2015 busabout europe brochure €eur

PLUS SCOTLAND & IRELAND
Because THESE ARE THE PEOPLE. Because HERE IS THE PLACE. Because THAT WAS BEFORE.
HOP-ON HOP-OFF ADVENTURES FESTIVALS SAILING TRIPS
MY TRAVEL AGENT IS
RESERVATIONS AND SALES INFORMATION UK FREEPHONE: 08450 267 576 www.Busabout.com
ALL AGENT RESERVATIONS http://agents.Busabout.com Email: [email protected]
HOP-ON HOP-OFF Loops, One-Ways & Flexitrip
GREECE Greek Island Flexi-Hopper
ITALY 3 Day Italian Adventure
SCANDINAVIA & THE BALTICS 8 Day Scandi-Baltic Adventure
TURKEY 8 Day Turkey Aegean Adventure 7 Day Turkey Cappadocia Adventure
EGYPT 11 Day Egyptian Adventure
EASTERN EUROPE TREKS 9 Day Classic Rhapsody 7 Day Rhapsody Trek| 7 Day Bohemian Trek 8 Day Classic Balkan Trek 8 Day Ottoman Trek
AWESOME FOURSOME Our group of four discount means a 5% SAVING PER PERSON when four or more people book at the same time on the same trip.
ASIA Thai Island Flexi-Hoppers Thai Laos Adventure Vietnam Adventure Cambodia Adventure
SCOTLAND 10 Day Compass Buster 7 Day Island Explorer 5 Day Highland Tours 6 Day West Highland Way Adventure 4 Day The Great Glen Adventure
ENGLAND & WALES 5 Day Cornwall Crusader 5 Day Welsh Explorer
IRELAND 7 Day All Ireland Rocker 5 Day Celtic Rocker 5 Day Giant’s Rocker
*Multi Trip saving of 10% applies to any of the qualifying products listed above. Two or more different qualifying trips must be booked simultaneously by a single individual to qualify for the Multi Trip discount. The 10% discount only applies to qualifying products. Discount is valid against student prices on qualifying trips. Not valid with any other promotion or discount. Cancellation charges will be adjusted to incorporate any Multi Trip discounts previously given. Multi Trip discount only applies to base trip price, not to optional upgrades or supplements.
* Multi Trip deals and Mates’ Rates discounts cannot be combined. Mates’ Rates discounts valid on all trips in this brochure. Mates’ Rates discounts only apply to base trip prices, not to optional upgrades or supplements. Please see Terms & Conditions.
STUDENTS, OUR ISIC/ISE/ITIC CARD HOLDER DISCOUNT WILL HELP YOUR TRAVEL BUDGET STRETCH THAT LITTLE BIT FURTHER PLUS all Multi Trip Deals and group discounts are applicable on top of the student discount.
SAVE £££
SAVE 5%
SAVE 10%
SAVE 10%
BUY TWO OR MORE QUALIFYING TRIPS TOGETHER AND SAVE 10% OFF THE TOTAL*
* Please note that University ID cards are NOT valid. Only ISIC / ISE / ITIC student cards will be accepted on your first day of travel. Ask your travel agent for details.
TERRIFIC TEN Travel with 10 friends booked on the same trip at the same time and EVERYONE SAVES 10%
1. MULTI TRIP DEALS
Edinburgh 60 High Street Edinburgh EH1 1TB
Dublin 3 Cecilia Street Temple Bar Dublin 2
Award-winning trips of Scotland, Cornwall and Wales with the best local Guides
Let the Irish show you the real Ireland. Fan-feckin-tastic!
The flexible Hop-on Hop-off travel network plus island hopping, Eastern European Treks and the top European Festivals
Because THESE ARE THE PEOPLE. Because HERE IS THE PLACE. Because THAT WAS BEFORE.
Up Helly Aa JANUARY • LERWICK, SHETLAND, P. 82
St. Patrick’s Day MARCH • DUBLIN, IRELAND, P. 90-91
Christmas and Hogmanay EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, P. 82-83
englanD AND wales P. 81
Turkey P. 36-39
King’s Day APRIL • AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND, P. 55
Oktoberfest SEPTEMBER • MUNICH, GERMANY, P. 60-61
San Fermin JULY • PAMPLONA, SPAIN, P. 56-57
Iberian Adventure P. 43
Croatia Sailing P. 31-35
Eastern Europe P. 46-49
Italian Adventure P. 44
Winter TRipS P. 66-69
La Batalla del Vino JUNE • HARO, SPAIN, P. 59
Trans-Siberian TAKE THE TRANS-SIBERIAN AND LINK UP WITH OUR EUROPEAN ADVENTURES FOR THE ULTIMATE TRIP. P. 62-63
BUSABOUT HOP-ON HOP-OFF
HAGGIS ADVENTURES
SHAMROCKER ADVENTURES
EUROPE WE
6-7 New for 2015 8-15 Hop-on Hop-off explained 16-19 Our Passes 20-21 Beds & Excursions 22-23 Checklist & Timetable
27-30 Greece 31-35 Croatia 36-39 Turkey 40-41 Linking Up 42 Ibiza 43 Iberian Adventure 44 Italy 45 Scandinavia & the Baltic’s 46-47 Rhapsody & Bohemian Treks 48-49 Balkan & Ottoman Treks 50-51 Egypt & Morocco
52-54 Festivals explained 55 Easter, King’s Day, Halloween 56-57 San Fermin & Benicassim 58-59 La Tomatina & La Batalla Del Vino 60-61 Oktoberfest
62-63 Trans Siberian 64-65 Asia Adventures 66-67 Northern & Southern
Winter Tracks
85 About Us 86 All Ireland Rocker 87 Celtic Rocker 88 Giant’s Rocker 89 Southern & Western Rocker 90-91 St Patrick’s Day
72-73 About Us 74 Compass Buster 75 Island Explorer 76-77 Highland Fling, Orkney Raider & Hebridean Hopper 78 Skye High 80 Get Active Outdoors 81 Cornwall Crusader & Welsh Explorer 82-83 Christmas & Hogmanay
Contents
BUSABOUT NEW FOR 2015
Award-winning trips of Scotland, Cornwall and Wales with the best local Guides
Let the Irish show you the real Ireland. Fan-feckin-tastic!
The flexible Hop-on Hop-off travel network plus island hopping, Eastern European Treks and the top European Festivals
EUROPEEUROPEEUROPE
MoscowMoscow
IRKUTSKIRKUTSK
OVERNIGHT STOP
Terelj National
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
4
WHAT’S IT LIKE?EUROPEEUROPEEUROPE CROATIA MUSIC FESTIVAL SAIL From pumping raves to secluded beach parties. Join us as we cruise to the beat p.35 TURKEY AEGEAN ADVENTURE See Gallipoli, experience Ephesus, stay in a Saklikent treehouse & sail on a Turkish Gulet p.38 IBERIAN ADVENTURE Gorge yourself on tapas and witness flamenco before venturing to Morocco for a night on the African Continent p.43 BENICASSIM Absolutely spectacular music festival. A divine mixture of the biggest names in music and beautiful Spanish beaches p.56
TRANS - SIBERIAN The most epic rail adventure in the world. Travel through culture and history starting in either Beijing or St Petersburg p62+63 WINTER TRACKS Europe is charming in the winter. Pearly white- landscapes, Christmas markets and skiing in the Alps p.66+67 MORE OPTIONS TO KEEP TRAVELLING • NEVER-ENDING BUSABOUT SEASON from October – October • MORE DEPARTURES Croatia midweek sail, Anzac Turkey and Festivals • LINK UP AND SAVE Max-out your adventure
RAIL LINKUP
Link to St Petersburg from Berlin or Prague using our Hop-on Hop-off network
Link to Vietnam from Bejing Visit www.busabout.com
St Petersburg Berlin or Prague
Vietnam from Bejing
Koh LantaKoh Lanta
Ao Nang (KRABI)
Ao Nang (KRABI)
OVERNIGHT STOPOVERNIGHT STOP
DOMESTIC FLIGHTDOMESTIC FLIGHT
OVERNIGHT TRAINOVERNIGHT TRAIN
VIETNAM ADVENTUREVIETNAM ADVENTURE
CAMBODIA ADVENTURECAMBODIA ADVENTURE
mekong delta mini adventure
WHAT’S NEW AT BUSABOUT.COM WHAT’S NEW AT BUSABOUT.COM
see p.64-65
(FOR LOIRE VALLEY)(FOR LOIRE VALLEY)
Our Guides are there to share their experiences and help you get the most from your budget. Each stop has a choice of accommodation and great excursions all entirely optional. We give you a Busabout Traveller’s Handbook, filled with great money saving tips and exclusive discounts.
Don't waste your money on stuff you dont want
You are not alone • Over 65% of our passengers have not travelled Europe before • 70% are travelling on their own • Go solo or hook up with a new bunch of mates, it’s up to you • Hop-on Hop-off is perfect for the first time traveller
EXPERIENCED GUIDES
ACCESSIBLE We have made it easy to Access All Europe
SAFE AND SECURE Door to door Pick-ups and Drop-offs
YOUR WAY Change your plans as often as you like
Hop-on Hop-off is a totally flexible travel network that gives you unlimited options to build your own European adventure. It has been created by travellers for travellers and is exclusively for those yearning to explore, to meet other like-minded people and have an incredible time doing it. With a mix of independence and support we let you experience Europe your way. Follow our journey and see what Busabout’s freestyle travel is all about...
A FULLY FLEXIBLE TRAVEL PASS CHOOSE FROM 34 DESTINATIONS
TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN PACE EVERY SECOND DAY DEPARTURES PRE – PLAN OR BOOK AS YOU GO
MAY TO OCTOBER 2015
ACCESS ALL EUROPE AT BUSABOUT.COM ACCESS ALL EUROPE AT BUSABOUT.COM
PORTUGAL
FRANCE
SPAIN
ITALY
AUSTRIA
SWITZ
VENICE MILAN
LAKE COMO
Oktoberfest SEPTEMBER • MUNICH, GERMANY, PAGE 60-61
La Batalla del Vino JUNE • HARO, SPAIN, PAGE 59
King’s Day APRIL • AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND, PAGE 55
San Fermin JULY • PAMPLONA, SPAIN, PAGE 56-57
Iberian Adventure PAGE 43
Croatia Sailing PAGE 31-35
Italian Adventure PAGE 44
Greek Islands PAGE 27-30
MYTRIPMYTRIP
SEE BACK COVER
We have broken the network down into 3 easy-to-use ‘loops’ that concentrate on a different region. See p.16-17
Some of our favourite routes that take in a variety of destinations across Europe allowing you to fly in and out of different cities. See p.18
WHAT , S THE GO?
