Sunday 31 August 2008 - Antwerp, Belgium
You know the way we like to kick it off by now - a bit of parking, a bit of paperwork, a bit of a speech and then it's out of the traps and on to the ferry to Calais. Addicted to tradition and progress in equal measure, Belgium can often seem both boring and more than a little bit mad, but in the places they get it right they set an example the rest of "Old Europe" could do well to follow. A liberal, forward thinking city steeped in baroque architecture - your parents know Antwerp for its diamonds and chocolate, you will come to know it for some of the dirtiest night-life in northern Europe.
Monday 1 September 2008 - Interlaken, Switzerland
Does Switzerland really hate drivers? There's only one way to find out. We're not going to pretend that Interlaken is some massive rave capital with an Amstel tap on every washbasin, but it's definitely one of the most picturesque sites we've visited with the event and everyone should wake up to 'That View' at least once in their life. There's still plenty to do for those teams dedicated to hitting it 24/7, but with 8 to 10 hours of driving to get through on Day 3 we would advise taking in the Alpine views over a few quiet beers rather than pulling an all-nighter. Having said that, you ARE meant to be on holiday...
Tuesday 2 September 2008 - Jesolo, Italy
There's something for everyone today as we go from snow to surf in a few short hours, if by "a few" you mean "many" and "short" you mean "oh-my-god-i-should've-gone-to-ibiza". The hardcore drivers will no doubt be busting a nut over tackling the now legendary Stelvio Pass, recently decreed by HRH Jeremy Clarkson to be the best driving road in the world, while others will be saving themselves to test Jesolo's reputation as the party capital of Italy. Whatever your priority, the evening of Day 3 has traditionally always gone off in a big way, and with many of Jesolo's beach side bars and clubs open until dawn we see no reason to doubt that theme will continue this year - bring it on.
Wednesday 3 September 2008 - Ljubljana, Slovenia
Everyone hits the wall on Day 4 so don't feel too embarrassed about it. Luckily it's only a short and very pleasant jaunt up the road to Ljubljana, which means the wussy ones can stay in bed while the rest can take their time to explore this often ignored corner of Europe. Slovenia has been part of pretty much every country in Europe at some point, but rather than turning the place in to a lobotomised Germany (like Austria), we're left with an unassumingly charming nation and people who are just as comfortable tearing it up as they are chilling out.
Thursday 4 / Friday 5 September 2008 - Medulin, Croatia
In 2006 Croatia played host to the close of the first and last Student Gumball Rally, for better or for worse indelibly marking the minds of those involved forever. Greeted initially by police escorts and baton charges yet waved off home as local heroes, it really was a fittingly bizarre end to the most bizarre of adventures. This time round we're finishing on the Medulin riviera, a fishing village turned tourist resort on the Istrian peninsula. The whole area is stunning and you'll get to experience the best of it first hand as the SBA sets up camp for the final two nights. Golden sands, turquoise waters... more than you'd get in Grimsby that's for sure.
Not having to get up and drive anywhere on Day 6 will be a sin to some and a savior to others, but it gives everyone a bit of rest and recuperation before one more final fling in the evening to celebrate all the things that are best in life. With dawn arrives the end of the event but not necessarily the end of the adventure, as home will still be a long way away for most. Stick around for a few days soaking up the atmosphere, ditch your ride and fly home to lick your wounds or head onwards with your new best friends in a bid to continue the carnage - whatever you do next is entirely up to you, but rest assured that the experience of completing the Student Brake Away 2008 will stay with you forever. Bon voyage!
