Europe Adventure 2014

05/01/2018

Rome and Sorrento

17/08/2016

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post!! All are welcome.

26/03/2016

Travelers... I hope that you had an amazing trip with us to Europe.. We are ready to launch our new trip and we have a recruitment meeting on Wednesday March 30th at 6:30pm in the Career Center... Please share with your family and friends. Reminder you get a repeat traveler discount from EF!

New Trips:

Cuba (March 2017)
http://www.eftours.com/1756015ND

Italy/Greece/Spain (June 2017) --- Only 2 spots left!!!
http://www.eftours.com/1613043AB

Costa Rica and Nicaragua (March 2018)
http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1851142EY

Portugal, Spain and Morocco (June 2018)
http://www.eftours.com/1808860AP

Expand your global awareness and experience new countries and cultures with EF Tours.

11/02/2016

Our EcoAdventure Travel Group Is Launching Our Newest Trips!

Join us for a Parent Informational Meeting on Wednesday March 30th at 6:30pm in the Career Center

Italy/Greece/Spain (June 2017) --- Only 6 spots left!!!
http://www.eftours.com/1613043AB

Cuba (March 2017)
http://www.eftours.com/1756015ND

Berlin, Prague, Krakow, Budapest, and Vienna (Fall 2017)
http://www.eftours.com/1809408SZ

Portugal, Spain and Morocco (June 2018)
http://www.eftours.com/1808860AP

*Trips are not school sponsored*

14/12/2015

Friends and Travelers.... We have 3 more days to fill our last 7 spots before they give them to another school! Please spread the word! All inclusive except lunch daily and gratuity!

http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1592429UV

10/12/2015

I have until 12/15 to fill the last 7 spots on Scotland link to sign up
http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1592429UV

The Britannia

26/03/2015

Hello Travelers... Here is a trip video I made! Enjoy... http://youtu.be/vTdk2J9pDlc

4 Countries, 34 Students, 6 Adults and Endless Fun and Adventure.. Enjoy our European Adventure October 2014 "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the C...

01/03/2015

You know how much travel changes life. Please think about hosting a French or Spanish Student for a few weeks this summer. Contact Kelly Gross at [email protected]

13/10/2014

My travel buddies. Thanks for all the amazing help!! Julie, Darlene, Sarah, Angelica and Joy!!!

13/10/2014

Another great tour!!! What we offer are "Taste Tours" it is our hopes that they will go back to where we have taken them and "Feast" as adults. We hope to have opened their minds and hearts to the world around them. Thank you for entrusting them to us!!!

11/10/2014

Big Ben ringing.

11/10/2014

Our last day

Our last day adventure in Europe began with a two hour bus ride out to the ancient city of Bath. Bath was discovered by the Romans two thousand years ago. Romans used the natural mineral water baths to relax and rejuvenate after conquests.

The baths were enjoyed by both the Romans and the Celts and evidence of both civilizations can be found in the ruins. The baths were dedicated to both the Celtic god Sul and the Roman god Minerva (goddess of healing). The town was originally called Aquae Sulis. The Romans had a process that included being rubbed by mineral oils and scrapped clean by slaves. They entered the cool pool, then the hot pool and enjoyed a leisurely meal afterwards.

After touring the ancient bath site, we enjoyed award winning Cornish pasties and took a walking tour of the historic city of Bath. The city had been used in the Middle Ages and had been visited by Elizabeth I, but did not grow much until Queen Anne visited in 1706. Her and her large entourage did not have enough lodging for themselves and their servants. so she ordered the town built to accommodate her visits. Bath was thought to have healing powers and Anne went there to cure her infertility. Anne eventually gave birth to ten children, although none of them survived her.

The town of Bath is studied by urban planners because it was the first planned community. With the exception of the medieval abbey, most of the buildings were completed in the early eighteenth century. Prospective homeowners would by the house, which was standard on the outside and then choose the inside based on what they could afford. By 1800, it had a population of 35,000 and by 1900, it had grown to 65,000. After our walking tour, we boarded the bus again and headed for Stonehenge.

Stonehenge was an ancient burial ground that dates as far back as 5,000 BC. Archeologists think it was built during two one hundred year periods. On the longest day of the year the sun lines up with one end of the monument and on the shortest day of the year, it lines up with the other end. Approximately 200 people may have been cremated here. Some of the interesting things about Stonehenge---the rocks were not local. They came from miles away, suggesting that Stonehenge was built for a large population of people who came from great distances. Also, the rocks at the top that were laid across horizontally, are not merely laid on top, but are tongue and groove, suggesting advanced carpentry skills.

