European Expedition Program

European Expedition Program

Location
Multiple Locations +8
  • Italy
    • Rome
  • Croatia
    • Dubrovnik
  • Netherlands
    • Amsterdam
  • Norway
    • Bergen
  • Austria
    • Salzburg
  • Slovenia
  • Czech Republic
    • Prague
  • Germany
    • Berlin
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Program Tags
Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning
Merit-based funding, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
Backpacking City Exploring Hiking
Timeframe
Fall
Housing
Guesthouse Hostel Hotel
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
22

Pricing

Starting Price
26500
Price Details
Our programs are priced in Euro.
Program fees include all travel withing Europe, all accommodation, all breakfasts, most lunches and 5 group dinners weekly.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Equipment Some Meals Park Fees SIM cards Tour Guide Transportation Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Irish Gap Year provides 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners weekly, allowing students 2 ‘free-dinners’ weekly.
Entry fees for parks, sites, museums and activities.

Fully insured and certified activity and transport providers.

What's Not Included
Airfare Some Equipment Some Meals
What's Not Included (Extra)

International flights to Dublin and from Rome.
Individual travel insurance.
Some dinners and lunches.
General spending money.

Apr 29, 2026
Nov 22, 2025
43 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Our European Expedition Program is a bold and eye-opening journey across Europe by rail and sea that will expand your perspective through exposure to the continent’s cultural and historical heritage blended with a mix of outdoor adventure in some of the world’s most iconic locations. You will travel from Northern Norway to the Adriatic Sea with incredible stops along the way on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

The program is designed to develop students travel IQ, cultural awareness, confidence and independence through the four cornerstones of Experiential Learning, Outdoor Adventure, Cultural Exchange and Immersive Travel.

If you are seeking a structured group program that combines adventure, culture, history and travel through Europe’s most iconic cities, this is the perfect fit for you today!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a dynamic mix of city and nature exploration across Europe, fostering independence and personal growth.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

We welcome students from all walks of life and backrounds and have hosted many BIPOC students on our programs.
We welcome students from all walks of life and backrounds and have hosted many LGBTQIA+ students over the years. Ireland and Europe in general are quite progressive with regards to LGBTQIA+ policy, lifestyle and support. Irish Gap Year provides support to our LGBTQIA+ students to help them feel secure and safe during their time with us.

Impact 🌎

Irish Gap Year is a Carbon Negative Company, meaning we remove more C02 from the amosphere through our ecological volunteering than we create as an organization (including student flights to Europe).

Irish Gap Year Director, Ryan Allen is the Chair of the Gap Year Association's Sustainability Commitee and created the Association's Climate Action Plan in 2023.

Program Highlights

  • Inter-Rail through Europe’s favourite cities Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Prague, Dubrovnik, Copenhagen, Oslo, Florence and Venice – A classic rite of passage for any young traveler to Europe.
  • Kayak and hike in Norway's fjords, staying in hikers cabins under the Northern Lights
  • Live on a boat in the Adriatic Sea while exploring the history and culture of the Dalmatian Islands
  • Enjoy a broad and diverse range of amazing European and Scandinavian cuisine
  • Thrift-Shop your way through Amsterdam, Berlin, Oslo, Copenhagen and many other funky European cities!

Program Reviews

4.44 Rating
based on 25 reviews
  • 5 rating 44%
  • 4 rating 56%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.05
  • Support 4.25
  • Fun 4.35
  • Value 4.5
  • Safety 4.75
Showing 1 - 8 of 25 reviews
Ruby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IGY Experience

Everyone who went on this trip was so different from each other yet we all ended up so close and had so much fun together. Everyone on this trip has changed and grown so much and the idea of going back to real life feels more foreign than staying in Europe. It was also more fun than I could’ve imagined. Being on the move was an incredibly cool change from normal life although a very exhausting experience. We’re all going to sleep for a year after this trip. I also can barely remember what it’s like to talk to anyone outside of this group of people. It was a good length because I am ready to go home but wasn’t a week or two ago.

What would you improve about this program?
More independence for the students. Letting us pick what activities to do or allowing some to split off and do their own thing more often would be way better.
Pros
  • Traveling and seeing new things
  • Personal growth
  • So much fun
Cons
  • Trapped in the same group for the entire time
  • Never can fully choose what you do and who you do it with
49 people found this review helpful.
Hannah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IGY European Expedition Program

The European Expedition program was overall a great experience. I went to so many new places, met new people, and tried a lot of new food. If you feel stuck in your life at home, if you like pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, or traveling, this program is for you. I’ve done so much here that I never thought I would be able to do, and that’s pretty cool. Getting the opportunity to leave America and go to upwards of 6 different countries is one I will always be grateful for, and I will remember this trip forever. This kind of travel is very taxing, if you do not think you are physically or mentally able to sustain this, do not go on the trip.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
An entire fish with eyes, bones, and skin, in Croatia.
Pros
  • Accommodation, travel, most activities and meals are covered
Cons
  • You are truly with the people in your program all the time, be prepared to get sick of people from time to time
45 people found this review helpful.
Robert
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Eurotrip (watch the movie from 2004)

Irish Gap Year is pretty chill, you should like, join it or something. Ok but more seriously we get to travel around Europe from Norway to Germany, Prague, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, The Netherlands, (in that order).

