The most I used to know about Bath came from Jane Austen novels. And I have to say, the author didn’t seem all that impressed with the city. Now I know a bit more. The city features in some of our sample itineraries, and it’s a great addition to Europe student travel tours.

Getting There

Bath is about one hundred miles west of London and a perfect day trip if you’re staying in the jolly capital. Day tours to Bath sometimes include a stop at Windsor Castle first and a visit to Stonehenge. Even without a guided tour though, with the price of fuel in the UK you’ll probably find that bus or motor coach is the best way to travel – especially in groups.

The Bath Experience

Bath is built over England’s only natural hot spring. The Romans built their famous bathhouses at the springs, and today’s Bath still embodies the great architecture and ancient luxury of Rome. When visiting the Roman Baths you’ll walk in the same luxurious halls the Romans once frequented for relaxation (all of them but the Christians and philosophers – apparently Bath wasn’t so popular for them). In the Pump Room you can actually sample the spring water. This is a luxurious room with seating for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea.

The ancient rooms and treasures don’t end with the famous pools. You’ll find remnants of what used to be some of the most luxurious surroundings the Romans knew, filled with colonnades, vaulted ceilings, marble, and mosaics. Of course, even though Bath is a World Heritage Site for its long and famous history, you can also enjoy it with all the modern luxury of the twenty-first century.

Thermae Bath Spa makes use of the same natural hot spring the ancient Romans used but now in modern style, including a warm, roof-top pool. The visitor’s center here is free, though you can pay for various spa experiences as well – including aroma steam rooms, waterfall showers, and the open-air pool on the roof.

Bath is an amazing natural wonder with a history of man-made pomp and circumstance as well. It’s a great day trip for London tours and can be combined with any number of popular landmarks in the UK.

(Also: Consider Bath for literature tours in Europe. The city featured often in the novels by Jane Austen.)

Photo by Meygun on Flickr.

The upside to the size of our country is how many seaside escapes it has to offer. You can pretty much choose your climate, nightlife, and texture of sand and find the perfect beach destination somewhere in the country. The downside? It would cost some major travel bucks to visit all of them, and it’s almost impossible to even know how many wonderful beaches exist.

If what you’re looking for in a seaside destination is charm, lots of natural beauty, historical sites nearby, and an authentic wooden boardwalk, Ocean City may be just the place.

It’s located along Maryland’s coast and its authentic wooden walkway flanked by games, activities, and classic boardwalk attractions is perfect for spring break trips, family getaways, and group travel of any kind.

Any time you choose a lesser-known beach location, you choose some obvious upfront benefits. The trip is likely to be more cost-effective than destinations with a higher tourist density, and that lower density is something many people consider its own benefit.

A beach in Maryland may not be where you’ll choose for getaways in the dead of winter. But for late spring and summer, Ocean City is the perfect choice. Besides the ten-mile beachfront in the area, the three-mile boardwalk in Ocean City, and tons of old churches, schools, and museums highlighting American history and black history within it, the area also has nature trails, forests, and a nearby island where you may spot actual wild ponies from one of the two herds known to graze there.

It’s a great place to return to the simple life and to travel green as you can spend almost all your time hiking on foot or biking on over one hundred miles of bike trails. This pretty east coast area has definitely rolled out the – well- wooden carpet for all its guests. After just one visit, you’ll certainly add Ocean City to your list of beaches worth escaping to.

Photo by surrfred on Flickr.

Palazzo del Priori, Volterra

There are a couple new cities of interest in Italy. They’ve had a spike in tourists since one featured in a sequel to the breakout novel, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and the other was used as the location for the film version. Italy is a popular choice for Europe student travel anyway. For some, the added allure of Edward and Bella having met the famous Volturi in its historic streets and underground makes this area completely irresistible. Pictures like this one, though, convince me that with or without vampire fever, these cities would make a romantic addition to any European tour.

Volterra is the city of the sequel, New Moon. In the book, it’s the dark, underground hallways of this very building that the Volturri make their home. The Volturi is the name given to the vampire royalty in the book, and the walled cities that make up a perfect New Moon tour have a touch of royalty about them as well.

Volterra offers a New Moon tour twice a week (only once a week in winter). It includes the dark hallways, actors in robe, a miniature reenactment, and the whole works. You won’t find a fountain as depicted in the book and in the movie, but these narrow streets, historic buildings, and shops have all the aesthetic appeal to stand completely on their own.

I don’t know if diehard fans will be disappointed or not, but Volterra is not where New Moon the movie was filmed. Let’s think of it in the positive, though. It gives tourists (and film and literature fans) yet another Italian city to explore. The movie was filmed in Montepulciano. Its square is almost identical to the one in Volterra, including the clock tower that features in both the book and the film. The all-important fountain doesn’t exist here either, however. An artificial one was built for the movie location. Again, though, fans won’t be disappointed in this locale either. Pure medieval charm.

It’s a dream for most students – the whole backpacking across Europe thing with a stop in Venice, Florence, and the beautiful cities in between. Throw in the location from a favorite film, and the dream gets even bigger. The thing is, now’s your time. Europe may only be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but at least make it that. And the land of the Volturi is just one of the many beautiful places to consider.

Photo by AJanssen on Flickr.

Emerald Coast, Florida

What makes the roads red in Canada? One of my favorite children’s books addresses this question. The main character asks it and then later in the book declares that she finally knows the answer. But the reader isn’t let in on it. Still, I’ve always loved that part. I love the amazing variety in our world – the variety of colors. Why would anyone travel if there wasn’t something new to discover wherever they went?

Beaches are a favorite destination for all kinds of student tours. But it can be difficult to decide which one to choose. Here are three favorites divided by – you guessed it – their variety in color. It’s a figurative jewelry box of beaches, jasmine, emerald, and pearl.

Cancun

For jasmine, I’m choosing one of the many gorgeous destinations that can boast the clear, delightful blue waters of the Caribbean. You may not realize that of Cancun since it’s also known for its Mexican hospitality. But Cancun rests on the Yucatan Peninsula, and its waters are indeed Caribbean. They also offer some of the best snorkeling in the world as part of the Great Mayan Reef (world’s second largest coral system). These blue waters will keep you busy all day with jungle tours, beach lounging and volleyball, cave and wreck diving, and much more. But if you go to the beach for an exciting nightlife, Cancun definitely delivers on that as well, offering some of the most innovative nightclubs in the world.

Emerald Coast

The green to turquoise color of the waters is what gives this Florida coast its name. But technically it’s the sand that’s so unique here. The Emerald Coast stretches along the Gulf of Mexico from Pensacola, Florida, to Port St. Joe. The sand along this brilliant coast has actually worn off of the Appalachian Mountains and traveled through the waterways to the ocean. It’s pure quartz. Each grain is almost perfectly round, and their color is clear. This makes them as a whole appear as white as sugar, amazingly soft and fine. Perhaps its the contrast of this brilliant white that gives the water such striking color. There are many, many destinations to choose from along the Emerald Coast. It’s perfect for families, for students, for romantic getaways – for any kind of getaway at all. The minute you sink your toes in that sand, you’ll be extremely glad that you came.

Cocoa Beach

Other Florida beaches – and let’s face it, this is one of the best U.S. states for beach time – may have slightly less brilliant white sand and not quite such jewel-toned water. We’ll call this off-white, blue-gray blend the pearl of the ocean jewelry box. Cocoa Beach is one of my favorites. It’s not far from Orlando, so there are plenty of on-land activities (can you say Disney and Universal?), but the beach itself is an amazing respite all by itself. You’ll find all the normal activities – volleyball, water sports, sand castles, swimming, and good old-fashioned lounging. The pier offers classic beach-y souvenir shopping and delicious food. Plus, it’s out there that you’re most likely to catch dolphin sightings – always one of the happiest parts of being at the beach.

