 -12 WEEKS
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
highlights
• Coach basketball, hockey & cricket • Organise football tournaments
Develop life skills amongst disadvantaged kids, promote health awareness and bridge social divides through sport. Visiting several schools a day, you’ll work as part of a team to deliver coaching, run matches and organise tournaments. Plus, enjoy fab included excursions as part of your trip such as a starlit dinner in the African bush, superb surfing at Jeffreys Bay and a trip to Kragga Kama game reserve.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: 09Jan16, 13Feb16, 02Apr16, 07May16, 16Jul16, 27Aug16, 01Oct16 Project Location: Port Elizabeth Getting There: transfers from/to Port Elizabeth airport included Accommodation: dormitory-style volunteer house with shared bathroom, TV room and pool (35 nts) Meals: all meals included Note: background check required Trip Code: PLZCOA
Stay Longer: Fr £150 per week
40
£1,150
FR
Z A M B I A
Z I M BA B W E N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
S O UTH S O U T H
Cape Town
AFR ICA A F R I C A
Port Elizabeth
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£411
GREAT WHITE SHARKS VOLUNTEERING
FR
Gansbaai, South Africa
1 - 12 WEEKS Z A M B I A
Z I M BA B W E N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
S O U T H
A F R I C A
AFRICA
Cape Town
Gansbaai
Inclusions
highlights • Cage dive with Great Whites • Get up close with the ‘Marine Big 5’ • Work closely with marine biologists
• Fab accommodation & pool • Study shark behaviour • Two hours from vibrant Cape Town
Project Start Date: Mondays Project Location: Gansbaai, near Cape Agulhas (165km from Cape Town) Getting There: return transfers from Cape Town, all boat trips & educational activities are included Accommodation: shared bedrooms, bathroom & kitchenette in cottages. Volunteer centre with kitchen, entertainment area, Internet access & a pool (7 nts) Meals: breakfasts & light lunches included Trip Code: CPTGWS
Stay Longer: Fr £283 per week
Deep breaths everyone! Known as the world’s ‘Great White Shark Capital’ Gansbaai, at the southernmost tip of Africa, provides daily sightings of these awesome predators. Most of your sea time will be spent aboard a shark diving vessel assisting crew and helping tourists with wetsuits and refreshments. You’ll observe many Great Whites and learn about shark research and conservation. And of course you’ll get to take the plunge and cage dive yourself *gulp*. Don’t be surprised if you also spot whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and a variety of other birdlife; Gansbaai is a hotbed of extraordinary marine life. To get the most out of your experience and maximise cage diving opps we recommend signing up for at least a month.
THE LOWDOWN
Work aboard a leading shark cage diving vessel on up to two trips per day On land, learn about basic seamanship, whales & dolphins Excellent volunteer facilities including large pool, kitchen & barbecue area Lectures from leading marine biologists on shark behaviour & tracking Spot the ‘Marine Big 5’ on a daily basis! Fun activities organised for days off or head to cosmopolitan Cape Town
Learning about the intracacies of shark behaviour was a real eye-opener and getting so close to them - as well as whopping great whales & dolphins - in cage dives was such a rush! Rosie Edmonds - volunteer
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sharks have a sixth sense;. electroreception helps them to navigate and locate their prey. CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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£568
SHAMWARI CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE
FR
Paterson, South Africa
2 - 12 WEEKS
Z A M B I A
Z I M BA B W E N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
Johannesburg S O UT H S O U T H
AFRICA
Cape Town
A FR I CA A F R I C A
Paterson Port Elizabeth
Inclusions Project Start Date: Mondays Project Location: Paterson (87km from Port Elizabeth) Getting There: on arrival into Port Elizabeth, make your own way to Shamwari Game Reserve (transfers can be arranged at additional cost) Accommodation: shared rooms or tents (14 nts) Meals: all on-site meals included Trip Code: PLZSHA
highlights
Stay Longer: Fr £284 per week
• See the ‘Big 5’ in action • Live on Shamwari Game Reserve • Help anti-poaching efforts
• Fab facilities including pool • Top-class surfing on your doorstep • Champion wildlife conservation
Based at a purpose-built volunteer centre on a 25,000-hectare ‘Big 5’ reserve (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) in the Eastern Cape, it’s little wonder that Shamwari was nominated in the World Travel Awards category for ‘Africa’s Leading Conservation Company’. Assist in efforts such as animal tracking and research, reserve rehabilitation and eco-education. You’ll also enjoy interactive talks and lectures with the best in behind-the-scenes wildlife experiences. Weekly tasks may include visits to the Born Free Foundation’s Big Cat Sanctuaries for Lions & Leopards and conducting environmental and social awareness work in the local community.
THE LOWDOWN
Volunteer 8am-5pm Monday to Friday with evenings & weekends free Stay on-site in twin-share rooms with en suites Help with ground clearing, game monitoring and community projects Relax poolside with your volunteer buddies or fire up the barbecue Head to the local town of Paterson for relaxed evening beers On weekends, catch world-class surf at nearby Jeffreys Bay
three of the fastest land animals live in south africa: cheetah, wildebeest & lion 42
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Involved in award-winning, hands-on conservation & working alongside such a talented & passionate team, wow, did I feel lucky! My fave part? Being privy to wildlife rehabilitation, without a doubt. Lucy Evans - volunteer
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THE LION WHISPERER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
£880
FR
1 - 4 WEEKS
Welgedacht Game Reserve (near Pretoria), South Africa Z A M B I A
Z I M BA B W E N A M I B I A B OT S WA N A
Pretoria Johannesburg S O U T H
A F R I C A
AFRICA
Inclusions Project Start Date: Mondays Project Location: Welgedacht Game Reserve, near Pretoria Getting There: transfers included from/to Johannesburg International Airport Accommodation: shared African-style farmhouse (7 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: JNBKNG
highlights • Contribute to award-winning work • See big cats up close • Meet the ‘Lion Whisperer’ himself
• Volunteer in a ‘Big 5’ reserve • Fab farmhouse accommodation • Take part in bush walks
Stay Longer: Fr £385 per week
Kevin Richardson - AKA the ‘Lion Whisperer’ - is a high-profile conservationist who runs The Lion Whisperer Wildlife Sanctuary. This project is devoted to caring for and enriching the lives of the animals that live there, including lions, spotted and striped hyenas and black leopards. Volunteers will play an integral part in restoring Welgedacht Game Reserve back to its former glory. The reserve is the first free-roaming ‘Big 5’ of its kind in Gauteng province. As most of the reserve was previously farmland, there are challenges in returning the 18, 000-hectare land to its ideal condition. Volunteer activities are varied and include feeding of animals, game counts, tracking of wild animals and enclosure cleaning.
THE LOWDOWN
Duties include: fence checks, creating walking trails, patrolling for snares Enjoy a true bush experience, living on-site in a fenced contemporary camp Four-share bedrooms with en suites & lounge with TV & DVD At weekends, lounge around the pool & enjoy a tasty barbecue Basic meals are served at the camp, packed lunches if you’re not nearby On days off, visit markets, a diamond mining town or take a game drive
I loved the bush walks and tracking best. Working alongside seriously big cats was so cool. After long, hot days I’d relax by the pool, watch movies or play cards with my volunteer mates. Happy days! Sarah Vaughan - volunteer
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South Africa’s ‘little 5’ include the rhino beetle, the leopard tortoise & the elephant shrew CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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NAKAVANGO CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
£599
FR
1 - 12 WEEKS
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Z A M B I A
N A M I B I A
Victoria Falls
Z I M BA B W E
AFRICA
B OT S WA N A
Inclusions Project Start Date: Wednesdays 12Jan16 - 02Dec16 Project Location: Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve, Victoria Falls Getting There: return transfers from Victoria Falls International Airport included Accommodation: Conservation centre with single bedrooms (shared bathrooms), kitchen, deck with barbecue, bar, pool (6 nts) Meals: three daily meals included Trip Code: ZIMCON
highlights • Protect endangered black rhino • Includes trip to Victoria Falls • Pool, bar & barbecue facilities
Stay Longer: Fr £212 per week
• Learn to track wild elephants • Teach kids English & maths • Help with community development
A mere ten-minute drive from UNESCO World Heritage Site Victoria Falls, this project is based at the only ‘Big 5’ game reserve in the area. Recognised as an Intensive Protection Zone for endangered black rhino, an intensive monitoring programme is in place. Volunteers will engage in ‘behind the scenes’ wildlife conservation, typically involving tree protection, gathering wildlife data and removing invasive vegetation species. In addition, you’ll pitch in with community development, assisting at rural schools with homework workshops and sports coaching and vegetable garden upkeep. And with a pool on-site, there’ll also be plenty of time to socialise with your fellow volunteers at the end of the day.
THE LOWDOWN
Do anti-poaching snare sweeps, game counts & fence patrols Volunteer for 5-7 hours a day from Monday to Friday Purpose-built private rooms come with shared bathrooms & free Wi-Fi 70% of your time focused on conservation, 30% on community development Spend free weekends at nearby Victoria Falls or soak up some rays poolside Help local school children with numeracy & literacy skills
in zimbabwe, the victoria falls is known as ‘Mosi-oatunya’, meaning ‘the smoke that thunders’ 44
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The breadth of activities meant there was never a dull moment. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed helping the (hilarious) local kids and spotting a black rhino was simply the icing on the cake. Tom Jamieson - volunteer
FACEBOOK.COM/STATRAVEL
SEYCHELLES ISLAND RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
£1,495
FR
4, 8 OR 12 WEEKS
Curieuse Island, Seychelles
Curieuse Island
Mahé
AFRICA
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays (Jan-Nov). Arrive the day before project starts Project Location: Curieuse Island, Seychelles Getting There: return transfer from Mahe airport included (selected times) Accommodation: Basic dorm room (mixed sex) with shared bathrooms (28 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: GVISEY
highlights • Visit turtle breeding areas • Learn conservation skills • Explore forests & coral reefs
• Live & work on a tropical island • Restore giant tortoise habitats • Explore Seychelles’ many islands
Join a team of international volunteers on stunning Curieuse Island, and assist the local government with crucial wildlife and terrestrial conservation projects. It’s not all flopping about on paradise beaches however (that’s what the weekends are for) so come with your sleeves rolled up ready for plenty of demanding, physical activity in hot climes. Working in forests and on the beach, you’ll help with giant tortoise habitat management, turtle nesting research, bird monitoring and National Park conservation. On weekends, explore your postcard-perfect surroundings. Discover coral reefs, the stunning islands of Praslin and Vallee de Mai or head to Victoria the world’s smallest capital city - for local markets and a spot of shopping.
THE LOWDOWN
Stay Longer: Fr £900 per month
YOU MIGHT LIKE
MARINE CONSERVATION EXPEDITION IN SEYCHELLES 4 -12 WEEKS Fr £2,050 Working on critical marine conservation projects, you’ll assist with providing important data on coral reef research, whale shark migration observations and in-water turtle surveys. Diving amongst deserted tropical isles you’ll also have the chance to take your PADI Advanced and PADI Coral Reef Researcher Diver courses. Trip Code: GVIMAR
Challenging workload over a five-day week, prepare to get stuck in! Conduct wildlife surveys, restore habitats and monitor wildlife Basic but clean mixed dorm rooms with shared bathrooms Volunteers take it in turns to prepare simple meals for the group Receive training from staff throughout the project Opt to take part in snorkelling and diving sessions at extra cost
Glorious: that pretty much summarises it. OK, it was sweaty, hard graft but the pretty-as-a-picture setting coupled with working on wildlife conservation more than made up for the aching muscles. Erica Moss - volunteer
Start the adventure
esmeralda, the world’s heaviest land tortoise, lives on bird island & weighs in at 304 kilos! CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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COMMUNITY & WILDLIFE IN EAST AFRICA
£880
FR
2 WEEKS - 3 MONTHS
Tsavo region, Kenya & Tanga/Kidia, Tanzania
E T H I O P I A
U G A N DA
K E N YA
Camp Tsavo
Camp Kidia Kilimanjaro
Mombasa
Camp Tanga
TA N Z A N I A
AFRICA
Z A M B I A
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected monthly departures throughout the year Project Location: Tanga & Kidia in Tanzania, Tsavo region in Kenya Getting There: all in-country transfers included Accommodation: shared dome tents/thatched bandas with toilets & showers Meals: all meals included Note: for volunteers aged 18-30 Trip Code: CAMJRO / CAMMBO
highlights • Live with rural communities • Work in primary schools • Choose from 3 fab camp locations
Stay Longer: Fr £555 per fortnight
• Add on a big game safari • Elephant conservation (Kenya only) • Authentic cultural exhange
Choose from one of three month-long projects based in either Tanzania or Kenya. Enjoy a close knit set-up, staying in permanent, fully staffed camps, co-located with the communities you’ll be working with. Immersed in authentic African life, your days will be spent on projects improving education and locals’ living standards. The camps are based at the beautiful coastal town of Tanga, the rural village of Kidia in the foothills of Mount Kili and the rustic wildlife haven of the Tsavo region in Kenya. If you’re travelling for longer than a month, you can experience more than one of these incredible locations. And, there’s also the opportunity to add on a big game safari, scuba diving and moutain trekking adventure.
THE LOWDOWN
Work Monday-Friday in collaboration with locals on ongoing projects Get stuck into construction activities to improve school facilities Build homes for vulnerable members of the community Work on micro-finance initiatives including seaweed farming Staffed kitchens, spacious dining & chill-out areas, unisex tents/bandas At weekends, hit the local bar & restaurant scene
EAST AFRICA has been ‘safari capital of the world’ since the 1900s when Royalty flocked here to hunt the ‘Big 5’ 46
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I met so many interesting and inspiring people and made lifelong mates along the way. I left feeling blessed that I was able to change - even if it was in small ways - someone’s life for the better. Ceri Jones - volunteer
TWITTER.COM/STATRAVEL_UK
£647
HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN TANZANIA
FR
2 -12 WEEKS
Msaranga (Moshi), Tanzania
K E NYA
U GA NDA
Moshi
Kilimanjaro TA NZA NIA
Dodoma
AFRICA
Inclusions
Project Start Date: every first & third Monday Project Location: Moshi, Kilamanjaro Getting There: transfer from Kilimanjaro airport to the project included (selected times) Accommodation: basic shared unisex dorms with mosquito nets in Msaranga, 6km from Moshi (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: background check required, previous teaching experience not essential Trip Code: TANCOM
highlights • Play games with nursery kids • Trek Mt Kili - it’s on your doorstep! • Teach English to Maasai members
• Variety of projects & tasks • Help with HIV awareness projects • Live in an authentic rural village
Stay Longer: Fr £175 per week
Situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, Moshi is a modern, vibrant town inhabited by a blend of Tanzanians from different tribes and backgrounds. Here, you’ll get stuck in to a range of initiatives including leading on creative activities in nursery schools, teaching basic English to Maasai tribespeople who are looking to secure jobs within the tourism industry, and running after-school classes for secondary students to help raise HIV/AIDS awareness. Enjoy a ‘real’ African experience, bedding down in volunteer accommodation in a nearby rural village where you’ll wake to cracking mountainscape vistas, experience typical day-to-day life and get the chance to learn a bit of Swahili.
THE LOWDOWN
Organise social activities for elderly residents at an old people’s home You’ll typically volunteer 9am-5.30pm, with evenings & weekends free Take a day hike to Kili’s first base camp or sun soak on white beaches Teach English, play games and sing songs with 2-7 year-olds Just a few hours drive from the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater In your spare time, head out on a safari or visit the coastal isle of Zanzibar
From working with the Maasai to running HIV awareness initiatives - this project was a series of ‘firsts’ for me. Not forgetting, going on safari & hiking Kilimanjaro. Pretty sweet, huh? Becky Mills - volunteer
youtube.com/statravel
Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak is actually made up of 3 volcanic cones. Fear not; they’re dormant. CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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VOLUNTEER WITH DOLPHINS IN ZANZIBAR £1,167 FR
2 - 12 WEEKS
Jambiani, Zanzibar
highlights
• Work alongisde bottlenose dolphins • Snorkel in tropical, turquoise waters
AFRICA
Menai Bay’s friendly bottlenose dolphins have become its star attraction, but the glut of tourists in boats in their home waters can stress them out. You’ll help monitor behaviour, tourist numbers and coral reefs; research that will inform Government policies on regulating tourist-dolphin interaction and support and protect Zanzibar’s marine ecosystem.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: every first & third Monday Project Location: Jambiani village, Zanizibar’s east coast (approx 1.5 hrs outside Stone Town) Getting There: transfer from Zanzibar International Airport to the project included (selected times) Accommodation: simple volunteer multi-share (unisex) beachside bungalows with en suites (cold water only), mosquito nets & fans (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: swimming ability essential Trip Code: ZNZDOL
Stone Town Z ANZ IBAR
Jambiani
Stay Longer: Fr £315 per week
TEACH CHILDREN IN ZANZIBAR
2 - 12 WEEKS
Jambiani, Zanzibar
highlights
• Develop children’s creative skills • Learn the local language, Kiswahili
Schools in tropical, palm-lined Jambiani are typically understaffed and underfunded. Help students develop their English and creative skills through craft workshops and organise sports programmes aimed at nurturing children and strengthening their confidence. You’ll be fully immersed in local life, learning some Kiswahili along the way, and helping support women’s empowerment projects as well.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: every first & third Monday Project Location: Jambiani (approx.1.5 hrs outside Stone Town) Getting There: transfer from airport to the project included (selected times) Accommodation: simple volunteer multi-share cottages/bungalows (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: background check required Trip Code: KENZAN
Stone Town Z ANZ IBAR
Jambiani
Stay Longer: Fr £227 per week
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£719
FR
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SOUTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA
A LAND THAT INVIGORATES, INSPIRES, CHALLENGES AND EXCITES “The children I met in Cuzco were an inspiration. I helped them with a variety of lessons, from English to art. I was also lucky enough to be able to do the Inca Trail.” David Ragowski - Peru Adventure & Volunteer
PERU ADVENTURE & VOLUNTEER
£989
FR
15 DAYS
Cuzco, Peru
SOUTH AMERICA
highlights
• Teach & inspire school kids in Cuzco • Trek to enigmatic, Incan Machu Picchu • Quad bike, white-water raft & zipline
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Sundays Project Location: Cuzco, Peru Getting There: return Cuzco airport transfers & daily transport to/from volunteer project included Accommodation: shared hostel in Cuzco (11 nts), shared camping on Machu Picchu trek (3 nts) Meals: 11 breakfasts in Cuzco & all meals included on Machu Picchu trek Notes: background check required. Trek requires moderate level of fitness Trip Code: CUZADV
YOU MIGHT LIKE PERU ADVENTURE & VOLUNTEER INCLUDING AMAZON JUNGLE 21 DAYS, Fr £1,376 Extend your voluntour with a trip into the heart of the Amazon. Staying in an eco-lodge, you’ll explore the jungle on foot with a guide, on a series of suspension bridges and by motorboat. Visit animal rescue and turtle projects before returning to Cuzco. Trip Code: CUZJUN
Volunteer in the history-steeped city of Cuzco, nestled deep in the Andes mountains. Surrounded by ancient Incan ruins, you’ll work with children, teenagers and young adults helping them develop and strengthen their skills through art, sports, music, science, theatre and games. Your trip also includes two days’ adrenalin activities - quad biking, rafting and ziplining - finishing up with a four-day trek to the archaelogical site of Machu Picchu. So strap on your hiking boots and prepare for some Inca/pisco-induced soul-searching.
DAY itinerary 01 02-05 06
Lima
08 09-10
Machu Picchu
Cuzco
Over the next three days, you’ll provide an invaluable social-cultural exchange, volunteering 9.30am-5.30pm. Daily activities will include teaching English, reading, homework and creative arts such as art, music and games. Cuzco
After a morning’s volunteering, enjoy a city tour of Cuzco, ticking off the former Incan capital’s ancient citadels, fortresses and an amphitheatre. Cuzco / Sacred Valley/ Cuzco
Amazon B R A Z I L
Arrive in Cuzco and transfer to your accommodation. Acclimatise to the altitude with a stroll around the city and enjoy an afternoon project briefing. Cuzco Volunteering Programme
07 P E R U
Cuzco
Hit the dirt roads on a thrilling quad bike tour, splashing through mud puddles and passing fields and villages. Take in the Sacred Valley’s intriguing Incan circular crop terraces and visit a local salt mine before returning to Cuzco. Cuzco / Vilcanota River / Cuzco
More high-octane thrills follow on Day 8 with an afternoon’s white-water rafting on the rapids of Vilcanota River, finishing up with zipline ride. Cuzco Volunteer Project
Pick up where you left off, enjoying your last two days at the volunteering project. Say your goodbyes to smiling faces on Day 10. Machu Picchu Trek / Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo / Cuzco
B O L I V I A
11-15
Depending on permit availability, take the Inca Trail or Lares Trek up to the sacred city of Machu Picchu, hiking through the soaring Andean peaks. Day 14, rise early to catch the sunrise and take a historical, guided walking tour of the city. Transfer by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch before catching the train to Ollantaytambo where you’ll board your return bus to Cuzco. On Day 15, transfer to the airport where your trip ends.
Can also be done without Machu Picchu trek. Please ask for details.
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COMMUNITY PROJECTS & NATURAL WONDERS IN PERU
£895
FR
2 WEEKS - 3 MONTHS
Cuzco, Peru
highlights
• Live alongside rural communities • Trek to magical Machu Picchu
Inclusions P E R U
B R A Z I L
Lima
Machu Picchu
Camp Moray
Cuzco
B O L I V I A
Camp Colca
Project Start Date: selected departures Project Location: Cuzco, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa Getting There: all in-country transfers included Accommodation: dorm-style & tents (13 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: for volunteers aged 18-30. This programme is ideally combined with Ecuador project below Trip Code: CUZCMP
Stay Longer: Fr £1,494 for 1 month Fr £2,295 for 2 months Fr £3,295 for 3 months
Camp Titicaca
AMAZON ADVENTURE & COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN ECUADOR
£895
FR
2 WEEKS - 3 MONTHS
Quito, Ecuador
highlights
• Live & work in the Amazon jungle • Work on the charming Ecuadorian coast
Choose from itineraries based either in the mighty Amazon or with a charming coastal community. You’ll assist with improving living standards and addressing critical environmental issues. A trip to the incredible and otherworldly Galapagos Islands can also be easily added on to your tour.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected departures Project Location: Andes cloud forest (north of Quito), Amazon & coast Getting There: all in-country transfers included included (some programmes require a return flight from Guayaquil) Accommodation: dorm & dome tents (13 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: for volunteers aged 18-30. This programme is ideally combined with Peru project above Trip Code CAMECU
Stay Longer: Fr £1,495 for 1 month Fr £2,295 for 2 months Fr £3,295 for 3 months
Camp Maqui Camp Costa
CO LO M B I A
Quito
Camp Amazonia Guayaquil EC UA D O R
P E R U B R A Z I L
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
Camps International own, manage and operate 25 permanent and exclusive camps, which bring significant revenue and assistance to poor rural communities. They have up to 100 award-winning projects running at any time, which means you get to experience a wide range of activities that address local poverty, healthcare, education, welfare, conservation and environmental issues. This really is doing it all!
51
SOUTH AMERICA
Improve community living and education standards on this varied project that includes the opportunity to undertake the iconic Machu Picchu trek - an absolute must-do when in Peru. Your weekends are free to explore Incan ruins and enjoy the bars, restaurants and shops of buzzing Cuzco. When you choose to travel dictates which camp you stay at.
VOLUNTEER GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
£757
FR
10 DAYS
San Cristobal Island, Galapagos
G A L A PAG O S I S L A N D S
Quito EC UA D O R
San Cristobal Island SOUTH ASIA AMERICA
P E R U
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Fridays Project Location: San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Getting There: return Quito airport transfers, Galapagos airport return transfers & transfer to project included Accommodation: basic shared accommodation in Quito (2 nts), basic shared rooms at volunteer house in San Cristobal (7 nts) OR on the farm (7 nts) Meals: no meals included Note: if working with children, background check required Trip Code: QUIGAL
highlights • Wildlife galore • Spot giant Galapagos tortoises • Protect endemic plant species
Stay Longer: Fr £188 per week
• Teach English or sports at a school • Explore the otherwordly Galapagos • Visit the equator line
One of the world’s most enticing archipelagos, the Galapagos Islands have been pulling in the crowds ever since Charles Darwin started interrogating the finches in 1835. Arrive into Quito and kick off with a trip to the equator line, dividing our planet in half. Next day, it’s a quick flight to the volcanic shores of San Cristobal. The volunteering you do will depend on what you choose at the time of your booking; work at a local nursery, assist with sports lessons at the secondary school or - for the green-fingered amongst you - get stuck into a conservation initiative to protect the growth of endemic plants. After five days at your project, spend a full day at your leisure exploring otherworldly biodiversity and the islands’ fascinating quirks.
THE LOWDOWN
Choose to volunteer at a local school or a wildlife preservation programme Work at a nursery, assist sport lessons or help to remove invasive plants Share a basic but comfy accommodation with like-minded volunteers Experience the fascinating biodiversity of the Galapagos in your free time Spot unique and rare species on optional snorkelling or walking tours Volunteer Monday to Friday with evenings & weekends free
Charles Darwin’s study of the galapagos islands led to him forming his theory of the origin of man . 52
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I was blown away by the Galapagos Islands. And working with the locals, so passionate about protecting their environment, was a definite highlight. Joshua Benn - volunteer
statravel.co.uk/travel-blog
GALAPAGOS & PERU VOLUNTOUR
£1,148
FR
16 DAYS
Quito - Galapagos - Lima - Cuzco
SOUTH AMERICA
Tick off not one, but two awesome volunteering opportunities on this tour; scoring you some serious karma surely?! You’ll either be getting your hands dirty with conservation work at a highlands farm in the Galapagos or teaching children sports/English. A few flights later, you’ll be in Peru playing games and supporting arts, music and theatre lessons with Cuzco school kids. Finish up with an adrenalin-pumping quad bike tour through the Andean peaks of the Sacred Valley.
Inclusions
DAY itinerary Quito
01-02
Arrive in Quito, transfer to your accommodation and explore the city at your leisure. Next day, enjoy a volunteer briefing before an afternoon trip to the equator line. San Cristobal Volunteering Project
03-09 10-11
highlights
• Help conservation in the Galapagos • Quad bike through the Sacred Valley • Teach & play games with Cuzco kids
Fly to San Cristobal Island on Day 3. Your volunteering starts the following morning and you’ll spend the next five days at your chosen project. Opt to assist fieldwork at the Galapagos Preservation Programme, planting and weeding invasive plants. Or, you can support local schools with English or sports lessons (think football, basketball and table tennis). Alternatively, you can care for and play games with 2-5 year-olds at a local nursery. Spend Day 9 as you please, we recommend taking a snorkelling trip.
Project Start Date: selected Fridays Project Location: San Cristobal Island, Galapagos & Cuzco, Peru Getting There: all return airport transfers included (Galapagos, Quito, Lima, Cuzco) & transfers to projects Accommodation: basic shared accommodation in Quito (2 nts), San Cristobal (7 nts), Cuzco (5 nts) and Lima (1 night) Meals: breakfasts in Cuzco included Note: background check required Trip Code: QUIPER
San Cristobal / Quito / Lima / Cuzco
Fly to Quito and take a connecting flight to Lima. Day 11, it’s another flight to Cuzco and transfer to your accommodation. Cuzco Volunteering Project
12-14
Spend the next three days supporting children and young adults 9.30am -5.30pm at a local school on a social-cultural exchange. You’ll be getting involved with art, sports, music and science. Cuzco / Sacred Valley
15-16
Hop on a quad bike and spend the day tearing through the mountains of the Sacred Valley. Take a pitstop at a local salt mine and look out over ancient Inca circular crop terraces as you roar down dirt roads. Return to Cuzco for a final, farewell dinner with your travel chums. Next morning, wave goodbye to Peru and transfer to the airport where your tour ends
You can add on a Machu Picchu trek or spend more time volunteering. Please ask for details.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
G A L A PAG O S I S L A N D S
Quito EC UA D O R
San Cristobal Island
P E R U
Lima
Cuzco
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TEACH ENGLISH IN ARGENTINA
£559
FR
15+ DAYS
Buenos Aires, Argentina
highlights
• Share skills and knowledge with locals • Create engaging teaching projects
SOUTH AMERICA
This organisation works with projects that aim to encourage sustainable development in the community. You’ll be matched with English projects (children, youth or adults) across the city that need your invaluable support. Become a strong role model and mentor to the students as well as helping out with anything from teaching English to playing games and singing.
B O L I V I A
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Mondays (start with an induction. Volunteers begin at the project on Tuesdays) Project Location: Buenos Aires Getting There: make your own way to the volunteer house on Day 1 Accommodation: shared volunteer house (14 nts) Meals: no meals included (self-catering facilities) Notes: basic Spanish recommended, background check required Trip Code: BUETEA
B R A Z I L
Buenos Aires A RG E N T I N A
Stay Longer: Fr £196 per week
LEARN SPANISH & VOLUNTEER WITH KIDS
15+ DAYS
Buenos Aires, Argentina
highlights
• Inspire children threatened by poverty • Chat to locals and improve your Spanish
This project was set up as a safe haven for young children faced with malnutrition, environmental pollution, violence and lack of education. This incredible centre only exists because of the donations and kindness of volunteers. You’ll cook, build handicrafts with kids, play games and sing as well as having ten hours of Spanish lessons.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Mondays (start with Spanish lessons & an induction. Volunteers begin working at the project on Tuesdays) Project Location: outskirts of Buenos Aires Getting There: make your own way to the volunteer house on Day 1 Accommodation: multi-share volunteer house (14 nts) Meals: no meals included (self-catering facilities available) Notes: basic Spanish recommended (lessons included on this project), background check required Trip Code: BUEVOL
B O L I V I A
B R A Z I L
Buenos Aires A RG E N T I N A
Stay Longer: Fr £188 per week
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£902
FR
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VOLUNTEER BRAZIL
£356
FR
2 - 8 WEEKS
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
B R A Z I L
B O L I V I A
Rio de Janeiro SOUTH AMERICA
A RG E N T I N A
Inclusions Project Start Date: Sundays Project Location: Rio de Janeiro Getting There: transfer to project included on Day 2 Accommodation: private room with en suite in Copacabana hostel (5 nts), dorm with shared bathroom, kitchen & living room in the favela house, 5 mins from care centre (8 nts) Meals: some meals included (Mon-Fri only) Notes: background check required Trip Code: RIOVOL
highlights • Work with Rio’s favela children • Learn Portuguese • Weekends free to explore Rio
• Stay in vibrant Copacabana • Get creative in art & music classes • Live like a local in the favela
Stay Longer: Fr £356 per fortnight
Run by local not-for-profit organisation ‘Union of Women for the Betterment of Roupa Suja’, this inspiring project is based in one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Rocinha, the largest favela (shanty town) in Latin America. You’ll work at a community-run day care centre that provides tutoring and healthcare to 100+ children. Teach them to read and write, help develop maths and computer skill and organise fun and creative art and music sessions. Slot in some learning time for yourself with handy Portuguese lessons and head to the white sand, caipirinha-clad beaches of Copacabana on the weekends.
THE LOWDOWN
Hands-on childcare at a locally-run day care centre Monday to Friday 8 night-stay at shared volunteer house in the favela, near the project 5 nights’ private accommodation at a centrally located Copacabana hostel Brush up on the lingo with included Portuguese lessons Support and inspire 4-month-6 year-olds & 7-15 year-old kids Fab optional activities include cable car ride to top of Sugar Loaf Mountain
Carnival queen Rio certainly lived up to her vibrant reputation. The superfriendly kids were a joy to work with & their enthusiasm so infectious! Tamsin White - volunteer
FACEBOOK.COM/STATRAVEL
dozens of QR codes providing tourist info can be found in copacabana’s mosaic pavements CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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CENTRAL AMERICA CENTRAL AMERICA
TINY ON THE MAP BUT HUGE IN DIVERSITY “I met several inspiring volunteers at the project. The attitude that each person takes toward the project really makes a difference in the quality of their work as well as their own personal experience .” Beth Skowronek – Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation
VOLUNTEER COSTA RICA
£721
FR
15 DAYS
San José – Playa Matapalo – Monteverde – La Fortuna – San José
CENTRAL AMERICA
This voluntour is the perfect way to tick off some Costa Rican hotspots, while doing your bit along the way. Unspoilt cloud forests, Pacific Coast surf, rugged volcanic and beach landscapes make this Latin gem the number one location. Give back to Mother Nature and spend five days volunteering at a remarkable sea turtle conservation project which uses man-made nurseries called ‘viveros’ to protect turtle eggs and nests. The programme assists endangered sea turtles and their hatchlings on Matapalo Beach and all volunteers are vital to the project’s success. After your good work is done, enjoy a week of touring paradise, getting face-to-face with this amazing country.
DAY itinerary 01
Inclusions
San José
Arrive into the bustling city of San José and head to the joining hotel. Sea Turtle Conservation Project
02-07
highlights
• Protect future generations of sea turtles • Hike the cloud forest of Santa Elena • Enjoy a dip in Arenal’s hot springs
Leave San José behind you, heading to Playa Matapalo, a charming village located on the central Pacific coast. Surrounded by exotic beauty, immerse yourself into a conservation project that protects endangered sea turtles. For the five days you’re on this project you’ll help with night time beach patrols, reinforce the barriers of the hatcheries, monitor the baby turtle hatchery and other area maintenance. In your free time soak up the chilled atmosphere of Playa Matapalo’s beaches.
Project Start Date: Sundays (Jul-Nov) Project Location: Playa Matapalo Getting There: on arrival into San José make your own way to the joining hotel on Day 1 Accommodation: simple hotels (8 nts), multi-share basic lodge (6 nts) Meals: some meals inlcuded Trip Code: SJOVOL
Monteverde Cloud Forest
08-10
Head inland and enjoy the misty mountain air of Monteverde. Learn about the conservation of this precious ecosystem from local guides and enjoy an included El Trapiche Tour where a guided sugar cane and coffee tour will teach you all the ins and outs of Costa Rican culture. Check out the birds of the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and choose to get your pulse racing on a zipline tour.
N I C A R AG UA
Monteverde
La Fortuna
La Fortuna
11-13
Travel to La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano, an area brimming with colour, outstanding birdlife and monkeys. Enjoy winding nature trails, swimming in waterfalls as well as relaxing in tropical cascading hot springs and natural thermal baths. Bliss.
Playa Matapalo
San José CO S TA R I C A
PA N A M A
San José
14-15
Transfer back to San José for some last minute shopping and your final evening. On Day 15, say your goodbyes to beautiful Costa Rica.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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COSTA RICA SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION
£268
FR
1 - 8 WEEKS
Playa Matapalo, Costa Rica
N I C A R AG UA
CO S TA R I C A
San José
CENTRAL AMERICA
Playa Matapalo PA N A M A
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Sundays (Jul-Nov) Project Location: Playa Matapalo Getting There: Transfer from airport to San José hostel can be arranged at additional costs. Take public transport from San José to Playa Matapalo on Day 2 Accommodation: multi-share dormitory (6 nts) Meals: most meals included Trip Code: SJOTUR
highlights
Stay Longer: Fr £201 per week
• Help with turtle conservation • Release baby turtles into the ocean • Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
• Stunning Pacific coast location • Monitor and protect turtle nests • Beachtime at Playa Matapalo
You might think that you love travelling, but you’ve got nothing on sea turtles. Travelling up to 10,000 miles a year on their own flippers, they’re seasoned globetrotters. But with egg poaching and climate change threatening their existence, this journey often gets off to a hairy start. Join this project, and you’ll be supporting a community-led effort to improve the chance of survival for endangered hatchlings on Matapalo Beach. You’ll take part in night patrols, monitor the beach and the local hatchery, assist with important data collection and help keep the area clean and safe for its hard-shelled residents. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to wave them on their way and witness that glorious scramble towards the sea.