Super duper fun, yeah you know absolutely no one going into it, but you come out of it with new friends and lifelong experiences (very corny but it’s lwk true, and you haven’t been on this trip (yet) so you can say I’m wrong).

You get to travel Europe!!! That’s awesome!! Actual once in a lifetime opportunity, do it while you’re young and full of energy, all the clubs are worth spending the night having a gas and dancing 💃 🕺 And by clubs I mean book clubs and nothing else 😁🤞 (Also if you manage to bring your special someone on this trip you’re secured for life they won’t ever forget it)

What was your funniest moment?
Jumping off the top of a boat into the Croatian sea (20ft drop)
Pros
  • Boat long week trip!!! (Holy grammar)
  • Got to meet new people, cheesy but I would get waterboarded if I didn’t mention them
  • The scenery!! Oml I bought a Polaroid 100 Land camera for €69 (hehe nice) in Berlin, and took 2,634 photos (not real number but very close to it)
Cons
  • Homesick ☹️
  • eSIM is annoying
  • Boring leaders say we can’t break curfew so they’re basically the fun police
55 people found this review helpful.
Ian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

European Expedition

This was a great experience and my favorite cities were Italy and the Sailing trip. The food was also amazing from each city and my favorite was Germany. The best events were Paragliding, Oktoberfest, and the Therme Erding water park in Munich. The trip was a great time and it did not disappoint. The only thing that I didn’t like was that it went by too fast and that it ended too soon. This trip also taught me a lot through the challenges that I faced and all the hard times that went with it. Overall it was a great experience and I would recommend to anyone looking for a year before college.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Paragliding was the most nerve-racking moment because it was hard to overcome the fear of jumping off a mountain. I did it because I knew I would enjoy the moment and I did.
Pros
  • The food
  • Accommodations
  • The activities
Cons
  • Curfew being too early
  • Rooms were a little cramped
53 people found this review helpful.
Annie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IGY 2025

Great sights and amazing experiences! Found an amazing group of lifelong friends! Overcame fears and challenges while having an incredible once in a lifetime experience! This trip was extremely challenging for my not-so-active self but overall I have persevered and overcame difficult obstacles that I wouldn’t have ever thought I could overcome. Proved to me how strong I can really be with amazing people by my side. Sad to be leaving my amazing fellow gappers but so grateful to have met such amazing people.

53 people found this review helpful.
Olivia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IGY

This trip was truly a life changing experience. The connections between the people and the relationship and community formed was truly a one of a kind experience that i don’t think could be replicated in any other way. Although challenging in many ways this program helped me develop and grow as a person and overall helped me become a more well rounded and skilled individual. I think this program would be perfect for any newly graduate who isn’t too sure about what they want to do or where they want to go but knows they have a lot to provide.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for a future gapper, would to spend every single second of the trip living in the moment because you'll look back and wish you could've done more. don't be afraid to try things that scare you, wether it's jumping off a sauna in norway or it's zip lining in germany. something will scare you every step of the way but it's worth every moment. Be kind to yourself and those around you because these people will become people you'll love and cherish for the rest of your life, the type of bond you get with them is different from any other. a quote that i read during this trip that really stuck with me was "bravery is the same feeling as fear." and i think ill carry that with me everywhere i go.
59 people found this review helpful.
Nathaniel
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year European Expedition

I had a great time on this trip. I think it is amazing how many countries and cities we were able to get to in a relatively short amount of time. I had some great experiences from paragliding to the biggest water park in Europe and the biggest climbing gym in Europe. I think the beginning fjord kayaking trip was a great bonding experience as well. The quality of museums we were to throughout was also amazing. Overall I had a great time and I would definitely suggest it to someone who wants to explore Europe and get a lot of new experiences.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve racking moment was standing on the side of a mountain waiting to paraglide and watching my friends go before me.
Pros
  • People
  • Nature experience
  • Food
Cons
  • Curfew
50 people found this review helpful.
matthew
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A journey among other things

This program has been very eye-opening towards a new perspective that I have trust and a lot of other struggles that I don’t really talk about but it is nice to know that there’s other people out there who wanna take stuff off like me and also see the world for a different set of backgrounds and that we can all connect on a certain level to trust each other enough to live with each other for three months and have some amazing memories leaders I really don’t see any other leaders that I can imagine being this good. They were the perfect fit a missing piece to the puzzle and made sure that I was always happy and well even though there were some low points. I really don’t see why the idea of a gap here is not approved by a lot because, in my time in Europe with this group, I’ve both felt grown with maturity and like being able to notice changes in mood and make sure I can avoid that next time I can manage myself a lot better and I feel like I’m a lot happier coming out of this than I was going into it. I was nervous and scared, and now I’m sad that we’re leaving, but I’m also happy that it happened.

What was your funniest moment?
funniest moment was probably Oslo and second day before rules were in stated that we couldn’t be on bikes and stuff. I almost rode into Canal and then we went to dinner and we bought like fake gold chains and rolled up in a bunch of them, it was hilarious. It was like immediately we bonded together as a group and it was amazing.
Pros
  • happy
  • great friendships
  • great leaders
Cons
  • too short of time
  • missing home
  • the memories are gonna hurt once i leave
116 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers