Educational Tours Spain, France and Greece

Transcription

1 Educational Tours Spain, France and Greece 15 days Summer 2020

2 Educational Tours Spain, France and Greece Included on tour Round-trip flights on major carriers; full-time Tour Director; weshare, EF s personalized learning experience; hotels with private bathrooms; breakfast and dinner daily. Sightseeings: Barcelona; La Sagrada Familia; Paris; Athens; Delphi; Cape Sounion Entrances: Park Guell; Sagrada Familia; Picasso Museum, Barcelona; Barcelona bike tour; Musée D'Orsay; Seine River cruise; Acropolis; Delphi site & Archaeological Museum; Samos Island shore excursion; Crete Island shore excursion; Santorini Island shore excursion; Cape Sounion Overnight stays: Barcelona (3) Paris (3) Athens (3) Greek Islands cruise (3) Athens (1) Sign up today eftours.com/enroll

3 Your itinerary Day 1: Fly to Spain Board your overnight flight to Barcelona! Day 2: Barcelona Arrive in Barcelona Arrive in Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city. As the capital of fiercely nationalistic Cataluña, Barcelona was the hotbed of resistance under the rule of General Franco. The city still celebrates its unique identity through its language, its increasingly influential government, and on the global stage, as host to the 1992 Olympic Games. Walking tour of Gothic Barcelona (time permitting) The Gothic Quarter is the center of the old city of Barcelona. Many of the buildings date from Medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of the city. The Barri Gotic retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening into squares. Most of the quarter is closed to regular traffic. Day 3: Barcelona Guided sightseeing of Barcelona Your guided tour takes you past the controversial and still unfinished La Sagrada Familia (the Church of the Holy Family). This masterpiece of twisting spires and colorful mosaics was designed by Gaudí, who estimated it would take 200 years to complete. Continue on to Gaudi's masterpiece, the fantasyland of Parc Guell, complete with a bright mosaic lizard fountain and the longest bench in the world. Then enjoy a marvelous harbor view from atop Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 Olympics took place. Visit the Picasso Museum Visit one of Barcelona's most popular museums which occupies five former medieval palaces in a secluded area on the edge of the Gothic quarter. The buildings were converted, in part, by Picasso to house some 2,500 of his paintings, engravings, and drawings. It now stands as the most significant collection of his work in Spain and includes some of his most formative work from 1895 to (Please note that due to the size of this museum reservations can be difficult. If the group us unable to go to the museum an interactive workshop will be booked instead for the students to learn about Picasso's work) Day 4: Barcelona Guided visit to La Sagrada Familia Enter into this amazing skeleton of a cathedral. Gaudi began this church in 1882, and it remains unfinished. Construction still continues and completion is slated for the mid-21st century, yet no one knows if the finished product will be what Gaudi intended. Take your time to explore this bizarre masterpiece by wandering around the base, marveling at the enormous statues of saints or basking in the sun streaming through the beautiful stained glass windows. Bike tour of Barcelona This is your chance to take in the sights and sounds of Barcelona as you enjoy a wonderful bike tour of the city s main attractions. Your tour guide will give you a brief introduction to your day and your fellow cyclists. Exploration time in Barcelona Explore the Mediterranean charm of Barcelona. You might choose to ride the funicular to the stunningly modern Olympic stadiums on the hill at Montjuïc, and from there take the cable car across the water to the old maritime district of Barceloneta. On the same theme, you could visit the excellent Museu Maritim, housed in the royal shipyards and also the largest civilian Gothic building in the world. There is an excellent aquarium in the revitalized old port, while the beautiful Palau de la Musica Catalana offers an exquisite architectural insight into Barcelona's passion for the musical arts. Day 5: Barcelona Paris Travel by TGV train to Paris Welcome to Paris, cosmopolitan City of Light. Over the centuries, Paris has grown to become the undisputed center of France, and one of the world's most important cities both culturally and politically. Equally famed for its high fashion, awe-inspiring museums and elegant cuisine, Paris has also been a center of theater, literature and philosophy throughout the ages. Walking tour of the Latin Quarter (time permitting) Your Tour Director will lead you on a walking tour of Paris' famous Latin Quarter. Featuring a diversity of restaurants, the Latin Quarter is just a short walk down the Rue de la Seine from the museum area. Day 6: Paris Visit the Musée D'Orsay Part of this museum's draw is the building itself, not just the artwork that adorns its walls. Built for the 1900 Universal Exposition, the Gare d'orsay functioned as a train station until 1939 and was converted into a museum in The high, arching ceiling and enormous wall clocks hint at the days when trains zipped in and out of the spacious structure. The museum is noted for its collection of Impressionist paintings-a walk through the upper gallery will reveal works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Sisley, Pissarro, and countless others. Group Leader-arranged activities Today your Group Leader will arrange activities for your group - perhaps to the Paris Catacombs. (Please note that any costs associated with these activities have not been included in your total Program Price. See your Group Leader for more details.) Day 7: Paris Guided sightseeing of Paris Discover the city on the Seine during your bus tour. Learn about Paris' origins as a Roman settlement as you pass through the Île de la Cité, where you will also see Notre Dame Cathedral. Pass by the imposing Arc de Triomphe, and the Place de la Concorde, dedicated to King Louis XV and the site where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed during the French Revolution. Continue down the elegant Champs-Elysées to the École Militaire, where a promising young Napoleon launched his rise to power. Drive along the Seine for wonderful views of the Musée D'Orsay, the Louvre, and the Pont de Neuf, or new bridge, which is ironically Paris' oldest. Finally, make a photo stop at the iconic Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair. Learn why this impressive, yet controversial symbol of Paris was spared the wrecking ball in 1909.

4 Exploration time in Paris Enjoy time for your own explorations of Paris. You might wish to visit the Rodin Museum or the futuristic exhibits of the Centre Pompidou. Alternatively, take part in the timeless Parisian tradition of people-watching over a cup of café au lait at a sidewalk café. Last but not least, for the fashion conscious traveler, a visit to the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré is a must and don't forget to drop by and explore the famous Galeries Lafayette which have made fashion come alive for more than a century. Seine River cruise This evening, take a narrated river cruise along the Seine. As your boat glides from one graceful bridge to the next, sit back and gaze at the illuminated landmarks of Paris as they pan into view. Day 8: Paris Athens Fly to Athens Nestled among mountains on the Attic plain, Athens is the Cradle of Democracy and birthplace of Western civilization. A modern city with a strong connection to its ancient history, Athens has been a center of culture, politics, and history for thousands of years. The great philosopher Socrates lived here, offering to fellow Athenians his views on virtue and knowledge. Walking tour of Athens (time permitting) Our walking tour takes you through the endearing Plaka district, home to some of the city's finest tavernas as well as a plethora of shops all vying for your attention. Stroll past Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, built to honor the most powerful of all Greek gods. Day 9: Athens Guided sightseeing of Athens An expert local guide introduces you to the antiquities of Athens. Climb the Acropolis to view the majestic Parthenon, perhaps the world's greatest architectural feat. See the Temple of Athena Nike, which once housed a gold statue of the goddess (her wings were clipped to keep her from ever deserting the city). Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. After seeing the Presidential Guard in their traditional costumes, pass the stadium, where the first modern Olympics were held in 1896, as well as lively Omonia and Syntagma Squares. Finally, visit the Acropolis Museum which houses nearly 4,000 artifacts from the acropolis and surrounding site. This museum opened in 2009 and is built on the southeastern slope that was once the route of the ancient road that led up to the "sacred rock". Exploration time in Athens Take time to become more acquainted with Athens. Perhaps go see the awe-inspiring antiquities at the National Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, do some shopping for local crafts and souvenirs. For a chance to absorb the whole city, take a funicular up the Lycabettus hill for spectacular views. Day 10: Athens Guided excursion to Delphi As you tour Delphi, ponder the mysteries of what lies in your future, as did Greece's ancient military leaders, who left gifts for the Oracle in hopes of good fortune in battle. Then visit the Temple of Apollo where, according to legend, the god communicated with mortals. Your visit concludes with a stop at the Delphi Museum, whose collection boasts many artifacts dating back to 550 B.C., reminiscent of the mythical past of ancient Greece. Day 11: Athens Greek island cruise Depart on a Greek islands cruise This morning, you'll check in for your Greek islands cruise voyage, which sails out of Athens. A captivating three-day odyssey lies ahead, with stops at some of the Mediterranean's most historically and culturally rich islands and seaports. In between ports of call, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the activities on board ship. Free-time options while you're at sea include shopping, games, fitness activities, swimming and sunning. (Please note: There are additional excursions offered by the cruise company and not by EF. They can be purchased on tour, please ask your Tour Consultant for additional pricing information.) Visit Mykonos The first island you'll visit is Mykonos, one of Greece's Cyclades Islands. It was ruled by the Venetians in the 13th and 14th centuries, and more recently was under Turkish occupation. Walk to the Church of Agia Kiriaki, which contains some of Mykonos's most fascinating and beautiful religious icons. Follow the quaint winding streets of the Old Town, where you may wish to browse amid the trendy boutiques and craft shops, to Three Well Square (Tria Pigadia). Day 12: Greek island cruise Visit Samos Ruled by legend and beauty, Samos is located in the eastern Aegean Sea. This picturesque Greek island is known as the home of Pythagoras, the father of mathematics, and the legendary birthplace of Hera. Upon disembarking the ship, enjoy breakfast before an orientation walk through the town of Vathi. Here, you'll see the bustling main square, St. Spyridon church and the town hall. Afterwards, visit the Samos Wine Museum to view wooden casks from the early 20th century as well as traditional wine making tools and exhibits. Continue to the archaeological site of Heraion, a large sanctuary to the goddess Hera. Visit Patmos Reunited with Greece in 1948, Patmos is one of the 12 Dodecanese Islands that extend off the western coast of Turkey. Once your cruise ship arrives, tender boats will take groups ashore to enjoy free time on the island. The small town of Skala, with many shops and restaurants, is easily accessible from the port of Skala. The town's main site, the Grotto of the Apocalypse, can be reached by a climbing a 30-minute pathway or hiring a local taxi.

