• With Australia in lockdown, and famous Gap Year destinations like Thailand hurled onto the dreaded Red List for the foreseeable - the global right of passage for student travel has been thrown off course
• Youth Travel brand, Contiki, has cut through the traffic light system crap, to reveal the realistic Gap Year you can plan - and it is quite unusual 

London, 16 September: Red. Amber. Green. Double vaccinations. Quarantines. Universities across the UK should be offering a degree in travel rules some time soon.

As students embark on their University Fresher's adventure this month, those hoping to head off on a Gap Year adventure face a much more uncertain prospect. Travel rules and restrictions have thrown the traditional traveller's right of passage off course - leaving them less options to explore. Or even worse - continue to live with the parents. 

An estimated 250,000 students* in the UK head off for a Gap Year each year. With famous Gap Year haunts like Thailand, and Indonesia on the Red List, and Southern Hemisphere student travel meccas Australia and New Zealand still operating lockdowns - Youth Group Travel Brand Contiki, has revealed the GREEN LIST GAP YEAR.

Full moon parties in Koh Phangan, double seat sea swings on Ko Kut island, and surfing in Byron Bay are off the list. But Contiki has given fresh-faced travellers lots of hope, with the Green List destinations they can book and discover. And it's much better than a Sunday morning hangover in student halls….. Iceland, Germany, Austria, Croatia and Canada wouldn't be the textbook Gap Year, but all feature on the Green List and can be booked right now.

The Green List Gap Year is made even better by travelling with Contiki. After 18-months of time alone, missing friends - the benefits of exploring the world on a group tour are undeniable. Contiki only works with local experts on-the-ground in destinations around the world, which allows travellers to get a deeper understanding of local culture, make new friendships that will last a lifetime, and have plenty of fun-filled experiences that we all crave right now.

Donna Jeavons, Sales and Marketing Director at Contiki, said: 

“With thousands of students missing out on traditional Gap Year destinations right now, we wanted to inspire them, and give hope that there are still amazing parts of the world you can explore right now. Travel can be such an important life-enhancing experience for lots of people, both improving mental well-being and allowing people to become more open-minded and adaptable. This is particularly the case for 18-35s - and doing it as part of a group after such a difficult period for travel is even better.”

You can visit all five (which would take you a month and a half), or just the one. Here is the Green List Gap Year:

ICELAND (6 DAYS) NOVEMBER 2021

Starting in the soulful city of Reykjavik, this trip will have you widening your eyes at the best of Iceland's unique natural beauty. Along the way you'll witness erupting geysers & cascading waterfalls, marvel at volcanoes & glaciers and soak in the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal mineral wonder surrounded by steam and stars. And if that isn't enough, you'll even be able to watch the Northern Lights from your rooftop hot tub and sauna at a stylish family-run hostel perched peacefully in the Icelandic highlands. By the time it's over, you'll be floating home with a full camera reel and a lovestruck look plastered all over your face. 

Two unique experiences will also allow you to leave a positive mark on the country when you bid farewell. You can take part in a local reforestation program in the Haukadalur Valley by planting five trees that will reduce your carbon footprint, and visit an Icelandic Farm to learn about farm-to-table eating, and tase all the regional homemade specialities that make Iceland famous.  

AUSTRIA (9 DAYS) JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021

Eat, sleep, plough through powder, repeat. That's the name of the game for this week of play in the Austrian Alps of Tyrol. In the heart of the Austrian Alps, a place where all levels of boarders and skiers will be blessed by a wonderland of opportunities to shred. And every jam-packed day will be eased by the joy of crashing at an Austrian Gasthof including activities like a tandem paraglide, or just taking in the village vibe and sampling rosti, pork knuckle in-between sweet mountain runs.

Your accommodation will be more than just a place to stay! Nestled in the quaint Austrian Tyrol village of Hopfgarten, the gateway to one of the world's largest ski regions, Contiki's Haus Schöneck is a ski chalet with a twist. Our traditional property has had a modern-day facelift, complete with an on-site bar and sauna. Only 1.6km from the main gondola station, and our free ski shuttle service will have you on the slopes in 's-now' time.

GERMANY (7 DAYS) DECEMBER 2021 

Germany is famed as the home of Christmas, with some of the oldest and best Christmas markets in the world. With medieval squares lit up in fairy lights, traditional music, glühwein and roasted nuts filling the air, you'll be amazed by these enchanting winter wonderlands. From the old-world traditions of Nuremberg to the hidden gems of Stuttgart, you'll visit 6 different traditional Christmas Markets to get your fill of stollen, snowflakes and Yuletide magic. And if you're belly wasn't full enough, you can even learn to make traditional German Christmas cookies with a Lebkuchen baking masterclass. 

CROATIA (8 DAYS) MAY 2022

Sparkling seas, white sands, historical hotspots, Croatia is the Mediterranean jewel that has it all. And there's no better way to experience this paradise than by island hopping your way from the beach to the beautiful bay. From the ancient hamlets of Hvar island - the party capital - to the Venetian architecture of Korcula. You'll also head to Dubrovnik's iconic Old Town, doubled as the Kings Landing from Game of Thrones. Visitors can see the Red Keep, the House of the Undying and the setting of the Purple Wedding as well as dozens of other locations. We'll then cruise along the Adriatic on our very own traditional sailing boat, soaking up all those rays while we drift lazily under the cloudless skies. Bliss.

You can even sign up to the BBQ lunch to give back to locals whilst on your trip. Rizzo Sandwich Bar, a small, family owned café, follows a tradition that began in Naples, Italy, where if you have good luck, when purchasing a sandwich you can buy an extra 'sospeso' or suspended sandwich. A person in need can then enquire at the sandwich store and collect the sandwich. Any funds not used for sandwiches are donated to MOST, a not-for-profit dedicated to feeding the homeless in Split.

CANADA (18 DAYS) MAY 2022

Not many cities can claim to fuse big-city living with the great outdoors, but with its skyscrapers, beaches, forest and mountains, Vancouver has somehow nailed that perfect mix. We'll cruise along the glorious clifftop Sea to Sky Highway in search of Whistler. The rugged, handsome landscapes of Whistler are gorgeous all year long, from the ancient mountain peaks to the alpine hiking trails. And you can even stay in the Pangea Pod Hotel, an innovative pod with a lively ethos. Enjoy a craft beer in the 'living room' or a cocktail on the rooftop patio. Then there's no better way to start the day than with fresh air and fantastic views, so head to Montmorency Falls. If you're feeling adventurous, you can soar across the falls on a zipline which brings you even close to this magnificent, natural phenomenon. Then test your Popeye strength by canoeing along the River of Golden Dreams, or take a hike through scenery that puts most postcards to shame. If you're feeling lazy, take a gondola or a chairlift to the mountain tops, but don't forget to explore the village itself – you'll melt at its cuteness.

-Ends- 

 Notes to Editors 

 For more info on the Green List Gap Year please contact: press@ideafarmer.co.uk 

*An estimated 250,000 students in the UK head off for a Gap Year each year, according to TeachingAbroad.com