THE LOWDOWN
Protect sea turtles and their offspring, maintain hatcheries Volunteer 9-11am then conduct essential night patrols 7pm-4am Share basic, but comfy rooms with 6-20 volunteers, plus there’s Wi-Fi No two days are the same and plans can change very quickly Spend downtime at the sleepy, beachside town of Playa Matapalo Take surf lessons or visit nearby Manuel Antonio National Park
costa ricans refer to their partners as ‘media naranja’, or ‘the other half of my orange’. 58
VISIT STATRAVEL.COM
Not only did I have a Costa Rican beach as my ‘office’, but I was also doing work that would have a real impact on dwindling turtle populations. Loved it! Sarah Holding - volunteer
STATRAVEL.com/app
MEXICO MARINE CONSERVATION EXPEDITION
£1,795
FR
4 - 12 WEEKS
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, (Playa del Carmen), Mexico
highlights
• Learn to dive for research purposes • Get up close with dolphins & turtle
Inclusions Playa del Carmen
M E X I CO
Sian Ka’an Biodiversty Reserve
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays (arrive the day before) Project Location: Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (140km south of Playa del Carmen) Getting there: return airport transfers from Playa del Carmen included (incoming flight must arrive between 2pm & 6pm the day before project starts) Accommodation: basic shared huts, 6-10 bed dorms (28 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: must have Open Water certificate before starting the project unless staying 8+ weeks. £100 discount for qualified divers. Trip Code: GVIMEX
Stay Longer: Fr £800 per month
G UAT E M A L A
VOLUNTEER WITH CHILDREN IN MEXICO
£995
FR
2 - 12 WEEKS
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
highlights
• Immerse yourself in Mexican culture • Support a Save the Children campaign
Surrounded by dazzling reefs and white sands, you’ll help with the general running of a centre run by Save the Children. Providing a safe haven for underprivileged local kids to learn and play in, your involvment will be empowering and helping these children enjoy the childhood they deserve.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: selected Saturdays (arrive the day before) Project Location: Playa del Carmen Getting there: transfers from/to Cancun International Airport included (depending on time of arrival) Accommodation: shared dormitory (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: background check required. Basic Spanish mandatory, intermediate recommended Trip Code: GVIMKD
Cancun
Playa del Carmen M E X I CO
Stay Longer: Fr £150 per week G UAT E M A L A
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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CENTRAL AMERICA
Support the long-term survival of the world’s second largest barrier reef in idyllic Caribbean surroundings. You’ll help with coral and tropical fish monitoring, seasonal turtle nesting surveys and sustainability programmes. Plus, learn to dive to to a internationally-recognised level.
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC
EMBRACE UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS, SUN, SEA AND SOLITARY PLACES “The local villagers were so welcoming, I instantly felt at home. Their hospitality meant that my experience helping their community was even more rewarding than expected.” Ellie Craigen - Sustainable Communities in Fiji
£198
CONSERVATION IN AUSTRALIA
FR
Selected cities, Australia
8 OR 15 DAYS
Cairns
Brisbane Fremantle Adelaide
Sydney
Melbourne Hobart
Inclusions Project Start Date: Fridays Project Location: selected cities in Australia Getting There: meet at the local project office on the Friday (11am) for your orientation briefing. All transport is included from briefing Accommodation: accommodation varies according to project but may include caravans, houses, hostels & camping (equipment provided) (7 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: MELCEX
highlights • Be actively involved in conservation • Enjoy working in the great outdoors • Volunteers from all walks of life
• Ideal for sociable, hands-on types • Gain varied conservation skills • Receive a certificate, boost your CV
Stay Longer: Fr £198 per week
Outdoorsy types will love this fun, get-your-hands-dirty project Down Under. Joining Oz’s leading active conservation charity, you’ll work with a team of international volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds including students, professionals and retirees. No prior skills or experience are needed, just lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in. Project locations vary week to week, from urban areas to places way off the tourist trail. Improving habitats and restoring natural landscapes, typically activities may include construction initiatives such as trail building or identifying and collecting native seeds and removing introduced weed species.
THE LOWDOWN
Volunteer on conservation projects Monday to Friday with weekends free Activities include tree planting, wildlife surveys, and building tracks Accommodation may include: tents, hostels, bunkhouses & caravans Learn new practical conservation skills & meet a load of cool new people Everyone pitches in with cooking, cleaning and washing up Programmes are seasonal, volunteers are assigned 4-6 weeks beforehand
I loved pulling together as part of a team to get projects off the ground. Everyone pitched in & I got to work with such a diverse bunch of people in two cracking locations, off the Oz tourist trail. Jessica Hawke - volunteer
Start the adventure
Australia’s largest cattle ranch is a whopping 34,000 sq/km, dwarfing belgium & almost as big as taiwan! CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC
AU S T R A L I A
CHILDREN & SCHOOLS PROGRAMME IN FIJI
£504
FR
1 - 8 WEEKS
Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Yasawa Islands AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC
Nadi
F I J I
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Saturdays Project Location: Yasawa Islands (2.5 hr vessel transfer from Nadi) Getting There: transfer from Port Denarau to project on Day 1. Local taxi transfers available from Nadi airport, or purchase a Bula Welcome Pack fr £32 Accommodation: traditional Fijian Bure accommodation with en suite/shared facilities (7 nts) Notes: background check required. During Fiji school holidays, an alternative holiday programme will be conducted in the village Meals: all meals included Trip Code: NANCHI
highlights • Spectacular island location • Help with one-on-one reading • Encourage skills through play
• Immerse yourself in local culture • Explore caves & stunning reefs • Improve kids’ future prospects
Stay Longer: Fr £391 per week Dive straight into vibrant island life with this hands-on project. Based in the sublime Yasawa Islands, you’ll assist at under-resourced and understaffed local schools, helping 3-13 year-olds develop their education and sporting abilities. Through supporting lessons, workshops and extra-curricular activities and also encouraging parents to understand and appreciate the value of education, you’ll inspire confidence and change within the community and really open up a bright future for these children. In your free time, spend lazy days on the beach, swim with manta rays (seasonal), cruise to nearby islands or simply chill with a book in your hammock. This is Fiji. Enjoy!
THE LOWDOWN
Monday to Friday, catch a morning longboat to school, volunteer until 3pm All meals are prepared and provided by base camp or at the village Traditional lodge accommodation sitting between two beaches, bliss! Spend weekends snorkelling, bush walking or climbing volcanic mountains After a full day’s teaching, tuck into dinner with fellow volunteers Experience firsthand the culture & traditional ceremonies at Fijian villages
Random Fact: Mel gibson bought Fiji’s Mago island in 2005 for a cool $115 million. 62
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Providing much-needed teaching support to children in paradise settings doesn’t constitute ‘work’ does it? Lazy, hazy weekends were spent Robinson Crusoestyle; exploring islands & snorkelling. Karen Dickinson - volunteer
TWITTER.COM/STATRAVEL_UK
£504
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN FIJI
FR
1 - 8 WEEKS
Yasawa Islands, Fiji
highlights
• Create better living conditions for locals • Swim with manta rays (in season)
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC
Warm, azure waters and endless stretches of palm-fringed, white sands - the volcanic Yasawa Islands make a perfect location to volunteer. The project’s main aims are to improve local living conditions, nutrition and access to drinking water. No two days will be the same as you’ll get involved with everything from constructing and repairing water harvesting systems to assisting with agricultural initiatives.
Inclusions
Yasawa Islands
Nadi
Project Start Date: Saturdays Project Location: Yasawa Islands (2.5 hr vessel transfer from Nadi) Getting There: see notes on page 62 Accommodation: traditional Fijian Bure accommodation with en suite/shared facilities (7 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: NANSUS
F I JI
Stay Longer: Fr £391 per week
FIJI MARINE RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
£813
FR
1 - 4 WEEKS
Yasawa Islands, Fiji
highlights
• Dive in vibrant reefs and coral cays • Contribute to vital local marine research
Nestled in the serene Yasawa Islands, this location is the postcard-perfect backdrop to a vital marine research and conservation project. Here, you’ll play an active role with a local dive company, snorkelling and diving the depths of the South Pacific to carry out important research on food gathering areas and reefs surrounding the villages.
Inclusions
Project Start Date: Saturdays Project Location: Yasawa Islands (2.5 hr boat transfer from Nadi) Getting There: see notes on page 62 Accommodation: traditional Fijian Bure (7 nts) Meals: all meals included Notes: must have PADI Open Water certificate prior to starting this project Trip Code: NANMAR
Yasawa Islands
Nadi
F I JI
Stay Longer: Fr £709 per week
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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EUROPE EUROPE
GLORIOUS SCENES STEEPED IN HISTORY – FROM NORTHERN LIGHTS TO MEDITERRANEAN SHORES “The thrill and excitement we all felt watching the first of the hatchlings scramble towards the waves was amazing.” Laura Howard - Volunteer With Turtles In Greece
£995
VOLUNTEER WITH TURTLES IN GREECE
FR
Mavrovouni, Greece
2 - 12 WEEKS
G R E EC E
Athens
EUROPE
Mavrovouni
Inclusions Project Start Date: selected Saturdays Jun-Sep Project Location: Mavrovouni (6 km west of Gythio) Getting There: arrive in Athens and make your own way to Meltemi campsite Mavrovouni, Gythio Accommodation: shared, unisex tents with shared bathroom facilities & Wi-Fi access (14 nts) Meals: all meals included Trip Code: GVIGRE
highlights • Help protect loggerhead sea turtles • Charming harbour town location • See hatchlings head for the sea
Stay Longer: Fr £400 per fortnight
• Varied & hands-on duties • Live & work on the beach • Visit ancient Roman ruins
We’ve all sat in front of wildlife documentaries, gunning through our own tears for those baby turtles to make it to the sea. Well, it’s time to stop being an armchair activist! Lakonikos Bay is one of the most important nesting areas for endangered loggerhead turtles in the Med. Camping slapbang next to the beach, you’ll be working on your doorstep, quite literally, patrolling the sands, locating new tracks and nests, educating the public about the conservation project and conducting wildlife surveys. Afternoons can be long and hot (shame, eh?) but there’s plenty of opportunities to cool down after a hard day’s work. Grab a snorkel, head for the shade of nearby Gythio’s Roman ruins or crack open an ice-cold beer or two.
THE LOWDOWN
Install protective nest grids, harvest bamboo & man the beach kiosk Take part in beach patrols, nest relocation & excavation when required Shared tents with private compartments, squeaky-clean showers on-site Hungry? Head to the campsite self-service restaurant or mini-market Close to lively Gythio, think colourful fishing boats & narrow streets Visit the world heritage site at Mystras & medieval Monemvassia fortress
I fulfilled my dream of being a professional beach bum - literally living & working on the sands. The hands-on conservation was right up my street & the volunteer crew top-class. Ryan Walker - volunteer
youtube.com/statravel
Sea turtles cry. but not beacause they’re sad (phew) it’s how they get rid of excess salt from their eyes. CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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WORKING ABROAD EARN & TRAVEL WORKING ABROAD
Why work abroad? Maybe the question should be ‘Why not?’ Picture this: it’s Monday morning. It’s January. The sky is grey and you’re dragging yourself out of bed to catch your bus. Now, consider the alternative: it’s Monday morning. It’s January. The sun is streaming through your window. You jump out of bed, grab a coffee as you walk along the beach or city streets to start your working day. Obviously, jobs will vary depending where in the world you end up, but working in a different culture and environment is always going to be exciting. Working abroad will allow you to experience a country as a local, not just seeing the tourist sites but living the culture. It looks great to future employers and gives you something to talk about in those all important interviews. But let’s not think about that now, in the short-term you’ll make new friends, have the time of your life and can fund further travel so the experiences just keep rolling in.
Where can I go? There are options all over the world, whether you want to work your way around the entire globe or pick and choose between travelling. Always popular, Australia has tons of job options in its cities and you’re sure to be surrounded by like-minded travellers with fun as their priority! For a unique experience you could head to the Outback and work in the great outdoors or work on a boat cruising the Whitsundays. New Zealand’s amazing landscape is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts too, but you could also find work in its cosmopolitan cities. Head to the USA or Canada and you could be skiing at Whistler in between shifts, or travelling Route 66 once you’ve earned some dollars. Consider teaching English abroad to immerse yourself in vibrant, colourful cultures. Speak to your Travel Expert for advice on the best option for you.
STA Travel partners with BUNAC, the work and travel experts BUNAC is a preferred partner of STA Travel. Established in 1962, BUNAC has helped over a quarter of a million young people to work and travel abroad in some of the world’s most exciting destinations. You’ll get personalised customer service at every stage of your travels and 24-hour emergency support is available throughout the world. Check out their programmes on pages 70-75
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I backpacked around the East Coast of Australia and worked in several places. My favourite role, which I did for several months, was working at Heron Island Resort, an incredible place on the Great Barrier Reef, as a waitress and barmaid.
sarah
Check out page 68 for tips on working in Australia.
I was fed up of the bleak Northern winters in the UK and having just graduated I longed for some excitement!
Worki ng visas Our travel experts can help you with all the daunting paperwork and specific processing requirements for the country/ies that you plan on visiting. Restrictions, proof of funds and age cut-offs are constantly changing and you may need to produce medical/employment records and attend an embassy interview. Come in store or call us for help and we’ll make the ride a whole lot smoother. COUNTRY
AGE
AUSTRALIA
18 years - 30 years & 11 months old
VALIDITY
PROCESSING TIME
12 months
At least 4 weeks to process, and a maximum of 8 weeks if further information is required
Live for up to 23 months. Work for up to 12
At least 4 weeks to process, and a maximum of 8 weeks if further information is required
Fr £138
Fr CAD250 Note: Limited number of visas released each year, ask us for details
Fr £102 plus programme fee
NEW ZEALAND
18 years - 30 years & 11 months old
CANADA
18 years - 30 years & 11 months old.
24 months
Allow 8-12 weeks for processing. However, it can take longer if medical is needed
USA
No age requirements, but eligibility requirements apply. See page 75 for details
3-4 months
Apply as early as you can, places are limited
COST
helen
In Whistler I found work as a photographer working on the mountain. Not only did I get my ski pass for free, I also got to ski to and from work every day. Once my skiing was perfected I moved onto all the other new experiences there were to try; bungee jumping, snow boarding, curling… and I became a MASSIVE ice hockey fan! My working holiday in Canada was the most amazing year of my life and I’m itching to go on another! Check out page 73 for our Work in Canada Support Programme.
Fr £329
Teaching in Thailand is like living the dream. The sun shines everyday, your job is to teach wonderful children your language and you have a fantastic country to explore. The children have given me some amazing memories and I feel very lucky to have travelled to beautiful places around Thailand.
reena
Check out pages 76 and 77 to learn about how to teach English abroad.
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WORKING ABROAD
It was pretty much normal restaurant work but with the added bonus that I got to spend the rest of my free time (and days off) doing all the guest activites - relaxing on the beach, snorkelling, sea fishing, sunbathing and drinking. I had a great time and look back on it fondly.
WORK IN AUSTRALIA The Australian lifestyle is often envied the world over, with its year-round sunshine, tropical climate, beach culture and vast and varied landscapes to explore. Here is your chance to get a little taste of life Down Under. Now’s the perfect time to get working, help fund your travels as well as boosting your CV. WORKING ABROAD
There are some absolute essentials even the most die-hard, freestyling, independent traveller shouldn’t leave home without. We’ve stripped it down so you can ‘build your own’ working holiday adventure to fit your own style of travel. Or, if you prefer to just get on with planning the fun stuff, choose one of our fully inclusive starter packages.
Worki ng Holiday visas FR £329 Our visa service is quick, competitive and efficient. You tell us what we need to know and we’ll sort it out. Simple! Get planning your escape strategy now.
Stress-free starter packs FR £144 Our starter packages are perfect for anyone The essentials Just want to sort out the basics? We’ve stripped it down so you can get your hands on the essentials needed by anyone looking for work in Oz. TAX PACK FR £25 If you’re travelling to Australia and intend to work, an Australian Tax File Number is essential or you could end up paying half your wages in tax. Emergency tax in Australia is 48%, ouch! By arranging a tax file number before you head to Oz, it saves hassle and stress on arrival and you’ll avoid losing a chunk of your pay to the taxman. You’ll also get help applying for your tax and superannuation refund at the end of your trip or tax year. AUSTRALIAN BANK ACCOUNT FR £25 Avoid banking bureaucracy by setting up your bank account before you arrive. Organised in just 4-5 days, you can even start paying money into it before you leave so you have money ready and waiting for your arrival. No need to delay working, your bank account will be ready to receive wages immediately. GLOBAL SIM CARD FR £19.95 INCLUDING £10 CALL-TIME Our Prepaid Global SIM card can be used all over the world, offering up free incoming calls in 70 countries, and great call and data rates. One number wherever you travel makes it easy to keep in touch with friends and family, as well as potential employers.
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wanting a head start getting settled in Oz. Going abroad and trying to find work in a foreign environment can be a daunting task, so our starter packages offer support every step of the way. With everything you could possibly need to help you find your feet once in Oz, they offer excellent value for money. Choose from our Work and Travel Starter Packs opposite or BUNAC support programme on page 70. Get help finding work online and through local offices and help setting up your tax file number and local bank account. Let the experts do the hard work so you can concentrate on finding your dream job! Packages include accommodation too so you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people in the same situation as you straight away. Plus with organised local activities you can take a break from job searching and get to know your new home, and new friends, even better. Anxious about travelling alone? Our BUNAC support programme includes international flights with a group of other first-time workers so you’ll have a group of ready-made friends before you’ve even stepped on Aussie soil! Check out page 70 for more detail.
£144
WORK & TRAVEL STARTER PACKAGES
FR
An effortless start to your working holiday Get your working holiday in Australia off to an effortless start with one of our starter packs. These nifty little packages do all the hard stuff for you, so you can concentrate on settling in to your new life abroad as soon as you land.
of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. 3 NIGHTS 4 NIGHTS 7 NIGHTS THE FULL MONTY
inclusions
• Accommodation for 3, 4 or 7 nights including daily breakfast • Airport transfer to the hostel • Free Wi-Fi for length of stay • Local activities • 12 months’ membership to Job Search Australia which includes: »» Orientation from your local guide covering everything you need to know when living, working and travelling in Australia »» CV and jobs consultation to review your CV and discuss job opportunities »» Bank account set-up »» Australian SIM Card
»» Medicare set-up (applicable countries only) »» Tax file number set-up assistance »» Help with your tax and superannuation refund »» 2nd Year Visa and migration help »» Discounted training courses (eg RSA required for bar jobs in certain states) »» 140-page Australian Harvest Guidebook »» Exclusive rate on WWOOFing membership »» 12 months’ access to the Job Search Australia online jobs board »» 12 months’ access to Job Search Australia offices nationwide
the full monty fr £413 Check out our seven-night Full Monty starter packs. You’ll get all our standard seven-night package inclusions, meet tons of people, make new friends and have heaps of fun away from the job hunt! You could be learning to surf near Sydney, heading out into the Blue Mountains or cuddling koalas at Taronga Zoo... just a few of the inclusions you get in our Sydney Full Monty package. You can also ‘go the Full Monty’ in Melbourne and Brisbane. Ask your STA Travel Expert for details.
