Tag Archives: barcelona

And the 10,000th booker of 2011 is….

13 Oct

Last night, more than 80 student travelers joined Bus2alps for our celebration of our 10,000th passenger of 2011. Osteria Il Gatto e La Volpe was the place to be, with good food, great company, and awesome giveaways! To celebrate our record-breaking booking, we awarded the 10,000th customer a Golden Ticket for free travel! Congratulations to Karletha Jordan, who hit the milestone when she booked her trip from Florence to Budapest! Karletha attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is spending her fall semester studying abroad in Florence through Lorenzo de’ Medici.

With the Golden Ticket, Karletha receives a full refund on her trip to Budapest, free travel on any Bus2alps trip for the rest of the year, and her choice of a weeklong ski trip with Bus2alps America or a European Spring Break trip in 2012! In response to this prize, Karletha said, “I am very excited and thankful for Bus2alps for making it possible to travel in Europe for free.  I am so excited.  I love all the trips.  You guys do an amazing job, you set it up so it is laid back and fun and you can do things on your own time so I never feel rushed.  I love the atmosphere and your energy. I just love you guys and I’m glad i get to do my traveling with Bus2alps.”

While there was only one Golden Ticket winner, we didn’t end the celebration there. Students left the party with t-shirts, free dinner vouchers, and even free trips toInterlaken, Prague, and Vienna & Salzburg Plus we awarded the 10 finalists in the Golden Ticket running 20% off vouchers for any trip. It was a celebration of epic proportions, and we loved catching up with friends from past trips and meeting future travelers. If you thought this party was big, stay tuned when we hit 20,000 next year.

Jon Fauver, CEO of Bus2alps, in regards to the big milestone said,” Reaching the 10,000 mark yesterday is proof that we are on the right course. Bus2alps started by pioneering a new way for students to travel around Europe, and we are committed to maintaining our high standards and staying the leader in the market. Studying abroad can be one of the most influential parts of an undergraduate education, and Bus2alps makes sure students get the best experience possible during their time in Europe.  We have big plans for the future and are excited about our expanded trip schedule and departure cities for 2012.”

Thank you to the 10,000 friends who have made this year an unparalleled success. We look forward to the thousands more memories to come!

Week in Review

3 Oct

In case you were concerned, Oktoberfest 2011 survived Bus2alps! Bus2alps had one last awesome weekend in Munich for the closing weekend of Oktoberfest. Bus2alps took to over the festival yet again, where everyone sported their lederhosen and dirndls for some beers, Bavarian food, and dancing!

This past weekend, Bus2alps led an amazing trip to The French Riviera. We saw every luxury car and yacht you could think of and students got to step into the world of the rich and famous at the Monte Carlo Casino. The views from Castle Hill and The Exotic Gardens were breathtaking and everyone definitely found an appreciation for what a special and beautiful place the French Riviera truly is.

Afro Jack hit up Rome this past Saturday night where thousands of students from all over Italy joined  the Romans in getting their groove on well through the night. It was a sweet concert for everybody to enjoy.

This past week, Barcelona has been celebrating the end of summer and welcoming in the autumn season with La Merce Festival. The streets were filled with parades, events, and the thrilling fire runs (Correfoc) where people bring hats, protective glasses, and thick long sleeved clothing to protect themselves from the parade’s spraying fire and flying sparklers. Other fun events in Barcelona included the Bus2alps running group along with the first cooking class! Unlimited tapas, sangria, and paella for all of those who attended made for one delicious evening with new friends.

Just because Oktoberfest and Afrojack are over, does not mean Bus2Festival is. It is time to get our hands and feet ready for our next wave of big events, Above & Beyond / Sensation White in Barcelona, and LMFAO in Paris.

Why I can’t get enough of Europe

22 Sep

This blog entry was written by Allison Baldwin.

My eyes are tired.  No, it’s not because I was pumping my first at Twice last night…or from attempting to run up to the Piazza Michelangelo this morning…

My eyes are tired from looking at so many gorgeous places.  It really is a beautiful problem to have.  People ask me all the time what my favorite trip is…assuming I must have one.  That answer changes by the hour, even the minute sometimes.  How can I choose between skydiving in the Swiss Alps, and cliff jumping in Positano?  I forgot for a second about island hopping in Croatia…andddd relaxing in the French Riviera.  Crap, maybe I can’t pick one today.  Because come to think of it- I really do love going to Greece.