Flexibility, choice and independence are standard with each pass. There is no fixed itinerary but we’ve come up with a combination of options. Pick from our set routes (the Loops or One-Ways) or build your own journey on the Flexitrip.
Each pass is totally changeable and you can spend as long as you like in each stop. Coaches travel in one direction, follow the arrows.
PAGE 10 PAGE 11
HOP-ON HOP-OFF EUROPE AT BUSABOUT.COM BACKPACK EUROPE ON A BUDGET AT BUSABOUT.COM
THIS IS HOW IT ALL WORKS...
The ultimate in flexibility. Build your own pass around the number of ‘stops’ you want to make, anywhere on the network. See p.19
H Every second day departures from May to October
H Stay as long as you like in each destination H Change your coach days as often as you
like free of charge H Expert Guides and Drivers on all departures H Pick-up and Drop-off at our
recommended accommodation H FREE Traveller’s Handbook
Flexibility is what we’re all about; you’re in control of your European adventure. ‘MyTrip’ is an easy to use online travel planning tool... H Book your beds and coaches to anywhere on
the Busabout network with no booking fees. H Change your coach days as often as you like
at no extra cost. H TripMates connecting people booked on the
same trip as you even before your leave. See p.20-21 for more information.
Max out your adventure and save. Break up your Hop-on Hop-off pass and experience our Adventures, Sailing trips, Treks or Festivals and re-join the network at any stop, any time. See p.40-41 Look out for the ‘Link Up & Save’ boxes on each page and get inspired by Mel’s blog about her Busabout summer. See p.12-13
TRIP DURATION GUIDE This is simply a suggestion on how much time we recommend for each pass but you can still do what you want with whatever time you have. That’s freestyle travel – it’s your choice.
‘Pacing it’ is for travellers who have lots of time on their hands and want to experience as much as they can.
‘Racing it’ is for those who are short on time and want to see the main sights. (Minimum recommended travel time).
See p.23 for full 2015 Timetable and Calendar.
Buy any Hop-on Hop-off pass together with any of our qualifying trips and you SAVE 10% off the total price. Here are the savings you could make if you purchase one of our bestsellers with a Hop-on Hop-off pass:
Madrid - link to 7 Day Iberian Adventure (p.43) SAVE up to €189 Rome - link to 3 Day Italian Adventure (p.44) SAVE up to €147 Prague - link to 9 Day Classic Rhapsody Trek (p.46) SAVE up to €199
Ancona - link to* Greek Island Flexi-Hopper (p.27-29) SAVE up to €158 8 Day Sail Greece (p.30)
8 Day Croatia Sailing (p.31-35)
Valencia or Barcelona - link to* 8 Day Ibiza Island Hopper (p.42)
* Connect by local ferry. See www.busabout.com for details.
SAVE 10%
SEE BACK COVER
10 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, 59 DAYS, 4 FLIGHTS, 15 BUS TRIPS, 3 LONG DISTANCE TRAIN RIDES AND 1 OVERNIGHT FERRY.
10 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, 59 DAYS, 4 FLIGHTS, 15 BUS TRIPS, 3 LONG DISTANCE TRAIN RIDES AND 1 OVERNIGHT FERRY.
Optional stops SAVED THE DAY! My Highlight
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS YOU CAN IN CINQUE TERRE!!! I knew the Cinque Terre was going to be my favourite destination on my trip, I had been researching it for months, pinned plenty of pictures on my Pinterest boards, it was just going to be the greatest. And it was!
I had heard about an optional activity that was organised through Busabout where we went up into the hillside of Vernazza & helped local farmers, wine growers, anyone who was affected by the flooding and mudslides that left the town buried in over 4 metres of mud. It was a great experience and we got fed a wonderful lunch by some local men. We had local mussels steamed with local white wine, garlic & parsley, more mussels tossed through pasta, local red & white wine, homemade limoncello & sweets.
I could really keep talking about the Cinque Terre area all day, but I think thats enough for this episode…
As always you can find me on: Blog: loadsoflifestyle.blogspot.co.uk Instagram: @loadsoflifestyle Twitter: @loadsoflifestyle
MY HIGHLIGHTMY HIGHLIGHT Optional stops SAVED THE DAY!
Optional stops SAVED THE DAY!
I wanted to be able to do my own thing, get lost in ally ways, find beautiful little boutiques, and eat at the best restaurants (that a backpacker can afford!). I didn’t want to have to stay in hostels all the time, and most of all I wanted to get lost in my own thoughts…
So I chose Busabout. I liked how you could jump on their website, and book all of the legs of the trips. They gave you recommendations for places to stay (hostels & hotels). But most of all the flexibility to be able to do what you want, when you want, and not have to stick with a tour guide & group.
They have several different types of trips you can choose. I chose the ‘Flexi-trip’- designed to give you the most flexibility, you choose where you want to go and purchase the amount of “flexi-stops” you need to get there.
I started in Paris. It was my first time staying in a hostel and it was a good one to start with! Travelling by myself for the first time, I was a little nervous about spending time in a huge city all by myself, but I decided to do a walking tour of the city, and I’m happy I did, I met two American guys (Steve and Scott) who took me under their wing and hung out with me for a couple of days! My first trip on the Busabout buses was great! Comfy seats that recline, awesome guides & drivers that are so knowledgeable about our upcoming destinations.
From Paris, I made the choice to take an optional flexi-stop in Bruges (Belgium) and boy am I glad I did! It was absolutely beautiful! Just like a fairytale (if you have seen the movie “In Bruges” you will get what I’m saying). I tried some delicious Belgian chocolate, waffles and frites (french fries/hot chips – which they serve with mayo & tomato sauce). On my last morning in Bruges I climbed the Belfry (all 366 stairs) to the most amazing view.
Ancona is another optional stop that was integral to my trip. It’s a Port town, they have ferries that depart & return from Croatia & Greece (so you can connect with Busabout’s optional adventure tours – Croatia Sailing & Greek Islands). We caught an overnight ferry to Zadar from Ancona and head off to a 3 day music festival.
Of the VERY small amount I saw of Croatia, I loved it, beautiful pristine (rocky) beaches, friendly people & great food! I really wished I could have squeezed in a Croatia Sailing week with Busabout, but time & money are unfortunate factors of travelling! I will be definitely returning one day!
PAGE 12 PAGE 13
REAL EXPERIENCES. REAL TRIP. REAL FUN.
MEL I am the creator of this wonderful blog you are reading!
I am 25, live in a little rural community on the border of Queensland & New South Wales (in Australia).
This blog is an outlet for my creative side; I hope to share with you my travels, my love for make-up and cosmetics, my passion for great food & drinks, and my interest in creating & designing.
TOP TIPTOP TIP Like to spread yourself out on the coach? In May, June and October our coaches are less busy, meaning there’s a better chance for you to grab a couple of seats to yourself.
Just sit back and relax. Your bags get safely locked up underneath the coach when you’re out exploring. You’ll also have a support network and a friendly ear to deal with any travel dilemmas or issues that arise. In essence – we deal with the serious stuff, you focus on the fun.
There are plenty of breaks between the destinations for you to sample some of the service-stop delicacies. And once you arrive, no need to decipher a map, no need to cart your luggage across a foreign city, as we drop you off as close as possible to our recommended accommodation. That’s less hassle, and more time for you to explore.
GET ON-BOARD!GET ON-BOARD!
BIG BLUES Our Big Blues, air-conditioned coaches have reclining seats, plenty of leg room, and a secure lock-up for your bags. You can chat to your old mates; make new friends; peer out the massive windows – there’s even an entertainment system with movies and audio channels. And don’t worry ‘flashpackers’, on-board power points are available to charge up all your electronic bits ‘n bobs.
Just like our Drivers and Guides, we’re proud of our fleet. From the shade of tint on the windows to the specially commissioned fabric on the comfy seats, you’ll see we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure every detail is just right (just like we have with this brochure!)
THE DRIVERS Our Big Blues are commanded by our expert drivers. They spend months perfecting their knowledge of all our routes to ensure you avoid all the highway mayhem. They’re especially proud of their vehicles and keep them meticulously clean for your comfort. We wouldn’t be surprised if you saw them shining the chrome on the wheels every now and then.
TRAVELLERS HANDBOOK You’ll receive a Busabout Handbook on your first day of travel, full of details about local activities as well as some exclusive discount vouchers to help you save those pennies!
PAGE 14 PAGE 15
TRAVEL IN STYLE AT BUSABOUT.COM TRAVEL IN STYLE AT BUSABOUT.COM
PAGE 16 PAGE 17
LOOP THE LOOPS AT BUSABOUT.COM DISCOVER HIDDEN GEMS AT BUSABOUT.COM
WEST & SOUTH LOOP ¤979 STUDENTS ¤949
Start & Finish: Anywhere 24 Destinations 6 Countries
6 wks - 6 mths 35 days - 6 wks
WILDSCHÖNAU VALLEY A picture-postcard array of craggy mountain peaks, fresh alpine pastures and cosy little chalets. A great city break and chance to go hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and more.
AVIGNON
The town itself is stuffed full of UNESCO sites. The people are spoilt by wondrous food and a relaxed pace of life. The surrounding area is the scenic region of Provence. It’s France at its very best.
NORTH & WEST LOOP ¤979 STUDENTS ¤949
SWISS ALPS (LAUTERBRUNNEN) An Alpine adventure destination. Its lush green valleys and snowy mountains are breath-taking, while there’s also plenty of rafting, paragliding, hiking and sky-diving to do!
BRUGES
The ‘Venice of the North’. A fairy-tale destination, world-famous for Belgian chocolate and a vast array of delicious beers. Many passengers have become utterly enchanted here.
NORTH & SOUTH LOOP ¤979 STUDENTS ¤949
NORTH LOOP ¤569 STUDENTS ¤549
SOUTH LOOP ¤569 STUDENTS ¤549
WEST LOOP ¤569 STUDENTS ¤549
ORVIETO Situated on top of an impressive volcanic rock with vertical cliff faces. However the real surprise is the labyrinth of caves and tunnels that lie beneath the surface.
BIARRITZ Biarritz is a world class surf spot. But that’s not all; there are also great beaches, tasty French food and a 24 hour party scene.
GRUENAU This gem is a traditional little village surrounded by awesome Alpine scenery. Take a swim in the crystal clear lakes or just stare at the beautiful views.
LAKE COMO Between the French Riviera and the Swiss Alps lies the beautiful Lake Como. With stunning scenery and incredible food, this is a great place to soak up the best of Italy.
Europe can be travelled in about a million and one different ways and that’s what we love about it. So on our Loops you start where you want, end where you want, and go-round them as much as you like between May and October. Do one Loop, combine any two or even do all three. Still uncertain? Don’t be. One thing’s for sure; there’s no wrong way of doing it.
H Every second day departures from May to October
H Stay as long as you like in each destination H Change your coach days as often as you
like free of charge H Expert Guides and Drivers on all departures H Pick-up and Drop-off at our recommended accommodation H FREE Traveller's Handbook H Re-travel your loop as many times as you like on a standby
basis until the end of the season.
BERN
The capital of Switzerland is unlike any other capital. You can walk from one end of the city centre to the other in 20 minutes. What makes this place really special is how friendly everyone is!
SAVE 10%
NORTH & SOUTH & WEST LOOP ¤1,159 STUDENTS ¤1,125
33
Ever found a place difficult to leave?
Well that’s what these places are. Heart-achingly beautiful locations that look straight out of a Disney Movie. You’ll hear our guides rave about them, and hear them being called the ‘absolute highlight’ of a trip. So make sure you set aside some time for these little surprises when planning your travels!
HIDDEN GEMS
Get the most out of your time in Europe, and link up with our Adventures, Festivals and Sailing trips. See p.11 for details.
34 DESTINATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM
GO WEST ¤679 STUDENTS ¤659 Start: Rome Finish: Paris
14 Destinations 3 Countries
ALPINE PASS ¤679 STUDENTS ¤659 Start: Rome Finish: Amsterdam
GO ROMAN ¤679 STUDENTS ¤659 Start: Paris Finish: Rome
LONG WAY ROUND ¤999 STUDENTS ¤969 Start: Paris Finish: Barcelona
EPIC ADVENTURE ¤809 STUDENTS ¤785 Start: Paris Finish: Madrid
SUN SEEKER ¤869 STUDENTS ¤845 Start: Berlin Finish: Madrid
PAGE 18 PAGE 19
GO YOUR WAY AT BUSABOUT.COM GET FLEXI AT BUSABOUT.COM
H Every second day departures from May to October H Stay as long as you like in each destination H Change your coach days as often as you like free of charge H Expert Guides and Drivers on all departures H Pick-up and Drop-off at our recommended accommodation H FREE Traveller's Handbook
We’re all different. Some like their Bran Flakes in the morning; and others prefer left-over meat-feast-pizzas. Some need the ‘snooze button’, and some jump directly into a baltic shower. Whatever your way of doing things, it’s fine with us. These One-Way routes should satisfy all sorts. Everything is the same as our other Hop-on Hop-off passes; the only difference is that you end somewhere completely different from where you started.
This pass is designed to give you the ultimate in flexibility and is the essence of freespirited travel. Start your journey by drawing circles around all the destinations you've always dreamed of going to, join up the dots and count up the stops. Don’t forget to explore some of our hidden gems. For more information see p.16-17.
SAVE 10%
6 STOPS ¤489 STUDENTS ¤475
EXTRA FLEXISTOP ¤59 STUDENTS ¤59
THE FLEXITRIP The Flexitrip differs from the other passes because it is made up of the number of ‘stops’ you decide to make. The places you visit can be chosen from anywhere on the network. This means you can travel all over Europe and connect up different regions by hopping on a budget flight where you can re-join the network.
A Flexistop is one coach day, so if you wanted to get from Paris to Amsterdam and miss out Bruges, that would be 1 Flexistop. If instead you wanted to Hop-off in Bruges (to drink a few local beers and scoff Belgian chocolate) before heading onto Amsterdam a few days later, that would take 2 Flexistops.
The base Flexitrip is 6 stops but you can buy any number of additional stops before you leave. You can also buy extra Flexistops whilst on the road from your Guide. Additional Flexistops are only available with a Flexitrip pass.
PAGE 20 PAGE 21
WATCH THE CLIPWATCH THE CLIP youtube.com/BusaboutTV
GREAT SLEEPSGREAT SLEEPS EXPLORE MOREEXPLORE MORE
These places are not only for sleeping. Party there, chill there, learn there and meet some great people. We’ve picked out accommodation that have friendly staff, great facilities, are safe, clean and comfortable.
Sometimes it’s hard to know how to make the most out of your time at a new destination. So we’ve narrowed down the choices and hand-picked some of the best local activities for you to choose from.
There are bike tours, walking tours and pub crawls which are great ways to orientate and learn about the area from local experts. Alternatively, you can try your hand at Spanish cookery, horse riding in Tuscany or even throw yourself out of a plane over the Swiss Alps!
All the local activities on offer are tried and tested to ensure you receive the best experience and best value for money. They’re also generally cheaper when purchased from your Busabout Guide.
GREAT VALUE
Most places we stay are centrally located. When a city doesn’t have great value backpacker hostels, we use awesome camping villages with frequent and easy links to the city centre. By booking our Pick-Up Point recommended accommodation you get all the benefits of our door to door service. Check-in, drop your bag and you’re ready to explore.
SAVE ¤¤¤S
On MyTrip, our online planning tool, you can choose the style of accommodation and type of room to suit your wallet. Budget €15 - €30 per night for a dorm bed. We guarantee the dorms will either be at the market rate or below.
H Once you’ve booked your trip you’ll receive a reference number.
H Use this to log on to MyTrip.
H Here you can book your buses and beds at our Pick-Up Point recommended accommodation (no booking fees).
H Use it to keep an eye on availability, add more trips and contact other people in the Busabout community.
HOSTELS H VIENNA Wombats is in the heart of Vienna and the closest hostel to the Old Town. All dorms are light and airy with ensuite bathrooms. The überfriendly staff will make your stay a perfect one.
H FLORENCE PLUS Florence is Florence’s most cutting edge hostel right in the heart of the city. You’ll feel spoilt by the flat screen TV’s in every room, all you can eat buffets and swimming pool. That’s without even mentioning its terrace bar with panoramic views.
FLORENCE H HORSE RIDING AND CHIANTI TOUR Perch upon your horse and gaze out into a beautiful Italian landscape. Watch the traditional wine making process. Eat the Tuscan food you’ve always dreamt of. Bellissima!
AMSTERDAM H MIKE’S BIKES TOURS Cycling is faster. Amsterdam is flat. The two were meant to be together. These tours get you about quickly so you can efficiently explore the history, culture and scenic outskirts of Amsterdam.
BERLIN H BERLIN INSIDER TOURS CITY WALKING TOUR Berlin is a marvel of both past and present. This city tour has expert guides that make Berlin’s intricate history come alive. They’re also likely to convince you that it’s one of the greatest cities in the world!
CAMPING VILLAGES H LAUTERBRUNNEN Camping Jungfrau is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and glaciers. You can choose from chalets and hostel. Make the most of the restaurant, bar and mini-mart before you explore the Alps and indulge in some adventure sports.
H ROME PLUS Camping Roma is the ideal base to explore the Italian capital. We stay in air-conditioned bungalows with spacious rooms and ensuite bathrooms. It has a swimming pool and a restaurant/ bar that makes it an ideal place to chill out or party.
MADRID H CORRAL DE LA MORERIA
FLAMENCO TOUR One of the most recognized flamenco establishments in Spain. Seriously, you should see their trophy cabinet! Watch the best Flamenco dancers doing their breath-taking moves in a traditional setting.
PRAGUE H PRAGUE PUB CRAWL This is for the serious party lover. It includes an hour of unlimited beer, wine, vodka and absinthe, and free entry into a 5-story mega-club (the biggest in Prague). You also get the t-shirt to prove it!
VIENNA H DISCOVER VIENNA, GRAPE GRAZING
WINERY BIKE TOUR Go bike riding through the breath-taking Austrian wine region. Historic villages and castles are a-plenty in this UNESCO World Heritage site. And if that wasn’t enough, you also get to taste some of the wines along the way!
HERE IS A SELECTION OF TYPICAL ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITES:
GUESTHOUSES & HOTELS If you fancy a bit more luxury or privacy, then we also recommend a range of 2 and 3* hotels and guesthouses, usually just a short walk or bus/ tram ride from the Pick-Up Point. You can book these through MyTrip.
H AVIGNON Les Jardins De La Livrée is a charming 14th century guesthouse, set in a lush garden with a swimming pool. It has spacious
rooms and a restaurant with some of the most delicious French food.
DAILY BUDGET GUIDE You’re in control of your budget so how you spend your money is entirely up to you. However, here’s a quick guide to give you an idea of what to budget.
Backpacker – €85 per day will get you a hostel dorm bed, local activities, lunch from the supermarket, an inexpensive dinner as well as a good night out. If you want your money to go further, then €55 will get you the cheapest dorm bed, a few nights out, a bit more self-catering, with the same amount of sightseeing and local activities.
Flashpacker – €140 per day will cover a private room in a hostel, local activities, lunch and dinner in a restaurant with plenty left to spend on evening entertainment.
You receive a Busabout Handbook on your first day of travel with details of local activities as well as exclusive discount vouchers to help you save those pennies!
CINQUE TERRE H SAVE VERNAZZA Such a beautiful place. A true fishing village populated by pastel coloured houses, personable people and delicious food. But unfortunately on October 25th 2011, there was a disaster. 1/3 of the average annual rainfall fell within 6 hours causing over €100 million worth of damage. Get your hands a bit dirty, see the incredible area, and join us on one of our favourite excursions. Read more on p.92 for details.
MYTRIPMYTRIP
Bikini
CHECKLISTCHECKLIST EssentialEssential
BOOKING. IT
, S EASY.
BOOKING: IT
, S EASY.
MyTrip is your online Busabout travel hub. You can use it to book coaches, accommodation, and chop and change your trip on the go. For a step by step guide see p.20
VENICE MILAN
TOURS (for loire valley)
LAKE COMO
AMSTERDAM
STUTTGART
AMSTERDAM
STUTTGART
NETHERLANDSNETHERLANDS
MYTRIPMYTRIP
Bikini
WATCH THE CLIPWATCH THE CLIP youtube.com/BusaboutTV
TIME TABLE 2015
We can’t make the decision for you. Whether you do this ‘incredibly awesome route’, or that ‘wonderfully amazing one’ is up to you. But what we can do is make the process of booking it as simple as possible. So when you’re ready, have a look through the handy checklist below.
PLAN YOUR TRIP LIKE THIS: DATE FROM TO NO. OF NIGHTS
Busabout operates EVERY SECOND DAY departures. To check travel dates, simply match the colour of the departure city to the colour in the calendar. The white departure cities operate on white calendar days, the shaded departure cities operate on the shaded calendar days.
