The east coast is a popular choice for student travel – New York City offers some of the most exciting attractions. Washington D.C. is packed with fascinating and educational sites and museums. Plus, cities like Boston, Salem, Philadelphia, Williamsburg – they’re rich with American history, scenes from our fight for liberty, and some of the oldest established homes and buildings in the country.

But don’t limit yourself to the eastern seaboard for history, culture, or educational tours. San Antonio student travel offers all of this as well, its flavor compelling Mark Twain to declare it one of America’s four unique cities. (The author also gave the distinguished label to Boston, San Francisco, and New Orleans).

You’ll discover this unique factor for yourself if you consider San Antonio for your next group or student tour. History abounds on sightseeing tours of the Alamo and along the gorgeous Paseo del Rio, or River Walk – an attraction that is also thrilling from the water itself on a San Antonio river cruise.

San Antonio culture is perhaps best found in Market Square with its variety of shopping and dining providing an authentic Mexican experience.

For sheer fun, you can’t beat San Antonio’s variety of theme parks, rides, and family events. This city lays claim to The Largest Sea World in the nation! It has four distinct parks. You can enjoy the Rides and Slides, the Show Park – one of Sea World’s most famous features, the Marine Animal Park, or the Water Park. You’ll also find the incomparable SIX FLAGS brand here with Six Flags Fiesta Texas and its amazing rides. Returning to the water theme, though, you cannot beat Schlitterbahn Water Park, known as THE BEST water park in the world. It’s a surfing, tubing, water slide, wave pool heaven, and just one of the exciting attractions that make San Antonio so perfect for groups.

If you’re looking for warmer weather in the middle of your northeast or midwest winter, or if you just want to discover San Antonio’s unique factor for yourself, consider this south central treasure for your next student travel tour.

(Beautiful photo of Paseo del Rio by mcclouds on Flickr)

When I was in eighth grade we visited our State Capitol. It was about three hours away, and I felt so grown up to be traveling so far and to peruse the historical displays and actually gather meaning from them. It was the most memorable part of that year, second only to the difficult breaking up of my particular group of friends, which has kind of stayed with me too.

That memory – the visit to the Capitol, that is – and the fact that I think everyone who can should pack up and migrate to New England this time of year for the fall foliage, compels me to point out Boston as an excellent choice for educational tours.

This city is really beloved. It’s got all kinds of modern delights, like the Prudential Center and Boston Public Garden. But it’s seeped in legacy with hundreds of historical sites from the American Revolution, like Old North Church, and tons of tradition, like the swan boats that reappear every spring.

The Pilgrims and Patriots Boston student tours are especially filled with these historic sites. Boston offers an extensive path called the Freedom Trail, which takes its followers to all of these. You can technically walk it alone and view the attractions at your own pace. But I highly recommend you do it with a guide. There’s far too much history and trivia you’ll miss without their entertaining commentary.

If you’re really planning a school-sponsored function, you’ll have to plan this tour for next year. But seriously, don’t you want to take it in the fall like this? Have you seen New England landscapes in the fall? Simply breathtaking. Combining that beauty with the powerful historical lessons – it guarantees a moving experience for everyone.

“I went to the woods,” Thoreau wrote,”In order to live life more deliberately.”

Recently I suggested to my husband that we move to New England ASAP. He said I only felt that way because it feels like autumn, because I love autumn, and because I equate autumn with New England in my mind. But I had so much more than that.

We recently designed a new theme tour for students, and it’s a beauty. You’ll need to be willing to don a meditative mood, though, because the attractions on this tour are all art and culture and inspiration. At least, they are historical sites from an era when those things faced an all out revolution.

Technically our Concord literary tours are for fans of the great literature of Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Emily Dickinson. But on a larger scale, this tour takes you to the seat of a cultural revolution, when thoughtful men and women discussed philosophy and spiritual insight that affected everything from the arts to social reform.

In the study at Orchard House and the rooms of the Old Manse, you’ll imagine the friendly, philosophical discussions between the great literary legends and philosophers who lived and worked together in Concord. Louisa May Alcott’s father, Bronson, was a noted philosopher of his time. Ralph Waldo Emerson traveled throughout the United States and Europe lecturing on spiritual insights, social reform, and arts and sciences. Plus, we have his many essays as proof of his thought life and perhaps of the discussions he joined.

Walden Pond is a beautiful State Reserve, still largely untamed. You can find a replica of the one-room cabin where Thoreau wrote Walden, which has been called the birth of the conservation movement.

The men and women who lived and worked in the homes on this Concord literary tour were as revolutionary as the minutemen  who shot the first few shots of the Revolutionary War at the Old North Bridge nearby. The revolution of these authors and philosophers affected the arts and sciences more than government, but its waves certainly had political and social influence. You’re sure to be moved as you learn about these amazing thinkers. And hopefully you’ll be inspired to live life more deliberately yourself.

