Well, our team is back from the big cities, Washington D.C. and Manhattan. We have toured until our feet hurt, thrilled to the amazing sights and sounds, and cried at the inspiration surrounding historical sites, at the beauty of D.C., the dream come true of seeing New York City for ourselves, and the powerful tribute given by our guide at the World Trade Center construction site. We’re spent.

But we have a boatload of info and tips to help us serve our groups better. And I’m starting with this one: Public Transportation Rocks.

Often for student tours, it’s customary to rent a motorcoach to reach the destination. And we’d recommend hanging onto that convenience for Washington D.C., especially if you stay at a hotel a little outside the city. The attractions are sometimes a good distance from each other in this area, and it helps to have transportation between them that keeps the group together.

However, after about five minutes in New York City, as our bus sat trapped between double-parked vehicles on either side and a kind passerby attempted to wave us through one half-inch forward and one inch back at a time, we knew motorcoach simply isn’t the way to go in Manhattan. Shortly after checking into our hotel, we walked one block to a subway station, made it onto the train and to our destination with zero hassle and a grateful heart for the wonderful inventors of the metro.

Our expert guides agreed that Metro is the way to go for group travel tours. As the seven of us and our guide squished onto a crowded subway car one afternoon, I wasn’t so sure about the merit of the metro for very large groups. But our guide disagreed. It’s still the way to go. As long as you organize, have enough chaperones, and communicate clearly about the each stop, groups can navigate the subway system just as easily as an individual.

So that’s my first tip. Grab yourself an any-time metro pass, learn the trick of not pulling the wrong side of the entry gate, and take full advantage of this amazingly cost-effective and convenient mode of transportation in the amazing city of New York.

The blog will be quiet for a week as we take in the sights and sounds of Washington D.C. and New York City. We’ll come back with fresh blog ideas, travel tips for group travel tours, and much, much more. In the meantime, drop us a note about topics you’d like to see discussed on the blog in the future!

Did you know when I was in high school I hated the idea of travel? At least, I hated it in reality. I think even then I fantasized about the castles of England, the streets of Manhattan, French basilicas and such. But when it came time to sign up for that youth group trip a couple states away, I balked.

Eventually, my fantasies and my daring met somewhere in the middle and I knew that to see all those wonderful places you had to be willing to go to them. I’ve lost a lot of my fear of travel, and I’m much more willing to forgo the comforts of home for the chance to see the world.

So since I’m more open to it, it thrills me to learn as much as I can about travel from the travel experts where I work. And today, a little tidbit that led to this blog post. I’m going on a whirlwind tour of Washington D.C. and New York City next week, and today we received our almost final itinerary. Which leads me to one important point.

To Be Flexible is to Be Sane

We leave in a few days, but notice I said “almost” final itinerary? I’m learning why having a professional customize your itinerary is worth the extra cost. If you’re including several attractions that require reservations, your itinerary could change with each phone call you make as you adjust the various attractions to make room for each other. But it’s not only that. You know this at home, but it’s even more true on the road: Things Happen. Tour guides get sick or have emergencies. Mistakes happen with scheduling. Weather is unpredictable except that it sometimes rains. Groups are delayed, and things never take as much or as little time as you’ve planned for. Learn to go with it. Being willing to budge on certain things you really wanted to see or the times and dates you wanted to see them could make the difference between a thrilling adventure and a week of stress.

And all that unpredictability brings me to the tip that led to this post:

Schedule Extra Time

We’ll be traveling in a group of 5-7 people, so we’ve packed our itinerary really tight, and we’ll be booking it between attractions and not spending very long in very many of them. Don’t try this at home. Or rather, don’t try this in a large group. You’ve absolutely got to schedule a cushion for the sheer madness of trying to get 30-50 people across a New York City street or in and out of the Natural History Museum without losing people in the gift shop. There is such a different dynamic when you’re in a large group. Trust the professionals and let them be your guide if that’s the case. But if you’re organizing things on your own – just take my advice on this. Leave a lot of room for travel to and from.

I love it when I hear tidbits I know will come in handy in the future as I embrace more adventure in my life. But more than that, I’m looking forward to taking the adventures so I can pass on the tips firsthand. Watch next week and after for more of that!

Photo by Katy Silberger on Flickr.

With summer officially in full swing here (we’re one day in and loving it), I’ve got libraries on the mind. Each summer I clear a space on the shelves for our library acquisitions every week. It can be quite a boatload now that libraries offer several kinds of media with big limits for each form. And of course, besides the books there are programs and costume fairs, arts and crafts, story time, and more. It all got me thinking about the cities student groups like to frequent and how amazing their public libraries must be.

Amazing Sights, Amazing Goods

Public libraries in larger cities aren’t just a rotating book list but often one of the most significant pieces of architecture in a city. The historical documents inside are astounding pieces of our story displayed in political papers, handwritten letters, sheet music, and early draft manuscripts from famous works.

Besides their permanent collections, most large-city public libraries offer temporary exhibits as well. This is where you might find your favorite author featured with sample handwriting, early manuscripts, and treasured letters.

An Early Edition

When it comes to public libraries, a couple immediately came to mind. One is the New York Public Library with its great outdoor stairs where locals can be found lunching and resting throughout the day. Another is the Boston public library, because it was the first free municipal library in the United States.

A great addition to Boston educational student tours, this public library set the stage for all of those to follow. First, it brought together historical documents, rare treasure, a wealth of resources for research, and popular reading. But secondly, the Boston Public Library set the standard for civic architecture, using world-class architects and the classical design features of the time. The building is now a showcase of murals, domed halls, paintings, sculpture, and architectural beauty. Tours are available just for this purpose, making the Boston Public Library something visited both for itself and for the treasure it holds.

And Then There Were More

Boston was also the first public library to open various branches and begin that beautiful tradition of bringing a wealth of information and various programs and exhibits closer to every resident in the city – not just those close to the main branch. Boston’s various branches each have their own unique collections and programs. The Faneuil branch, for instance, has great programs for children and an inspiring art-deco design. Connelly holds a vibrant handicap-accessible branch, and Charlestown offers a busy schedule of activities for children, adults, and many age groups between. With twenty-six branches, you know the Boston Public Library has something for every Boston resident as well as those who visit.

Consider visiting a nearby public library of your own this summer, maybe even venturing to a large one within driving distance. It’s an inspiring part of our culture and definitely something to consider for exciting student tours.

Photo by wallyg on Flickr.