After we walked around Stonehenge, we boarded our bus and headed back to London. Dinner was fish and chips. Fish and chips became popular in London during World War III, when the German blockade prevented Britain from importing food. Britons still had access to the sea and could grow potatoes easily.

We then took the subway to the London Eye. The London Eye looks like a ferris wheel from far away, but its a wheel of enclosed glass capsules that offer amazing views of the well lit city at night.

We returned to our hotel to pack for our flight out tomorrow.

10/10/2014

Day 10: Our day started with a coach ride into London from our hotel on the outskirts of the city, where we picked up our local tour guide, Kevin. He showed us the sights and led the tour in his beautiful British accent. We made our first stop at St Paul's cathedral, the magnificent 17th century Baroque church, where Prince Charles and Lady Diana were married. We drove through the financial district and stopped, where we got out and walked on the London bridge, that has a great view of the Tower Bridge, which is the most famous bridge in London. The London Bridge is quite normal in comparison. The tour guide led us in singing "London Bridge is Falling Down" and told us that the song is based on a fact in history when the Bridge was actually pulled down during a conflict.
On the bridge we could see much of the skyline of London and many of the high rise buildings. Many of the tall buildings are very modern in comparison to the view in Rome, where there are very few modern skyscrapers, and to Paris, where all of their tall buildings are located apart from the city center.
We enjoyed the beautiful weather today while we saw the sights which included the Millennium bridge, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, the House of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.
Our guide Kevin left a special treat for the end of our guided tour. He timed it just perfect to see the guards marching back to their barracks after the changing of the guards. We didn't have to wait for hours like some tourists do. We walked right up to a perfect spot to see the Queen's guards in their crisp uniforms with the tall back feathery hats.
Next we took the tube to the Tower of London where we ate lunch and took a tour of the Tower. The tower buildings have had many uses over the years; perhaps the most infamous was as a jail for political prisoners, not to mention two of Henry VIII's wives. The most famous exhibits at the Tower are the British Crown Jewels. We also got to see a special commemoration of the 100th year anniversary of WWI, which was memorialized by a display thousands of red porcelain poppies which covered the moat area that surrounds the fortress.
We then got in a bit of shopping at Leicester Square, before heading to an Indian food restaurant for dinner.
We had a great day, and are a bit sad to say that tomorrow is our last day before our flight home on Sunday. We look forward to going out of the city tomorrow to visit Bath and Stonehenge.

10/10/2014

Day 9---We left our Paris hotel at 6 am this morning and boarded the Eurostar for London. Most of the students used the train time to get more sleep and were elated when they woke up and saw signs in English. After leaving the train we boarded a charter bus and met our driver Kevin. He had mad skills and maneuvered the bus with precision around the small streets of London. What was really crazy was seeing the cars drive on the wrong side of the road. Apparently ancient Brits believed that the left was evil and so the would always show them your right side. In fact if kids were born left handed they would train them to be right handed.
As we made our way to our destination Matteo used the time to explain our day. The whole bus was so tired that when Matteo said that we were eating at Hummus Bros. for dinner we all thought that he we were eating homeless brothers.
Once we made it to our hotel we briefly dropped off our bags and headed back out into Croydon, a suburb or London, to find some lunch. The weather was crazy, it rained and then stopped repeatedly for about 45 minutes and then all the sudden the rain was gone. After lunch we made out way into the British underground, known by locals as the tube. This was quite the experience, we navigated what seemed like miles of different lines, in order to get to Trefalegar square and the National Gallery. Imagine trying to get 40 people all onto the same train during rush hour, believe it or not we were successful every time. We cut it close one time due to a gate malfunction so I stood in the door to prevent the doors from closing. The train conductor called me out over the loud speaker saying "Thanks you to the woman in back of the train holding the doors open you are delaying everyone else. Thank you for your selfish behavior".
While at the National Gallery we were able to see many masterpieces such as Vangoph Sunflowers, Monet's Water Lilies and Renoir's at the Lake and at the Theatre. They were such beautiful pieces to see in person.
When we excited the National gallery we witnessed an event that exemplifies what the square is meant for... a Protest. The kids watched quietly and once they understood that was the purpose of the square their concern subsided.
We then left and made our way back into the tube and headed to Piccadilly Circus for dinner and our showing Phantom of the Opera. It was an amazing performance and very special as well because the author/creator was in the audience. It was also the 28th birthday of the show, we even sang happy birthday!!
After a very long day we had to make our way back by train and underground, at this point we have gotten very good a traveling on the tube. Considering that it is after midnight our time, I know that the students will be glad to have a quiet night tomorrow.

