I’ve written about a lot of places since working for a student travel company, and many of them I couldn’t wait to see for myself. One of these attractions is a favorite for Washington DC student tours. So of course it made my list when I visited DC last spring.

It’s called the Illuminations Tour, and I had understood it to be somewhat of a drive-by. I thought groups were loaded on buses and driven around the National Mall and the rest of DC’s famous spots, so that they could view the pretty sights lighted up after dark. My Illuminations experience was quite a bit richer and more personal than that. But I did learn some things along the way.

Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial, and the sun went down while we were there. We didn’t see it in its fully lit beauty until later. It wasn’t fully dark yet when we reached the Vietnam War Memorial either. The full effect – the first memorial I witnessed after dark – and only after dark was the Korean War Memorial.

Do you know much about that one? It’s perfect for educational travel and it’s a part of the National Mall, so I’m sure you’ll see it if you ever visit. And it’s nice to know a bit about what you’re getting into. This memorial has several parts, most notably the larger-than-life soldiers which appear to be walking through a field of juniper. They represent several races, several branches of the army. And their faces truly are haunting, perhaps especially after dark while lit from below.

A second portion of the memorial is a wall with images engraved that represent many, many other jobs in the military. (Our guide helped us engage with the images by listing things to find and discover – I definitely recommend this for student groups). And here’s where I will introduce the tip.

While at the Korean War Memorial, though it was beautiful and haunting in the lights, I wished – well – that I could see better. That feeling was reinforced at the World War II Memorial with its beautiful pillars and fountains and decorative wreaths and so much detail. I felt certain I was missing some of that detail by only seeing them in the dark.

My final feeling was that the Illuminations Tour of the Washington DC monuments and memorials is absolutely not to be missed. Still, I think the best way to experience this most moving part of Washington DC is to view them during the daylight as well. There’s too much here to only view after dark.

Well, it’s settled. I have to go back to New York City as soon as possible. I visited in the spring, for the first time, and immediately made every intention to go again as often as possible in my lifetime. But I’m discovered a dilemma today that won’t be solved until I’m there again.

New York City is, of course, one of the top five US destinations for student travel. We love it for all kinds of tours, group travel, museum tours, even for themed travel since it offers so many attractions for any interest, including art, architecture, theater, film, and any number of historical themes. When we went in the spring, we determined to see for ourselves many of the attractions often included in itineraries for students. Of course, a couple observation decks made the list.

Before I went, I understood there to be some debate about which observation deck was the best – the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock. I knew the ESB probably held the most sentimental draw but had heard that Top of the Rock actually offered the better user experience. I couldn’t wait to decide for sure.

Since returning, I’ve given my opinion several times that the above is basically true. I had a wonderful and personal experience at the ESB. We were given the VIP tour. We were able to avoid the lines and see things most groups won’t. But here’s the sadness: I only took three pictures. THREE. (You can see one of them above). And I’ve learned that when you are taking in so many new and unfamiliar attractions at once, your only chance at remembering them in detail and truly reliving the experience is if you write down every moment and/or take a ton of pictures. Therefore, the truth is, my ESB experience has almost left me.

At Top of the Rock, I took pictures of every possible view, including – and this is the important part – the observation deck itself. Now I can relive not just what the city looks like from Top of the Rock but I can relive Top of the Rock itself – the wide and spacious deck with its clear safety glass for protection and the slots between them perfect for sticking a camera lens through to take unobstructed pictures.

These are the details I cannot remember from the Empire State Building. I’ve been describing the photo above as the observation deck there, because I’d forgotten one very important detail. This is a photograph of the observation deck on the 102nd floor. It’s completely enclosed with the metal you see in the photo and it requires an upgraded ticket for admission. The more common 86th floor observatory is more open, and I wish I’d taken a picture of it – of people standing on it, leaning over to view Manhattan from its height.

I have to confess that even with my foggy memory, I do remember the ESB observation deck to be quite a bit more crowded and more narrow than the one at Top of the Rock. It was difficult at the Empire State Building to find space at the ledge for an unobstructed view. But I’ve definitely done it an injustice to remember it only as the one in the picture. And I’ve been told since that it’s open late and that the view is absolutely incomparable at night.

This is why I absolutely have to go back. I can’t truly write about New York City group travel without another glimpse, without better photographic evidence of the experience on the 86th floor observation deck at the Empire State Building. And at night. It’s an absolute must.

One of the first things I learned after joining a travel company and searching out ideas to blog about, and tips to share on facebook, was this: Slow down.

I’m obsessed with the concept actually, because I think it’s the best way to actually take in our surroundings, our life even. The other day I drove by a photographer not three blocks from my house. And she was snapping an old white building. If I’d seen only the photograph, I’m not sure I could have told you the building sat so near my house. Almost every week I drive by it, but I’d never really seen it. It’s just one of the many moments in life when I realized I wanted to slow down.

Another came in the days preceding and during my first-time trip to New York City. You see, I’ve written about many attractions there, the ones we commonly use for New York City educational tours, and I’d seen the attractions over and over in film as well. I couldn’t wait to be there myself. And I was determined to stop long enough, and breathe slowly enough, that I could truly take them in. Still, if the seize-the-day argument doesn’t convince you to slow down, maybe these tips will do it.

The slower you travel, the more money you save. (This tip courtesy of the Traveler’s Notebook). Just think how much cheaper it would be to walk or ride a bike on your tour than to pay for buses, trains, and cabs. Like most last-minute decisions, the faster we need to get somewhere, the more we end up paying.

Slowing down leads to better familiarity. Another benefit of slower travel is that you have a better chance at understanding the culture in which you are a visitor. Too often we visit a city only to race from one popular sight to the next, completely missing the little wonders hidden between the time slots on our itinerary. Walk on the sidewalk once in a while. Take a ferry or ride the city bus. Take the time to actually meet the locals and better understand how they live day to day and what they consider important and worth your time.

Plus, consider the attractions themselves. Museums, famous skyscrapers, beautiful parks and beaches – how much more can we appreciate them if we slow down? There is usually far more to see than we actually notice. My travel wish is more than a map with countless colored pins declaring where I’ve been. I’d rather have fewer pins but through pictures, stories and understanding, truly be able to say, “I’ve been there.”

Consider this when you’re planning educational student tours and other educational travel, including that which is only personally educational for you: Once you get there, have you built in time to really understand where you’ve been?

Planning any upcoming travel to Washington D.C. or maybe Boston student tours? I’ve got a great entertainment idea for you. It’s called Shear Madness, and it’s perfect for groups.

This live stage show is a classic – well, maybe not-so-classic – whodunnit with a twist. Audience participation is a must as your questions and guidance actually determine how the criminal is made to confess and subsequently apprehended. Your job is to figure out who the mastermind is.

Shear Madness begins in a salon as your group and the rest of the audience is introduced to the hilarious, colorful, and sometimes outrageous cast of characters. You’ll be eased into the story like the transition from the opening credits of a sitcom to the lines that eventually bring you the meat of the episode. New characters are introduced as the salon receives customers and the two employees talk.

Somewhere in the middle, there’s a scream and running and police sirens – or something like that. The victim has been found right upstairs from the salon, and the suspects are limited to those in the vicinity. That means you’ve seen it all; you just have to put together the pieces.

The audience is brought into the action shortly after the victim is found and the police begin their questioning. After all, you’re all witnesses. If you’ve brought a large group, don’t be surprised if the investigator calls you by name from the stage! And hopefully you were watching closely, because there were all kinds of clues, and it’s up to you to point them out to the investigator. You can even question the suspects!

Because of the audience participation, Shear Madness is a different experience every time you go. You’ll find yourself tapping your foot to the music and laughing at the humor from the first few seconds of the show. You’ll probably even catch different jokes each time around. Shear Madness offers much more fun on stage than just the lines delivered. The show is currently playing in Washington D.C. and Boston in the states plus overseas in Seoul, Korea; Athens, Greece; and Poland. More shows are opening around the world as well.

