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 9 - 16 of 25 reviews
Maeve
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IGY Europe expedition

This program is really good for people wanting to gain independence and unique life experiences before going to college. It’s a great option for young people who want to travel but don’t have experience planning a trip on their own. My favorite part was definitely the social aspect, getting to know everyone in the group and experiencing everything together. Some of my highlights from the trip were Berlin, rock climbing in Innsbruck, the fall weather in Ljubljana, and the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam.

Pros
  • Having everything pre-booked
Cons
  • Curfew
89 people found this review helpful.
Kaleb
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Igy 2024

I had the most incredible experience with the European expedition. From the very first day, it was clear that this program was designed to provide a truly immersive and transformative experience. The itinerary covered a rich variety of countries, from vibrant cities like Prague and berlin to the charming, lesser-known villages tucked away in the countryside. The program balanced cultural exploration with personal development perfectly. I had the opportunity to learn about local histories, and try new activities. Each destination offered something unique, and the structured group activities helped me connect with fellow participants from all over the world, creating lifelong friendships.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is try everything. Especially all the activities go into them with an open mind and try to have the best time possible. This is a once in a lifetime experience so make the most out of it.
Pros
  • A good amount of independence.
  • Every place we have stayed has been relatively nice and comfortable.
  • It has a big variety of activities.
Cons
  • The travels days can be long and stressful
  • Getting sick of the people around you because you’re always with them
  • The tours of cities can be long and boring
84 people found this review helpful.
Alex
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish Gap Year European Expedition Fall 2024

This trip was 100% worth it. I knew I wanted to travel lots of various countries throughout Europe but also with it being my first time traveling without my parents I knew I needed some support with that. I was able to learn so much and have lots of unique experiences I wouldn’t ever thought I would have. I loved the sailing adventure around Dalmatian islands aswell as Zell Am See Austria and Kayaking in Norway. I got to experience some of the most beautiful places which is another reason why I wanted to go on this adventure. When we are in the cities taking public transportation was a must. I found learning how to navigate throughout the cities and between countries is another super valuable skill I learned while on this adventure

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Taking photos of the glaciers and incredible Austrian alps while suspended over the mountain side when were in Zell am See Austria.
Pros
  • Independence
  • Global Knowledge
  • Meeting lots of new people
Cons
  • Only had a few days in each country
96 people found this review helpful.
Peter
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish gap year European expedition program

I really enjoyed my time with Irish gap year on their European expedition program. There was such a large array of different places to see and foods to eat. Each day is structured to get you up and going in the morning so that you can experience everything that your surrounding area has to offer. There is also a good deal of free time, and space for taking a break from the fast paced life of this program. It is also very helpful that any time you need to step back from the group and take a mental health day for any reason, you are able to do so with no questions asked.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve racking moment was the start to our kayaking trip in the Norwegian fjords. I have never camped ever in my life before and it was pouring rain. We had to put our life for the week from our bags into these little dry bags so that they would fit in the kayaks. It was an adventure far outside my comfort zone, but once we started paddling, and I realized that I had nothing to worry about.
86 people found this review helpful.
Chris
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IGY review

The European expedition was a very interesting and beneficial experience. There were certainly a few things I would change but overall it was incredibly nice to be able to travel Europe with other people in a way that I wouldn't know how to do on my own. If you'd like to explore Europe, particularly its cities, with a group, I'd definitely recommend this program. My highlights were Berlin (all of it), La Machine Fissa: a beautiful reading retreat in Northern Italy, and Bled a beautiful town in the mountains of Slovenia

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Ate intestines in Italy. Would not recommend
Pros
  • Meals and accommodations are planned ahead for you
  • Theres a good mix of free time and things planned for you
  • There's always people around you to fall back on
Cons
  • There's a curfew and drink regulations
  • It can be hard to plan things on your own
  • There's not much alone time
89 people found this review helpful.
Eitan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Irish gap year European expedition

The Irish Gap Year European Expedition offers an extraordinary experience that combines adventure, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Participants have the opportunity to explore diverse European destinations while forming lasting friendships and enhancing their independence. The program’s focus on experiential learning allows individuals to develop valuable skills, broaden their perspectives, and create unforgettable memories. Highly recommend this expedition for anyone looking to enrich their travel experience and embrace new challenges!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfemilier thing I ate was definitely squirrel It was chewy and tasted a little like chicken
Pros
  • New!! I tried new things and enjoyed it
  • Exposing myself to new cultures
  • Meeting new people
Cons
  • Hard to be away from home for three months
  • Ups and downs with relationships in group
  • Physically hard
85 people found this review helpful.
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An awesome opportunity to grow

This program challenged me in new ways that allowed me to grow as an individual. I learned how to communicate in new ways. I learned how to be a good explorer. I learned more about myself than ever. It came with its challenges, it’s a small group of strangers all there for their own reasons but we all grew together and individually.

This program has you constantly on the move. There is not time to really settle down anywhere we go but there are certainly places that feel like home along the way. Every place we go has something to enjoy and experience making the constant travel well worth.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate intestines in a small city in Italy… or at least I tried to.
Pros
  • Accommodations and Travel is well-handled and organized by the group leaders.
  • Many activities covered by the cost of the program.
  • Forces you outside of your comfort zone and pushes your mind to grow.
Cons
  • The weather isn’t always sunshine and rainbows- come prepared with good rain and cold gear as well as clothes for warmer weather.
  • Not every single meal is covered, breakfast and dinner are most days but lunch and at least one dinner out of the week are not.
  • You cannot go out and enjoy the nightlife of the cities… at least not past curfew which is around 11.
91 people found this review helpful.
Molly
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Igy review

I learned a lot on this trip! In the last three months I have made so many memories and have learned so much about myself. It was also a great way to see a lot of European countries in a short time. The social scene was pretty good. We all got along. Every group has its ups and downs and we had ours but overall it could have gone much worse. I enjoyed exploring the cities personally for then the nature but this program is great for people who like cities and who like nature because we explore both.

What was your funniest moment?
When I sang firework in the kayak in Norway
Pros
  • Fun
  • Makes new friends
  • Helps you learn a lot about yourself and the world in a short time
Cons
  • Draining
  • Social pressure
  • Getting tired of the people in your group
73 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers