Explorica Canada: International Brochure (Spring 2020)

2020/2021

3080 Yonge Street Suite 5052, Toronto, ON M4N 3N1

Experiences that Enlighten

Hello! Yassou! Bonjour! Ni Hao! Cheers! Grüetzi! G'day! ¡Hola! Ciao! Guten Tag!

The experience is everything

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explorica.ca

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Choose from over 2020/2021 200 educational explorica.ca travel programs 1.888.378.8845

“We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong.”

A letter from our General Manager

- James, Student

Dear Traveller, There’s an endless world to explore outside of your classroom, and we are excited to help you and your students to experience it!

At WorldStrides Explorica, we take educational travel – every part of it – to the highest levels of eye-opening discovery, quality learning, and genuine enthusiasm.

From the support of our team of seasoned travel consultants to our ability to customize an itinerary that’s perfect for your group, our goal is simple: to be your trusted partner and exceed your expectations for safety, security, quality, price, and overall peace of mind.

Most of our tours span 10 days, but the memories they create? They last forever.

That’s why our emphasis on a superior planning process is our highest priority, from our first phone call to the day you and your group return. It all starts with listening to you. Where you want to go, what you want to do, how your students will learn along the way – this is where our partnership begins.

And since we’ve joined the WorldStrides family, we can deliver even more travel options, with even greater support and flexibility, across the globe. As you look through these pages, you’ll see just what I mean – we’ve never had more programs than we do now, and this makes our entire team immensely proud.

Trip after trip, year after year, we are always improving, innovating, and increasing our ability to give you and your students the tools and resources you need to feel the excitement of new places.

Here’s to you, your students, and future adventures in educational travel!

Cordially,

David Conklin General Manager, CPA, CA WorldStrides Explorica

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Table of Contents Page

Page

4 6 8 9 10 12 14 16

What makes travel so important Best Tour Directors Making travel accessible Quality programs you can customize Safety and support equal trust Essential customer care Interview: Brent Bidner, Sr. Business Development Executive Anatomy of a great tour

18 20 21 22 23

Tour North America Québec and Montréal The Canadian Maritimes Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. New York City: Landmarks of Manhattan

24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

Tour Spain and Portugal Madrid and Southern Spain Insider’s Spain Northern Spain Spanish Highlights Barcelona, Madrid and Andalusia Madrid and Andalusia Spain and Morocco Madrid and Barcelona

34 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

Tour Latin America Costa Rica Costa Rica: Coast to Coast Costa Rican Highlights Nicaragua and Costa Rica Peru: Machu Picchu Peru: Incan Adventure Galapagos Island Highlights Belize

44 46 47

Tour France Paris, City of Light Insider’s Paris

48 49 50 51 52 53 54

Tour Britain and Ireland Ireland, Wales and England New York City and London Theatre Best of Ireland Scotland and Ireland London, the Countryside and Edinburgh London Theatre

55 56 57 58 59 60

Tour Italy Best of Italy Italian Highlights Rome and Florence Rome, Florence and Venice Italy and Greece

61 62 63

Tour Greece Athens and the Aegean Best of Greece

64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85

Tour European Combinations Madrid, Barcelona and Rome Paris, Provence and Barcelona Spain and Paris London, Paris and Barcelona France and Italy London and Paris London, Paris and Italy Paris, the Côte d’Azur and Barcelona Italy, France and Spain Rome and Greece London, Paris and the Alps France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany Croatia, Ljubljana and Venice Iceland Adventure Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome Paris and Barcelona Madrid and Paris Spain, Italy and Greece Italy and Spain Switzerland and Paris Switzerland and Italy

86 87 88 89 90 91

Tour Germany and Central Europe Germany, Switzerland and Austria Central European Cities Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Munich Germany, Switzerland and Italy Berlin, Prague and Munich

92 93 94 95 96 97

Tour Asia and the Pacific Japan Highlights Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand Delhi, Jaipur and Agra Australia and New Zealand

98 99

Make a Difference Tours Make a Difference: Thailand

100

Camps International

102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110

Canadian History Tours Venice, Florence, Ortona and Rome Normandy to Cassino D-Day Paris, Vimy and Normandy D-Day Netherlands and France D-Day London and France Central European History Germany: WWII History Canadian History: Battle of Hong Kong

Tour fees based on March 2021 departures. Canadian tour prices include tax. Government taxes not included. Fees valid at time of printing and are subject to change.

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We believe the real world offers a classroom like no other. Educational travel inspires those moments when the light bulb goes on. Students’ minds race beyond their everyday worlds and they find the personal meaning behind what they study in school. That’s a transformation.

It’s the aha moment that you – and we – love most as educators.

Add a new dimension to classroom learning If classroom studies are the source of learning, then you might say educational travel is its living lab!

When students venture out, they find themselves face-to-face with the real thing – from culture to language arts to history – and they see it with fresh eyes.

“This was truly a life changing experience not only for my students but for me as well. It was awesome to see their excitement and enthusiasm each day.”

Show your students a bigger world Getting beyond their hometowns and daily routines is a great eye-opener.

Immersion in totally new places and cultures prompts students to challenge their assumptions and begin to think as world citizens.

“It really allowed us to stop and reflect and get a sense of our shared histories and relationships with our Indigenous Tribes.”