Anytime’s a good time for the beach

No matter which jewel tone you choose, the beach is always a brilliant choice. There’s no place like the ocean. Many of the destinations here are perfect for spring break trips. Parents should keep that in mind. After all, these beaches are also a great choice for family, but best for little kids on either side of the March madness typical for the spring break season.

Photo by lotopspin on Flickr.

Attention, CVBs…

Valkommen (only with the correct symbol above the “A”) is, I believe, Swedish for “Welcome.” I chose the picture because we’re rolling out the welcome mat for YOU to roll out the welcome mat to your destination by using our web space.

We’re looking for fresh content, and you’re looking to promote your small town in Maryland or fairly unknown tourist site in the midwest, and you need more ways to do it.

Our websites draw students, educators, and organizers looking to arrange group travel. And the only thing keeping them from knowing about your destination is if we don’t have it featured on our site. That’s where you come in.

We’ve got some specific instructions and guidelines for your content. We’re looking for well-written, original content that details your destination, why it’s a must-experience location, and what attractions it features. You can contact me at serenity [at] adventurestudenttravel.com to receive our guidelines.

We also have a deadline of March 1, 2010, so don’t wait. Content received by then will be included on our website with NO COST to you. (Normally, content like this is considered ad space). Make students and other travelers aware of the wonders available in your amazing destination. Maybe the only reason they haven’t visited yet, is because they didn’t know you were there.

Photo by Let Ideas Compete on Flickr.

This post is late, except that it’s never too late to celebrate the man who brought us, “I have a dream.” It’s never a bad time to acknowledge his amazing contributions. And his life is always a perfect thing to showcase in black history tours, which are always a great choice for student travel – February or not. In that spirit, here are two great cities for black history tours with special tributes to the King himself and his beautiful inspiration.

Atlanta

It’s the city of his birth and therefore a great place to begin. Here you can visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic site and the African-American Heritage Tour, which features many historic sites, including those dedicated to King. See where he was born, where he lived and worked, where he experienced a positive upbringing and a difficult era – each working together to develop the man who helped to change a nation.

Atlanta has plenty of other sites to make it worth your time as well. This southern metropolis offers the CNN Studios, the World of Coca Cola, and Underground Atlanta – a popular shopping district and Atlanta neighborhood. And another good stop for black history tours is the APEX Museum, shining a light on African-American culture, its role, and its prominent  contribution to our society.

Washington D.C.

Perhaps in black-and-white it seems cliche to suggest for black history tours the city where Martin Luther King, Jr., actually marched and gave his famous, inspiring speech that gave us all a dream. But a few steps into the vibrant, educational and fully fascinating city that is our nation’s capital and you will never find it cliche again.

The famous “I have a dream” words were spoken at the Lincoln Memorial, which is just one part of the National Mall and a definite must for D.C. tours. Inspiring day or night, they will leave you truly awestruck when illuminated after dark.

The Frederick Douglas National Historic Site is another great one for black history tours. An escaped slave, Douglas spent the remainder of his life educating Americans on the horrors of slavery. He is known as one of the first great black speakers on American soil. This memorial pays tribute to Douglas as the prominent American he was.

The Mary McLeod Bethune House celebrates another great contributer to the civil rights movement. In 1932 she founded the Council of Negro Women. That’s only one small part of her efforts, and this memorial captures many more.

Other D.C. attractions perfect for black history tours include the Smithsonian’s Museum of African Art, the African-American Civil War Museum, and the Anacostia Museum & Center for African-American History and Culture. Washington D.C. is a city filled with amazing attractions; these are just to name a few. It’s a great city for student tours of any kind and perfect for themes in black history.

Photo by BlatantNews.com on Flickr.

Bow Bridge, Central Park

Did you notice a whole lot of pink and red cards and decorations only hours after Christmas morning? Oh, wait, it upset you? Because I couldn’t be happier. Life should be measured in holidays really – always either living one or getting ready for the next. Besides, I especially adore Cupid’s holiday – partly because of delightful lists like this one that popped up in my inbox recently. It was put out by the Central Park Conservatory, and it’s the sites in the Park rated most romantic. Certainly many of them top my list as places to see when I finally visit the amazing New York City.

Conservatory Water

First up is the body of water surrounded by some of Central Park’s most beautiful foliage and usually graced with the miniature (though some not that small) sailboats for which it was built. Nearby you’ll find plenty of benches on which to rest side by side as well as the lovely, famed statues of Alice in Wonderland at her tea party and of Hans Christian Andersen.

Belvedere Castle

This building straight from a fairy tale offers panoramic views of other Central Park greats, like Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn. It provides the official New York City temperature, and it’s frequented by bird watchers, naturalists, and apparently couples in love.

Bow Bridge

Is anything needed but the beautiful picture above to convince you of the romantic possibilities of Bow Bridge? This cast iron archway is one of Central Park’s most popular meeting places. It offers a great view of the Lake and of the buildings of Fifth Avenue towering above the tree line. It’s a beautiful transition from Cherry Hill to the Ramble, and – well, it’s simply beautiful itself.

Conservatory Garden

Few surroundings are quite so perfect for romance as a peaceful, fragrant garden. Conservatory Garden is the only formal garden in the Park, and it’s a beautiful respite from the bustling city outside.

Bethseda Terrace

What better place for love than at the attraction known as the heart of the park? Bethseda Terrace offers the beautiful Bethseda Fountain, intricate ornamentation, a view of the Lake and the Ramble, and a walk on the tree-canopied Mall – one of the prettiest walkways in the park.

Central Park has many favorite sites. It’s the perfect attraction for group travel of any kind. But for these sites and many others, it’s perhaps best of all enjoyed in pairs.

Photo by Lucius Kwok on Flickr.

When I paint a picture for the many reasons a person should choose Cancun for group travel, I start with the water. Clear blue and part of the breathtaking, beloved Caribbean – that’s pretty much all you need to convince anyone. The sand is right up there, too, when it comes to Cancun’s greatness. And then there are the water-slash-nature parks, the jungle tours, and the world-class snorkeling and diving on the Great Mayan Reef, shipwrecks, caverns, and caves.

But all these things happen (mostly) during the day. And they leave out what may actually be Cancun’s greatest draw: Its nightlife.

There are many clubs and restaurants that make this true, but the largest, and certainly one of the hottest, is The City.

The City is, in fact, the largest club in Latin America. It’s three floors actually, over eight thousand square feet and holds more than five thousand guests at a time. (If, like me, you sort of flinch at the idea that this leaves less than two square feet per person, you’re not the target audience for this blog post nor this awesome club). Plus, it’s so much more than a club. The City has all the things you need in order to call itself that, of course. It has nine bars in all. It has dance floors. And it definitely, definitely has music and DJs. In fact, The City offers some of the greatest DJs in the world, certainly the best in Cancun.

Thus far, somewhat traditional. But besides these classic nightclub features, The City has a stage – and not just any stage. This stage literally comes to life each night with lights, fire, artistry, and innovation that will absolutely astound you. Three of its regular shows include:

Fire – Artists performing with everyone’s favorite molten medium. Add in sounds, light, music, and choreography, and you’ve got one exciting show.

Fabrics – In the tradition of Cirque du Soleil, these performers astound with color, pageantry, and acrobatics.

The Cube – A show that puts full use to The City’s sound and light availability, The Cube is an innovative display of music and technology for an unforgettable entertainment experience.

Besides these three shows, The City draws world-renowned DJs, and watching these artists work their magic is an entertainment experience of its own. World-famous artists and celebrities have performed at The City as well. In short, this stage offers all the brilliance of an expensive concert or live performance but with the added details that make you a part of the experience.

Located in the heart of the hotel district, The City is a must-consider club in your search for exciting nightlife in Cancun. Spring Break has never looked quite this good.

(Cancun has many other attractions for night and for day. Some are perfect for families. Though exciting for spring break and student tours, this destination really does have something for everyone).

Photo by Wigstruck on Flickr.

