How Close is That to This?

Friends of mine (also from Missouri) were scuba diving in Hawaii one year, raving about the experience, when the instructor told them there was great snorkeling in Florida and Mexico. “You should just pop down there on the weekend every now and then,” he added in complete sincerity.

And when a natural disaster hit one part of Australia, we worried for the one person I actually knew in the country, until we discovered she was hours away from the situation. Hours and hours away.

The point is, things look closer on a map sometimes than they are in reality. And few of us can comprehend the distance from one place to another unless we’ve experienced it.

On that note, we do create several student tours that encompass more than one exciting destination. Here are three combos we often arrange and that students always enjoy. These locations actually are close enough to include in one brief trip!

New York City and Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. is a flight away for many of the groups we work with, but New York City is only a bus ride from there. These are easily the most popular cities for students, and groups love to combine them. Choose D.C. for the powerful inspiration of the monuments and memorials throughout the National Mall or for just a few of the many exciting museums there, including those comprising the Smithsonian. Then travel to New York city for the final days of your tour and enjoy Top of the Rock, Broadway performances, Central Park, and all the amazing walking tours New York City has to offer.

D.C., Williamsburg and Jamestown

Or, if you want to keep the historical/educational theme going, you may prefer adding these stops to your Washington D.C. tour. Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is a fascinating community where costumed residents live and work as they would in colonial times. Visitors love this authentic look at life in the early 1800s. Jamestown (and Historic Jamestowne) offers reenactments and costumed guides as well showcasing the efforts of Jamestown colonists. Visitors can also see the original Jamestown as it is unearthed by archeologists. These three stops together are perfect for Washington D.C. educational student tours.

D.C., Philadelphia, and NYC

Another popular combination involves two great favorites, New York City and Washington D.C., plus the most visited spot in the nation (according to the 2009 Forbes list). Every year Americans flock to the Liberty Bell, to Independence Hall, and to Franklin Court in the city that represents the birth of our nation. And, fortunately, Philadelphia is close enough to allow for a tour that includes all three of these go-to choices for student and educational tours.

These combos are all on the east coast. Do you have other favorite destination combinations that can fit easily in 5 to 7-day tours?

Photo by wallyg on Flickr.

Related posts:

1. New York City Colleges