Make the memories of a lifetime Students seem to learn more when they’re having fun – finding spontaneous breakthrough moments through their travel experiences. New settings and fresh encounters with what they study in class help them grow.

“Simply the best experience for theatre students to make their dreams tangible.

From Broadway shows to workshops to exploring the city, students can imagine what life in a busy city might be like and set their sights on various schools which will help them achieve their goals.”

– Teacher, 2019

- Student, 2018

– Teacher, 2018

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Educational travel. It’s learning’s

aha moment.

Students enjoying a panoramic view of Venice.

5

Reasons why our educational experience is simply the best.

Bar none.

Tour Director shares inside stories about the culture.

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Our Tour Directors have more than just information—they have inspiration.

They have real, professional training under their belts. They invent new ways of seeing things and helping students squeeze the last ounce of learning and fun from their programs. Here’s how our Tour Directors personify excellence. It’s also why our students call them heroes!

Infectious enthusiasm They lead adventures off the beaten path and set the action-packed pace for each day.

Inclusive friends and coaches They know that bringing students along with them instead of lecturing at them is the key to making things fun and memorable.

Proud locals who love to share They’re all savvy natives and exceptionally knowledgeable about our destinations abroad: “Let me show you my London. It’s not just what you’ve read and think!”

“What I love about working with WorldStrides Explorica is seeing the transformation in the students from the day they arrive to the moment they leave – seeing how each day they get a little braver in embracing the new places and cultures they are exposed to, and how this experience opens their minds a little more with every passing day. I love seeing the sparkle in their eyes when they get to see in real life what so far they have only known from books or the internet. There is no better way to learn than through travel.

It really is teaching at its best.”

Alexandra Rauter | Tour Director for 14 years

Innovators and creators They share our philosophy that learning activities embedded in the adventure of travel combine for a more enriching education.

Skilled leaders They know how to get students dialed in to their surroundings. “Be silly. Be playful. Be fun. Laughing together brings us together, and gets us all started off at the same place at the same time.” – Alexandra Rauter

Our selection process yields only the best!

We invest a lot in the selection and training of our Tour Directors. We take them through a formal training process.

We also assess how they’ll lead and inspire our groups, based on auditions, role plays, and more.

– ~1,500 application forms per year – 100-200 preliminary finalists – ~ 20 new recruits It all adds up to a carefully vetted, well-qualified, and enthusiatic group of trip leaders.

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Travel is for everyone.

Opportunities that combine the adventure of travel with deeper understanding from new learning should be available to all students.

That’s why we make accessibility a top priority.

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Group fundraising support Group fundraising is a great way to help students pay for a portion of their tour fees, while helping students meet and bond prior to travelling. We help you kick start your fundraising initiatives with:

Financial assistance To help make travel a reality for as many students as possible, we offer need-based financial assistance for qualifying families.

Student travel grants We offer student travel grants throughout the year to further reduce the tour fee for your travellers. We award over $4 million in funds each year.

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Flexible chaperone ratio Our guaranteed best prices are based on the industry safety standard of one chaperone for every six paying participants.

However, if you don’t need that many chaperones we let you adjust the ratio to your preferred value, lowering your students’ tour fee.

Hands-on cooking class in BARCELONA

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– Fundraising resource packet We also provide a packet full of great ideas and helpful advice compiled from years of fundraising experience.

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Monthly payment plans Our easy, automated plans allow your students to spread out their payments over the months leading up to their tour. As low as $149/month for international tours, this convenient feature helps more of your students afford to travel.

– Fundraising webinars Our experienced Teacher-to-Teacher mentors provide time-tested methods and tips in an interactive setting, so you can ask questions and learn what works.

“When I reflect on everything our group did in just one week and what my students paid for their trip, I can honestly say it was an amazing deal.

For my students, this was a trip of a lifetime, and worth every penny.”

–Gina M., Costa Rica, 2017

Personal fundraising pages We give every student their own personal fundraising page on explorica.ca. With an average donation of $100, students can easily raise significant funds for their tour using their favourite social channels.

Critiquing the sculpture in a Pont du Gard exhibit, FRANCE

Contemplating nobility at Neuschwanstein Castle in BAVARIA

The best experience. Hands down.

We put the most committed, expert team behind every trip, and it shows in the cultural quality your students will feel: Where you stay.

What you eat. How you get around—and most important, how you interact with the locals and live like them. This is what transforms an ordinary travel program into the educational experience of a lifetime.

Top-quality hotels We guarantee quality hotels within 45 minutes of activities, so you have more time in your day to see the things you came to see. All hotels offer clean, safe and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, and you can even upgrade for more amenities — for one night, or for your entire tour.

Daily breakfast and dinner You and your students will fuel up for your adventures with hearty breakfasts and sample regional cuisine with filling, authentic dinners. Your Tour Director will show you the best places for lunches and snacks along the way.

All transportation We provide all transportation between cities and itinerary activities. Our clean, comfortable coaches follow the strictest safety standards, and we opt for highspeed trains whenever possible, so you spend less time in transit.

Excursions and sightseeing You’ll see more—and learn more—than you ever thought possible thanks to our professional, local guides who know our destinations inside and out. They amaze and educate with fun stories and little-known facts, and share hidden local gems you could never experience any other way.

Customize it your way Upgrade hotels Want more amenities or a location closer to popular attractions? We let you upgrade your hotel accommodations for one night, or your entire trip.