5 Day 13: Greek island cruise Visit Heraklion (Crete) Said to be the birthplace of Zeus, Crete is Greece's largest island with a culture and history of its own. Docking at the central port of Heraklion, you can explore some of ancient Greece's most interesting archaeological sites as well as the stunningly situated Tomb of Kazantzakis, honoring the influential 20th-century writer Nios Kazantzakis. Visit one of the Bronze Age's most impressive archaeological sites in the world, Knossos Palace. Also known as the Labyrinth, the palace appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces, and store rooms close to a central square. Sir Arthur Evan's archaeological excavations and restorations from 1900 suggest that this was the site of the ancient Minoan Kingdom. See the Palace's Hall of the Royal Guard, the Hall of the Double Axes, the King's Chamber with its alabaster throne, the Queen's Apartment, as well as its beautiful courtyards and shrines. During your visit, view detailed images of Cretan life in the late Bronze Age on the palace walls. Visit Santorini Santorini is often considered the quintessential Greek island, with its whitewashed houses perched on steep hillsides and its landscapes of plunging cliffs and black sand beaches-as well as the only active volcano in the eastern Mediterranean. Admire the panoramic view of the Aegean Sea and the neighboring islands on your way to Oia Village. First you will head up to the monastery of Prophet Ilias for a breathtaking view before continuing north. You will see various layers of lava fixed on the face of the rock, each being another phase of the activity of the volcano. You will pass through Fira, as well as the traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli before arriving in Oia. Built on the Caldera rim, Oia Village is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture. Walk along the cobblestone streets and explore the village, known for its white-washed houses with blue shutters. You will have free time to walk along the marble-paved alleys and poke around in the cute shops. Day 14: Greek island cruise Athens Return to Athens Your cruise ends early this morning; disembark back in Athens. Guided excursion to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion At the southern tip of the Attic Peninsula, view one of the most imposing sights in the ancient world. High above the sparkling Aegean, the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon, one of Greece's most evocative ruins, dominates the landscape. The temple's great Doric columns were a welcoming sight for sailors in ancient times, signifying the imminent arrival at nearby Athens. Day 15: Depart for home Transfer to the airport for your return flight Your Tour Director assists with your transfer to the airport, where you'll check in for your return flight home. Itinerary is subject to change For complete financial and registration details, please refer to the Booking Conditions at

6 The World Leader in International Education The easiest ways to Enroll today For over 50 years EF has been working toward one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Your teacher has partnered with EF because of our unmatched worldwide presence, our focus on affordability, and our commitment to providing experiences that teach critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and global competence. We always offer the lowest prices guaranteed so more students can travel. ENROLL ON OUR WEBSITE eftours.com/enroll We re fully accredited, just like your school, so you can earn credit while on tour. All of our educational tours feature experiential learning activities and visits to the best sites. We re completely committed to your safety. We have 500 schools and offices in over 50 countries around the world, so local EF staff members can react quickly and in person wherever you travel. ENROLL BY PHONE Your full-time Tour Director is with your group every step of the way on tour, providing insight about your destinations as well as great local tips. MAIL YOUR ENROLLMENT FORM TO: EF Educational Tours Two Education Circle Cambridge, MA My daughter has gained such an amazing view of the world and history from this experience. She has not stopped talking since I picked her up at the airport. Thank you for all the organization, helpful hints, flexible payment plan, and knowledgeable tour guides. CHARLOTTE, PARENT D67C1