Around the country, you can find tons of great attractions perfect for black history tours. If your group has an interest in this area, consider Atlanta, Washington, D.C., or Boston for a wealth of historic sites chronicling the role of African-Americans in our nation’s history.

Or, if you’re looking for a black history tour with a different kind of energy, a hip-hop tour in Harlem might be just the ticket. H3 Tours (that’s, Harlem Hip-Hop) offers tours and experiences all about hip-hop, Harlem history, and African-American culture that can be customized into amazing black history tours. Here are some of the attractions that can be customized into your tour.

The Apollo Theater – One of the most famous stages in America, the Apollo has launched the careers of Michael Jackson, Lauren Hill, Stevie wonder, and so many more. A tour here showcases the history of the theater and memorabilia from its legends. You may even get a chance to perform onstage.

DJ Scratch Lessons – Technically, it’s called turntablism. Did you know that? With this experience, you’ll learn that and so much more about this iconic sound in authentic hip-hop music.

Hip-Hop On / Hip-Hop Off tour – A live DJ and a rapping MC are your guides for this hip-hop filled, official H3 Tours bus as you discover all the Harlem sites intrinsic to the history of hip-hop.

Music Studio Tour – Visit recording studios that are prominent in the world of hip-hop. You can even rap or sing for a souvenir recording of your own!

HOT 97 Experience Tour  - It’s the hottest radio station for the hip-hop scene in New York City and famous around the nation, and this tour lets you get behind the scenes.

Graffiti Hall of Fame – A part of the hip-hop on and off tour, the Graffiti Hall of Fame will make any guest a fan – or at least, an admirer of the art.

This is just the beginning. H3 Tours also offers shopping on the famous 125th Street in Harlem, hip-hop dance lessons, a classic Soul Food Lunch, and inspiring workshops in entrepreneurship at both the Applebees franchise and with the H3 Tours founder and CEO herself, Adrienne Smith. Harlem Hip-Hop Tours is a great way to go for fun and exciting tours with a high-energy focus on black history.

Photo by JJ & Special K on Flickr.

When it comes to student travel, you’re probably looking for a destination that offers a good mix of history and modern thrills. Several US cities will work for that, but how about someplace warm? (Since it’s the first part of 2010 and no matter where you live today, you’re probably cold). And since the east and west coasts are such obvious choices for must-see destinations, let’s go south instead.

I haven’t narrowed it down much, but there’s a beautiful city that fits this criteria and that reveals history, beauty, culture, and thrills in its many varied attractions. The city is San Antonio, and I think you’re going to like what it has to offer.

Group travel to San Antonio should first of all include a stroll and perhaps a cruise along the Rio del Paseo. This San Antonio River Walk still has the classic beauty that’s purely Spanish colonial, and it’s an unforgettable part of any San Antonio tour. Another can’t-miss-it destination is, of course, The Alamo, especially if you’re looking to put a little educational in your tour. Certainly the Mexican-American War and the specific history surrounding the Alamo will come alive for anyone who visits this amazing site. Once a Spanish Colonial mission, the Alamo and the River Walk go hand in hand for a historic tour of San Antonio.

But this city has so much more to offer as well. And the thrills only get bigger from here on out. True to Texas style, bigger seems to be a theme in this city that holds both the largest Sea World and one of the world’s largest water parks.

San Antonio’s Sea World has three parks – one for the shows for which the brand is best known, one for rides, and one with classic water park attractions like a lazy river. Schlitterbahn is the amazing water park that’s over sixty-five acres of wet and wild thrills. And as if that wasn’t enough, Six Flags once anchored here as well, creating Six Flags Fiesta Texas with aggressive rides channeling Tony Hawk, Superman, Goliath, and other worthy legends.

Of course, there are some who need a little shopping to go with their southern experience, and San Antonio can certainly deliver. You’ll find everything from high end designers to authentic flea markets, packed with the culture of Mexico.

Consider San Antonio. It’s a great city for students and groups of any age or size.

Photo by Rafael Resendiz on Flickr.