Add extra days Want more time in your favourite city?

Voilà! Choose how long you’d like to stay and what you’d like to do.

Upgrade or remove meals Opt for a special dining experience, or remove a meal for more freedom of choice.

Add or remove activities You can decide where to go and what to see. Change individual activities, or create an entirely custom tour.

Add an extension See even more by adding one of our pre-planned itineraries, or making your own.

Balcony view from a LIDO hotel

A MONTMARTRE café break.

Croissants, anyone?

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We’re specialists at international travel, so we have years of experience in keeping programs on track, no matter what the world hands out! We’re also seasoned troubleshooters: We’ve got the staff and partnerships to pivot on a dime and make any real-time program adjustments necessary, so you can feel confident and covered, every moment of your trip. That’s true peace of mind!

Trusted experience

Total travel protection

We have been organizing safe and reliable tours across the globe for more than 17 years. And as a WorldStrides organization, our travellers benefit from an additional 50 years of risk management experience and a worldwide network of support.

Our travel protection plans now cover school board cancellations. Call your program consultant for details.

Proactive risk management Safety protocols are built into every aspect of our operations. From rigorous safety checks and detailed site visits, to continuous safety trainings conducted by veteran risk management professionals, we take every possible precaution to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all participants.

Global vigilance Our Vice President of Health and Safety and our supporting team of risk management officials continually assess all travel destinations and situations. We also partner with WorldAware, a leading worldwide security and risk management organization, for additional assistance monitoring and evaluating global conditions.

No one wants to think about cancelling their tour, but sometimes life happens. Our two trusted travel protection plans offer a cash refund — not just credit for a future trip like other companies provide.

Travel Protection Plan Our standard plan covers common mishaps like misplaced tickets or passports, lost luggage, sickness or injury during the tour, and more. If you have to cancel your tour due to a covered reason, you will receive a full refund minus the cost of the insurance policy.

Travel Protection Plan PLUS Our exclusive, upgraded plan adds to the standard plan, providing the ability to cancel your tour for any reason up to 30 days before departure and receive a cash refund for 75% of the non-refundable fee. This is the only “cancel for any reason” policy in the industry.

WorldStrides Explorica fully protects your investment with TICO’s Compensation Fund. As a member of the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), a self-governed non-profit that promotes a fair and ethical marketplace, consumers can be confident about their travel purchase.

Unparalleled on-tour support We’re by your side every step of the way to provide guidance and assistance.

Global presence As a WorldStrides organization, we have a network of more than 45 offices around the world, so no matter where you travel we are always nearby and ready to help in person if the need arises.

24/7 emergency support We operate a dedicated, 24/7 emergency contact line to assist you with any problem, anywhere, at any time.

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Daily tour updates Our exclusive online Tour Diaries enable friends and family to check on their loved one and follow the group’s progress. These private trip logs are posted daily by the group’s Tour Director.

Comprehensive liability coverage When you travel with WorldStrides Explorica, your tour is backed by our $50 million liability policy protecting third parties such as your school and school board. Your academic institution can rest assured that they are protected with WorldStrides Explorica.

Our ABCs of safety spell one important thing:

Trust.

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There’s a reason our teachers stay with us for years. It’s the same reason our new customers say, “Why didn’t I join WorldStrides Explorica sooner?”

We’re experts at building fun, inspired trips Part of our great service is great trip planning itself. Over the years we’ve learned how students learn and enjoy travel best. Here’s our formula for making it the best: Busy, action-packed days of sightseeing and cultural activities Relaxing evenings with optional guided walking tours Off-the-beaten path excursions and adventures with their Tour Directors Authentic meals and fun hotels in the heart of the action!

We help you get your trip started Our Recipe for Success is designed with one goal in mind—to make it easy for you to recruit your largest group ever.

Based on 50 years of advice from our travelling teachers, this simple method gets students and families excited about your program.

“We’ve got a person for that” —end-to-end support Our customer care begins the minute you raise your hand to learn more about student travel. You get one of our seasoned Business Development Executives to answer your questions and help you start planning. Once you commit to your trip, you get your own Client Experience Manager to get things rolling for you. Check out our additional specialized team members below and imagine what they can do for your program!

A proven process: Step-by-step support We’ve been helping teachers lead incredible tours for decades, so we’ve got it down to a science. And we’re by your side, providing guidance and support, every step of the way.

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1

We help you choose

We give you a Business Development Executive to help you choose (or build) your perfect tour. You get the ability to change anything you want, and see instant pricing.

We care for our customers with a personal touch that no one can match.

Period.

Tour Director Tina Jimenez leading an evening walking tour and listening to students’ opinions about sculptor Gaudí and his Sagrada Família architectural masterpiece.

2

We help you recruit

Your Client Experience Manager makes a web page for your tour, then sends you beautiful posters, invitations and more to give to your students and their parents.

Then your students sign up online.

3

We prepare you

We give you webinars and an extensive network of experienced WorldStrides Explorica trip leaders, who provide field-tested tips and advice about the tour you’re taking.

4

We deliver an exceptional experience

Our Tour Directors meet you at the airport and take it from there; guiding your group, managing logistics and bringing the destinations to life.

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A WorldStrides Explorica staffer shares his joy in helping students connect their lessons to the world outside their classroom.

Our International travel consultants are both our ambassadors and our master planners. They’re spreading the word about our travel programs, and then working directly with our teachers to make their trip meet and exceed expectations.

Meet Brent Bidner Customer champion for over 10 years

With more than 10 years of experience in the travel industry, Brent is an expert in helping organize unforgettable student trips. From firsttime planners to travel addicts, he’s dedicated to helping Canadian educators bring their lesson plans to life, and giving students meaningful new perspectives on the world around them.

Q: The teachers you work with know you as a true believer in what we do. …Not just travel in general, but educational travel, specifically. What drives that?

A: I believe it’s a true honour to be able to work with teachers to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their students. Having worked in the student travel industry for 10+ years and having watched students faces light up when they connect the classroom to the outside world, is priceless to me. Having been fortunate enough to travel as a student has helped shape my career and my adult life more than I could have ever imagined. I’ve travelled to over 15 countries, and while I love sharing my experiences, there’s nothing quite like helping others experience their own great adventures.

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Q: What’s your favourite part of the planning process?

A: I honestly do not have a favourite step! Each stage of the cycle has its own excitement which ultimately leads to a successful trip. Whether it’s deciding on the itinerary, preparing for and hosting the student meeting, receiving the first sign up notification, sharing pre-departure information, or returning from the tour, there is always something to celebrate.

Planning travel is always inspiring and thrilling in its own way, but there’s nothing quite like forming great working relationships with the organizers – it’s the part that I always truly enjoy. In this line of work, earning a teacher’s trust and respect is a must, but being able to enjoy the entire process while working together is key. Planning a once in a lifetime experience shouldn’t feel like work, but instead something that is exciting from the very first conversation.

Q: Share some pro tips. What’s something you wish teachers knew before they planned their first trip?

A: I wish that first-time planners knew that planning a trip is not as difficult as they may believe. We have the entire process broken down from A to Z. We understand that the primary goal isn’t to just plan an amazing trip, it’s to plan an amazing trip AND please the students, parents, principals, and school boards. That’s no small task, which is why we work very hard throughout the company to ensure our customers feel very comfortable during each step of the process and have utmost confidence in our ability to provide the best educational experience possible.

A pro tip that is often overlooked is planning early is a HUGE advantage!

Planning early allows for more students to get in on the fun, as they’ll be able to take advantage of the lowest possible prices, they’ll have more time to spread out monthly payments, and, better still, they’ll have more time to fundraise (their online personal fundraising pages are available as soon as they sign up and are not to be underestimated!).

Q: What’s your personal favourite place to visit?

A: Picking one is impossible! I have been lucky enough to visit so many great places around the world. If I had to narrow it down to my top three, it would be – 1) Montmartre & Latin Quarter areas, Paris: the energy of both areas is so wonderful and always keeps me coming back; 2) The Grand Place Square, Brussels: I will never forget the feeling I had the first time I walked into the square, it is just so stunning; 3) Munich: there’s nothing quite like the hands-on attitude and being able to experience so much history first-hand, along with the open air markets and the lifestyle that many in the city centre live.

“I believe it’s a true honour to be able to work with teachers to create a once and a lifetime experience for their students.

Having worked in the student travel industry for 10+ years and having watched students faces light up when they connect the classroom to the outside world, is priceless to me.”

Brent Bidner | WorldStrides Explorica Senior Business Development Executive

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Anatomy of a great tour Paris is a must-see destination that lives up to its reputation as The City of Light.

Many of our French (and European combo) tours include one or more days in Paris, and we typically combine art, architecture, local cuisine—and a bit of handson artistic activity—to give students a firsthand feel for its elegance and history.

7:00

Breakfast at the hotel: Full and hearty breakfast to fuel up for day

9:00

Guided tour of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis

Travel via the Metro—just as the locals do!

11:30 Visit Notre Dame Cathedral: Holy shrine since Roman times WorldStrides Explorica emergency support goes into action— passport is replaced. No worries!

1:00

Lunch at a local brasserie: A bit of drama, a passport has been misplaced!

2:00

Explore Montmartre: Light a candle in the famous Sacré-Cœur. Photograph the street vendors

4:00

Educational activity at the Louvre: Say hello to Mona Lisa and prepare to paint your own masterpiece

Educational activity—“Cover the Canvas” You’ve just seen the best art in Paris—now get inspired to paint your own.

7:00

Dinner at a popular French bistro: Right around the corner from our hotel! Local recipes, locally owned

All of our meals are carefully planned to give students a taste of local cuisine!

8:30

Early night on the town with your Tour Director

Take a walking tour with your Tour Director! Our centrally located hotels add hours of evening fun with friends.

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TOUR NORTH AMERICA

Educational activity Immigrant experience Step into the shoes of those leaving home and arriving to Ellis Island, and search for the names of ancestors of yours who made the journey themselves.

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9/11 Memorial Reflect as you visit the twin pools paying tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Our home continent is full of diverse and multicultural experiences.

Feel – and taste – the influence of France in Québec and Montréal as you wander charming city streets. Touch the pulse of the modern world in New York City and absorb the cultural delights of a city that sets a global tone. Discover an ironic sense of the end of the world in Newfoundland.

Hello!

WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “This collection highlights exciting options close to home—great for anyone seeking a unique experience. And we’ve recently expanded our offerings to include destinations such as New Orleans and the Maritimes, allowing your students to experience unique French and Acadian culture.”

–Sarah Aleem, Client Experience Manager

Big cities and natural wonders

Tour Highlights Québec: L’Escalier Casse-Cou, Notre-Damedes-Victoires, Rue Saint-Jean, La Terrasse Dufferin, Old Québec & Château Frontenac, Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Montréal: Old Montréal, McGill University, Place Ville Marie, Bell Centre, Mont Royal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology

Authentic cuisine: Au Petit Coin Breton – QUÉBEC CITY Located in the heart of Vieux Québec, this restaurant specializes in making both sweet and savoury crepes, a type of traditional French pancake.

Convenient hotels: Holiday Inn – TOTOWA Situated just 12 miles from downtown Manhattan, you’ll quickly get in and out of the city.

St. John: Loyalist Burial Grounds, City Market, Stone Church, Three Sisters Lamp, Fundy National Park, Hopewell Rocks Charlottetown: Beaconsfield Historic House visit, Confederation Centre of the Arts visit, Victoria Park, Historic Great George Street Prince Edward Island: Anne of Green Gables Museum visit, Cavendish Beach, Covehead Lighthouse, Prince Edward Island National Park New York City: Rockefeller Centre, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, Empire State Building & Observatory, Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Broadway, American Museum of Natural History

Say hello to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/northamerica

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NORTH AMERICA Québec & Montréal

Day 1 – Travel to Québec City and meet your Tour Director – Québec city walk: La Terrasse Dufferin, Old Québec & Château Frontenac – Crêperie dinner

NORTH AMERICA 5 DAYS | 4 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Québec (2), Montréal (2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Québec City(2)

QUÉBEC Ottawa(1)

ONTARIO

Montréal(2)

Toronto(2)

explorica.ca/qam

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$2,074

Calgary

$1,852

Winnipeg

$1,869

Toronto

$1,683

Halifax

$1,788

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

Tour prices include tax.

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Day 2 – Québec Tour Director-led sightseeing: L’Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Steps), Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Rue Saint-Jean – Musée du Fort visit – Plains of Abraham battlefield re-enactment – Traditional dinner and entertainment at a sugar shack Day 3 – Beaupré Coast panoramic tour – Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré guided visit – Montmorency Falls visit – Village-des-Hurons Wendake guided visit – Travel to Montréal along the St. Lawrence River – Montréal Tour Director-led sightseeing: Old Montréal, McGill University, Place Ville Marie, Bell Centre, Mont Royal

Day 4 – Notre-Dame Basilica visit – Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History guided visit – Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal – Olympic Park Tower Observatory – Montréal Science Centre visit Days 5–8: Extension in Ottawa and Toronto Travel home or stay in Ottawa and Toronto.

Highlights: Ottawa Tour Director-led sightseeing, Byward Market, Crime and Punishment Jail, Rideau Canal guided bike tour, National Gallery, Toronto city walk, CN Tower visit, Niagara Tour Director-led sightseeing tour, IMAX Theatre Niagara Falls: Legends and Daredevils, Niagara Falls cruise (Seasonal)

NORTH AMERICA Day 1 – Travel to Halifax and meet your Tour Director – Maritime Museum of the Atlantic visit Day 2 – Halifax guided sightseeing tour: Halifax Public Gardens visit, Fairview Lawn Cemetery visit, Halifax waterfront – Peggy s Cove visit Day 3 – Fort Anne National Historic Site visit – Travel to Saint John by ferry Day 4 – Saint John Tour Director-led sightseeing: Loyalist Burial Grounds, City Market, Stone Church, Three Sisters Lamp – Travel to Moncton via Fundy National Park – Fundy National Park visit: Dickson Falls Trail hike – Hopewell Rocks visit

Day 5 – Travel to Charlottetown – Charlottetown Tour Director-led sightseeing: Beaconsfield Historic House visit, Confederation Centre of the Arts visit, Victoria Park, Historic Great George Street

The Canadian Maritimes

Day 6 – Prince Edward Island excursion: Anne of Green Gables Museum visit, Cavendish Beach, Covehead Lighthouse, Prince Edward Island National Park

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

NORTH AMERICA 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS Halifax (3), Peggy’s Cove, Digby, Saint John (1), Fundy, Moncton (1), Charlottetown (2), PEI National Park Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 7 – Travel to Halifax – Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre visit

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Day 8 – Travel home

PEI National Park Charlottetown(2)

NEW BRUNSWICK Moncton(1)

Truro

Fundy St. John(1) Ferry Digby

Halifax(3) Peggy’s Cove NOVA SCOTIA

explorica.ca/cam

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$2,853

Calgary

$2,411

Winnipeg

$2,594

Toronto

$2,472

Halifax

—

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for detail.

Tour prices include tax.

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NORTH AMERICA Boston, New York City & Washington, D.C. NORTH AMERICA 7 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Boston (2), Salem, New York (2), Philadelphia, Washington (2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Salem

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

MASS.

Boston(2)

New York City(2)

explorica.ca/bnd

Vancouver

$2,524

Calgary

$2,496

Winnipeg

$2,485

Toronto

$2,218

Halifax

$2,259

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

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Day 3 – Travel to New York – Midtown walking tour: Rockefeller Centre, St. Patrick s Cathedral, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal – Empire State Building & Observatory visit

Day 5 – Travel to Philadelphia – Philadelphia Tour Director-led sightseeing tour: Independence Hall visit, Liberty Bell Centre visit, Ben Franklin s grave, Elfreth s Alley, Friendship Meeting House – Travel to Washington

Washington DC(3 or 4)

Spring 2021

Day 2 – Boston Duck Boat guided sightseeing tour (seasonal) – Salem city walk: Witch Trial Memorial, Old Burying Point, Pickering Wharf – Salem Witch Museum visit – Optional: Ghost tour

Day 4 – Ferry boat to Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty – Lower Manhattan guided sightseeing tour: Trinity Church, Wall Street, Chinatown, Little Italy, 9/11 Memorial visit – Optional: Broadway show

Philadelphia

VIRGINIA

Day 1 – Travel to Boston and meet your Tour Director – Freedom Trail walking tour: Old North Church, Paul Revere s House, Old Granary Burial Ground, Boston Common, King s Chapel, Old State House, Faneuil Hall

Day 6 – U.S. Capitol guided tour – Supreme Court visit – Mount Vernon excursion – Arlington National Cemetery & Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) visit – Washington evening guided sightseeing tour: World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, National Mall, Tidal Basin, Washington Monument, White House Day 7 – Holocaust Museum visit – Smithsonian Museums visit: The National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian American Art Museum Days 7–8: Extension in Washington Travel home or stay in Washington.

Highlights: National Archives, Ford s Theatre, International Spy Museum

NORTH AMERICA Day 1 – Travel to New York City and meet your Tour Director – Midtown walking tour: Rockefeller Centre, St. Patrick s Cathedral, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal – Empire State Building & Observatory visit Day 2 – Ferry boat to Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty – Lower Manhattan guided sightseeing tour: Trinity Church, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial visit, Chinatown, Little Italy – Optional: Broadway show

Day 4 – American Museum of Natural History visit Days 4–5: Extension in New York City Travel home or stay in New York City.

Highlights: United Nations building, MoMA

New York City: Landmarks of Manhattan NORTH AMERICA 4 DAYS | 3 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): New York (3) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 3 – Radio City Music Hall guided visit – Metropolitan Museum of Art visit – Central Park walking tour: Cherry Hill, Strawberry Fields, Delacorte Theatre – Madison & Park Avenues – Broadway show

Central Park Times Square Empire State Building

NEW YORK

Wall Street

explorica.ca/nyc

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$2,015

Calgary

$2,055

Winnipeg

$2,055

Toronto

$1,919

Halifax

$1,722

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

23

TOUR SPAIN & PORTUGAL

24

Wander the labyrinth of passageways off tree-lined Las Ramblas in Barcelona — a favourite diversion for tourists and locals alike. Explore the fishermen’s stalls at the port of Lisbon. Feel the passion of flamenco in Madrid. And watch your students communicate with the locals and vendors in their native Spanish and Portuguese.

¡Hola!

WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “This collection is great for new and experienced group leaders. There is so much to see, and these itineraries do a great job of balancing the important cultural and academic elements with the laid-back pace of local life.”

–Kelly Fitzgerald, Client Experience Manager

Spain. A study in elegance, history, and bold character

Tour Highlights Madrid: Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Barri Gòtic, Casa Milà, Park Güell Córdoba: Mezquita Toledo: Gothic cathedrals, synagogues, monasteries

Authentic cuisine: Tablao El Arenal—SEVILLE Located in the Arenal quarter of Seville, this restaurant serves local cuisine and holds nightly live flamenco performances!

Convenient hotels: Hotel Moderno—MADRID In the heart of Madrid and adjacent to the Puerta del Sol Square, this hotel is convenient and modern. Just 165 yards away from the Plaza Mayor!

Segovia: El Escorial, Roman aqueduct Seville: Giralda Tower, Alcázar Granada: Alhambra

Say hola to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/spain-portugal

25

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Madrid & Southern Spain SPAIN & PORTUGAL 8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (3), Aranjuez, Granada (1), Seville (2), Córdoba Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

SPAIN (1)

AVE Toledo

Barcelona(2)

Madrid(3)

Córdoba Granada(1)

explorica.ca/mss

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,583

Calgary

$3,583

Winnipeg

$3,527

Toronto

$3,375

Halifax

$3,531

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

26

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Tapas dinner Day 4 – Travel to Granada via Aranjuez – Aranjuez Palace visit Day 5 – Alhambra guided visit – Travel to Seville

Aranjuez

Seville(2)

Day 1 – Travel to Madrid

Day 6 – Seville guided sightseeing tour: Giralda Tower, Alcázar visit, Columbus’ gravesite, Seville Cathedral visit – Seville city walk: Barrio de Santa Cruz – Flamenco evening Day 7 – Travel to Madrid via Córdoba – Mezquita guided visit Days 8–10: Extension to Barcelona Travel home or travel by train to Barcelona.

Highlights: Barcelona guided sightseeing tour, Barcelona city walk, paella dinner

SPOTLIGHTS The Prado Museum is one of the largest and most visited museums in the world.

It houses over 8,000 drawings, 7,500 paintings, nearly 5,000 prints, 1,000 sculptures, and many other historical documents.

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Day 1 – Travel to Madrid Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Paella dinner Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Flamenco show with dinner Day 4 – Prado visit – Bullfighting lesson

Day 5 – Travel to Barcelona via high-speed AVE train – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument

Insider’s Spain

Day 6 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Mosaic art workshop

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

SPAIN & PORTUGAL 8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available Madrid (3), Barcelona (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 7 – Barcelona guided bike tour – Tapas route with dinner Days 8–10: Extension to Valencia Travel home or travel to Valencia.

Highlights: Valencia city walk, Valencia guided sightseeing tour, Tarragona Tour Director-led sightseeing

SPAIN

Toledo

Barcelona (3 or 4)

AVE

Madrid(3) Valencia(2)

(1)

explorica.ca/isp

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,888

Calgary

$3,888

Winnipeg

$3,832

Toronto

$3,680

Halifax

$3,836

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

27

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Northern Spain

Day 1 – Travel to Madrid

SPAIN & PORTUGAL

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit

9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (2), Segovia, Burgos (1), Bilbao, Basque Region (2), Pamplona, Barcelona (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Bilbao Burgos(1) Segovia Toledo

Basque Region(2) Pamplona Costa Brava(2)

Madrid(2)

Barcelona(2)

SPAIN (1)

explorica.ca/nsp

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,572

Calgary

$3,572

Winnipeg

$3,516

Toronto

$3,364

Halifax

$3,520

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

28

Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Flamenco evening Day 4 – Travel to Burgos via Segovia – Segovia Alcázar visit – Burgos Tour Director-led sightseeing: Burgos Cathedral visit, Cartuja de Miraflores visit

Day 5 – Travel to Basque Region via Bilbao – Visit Guggenheim Museum Day 6 – San Sebastián Tour Director-led sightseeing: Playa de la Concha, Palacio de Miramar, Hotel de Londres, harbour & Old Quarter – Monte Igueldo Lighthouse visit Day 7 – Travel via Pamplona to Barcelona – Tapas dinner Day 8 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner Days 9–11: Extension to Costa Brava Travel home or travel to Costa Brava.

Highlights: Costa Brava beach

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Day 1 – Travel to Barcelona Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner Day 3 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Optional: flamenco evening Day 4 – Travel to Valencia – Valencia city walk: Central Market, Church of Saint Nicolas, Valencia Cathedral, La Lonja de la Seda – Valencia Aquarium visit Day 5 – Travel to Granada Day 6 – Granada Tour Director-led sightseeing – Alhambra guided visit – Travel to Costa del Sola Day 7 – Optional: Morocco guided excursion – Ferry to Ceuta, panoramic view of Ceuta, Tétouan sightseeing tour, authentic lunch included

SPOTLIGHTS When construction began in 1883, Gaudí’s Sagrada Família was one of the world’s longest construction projects— only 20% complete at Gaudí’s death.

Today it is about 70% complete, with work expected to continue on it for years.

Spanish Highlights SPAIN & PORTUGAL 11 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Barcelona (2), Valencia (1), Granada (1), Costa del Sol (2), Seville (1), Córdoba, Madrid (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Travel to Seville – Seville guided sightseeing tour: Giralda Tower, Alcázar visit, Columbus’ gravesite, Seville Cathedral visit – Seville city walk: Barrio de Santa Cruz

(1) SPAIN Salamanca(2) Madrid(2 or 3)

Day 9 – Travel to Madrid via Córdoba & Puerto Lapice – Mezquita guided visit

Barcelona(2) Valencia(1)

Córdoba Granada(1)

Seville(1)

Day 10 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit – Tapas dinner

Ferry

Costa del Sol(2)

Ceuta Tétouan MOROCCO

explorica.ca/sph

Days 11–14: Extension to Salamanca Travel home or travel to Salamanca via El Escorial. Highlights: El Escorial guided visit, Salamanca guided sightseeing tour Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,788

Calgary

$3,788

Winnipeg

$3,732

Toronto

$3,580

Halifax

$3,736

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

29

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Barcelona, Madrid & Andalusia SPAIN & PORTUGAL 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Barcelona (2), Madrid (2), Córdoba, Seville (2), Granada, Costa del Sol (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Zaragoza

PORTUGAL Toledo

Tétouan

Barcelona(2)

AVE

Lisbon(2) Italica

Madrid(2)

Córdoba Seville(2) Granada Costa del Sol(2) Ceuta

explorica.ca/bma

Vancouver

$3,971

Calgary

$3,847

Winnipeg

$3,943

Toronto

$3,720

Halifax

$3,920

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

30

Day 3 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit

Day 5 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Tapas dinner Day 6 – Travel via AVE train to Córdoba – Mezquita guided visit – Travel to Seville

MOROCCO

Spring 2021

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner

Day 4 – Full-day transfer via Zaragoza to Madrid – Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit

(1) SPAIN

Day 1 – Travel to Barcelona

Day 7 – Seville guided sightseeing tour: Giralda Tower, Alcázar visit, Columbus’ gravesite, Seville Cathedral visit – Seville city walk: Barrio de Santa Cruz – Flamenco evening Day 8 – Travel to Costa del Sol via Granada – Alhambra guided visit Day 9 – Optional: Morocco guided excursion – Ferry to Ceuta, panoramic view of Ceuta, Tétouan sightseeing tour, authentic lunch included Days 10–12: Extension to Portugal Travel home or travel to Lisbon via Italica.