When it comes to student travel, theme tours are a great way to tie the whole thing together, to focus your energy when it comes to choosing attractions, and because the fundraiser ideas practically invent themselves. (Doing a Literature-themed tour? Sell used books. One focused on art? Sell your own creations. Etcetera.) And since we’re on the subject of themes…let’s talk about theme parks.

Theme Park Tours are just what the doctor ordered for that nasty bug known as senioritis. It manifests itself in some like a diva-tude in which you begin to think the world revolves around you. And in some as a dark depression when you’re quite sure that graduating means it won’t revolve around you anymore. It’s a sadness because you’ll be leaving your friends behind, an anxiety about the future, a mad rush to finish those last papers, finals, and catch-up credits. You really need a break, don’t you think? And this is just the way to do it.

There are a couple cities in this country where you can fill every single day with a new theme park adventure. The first, and possibly the most obvious, is Orlando. The Disney franchise could keep you hopping for an entire week. But why not mix it up? Disney offers some great parks, The Magic Kingdom being the most popular and Hollywood Studios a favorite for older teens and young adults. But Universal has a corner on this market as well with both Universal Studios itself and Universal’s Islands of Adventure providing some of the best coasters in the nation. Even Sea World has joined the fray. Sea World, you say? With the clapping seals and mischievous killer whales? Yep. Sea World, now home not just to Shamu but to the longest, fastest, tallest coaster in Orlando (the Kracken) and an exciting newer addition, Mantis.

Los Angeles is another amazing city for senior class trips. The beach, the stars, and – in keeping with the tone here – the sheer number of roller coasters and theme parks. Six Flags Magic Mountain, for instance, offers more coasters in one park than almost any other park in the country. You can find the original “happiest place on earth” here as well with Disneyland and its fellow parks (like Disney’s California Adventure). And Universal offers its first creation here as well. Rounding out your tour, you’ll visit Knott’s Berry Farm, which has been thrilling guests since before any of these other yahoos even broke ground.

If you don’t need quite so many thrils but need some chocolate to go with those thrills, then Hershey, Pennsylvania, is for you. These four attractions are all fun, all sweetness, all curing, all the time – from the factory itself, Hershey’s Chocolate World, to the thrilling amusement park anchored by the delightful Kissing Tower and too good for a space between its words, i.e., Hersheypark, you’ll love every minute of your time in Chocolate Town.

So just sit back and endure your “itis” for now. These cities will definitely make the world seem endurable after all. You’ll be all set to take it on with just a few days in these cities packed with thrills.

The other day I discovered an exciting destination whose existence I had barely acknowledged before. This is just one of the many wonderful things about working in student travel – or travel of any kind – you’re always discovering how many places you’ve yet to discover.

There are lots of big cities in this country, famous for their skylines, their culture, (and their crowds). They’re popular for students, which is why we send so many groups each year to New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, and other well-known destinations. But some of our groups want to discover the wealth of amazing attractions right next door. Regional travel saves money on transportation and lodging, so you can use your hard-saved cash for the attractions themselves (or perhaps some really great food). And, believe us: There are plenty of thrills in these charming locations just off the beaten path.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is just such a location. Though the Smoky Mountains don’t get mentioned as much as their Rocky Mountain counterparts in the west, you’ll never forget them again after visiting this charming destination nestled right in the midst of their beauty. And besides the breathtaking landscape, this area offers fabulous attractions for student travel.

On Gatlinburg student tours you can find yourself surrounded by the amazing, the thrilling, and the bizarre as only the Robert Ripley legacy can provide. This city offers Ripley’s first museum, Ripley’s Believe it or Not. But you’ll also be amazed by Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and explore the exotic in Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. And this dynasty isn’t done thrilling you yet. You’ll find even more to love in Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror, Maze, and Candy Factory.

There’s still more from Ripley beyond that, but he isn’t the only excitement in Gatlinburg. You’ll also find a sky-high observation deck and space needle plus a thrilling ride appropriately named Earthquake.

Surely I’ve convinced you, right? That Gatlinburg is a wonderful choice for student tours? But what about where you live? If you think you’ve seen it all, we’d like to challenge that belief! There’s far more to discover all around us than most of us have dreamed. Customized educational tours can take place anywhere in the nation. Give your region a chance, and take a look at all it has to offer. You may be  surprised by what you find.

I don’t know about where you live, but in the midwest lately, it’s felt like autumn in July. And autumn brings with it the start of a new school year, which for seniors can mean many things, including the planning of that all-important final celebration known as the senior class trip.

If you’re checking out our blog, you may be looking into ideas already. Perhaps you’re on the committee or just thinking more about how to leave school with a bang than the fact that you’ve got one more year in it. Either way, we’re stuffed full of ideas for senior class trips around here, and today I want to open your ideas to the possibility of taking your crew on the water. 

Of course, one of the greatest things about a cruise is that it’s not just on the water. The ports are one of the best parts. You’ve probably had a guided tour through a museum – well, consider your cruise a guided tour through the ocean. 

We can help you book student cruises  to Belize, the Bahamas or Jamaica, Cancun and the beautiful island of Cozumel, and of course many, many more. If you’ve got a good-sized group, a cruise can be extremely cost-effective considering all that you’ll receive from it. 