FROM TO DEPARTS ARRIVES FROM UNTIL
NORTHERN LOOP (1 MAY - 27 OCTOBER) Paris Bruges 8:00 13:00 1-May 16-Oct Bruges Amsterdam 13:00 18:00 1-May 16-Oct Amsterdam Berlin 8:00 18:00 2-May 17-Oct Berlin Dresden 8:00 11:30 3-May 18-Oct Dresden Prague 11:30 15:00 3-May 18-Oct Prague Cesky Krumlov 8:00 11:45 4-May 19-Oct Cesky Krumlov Vienna 11:45 16:30 4-May 19-Oct Vienna Gruenau 8:00 12:00 5-May 20-Oct Gruenau Salzburg 12:00 14:15 5-May 20-Oct Salzburg Munich 14:15 17:00 5-May 20-Oct Munich Stuttgart 8:00 11:15 6-May 27-Oct Stuttgart Paris 11:15 21:30 6-May 27-Oct
SOUTHERN LOOP (12 MAY - 26 OCTOBER) Munich Wildschönau Valley 8:00 10:00 12-May 21-Oct Wildschönau Valley Venice 10:30 17:00 12-May 21-Oct Venice Ancona 8:00 13:15 13-May 22-Oct Ancona Rome 13:15 18:30 13-May 22-Oct Rome Orvieto 8:00 11:30 14-May 23-Oct Orvieto Siena 11:30 13:30 14-May 23-Oct Siena Florence 13:30 15:00 14-May 23-Oct Florence La Spezia 8:00 10:45 15-May 24-Oct La Spezia Nice 10:45 16:00 15-May 24-Oct Nice Lake Como 8:00 13:45 16-May 25-Oct Lake Como Swiss Alps 13:45 18:30 16-May 25-Oct Swiss Alps Lucerne 8:00 10:00 17-May 26-Oct Lucerne Munich 10:15 17:00 17-May 26-Oct
WESTERN LOOP (22 MAY - 10 OCTOBER) Paris Bern 8:00 17:15 22-May 5-Oct Bern Swiss Alps 17:15 18:30 22-May 5-Oct Swiss Alps Milan 8:00 13:30 23-May 6-Oct Milan Nice 13:30 18:30 23-May 6-Oct Nice Avignon 8:00 12:15 24-May 7-Oct Avignon Barcelona 12:15 19:00 24-May 7-Oct Barcelona Valencia 8:00 13:00 25-May 8-Oct Valencia Madrid 13:00 19:00 25-May 8-Oct Madrid Pamplona 8:00 15:00 26-May 9-Oct Pamplona San Sebastian 15:00 17:00 26-May 9-Oct San Sebastian Biarritz 8:00 9:30 27-May 10-Oct Biarritz Tours 9:30 17:15 27-May 10-Oct Tours Paris 17:15 21:30 27-May 10-Oct
M T W T F S S JULY 2015
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
M T W T F S S AUGUST 2015
1 2
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30
JUNE 2015
1 2 3
compulsory overnight stopoptional stop
TIME TABLE 2015
H Decide where you want to go, what you want to see and roughly how much time you have.
H Choose from either the Loops, a One-Way or the Flexitrip.
H Check our timetable for dates and departures.
H Look at your bank funds and work out a budget (Our preferred accommodation costs around €15-€30 for dorms. Allow around €55 a day for eating and fun stuff).
H Book your initial date and plan the remainder on MyTrip. If you’re not flexible with your dates, we suggest booking your coach seats 2 weeks in advance. It’s fine to turn up without a booking but we can’t guarantee the coach won’t be full!
H Start counting the hours. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram if you want to get even more excited!
H And don’t forget that you can change your coach days as often as you like free of charge, subject to availability.
M T W T F S S SEPTEMBER 2015
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
1 2 3 4
26 27
These people liked, tweeted, texted, foursquared, mailed, pinned, shared, flickred, swarmed, tumblred, snapchatted, googled, instagrammed, hipstagrammed, pathed, bebo’ed, tindered and linkined.
We don’t do all of these. But we do like it when you guys keep in touch with one another…
@Busabout @HaggisAdventures @Shamrockertours
/Busabout /HaggisAdventures /ShamrockerAdventures
That was 2014.That was 2014.
H GUIDE JOHN “I love fish. The Portuguese are the biggest fish consumers per capita and have hundreds of
different ways of cooking them. I would never come to Portugal and not eat fish!”
H GUIDE RYAN “Amsterdam’s ‘House of BOLS’ is both genuinely ‘fun’ and a ‘museum’. It’s a cocktails and shots
museum! You play games guessing liqueurs by smell and then at the end you get to create your own cocktail.”
H GUIDE ROSE “You can’t walk down the street in Greece without spying dozens of these evil eye symbols. They’re to
protect you against envy and jealousy, which they believe can cause headaches, nausea or even death! Better to be safe than sorry.”
H GUIDE AMY “My fave thing is watching passengers faces the first time they see a famous monument like the
Coliseum in Rome. The way their eyes light up with awe and amazement is priceless; sharing those moments makes my job incredible.”
H GUIDE ADAM “I met a guy once at a city-centre café in Tirana, Albania who tried selling me his
goat. What more needs to be said?”
H GUIDE TOMMY “Berlin. Just go out one night, no matter how knackered you are. It’s the most grungy, alternative,
and entertaining music scene I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing.”
Sometimes the life of a Guide seems too good to be true... Look online and you’ll find photos of them dancing until late, jumping off boats, gorging on delicious seafood and watching Greek sunrises. They even show off a bit. Their photos have #viewfromtheoffice, #thisiswork, #workhard, #lovethisjob, #bestjob... etc. But do we care?
Of course not. This passion for travel is why we hired them in the first place. They’re free spirits. And the more amazing places they discover and the more amazing experiences they have, the better your time with us will be. So here’s a sample of some of the travel curios that our crew are passionate about.
@Busabout @HaggisAdventures @Shamrockertours
/Busabout /HaggisAdventures /ShamrockerAdventures
GREEK ISLANDS
GREEK ISLANDS
MYKONOS History, culture and clubs... If you’re visiting Greece for the best clubs and bars Europe has to offer, Mykonos is the place to be. During July and August (peak season) Paradise Club and Cavo Paradiso come alive with top DJs. Your first night starts with a fantastic
Greek meal followed by the nightlife of Mykonos town.
If it’s history and culture you’re after then take a day trip to Delos, the birthplace of Apollo. Once the centre of ancient Cycladic life, Delos is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mediterranean.
GREEK BITES Lip-smackingly fantastic. Proper Greek salads, delicious moussaka, great value gyros (kebabs) and all sorts of delicacies you’ve never heard of.
TOP TIP 1: with so many choices on each island, ask your Guide for their recommendations. Trust us they know! TOP TIP 2: order a Frappe (iced coffee) which all the locals drink to cool down. TOP TIP 3: try ouzo sipped over ice, at least once.
IOS Watersports and party time... With over 60 bars,
Ios boasts some of the craziest nightlife in Greece. Join
your Guide for some bar-hopping with fire shows, flaming
Lamborghinis, tequila slammers and chocolate orange shots
- Ios has the lot. There is also plenty of sports and activities
on offer like wakeboarding, tubing, kayaking and beach volleyball.
SANTORINI Famous sunsets, beaches, shopping and the legendary volcano... an exclusive trip. You can soak up the rays on the famous red and black beaches, take panoramic photos from the best view points on the island, taste local wines overlooking spectacular views,
uncover mysteries of Greek superstitions, hear about the volcano’s epic eruption and get excited knowing you could be on The Lost City of Atlantis.
A perfect finish to an awesome day is to watch one of the most famous sunsets at Oia with a gyros in one hand and beverage in the other. This trip is a must, just book with your guide when you get there.
PAROS Remote beaches and villages... The boat
trip is one of the best days out and is the highlight of any
Greek Island experience. Captain Antonio knows the best
swimming spots of Antiparos. Visit a remote beach to
savour fresh octopus caught in front of you, with lovely
Souvlaki and Greek salad, washed down with wine, ouzo and plenty of soft
drinks. Book with your Guide to ensure a spot on this fantastic day trip.
From the moment you arrive you’re on Greek Time… You’ll never have the same experience twice – it’s what you want it to be. Immerse yourself in all that Europe’s original party islands have to offer, then take it easy along the miles of beaches or discover ancient ruins and natural wonders. The islands are full of surprises; our Flexi-Hopper gives you a taste of it all. 9 days or 5 months - it’s up to you. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect from each island.
PAGE 27
THE TRIP MAKERS AT BUSABOUT.COM GREEK ISLANDS AT BUSABOUT.COM
Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ 14 May 22 May 27 Jul 4 Aug 16 May 24 May 28 Jul 5 Aug 18 May 26 May 29 Jul 6 Aug 20 May 28 May 30 Jul 7 Aug 22 May 30 May 31 Jul 8 Aug 24 May 1 Jun 1 Aug 9 Aug 26 May 3 Jun 2 Aug 10 Aug 28 May 5 Jun 3 Aug 11 Aug 30 May 7 Jun 4 Aug 12 Aug 1 Jun 9 Jun 5 Aug 13 Aug 3 Jun 11 Jun 6 Aug 14 Aug 5 Jun 13 Jun 7 Aug 15 Aug 7 Jun 15 Jun 8 Aug 16 Aug 9 Jun 17 Jun 9 Aug 17 Aug 11 Jun 19 Jun 10 Aug 18 Aug 13 Jun 21 Jun 11 Aug 19 Aug 15 Jun 23 Jun 12 Aug 20 Aug 17 Jun 25 Jun 13 Aug 21 Aug 19 Jun 27 Jun 14 Aug 22 Aug 21 Jun 29 Jun 15 Aug 23 Aug 23 Jun 1 Jul 16 Aug 24 Aug 25 Jun 3 Jul 17 Aug 25 Aug 27 Jun 5 Jul 18 Aug 26 Aug 29 Jun 7 Jul 19 Aug 27 Aug 1 Jul 9 Jul 20 Aug 28 Aug 3 Jul 11 Jul 21 Aug 29 Aug 5 Jul 13 Jul 22 Aug 30 Aug 7 Jul 15 Jul 24 Aug 1 Sep 9 Jul 17 Jul 26 Aug 3 Sep 11 Jul 19 Jul 28 Aug 5 Sep 12 Jul 20 Jul 30 Aug 7 Sep 13 Jul 21 Jul 1 Sep 9 Sep 14 Jul 22 Jul 3 Sep 11 Sep 15 Jul 23 Jul 5 Sep 13 Sep 16 Jul 24 Jul 7 Sep 15 Sep 17 Jul 25 Jul 9 Sep 17 Sep 18 Jul 26 Jul 11 Sep 19 Sep 19 Jul 27 Jul 13 Sep 21 Sep 20 Jul 28 Jul 15 Sep 23 Sep 21 Jul 29 Jul 17 Sep 25 Sep 22 Jul 30 Jul 19 Sep 27 Sep 23 Jul 31 Jul 21 Sep 29 Sep 24 Jul 1 Aug 23 Sep 1 Oct 25 Jul 2 Aug 25 Sep 3 Oct 26 Jul 3 Aug
LOW SEASON ADULT ¤379 • STUDENT ¤365 HIGH SEASON ADULT ¤419 • STUDENT ¤405
Based on min 9 day itinerary
Greek time is YOUR time and you can extend your trip to suit your own schedule. The Greek Island Flexi-Hopper is a flexible trip with a minimum of 9 days (2 nights on each island) but you can spend the whole season travelling from island to island if you wanted to! Choose what you want to do and book your itinerary two weeks in advance through MyTrip.