One of the best secrets that Europe has lately is Croatia.  Everyone knows about the beaches in Amalfi and Cinque Terre (rightfully so…they are unbelievable), but how many of your friends have ever been to Croatia?  The beaches in Croatia range everywhere from stone to sand.  There is whitewater rafting, island hopping, a bar crawl, beach time…I’m not sure what else you could want.  The weather is starting to change here in Florence, and while it’s nice to not have back sweat at all times, escaping to the beach for a few days doesn’t sound awful.

Another place that I insist that everyone Czech out this semester is Prague.  But really, Prague is unlike any other city that I have ever been to.  If you appreciate the architecture in Florence, then going to Prague is a necessity.  There is a gothic feel to it, and suffered considerably less damage from World War II than other major European cities so its’ history is preserved in the architecture.  There is a lot to do, from going to the exquisite Prague castle, to the historic St. Charles Bridge, to taking pictures at the legendary John Lennon Wall.  Most people who come to Europe get a chance to check out Western Europe, but why not check out Eastern Europe as well?  If you needed another reason, the beer in Prague is some of the best in the world AND the food is great as well…please come Czech out Prague with me this semester.  Enough bad jokes.

There are seriously so many places to go this semester.  Studying abroad is a beautiful thing.  Your friends are in class in America, and you are kayaking in Croatia.  It is a difficult task to select your trips this semester, but it is more fun picking out countries to visit, than picking out what to watch on TV at home.  Obviously at Bus2alps, we LOVE to travel, and we could talk about these destinations until next Wednesday if someone would let us, so let us help you.  Croatia, Prague, Interlaken, French Riviera…so many places, so little time.  Our lives are great and we are all lucky human beings, so let’s make the most out of this semester.  Well, I have to go pack, because I am going to Amalfi tonight.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Week in Review – September 19

19 Sep

Bus2alps has had yet another fun and exciting week. We kicked off the opening weekend of Oktoberfest in Munich! We are pretty sure Munich now knows Bus2alps is here, and we are coming bigger every other weekend. Guests were able to spend Friday in Munich, taking part in a super fun bike tour of the city before hitting up the beer tents for the opening day of the festival on Saturday. If Central Europe wasn’t enough, Bus2alps also invaded Eastern Europe, with trips to Prague and Croatia. Croatia got a pleasant surprise when a group of Bus2alpers conquered the rapids of the Cetina River, and injected even more life into the already vibrant Split nightlife. The Czechs was no more prepared for our group of adventurer seekers taking over the fairytale world of Prague by way of New Europe Walking Tour and the famous Clock Tower Pub Crawl. Oh, and we can’t forget those who cliff-jumped in Amalfi or ate authentic pizza in Naples. Thanks for coming out everyone. Now, what happened back at home?

This past week Bus2alps Barcelona rocked the house with a ‘Welcome Party’ for  200 international students just arriving for the Fall 2011 semester. This typical BCN fiesta blared dance music late into the night, and awarded Taylor of Cal Tech with a FREE trip to Paris. Bus2alps is really excited for Taylor and her friends to have an amazing time in Paris with us! If you are looking for alternatives to Barcelona’s vibrant nightlife, the Bus2alps running club still meets every week, and soon will begin our cooking classes, where you will learn how to make homemade Sangria and Paella. YUM!

Don’t let Barcelona fool you, the Italians know how to have just as much fun. The week in Florence was highlighted with Dollar Night at Lion’s Fountain, 2 for 1 Tuesday at Astor, and the GRAND Opening of YAB’s Wednesday University night. On Wednesday, there was a free coffee give away sponsored by Bus2alps at Mama’s Bakery. People all over Florence could come in to get free cappucinos and delicious American style bagels.

Over in Rome, tourist season is winding down, the locals are returning to the city, and the concert scene is lighting up. Get ready for Afrojack and Fleet Foxes, both of which the Bus2alps Rome crew are organizing some fun groups to go and enjoy the live music. As always, people all over Rome are not only excited about being there, but also excited about upcoming trips to Oktoberfest, Croatia, and Amalfi Coast.

First Week in Review Fall 2011

13 Sep

The past week with Bus2alps can be summed up in one simple phrase: FUN in the SUN. With clear blue skies, temps in the 90s, and friends by our sides, perfect for our first major weekend of trips and events!

Sunshine met over 250 Bus2alps guests in the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Naples, and for the thousands more studying in Florence, Rome, and Barcelona. The wonderful weather made our boat tours around Capri and off the coast of Positano, our visit to the Blue Grotto, and our day on the beach all the more incredible. The trip was capped off on the rooftop of Seven where a Bus2alps guest beat an Italian in a dance off!

On Saturday morning, a group of students departed Rome to spend the day exploring the historic city of Naples. Many headed to L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, made famous by the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Why not? Naples is the birthplace of pizza. Sunday was spent in Cinque Terre, a place many of our guests considering it one of the most beautiful places they had ever seen. It was nice to get out in the wilderness, get some physical activity, and then relax on the beach.

Over in Spain, Bus2alps Barcelona kicked off the new school year with big time events in the Catalan capital. B2A BCN took advantage of the lingering summer sun with a big beach volleyball outing, starting up a running team, and organizing a bike tour of the city.

This past Sunday also kicked off the NFL season. Bus2alps gathered at Astor Café (Florence) and George Payne’s (Barcelona) to celebrate the NFL season not being locked out. Free trips were given away to Ireland and Oktoberfest for those who could pick the most winners of the NFL Football games.

So now that everyone has a good tan and amazing pictures to show off to their friends and family back home, Bus2alps is really excited to keep it going! We’ll be leading trips back to Amalfi Coast this upcoming weekend, along with a trip to the beautiful beaches of Croatia and the energetic bier tents of Oktoberfest. See you on the bus!

5 Tips for a Successful Travel Semester

6 Sep

You’re all embarking on your semester in Europe and rumor has it Europe is an extremely easy place to get around. Maybe you have heard the same and chose to study abroad in Europe for this exact reason. Here are some travel tips we at Bus2alps use when studying or traveling abroad that will help you to better take advantage of cheap and easy ways to explore your new backyard.

1) Book early - Many airlines, tour companies, and trains release ridiculously cheap fares months in advance. If you plan ahead you can reap the benefits of cheaper deals. In addition, many tours, flights, and trains fill up quickly, especially on popular weekends like Oktoberfest. Don’t live vicariously through your friend’s photos of Prague- get out there and take your own!

2) Go where you want - As a social society, it is natural to want to be with a group of your close friends. However, not all your friends or roommates are interested in traveling to the same places or on the same dates as you. Don’t let this deter you from going to a destination you truly desire! If the idea of navigating Europe solo freaks you out, join a group tour. Venturing out on your own gives you the opportunity to meet friends you may never have met otherwise, while sharing the beauty of the French Riviera or Paris.

3) Always travel with your original passport - If you have left your study abroad country yet, you have realized the sad truth that since the European Union became so friendly, the days of stacking up stamps in your passport are over. That being said, you still ALWAYS need your original passport for border crossings. Do not get stuck at the border because you thought a copy would suffice.

4) Get outside the norm - Surely Europe has the definitive destinations you must visit while here. How could four months in Europe be complete without visiting at least one or two of its major cities, like Paris, Amsterdam, London, or Barcelona? Of course you should check these out, but keep in mind the less visited destinations like Budapest or Croatia, which offer incredible experiences at a fraction of the cost.

5) Money, money, money - Whether your budget is big or small, keep in mind that you are already in Europe; the most expensive part of the trip, the flight from the United States, has already been covered. As your time abroad winds down, you may be crunched for cash. Don’t let this deter you from checking out one or two more destinations you truly want to visit! You may not think you have that extra 200 euro to spend now, but keep in mind it will cost you over $1,000 to fly back at a future date. Take advantage of exploring Europe while you’re here!

Check out our premium partner SkyWork Airlines!

29 Jun

For all of our new followers, have a look at our preferred partner Sky Work Airlines to hop around Europe when you can’t get their on the bus 2 alps.

This summer Bus2Alps takes to the skies, with our partner SkyWork Airlines to provide package deals including flights direct to Interlaken, Switzerland (well almost, Bern is as close as it is possible to fly to without owning your own plane..).

SkyWork Airlines, flies direct from destinations all over Europe into Bern Belp Airport, only a short thirty minute trip to Interlaken. Now all the activities of Interlaken,  adventure sports, lakes, hiking and the majestic Swiss Alps are only a few hours away from anywhere in Europe.

SkyWork connects Interlaken with Barcelona, Madrid, London, Rome, among other study locations.  Airport check-in and check-out is fast and efficient. Flights with SkyWork include 20kg baggage allowance and personal iPads on board to keep you occupied on your short trip to Interlaken with a round of Snood.

Make sure you get the most out of your long weekend in Interlaken, spend more time enjoying the Alps and less time getting to and from the airport, waiting for luggage and checking in.

Bus2Alps weekend getaways to Interlaken, Switzerland for Winter 2011 – 2012 departing from London and Barcelona are coming soon.

Check out SkyWork airlines here.

Get on the SkyWork2Alps!

Travel Tip of the Week: Summer’s for getting around!

8 Jun

Take advantage of more frequest transportation options due to the summer tourist season and get to far away destinations like Barcelona and the Greek Islands.

It is the heat of the summer, and Europe is being invaded by throngs of map-wielding and bikini clad tourists. Sure this is the cause for the bottleneck traffic in Florence’ Piazza del Duomo, and makes for navigating through the Roman Forum that much more stressful. As the backpacker and weekend tourist influx grows, Europe’s extensive travel network opens up to the outlying locales like Greece, Barcelona, Portugal, the Baltics, the Balkans, and Sicily. Of course, it is still logical to hop on overnight buses and trains if you are traveling within Central Europe, with travel times on buses and trains comparable to the timely process of air travel (getting to the airport, check-in, etc). However, far-reaching cities like Athens and Lisbon that may take 16 – 24+ hours to reach overnight in the spring, winter, and fall months, are now reached in a fraction of the time by newly opened flight routes, and high speed ferry connections.

In the low-season it may be in vogue to hop a plodding 20+ hour bus, or overnight ferry to reach places like Barcelona, Lisbon, Ibiza, Mallorca, Sicily, and Corsica with some coin in your pocket. I don’t blame you as I would be standing at the ticket window with you. However, discount and national airlines cash-in on the tourism boom by opening up more frequent flights, and allowing greater flexibility for arrival times, and leave more money in your pocket. For trips to cities on the Iberian Peninsula (Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Lagos) and the nearby islands of Ibiza and Mallorca, frequent flight routes with TAP Portugal, Spainair, Vueling, RyanAir, Iberia, EasyJet, Air Europa, and other major national carriers provide dozens of daily flights allowing you to find the best deal. Wikipedia does a fantastic job of laying out all of Europe’s discount airlines. Keep in mind that the bulk of many of these airlines flight patterns are designated for the busy summer months only. Want some posh beaches closer to Central Europe and without the pick pockets of Barcelona? Have a look at the French Riviera!

For much of the year it is difficult and costly to reach the stunning white houses of Greek Islands Santorini and Mykonos. These iconic Greek Islands are only accessible via Athens in the low-season. Alas, the summer provides numerous flights at modest prices, providing an alternative to the 24+ hour ferry trip to the Greek mainland or having to pay an exorbitant price to fly from other major cities. Even places like the Corfu (home to the world famous Pink Palace) have frequent discount flights arriving through airlines like EasyJet, getting you there in a third of the time as the ferry). Of course if you are traveling in the spring, winter, and fall, the ferry becomes the ideal option as flight prices to Athens skyrocket and become very infrequent, as again, I will be in line right next to you, buying my overnight ferry ticket to Corfu and The Pink Palace.

For direct flights to Athens, Mykonos, Heraklion, and Santorini check out Aegean Airlines, Olympic Airlines, EasyJet, as well as the national carrier of the country you are in (i.e. in Italy check our fares with Alitalia). Once in Athens, freshly opened high-speed summer ferries connect you to the further reaches of the Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands in 4 to 8 hours. These new ferry routes sail many times a day, allowing maximum flexibility to check out Ancient Athens, and still see the white and blue houses of Greece. If you are staying in Athens, we recommend checking out Athenstyle and Easy Athens. For Santorini Hotels, check out Hotel Antonia and Villa Alizea. For Greece ferry timetable, head here. Do you want to get to some incredible beaches off the beaten path beaches, but want to be able to get there by bus or train? Why don’t you take a look at Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, the up and coming beach destination in Mediterranean.

Sure the summer months may ratchet up the stress level, with long lines for museums, and trying moments trying to negotiate a place a stay. But summer is also the time to take advantage of the opportunities of more flexible and readily available transportation options. Get out there and enjoy, because the summertime is for getting around in Europe!