So take a look at student cruises for your graduation trip. It will definitely be the most memorable part of your year.

I wonder how many times New York City has heard these words: Lights, camera…Action.

You have to admit, that city is almost synonymous with movies and movie-making. And we’ve created a tour that celebrates all things film, television, and the City that Never Sleeps! We’ve added New York City movie tours to our growing list of theme tours for students, and this one you will seriously love.

Central Park has set the stage for so many famous and favorite scenes in film that there’s an entire tour devoted just to that. The Central Park movie walking tour is one of our favorites. Let’s face it, this is a must-see New York City attraction anyway. How fun to see it in the context of all your favorite films!

If you’re like me, it’s not just the movies, but television, that makes up many of your most nostalgic moments. And there’s a New York tour for that as well! You can visit the brownstone where the Huxtables lived on the Cosby Show, see the apartment building from Friends, and the diner from Seinfeld. Plus. Much. More.

You’re also going to eat at Planet Hollywood and enjoy Kevin Bacon’s narration for your virtual flight over New York City on the NY Sky Ride. 

We’ve thrown in all kinds of exciting attractions besides these. You may want to include Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum - the only place in the City that guarantees you’ll see stars. And get to interact with them. Another favorite is Mars 2112. This restaurant is an exciting trip to the Red Planet itself. And I don’t like to drop names, but celebrity news sites reported Brad Pitt eating there with his sons quite recently. If Hollywood loves it, we know you’ll want to include it on your movie tour of the incomparable and always exciting New York City.

Photo credit: postopp1 on Flickr.

When I was a kid I got the Guinness Book of World Records at a book fair and poured over it for hours after that – the tiny woman standing on a dresser, the Siamese twins – all the amazing things I couldn’t quite imagine and yet I was looking at them right there in black and white.

If only I had known there was a Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Because in Gatlinburg you can visit this amazing stuff in person. And Guinness isn’t the only sharer of the unique in Gatlinburg. Ripley’s actually has the prestige of offering the most attractions in this charming Tennessee destination.

Ripley’s offers it’s Believe it or Not museum, the Aquarium of the Smokies, a Haunted Adventure, and Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror, Maze, and Candy Factory, plus a Moving Theater. Ripley’s is just part of the reason you’re guaranteed excitement in Gatlinburg, but it’s one of the biggest reasons of all. Check out our sample itinerary for Gatlinburg educational tours to learn about even more.

Photo Credit: LAYeiser on Flickr

I’m so excited about a new project we’re working on for student groups. THEME TOURS. We’re going to be building sample itineraries over the summer so we’re all set for you when you return to school in the fall and can’t wait to organize student travel based on fashion, art, literature, ecotours, volunteer work, and just about anything you can imagine!

Book lovers will love our literature tours like the one near Boston that leads you to Orchard House (pictured here by redjar on Flickr). Orchard House was one of the homes of Louisa May Alcott and her family. Other famous author sites are nearby as well, including Walden Pond, which the Alcotts visited at times and about which Henry David Thoreau wrote the famous book by the same name. 

Our fashion tours are another exciting idea for students. The fashion industry is one of the most vibrant in the world. On this tour you can consider its fascination as an art form and get a very specific glimpse into its possibilities as a career choice. This tour gets you inside some very exciting aspects of the fashion industry – from Tommy Hilfiger’s office to a one-on-one with a member of a powerful fashion publishing group. 

Ecotours and those with volunteer opportunities are especially popular these days as well. With a greater awareness of our responsibility to the earth, students love the idea of a true encounter with nature and its powerful inspiration to “stay green”. Volunteer work varies from homebuilding to the cleaning up of our gorgeous national parks and so much more. Check out our student theme tours page to see what else we’ve got planned along these lines, and be sure to keep checking back for more! Better yet, leave us comments on what YOU think would make an awesome theme tour for students.

(Photo of Bloomingdale’s by scalleja on Flickr)

Just because we’re so good at student tours to D.C., New York City, and other fascinating destinations in the States, don’t think we can’t customize a thrilling tour overseas as well. If a trip to Orlando or Virginia Beach seems a little too been-there-done-that for this season’s student travel, how about a summer trip to Europe instead?

For many, European tours are a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you’ll want to make the most of it. Our sample itinerary includes breathtaking sites from London to Paris. It begins with a walking tour of London. On Day 3 you’ll experience the wonder of Windsor. On Day 4 the train ride from London to Paris is an attraction in itself. And Paris will thrill you from the moment you take the introductory and walking tours. This first day in Paris also provides a tour from the River Seine. 

Your time in Paris also includes the Louvre, Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower. Just seven days, and you’ll experience some of the most beautiful highlights and most popular attractions in Europe. We’ll customize your tour if you have other ideas as well. But at least consider. You’re young, excited about life’s possibilities, and searching for inspiration – isn’t this the perfect time for your first tour of Europe?

Photo Credit: Anirudh Koul on Flickr