£144 £157 FR £206 FR £413 FR
FR
Work & Travel Healthcare Package FR £463
Use your healthcare skills in Australia, where great working conditions and excellent salaries come hand in hand with working in the sun! Our specialist agency will do all the tricky stuff for you, guiding you through registration paperwork, medicals, police checks and visa requirements as well as setting you up with interviews before you leave the UK so you’ll have the best chance of working as soon as you land. There is a shortage of skilled healthcare workers in Oz and we work with some of the biggest employers in this field, to give you the best chance of finding the right job for you. Available roles include doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and social care. You also get our seven-night starter package included in Sydney, so your accommodation will be sorted whilst you find your feet, as well as fun local activities to help you explore before starting work. Placements are available throughout Australia but the package and included accommodation must start in Sydney.
Farm skills package FR £771
Adelaide starter pack FR £206
Looking for a true blue Outback experience? Fancy getting paid for it at the same time? Yes, we thought so. Experience the ‘real’ Australia, gain fantastic farming skills and work in the great outdoors as part of this 12-night ripper of a package! Spend your first seven nights living it up in sexy Sydney, bedding down at Base hostel in the heart of the CBD. Then, strap on your boots and head out to a ranch in NSW for a five-day, intensive farming course covering off cattle mustering, stock horse riding, fencing and 4x4 driving. Upon completion, you’ll be given a paid job offer which can also go towards a 2nd year visa. Most meals, accommodation, transfers, tons of expert job and visa advice plus use of the ranch’s motor and quad bikes are all included.
This perky seven-night package is perfect for those of you looking for a second year visa. With Adelaide as your springboard, on arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to your hostel in the heart of the backpacker precinct. With accommodation and a daily brekkie included, you can focus on getting ‘work-ready’ with other newbie travellers also looking for work. You’ll receive a free SIM card and Wi-Fi access, 12 months’ access to a national jobs database and heaps of advice on how to set up a bank account, gain a visa, work out tax and register for Medicare. With the Barossa wine valley on your doorstep, opt for a stint of fruitpicking or, if you’re more a city slicker, complete your requisite regional work doing a job in Adelaide. Happy days!
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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WORKING ABROAD
work & travel starter pack FR £144 Available in the major Australian cities
BUNAC WORK AUSTRALIA
£1,319
FR
Your ultimate working support package Down Under including group flight
WORKING ABROAD
This is the ULTIMATE working holiday package offering you unparalleled support both before you travel, on the ground in Australia and of course BUNAC’s exclusive group flight to start your epic adventure. An ideal package for a first time traveller to Oz, anyone nervous about life Down Under or someone who wants the chance to make friends before they even land. It’s THE definitive gap year survival package, providing you with assistance for the duration of your trip so you can have an amazing experience with new friends.
WHAT MAKES THIS THE ULTIMATE SUPPORT PACKAGE? • UK pre-departure support
HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS An Australian Working Holiday Visa allows you to work for up to 12 months and gives you the flexibility to apply for any job, anywhere in Australia plus you can change jobs whenever you like. Our partner in Australia has a dedicated job support centre in Sydney and a comprehensive online job zone with jobs throughout Australia. Their staff only deal with working holiday customers so it really is expert advice from people in the know!
programme info GROUP FLIGHT My group flight to Oz was AMAZING! From the Facebook group discussing those all important questions - what to pack, the meet and greet from BUNAC at the airport and our brilliant 2 nights in Hong Kong cramming in all the sights - by the time I arrived in Australia I already had friends for life!...Charlotte, BUNAC participant. JOB DATABASE & JOB HUNTING ASSISTANCE Receive 12 months access to our Australian recruitment agency and job placement services, which will help find you as many jobs as you want for your whole 12 months in Oz! You’ll also receive access to an online jobs board, which is regularly updated with jobs all over Australia. Any jobs we find you will be reliable, safe and paid on time into an Aussie bank account. ARRIVAL ORIENTATION When you arrive into Australia you’ll join a welcome arrival orientation. Here you will get up-to-date info and advice on transport, accommodation, work, tax and banking. Get support from staff in person or via email and phone throughout the year – wherever you are in Australia.
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• One way group flight to Sydney with Cathay Pacific including a stopover in Hong Kong (monthly departures) • Exclusive group flight Facebook group • Meet & greet at Heathrow airport • Two nights 3* accommodation in Hong Kong • Guided tour around Hong Kong sites • Group meal in Hong Kong • Hong Kong transfers • Sydney arrival transfers • Two nights’ accommodation at the Wake Up hostel in Sydney • Welcome presentation • Tax File Number • Bank account • Detailed jobs presentation • 12-month access to a job zone • 12 months’ job assistance with our Australian recruitment agency in Sydney • Long term accommodation advice and assistance • Mail holding & forwarding • Luggage storage • Free internet in our Sydney office as well as 15 convenient locations around the country • Organised social events • 24-hour emergency hotline • Lonely Planet guidebook
WORK IN NEW ZEALAND
Worki ng visaS FR £138 Our visa service is quick, competitive and efficient. We’ll run through all the requirements with you and get your application in quick-smart! Once approved, you have 12 months in which to arrive in New Zealand, and you can then stay for up to 23 months. Available to people aged 18-30 years old.
New Zealand bank account FR £25 Avoid banking bureaucracy by setting up your bank account before you arrive. Organised in just 4-5 days, you can even start paying money into it before you leave.
NEW ZEALAND WORK & TRAVEL STARTER PACKAGE Landing in New Zealand on a working holiday needn’t be daunting. Our Work and Travel Starter Pack is designed to provide you with a hassle-free arrival, accommodation and job placement service. Yay! This way, as soon as you arrive into the country, the good times can roll without having to worry about boring logistics.
I• Accommodation nclusionS for 3, 4 or 7 nights including daily breakfast • Airport transfer to the hostel • Free Wi-Fi for length of stay • 12 months’ membership to Job Search NZ which includes: »» Arrival orientation »» CV and job consultation to review your CV and discuss possible job opportunities »» Help with bank account set-up »» SIM card
»» Tax file number set-up assistance »» 12 months’ access to Job Search NZ online jobs board and offices nationwide »» 1 month of free luggage storage »» Exclusive rates on WWOOFing membership
The Full Monty fr £374 Get set up with our Full Monty starter package. You’ll get all our standard seven night inclusions, trips and a whole load more! You can distract yourself from job hunting on an Auckland Harbour cruise, by checking out a Maori Cultural performance, by staring out at the cityscape from Auckland’s Sky Tower or on a cultural tour around Auckland’s pub life. Otherwise known as a pub crawl. Just don’t be late for that job interview the next day!
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
£157
FR
work & travel starter pack FR £157 Choose from a 3, 4 or 7 night Work and Travel Starter pack in Auckland 3 NIGHTS 4 NIGHTS 7 NIGHTS THE FULL MONTY
£157 £170 FR £208 FR £374 FR FR
Work & Travel Healthcare Package FR £469
Use your healthcare qualification in New Zealand. A shortage of skilled workers means you could soon be working in the medical profession in one of NZ’s cosmopolitan cities, near the mountains of Queenstown or in the land of the fiords near Milford Sound. You’ll be given a dedicated specialist to guide you through the registration paperwork and set you up with interviews before you land. Available roles include doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and social care. You also get our 7-night starter package in Auckland included, so your accommodation will be sorted whilst you find your feet, as well as fun local activities to help you explore before starting work.
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WORKING ABROAD
From the giant sand dunes of Ninety Mile Beach, to the bubbling mud pools of Rotorua, the vineyards of Marlborough and the ice-capped peaks and glaciers of the Southern Alps, New Zealand is a country that will never cease to amaze you. You can nab all sorts of jobs, from ski instructor to kiwi harvester, from sales person to grape-picker.
BUNAC WORK NEW ZEALAND Your ultimate working support package Down Under including group flight
£1,378
FR
WORKING ABROAD
This is the ULTIMATE working holiday package offering unparalleled support both before you travel and on the ground in New Zealand and includes BUNAC’s exclusive group flight to start your epic adventure. This is an ideal package for a first time traveller to NZ, anyone nervous about what you need to do to get your working holiday started or someone who wants the chance to make friends before they even land! This is THE definitive gap year survival package, providing you with assistance both before and during your trip.
WHAT MAKES THIS THE ULTIMATE SUPPORT PACKAGE? HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa allows anyone aged 18-30 to work for 12 months but stay for up to 23 months. Make mates before you land on one of our exclusive group flights with a three-day Hong Kong stopover, then hit the ground running on arrival in New Zealand with your new group of friends. You can apply to any job, anywhere in New Zealand. The Auckland working holiday resource centre offers full support for the duration of your trip so can have an amazing experience without having to go it alone. ELIGIBILITY Are you: • Aged 18-30 • A British or Irish passport holder, or any other nationality eligible for a Working Holiday Visa.
programme info GROUP FLIGHT “I was a little nervous to travel alone so the group flight was perfect for me. We all started talking on the Facebook group before we left and the stopover in Hong Kong was so good – the sights were awesome! By the time I got to New Zealand I’d met some great friends and felt ready to have the best year ever.” Sam , BUNAC participant. JOB DATABASE & JOB HUNTING ASSISTANCE The team will give you great advice to improve your CV and let you know about jobs around the country. Use the exclusive Work New Zealand online members lounge to flick through tons of jobs and accommodation listings. There is also a classified section for you to find everything from guitars to cars and even roommates!
• UK pre-departure support • One-way group flight to Auckland with Cathay Pacific including stopover in Hong Kong (9 departures per year) • Exclusive group flight Facebook group • Meet & greet at Heathrow Airport • Two nights’ 3* accommodation in Hong Kong • Guided tour around Hong Kong sites • Group meal in Hong Kong • Hong Kong transfers • Arrival transfers in Auckland • Two nights’ accommodation at Base hostel in Auckland • 12 months’ access to our dedicated working holiday resource centre in Auckland • Detailed arrival presentation • 12 months’ access to the National Jobs Database & 1-2-1 job finding consultations • Bank account & tax file number registration • Unlimited Internet access • Help with tax file registration & banking • Mail holding, forwarding & free luggage storage • Organised weekly social events • 24-hour emergency hotline • Lonely Planet guidebook • BUNAC t-shirt
ARRIVAL ORIENTATION Take a seat with other new arrivals and get the A-Z on all things Kiwi at the Auckland office. The comprehensive arrival orientation will cover everything from jobs, accommodation, work, tax and banking. Get support from staff in person or by email and phone throughout the year, wherever you are in New Zealand.
BUNAC PROGRAMME FEE FR £1,378
SOCIAL EVENTS It’s not all work and no play! Our Auckland office run weekly social events, so whether it’s your first or last week, join the BUNAC team and have fun with fellow backpackers. Enjoy burger and film nights, barbecues on the beach and city pub crawls.
WOULD YOU RATHER FLY SOLO? Ask us for details without the group flight.
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OTHER COSTS TO CONSIDER Your Working Holiday Visa and insurance – we have the rest covered.
WORK IN CANADA
with the BUNAC support programme
£359
FR
How the programme works The BUNAC UK team are here to guide you through the tricky and complex visa application process, help to organise your job and ensure that you hit the ground running when you arrive in Canada. The Canadian High Commission release a limited number of IEC visas every year and with over 25 years’ experience in processing Canadian visas, the expert team at BUNAC can help get you through the challenging application process correctly first time, minimising your chances of rejection. Choose from the essentials programme and utilise BUNAC’s in-country resource centres in Vancouver and Toronto, or secure a job before you go with a UK interview with a Canadian employer on the ultimate programme. Add on a group flight via Iceland to really start your year with a bang.
programme info ESSENTIALS Kick-start your working holiday with help from our in-country resource centres in Vancouver and Toronto. Browse through our online Job Database and get the lowdown on the best areas to live, work and play from our expert staff. Plus, there’s unlimited access for up to 24 months and weekly social events. WHAT’S INCLUDED • IEC visa application assistance • Pre-departure advice & resources • The opportunity to join a group flight via Iceland • Access to exclusive BUNAC Work Canada Facebook group to meet other working holiday makers • 2 nights’ arrival accommodation at a hostel in Vancouver/Toronto • Arrival orientation & access to walk-in resource centres in Vancouver/Toronto • Assistance with opening a bank account & tax file number registration • Access to the Jobs Database for the duration of your trip • Organised social events • An online Work Canada handbook to prepare you for your trip • Lonely Planet guidebook • 24/7 emergency contact throughout your trip
ULTIMATE Grab a job in Canada’s mountain resorts before you arrive. With options to work in Whistler, Banff, Jasper, Big White, Panorama or Blue Mountain, we’ve partnered with some of the top resorts in Canada to offer pre-arranged placements. Typical roles include: front desk agents, ski lift operators, housekeepers, cooks, cashiers and ski rental technicians. For most jobs, you’ll need to be available from November/December until April. EVERYTHING IN THE ESSENTIALS PROGRAMME, PLUS: • The opportunity to attend UK interviews with Canadian employers • A job placement at 6+ resorts • Pre-arranged accommodation Kristian, previous Work Canada participant: “The IEC visa was a minefield to understand but BUNAC made it really simple & were so helpful in answering my many questions! After an interview in London, I’m now working in Whistler as a ski lift operator. Once the season’s finished I’m heading south to Vancouver to secure work in the city with the help of BUNAC’s resource centre there. I’ve fallen in love with this amazing country!
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
Essenti als programme FR £359 Hit the ground running with support from resource centres in Vancouver and Toronto.
Ultimate programme FR £599 Secure a job in one of Canada’s mountain resorts before you arrive. WHEN TO BOOK • From September. Visas are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Early application is recommended. ELIGIBILITY At the time of visa application you must be: • A British or Irish passport holder aged 18-30 or • An Irish passport holder aged 18-35 A deposit of just £100 deposit will get the ball rolling on your BUNAC working adventure! OTHER COSTS TO CONSIDER Third party fees including your visa, police check, flights, insurance and personal support funds.
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WORKING ABROAD
This is the ideal programme for anyone embarking on a working holiday in Canada. After securing your IEC visa you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to do almost any job anywhere in Canada and work for up to 24 months. Work at a summer resort that offers mountain biking, canoeing and hiking, or a winter resort where you can carve it up on the slopes, or go for an office job and experience the city life of Vancouver or Toronto. You have the chance to earn some cash, do some travelling and gain some great life skills. Experience independent work and travel with all the help you need from BUNAC.
WORK IN THE USA
Spend your summer earning $$$ in the States Live the American dream! Spend your summer living and working in the good ‘ole US of A! Discover the real America away from the tourist crowds on one of our amazing summer programmes.
WORKING ABROAD
WORK AMERICA allows full-time university students to work for up to four months, anywhere in the USA. Work on a ranch in Texas, in a café in ‘San Fran’ or in a souvenir store in California. SUMMER CAMP EXCHANGE USA lets you experience a true American tradition spending up to ten weeks working in an idyllic camp setting. Spend your summer outdoors teaching an activity you love to American children.
a day in the life of a swim coach on summer camp exchange USA 7.30am I wake to the sound of cheesy music over the tannoy and rush to get my cabin of five 6-9 year-old boys ready for flag-raising and breakfast.
JEN
mark
10am Morning activities. I take the boys out for race training in the lake, they’re so competitive. 1pm Lunch – taco time! 2pm Afternoon activities. I supervise the girls fishing… their squeals can be heard right across camp! 6pm Dinner is a cook-out, rustic style… burgers and hot dogs all round! 7.30pm It’s International Evening, so I’ve painted the Union Jack on my face ready for inter-country competitions! 9.30pm The boys in my cabin are exhausted from the day so fall asleep pretty quickly. I head over to the daily staff meeting to go over the day’s events. 10pm I’m exhausted but hang out in the staff lodge with other BUNACers planning our road trip after camp – LA is definitely on everyone’s list. Camp life is hectic, but I love it!
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jen’s summer on the work america programme Jen was in her last year of Uni and knew that the J-1 visa is only available to students, so booked her once in a lifetime trip before it was too late! “With BUNAC’s help, I applied and followed up on over 20 jobs. Nine employers got back to me and after a couple of Skype interviews I was offered a waitress position at an exclusive Yacht Club in Oyster Bay in New York state! All the effort was totally worth it. On most days off a group of us would travel into NYC and explore. After working I booked an organised tour and experienced Niagara Falls by boat (wow). It was the most amazing four months, I just wish I could do it again.”
WORK AMERICA
£529
FR
HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS Working in America is a great way to boost your CV with international work experience... and it’s only available to you as a uni student! As well as sorting your job, BUNAC also help you to obtain your four-month work permit, commonly referred to as the J-1 visa. This programme is exclusively available to university students so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! It is very difficult to arrange to work in the States once you have graduated. Whether you’re working on a theme park in Maryland, a souvenir store in California or a Yacht Club in New York, discover the real America and be more than just a tourist.
• Full programme administration and help in obtaining the J-1 visa (your flexible 4-month working visa) • A pre-arranged job placement before you depart in tourism or hospitality with accommodation arrangements in place before you leave • Access to a BUNAC online account, full of American CV and cover letter advice • Pre-departure online orientation
PROGRAMME FEE
£529
FR
ELIGIBILITY UK university students, any nationality.
WORKING ABROAD
InclusionS • SIM card • BUNAC support services (including 24/7 emergency contact) • Assistance in obtaining a Social Security number while in the US • Programme handbook covering everything you need to know about living and working in the USA • Dedicated placement coordinator to help find your perfect job in the States.
