9 days
Experience the major museums and landmarks of London, Bletchley Park and Portsmouth. London is an influential city with a rich history among the many sights, including Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. View the famous dome, spire and grand architecture of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Visit the American Memorial Chapel, dedicated to the thousands of Americans who died in Britain during WWII. Explore the Imperial War Museums, including the Churchill War Rooms, WWII and the Holocaust Exhibition. Listen to stories of codebreaking and cybersecurity with visits to Bletchley Park, the top-secret home of World War II codebreakers. Begin the journey into D-Day history in Portsmouth and view the Overlord Embroidery.
Learn more legends and history of Europe in Normandy and Versailles. Get a WWII history lesson on the Allied troops in Normandy on Utah Beach and at the museum as well as guided tours of Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and Normandy American Cemetery. Go on a visual journey through 11th-century history while viewing the Bayeux Tapestry, which is 231 feet of embroidery depicting the Norman Conquest of England. An essential stop in France is the Palace of Versailles, which was designed to glorify the king and express his power over nature. While here, walk the Hall of Mirrors, where tall windows draw in light and mirrors reflect the gardens across the way.
The rest of the journey is spent in Paris, which is known by many names due to the famed sights and artistic trends. View more of Leonardo da Vinci’s genius artwork at the Louvre, see the national art collections at Musée d’Orsay, and explore the academic side of town in the Latin Quarter. Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, which Napoleon commissioned to celebrate the victory of his French armies, and visit his tomb in Hôtel des Invalides. Experience the historical expanse of the City of Light on visits to iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Tuileries Gardens. Stroll through the cobbled streets and charming squares known for the artists and philosophers who have called Paris home.
Travel overnight to London by plane.
Arrive in London and get acquainted with the city on a guided sightseeing tour of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.
Explore the galleries of St. Paul’s Cathedral and visit the American Memorial Chapel, dedicated to the thousands of Americans who died in Britain during WWII. Visit the Imperial War Museums in London, including the Churchill War Rooms, the galleries featuring stories from WWII and the Holocaust Exhibition. After dinner, take a guided tour of Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and through the middle of Leicester Square, where there’s a statue of William Shakespeare.
On this morning’s guided tour of Bletchley Park, listen to stories about the codebreakers of WWII. Continue the journey to Portsmouth to visit The D-Day Story and view the Overlord Embroidery, a tapestry that commemorates D-Day and the Normandy landings. Board the overnight ferry to France, staying in cabins with four bunks.
Arrive in France and travel to Sainte-Mère-Église for a Tour Director-led introduction to the local history of the invasion of Normandy. While exploring Utah Beach Museum, discover the preserved history of D-Day on the beach where the Allied troops invaded Normandy in WWII. Afterwards, take a guided half-day tour with a local historian on a journey to Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach and Normandy American Cemetery.
Experience the moral story woven into the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the architecture of the medieval period. Explore the Palace of Versailles, viewing the Hall of Mirrors, the stylized gardens and impressive fountains with a local guide. Continue on to the hotel in Paris in time for dinner.
Take in the symbols of Paris, starting at a commemorative monument to the victory of the armies of France at the Arc de Triomphe. Stroll along Champs-Élysées, taking in the Parisian atmosphere of the avenue. Pass through the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris. Walk through the lovely Tuileries Gardens and under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Discover endless works of art, from Leonardo da Vinci’s original “Mona Lisa” to ancient Egyptian artifacts, at the world’s largest art museum, the Louvre. Share dinner in the Latin Quarter and tour the area on foot, learning more about its academic history and pass by the oldest university in Paris, the Sorbonne.
Visit the vaults of history within the Hôtel des Invalides, including the Dome church to see the tomb of Napoleon. Ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower for the best pictures of time in Paris. Take in the beauty of the iconic monuments there on a Seine River cruise through the heart of the city. Stroll the cobbled streets of Montmartre, where all the scenery looks like it came straight out of a movie. While here, stop at the charming artist hub, Place du Tertre. Visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica to see the striking sculptures, architecture and panoramic view of Paris.
Depart Paris and journey homeward.
On this nine-day tour of Europe, learn the background of the Allied troops who were there during World War II and explore the artistic symbols of local culture and history. Discover the stories of thousands of Americans who paid the ultimate price for freedom far from home at the American Memorial Chapel, The D-Day Story and the Utah Beach Museum. Educational visits to the Holocaust Exhibition, Bletchley Park and tours with a local historian drive home the impact that WWII had on so many lives. Explore local architecture and culture from the medieval period of Europe to the still growing art collections of present day, including the Bayeux Tapestry, Palace of Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Latin Quarter. With a curated curriculum for educators to apply with the program, students are empowered to put their learning into practice before, during and after the trip.
Quality, safe hotels with twin or triple occupancy corresponding to the destination.
All transportation is provided throughout the program.
Airfare covers round-trip flights from major airports.
Two meals are provided daily, breakfast and dinner, featuring local cuisine.
Interactive learning experiences designed to expand educational and career goals.
Scheduled activities, experiences and guided tours are all included.
Customized experiences developed by travel experts to promote learning and engagement.
Full-time Tour Directors are on site for the duration of the trip, for an all-inclusive experience.
Tips for bus drivers, guides, Tour Directors and meals.
International travel insurance is provided for protection in case of accidents, illness, flight interruptions or baggage loss.
Advanced student security software that integrates geofencing, logistics, communication and more optimized safety features.
Dedicated 24/7 staff availability, supporting students every step of the way.
