ROUND-THE-WORLD TRIPS SEE SURGE IN POPULARITY

Round the world trips had a surge in popularity in 2007, with youth and budget travel experts, STA Travel seeing a growth of 10% in bookings.  Those looking to plan their gap year for 2008, should book with STA Travel before
9 March for savings on flights of up to £135 and a wide range of discounted tours and trips.

Classic itineraries including stops in Australia and South East Asia continue to be the top choice of round-the- world travellers, but last year also saw a rise in the number of people choosing to include more unusual destinations in their trips, with Kathmandu and the Pacific Islands, now becoming increasingly accessible and popular.  

STA Travel has selected three examples of round the world itineraries with discounted tours. 

1. London–Melbourne-LA-New York-London from £899 including tax with Qantas saving £135.

Book by 9 March for UK departure between 16 April and 15 June 2008  to see some of the world’s most exciting cities and save up to £135 on a round theworld ticket with Qantas and STA Travel.

While you’re on the ground, take advantage of some great offers on tours and trips:

· Book a 10 day rock ‘n’ top tour taking in all the sights of the Northern Territory from £565 per person and get a free quad biking adventure at King’s Creek.

· Book a 15 day reef and rainforest adventure exploring the delights of Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, the Whitsunday Islands and Cape Tribulation from £955 per person and get a free day trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

· Book a 25 day Grand Aussie tour discovering Australia’s East coast and Northern Territory from £1,450 per person and get a free four wheel drive tour of Fraser Island.

· Get £100 off selected tours of America, including a 21 day tour starting in LA and taking in San Fransisco, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas now from £870 per person.

2. UK- LA – Fiji – Christchurch-Auckland –Vanuatu-Auckland-Sydney-Hong Kong-UK from £1,270 including tax with Virgin Atlantic, Singapore and Air New Zealand

With Air New Zealand now serving more Pacific Islands, including New Caledonia and Vanuatu, round-the-world travellers can explore these island paradises as part of their trip. Book by 9 March and take advantage of some great savings on tours and trips in the Southern Hemisphere.

· Explore New Zealand at your leisure with 30% off any hop on hop off bus pass which covers both North and South Islands from £160 per person.

· Take one, two or three mates with you on selected tours of Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada and get up to 15% off.  Book by 9 March for travel until 31 December. 

3. UK - Delhi - overland - Kathmandu - Singapore - Perth - overland - Sydney - Auckland - LA - overland - Miami – London from £1,129 including tax with Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines and Silk Air

With the political situation in Kathmandu becoming more stable, more travellers are choosing to include Nepal in their round-the-world itineraries.

· Travel overland from Delhi over the Nepalese border to Kathmandu by train and jeep.  Visit the birthplace of Buddha and the Chitwan National Park before spending two days in Kathmandu.  The 15 day trip, which has been reduced by £50 to £440, includes all transport, accommodation and some meals.

Book by 9 March and travel by 31 December 2008 to take advantage of these savings.

More Information

For press enquiries please contact Tiggy Dean and Emma Hill at Hill & Dean PR on 020 8875 9923
 
STA Travel has over 25 years experience in student, budget and independent travel. They offer a unique range of flights, accommodation, adventures and expeditions in 90 countries. They send over 6 million passengers away each year and now have over 400 branches worldwide.