WHEN TO BOOK AND GO BOOK: Sep-Mar GO: June 2016 OTHER COSTS TO CONSIDER Third party fees including your US visa, Flights.
SUMMER CAMP EXCHANGE USA
£549
FR
HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS Be part of a great American tradition! Since 1970, BUNAC have been sending talented Brits to pass on their skills to American children at summer camp. Spend 8-10 weeks working and living at a camp with children aged 6-16 as a Camp Counsellor and then travel around the USA for up to 30 days afterwards with your new friends and pocket money you’ve earned at camp. Camps hire people that have worked with children before. If you have experience in teaching sports or activities, you’ll be perfect for Summer Camp Exchange USA! Often described as ‘the hardest job you’ll ever love’ - do you have what it takes? Get hired on the spot at our Summer Camp Recruitment Fairs in January 2016. Meet American camp directors in person and impress them with your outstanding experience and sparkling personality!
InclusionS • Placement at a camp in the USA • Return transatlantic flight from London and transfer to camp • Food and accommodation while at camp • Pocket money – perfect for travelling after camp • Assistance with securing your J-1 visa • US embassy meet and greet service
PROGRAMME FEE ELIGIBILITY
£549
FR
• Anyone aged 19+ • Experience of coaching or motivating children is essential • Experience in activities such as swimming, water sports, tennis, horse riding, rock climbing, gymnastics or archery is desirable
• SEVIS – USA government fee • Medical insurance • Pre-departure orientation day in the UK to help you get ready for camp life • Your first night’s accommodation • Welcome orientation on arrival • Access to camp facilities during time off
WHEN TO BOOK AND GO BOOK: Aug-Feb. Early application essential as applications are competitive GO: Jun 2016 OTHER COSTS TO CONSIDER US visa, police check, medical check and personal support funds.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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Teach English as a foreign language Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a qualification that will enable you to teach English abroad. If you’re an adventurous spirit with a passion for living and working within a brand new culture, then TEFL could be right for you.
TEFL Courses Fr £129 TEACH ENGLISH ABROAD
From the essential skills you need to teach abroad to comprehensive training helping you get those higher paid jobs, we have TEFL courses for everyone.
TEACH ENGLISH FR ABROAD £129
• A ccess your course from any device, anywhere in the world! • Receive expert training, equipping you with essential skills • Dedicated tutor throughout your course • Gain an internationally accredited qualification for life • Fit the course around you THE ESSENTIAL TEFL COURSE £129 All the skills you need to get teaching abroad in no time! TEFL TO YOUNG LEARNERS COURSE £169 Want to work with young learners? We’ve got a great course to help you gear your teaching skills to children and toddlers. THE ULTIMATE TEFL COURSE £239 Our most comprehensive TEFL course – with this qualification under your belt you’ll be able to walk in to the higher paid jobs abroad.
Fantastic salaries across the globe The world is full of incredible TEFL opportunities with the chance to earn great salaries. Once you complete the course the doors will open to 1000s of teaching positions in some of the world’s greatest travel hotspots.
LoveTEFL Adventures FR £495 LoveTEFL Adventures offer a fantastic new way to teach and travel. Explore, travel and see the best bits of your chosen destination combined with a unique teaching experience, the perfect way to gain new skills and see the world at the same time! Why not add an Essential TEFL course before you travel (already included in Thailand Teach & Beach) to really make the most of your adventure. Head to places like India, Thailand or Kenya where you’ll combine the experience of teaching abroad with incredible excursions packed into your trip. Relax on the beaches of Goa or party on the stunning island of Koh Phangan. Safari in the Maasai Mara or go bungee jumping in Venezuela. Ranging between two to four weeks, these programmes are a great opportunity for people who want a taste of teaching abroad whilst making the most of their time in-country.
WHAT YOU COULD EARN PER MONTH North Asia: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and more
up to £2,000
South East Asia: Thailand, Vietnam and more
up to £1,000
Central and Eastern Europe: Many destinations
up to £1,000
Western Europe: France, Germany, Spain and more
up to £1,800
Middle East: Saudi Arabia and more
up to £2,600
What you don’t need • A second language • Previous teaching experience • A university degree
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THAILAND TEACH & BEACH, 15 days • Free 120-hour online TEFL course • Koh Samui Island Tour • 10 days’ teaching experience • Longtail boat trip
FR £495
ULTIMATE THAILAND ADVENTURE, 29 days • Explore bustling Bangkok • Trips to Koh Phangan & Koh Tao • Trek in Khao Yai National Park • 5 days’ teaching experience
FR £1,295
ULTIMATE INDIA EXPERIENCE, 29 days • Traditional houseboat cruise • Epic tour of Madurai & Tamil Nadu • Beach stays in tropical Goa, Varkala & Calangute • 5 days’ teaching experience
FR £1,295
KENYA MAASAI EXPERIENCE, 29 days FR £1,695 • Guided tour of Narok • Thomson Falls, Lake Naivasha & the Great Rift Valley • Live & teach in a traditional Maasai village • 4-day ‘Big 5’ safari in the Maasai Mara
TEACH ENGLISH ABROAD
WORLDWIDE TEFL INTERNSHIPS FR £895 TEFL Internships range from two to six months and are unique experiences designed to immerse you in new cultures and get you teaching abroad in some of the world’s most amazing destinations. You’ll be fully TEFL trained before you venture to your host country where you’ll be supported as you teach English to local students. With in-country orientations and fantastic opportunities for exploring, these programmes are the perfect teach and travel experience.
Be a TEFL intern in China
6 months
Thailand
2 months
Cambodia
2 months
South Africa
2 months
Colombia
2 months
TEFL Internships include: • Accredited Essential TEFL course • • • • • • • •
Full training and orientation in-country Airport pickup and transfers Accommodation and some meals Practical teaching experience in a local school Full support from an in-country team Monthly allowance (depending on programme) Professional reference to add to your CV Incredible trips and social events
Programmes Fr £895 per person Get a £50 discount if you’re already TEFL qualified 77
why learn a language? If you’re visibly recoiling at the thought of going back to school, don’t panic. This is fun school. You get to wear your own clothes and everything. So why travel to some thoroughly exciting new city to learn a language? Well, we were going to throw phrases at you like ‘life-enhancing’, ‘rewarding’, ‘CV-boosting’ … and this is all true. But above all, it’s just genuinely an all-round good idea. You get to live somewhere epic, get that smug feeling of selfimprovement and have genuine exchanges with locals without feeling like an idiot – just imagine! LEARN A LANGUAGE
With centrally-located schools and lessons taking up about 20 hours per week, that gives you a whole, what, 148 extra hours a week to re-live your student days in an awesome new city? There may be a bit of homework (it’s school after all) but it’s really more practice, and that’s what parks and pubs are for surely? Also, as the majority of our language students are aged between 18 and 29 and travelling independently, it’s a great way to meet people. Learned and popular, get you.
LEARN A LANGUAGE
CASE STUDY “South America has always fascinated me – it is such a diverse continent full of culture - but the thought of travelling there without speaking the language daunted me. Instead of letting that put me off however, I decided to get out there and learn Spanish. I chose to learn in Cuzco as I have always wanted to do the Inca Trail and I couldn’t have picked a better location! I stayed in a homestay to allow me to practice outside of classes and my grasp of the language was soon underway. Travelling afterwards was so rewarding when I was able to talk with locals.” Jemma Allen Language Student, Learn Spanish in Cuzco
TOP 5 TIPS Our Partnership/Support network STA Travel has chosen globo-study as our preferred partner in providing first-rate language holidays in over 260 schools spanning five continents. Schools and programmes are monitored by globo-study for quality, service, teaching excellence and accommodation. Each student leaves with a certification confirming course participation.
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1
Getting to basic grips with a language will take at least 2 weeks of intensive study and practice; you will not be fluent in a matter of weeks
2
Ensure you grab every social opportunity to practice conversing and reading – restaurants, museums, theatres…
3
Live with a local family where possible and your understanding of the language will blossom, as it is the best way to fully immerse yourself
4
Learn a little each day, rather than a long spell once a week; this way you will retain a lot more information
5
Extend your stay and add on a local course such as tango lessons and again the social interaction will improve your speech plus you’ll have fun
ACCOMMODATION LEARN A LANGUAGE
We offer a fantastic variety of accomodation options to make this an easy choice depending on how you want to experience the time on your course. Self-catered apartments or boarding houses are perfect for all those independent types. Shared and student apartments are great if you would like a bit of company (and a practice buddy or two!). If you want to really immerse yourself in the local culture, opt for host family lodgings. Here you can practice your new language in a natural and authentic way outside of the classroom.
WHICH COURSE? What language and course level you opt for is totally based on what interests you, your current level of knowledge and the amount of time you have up your sleeve. If you’re keen to significantly improve your language skills within a short period of time, an intensive or combination course (including private lessons) might be the one for you. If your main aim is to refresh your memory and brush-up on your chosen language, then we recommend a standard course. Making sure you choose the right location and course for you will mean you are sure to have an amazing time.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS If you have ever pictured yourself catching a wave, cooking up a storm, learning to dance or getting creative with paints then one of the additional programmes is for you. While you spend your mornings learning Spanish, your afternoons can be filled with an altogether different activity allowing you to return home and impress all your mates with your new-found array of abilities. Check out the schools in Buenos Aires, Montanita, Barcelona, Seville and Malaga.
BEFORE YOU GO Get savvy and research language, visa requirements and travel and health insurance. Don’t assume tourist visa rules apply to you as a student! It’s also a good idea to equip yourself with foreign language books, audio books, DVDs and a dictionary before you depart. Finally, research your destination a little and you may be able to squeeze in some exciting local events. Just imagine being in Valencia for Las Fallas, Paris for Bastille Day or Beijing for the Chinese New Year celebrations!
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LEARN SPANISH IN LATIN AMERICA LEARN A LANGUAGE
We’re going to be honest with you, ‘si si’, ‘cerveza’ (that’s a beer by the way) and a lot of enthusiastic nodding is only going to get you so far – most likely into a lot of bars. While we’re okay with that, there are also some fairly fundamental things involved in travelling through Latin America that you’ll need to communicate. Small things really, you know like booking buses, trains, hostels and generally just being able to actually talk to people?! There’s no better way to learn than to live it - and this is one awesome and sexyas-houses continent to do it in.
LEARN SPANISH IN BUENOS AIRES
£305
FR
PRICES
A = Homestay, single room, half board B = Shared apartment, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £340 £305 2 weeks Fr £625 £575 3 weeks Fr £915 £835 4 weeks Fr £1,200 £1,100 Additional weeks Fr £290 £265 Intensive course 1 week Fr £390 £360 2 weeks Fr £720 £670 3 weeks Fr £1,055 £980 4 weeks Fr £1,385 £1,295 Additional weeks Fr £335 £310 Spanish and Tango 1 week Fr £350 £320 2 weeks Fr £660 £600 3 weeks Fr £970 £880 4 weeks Fr £1,280 £1,155 Additional weeks Fr £310 £275
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Beautiful Buenos Aires boasts an eclectic mix of food, shopping and nightlife, making it an ideal setting for your Spanish language course. The school has a fantastic, central location, with 24 bright, spacious classrooms, a roof terrace, a computer room with free Wi-Fi, a library and student lounge. The course runs for 1 -48 weeks, starting on Mondays (arrive Sunday) with small class sizes of 6-10 students.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Intensive course 30 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Spanish and Tango Same as standard course plus one private Tango lesson (50 minutes) and one group Tango lesson (90 minutes). The course is held in a specialised Tango school in the centre of Buenos Aires.
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ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with half board. The travel time to the school is approximately 60 minutes by public transport. Minimum age 16 years-old. Shared Apartment (Package B) Single room, self-catering. The apartments are shared with between two and seven locals who share a bathroom and kitchen. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-40 minutes by public transport. Minimum age 18 years-old.
LEARN SPANISH IN QUITO
£190
FR
Inclusions
For an absolutely unforgettable location to learn Spanish, how does a city surrounded by snow-peaked mountains but with year-round warm weather sound? Quito has a stunning location and also boasts a cultural old town and a cosmopolitan new town – everything you could need. The language school is located in the popular new town district of El Batán. The school has nine classrooms, a cafe, an internet lounge with free Wi-Fi and a communal terrace with table tennis. There’s also a bus stop right outside so you can get to the historic centre of Quito in a flash.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Combination course Same as standard course plus 5 private lessons per week, 50 minutes each
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with half board. The travel time to the school is approximately a 20-30 minute walk or can be reached by public transport. Student Residence (Package B) Single room, self catering. The travel time to the school is approximately five minutes’ walking.
PRICES
A = homestay, single room, half board B = school residence, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £190 £205 2 weeks Fr £360 £395 3 weeks Fr £535 £585 4 weeks Fr £705 £780 Additional weeks Fr £175 £195 Combination course 1 week Fr £225 £240 2 weeks Fr £425 £460 3 weeks Fr £630 £685 4 weeks Fr £835 £910 Additional weeks Fr £205 £225
LEARN SPANISH IN MONTANITA
£235
FR
Inclusions
Start date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration:1-48 weeks Location: Montañita, Ecuador Accommodation: Homestay or student residence Meals: Half board or self-catering Min Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 3-6 students
PRICES
A = homestay, single room, half board B = school residence, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £245 £235 2 weeks Fr £465 £445 3 weeks Fr £690 £665 4 weeks Fr £910 £880 Additional weeks Fr £225 £210 Spanish and Surfing 1 week Fr £315 £305 2 weeks Fr £595 £575 3 weeks Fr £880 £850 4 weeks Fr £1,170 £1,130 Additional weeks Fr £290 £275
Montañita is the surfers’ paradise of Ecuador. With a laid back atmosphere and beach lifestyle, your language course is sure to be relaxed and carefree. Watch international surf festivals, view breathtaking sunsets, explore the surrounding mountains or relax in a chilled beach café. The language school in Montañita is just a few minutes from the beach and has incredible views of the ocean. The school has ten classrooms, but true to the Montañitan vibe, teaching also takes place in the open air. There is also a communal kitchen and a surf shop on the ground floor.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Spanish and Surfing Same as standard course plus 5 surf lessons per week. Each surf session lasts 1.5 hours, board rental and wetsuit is included.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with half board. The travel time to the school is approximately 5-10 minutes walking. Student Residence (Package B) Single room in rustic bamboo cabaña with en-suite bathroom. Communal facilities include swimming pool, Jacuzzi, kitchen and sitting area with TV / DVD player.
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LEARN A LANGUAGE
Start date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Quito, Ecuador Accommodation: Homestay or student residence Meals: Half board or self catering Min Age: 18 years old Class Size: 3-6 students
LEARN SPANISH IN CUZCO
£230
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Cuzco, Peru Accommodation: Homestay or residence Meals: Half board (breakfast and lunch) Minimum Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 3-6 students
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Cuzco is not only Peru’s oldest city but it’s also the gateway to Machu Picchu and the historical heart of the Inca Empire. A mountain setting, cobbled streets, colonial mansions and ancient Inca architecture make this stunning Peruvian city a must-see. The language school is housed in a beautiful colonial building in the heart of Cuzco just a stone’s throw from the main square. The dedicated and experienced teachers here will not only have you clued up on Spanish but also the local culture and history. There is no shortage of activities to enjoy in your free time, both in and around Cuzco.
COURSES
Standard Course 20 lessons per week, 55 minutes each Combination course Same as standard course plus 5 private lessons per week, 55 minutes each Private course 20 private lessons per week, 55 minutes each
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with half board (breakfast and lunch). The travel time to the school is approximately 20-30 minutes walk. Residence (Package B) Twin-shared room with half board (breakfast and lunch). The travel time to the school is approximately a minutes’ walk.
PRICES
Standard course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Combination course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Private Course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks
LEARN SPANISH IN LIMA
A&B Fr £230 Fr £430 Fr £625 Fr £820 Fr £200 Fr £265 Fr £500 Fr £735 Fr £975 Fr £235 Fr £285 Fr £530 Fr £785 Fr £1,035 Fr £255
£230
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Lima, Peru Accommodation: Shared apartment Meals: Self catering Minimum Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 5 - 8 students
PRICES
Peru’s largest city has a distinctly European feel making it a great place to find your
Standard course feet in South America. With plenty of sights, a charming old town and beautiful 1 week Fr £230 colonial architecture, you can spend days or weeks discovering all it has to offer. 2 weeks Fr £430 The language school is located in the popular district of Miraflores, a great place to 3 weeks Fr £625 4 weeks Fr £820 sample some traditional Peruvian cuisine, best enjoyed with a Pisco Sour, Peru’s most Additional weeks Fr £200 famous cocktail. This is a safe and lively area near the beaches of Lima making it Combination Course perfect for a post-class sunbathe! The school has nine classrooms, a lounge and free 1 week Fr £265 Wi-Fi. The courtyard also offers a relaxing place to take a break. 2 weeks Fr £500 3 weeks Fr £735 4 weeks Fr £975 Additional weeks Fr £235 Standard course Shared Apartment 20 lessons per week (Mon-Fri), 50 minutes Single room, self-catering. The apartments are each also home to locals. Between two and seven Combination course people are accommodated in an apartment and 20 lessons + 4 per week, 50 minutes each share the bathroom and kitchen. The travel time to the school is approximately 30-45 minutes by public transport.
COURSES
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ACCOMMODATION
LEARN SPANISH IN ANTIGUA
£135
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-24 weeks Location: Antigua, Guatemala Accommodation: Homestay Meals: Full board (no meals on Sundays) Minimum Age: 18 years-old Class Size: Private tuition (1 student)
At this established language school you will enjoy one-to-one classes specifically tailored to your individual language needs and run by one of the school’s 20 experienced Spanish teachers. From this small school you can reach shops, bars, restaurants, the market and Antigua’s main square easily by foot.
COURSES
ACCOMMODATION
Standard course 20 private lessons per week, 50 minutes each Intensive course 30 private lessons per week, 50 minutes each
Homestay Single room with full board (no meals on Sundays). The travel time to the school is approximately 15 minutes’ walking or on public transport.
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Narrow cobblestone streets, Baroque architecture and striking backdrops, Antigua didn’t become a UNESCO World Heritage Site for nothing. In fact, now it is one of the most popular language holiday destinations in Central America.
PRICES
Standard course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Intensive course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks
Fr £135 Fr £270 Fr £405 Fr £540 Fr £135 Fr £165 Fr £325 Fr £485 Fr £650 Fr £165
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LEARN SPANISH IN TAMARINDO
£305
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Tamarindo, Costa Rica Accommodation: Homestay Meals: Half board Minimum Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 3-6 students Notes: Course certificate is provided
Calling all beach bums! If you want to combine learning Spanish with relaxing on sandy beaches and surfing the waves of the Pacific Ocean then Tamarindo is the place for you. This language school will appeal to nature lovers, sports enthusiasts or just those looking to take it easy.
PRICES Standard course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Spanish and Surfing 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Extras per week Student houses (shared)
Fr £305 Fr £580 Fr £845 Fr £1,075 Fr £260 Fr £410 Fr £760 Fr £1,170 Fr £1,535 Fr £30
The school is within walking distance of the beach, has ten spacious and bright indoor classrooms and four outdoor classrooms. After a day of learning your new lingo, grab a surf board and catch some waves.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 55 minutes each Spanish and Surfing course Same as the standard course plus 3 surf lessons per week during the first 2 weeks; one surf excursion per week in weeks 3 and 4; surf board rental and transport to surfing locations.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay Single room with half board. The families live in the towns of Santa Rosa or Villreal, approximately 5-6 km away from the school. Daily transport to the school by shuttle bus (only one-way).
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LEARN SPANISH IN HAVANA
£320
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration:1-24 weeks Location: Havana, Cuba Accommodation: Homestay Meals: Half board Minimum Age:18 years-old Class Size: 2-4 students
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Learn Spanish in Havana and be prepared to be bewitched by the Cuban capital. Despite visible decline, the city’s grandeur remains, with majestic, pastel-coloured mansions, colonial streets and plazas. The language school is situated in the district of La Vibora, 15 minutes from the old town, meaning you get a language holiday with deep insight into everyday life, contact with locals and total immersion in the country’s rich culture. And because the Spanish lessons are taught in small classes, you’re able to take advantage and make excellent progress.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Intensive course 25 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Spanish & dancing course Four or eight dance lessons per week, 45 minutes each. This can be added on to the Standard or Intensive course. Simply add on the cost of four or eight lessons.
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay Single room with half board. Within walking distance to the school. All meals will be taken at school.
PRICES
Standard course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Intensive course 1 week 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Spanish & dancing course 4 lessons per week 8 lessons per week
LEARN SPANISH IN PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Fr £320 Fr £610 Fr £900 Fr £1,195 Fr £295 Fr £350 Fr £670 Fr £995 Fr £1,315 Fr £325 Fr £35 Fr £70
£320
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Playa del Carmen, Mexico Accommodation: Homestay or shared apartment Meals: Bed & breakfast or self-catering Minimum Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 3-8 students
PRICES
A = homestay, single room with breakfast B = shared apartment, shared room, self-catering Holiday course A B 1 week Fr £345 £320 2 weeks Fr £605 £550 3 weeks Fr £870 £780 4 weeks Fr £1,120 £1,000 Additional weeks Fr £250 £220 Standard course 1 week Fr £375 £345 2 weeks Fr £655 £595 3 weeks Fr £945 £845 4 weeks Fr £1,220 £1,090 Additional weeks Fr £275 £240
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Grab your sombrero, slap on some sun lotion and hit the beach. Sun worshippers will love this language school located on the gorgeous Riviera Maya in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean. This lush, tropical landscape is famous for its white sandy beaches and glistening turquoise sea - you could almost forget you had come to study! You’ll be learning Spanish in a typical Mexican hacienda just a few minutes walk from the beach. The school has ten modern classrooms with air con, overlooking exotic gardens. Whilst studying here, you’ll be able to take excursions to archaeological sites of Yucatán or explore the popular cities of Cancun, Cozumel and Xcaret.
COURSES
Holiday course 16 lessons per week, 60 minutes each Standard course 20 lessons per week, 60 minutes each
VISIT STATRAVEL.COM
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room including breakfast. The travel time to the school is approximately a10-15 minute walk. Shared Apartment (Package B) Twin-shared room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 5-10 minutes’ walking or by public transport.
LEARN A LANGUAGE IN EUROPE LEARN A LANGUAGE
Ahhh, Europe. What has this beautiful melting-pot continent of ancient history and culture done to deserve the hordes of overenunciating and wildly gesticulating tourists trying to communicate! Okay, we get it, there’s a whole heap of languages going on. From the beaches of Barcelona to the warehouse clubs of Berlin, you get to learn a new language and live as a temporary local in some of the most alive cities on the planet. Who’s clever now? (err, that’s you by the way).
LEARN SPANISH IN MADRID
£335
FR
Inclusions
Start date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Madrid, Spain Accommodation: Homestay or shared apartment Meals: Half board or self-catering Min Age: 17 years-old Class Size: 6-9 students
PRICES Standard course 1 week Fr £335 2 weeks Fr £600 3 weeks Fr £860 4 weeks Fr £1,085 Additional weeks Fr £235 Combination course 1 week Fr £485 2 weeks Fr £915 3 weeks Fr £1,320 4 weeks Fr £1,725 Additional weeks Fr £410 Extras per week Supplementary homestay Fr £40
Madrid is packed with fantastic art galleries, amazing restaurants and funky tapas bars. However, it is probably most famous for its relentless nightlife; the streets truly come alive after sundown with live music being a major focus. So, if you enjoy learning by day and partying by night, Madrid is your place! The school is located in the Salamanca district and is easily accessible by local transport. The modern building has 25 classrooms, a living room, media centre and library. Dedicated teachers and small classes create the perfect learning environment.
COURSES
ACCOMMODATION
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Combination course Same as standard course plus 5 private lessons per week, 45 minutes each
Shared Apartment Single room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-35 minutes by public transport.
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
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LEARN SPANISH IN BARCELONA
£315
FR
Inclusions
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Barcelona, Spain Accommodation: Homestay or shared apartment Meals: Bed and breakfast or self-catering Minimum Age: 16 years-old Class Size: 6-10 students
As far as cities go, you would be hard pushed to find one with more on offer than Barcelona. Winding medieval streets in the Gothic quarter, swanky restaurants along the marina, a beach on which to sunbathe and delicious food on every corner and that’s even before the buzzing nightlife has been mentioned! This trendy language school, with its fancy decorations, is located next to the spectacular Sagrada Familia. The school organises social evenings, movie nights and sightseeing, so there’s plenty of opportunity to practice your new skills.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 55 minutes each Spanish and salsa course Same as standard course plus 5 dance lessons per week, 60 minutes each
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with breakfast, half board is available at an extra charge. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-25 minutes by public transport. Shared Apartment (Package B) Single room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-25 minutes by public transport. Please note a deposit of EUR €100 is payable on arrival.
PRICES
A = homestay, single room with breakfast B = shared apartment, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £320 £315 2 weeks Fr £565 £515 3 weeks Fr £815 £720 4 weeks Fr £1,035 £880 Additional weeks Fr £250 £205 Spanish and salsa course 1 week Fr £375 £370 2 weeks Fr £660 £610 3 weeks Fr £965 £865 4 weeks Fr £1,245 £1,095 Additional weeks Fr £300 £255
LEARN SPANISH IN VALENCIA
£240
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Valencia, Spain Accommodation: Homestay/shared apartment Meals: Bed and breakfast or self-catering Minimum Age: 16 years old Class Size: 6-10 students
PRICES
A = homestay, single room, breakfast B = shared apartment, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £280 £240 2 weeks Fr £505 £430 3 weeks Fr £735 £630 4 weeks Fr £960 £825 Additional weeks Fr £230 £200 Intensive course 1 week Fr £290 £255 2 weeks Fr £530 £460 3 weeks Fr £775 £670 4 weeks Fr £1,020 £885 Additional weeks Fr £245 £215 Seasonal supplement per week 28Jun-29Aug Fr £20
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With its buzzing night life, endless beaches and historical centre, Valencia has a lively atmosphere all year round. The city will excite architecture fans with its futuristic buildings, sports fans with the Grand Prix and sun lovers with its sandy beaches. The language school is located on a traditional street in the heart of Valencia next to the old university and close to the cathedral and town hall. Classes are taught in small groups in modern rooms with air con and free Internet. There is also a beautiful and cosy outside area.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 55 minutes each Intensive course 25 lessons per week, 55 minutes each
VISIT STATRAVEL.COM
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with breakfast. The travel time to the school is approximately 15-20 minutes’ walking or on public transport. Shared Apartment (Package B) Single room, self catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 15-20 minutes walk or on public transport. Please note a deposit of EUR €100 is payable on arrival.
LEARN SPANISH IN SEVILLE
£275
FR
Inclusions
Seville has been coined the most beautiful city in Spain and if that wasn’t enough, it also boasts over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. This Andalucian city is renowned for flamenco so you may leave with more than just Spanish under your belt. The school was founded in 1983 and is now considered one of the leading language schools in Spain. It’s located in the heart of the lively old town and has 30 classrooms and free Wi-Fi. After class, you can meet your fellow students in the café on the patio, or at the sunny terrace.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Intensive course 30 lessons per week, 50 minutes each (Both courses include 4 special lessons per week such as Spanish literature, art, history, Andalucian cooking and Spanish history).
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with half board (breakfast and lunch). The travel time to the school is approximately a15-20 minute walk or on public transport. Shared Apartment (Package B) Single room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 15-20 minutes’ walking or by public transport. Please note a deposit of EUR €150 is payable on arrival.
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Seville, Spain Accommodation: Homestay or shared apartment Meals: Half board or self-catering Minimum Age: 17 years-old Class Size: 6-10 students
PRICES
A = homestay, shared room, half board B = shared apartment, shared room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £325 £275 2 weeks Fr £555 £460 3 weeks Fr £790 £655 4 weeks Fr £1,020 £835 Additional weeks Fr £240 £195 Intensive course 2 weeks Fr £685 £595 3 weeks Fr £985 £855 4 weeks Fr £1,260 £1,085 Additional weeks Fr £305 £260
LEARN SPANISH IN MALAGA BEACH
£225
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Málaga, Spain Accommodation: Homestay/shared apartment Meals: Half board or self-catering Minimum Age: 16 (18 for shared apartment) Class Size: 8-12 students
PRICES
A = homestay, single room, half board B = shared apartment, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £300 £225 2 weeks Fr £540 £395 3 weeks Fr £790 £570 4 weeks Fr £1,035 £745 Additional weeks Fr £250 £175 Holiday course 2 weeks Fr £705 £545 3 weeks Fr £1,035 £800 4 weeks Fr £1,375 £1,060 Additional weeks Fr £345 £260 Seasonal supplement 07Jun-12Sep per week Fr £25 £55
Set against the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, Málaga is both historic and modern. There are plenty of tapas bars and trendy boutiques to be found when strolling through the narrow streets and leafy boulevards. The language school in Málaga is located in a beautiful Andalucian villa with a garden. It is also just a few steps from the beach. The school belongs to a renowned language travel organisation which has been offering Spanish courses for the past 30 years.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Holiday course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Includes a city tour, 4 activities per week (for example beach bbq, horse-riding or dance lessons), 2 excursions (Seville, Cordoba or simliar) every two weeks
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Twin-shared room with half board. The travel time to the school is approximately 15-20 minutes walking or with public transport. Shared Apartment (Package B) Twin-shared room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 15-20 minutes walking or with public transport.
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LEARN FRENCH IN PARIS
£415
FR
PRICES
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Paris is packed with iconic monuments, amazing art, history and great food. And where better to learn French? The language school is recognised by two French universities and has an excellent reputation, attracting students from all over the world. Centrally located, it’s just a short walk from Centre Pompidou and the shops of Les Halles. The school has 20 classrooms, a cafeteria and a multimedia room. The course duration is 1-48 weeks, starting on Mondays (arrive Sunday) with class sizes of 6-14 students. Minimum age of 18 years-old.
COURSES
Holiday course 15 lessons per week, 55 minutes each Standard course 20 lessons per week, 55 minutes each Intensive course 23 lessons per week, 55 minutes each. Includes 3 workshop lessons of your choice, such as business French, grammar, listening.
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with breakfast. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-30 minutes by public transport. Student Residence (Package B) Single room, private bathroom with breakfast. The travel time to the school is approximately 35 minutes by public transport.
A = homestay, single room, breakfast B = student residence, single room, breakfast Holiday course A B 1 week Fr £415 £460 2 weeks Fr £760 £875 3 weeks Fr £1,105 £1,310 4 weeks Fr £1,465 £1,745 Additional weeks Fr £345 £430 Standard course 1 week Fr £485 £540 2 weeks Fr £920 £1,025 3 weeks Fr £1,345 £1,510 4 weeks Fr £1,775 £2,010 Additional weeks Fr £415 £490 Intensive course 1 week Fr £510 £555 2 weeks Fr £950 £1,050 3 weeks Fr £1,385 £1,545 4 weeks Fr £1,835 £2,060 Additional weeks Fr £430 £500
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LEARN FRENCH IN MONTPELLIER
£290
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-26 weeks Location: Montpellier, France Accommodation: Homestay/student residence Meals: Half board or self-catering Minimum Age: 16 years-old Class Size: 6-10 students
PRICES
A = homestay, single room, half board B = student residence, single room, self-catering Standard course A&B 1 week Fr £290 2 weeks Fr £525 3 weeks Fr £760 4 weeks Fr £995 Additional weeks Fr £240 Intensive course 1 week Fr £350 2 weeks Fr £640 3 weeks Fr £935 4 weeks Fr £1,225 Additional weeks Fr £290
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You may be surrounded by magnificent historical buildings and old world architecture but you can’t escape the bohemian buzz of Montpellier. Located near the beach, full of independent cafés, bars and music venues, Montpellier is undoubtedly a student mecca and the perfect place for a language school student. The language school is located in two 18th Century buildings and has fully equipped classrooms, a library and a computer room. Lessons include going to restaurants and excursions out of town so you learn not just French, but also about the country’s culture.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Intensive course 30 lessons per week, 45 minutes each
VISIT STATRAVEL.COM
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room on half board. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-30 minutes walking or with public transport. Student Residence (Package B) Shared room, self catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 5-15 minutes’ walking.
LEARN FRENCH IN NICE
£335
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-24 weeks Location: Nice, France Accommodation: Homestay/shared apartment Meals: Half board or self-catering Minimum Age: 16 years-old Class Size: 6-10 students
The internationally-renowned language school is just 600 metres from the beach and very close to Nice University, the city park and various wine bars and shops. Located in a stunning villa, the school offers nine classrooms, a student lounge and a large garden to relax in after a hard day’s study.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Intensive course 30 lessons per week, 45 minutes each
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Twin share room, half board. The travel time to the school is approximately a 20-minute walk or on public transport. Shared Apartment (Package B) Twin-share room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-35 minutes by public transport.
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Nice, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Riviera’, has a stunning setting in a wide bay capped by the Mediterranean Sea. With plenty of sunshine, swanky cocktail bars and palm tree-lined promenades, it’s a fantastic place to get to grips with the French language as well as soaking up the glamorous French lifestyle.
PRICES
A = homestay, shared room, half board B = shared apartment, shared room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £365 £335 2 weeks Fr £695 £605 3 weeks Fr £995 £855 4 weeks Fr £1,315 £1,125 Additional weeks Fr £330 £275 Intensive course 1 week Fr £435 £400 2 weeks Fr £820 £730 3 weeks Fr £1,190 £1,050 4 weeks Fr £1,570 £1,385 Additional weeks Fr £390 £340 Extras per week Single room Fr £30 £30
LEARN ITALIAN IN ROME
£340
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Rome, Italy Accommodation: Homestay or shared apartment Meals: Bed & breakfast or self-catering Minimum Age: 16 years-old Class Size: 7-12 students
PRICES
A = homestay, single room with breakfast B = shared apartment, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £340 £340 2 weeks Fr £505 £505 3 weeks Fr £740 £740 4 weeks Fr £975 £975 Additional weeks Fr £220 £220 Intensive course 1 week Fr £430 £430 2 weeks Fr £650 £650 3 weeks Fr £960 £960 4 weeks Fr £1,265 £1,265 Additional weeks Fr £285 £285 Extras per week Half board Fr £75
If you can picture yourself sipping an espresso in a streetside café speaking Italian with new friends, then Rome might be the place for you. With over 3,000 years of culture and a huge variety of delicious food and drink, this city has it all. Situated in the old town and just a few steps from Piazza Navona, the school is located in a typical patrician’s house giving students an authentic Italian experience. The school has 12 spacious and bright classrooms, a lounge area and a computer room with free Wi-Fi.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Intensive course 30 lessons per week, 45 minutes each
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room with breakfast. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-40 minutes by public transport. Half board is available at a supplement, please ask for details. Shared Apartment (Package B) Single room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 20-40 minutes by public transport. Please note a deposit of EUR €100 is payable on arrival.
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LEARN ITALIAN IN FLORENCE
£315
FR
Inclusions
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Start Date: Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Florence, Italy Accommodation: Homestay or shared apartment Meals: Half board or self-catering Min Age: 16 years-old Class Size: 6-8 students
Impressive architecture, piazzas aplenty and more art than you can shake a stick at; Florence is a top choice destination for learning Italian. When you’re finished sipping cappuccinos, head out to the Tuscan countryside for rolling hills and some wine tasting in one of the many vineyards. This relaxed and friendly language school is located in Florence’s city centre, by the Basilica of Santa Croce. The typical old town building has ten classrooms and is close to a variety of small bars and restaurants.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 60 minutes each Intensive course 30 lessons per week, 60 minutes each
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Single room on half board. The travel time to the school is approximately 15-20 minutes walking or with public transport. Shared Apartment (Package B) Single room, self catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 15-20 minutes walking or with public transport. Please note a deposit of EUR €100 is payable on arrival.