If you’re planning group travel tours to any of these destinations, consider Shear Madness for just that – it’s sheer fun, sheer excitement, intrigue and – yep – a whole lot of madness.

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.

I’ve been looking at pictures like this all week. And I don’t want to write any more words about them, really, I just want to look.

I thought you might like to look too. It’s a picture of the blossoming cherry trees in Washington D.C. with the Jefferson Memorial just beyond. It’s probably during or very near the two weeks designated each year as the National Cherry Blossom Festival in our nation’s capital – filled with activities, fireworks, cultural performances, street celebrations, and more.

Do you know the trees were a gift from Japan? Two different times they befriended us with a gift of at least three thousand cherry trees. The first time we reciprocated with flowering dogwoods. In the eighties we offered them cuttings from the cherry trees themselves, to replace those they had lost in a flood. It’s a beautiful story of friendship between nations, really. (Though I confess to being a bit confused about the events of a certain World War right in the middle years of all that giving).

Think of the most beautiful moments in your life. The biggest moments, whether with people, surrounded by nature, or both. Now think of the pictures you took at the time. Do they compare?

Not even a little bit.

If you’re looking for the perfect destination for student tours, look no farther than Washington D.C. with its myriad museums, monuments, memorials, statues, parks, and history and culture galore. There’s no better place on the planet for educational travel. And if you’re looking for the best time of year to be there, the most breathtaking time, the time when nature’s framework for some of the most beautiful architecture in the world is at its very best. Consider the spring, the few weeks somewhere near the end of March and the beginning of April when the cherry blossoms bloom, and a festival is thrown in their honor.

(Amazing photo by ghbrett on Flickr.)

Why do we do it? If too many people talk about a thing, exalting it too highly too many times, then we balk. At least, some of us do. It’s partly, I think, a symptom of the desperate human desire to stand out in a crowd – even if it means missing out on something good. We hesitate to conform (even though most of us do it all the time in little ways we probably don’t even consider). But if we can hold out, if something comes up that the whole world seems gaga over except for us – then we are different. We are our own person. And we’re proud of that.

It’s also the common what-about-me syndrome. No matter how cool a thing sounds, if it doesn’t connect with some part of ourselves, some specific interest or dream, then it won’t register on our must-experience list. After all, tons of people want to visit Paris one day, but each person who would say that probably has some personal connection to the idea. “I’ve wanted to ever since I saw that musical,” “My great-great grandmother was from there”, “I’m into fashion,” etc. And, I would venture to say, many popular destinations for student tours fall into this list of cool places that you’ve heard about so much you feel kind of indifferent to actually experiencing them for yourself.

For me, one of these amazing things that had earned its place as a must-experience location but that so many people had declared as such that I wanted to be different and ignore it, was Niagara Falls. I was extremely indifferent to this powerful, magnificent display of water rushing over a cliff. Extremely. (I actually did the same thing with Hawaii and the Caribbean Islands – so perhaps I had an aversion to classic honeymoon cliches?) Anyway, all this changed when I actually saw the Falls for myself.

It helped that I was sort of “in the area”. It helped for, you know, the casual factor. I was staying in Buffalo, New York, and a few us made the trip to the falls both at night and during the day. And it. Was. Breathtaking. I’ll never forget the way they looked by the lights at night. I’ll never forget the way you can feel the water splashing on you even from hundreds of yards away. (I’ll also never forget that pretty much everyone standing nearby heartily declared, ‘But it’s so much better from the Canada side,’ which is something I actually do want to discover for myself.)

So – all I’m saying – is don’t rule it out just because it’s so completely awesome that it’s become a travel cliche. Most things become a cliche for a reason, and Niagara Falls is one of them. This gorgeous natural destination really is, though, perfect for students. Niagara Falls student tours offer tons of exciting ways to actually experience the beauty, the power, and the adventure of the Falls. None of them include going over the Falls in a barrel, but they are thrilling. Think helicopter tours and boats like the famous Maid of the Mist. And, seriously, consider this amazing destination for your next student tour.

