When trying to decide where a 30th birthday would best be spent, many options came to mind.  I settled rather excitedly on Scotland, more specifically on Up Helly Aa, as it seemed like a top contender for guaranteed ridiculousness! Up Helly Aa happens to be Europe’s largest fire festival and takes place every January way up in the North of Scotland in Shetland. So basically the furthest north you can travel in the United Kingdom in the middle of winter for some crazy times with Vikings and fire!

The last Tuesday of January marks the official beginning of Up Helly Aa. Headed off by the Guizer Jarl (main Viking man) the Vikings set off for a 40 minute walk around Lerwick followed by 1000 men broken into smaller squads all bearing massive blazing torches. Eventually they all circle around the long ship in the city park and set it alight while chanting all things traditionally Viking. It was a very impressive site to see-you could just feel the heat coming off the torches from blocks away!

Once the longboat is burned everyone heads off to freshen up and go to the parties that run from 9pm until 9am the following morning! We were invited to the Town Hall and from there we got the chance to witness all the many squads performing their Up Helly Aa skits with traditional Scottish Folk music. Now I didn’t last till 9am- but it was one of the best trips ever, especially for a birthday celebration!

Take advantage of our 2 for 1 specials! From April to June, we have three very exciting European adventures aboard the MS Expedition. Experience all the diversity, wildlife, and history that the Atlantic has to offer!

Explore the Azores: A perfect way to experience the sparkling blue coastlines and spectacular volcanic vistas that characterize the nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  NOW only $2,150 was $4,300. April 20 departure.

United Kingdom Heritage: Catch a glimpse of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England – the “Kingdoms” that distinguish the unique character of the United Kingdom.  NOW only $2,000 was $4,000. June 8 departure.

Celtic History Voyage: Cruise across the English Channel taking in modern and ancient history while visiting Ireland, Scotland, and France.  NOW only $2,450 was $4,900. June 17 departure.

Interested in booking? Call 800.777.0112.

Want more information? Download our brand new, full-color Europe brochure and check out page 77. Even better, visit an STA Travel Store and pick up your own copy.

Working for a travel company, it’s pretty difficult to impress us. From our marketing team to our Travel Experts, we’ve all traveled at least a little bit, so it takes a little more to catch our attention than your average weekend in London. When our product team came to us with this offer, we literally had people on our team ask for booking details.

This Friday (February 19) only, our Europe Express tour, which includes stops in Amsterdam, Prague, Munich, and Paris, is 50 percent off the regular price. That’s right, the nine-day Europe Express tour, which usually starts at $1,250 per person, is only $625 on Friday. Plus, you only have to put down a deposit on Friday, you don’t even have to shell out the full $625.

Here are the details of the tour:

Day 1: You’ll start (and end) in London and make your way across the water from England to France and then head further north to Amsterdam to take in all the city has to offer from the Van Gogh Museum to my personal favorite – FOAM.

Day 2: Make your way through the Rhine Valley to check out some ancient castles, vineyards and enjoy a group dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 3 and 4: Prague! Make sure to check out Frank Gehry’s Dancing House and the other cultural sights and sounds of this grand city. Prague is also one of the safest major cities in Europe, so you can take comfort in venturing out at night to the many pubs and eateries that the city is so famous for.

Day 5: Venture on to the Bavarian capital of Munich to take in some the city’s famous beer halls and giant pretzels. If you’re into modern theatre, consider checking out the Kammerspiele, which may be reinterpreting one of your favorite classics with some modern twists.

Day 6: Take a day to relax in the getaway city of Lucerne. Located in central Switzerland, it is surrounded by natural beauty.

Day 7 and 8: Ahh, Paris! It doesn’t matter if you like to eat, peruse the art galleries or just take in the city, Paris is an experience to be had by all. I recommend taking some time to check out some of the more distinct arrondissments like the 9th, which is home to Opéra Garnier.

Day 9: Back to London via ferry and back to the reality after an amazing European adventure.

Ready to book? Find the STA Travel Store nearest you or call 800.777.0112.

When I think of Spain and Portugal, I think of passion. Bright colors, great nightlife, beautiful art and cities that never sleep. If you’re into that sort of thing, check out one of our most lively tours – a seven-day jaunt around Spain with a stop in Lagos, Protugal.

Day 1 and 2: Ole! Start in Madrid and head to Granada, which has some of the most beautiful architecture you will ever lay eyes on. I’m not kidding – check out some of these pictures. Along the way, you’ll stop in the Imperial City of Toledo – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Your night ends with a live Flamenco show in the Sacromonte Caves.

Day 3: Head down the Costa del Sol to the southernmost tip of Europe – Tarifa. Make sure to check out the Castillo de Guzman – you can see Morocco from its towers.

Day 4 and 5: Make your way to the trendy country of Portugal where you’ll spend your time in Lagos. It is located in the popular Algarve region, this coastal town has some amazing white sand beaches where you can relax until the sun comes down and the party starts.

Day 6 and 7: Se-vi-lle, Se-ville – however you say it, this is one of the best spots in Spain to spend a night. The party kicks off at midnight and it’s usually hopping with plenty of students from the local Universities helping get the festivities going. After a crazy night in Seville, it’s back to Madrid.

This package starts at $799 for the seven-day tour including your accommodations and local transportation. If you’re a student, it starts at just $765.

Interested in booking? Visit your local STA Travel Store or call 800.777.0112.

Want more information? Download our brand new, full-color Europe brochure and check out page 77. Even better, visit an STA Travel Store and pick up your own copy.