PRICES
A = homestay, single room, half board B = shared apartment, single room, self-catering Standard course A B 2 weeks Fr £675 £500 3 weeks Fr £945 £685 4 weeks Fr £1,165 £840 Additional weeks Fr £290 £210 Intensive course 1 week Fr £390 £315 2 weeks Fr £725 £565 3 weeks Fr £1,065 £805 4 weeks Fr £1,340 £1,010 Additional weeks Fr £320 £240
LEARN GERMAN IN BERLIN
£305
FR
PRICES
A = homestay, shared room, breakfast B = shared apartment, shared room, self-catering Standard course A&B 1 week Fr £305 2 weeks Fr £555 3 weeks Fr £795 4 weeks Fr £1,040 Additional weeks Fr £245 Intensive course 1 week Fr £340 2 weeks Fr £610 3 weeks Fr £870 4 weeks Fr £1,140 Additional weeks Fr £270 Combination course 1 week Fr £465 2 weeks Fr £880 3 weeks Fr £1,300 4 weeks Fr £1,715 Additional weeks Fr £420 Extras per week Seasonal supplement per week 29Jun-30Aug (homestay) Fr £55 Single room (homestay) Fr £55 Single room (apartment) Fr £75
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Berlin is a fascinating city with history on every corner and a nightlife that oozes cool. The language school is located on a quiet side street in the historic city centre, in Berlin-Mitte, the former Eastern part of Berlin. The most popular meeting point at the school has to be the cafeteria where there is a computer centre which you can use free of charge. When lessons finish, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area with its large variety of museums, cinemas, bars and cafés on the school’s doorstep. The course duration is 1-48 weeks starting on selected Mondays (arrive on Sunday) with class sizes of 8-12 students. Minimum age is 16 years-old.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Intensive course 25 lessons per week, 45 minutes each Combination course Same as standard course plus 5 private lessons per week, 45 minutes each.
VISIT STATRAVEL.COM
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay (Package A) Twin-shared room with breakfast. The travel time to the school is approximately 30-40 minutes walking or with public transport. Shared Apartment (Package B) Shared room, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 30 minutes’ walking. Please note a deposit of EUR €300 is payable on arrival.
LEARN A LANGUAGE IN ORIENTAL ASIA LEARN A LANGUAGE
You, our intrepid friend, are no crowdfollower. You have a desire to do something different, love ancient cultures, have a thing for the weird and wonderful (konnichiwa Japan!) and hate being profiled by travel companies (sorry). Already well on your way to becoming a travel legend, these two pages are just for you. While others are passing by Mount Fuji or the Great Wall, you’ll be immersed in some of the most fascinating cities and mystifying cultures in the world. Not to mention how impressive you’ll be down your startled local take-away back home.
LEARN JAPANESE IN TOKYO
£805
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 2-48 weeks Location: Tokyo, Japan Accommodation: Residence Meals: Self-catering Min Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 4-7 students
PRICES
Standard course 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Intensive course 2 weeks 3 weeks 4 weeks Additional weeks Extras per week Seasonal supplement per week 04Jul-05Sep (homestay)
Fr £805 Fr £1,065 Fr £1,325 Fr £265 Fr £885 Fr £1,195 Fr £1,505 Fr £310
Fr £25
What better place to learn Japanese than the vibrant and exciting city of Tokyo? With its flashing neon lights, dramatic skyscrapers and countless colourful sushi bars, you will be sure to have an eventful time on your course. For some chill out time, there are numerous Shinto shrines and peaceful temples to visit. The Japanese language school is just a short walk from Shinjuku Station, the world’s busiest train station. Despite being in the centre of the busiest part of Tokyo, the school’s location is peaceful and relaxing.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Intensive course Standard course plus 5 lessons of conversation per week, 50 minutes each.
Start the adventure CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
ACCOMMODATION
Residence Single room with shared facilities, self-catering. The travel time to the school is approximately 30 minutes by public transport. Homestay with a Japanese family is available upon request, from where the travel time to school may be approximately 60 minutes by public transport.
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LEARN MANDARIN IN SHANGHAI OR BEIJING
£895
FR
Inclusions
Start Date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 2-52 weeks Location: Shanghai or Beijing, China Accommodation: Homestay Meals: Half board Min Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 6-12 students
LEARN A LANGUAGE
Learn Mandarin in one of the two most fascinating cities in China. Beijing has ultra-modern skyscrapers, the Olympic Village and a lively cultural scene. Added to this, you’ll find some of the finest remnants of the country’s imperial past including the famous Forbidden City and of course the Great Wall nearby. Shanghai, known as ‘Paris of the Orient’, is China’s trendiest city and a world leader in the latest technology and offers everything for your language trip. Enjoy a quiet afternoon in the Yuyuan Gardens and spend a fun night in the bustling Nanjing area.
COURSES
Standard course 20 lessons per week, 50 minutes each Combination course 20 lessons per week plus 10 private, 50 minutes each
ACCOMMODATION
Homestay Single room on half board basis. The travel time to the school is approximately 30-45 minutes by public transport.
PRICES
Standard course 1 week Fr £895 2 weeks Fr £1,245 3 weeks Fr £1,450 4 weeks Fr £2,095 Additional weeks Fr £325 Extras per week High season (30 May-30 Aug) supplement per week Fr £60 Combination course 1 week Fr £1,010 2 weeks Fr £1,415 3 weeks Fr £1,680 4 weeks Fr 2,440 Additional weeks Fr £385 Extras per week High season (30 May-30 Aug) supplement per week Fr £60
LEARN KOREAN IN SEOUL
£385
FR
Inclusions
Start date: Selected Mondays (arrive Sunday) Duration: 1-48 weeks Location: Seoul, Korea Accommodation: Residence or homestay Meals: Self-catering Min Age: 18 years-old Class Size: 6-12 students
PRICES
A = host family single room, breakfast B = Small studio, single room, self catering Standard course A B 1 week Fr £415 £385 2 weeks Fr £690 £640 3 weeks Fr £985 £895 4 weeks Fr £1,260 £1,090 Additional weeks Fr £300 £245 Intensive course 1 week Fr £385 £435 2 weeks Fr £640 £735 3 weeks Fr £895 £1,030 4 weeks Fr £1,090 £1,265 Additional weeks Fr £245 £285 Extras per week Supplement full board Fr £58 Transfer (one-off payment) Fr £85
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You couldn’t pick a more intriguing destination for a language trip than Seoul, where east meets west and modern mixes with exotic. One of the largest and most exciting cities in Asia, Seoul offers everything from the serenity of the Buddhist Temple Bongeusa to the vibrant shopping and nightlife of Gangnam. The language school is based in the Gangnam neighbourhood in a modern, commercial building. Korean is taught by professional teachers in ten bright classrooms. Nearby are plenty of shops, restaurants and movie theatres.
COURSES
ACCOMMODATION
Standard course 15 lessons per week, 60 minutes each Intensive course 25 lessons per week, 60 minutes each
Residence Small studio with single room, bathroom, self-catering. The travel time to school is approximately 15 minutes’ walking. Homestay Single room with breakfast. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes by public transport.
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LEARN A NEW SKILL LEARN A NEW SKILL
Learn? Whaaat? Yes, we get it, it’s a holiday. Before you fall out of that imaginary hammock in shock, let’s clarify ‘learn’. Out there, learning is probably a bit different to what you’re used to. We’re talking about training to be a game ranger in Africa or to free dive in Fiji. Better now? So, have an amazing experience and leave with a new passion. You may even get a certificate. Pretty sweet.
LEARN TO SURF
£137
FR
highlights
• Sleep & party at a surf camp • Hit the waves with pro lessons • Oz or South Africa - you decide
Inclusions
Conquer waves and learn all the surf lingo in the awesome and oh-so-gorgeous locations of either Jeffreys Bay in South Africa or Spot X in Australia! Seven days in the surf capital of South Africa will see beginners or relative novices paddling the white water before eventually standing up. Each morning will be spent picking up tricks in lessons from pro instructors with the rest of the day free to practice, explore, take game drives or party hard. Just over 7,000 miles away, you’ll find Spot X in sunny Arrawarra, one of Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Two days here will see you learning the ropes with two-hour surf lessons each day, then chilling with your fellow surf buddies around the campfire. Bring it on!
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa Fr £179 GDXVSC/GDXS42 • Starts Sundays • Seven nights’ dorm or private room accommodation at the Island Vibe Hostel • Breakfast & dinner daily (veggie or meat options available) • Daily surf lessons with qualified instructors • All equipment, boards, wetsuits • Free daily shuttles into town • Town orientation and a visit to surfboard shapers Spot X (south of Byron Bay), Australia Fr £137 SYDMOO/SYDMOJ • Starts daily • Two nights’ dorm-style accommodation (three and four night options also available) • All meals included at Spot X surf camp (meat, veggie & gluten-free options available) • Two-hour surf lesson each day • All equipment during lessons
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LEARN TO DIVE
LEARN TO £179 FREE DIVE
FR
LEARN A NEW SKILL
If learning to dive is on your bucket list then look no further. The most complicated step now is choosing where and with whom to do it. ‘Learn to’ or ‘Open Water’ courses are available in the island paradises of Koh Tao or Fiji. Alternatively, head ‘down under’ and immerse yourself in tropical Cairns’ vibes with a PADI course on the legendary Great Barrier Reef.
Inclusions
£4,671
FR
Looking to learn a unique skill off the beaten tourist trail? Then consider free-diving; the art of diving on a single breath with no tanks. Mantaray Island Resort in Fiji is an accredited operator, offering the opportunity to dive with giant manta rays (seasonal, May - October) having mastered this skill. On completion of the course, you’ll be able to reach a depth of 20 metres on one breath.
Inclusions
Cairns, Australia Fr £448 CNS5DA/CNSLDC
Koh Tao, Thailand Fr £179 3n/ £252 6n FJJKTL/UDMLTD
• 4 nights’ dorm accommodation (STA exclusive), 5-day PADI Open Water Dive course (includes 3day/2night liveaboard trip) & 9 dives, including a night dive
• Accommodation, PADI Open Water Dive course & additional dives (7 days only)
Fiji Fr £376 NANSSO/NANSSI
• 3 days’ free diving training (12 hours) including theory & practical practice. Covers breath hold techniques & how to minimise muscle use to preserve oxygen in the bloodstream • Note: Participants must be able to swim 200m, minimum age is 16 years-old
• Departs from Mantaray Island Resort only • SSI level 1 qualification on successful completion (free dive to minimum depth of 10m, maximum of 20m)
• 4 nights’ accommodation, SSI dive course & 6 dives. Theory is done online EDASCI
LEARN TO BE A SAFARI FIELD GUIDE
£3,649
FR
highlights
• Accredited course & training • Study animal behaviour • Live on a safari game reserve
Inclusions
• 54 nights’ tented accommodation on two-share, unisex basis (single requests are required to pay a supplemnt) • 4 x meals daily • Theoretical & practical field guide course training & assessment • Game drives & bush walks • At the end of the 55 days (upon passing the course), students will receive a recognised FGASA Level 1 qualification *Transfes to/from camp not included
Ever fancied yourself as a safari field guide? Whether you’re looking to lay the foundations for a career in field guiding or just want a really awesome gap year or extended bush holiday experience, this FGASA-accredited course is just the ticket. Training at two of Southern Africa’s best game reserves, immerse yourself in wildife galore as you work towards your Field Guide Level 1 qualification. Learn by doing, gaining crucial navigation and orientation skills on morning and afternoon game drives and bush walks. Along the way, you’ll get up close to some of the world’s most fascinating creatures and master the art of reading animal behaviour. Daily lectures on subjects ranging from ecology and plant communities to climate and amphibians are included, as are FGASA registration, exam fees and workbooks. PLZG60
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VISIT STATRAVEL.COM
LEARN TO SAIL
£1,368
FR
Imagine being part of a yacht crew sailing around Australia’s stunning Whitsunday Islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Become attuned to ‘hoisting sails’ and revel in the azure seas and salt spray. In as little as three weeks the skills you will have learnt could see you certified and in line to gain onward employment in the Whitsundays, or in the marine industry - and get paid for it! Whether you choose to stay on or take your skills elsewhere, you’ll soon realise this is no office job!
Inclusions • Weeks 2-3: 12 nights on sailing tours with meals, 2 crew uniforms & 6 nights’ dorm accommodation in Airlie Beach • An optional local payment of AUD$140 can be made to receive International Yachtmaster Training (IYT) qualifications & certification
WDSSLE
LEARN TO BE A SURF INSTRUCTOR
(plus local payment)
£4,089
FR
Spot X Surf camp is the best place to do a surf instructor course. Three months based north of Coffs Harbour and south of Byron Bay, eating and breathing surf culture will result in an internationally recognised Level 1 Surf Instructor Qualification. Outside of riding waves you can enjoy long days kayaking, rafting, relaxing and hanging out with some of Oz’s best surf coaches. Soon enough you’ll be a pro yourself with ocean safety, advanced resuscitation and coaching experience all part of the course.
Inclusions • 3 months’ accommodation at Spot X with all meals included, 7 days a week • Mojosurf 5-day Sydney to Byron/Brisbane tour • Surf theory, practical lessons & fitness training • All qualifications (Level 1 Surf Instructor, Senior First Aid, Ocean Safety Surf Coach Award, Advanced Resuscitation & Work with Children check) • All equipment included
• Up to 40 hours’ practical coaching • Expert instruction by qualified coaches to help develop your surf skills • Departures from Sydney, Brisbane & Byron Bay * A local payment of AUD $1,000 applies for Statutory Certification & Accreditation to become a Level 1 Surf Instructor
SYDTCI/BNETCI/QYNTCI
LEARN TO BE A SKI OR SNOWBOARD INSTRUCTOR
£4,336
FR
Hit the slopes and gear up for a challenging career in snow sports with one of these all-singing-all-dancing inclusive packages. Alternatively, you may be looking for an adrenalin-fuelled gap year or simply a seriously snowy holiday. From three weeks of pure powder fun to a full season course (including a job offer), you’ll get serious skills under your belt, an internationally recognised instructor qualification, first-class support and on-hand programme managers plus tons on your CV.
Inclusions 4-11 week courses, Lake Louise, Canada and Big White, Lake Tahoe, USA Fr £4,336
• • • •
Become a qualified instructor 4-11 weeks professional coaching Avalanche safety, backcountry skiing & first aid Internationally recognised qualifications (level 1 & 2 available) • Accommodation included
EDASCT
CALL 0333 321 7850 TO BOOK
Internship Courses, Canada Fr £4,671
• Guaranteed job offer before you leave home • Full season internship, 3-4 weeks on-snow coaching on arrival • Internationally recognised qualifications • Get paid to ski or board by Christmas • Accommodation included before starting work
EDASCI
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LEARN A NEW SKILL
• Week 1: Live-aboard accommodation on sail training vessel around the Whitsundays, commercial crew certificate course, meals, tuition, snorkelling instruction, equipment, park fees, log book & course certificate
IMPORTANT BOOKING CONFIRMATION TERMS & CONDITIONS Our Agreement With You In these terms and conditions, references to “STA Travel”, “we”, “us” or “our” mean STA Travel Limited (our registered office is at Priory House, 6 Wrights Lane, London, W8 6TA and our company number is 01263330). References to “you”, “your” and “your party” are references to you and all of the persons named in your booking.
services are supplied by other suppliers of travel services, we act as a Booking Agent and we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions made by other suppliers of travel services in relation to the relevant services.
Our Agreement With You
The relevant supplier’s terms and conditions will apply to the supply of the services by the supplier to you. These will be provided to you by the relevant supplier or, if they are not, they are available on request from us or the relevant supplier. Please read the supplier’s terms and conditions carefully as they are incorporated into the contract between you and the supplier for the supply of the relevant services.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Our agreement with you sets out what you are legally entitled to expect from us and other suppliers of travel services (for whom we act as a booking agent) when you purchase travel services through us. Because we sell a variety of travel products, you should make sure you understand the terms and conditions which apply to your particular arrangements in addition to these general terms and conditions (which apply to all bookings made through us).
Your Travel Booking When you make a booking, you guarantee that as the lead name, you have the authority to accept and do accept, on behalf of your party, these terms and conditions and those of any other suppliers of travel services applicable to your booking. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the details on your travel documents are correct and to bring to our attention any errors or discrepancies immediately.
Who your contract is with and the legal protections that apply to your booking will depend on the type of arrangements you book. A contract will exist (either between you and us or you and the other suppliers of travel services, as described below) as soon as we issue our confirmation invoice. The types of arrangements we offer are as follows:
Packages Unless otherwise stated on your booking confirmation, your contract will be with us if we sell you a Package. These terms and conditions are incorporated into the contract between you and us in relation to the sale of the Package.
Your holiday will be a Package if: (1) it is a pre-arranged combination of at least two of the following components: a) transport; b) accommodation; and c) other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation which account for a significant part of the arrangements; and
•
Although your contract for the services within the Flight-Plus will not be with us (it will be with the relevant third party supplier(s)), if we have arranged a Flight-Plus for you, it is protected by the ATOL Regulations. For full details of what this means, please ensure you familiarize yourself with “Your Financial Protection” section of Terms & Conditions.
Flight-Only, accommodation only and other individual services We also offer travel services (including flights, accommodation, excursions, etc.) for purchase as individual items (and each of these items are priced separately). If you purchase a flight, accommodation or other services from us as individual items (i.e. not as a Package or a Flight-Plus arrangement), the contract for the relevant service will be between you and the supplier(s) of those services. The name(s) of any supplier(s) who will be supplying the services will be stated in your itinerary.
In the case of Flight-Only services, we act as an Airline Ticket Agent on behalf of the relevant airline. In the case of accommodation only and other individual services, we act as a Booking Agent. In either case, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions made by an airline or other supplier of travel services in relation to the relevant services.
The airline and other suppliers’ terms and conditions will apply to the supply of the services by the airline and/or any other suppliers to you. These will be provided to you by the airline or other suppliers or, if they are not, they are available on request from us or the relevant airline or other suppliers of travel services. Please read the airline and any other suppliers’ terms and conditions carefully as they are incorporated into the contract between you and the airline and/or the other supplier of travel services for the supply of the relevant services.
If we sell you a Package, the Package has protection under The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992 (Regulations) and The Civil Aviation (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) Regulations 2012 (ATOL Regulations). Please see the “Your Financial Protection” section below for what this means.
If you select and purchase a combination of services which are sold by us separately (i.e. not pre-arranged) and which are individually priced, this will not be considered to be a Package. In some circumstances, this may be considered to be a Flight-Plus – please see below for details.
