race across europe 2028
9 countries | 15 Days | 1 finish line
ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
RACE ACROSS EUROPE 2028
9 countries. 15 days. One extraordinary race across Europe.
St Nicholas Catholic High School is launching a completely different kind of expedition for summer 2028.
Starting in London and finishing in Istanbul, teams will race across nine countries using trains, buses, boats and on foot - taking on challenges, managing budgets, navigating unfamiliar places and making decisions together as the journey unfolds.
There'll be mountains, rivers, camps, cities, cultural challenges and plenty they won't know about until they're already on the road.
This is Race Across Europe.
WHY race across europe?
THE JOURNEY IS THE ADVENTURE
This isn't a sightseeing tour with a competition bolted onto it.
Teams will need to work out routes, manage time and money, make good decisions and respond when things don't quite go to plan. Along the way they'll take on major adventure stages, local missions, and challenges that reveal more of the places they're travelling through.
The journey begins with plenty of support. As confidence grows, so does the responsibility.
From the Swiss Alps and the Adriatic coast to the cities and landscapes of Eastern Europe, every stage brings something different - before the final race across Istanbul and the Bosphorus, from Europe into Asia.
London → Paris → Switzerland → Italy → Slovenia → Croatia → Serbia → Bulgaria → Türkiye
PARENT & STUDENT INFORMATION EVENING
Come and discover Race Across Europe
Tuesday 13th October 2026 | 6.30pm
St Nicholas Catholic High School
Meet the team from Bolder, who will take you through the expedition, explain how the race works, show you the route and adventure stages, and talk through supervision, safety, preparation, costs and what's included.
There'll also be plenty of time for questions.
There's no obligation to commit on the night. Come along, find out more and then discuss the opportunity together as a family.
FAQs
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Yes, although not simply a race to get from A to B as quickly as possible. This is more about judgement and teamwork, than speed.
Teams earn points throughout the journey through challenges, missions, navigation, teamwork, good decision-making and how effectively they manage resources such as time and budgets.
Some stages will be competitive. Others are about completing a challenge well. And sometimes the smartest decision will matter more than being the fastest.
The competition runs through the whole expedition, with the final result only decided at the end.
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More as the expedition progresses.
One of the ideas at the heart of Race Across Europe is giving students meaningful responsibility for their own journey. They'll navigate, manage budgets, make decisions and organise themselves as a team.
That responsibility develops gradually and sits within a professionally managed operating framework, with school staff and experienced Bolder leaders providing supervision and support throughout.
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Race Across Europe is carefully planned and fully risk assessed, backed by Bolder's industry-leading safety management system.
Detailed operating plans sit behind every stage of the journey, including transport, accommodation, activities, communications, checkpoints, medical support and contingency arrangements. Bolder leaders, school staff and experienced local partners provide support throughout the expedition.
Bolder also holds the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge, recognising the quality of our learning experiences and risk management.
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Teams will be supported by St Nicholas staff and experienced Bolder expedition leaders.
The precise staffing structure will depend on final student numbers, but Bolder provides overall expedition leadership and coordination across the event, alongside the staff travelling with and supporting individual teams.
Full details will be explained at the Parent & Student Information Evening.
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Students don't need to be experienced travellers, campers or mountaineers.
They do need to be enthusiastic, prepared to get involved and willing to contribute to their team.
There will be long days, unfamiliar places, physical challenges, camping and moments when plans don't work perfectly first time. Students will be supported and prepared for these experiences – but embracing some challenge is very much part of the adventure.
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Yes.
The build-up is part of the experience. Students will get to know their teammates and prepare for the practical demands of Race Across Europe, including travel, kit, teamwork, navigation and expedition life.
This is all part of the preparation phase before departure with the Bolder team.
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Some meals will be arranged as part of the programme. At other points, teams will be responsible for managing a food budget, shopping and feeding themselves.
Again, that's deliberate.
Working out how to eat well, keep everyone happy and manage limited resources over a long journey is another small but important part of the challenge.
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A reasonable level of fitness will help students enjoy the expedition.
The programme includes walking with packs, camping, adventure activities and a significant Alpine stage. Nobody needs to be an elite athlete, but students should be prepared for active days and spending plenty of time on their feet.
There is lots of time before 2028, and Bolder will provide guidance and preparation ahead of departure.
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That's partly what makes Race Across Europe interesting.
Delayed transport, weather and changing circumstances are realities of travelling independently, and teams may sometimes need to rethink a plan or make a different decision.
Behind the scenes, Bolder monitors the journey and operates clear communications, tracking and contingency systems. Students get the experience of solving problems themselves, while the wider expedition remains professionally supported and managed.
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The programme price covers the core expedition arrangements, including international travel, transport during the expedition, accommodation, planned activities, Bolder expedition leadership, local specialist support and travel insurance for the trip itself (though cancellation cover is not included).
A full breakdown of what's included, together with the staged payment plan, will be available at launch.
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Entry requirements can change between now and departure in 2028 and can also depend on nationality.
Bolder will provide guidance to families during the preparation process but Parents and carers should also check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice to ensure passports meet the relevant requirements.
Students travelling on passports other than British passports may have different entry requirements.
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Yes. This is a flight-inclusive expedition and is financially protected through Bolder's ATOL arrangements.
Full details are provided within Bolder's Booking Conditions and the booking information supplied to families.
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It will change throughout the journey.
Students can expect a mixture of hostels, simple group accommodation and camping, chosen to suit each stage of the route.
That's deliberate. Race Across Europe isn't about staying in the same style of accommodation every night – adapting to different places and ways of travelling is part of the experience.
“This experience... influenced my career choices and my view of the
future of conservation and education in South Africa. I wish that every
student, globally, could be involved in an expedition like this.”