Texas has several beaches, and with its warm climate, it’s definitely not a bad place for winter and spring break vacations. If you’re in the state, visiting the beaches of Galveston, the history of San Antonio, or perhaps a sporting event in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, nearby Grapevine, Texas, is great place to add to the list.

Grapevine student tours offer charming touches like live artisan demonstrations in the beautiful Grapevine historic district. Other historic sites include the Grapevine Vintage Railroad with an 1896 steam locomotive, and Nash Farm, reflecting the farming life of Grapevine’s earliest settlers.

But Grapevine is also the perfect choice for thrills. X-Drenaline is a popular outdoor paintball course for an exciting competition with friends. Or if you prefer indoor sports, Main Event offers everything from bowling and billiards to arcade games and popular laser tag. Finally, Grapevine Mills is perhaps the most popular destination in Grapevine. It’s a huge shopping and entertainment center, perfect for every season, with available activities way beyond the average mall.

Grapevine has so many great places to visit, you can even take a tour on the popular amphibious vehicles known as DUCKS. It’s a great way to start your Grapevine experience as the entertaining narrator guides the way and helps you decide exactly what you want to do next.

StudentTravel.net is devoted to the places you want to go for leisure, and specifically the places you want to choose for spring break. This usually means beaches as they offer the perfect climate, low-stress days, and exciting nights. But the beaches I’m talking about today are even more low-stress than those.

“A haven for recreation and reflection,” the National Park Services has said of these beaches known as “OBX”, or the Outer Banks of the North Carolina coastline.

These narrow barriers present great opportunity for some water sports like kayaking and wind surfing. But they are perhaps best known for leisurely strolls, exploration, and quiet escapes to serenity. They’re dotted with a lighthouse or two, some as authentic and original as any in the nation. They offer a couple amazing historical landmarks – the site for the first flight by the Wright brothers and the location for the first English Colony.

The Outer Banks are also filled with pleasant wildlife, from nesting sea turtles to the endangered piping plover (it’s a little bird that nests on sandy beaches – I know you were wondering). And they’re unpredictable. Thanks to their narrow topography and nearness to the ocean, these barriers are constantly changing from wind and storms, ocean currents, and the rise and fall of the sea. Spend a day on them, and you’ll surely notice even subtle differences yourself.

The ocean is generally conceded to evoke great thought, reflection, and a general awareness of our relative insignificance in a massive universe. The Outer Banks are no exception, and added to that sense of the ocean’s vast existence comes the uncertain reality of standing on a narrow, changing space almost at the whim of the ocean’s power.

Still, if you tire of reflection – if you actually walk on these sandy shores and brilliant dunes long enough that you’ve decompressed from all the stress of work and school and home and have no more thinking left to do – there’s always the surf. This beautiful National Seashore is equal parts reflection and adventure, and you’ll love both activities for Outer Banks student tours.

Have you considered Charlotte, North Carolina, for a warm-weather destination? Hopefully after this post you will. Charlotte student tours offer everything from white water rafting to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a variety of performing arts venues, plus everything in between. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

US National Whitewater Center

The whitewater rafting is just the beginning of the adventure possible at the US National Whitewater Center, an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. Other activities include a mega zip line, mountain biking, a climbing center, and more – all created to help promote healthy lifestyles and environmental awareness. But healthy/inspirational agenda aside, visitors will love every thrilling activity here.

Discovery Place is one of the most visited attractions in the Carolinas. In its simplest label, it’s a science museum. But with the unveiling of its all-new exhibits, there’s even more proof that Discovery Place is much more than that. Hands-on activities, unique ways to experience marine life, the rain forest – even physiologic systems of the human body – all make this museum like none you’ve seen.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

NASCAR fans will love the behind-the-scenes tour of this popular raceway, including the full-tilt experience of 24-degree banking and a photo op in Victory Circle. The tours are only offered on non-event days, but they’re definitely a popular choice. For even more celebration of the famous racing events, visitors will love the NASCAR Hall of Fame with almost 40,000 square feet of memorabilia and interactive exhibits celebrating the sport.

And you know, these are just the beginning, right? Charlotte also offers much more with history, art, and thrills. And it’s a perfect choice for educational tours.