HIGHLIGHTS H Watch the sunset from the white stone windmills H Dance to fantastic DJs in Mykonos H Explore Santorini’s black and red sand beaches H Party until dawn on Ios H Go Greek with plenty of feta, moussaka
and ouzo H Smash plates and dance (it’s a Greek thing!)
FREE TIME Explore the islands at your own pace or join in with one of our optional extras. Full details from your Busabout Guide. • Half day trip to ancient Delos from Mykonos • Antiparos boat trip with swimming, BBQ lunch
including ouzo & wine • ‘Sun-tour-ini tour’ – Explore the main sites of
the island, topped off by watching the world famous sunset in Oia
• Water sports and scuba diving in Ios
Get exploring some of the most famous sites of Greece including Delphi, the heart of the classical Greek world, plus the breathtaking cliff-top monasteries of Meteora in this amazing mini adventure. We’ll head to Kalambaka for the night, passing through the Thessalian plains then take a tour of UNESCO listed Meteora, one of the country’s most unique attractions and a must see for any visitor to mainland Greece.
HIGHLIGHTS H Explore Meteora’s stunning cliff top monasteries H Discover Delphi, home of the Oracle…. H Visit the beautiful village Arachova H Pass famous sites such as Lake Marathon,
Corinth Canal and the birth place of Achilles
FREE TIME Explore or enjoy one of our optional extras. Full details from your Busabout Guide. • Visit Kamena Vourla, where you can relax,
enjoy lunch and a quick swim in the crystal clear waters.
• Traditional Greek group dinner, Kalambaka
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • Your fantastic Busabout Guide • All ferries • Guided orientations of each island • Nights out on every island • All transfers to and from MyTrip Preferred Partner
island accommodation • Exclusive discounts for bars, watersports, clothing
and jewellery stores • History, mythology and cultural talks • Pub crawls on Mykonos and Ios
Accommodation Pay as you go. €10-€45pppn in Busabout recommended beach clubs and pensions (guest houses) Departure point & time AthenStyle Hostel, 5.30am for a transfer to the port Return time Varies depending on the ferries. We recommend booking your onward travel for after 12pm (noon) the following day Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees (our recommended accommodations are the meeting points) (MIN 9 DAY ITINERARY) Day 1: Athens to Mykonos Mykonos town and its famous windmills, orientation walk and night out. Day 2: Mykonos Explore the town, take a trip to Delos or chill out at Paradise Beach. Day 3: Mykonos to Paros Ferry to Paros. Hit the beach, go horse riding and get ready for a proper traditional night of plate smashing and Greek dancing. Day 4: Paros Island exploration or optional Antiparos boat trip with swimming, BBQ lunch and ouzo and wine. Day 5: Paros to Santorini Ferry to Fira. Caldera sunset dinner at a Greek taverna. Day 6: Santorini Optional ‘Sun-tour-ini’ tour. Day 7: Santorini to Ios Ferry to Ios, the Greek island party capital! Bar-hopping. Day 8: Ios Mylopotas Beach. Chill out, do some water sports, scuba diving plus the final night party! Day 9: Ios to Athens Ferry back to the stunning Greek capital.
This trip must be booked 2 weeks prior to departure.
2015 DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES
TRIP DETAILS INCLUSIONS • Your fantastic Busabout Guide • 1 night accommodation, 1 breakfast • Meteora guided tour • Scenic drive across the Plain of Thessaly • Delphi guided tour • Entry to Monasteries Accommodation 1 night hotel multi-share Accommodation upgrade Single & twin upgrade available Departure point & time 8am from AthenStyle Hostel Return time Athens 6.30pm Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Itinerary: See www.busabout.com for details
* Price per person based on multi-share.
9 DAYS to 5 MONTHS from ¤379pp Students from ¤365pp 2 DAYS from ¤189pp* Departs Athens
Delphi & Meteora Mykonos, Paros, Santorini & Ios
Buy this trip together with any Hop-on Hop-off pass and SAVE 10% off the total price.
Athens – link to* Hop-on Hop-off (p.8-23) SAVE UP TO ¤158 *Connect by local ferry. See www.busabout.com for details.
Athens – also link to 2 Day Greek Odyssey (p.29) 8 Day Sail Greece (p.30) 5 Day Balkan Trek (p.48) SAVE UP TO ¤90
SAVE 10%
I O S
P A R O S
M Y K O N O S A T H E N S
GREECE
Where you spend the night can be just as important as how you got there, so we have secured the best places to stay on each island. We guarantee our preferred pick up/drop off point accommodation partners offer great value, cleanliness, location and attitude. A range of bed and room types are available and are run by lovely folk who adore our travellers. All are optional but we do recommend staying close to your Guide and group. If you do wander a little further, we recommend you stay close to Mykonos Town (Mykonos), Parikia (Paros), Fira (Santorini) and Mylopotas Beach (Ios). Book your beds through MyTrip with no booking fees. See p.20 for details.
Paradise Beach Club, Mykonos Choose from basic cabins to more superior bungalows only steps away from the sea and a
10-minute bus ride into Mykonos Town. From full-moon parties and pumping dance music, to chilled-out beaches and traditional beachfront cafés. It’s party paradise!
Pension Elizabeth, Paros Is the perfect place to unwind. Lily and Mihalis make this your home away from home, always
ready to help and make your stay one to remember. Located in a peaceful part of Parikia town, you’re just a short walk from the seafront cafés and restaurants, the beach and nightlife (when you’re ready for it again!).
Fira Backpackers, Santorini Is a hostel with private rooms and dorms at the downtown area of Fira, the capital of Santorini island. A stylish hostel with all the facilities
of a hotel. 50 metres from our door is the main bus station of Santorini, 90 metres are the main square of Fira and the Caldera cliffs for shopping and sunset views.
Farout Beach Club, Ios Situated right on the beach, this is the hottest place to be. Choose
from the chilled-out Village, or the happening Beach Club. Swim in the sea, the pool or try some water sports. The town is just a 5 minute bus ride away where you’ll find all
the vibrant bars the island is famous for.
WHERE YOU STAY
This trip must be booked 2 weeks prior to departure.
PAGE 28 PAGE 29
youtube.com/BusaboutTV WATCH THE CLIPWATCH THE CLIP
F lexi HopperF lexi Hopper OdysseyOdyssey
Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ 13 Jun 20 Jun 1 Aug 8 Aug 20 Jun 27 Jun 8 Aug 15 Aug 27 Jun 4 Jul 15 Aug 22 Aug 4 Jul 11 Jul 22 Aug 29 Aug 11 Jul 18 Jul 29 Aug 5 Sep 18 Jul 25 Jul 5 Sep 12 Sep 25 Jul 1 Aug
LOW SEASON ADULT ¤979 MID SEASON ADULT ¤1,049 HIGH SEASON ADULT ¤1,139
* Per person price – based on standard below deck twin share cabin. Cabin size may vary. Routes may change due to local conditions. Local payment (port taxes, marine insurance, fuel supplement & basic food kitty) of €100 EURO paid on Day 1 (based on exchange rate at time of print). (B=breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner).
Continue travelling by connecting with the options below.
Athens – link to* Hop-on Hop-off (p.8-23) *Connect by local ferry. See www.busabout.com for details.
Athens – also link to 2 Day Greek Odyssey (p.29) 9 Day Greek Island Hopper (p.28) 5 Day Balkan Trek (p.48)
P O R O S N A F P L I O
S P E T S E S H Y D R A
P L A K A ( L E O N I D I O )
A E G I N A
A T H E N S
1
1
GREECE
The sparkling waters of the Mediterranean were made for sailing and where better than on the sun-kissed Aegean Sea? Board our luxury yacht and let your skipper take you from Athens on a voyage among some of the best the Greek islands have to offer. This is a journey along ancient trade routes to places of natural beauty and history, where you can relax in little fishing villages over a beer and great seafood or sun worship on the quiet beaches nearby. Greek time was never spent so good...
HIGHLIGHTS H Enjoy stunning sunsets over the Saronic Gulf H Swim in the clear blue Mediterranean H Taste mouth-watering fresh seafood H Party with the locals on the stunning island
of Hydra H Spend the night under the stars H Relax in Spetses, one of the most beautiful islands
FREE TIME Explore or enjoy one of our optional extras. • Chill out on the deck of your luxury yacht • Swimming in secluded bays,
water sports optional
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • 7 nights accommodation • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches • Welcome meeting with your Busabout Guide • Professional English-speaking Skipper • Bedding and towels on the boats (bring your swimmers) • Transfer from AthenStyle Hostel (central Athens)
to the Marina
Accommodation Standard twin-share accommodation with shared facilities Departure point & time Athens, AthenStyle Hostel, 12pm Return time Athens, Marina Alimos, 10am Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Day 1: Athens to Perdika Set sail to Perdika on Aegina Island, a beautiful small fishing village and a great place to chill out and get to know your fellow sea-farers. Day 2: Perdika to Hydra We stop at small islands on the way to Hydra, an Island that has been restored exactly as it appeared in the 1800’s and can only be explored by foot. Head to the water front for some dinner before hitting up the bars for some great nightlife. (B,L) Day 3: Hydra to Plaka (Leonidio) To the Peloponnese coast with a swim stop off the south coast of Spetses. Plaka is a picturesque port with a great beach for swimming and sunbathing as well as some top taverns and bars, perfect for a beer and local seafood! (B, L) Day 4: Plaka (Leonidio) to Nafplio A leisurely day sailing to Nafplio, stopping at the small Peloponnese coastal villages for a swim and lunch. This seaport town is totally idyllic with its stepped streets, gorgeous buildings, enticing shops, restaurants and cafés. (B, L) Day 5: Nafplio to Spetses We sail to the island of Spetses with a swim stop in Zogeria bay. Spetses island’s traditional architecture and narrow streets are perfect for strolling around and taking in the centuries of history. Or relax on beautiful sandy beaches and secluded bays. (B,L) Day 6: Spetses to Poros A lazy morning before heading north towards Poros. First we anchor at Dhokos and Kounoupi islets for a swim before arriving at Poros Town with its many tavernas, restaurants, shops and bars. A great place to sit back and chill (B,L) Day 7: Poros to Aegina Island Sail to the main port of Aegina Island. Its 5,500 year old history and position remains as an attraction to travellers even today. Along with the little Byzantine chapel this island welcomes you with open arms. (B,L) Day 8: Aegina Island to Athens Kalamaki We set sail back to Athens where it’s time to say goodbye to your fellow sailors. (B)
LUXURY SAILING YACHTS Sail the Mediterranean in style on one of our modern, luxury yachts that sleep up to 8 people in twin and double cabins. Perfect for small groups. All yachts feature iPod capable stereo systems as well as guest fridges to keep your drinks icy cold allowing you to sit back and relax on the spacious deck as you cruise along the coast. Each boat has a professional skipper who is happy to show you the ropes if you’d like some ‘hands on experience’ or just sit back and soak up the sun.