08/10/2014

Day 8---
Today started with quite a bit rain but that didn't stop us from exploring more of the wonderful city of Paris. We took our bus to the city center from our hotel, and then started our adventure in the city by going to Montmartre by metro. Once there, we were greeted by an endless set of stairs and the beautiful Sacre Coeur church. It was beautiful inside and out. We then spent a few hours wondering around the quaint are, and most of us shopped... some shopped till the dropped. After leaving Montmartre, we headed to Notre Dame Cathedral. Many of the students even climbed the bell tower to see the infamous gargoyles. Notre Dame is amazing, with its flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and location along the Seine River, it is perfect. On the spur of the moment the kids decided that they wanted to see the Eiffel Tower one last time, so we took the metro yet again, and made our way back to the great monument. Kids took selfies and seemed to just sit under the tower and gaze in awe at its enormity.
The metro was our main method of travel today and the kids have all become very good at navigating the maze of metro lines and boarding trains quickly, they are true Parisians now. We took our final metro ride to the Latin Quarter where we had a great dinner of french style pizza, including a desert pizza.... it was great and all you can eat. The kids ended the night with more shopping of course. Tomorrow we leave very early for London by Eurostar which is a train that goes under the English channel.. Agina feeling beyond blessed to be here. Bonsoir!!

07/10/2014

More fun photos from Day 7

07/10/2014

The Palace and Gardens

07/10/2014

Day 7---
We woke up this morning happy to have all had a long nights rest. After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we loaded onto a our bus to do a city tour. The kids were excited to be on a bus tour instead of a walking tour. We saw the Arc de Triumph, built to commemorate the victories of Napoleon, the famous shops on the Champs de Élysées, the Palace de Concord where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and thousands of others were guillotine during the French Revolution. Les Invalides, a military hospital built during the reign of King Louis XIV. We also saw The military school Napoleon attended, crossed the Siene River to the Left Bank, home of many American ex patriots in the early 20th century. We passed the Sorbonne University and the Musee de Orsay, famous for its impressionist art. After wards, we stopped and took photos of ourselves with the Eiffel Tower in the Background.
Our bus took us out to Versailles, a suburb of Paris and to the largest palace in Europe and former home to three French kings, Louis XIV, Louis XVI, and Louis XVI. Before 1682, it was used as a hunting loge, but Louis XIV made it his main residence after The Fronde (rebellion) in Paris. His father Louis XIII died when he was five and his mother and her finance minister tried to tax the nobles and they rebelled. When he was nine, they broke into his bed chamber. Louis hated Paris and devoted his life to building the Palace and gardens twelve miles from the rebellious city.
Louis thought of himself as The Sun King. He reigned for seventy two years--the longest of any monarch in European history. Suns were every where in the Palace. After we had lunch in town, we toured the main apartments which included the famous Hall of Mirrors, living rooms, a dining room and bedrooms for the King and a separate bedroom for the Queen. Louis allowed all people to visit Versailles if they dressed appropriately, but selected only a few to join him for dinner. Both the king and queen had bedrooms in which people could watch them wake up in the morning. The rooms had a secret passageway so that the king could visit the queen at night. The royal family ate, slept an gave birth with an audience. seventeen babies were born at Versailles and the public was invited to witness their births.
Louis XIV and his wife Maria, a Polish Princess had ten children, two boys and eight girls. The girls were sent away to be educated and the boys were tutored at Versailles. After fifteen pregnancies, Maria was advised not to have children. Madame Pompador became the kings mistress. Her and the Queen were very good friends. Louis XIV lived to be seventy-seven years old. All of his children and grandchildren preceded him in death. He was succeeded by his great grandson who became Louis XV.
The most famous queen to live at Versailles was Marie Antoinette. She was the youngest of Empress Maria Teresa of Austria's sixteen children and was fourteen when she married the dauphin (heir to the French throne). She never returned to her home in Vienna. For the first ten years, her and Louis were childless and every blamed the queen. Eventually, they had four children, two boys and two girls. One girl and one boy died belfry the revolution. The heir to the French throne died in prison of tuberculosis two years after his parents were executed. He was ten years old. Their daughter survived the revolution, but had no children.
After the guided tour of the palace, we had an hour to explore the beautiful gardens of Versailles, which included the"musical fountain." After our tour of Versailles, we returned to Paris. Our bus stopped at the opera house and we had some time to go to Lafayette, a five story department store. At the top, we saw stunning views of Paris, took pictures and headed back to the bus.
Dinner was excellent tonight. We had salad, beef bourguignon, potatoes and dessert. We returned to the hotel at about 8:00 looking, and had time to rest and get ready for Day 8. We feel grateful to have had some many wonderful experiences today. Bonsoir et a demain