Riding out our new bus

4 May

To cap off our most successful semester ever, Bus2alps has rolled out our new wheels, launching the first ever Bus2alps branded bus. In collaboration with our Florence transportation and bus partner, Alterini, we will now be riding to top destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and Interlaken, on one of the hottest rides around.

To mark this historic occasion, the Bus2alps team hit the beach in Viareggio for some team bonding. After an incredible night of barbecuing and rehashing all the awesome people we have met this semester, we boarded the Bus2alps Branded Bus for our triumphant return to Florence. Once in Florence, we unloaded at Piazzale Michelangelo, the best viewpoint of Florence, for pictures overlooking Italy’s most iconic Renaissance city, followed by a joy ride through the city.

The new Bus2alps branded bus boasts 55 seats with spacious leg room, 3 plasma screen televisions, personal air and volume controls, personal tray and cup holders, enhanced reclining control, and a sleek design. The bus has been described by those on the maiden voyage as having “similar comforts of an airplane.”

“This is an incredible moment in the history of Bus2alps,” says Bus2alps founder Simon O’Keefe. “It has been quite a journey to watch Bus2alps start as a small operator, to a company that provides discounted group travel for thousands of students every semester. Our first-ever bus marks how far Bus2alps has come.”

Keep an eye out for the stunning new Bus2alps Branded Airplane on Wheels as we ride with hundreds of guests to Europe’s top destinations.

Weekend in Review – April 4

4 Apr

We have officially finished our month of spring break trips and are going into the second half of semester trips. This weekend we went out strong with trips running to Munich, Budapest, the French Riviera, and of course the final half of the last Northern Loop. Between the Dark Beer festival in Germany, to caving in Hungary, to lounging on the beach in the South of France, students went all out this past weekend.

First up is the last leg of the Northern Loop. We just wrapped up the last of our Northern Loop spring break trips which means that spring break season is now officially over! Good thing we went out with a bang! This last Northern Loop to Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris was complete with walking tours of every city, nights out, group dinners, delicious food, plenty of photo-worthy moments, and memories to last a lifetime! With students from Rome, Florence, and Siena all in attendance, everybody managed to make a few new friends from other study-abroad cities. Mother nature was certainly on our side too as we enjoyed 70-degree weather in Paris for the final days of our trip. It was a great trip and an even better ending to the most successful spring break month Bus2alps has ever had!

To kick off the first weekend in April we celebrated in Munich. Just a couple weeks before Springfest, the Starkbierfest, or Dark Beer Festival for us foreigners, made sure it set the bar pretty high. We began with an exciting tour around the city and the gardens with Frankie’s Bike Tours. This tour covered everything in just a few hours! The music, food, and drinks at the Lowenbraukeller really made for a great night after a beautiful day! Sunny and 70 degree weather made for a perfect weekend. Visits to Dachau, the BMW Museum, and the Zoo were the highlights of the trip. Saturday night was spent at the well-known Hofbrauhaus. Munich provided everyone with a wild party and a great taste of history. This clean and innovative city is a must see.

On the other side of the map our crew brought students to Budpest for an epic hungarian experience. The 3 hour private walking tour with our hungarian guide sparked everyone’s appetite for a weekend of indulgence in the history, culture and nightlife of Budapest. After a taste of St. Stephens Basilica, the Chain Bridge, Parliament, Castle Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion, and local cuisine, we headed to Great Market Hall for Langos, beer, and affordable shopping. While some people dove through the caves of Budapest (hard hat, head light, and all) other’s enjoyed a scenic dinner boat cruise down the Danube River. It is just as difficult to narrow down the options for wild nightlife in Budapest as it is to narrow down the sites to experience in the City Park. From bohemian hookah bars and wild dance clubs, to thermal bath houses and scenic walks to historical sites, it is easy to understand why students were sad to say goodbye to Budapest.

To round out the weekend we also headed to the beaches in the South of France. Kicking off the weekend with beautiful weather, on Friday we explored the gorgeous city of Nice, the Promenade des Anglais and hung out by the beach. It’s safe to say that everyone was mesmerized by Nice’s beauty. The rest of the weekend was spectacular. Activities included rubbing elbows with the elite of the elite in Monaco, smelling scents in the oldest perfume shop in the city and exploring the medieval coastal village of Antibes. With clear blue skies greeting us every morning we were definitely living the good life in the French Riviera.

 

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