THE FIRST Our Croatian Island Hopper is an old favourite starting and finishing in Split, a port town known as the ‘soul of Dalmatia’... where the locals live, work and party! One-Way sailing was pioneered by Busabout along with the assistance of our local Croatian Captains, who continue to make this one of the best sailing trips in the Adriatic. THE GRUB Mussels in wine sauce, grilled squid, fresh olive oil,
Dalmatian cheese and smoked pršut. Top off your meal with the locals’ favourite digestif, rakija, that puts any grappa or ouzo to shame!THE GUIDES All the people who work on our boats love Dalmatia and
our Guides are no exception. They love Croatia, its people, its history and its culture. They are there to make things easy, tell you stories and help you make the most of your time.
THE SWIM STOPS There are swim stops every day in small coves and secluded bays. A dip in the Adriatic is the perfect hangover cure, or why not go snorkelling?
THE BOATS AND THEIR CREW They come in all shapes and sizes. There’s crazy Joe, Mama, Chico, Dure and Luka who will add that special local touch. Our fleet are a mix of beautifully preserved vintage ships and new style cruisers with deck space for sunbathing or jumping off. The cabins are below and above deck with a galley where you will eat the best food since leaving your Mum’s.
THE RELAXATION Put on your swimsuit, grab a beer and a lilo. Crank up some tunes, and head to the deck of your ship to watch the islands, the mountains, the sea and maybe even some dolphins swim by.
THE PARTIES AND FESTIVALS Raves in caves, bars lit on fire, fullmoon parties, and a nightclub in a monastery. Tisno is now one of Europe’s most exciting destinations, cool funky festivals, big name DJs and a beach club that regularly sees 20,000 people dance along its shores until dawn. Welcome to one of the best weeks of your life.
Trying to list just a few of the reasons as to why you should sail Croatia is a tricky task. Great weather, warm blue seas, beautiful cities, deserted islands, wicked nightlife, stunning national parks, friendly people, cheap beer and the freshest seafood. The Dalmatian Coast has it all and chilling on the deck of a traditional cruiser, coasting down the Adriatic with swim stops galore, is without a doubt the best way to experience it...
HERE ARE THE TOP REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GO…
PAGE 30 PAGE 31PAGE 30
SAIL GREECE AT BUSABOUT.COM CROATIA SAILING AT BUSABOUT.COM
Croatia SAILING
Be the Captain of your own Ship. We’ll be your crew.
GREECEGREECE SailSail
8 DAYS from ¤979pp* (Trip ¤879 + Local Payment ¤100 approx.)
Aegina, Hydra, Plaka (Leonidio), Nafplio, Spetses & Poros
Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ 2 May 9 May 25 Jul 1 Aug 9 May 16 May 1 Aug 8 Aug 16 May 23 May 8 Aug 15 Aug 23 May 30 May 15 Aug 22 Aug 30 May 6 Jun 22 Aug 29 Aug 6 Jun 13 Jun 29 Aug 5 Sep 13 Jun 20 Jun 5 Sep 12 Sep 20 Jun 27 Jun 12 Sep 19 Sep 27 Jun 4 Jul 19 Sep 26 Sep 4 Jul 11 Jul 26 Sep 3 Oct 11 Jul 18 Jul 3 Oct 10 Oct 18 Jul 25 Jul 10 Oct 17 Oct
ADULT FROM ¤629 • STUDENT FROM ¤609
Routes may change due to local conditions. (B=breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner).
Split – link to 7 Day Bohemian Trek (p.47) 8 Day Ottoman Trek (p.49)
Split – link to†
1
M A K A R S K A
K O R C U L A H V A R
D U B R O V N I K
M L J E T
S P L I T
1
1
1
1
1
P U C I S C A
Our fleet is our strength. We have great boats for all budgets. Energetic crews, clean cabins, great cooks, plenty of deck space and captains who understand your needs. Our fleet has been with us now for years and we’ve grown together meaning you get the best experience possible on the Adriatic.
1 Classic Standard The originals to pioneer the Dalmatian coast, these beautifully preserved classic boats are full of character offering great deck space, well laid out cabins and shared bathrooms. They are skippered by the new generation of captain, so their youthful energy and lively attitude will ensure you have a great week’s sail.
2 Classic Ensuite These boats have been sailing with us for seasons. They offer great big decks to dance and sunbathe on and a large galley to enjoy the seafood and ensuited cabins, allowing for privacy. The Classic Ensuites are slightly larger than their Classic Standard counterparts and could be described as Dalmatia’s party boats. They are skippered by awesome characters, who will ensure your week’s sail is top notch.
3 Cruiser Ensuite These brand-spanking new steel hulled giants offer large ensuite cabins with air conditioning, flat screen entertainment systems, huge deck space and large galleys. They represent the new Croatian cruising experience with captains and crews who have grown with us over the years; you’ll never want to get off them.
Cabin Options 1 Classic Standard Twin-share cabin with shared bathroom facilities.
2 Classic Ensuite Twin-share cabin with private ensuite bathroom facilities. 3 Cruiser Ensuite Spacious modern twin- share cabin with private ensuite bathroom facilities.
Above or below deck? Ensuite above deck cabins are the most expensive and Standard below deck are the cheapest, so decide which suits you and your budget and book yourself on!
*Per person price - based on standard below deck twin share accommodation. Prices vary depending on cabin class and departure date. Taxes - Port Tax €20 paid on Day 1 (based on exchange rate at time of print). Go to www.busabout.com for full details.
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • English-speaking Busabout Guide • 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches • Island orientation walks • Orientation tours of Split and Dubrovnik • Boat captain and crew • Bedding on the boats (bring a towel and your
swimming cossie) • 1 litre of drinking water per person per day
Accommodation Standard twin-share accommodation with shared facilities Accommodation upgrade Upgrades available see cabin options opposite Departure point & time Split Harbour, 1pm (check-in 11am) Return time Split Harbour, Friday, 6pm. Overnight on the boat. Disembark by 9am on Saturday Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Day 1: To Hvar Lunch on board and a swim before arriving at Hvar, a fortified port and home to the rich and famous. Tonight it’s Tequila Boom Booms at Kiva. (L) Day 2: To Mljet After a late breakfast and a refreshing swim it’s on to Mljet, an island paradise of inland lakes, monasteries and unspoilt nature. BBQ dinner tonight. (B, L) Day 3: To Dubrovnik The ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, a stunning medieval city with limestone and marble streets, squares and the most complete set of medieval fortified walls in the world! (B, L) Day 4: To Korcula Famed for its expert stone masonry, jewellery making, shipbuilding and famous resident, Marco Polo. The island has over 5,000 years of history. Orientation including Marco Polo’s birthplace. (B, L) Day 5: To Makarska The Croatian Riviera, a stunning port, full of top restaurants, shops and clubs. Probably the best sunset of the week, then party late in a sea cave. (B, L) Day 6: Pucisca to Omis We sail to Pucisca and the marble capital of the world. Captain’s dinner and the onboard pirate party. (B, L) Day 7: To Split The pirate town of Omis. We visit the mountain fortress or go rafting before sailing into Split. (B, L) Day 8: Split Say goodbye to your new friends after breakfast. (B)
There’s no beating Croatia’s Dalmatian coast for an 8 day, 7 night chill out. Spend an unforgettable week sailing on a beautiful vintage boat. Relax and let the captain and his crew (especially the cook!) spoil you while you contemplate whether to swim, sunbathe or do a bit of sightseeing. Think crystal clear seas, tiny walled cities, eclectic islands and long nights sampling local food and wine in a traditional konoba.
HIGHLIGHTS H English-speaking Busabout Guide H Anchor up and jump off the boat into
the Adriatic H Live the celebrity life in Hvar up close H Sip cocktails at the top of a 14th Century
tower – Korcula H Swim in a different bay every day H Captain the Pirate Cruiser as it sails along
the Dalmatian coast H Party till dawn in a Croatian cave bar H Scale the city walls of Dubrovnik –
‘Game of Thrones’
FREE TIME Explore the islands at your own pace, or join in with one of our optional extras. Full details from your Busabout Guide. • Captain’s Dinner • Traditional BBQ dinner • Kick back and relax with a beer on deck • Sunbaking and swimming in secluded bays • Bike hire in the National Parks • Beach ball games and lilos
PAGE 32 PAGE 33
8 DAYS from ¤629pp* (Trip ¤609 + Taxes ¤20 approx.) Students from ¤609pp* (Trip ¤589 + Taxes ¤20 approx.)
Split, Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Islands
Inclusions: • English-speaking Busabout Guide • Festival ticket entry • Island orientation walks • Bedding on boat • Busabout festival t-shirt • Boat captain and crew • 1 litre of drinking water per person per day
Itinerary and further information at www.busabout.com
Highlights: • Jump ofF the boat into the Adriatic • Party ‘till dawn • Recover at the amazing Krka
Waterfalls • Dance to electronic, rock,
reggae and pop.