06/10/2014

Love Lock Bridge. # yesoryes

06/10/2014

Love Lock Bridge

06/10/2014

Day 6: Day six began with our unique experience of riding on a night train. We first took a train from Florence to Milan, and then transferred to our night train in Milan. Riding on a night train is a very interesting, and once you get used to being in such close quarters, it can be quite fun. Each car has 6 beds, which fold down into seats in the day and beds at night. Each compartments locks and has curtains for privacy. The issue with the night train of course is that there is no showers and share toilets. It took the kids took awhile to get situated, but once they feel asleep most of them slept straight through the night, having to be woken up, even though it was 9 am already. When we arrived in Paris after spending the night on the train, students were elated to see Paris, even if it was just the Gare de Lyon train station. There we also unexpectedly excited to have cold weather. We donned our jackets and scarves and headed out to explore Paris. We had some free time before our guided tour of the Louvre and used it to familiarize ourselves with the sights and sounds of Paris---as well as cafes and shops. Next, we started our guided tour of the Louvre which included the Venus de Milo, da Vinci's Mona Lisa and De La Croix's Liberty Leading the People, the Sphinx,the Winged Victory as well as many others names escape our minds. A favorite of many of the students included a painting of Christ as a child chasing a lamb, which symbolized his impending death, it was quite symbolic and touching. After, seeing the highlights of the Louvre we walked along the Seine river into the Spanish Quarter stopping along the way to visit the Love Lock Bridge; many of the kids bought locks and placed them on the bridge. As we walked to dinner it started raining, which most of us were reveling in after the warm days in Italy. We had a lovely dinner at a quaint restaurant, which had the best bread and served us amazing crepes for dessert. We are all looking forward to a quiet night in the hotel with a comfy bed and a nice hot shower. Tomorrow we are off to do an official tour of Paris and a trip to Versailles. Bonsoir for now!

05/10/2014

Day 5---
Today we spent a leisure day wondering around wonderful Florence, Italy. We started the morning walking to the Duomo to meet our local guide Alessandra. She took great pride and precision in telling us all the great aspects of her amazing city, in a perfect British accent. She showed us the beautiful church, called the Duomo, and by the way iit is not breaking. It is breath taking!!! (Typo from Day 4). The facade of the church, the baptism, and the bell tower are all covered with beautiful white, green, and red marble tiles. We continued our walking tour of Florence, and made our way through the Piazza di la Republica and stopped at the famous bronze statue of the wild boar at the Leather Market. Your wish will come true if you touch his snot and drop a coin from his mouth into the fountain.
The tour continued at the Ponte Vecchio, meaning old bridge, with was one of the only bridges to survive WWII. The bridge spans the Arno river and is home to many shops, most of which are jewelry stores that sell the famous quality gold and silver. In the center of the bridge there is a fence surrounding a statue that had hundreds of locks attached to it. Each lock is placed on the fence to represent the love of a couple and the key is tossed into the river to signify that the love can not be broken.
Our tour continued down the Arno to the Pizzi Gallery where we learned much about some of the important citizens of Florence that have made important contributions through the centuries. There were statues representing Galileo, the inventor of the telescope, Michelangelo, the artist, Amerigo Vespucci, the person that America was named after, Machiavelli, author, Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language, Brunellesci, the architect that built the Duomo, and many others.

The next stop on our tour was Leonardo's leather factory. When we arrived, our Australian host explained the history of Katarina's box. Katarina Medici was fourteen when she married King Henry II of France. Florentines created a special leather box approximately ten feet long made without nails or stitches. It was wrapped ten times in wet leather, allowing for drying between each layer. Florentines filled the box with gold and sliver jewelry to impress the French. After the demonstration, our group took advantage of the EF Tours discount and purchased jewelry, purses, wallets and other souvenirs.

Following our trip to the leather factory, we were able to eat lunch, shop and relax while waiting for our afternoon reservation at the Academia museum. At this point of our day, some of us enjoyed this time to peruse the shops in the area selling beautiful leather goods, souvenirs, and wonderful gelato. Others were able to revisit some of the spots that sparked their interest.

The Academia's most famous exhibit is the statue of David. We were able to see other works of the Renaissance, include those of Botticelli and other famous painters and sculptors. After dinner we boarded a night train to Paris. Ciao and bonsoir.

05/10/2014

Parents we have had a very busy and wonderful day touring Florence and we are about to board our night train for Paris. We may not have wifi tonight so I wanted to make sure that you all know the kids are great and there will likely be a double post tomorrow night, unless I can get wifi on the train. Ciao!!!

04/10/2014

The Duomo---Florence, Italy

04/10/2014

The Duomo