Flight-Plus Your arrangement will be a Flight-Plus if you request and we arrange the following for you: a) a flight (provided that the outbound flight departs from the UK or the flight is into the UK and you have commenced your journey in the UK and departed the UK using another means of transport); and b) accommodation outside the UK or self-drive car hire outside the UK (or both) in connection with the flight, provided that: (1) the accommodation or self-drive car hire is requested to be booked on the same day, the previous day or the day following the day that you requested to book the flight; and (2) the arrangement covers a period of more than 24 hours or includes overnight accommodation. Other services supplied in connection with the flight which were requested to be booked on the same day, the previous day or the day following the day that you requested to book the flight and which account for a significant proportion of the arrangement (but which are not ancillary to the flight or accommodation) will also be included in the Flight-Plus. Your arrangement will not be Flight-Plus if your flight begins and ends in the UK or if you are purchasing the flight and other services in the course of your business or trade (i.e. not as a consumer). Your arrangement will stop being a Flight-Plus (and the protections set out in the “Your Financial Protection” section below will not apply to your arrangement) if you cancel any part of your Flight-Plus and, as a result of that cancellation, the requirements set out above are no longer met.
If we arrange a Flight-Plus for you, the contract for each of the services within the Flight-Plus will be between you and the supplier(s) of those services. The name(s) of any supplier(s) who will be supplying the services will be stated on your booking confirmation. Where the
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If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.
For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.
Deposits and Payment Deposits are non-refundable. Payment of a deposit enables us to hold a reservation for you but does not guarantee the price. The price can only be guaranteed once we receive full payment and tickets and/or other travel documents have been issued. We will advise you of the date that full payment is required. All prices shown are ‘from prices’ and we reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the holidays shown in our brochure. You will be advised of the current price of the holiday that you wish to book before your contract is confirmed.
If payment for your booking is made by credit card, an administration fee is payable, as advertised. No charge is made for payments made by debit card. We reserve the right to refuse personal cheques as a method of payment.
After full payment, if we are your Booking Agent or Airline Ticket Agent, the conditions of the contract with your airline or other supplier of travel services may permit them to increase the cost of your arrangements. We will pass on the details of any such increase to you and we will collect the additional amounts from you on behalf of the airline or other supplier of travel services (as their agent).
Unless otherwise stated in your booking confirmation, Flight-Only, accommodation only and other individual services are not covered by the Regulations or the ATOL Regulations and the protection described in the “Your Financial Protection” section below does not apply to these services.
If we have arranged a Package for you, changes in transportation costs including the cost of fuel, taxes, fees and exchange rates mean that the price of your Package may change after you have paid in full. You will not be charged for any increase equivalent to 2% or less of the price of your Package. You will be charged for any amount over and above that. No price increases will be charged to you in the period of 30 days or less prior to your departure date.
Your Financial Protection
Documentation
All the Package and Flight-Plus holidays we sell come with protection for your money. If you buy a single travel service (such as Flight-Only, accommodation only or other individual services) then this might not apply.
Our general practice is to send documents to our customers electronically whenever possible. We reserve the right to charge an administration fee should you make a request for such documents to be sent as hard copy.
Our Package and Flight-Plus holidays are ATOL-protected (our ATOL number is 3206). If we are not the organiser of your Package, the Package is still protected by the Package organiser and we will provide you with their confirmation.
Your travel documents are valuable and should be safeguarded as if they were cash. It is not always possible to replace travel documents in the case of loss, theft, damage etc.
(2) the services are sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price; and (3) the services cover a period of more than 24 hours or include overnight accommodation.
However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).
Cancellations and Changes When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. On all Flight-Plus holiday arrangements, your money is ATOL protected meaning that you will be able to continue with your holiday or receive a refund of the amount paid to us in the unlikely event of our insolvency or the insolvency of your suppliers. Please note however that we have no liability beyond that for insolvency as set out in the ATOL scheme, because we act as agent of the suppliers.
The price of our Packages and Flight-Plus holidays includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC). This amount is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as part of the ATOL scheme. This charge is included in our advertised prices for Packages and Flight-Plus arrangements.
In respect of our Flight-Plus and Package holidays, we are obliged to tell you: •
We or the suppliers of the services you have bought will provide you with the services you have bought (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances, the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder.
If we are your Booking Agent or Airline Ticket Agent, your contract with your airline or other supplier of travel services may permit them to cancel or amend bookings. We will ensure that you are promptly notified of any significant changes to your booking, but we accept no liability for any changes or costs incurred which may result.
If you have booked a Package and we make a significant change to your booking, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your departure. You will have the choice of either accepting the change of arrangements, accepting an offer of alternative travel arrangements of comparable standard from us (we will refund any price difference if the alternative has a lower value), or cancelling your booked arrangements and receiving a full refund. We will pay compensation in respect of any significant changes that we make to your booking, using the scale below. These may include (but are not limited to) the following changes: a change in accommodation to that of a lower official category, a change of UK departure airport (except between London airports), a change of supplier, a change in the time of your departure or return flight by more than 12 hours.
This standard payment will not affect your legal or other rights. We will only make one payment for each full fare paying adult in the booking. Any children not paying the full adult fare will receive 50% of the listed amount. If the value of your booking is less than the compensation outlined, we will pay compensation only to the value of the booking.
Period before departure when a significant change is notified
Compensation payable per person
More than 56 days
£0
55-29 days
£10
28-15 days
£20
14-7 days
£30
7-0 days
£40
Important note - changes beyond our control
If you have booked a flight and we are alerted to a significant schedule change by your airline before you leave the UK, we will contact you by email to advise you of this. Please ensure that you have given us your contact email address and that you regularly check for messages before you leave. We have no control over airline schedule changes and we accept no liability for costs which may arise as a result of such changes. After you have left the UK, it is your responsibility to check with the airline that any onward flights you have confirmed are operating as booked. We strongly recommend that you contact your airline at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of each flight to do this. Please note that for some airlines it is mandatory to confirm with them your intention to fly.
You can ask for copies of the suppliers’ terms and conditions, or the international conventions, from the relevant supplier or from us by contacting Customer Relations, STA Travel, St Georges House, 56 Peter Street, Manchester M2 3NQ. Or email your request to us at http://www. statravel.co.uk/customer-services.htm.
In all circumstances, we will not be liable where any failure in the performance of the contract is due to: you (including, without limitation, unacceptable behaviour by you); or a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements and where the failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or an event which we or the other suppliers of travel services, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall.
If we have arranged a Package and the contract we have with you is improperly performed by us or the other suppliers of travel services, we will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travel arrangements.
Our liability to you in relation to any Package arranged by us, except in cases involving death or injury caused by our negligence or fraud, shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your Package.
Our liability will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: (1) the contractual terms of other suppliers that provide the transportation and other services for your Package (the terms and conditions of those suppliers are incorporated into our contract with you); and (2) any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of compensation contained in these or any conventions.
In relation to Flight-Plus and Flight-Only, accommodation only and other individual services, we have taken all reasonable care to make sure that all the services that make up the arrangements are provided by efficient and reputable suppliers. These suppliers should follow the local and national laws and regulations of the country where the services are provided (however, please be aware that overseas safety standards may be lower than in the UK).
Except as otherwise stated in these terms and conditions, any relevant international convention and in cases involving death or injury caused by our negligence or fraud, we have no liability to you for the actual performance of the services by the other suppliers of travel services unless it is proved that we have breached our duty to select the suppliers with reasonable care and skill and damage to you has been caused as a result of that breach.
If you have a problem during your holiday, please inform the relevant supplier of travel services (e.g. your hotel or airline) immediately. Should they be unable to resolve the matter, please contact us in the UK, either through the office where you made your arrangements, or through http:// www.statravel.co.uk/customer-services.htm. If you fail to contact us, we will not be able to investigate your complaint and rectify any error whilst you are away and this may affect your rights under this contract. We are a member of ABTA (membership number V1958) and operate according to ABTA’s Code of Conduct. ABTA can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes involving us or another ABTA member. Further information can be found at www.abta.com.
Your Agreement With Us
Passport, Visa and Immigration Requirements
By finalising your arrangements with us, you are accepting that these terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of any contract made with any other suppliers of travel services within your arrangements apply to your booking and your travel arrangements. You also consent to our processing personal information about you and other members of your party for the purposes of performing our obligations in relation to your booking (which includes, but is not limited to, giving your personal information to airlines, other suppliers of travel services and public authorities (such as customs or immigration) where this is required for the fulfillment of your arrangements).
It is your responsibility to fulfill the passport, visa and other immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. You should confirm these with the relevant High Commissions, embassies and/or consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you are unable to travel due to not complying with any such requirements.
If you travel outside the European Economic Area, controls on data protection may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers of travel services, whether in the EEA or not, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making your booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons. The protection of your personal information is important to us, please see our privacy policy (available at www.statravel. co.uk/general-policy.htm) for further details of how we use your information.
Our Responsibility For Your Arrangements Nothing in this section or elsewhere in these terms and conditions is intended to or shall operate to exclude our liability for performance of our obligations under the Regulations and/or the ATOL Regulations.
If You Have A Complaint
Your contract with us is subject to the laws and jurisdiction of England and Wales. You may, however, choose the law and jurisdiction of Scotland or Northern Ireland instead.
If You Change Your Booking Where a change to your travel arrangements is permitted and possible, STA Travel service fees apply in addition to any additional supplier charges. Please see the ‘FAQ’ pages on www.statravel.co.uk for details of how to request changes. Please note that all reservation changes are subject to availability and the terms and conditions of the services purchased. Changes to name details are not allowed by many airlines and other suppliers of travel services. Whilst we do our best to make such a change if necessary, please bear in mind that most airlines and other suppliers of travel services treat a name change as a cancellation, to which standard conditions and cancellation charges apply.
Flights must be taken in the sequence they appear on your ticket or eticket confirmation. If you plan not to take a flight as booked, please contact the airline as far in advance as possible to discuss your options. If you do not check in on time for a confirmed reservation, the airline may register you as ‘no-show’, which could result in extra charges and/or your whole flight itinerary being cancelled and/or render your ticket void.
If You Cancel Your Booking If you cancel your arrangements, you may be entitled to a partial refund. In addition to any cancellation fees set out in any supplier of travel services’ terms and conditions (which may be 100% of the cost of the travel arrangements), we will also charge the cancellation fees outlined on your receipt. We need to receive written notification of cancellation and your original ticket/voucher from you before any refund can be considered. If you decide to cancel arrangements before the balance due date, any deposits paid are non-refundable. Refunds will only be paid to you once we have received the funds back from the relevant supplier of travel services. Generally flight tickets cannot be refunded if they are partially used. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your travel insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim your cancellation charges through your insurer.
If the person paying for the booking (the paying customer) is different from the travelling customer, and the paying customer wishes to cancel or withdraw the funding of any booked tickets, STA will notify the travelling customer of the paying customer’s funding withdrawal and give the travelling customer the option of continuing with the booking, subject to payment of the full cost of the travelling customer’s booked ticket by the travelling customer. If, following this notification, the travelling customer does not pay the full cost of his or her booked ticket, the booked ticket will be cancelled and the amount paid by the paying customer in relation to the booked ticket will be refunded to the paying customer (subject to the relevant supplier of travel services’ terms and conditions and the provisions of previous paragraph of these terms and conditions). Any airline costs/ charges associated with the cancellation will be deducted from the refund due to the paying customer. STA Travel will not charge a cancellation fee in these circumstances.
Insurance Travel insurance is an important part of your arrangements. You should take out adequate insurance for the duration of your journey. Travel insurance is a mandatory element of some travel arrangements. We can arrange travel insurance for you and provide you with a quote and answer any queries you may have regarding the insurance we can offer.
Travel Advice and Vaccinations British Citizens should refer to the travel advice posted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk for all the countries you intend to visit. You should take advice about the health precautions you need to take prior to departure.
Vaccinations may be required for some or all of the places you are intending to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged necessary vaccinations for your itinerary. Information on health and any vaccinations required to travel is available from your GP and on the Public Health England website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england. Alternatively, the STA Travel Clinic offers a full range of travel vaccinations, anti-malarials and expert advice as well as other services for your travel health needs. Locations, open hours and cconsultation appointments can be viewed/ booked online at: http://www.statravelclinic.co.uk/.
It is your responsibility to behave in a reasonable and responsible manner over the course of your travels, including abiding by any local laws and bi-laws. We reserve the right to immediately cancel any travel arrangements in the event of unruly behaviour towards airline/ hotel / supplier representatives or other guests and you will be liable in full for cancellation charges and the costs of purchasing replacement accommodation and air tickets.
EU Notice Requirements Under EU law (Regulation (EC) 2111/2005), we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a ‘Community List’, which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The Community List is available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/ air/safety/air-ban/index_en.htm. We are also obliged to notify you of the airline(s) to be used in your booking. For details please see your booking confirmation or itinerary. You will be notified if any carrier changes as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. Please note that a change of carrier is not considered to be a significant change to your arrangements.
Under EU law (Regulation (EC) 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from your airline. The airlines are responsible for compensating you in these circumstances. Please note that, if affected flights comprise part of a Package arranged on your behalf, any reimbursement from the airline under these regulations will not automatically entitle you to cancel and/or obtain a refund of your Package cost from us. Further information about your rights is available from the CAA www.caa.co.uk.
Pricing and Photography The accommodation prices featured in this brochure are based on per person, twin share. The ‘from’ pricing shown has been calculated using low season stays and is based on lead-in room types. We’re sourcing great deals all year long so we recommend using the prices in this brochures only as a guide and to ask your STA Travel Expert for the best available deal for your travel period. The accommodation photos featured are representative of the the room types available at each property however this may not be the actual room type that you receive. If you have a preference for a particular room your Travel Expert will be happy to help. Just ask!
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
Compensation will not apply if a significant change is made for reasons beyond our control. These reasons include (but are not limited to): war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks, changes due to rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline or alteration of the airline or aircraft type; closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual or potential severe weather conditions, and any other similar event.
Please note that any other suppliers of travel services who provide services as part of your arrangement may also limit their liability to you. We cannot accept responsibility for any services which do not form part of the contract between you and us. As such, you are advised to read the terms and conditions of any other suppliers of travel services who are supplying services to you.
Leaving on your travels without getting yourself adequately insured is bonkers. So we won’t say this again: Make sure you get travel insurance! 48% of people don’t realise that without travel insurance they’d be liable to pay for their own medical bills abroad*
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TRAVEL INSURANCE
There is no one-size-fits-all with travel insurance and each trip is unique, this is why we provide lots of different types of policies and loads of optional add-ons, so you can tailor a policy to you and your trip. Think about what type of trip you’ll be having and decide on which type of policy you might need. Our friendly Travel Experts will be able to tell you about each and every level of cover, or check the policy summaries on our website: statravel.co.uk/insurance
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT Some of the benefits of booking your
ANNUAL POLICIES ADD ONS Likely to travel more than once this year? Tailor your policy and bolt on some extra
travel insurance with us
Check out the benefits of our Annual Multi-Trip policy
24-hour multi-lingual assistance line For medical emergencies, hospital treatment and/or repatriation STA Travel Help Branches Ready to assist you in more than 40 countries worldwide Three geographical areas of cover Pay the relevant premium for the area you are travelling to Various levels of cover Choose the level that suits your trip Change of plan? Policy extensions available up to maximum of 24 months Long-term cover available Cover available from four days up to two years Studying in the US? We cover participating in American study programmes Specialist student cover Including repayment of student loans and cancellation due to exam re-sits Cover for over 100 adventure and adrenaline activities at no extra cost (selected policies only) Seven days’ FREE winter sports cover in each single trip policy As long as winter sports is not the main purpose of your trip Working abroad Temporary work and volunteering abroad is covered
• •
Provides our premier level of cover No limit to the number of trips you can take each year Maximum trip length to Europe is 42 days, worldwide is 60 days 21 days’ FREE winter sport cover included
• •
SPECI ALIST COVER No matter what type of trip you are on, the chances are we have the right cover for you, check out these specialist policies Dedicated winter sports cover For loss, theft or damage to ski equipment, compensation for piste closure and refund of ski-pack due to accident or illness Dedicated sports trip cover When sport or adventure activity is the main purpose of your trip Flight-only cover Including cancellation and luggage cover for your flight only Study abroad cover Cover for a 12-month period allowing you up to three trips back to the UK in one year Pre-existing medical conditions All medical conditions considered on selected policies.
DI• SCOUNTS Group discount of up to 25% • •
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Accompanied children aged 3-17 inclusive get 50% OFF Accompanied infants aged 2 or under are free of charge
cover... Medical excess waiver Waive your responsibility for the first £100 of any medical claim. Additional electronic/electrical item cover Insure additional electronic equipment up to the value of £500 per item Excess reduction Reduce your excess from £100 to £50 Higher cancellation cover Increase the sum insured on cancellation and curtailment from £2,000 to £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000 Medical elective cover For portable medical equipment, needle stick and locally available retroviral drugs
PRI• NCIPre-existing PAL EXCLUSImedical ONS conditions only • •
•
covered on selected policies and cover may be agreed on payment of an additionalpremium Cover is available to anyone up to and including the age of 65 years Insurance is available to UK residents or those who have been in the UK for a minimum of three months before purchase of the policy Excesses apply to some areas of STA Travel’s insurance policies
STA Travel Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Mondial Assistance (UK) Ltd, trading as Allianz Global Assistance, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Information on this page is correct at the time of going to print and only gives an outline of the insurance cover provided. Please read the policy wording in full. This is available on statravel.co.uk/insurance. Terms and conditions will apply. *Source: FCO Know before you go campaign, Travel Insurance statistics http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/travelinsurance-statistics
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BEEN INSPIRED? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER BROCHURES
YOU CAN NOW DOWNLOAD OUR DIGITAL BROCHURES! Available to download to your phone or tablet, it’s now a heck of a lot easier to carry all this around with you / hide piles of travel brochures from your boss / care for trees. Get interactive with the world, see our products come to life with videos and more images, and click straight through to book. TO DOWNLOAD ENTER STA TRAVEL IN THE APP STORE
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Don’t be stranded with a backpack for a pillow, book from thousands of the planet’s best hotels, hostels and activities
Add instant order to your For the love of trees and travel chaos, with all inspiration on the road, your flight information download our new digital and bookings stored brochures to your phone safely in MySTA or tablet
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