Start Split Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ
9 May 16 May 25 Jul 1 Aug 16 May 23 May 29 Jul 5 Aug 23 May 30 May 1 Aug 8 Aug 30 May 6 Jun 8 Aug 15 Aug 6 Jun 13 Jun 12 Aug 19 Aug 13 Jun 20 Jun 15 Aug 22 Aug 17 Jun 24 Jun 22 Aug 29 Aug 20 Jun 27 Jun 26 Aug 2 Sep 27 Jun 4 Jun 29 Aug 5 Sep 1 Jul 8 Jul 5 Sep 12 Sep 4 Jul 11 Jul 9 Sep 16 Sep 11 Jul 18 Jul 12 Sep 19 Sep 15 Jul 22 Jul 19 Sep 26 Sep 18 Jul 25 Jul 26 Sep 3 Oct
Start Dubrovnik Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ 16 May 23 May 1 Aug 8 Aug 23 May 30 May 5 Aug 12 Aug 30 May 6 Jun 8 Aug 15 Aug 6 Jun 13 Jun 15 Aug 22 Aug 13 Jun 20 Jun 19 Aug 26 Aug 20 Jun 27 Jun 22 Aug 29 Aug 24 Jun 1 Jul 29 Aug 5 Sep 27 Jun 4 Jul 2 Sep 9 Sep 4 Jul 11 Jul 5 Sep 12 Sep 8 Jul 15 Jul 12 Sep 19 Sep 11 Jul 18 Jul 16 Sep 23 Sep 18 Jul 25 Jul 19 Sep 26 Sep 22 Jul 29 Jul 26 Sep 3 Oct 25 Jul 1 Aug 3 Oct 10 Oct
Zadar to Zadar 04. JUL - GARDEN FEST
11. JUL - ELECTRIC ELEPHANT 18. JUL - TISNO
25. JUL - SUNCEBEAT 01. AUG - STOP MAKING SENSE
Zadar to Split 08. AUG - SOUNDWAVE
8 day croatia sailing8 day croatia sailing8 day croatia sailing
Split to Zadar
Zadar to Zadar
Zadar to Split
Zadar to Zadar 04. JUL - GARDEN FEST
11. JUL - ELECTRIC ELEPHANT 18. JUL - TISNO
25. JUL - SUNCEBEAT 01. AUG - STOP MAKING SENSE
Zadar to Split 08. AUG - SOUNDWAVE
8 day croatia sailing
Explore a select few of the Dalmatian coast’s 1,185 dazzling islands, including the secluded bays away from the main tourist spots, try our One-Way Sail. Choose from ‘Split to Dubrovnik’ or ‘Dubrovnik to Split’ for maximum exposure to Croatian life and its people. One-Way Sailing was pioneered by Busabout along with the assistance of our local Croatian Captains, who continue to make this one of the best sailing trips in the Adriatic.
HIGHLIGHTS H English-speaking Busabout Guide H Anchor up and jump off the boat into
the Adriatic H Live the celebrity life in Hvar up close H Sip cocktails at the top of a 14th Century
tower – Korcula H Wine tasting on the Stari Grad plain H Hike to a pirate fortress for panoramic views
of Dalmatia H Captain the Pirate Cruiser sailing along
the Dalmatian coast H Party till dawn in a Croatian cave bar H Scale the city walls of Dubrovnik –
‘Game of Thrones’
FREE TIME Explore the islands at your own pace, or join in with one of our optional extras. Full details from your Busabout Guide. • Captain’s Dinner • Traditional BBQ dinner • Traditional peka dinner and wine tasting
in Starigrad • Bike hire in the National Parks • Sunbaking and swimming in secluded bays
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • English-speaking Busabout Guide • 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches • Island orientation walks • Orientation tours of Split and Dubrovnik • Boat captain and crew • Bedding on the boats (bring a towel and your
swimming cossie) • 1 litre of drinking water per person per day
Accommodation Standard twin-share accommodation with shared facilities Accommodation upgrade Upgrades available see cabin options on p.32 Departure point & time Split Harbour, 1pm (check-in 11am) Gruz Harbour, Dubrovnik, 1pm (check-in 11am) Return time Split/Dubrovnik, 5pm. Overnight on the boat. Disembark by 9am the following day Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees (SPLIT to DUBROVNIK) Day 1: Split to Omis Sail to Pucisca on the island of Brac where we’ll visit the world famous stonemason’s school. Our final stop is the pirate town of Omis to see the fortress. (L) Day 2: To Makarska One of Croatia’s most beautiful towns, set on the Croatian Riviera. Great local food, the best sunsets and rave in a cave ‘til late. (B, L) Day 3: Stari Grad (Hvar) To the island of Hvar with a swim stop at Golden Horn beach, before stopping at Stari Grad for some wine tasting. (B, L) Day 4: Hvar Spend the whole day exploring the island, through lavender fields, olive groves and secluded beaches. Kiva Bar with Tequila Boom Booms. (B, L) Day 5: To Korcula Explore the beautiful, historic streets of Marco Polo’s birthplace. Enjoy a cocktail from the top of a 14th Century tower. (B, L) Day 6: To Sipan A morning swim, then it’s time to explore Mljet National Park. BBQ and party night. (B, L) Day 7: To Dubrovnik Set sail to Dubrovnik with maximum time to explore this picturesque town. Time to party your last night away. (B, L) Day 8: Dubrovnik Say goodbye to your new friends after breakfast. (B)
Routes may change due to local conditions. (B = breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner)
*Per person price - based on standard below deck twin share accommodation. Prices vary depending on cabin class and departure date. Taxes - Port Tax €20 paid on Day 1 (based on exchange rate at time of print). www.busabout.com for full details.
*Per person price - based on standard below deck twin share accommodation. Prices vary depending on cabin class and departure date. Taxes - Port Tax €20 paid on Day 1 (based on exchange rate at time of print). www.busabout.com for full details.
FROM ¤949PP*
CROATIA ONE-WAY AT BUSABOUT.COM CRUISE TO THE BEAT AT BUSABOUT.COM
8 DAYS from ¤649pp* (Trip ¤629 + Taxes ¤20 approx.) Students from ¤629pp* (Trip ¤609 + Taxes ¤20 approx.)
One-way Sail Split – Dubrovnik Omis, Makarska, Hvar, Korcula & Sipan
Continue travelling by connecting with the options below. Split – link to 7 Day Bohemian Trek (p.47) 8 Day Ottoman Trek (p.49) Split – link to†
Hop-on Hop-off (p.8-23) †Connect by local ferry.
1
S T A R I G R A D
O M I S
K O R C U L AH V A R
D U B R O V N I K
S I P A N
S P L I T 1
11
1
1
1 No. of overnight stays
To Experience Croatia music fest Download the free
LAYAR app
Hold the phone over the page & scan
Start Þ Finish Þ 23 Apr 2 May
ADULT ¤1,019
* Per person price based on multi-share. (B=breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner). Routes may change due to local conditions.
Start Þ Finish Þ 23 Apr 26 Apr
ADULT ¤419
Fethiye – link to* 7 Day Turkey Cappadocia Adventure (p.39) Dalaman airport coach transfer single ¤39/return ¤59*
*See www.busabout.com for details
K A L K A N K A S
S A M A N L I K B A Y S M U G G L E R S C O V E
S T N I C H O L A S I S L A N D
G O K K A Y A
1 1
P A M U K K A L E
S A K L I K E N T G O R G E
E P H E S U S
B E R G A M A
T R O Y G A L L I P O L I
I S T A N B U L
T U R K EY
1
F E T H I Y E
3
2
3
Fethiye – link to* 7 Day Turkey Cappadocia Adventure (p.39) Dalaman airport coach transfer single ¤39/return ¤59*
*See www.busabout.com for details
TRIP DETAILS INCLUSIONS • All transport with your fantastic Busabout Guide • 3 nights accommodation, 3 breakfasts • Local guide for ANZAC Day • Busabout’s own Complete ANZAC day dawn
service via live link and big screen at our campsite. Anzac peninsula tour.
• Busabout Anzac souvenir
Accommodation 3 night tent twin share Departure point & time Sultan Hostel Istanbul, 8am Trip ends Sultan Hostel, 4pm Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Days 1-3: As per Anzac 10 day Days 4: Trip ends 4pm * Price per person based on multi-share.
Set sail on the famous Blue Cruise, along Turkey’s magnificent Turquoise Coast on board a traditional Gulet. It’s pure escapism, the ultimate relaxing holiday. Swim every day in the crystal clear azure waters of the Mediterranean. Visit ancient ruins of sunken cities. Party on island hideaways such as Smugglers Cove and lap up the genuine hospitality of your crew as they bestow the freshest, tastiest food upon you. Then there are the sunsets – deep purple, orange and red. Throw in some friends, a cocktail or two, a bed on deck and you have yourself a cruise to remember.
HIGHLIGHTS H Set sail on a traditional Turkish Gulet sail boat H The friendliest local crew H Overnight in secluded bay moorings H Eat the freshest seafood H Swim at Ölüdeniz blue lagoon H Explore Kekova’s sunken city H Wonder Kalkan’s cobbled streets H Be mesmerised by Butterfly Valley,
a Mediterranean Fjord H Party at Smugglers Cove pirate island nightclub H Sit back and enjoy stunning sunsets
FREE TIME Chill out, explore or join one of our optional extras. Full details from your Busabout Guide. • St. Nicholas Island • Simena Castle • The Butterfly Valley walk • Patara beach
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • The friendliest local crew • 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts & dinners,
6 lunches • Afternoon tea and coffee • Snorkels/masks/flippers/fishing lines/board games
Accommodation Triple, double and twin ensuite cabins (allocated on arrival) Departure point & time Fethiye harbour, 6pm (check in from 4pm) Trip ends Fethiye harbour, 9am Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Day 1: Fethiye to Samanlik Bay Set sail to explore the 12 islands in the gulf of Fethiye. Get to know your fellow sailors over a few drinks and dinner at sunset. (D) Day 2: Samanlik Bay to St Nicholas Island Breakfast in a secluded bay then Butterfly Valley and Ölüdeniz (the Blue Lagoon) for a swim. Tonight we explore St Nicholas Island and the ruins of a Byzantine settlement. (B, L, D) Day 3: St Nicholas Island to Kas To Yesilkoy for a swim in a quiet bay surrounded by olive groves. On to Kas, the pearl of the Mediterranean. We depart for Limanagzi Bay for a swim and dinner. (B, L, D) Day 4: Kas to Smugglers Cove We visit Simena, a traditional fishing village with an impressive castle. We moor up at Ucagiz Bay with its natural amphitheatre and Lycian tomb. Tonight we party on the pirate island of Smugglers Cove. (B, L, D) Day 5: Smugglers Cove to Gokkaya Snorkel the pirates cave. Kekova is home to the sunken city so we’ll explore near Gokkaya. We moor in Snail’s Valley, hidden out of sight and with fantastic sunsets. (B, L, D) Day 6: Gokkaya to Kalkan A short cruise to Bayindir Limani for a swim. Then on to Kalkan, a picturesque little town with cobbled streets. Optional day trip to Patara beach. (B, L, D) Day 7: Kalkan to Fethiye We moor up in Camli Barun for breakfast then sail to Batikkaya Bay for sunbathing and swimming. Return to Fethiye for our exclusive Turkish evening. (B, L, D) Day 8: Fethiye Check out after breakfast. (B)
Travel from the bustling energy of Istanbul to the shimmering calm of the Mediterranean Sea. Our first stop is to honour the proud ANZACs at Gallipoli, before exploring some of the most breathtaking sites Turkey has to offer. Finish with a beautiful, relaxing sail around the 12 islands of the stunning Turquoise Coast.
HIGHLIGHTS H Tour Gallipoli battlefields and Anzac cove H Visit the historic sites of Troy and
Pergamum settlements H Discover the ancient City of Ephesus H Stay in a treehouse in Saklikent Gorge H Bathe in Pamukkale limestone pools H Cruise the 12 islands on board our exclusive
Gullet sail boat
FREE TIME Take time out with one of our Optional Extras. Full details from your Guide. • Ephesus historical site • Rafting and mud bath in Saklikent Gorge • Turkish bath in Selcuk
This trip will fall on the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign. This short tour gives you a great chance to both honour the proud ANZACs at Gallipoli, and experience the beautiful Anzac cove and the buzz of ANZAC day at Gallipoli.
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • Your fantastic Busabout Guide • 9 nights accommodation • 9 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 2 lunches on board the Gulet • Local guide for ANZAC Day • Busabout’s own Complete ANZAC day dawn
service via live link and big screen at our campsite. • Anzac peninsula tour • Troy and Pergamum entrance fees • Busabout Anzac souvenir
Accommodation 2 nights motel, 3 nights tent twin share tent with airbed – Gallipoli, 1 night treehouse/guesthouse, 3 night ensuite cabins on-board Gulet. All multi-share Departure point & time Sultan Hostel Istanbul, 8am Trip ends Fethiye resort, after breakfast Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Day 1: Istanbul to Gallipoli We drive down to Gallipoli and into Busabout’s Anzac camp. It’s off on the peninsula tour around all the major sights such as the famous Anzac cove. Day 2: Gallipoli Busabout Camp Get an expert opinion on the Anzac landings from our guest speaker. After lunch we’ll organise some big games of football. (B) Day 3: Gallipoli Busabout camp The dawn service, via live link will continue until 11am. Tonight we’ll organise a post- Anzac party. (B) Day 4: Gallipoli to Ephesus Today is full of historic marvels from Antiquity. To top off the day, we finish in Ephesus at our Aegean oasis. (B) Day 5: Ephesus & Kusadasi Attack the sights early! Explore the extensive remains of an ancient Roman city the 25,000 seat coliseum, or the Curetes Way. We return in the afternoon to our oasis for some relaxing around the pool before enjoying great Turkish food. (B) Day 6: Ephesus to Saklikent This morning we head to Pammukale and the limestone pools. Here you have the option to bathe in ancient waters and see the impressive white rock formations. (B) Day 7: Saklikent to Fethiye Wake up to a burst of nature atop the tree line in your own little treehouse. We’ll spend the morning wallowing in the cool natural environment of the gorge before setting off to the coast and our 12 islands sail. (B, D) Day 8: Aegean Sail Blue cruise sailing today through pristine waters, Cleopatra’s baths and loads of swimming, hiking islands and relaxing. (B, L, D) Day 9: Aegean Sail Early morning swim followed by a stop at the striking pine surrounded cove, Sarsala Bay. Tonight we enjoy our final night in Fethiye. (B, L, D) Day 10: Fethiye Check out after breakfast or continue with us on a Turkey Cappadocia Adventure. (B)
TURKISH GULET BOATS These ultimate sail boats were built to meet the wishes of their cruising passengers. They have large communal areas to relax and chill on, both front and aft decks, and are all covered with sail linen to protect you from the sun. All the cabins are ensuite and spacious, but the big attraction are the beds on deck, allowing you and your friends to sleep under the stars.
Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ 2 May 9 May 1 Aug 8 Aug 9 May 16 May 8 Aug 15 Aug 16 May 23 May 15 Aug 22 Aug 23 May 30 May 22 Aug 29 Aug 30 May 6 Jun 29 Aug 5 Sep 6 Jun 13 Jun 5 Sep 12 Sep 13 Jun 20 Jun 12 Sep 19 Sep 20 Jun 27 Jun 19 Sep 26 Sep 27 Jun 4 Jul 26 Sep 3 Oct 4 Jul 11 Jul 3 Oct 10 Oct 11 Jul 18 Jul 10 Oct 17 Oct 18 Jul 25 Jul 17 Oct 24 Oct 25 Jul 1 Aug
LOW SEASON ADULT ¤439 MID SEASON ADULT ¤579 HIGH SEASON ADULT ¤719
* Per person price based on multi-share. (B=breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner). Routes may change due to local conditions.PAGE 36 PAGE 37
ANZAC TURKEY AT BUSABOUT.COM TURKEY SAIL AT BUSABOUT.COM
Anzac Adventure Sail
Fethiye, Kekova’s Sunken City, Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, Kas & Kalkan
10 DAYS ¤1,019pp* 4 DAYS ¤419pp*
ANZAC 100th anniversary, Ephesus, Saklikent treehouse & 3 night Turkey Gulet sail
ANZAC Turkey Istanbul – Istanbul
Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ 9 May 16 May 1 Aug 8 Aug 23 May 30 May 8 Aug 15 Aug 6 Jun 13 Jun 15 Aug 22 Aug 20 Jun 27 Jun 22 Aug 29 Aug 4 Jul 11 Jul 29 Aug 5 Sep 11 Jul 18 Jul 12 Sep 19 Sep 18 Jul 25 Jul 26 Sep 3 Oct 25 Jul 1 Aug 10 Oct 17 Oct
* Per person price based on multi-share. (B=breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner). Routes may change due to local conditions.
Turkey’s Mediterranean coast boasts the best WOW places you could ever imagine. From the resurrected palaces of great empires, to eye opening wonders of nature, this adventure encompasses the best of Turkey. You’ll taste the history, drink in all its past glory and when it’s done, dip your toe in the Mediterranean’s soothing waters on our 3 night 12 island cruise. Combine this trip with our Turkey Cappadocia Adventure leaving Fethiye Saturday.
HIGHLIGHTS H Tour Gallipoli battlefields and ANZAC peninsula H Visit the historic sights of Troy and
Pergamum settlements H Discover the ancient City of Ephesus H Stay in a treehouse in Saklikent Gorge H Bathe in Pamukkale limestone pools H Set sail on a traditional Turkish Gulet sail boat H Explore Fethiye, the hub of the Mediterranean H Party in Kusadasi top clubs
FREE TIME Chill out, explore or join one of our optional extras. Full details from your Busabout Guide. • Ephesus historical site • Rafting and mud bath in Saklikent Gorge • Turkish Hamam, Fethiye • Pamukkale historic site • BBQ dinner
Start Þ Finish Þ Start Þ Finish Þ 2 May 8 May 8 Aug 14 Aug 16 May 22 May 15 Aug 21 Aug 30 May 5 Jun 22 Aug 28 Aug 13 Jun 19 Jun 29 Aug 4 Sep 27 Jun 3 Jul 5 Sep 11 Sep 11 Jul 17 Jul 19 Sep 25 Sep 18 Jul 24 Jul 3 Oct 9 Oct 25 Jul 31 Jul 17 Oct 23 Oct 1 Aug 7 Aug
* Per person price based on multi-share. (B=breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner).
Travel along the Mediterranean coast, from the traveller’s Shangri-la, Olympos to Cappadocia. This trip will immerse you in Turkish culture, show you underground cities and fairy chimneys – all set in dream like surroundings. It culminates in the buzzing city of Istanbul.
HIGHLIGHTS H Chill out at Olympos beach and treehouse H Explore the spiritual home of Turkey – Konya H Discover Sultanhani – the original
roadside motel H Uncover Cappadocia’s underground cities,
dreamlike landscapes and valley walks H Marvel at Ataturk’s memorial – Ankara
FREE TIME Chill out, explore or join one of our optional extras. Full details from your Busabout Guide. • Whirling dervishes Turkish night • Olympos fishing trip • Explore Istanbul’s fragrant spice markets
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • Your fantastic Busabout Guide • 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners,
2 lunches • Gallipoli tour • Troy and Pergamum entrance fees
Accommodation 1 night hostel, 2 nights motel, 1 night treehouse, 3 nights on-board our Gulet sail boat. All multi-share Accommodation upgrade ¤129pp double/twin room Departure point & time Sultan Hostel, Istanbul, 7am Return time Fethiye resort, after breakfast Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Day 1: Istanbul to Gallipoli We head to Gallipoli and visit the peninsula on a half day tour to learn about the brave ANZACs of 1915. Day 2: Gallipoli to Ephesus We visit Troy and learn about legends such as Achilles and Homer’s heroes. On to Pergamum and its amazing acropolis then our overnight oasis at Ephesus. (B) Day 3: Ephesus Free day to explore Ephesus or kick back around the oasis pool. Ephesus is the best preserved classical city in Turkey. Check out the local carpet makers. (B) Day 4: Ephesus to Saklikent Gorge On to Pamukkale and its stunning limestone baths and hill top coliseum. It’s then the natural wonder of Saklikent Gorge. Overnight in a treehouse. (B) Day 5: To Saklikent Gorge to Fethiye Day in the gorge with rafting followed by a mud bath. Hike the gorge and enjoy a nice lunch before heading to the Mediterranean coast and our 1st night on-board the Gulet sail boat. (B, D) Day 6: Aegean Sail Blue cruise sailing today through pristine waters, Cleopatra’s baths and loads of swimming, hiking islands and relaxing. (B, L, D) Day 7: Aegean Sail Early morning swim followed by a stop at the striking pine surrounded cove, Sarsala Bay. Tonight we enjoy our final night in Fethiye. (B, L, D) Day 8: To Fethiye Check out after breakfast or continue with us on a Turkey Cappadocia Adventure. (B)
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY INCLUSIONS • Your fantastic Busabout Guide • 6 nights accommodation, 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners • Zelve open air museum • Underground city entrance and tour • Mevtana Konya & Sultanhani entrance fees • Pottery making display • 2 guided valley walks
Accommodation 1 night hostel, 3 nights boutique cave, 2 nights tree house. All multi-share Accommodation upgrade ¤139pp double/twin room Departure point & time Fethiye resort, 10am Return time Sultan Hostel, Istanbul, after breakfast Pre/post accommodation Book through MyTrip with no booking fees Day 1: Fethiye to Olympos beach We travel the Med coast to Kas for lunch and a swim, then on to Olympos and our treehouse escape. After dinner, we hit the bars for some revelry. (D) Day 2: Olympos beach Take a walk through the lush valley, past Lycian ruins to the hidden beach of Olympos. Later, board the Olympos fishing trip to an island for swimming, fishing and eating. (B, D) Day 3: Olympos beach to Cappadocia We head inland, through dreamlike landscapes, st

2015 busabout europe brochure €eur

Documents