Highlights: Italica visit, Lisbon guided sightseeing tour, Fado evening

SPOTLIGHTS The 3rd largest cathedral in the world houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

After his death he “journeyed” to Valladolid, Seville, the Dominican Republic, Havana…and finally back to Seville’s Gothic Cathedral.

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Day 1 – Travel to Madrid Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Tapas dinner – Puerta del Sol treasure hunt Day 4 – Travel via Córdoba to Seville – Mezquita guided visit

Day 5 – Seville guided sightseeing tour: Giralda Tower, Alcázar visit, Columbus’ gravesite, Seville Cathedral visit – Seville city walk: Barrio de Santa Cruz – Flamenco evening Day 6 – Travel to Granada – Alhambra guided visit Day 7 – Travel to Costa del Sol

Madrid & Andalusia SPAIN & PORTUGAL 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (2), Córdoba, Seville (2), Granada (1), Costa del Sol (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Optional: Morocco guided excursion – Ferry to Ceuta, panoramic view of Ceuta, Tétouan sightseeing tour, authentic lunch included

(1) SPAIN

PORTUGAL

Days 9–11: Extension to Portugal Travel home or travel to Lisbon via Italica.

Highlights: Italica visit, Lisbon guided sightseeing tour, Fado evening

Madrid(2)

Toledo

Lisbon(2) Italica

Tétouan

Córdoba Seville(2) Granada(1) Costa del Sol(2) Ceuta MOROCCO

explorica.ca/maa

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,805

Calgary

$3,681

Winnipeg

$3,777

Toronto

$3,554

Halifax

$3,754

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

31

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Spain & Morocco

Day 1 – Travel to Madrid

SPAIN & PORTUGAL

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit

9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (2), Granada, Costa del Sol (2), Gibraltar, Tangiers, Fes (2), Casablanca (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

Madrid(2)

SPAIN

Tangiers

Day 4 – Travel to Costa del Sol via Granada – Alhambra guided visit

Granada Costa del Sol(2)

Gibraltar

Day 5 – Gibraltar excursion: Rock of Gibraltar, Moorish Castle, The Tower of Homage

Ferry Fes(2) Casablanca(1 or 2)

Marrakesh(1)

MOROCCO

explorica.ca/sam

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,848

Calgary

$3,607

Winnipeg

$3,820

Toronto

$3,481

Halifax

$3,797

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

32

Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Tapas dinner

Day 6 – Ferry to Tangiers – Lunch (included) – Tangier guided sightseeing tour – Chefchaouen guided sightseeing tour – Travel to Fes Day 7 – Fes guided sightseeing tour: Fes-Jdid Mellah, Royal Palace, Fes el Bali Medina, Karaouine Mosque, University of Al-Karaouine, Medersa Bou Inania Day 8 – Volubilis Roman Ruins visit – Travel to Casablanca via Rabat – Rabat guided sightseeing tour: Mohamed V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, Royal Palace Days 9–11: Extension to Marrakesh Travel home or travel to Marrakesh.

Highlights: Casablanca guided sightseeing tour, Marrakesh guided sightseeing tour

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Day 1 – Travel to Madrid

Day 5 – Full-day transfer via Zaragoza to Barcelona – Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Flamenco evening Day 4 – Optional: El Escorial & Segovia guided excursion – El Escorial visit, Segovia Alcázar visit

Day 6 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Tapas dinner – Las Ramblas treasure hunt

Madrid & Barcelona SPAIN & PORTUGAL 8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (3), Zaragoza, Barcelona (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 7 – Optional: Girona and Figueres guided excursion – Visit Salvador Dalí Theatre Museum – Paella dinner Days 8–10: Extension to Costa Brava Travel home or travel to Costa Brava.

Highlights: Costa Brava beach

Segovia El Escorial Toledo

SPOTLIGHTS All aboard! The AVE— Alta Velocidad Espanola—is Europe’s largest network of high-speed trains. It travels at over 200 mph and connects the major cities of Spain, and even travels into neighbouring France.

Girona

Zaragoza

Madrid(3)

Costa Barcelona(3) Brava(2)

SPAIN (1)

explorica.ca/mab

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,489

Calgary

$3,489

Winnipeg

$3,433

Toronto

$3,282

Halifax

$3,438

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

33

TOUR LATIN AMERICA

Educational activity Peruvian School Visit Visit a Peruvian school to meet the students, learn about their culture, and discover the differences between the schools in Peru and the schools back home.

34

Ox Cart Crafts A local artisan introduces you to the origins of traditional Costa Rican craftmaking, such as Ox Cart painting. Try your own hand at painting and take home your art as a souvenir.

Our Central & South American programs bring you to countries with a mix of ancient pre-Columbian relics and modern civilizations influenced by European colonization. From the Galapagos Islands to San Juan, Machu Picchu to Lima, the Americas offer travellers the treasures of antiquity and the pulse of metropolitan energy.

Study rainforest ecosystems. Visit banana plantations. Learn about the Inca and Maya. Trace the economic path of emerging urban centres.

¡Hola!

WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “No matter the subject, these itineraries provide a hands-on learning experience that will change the way your students view the world, especially since so many include volunteering opportunities. For a great price, you’ll get a life-changing educational experience in your own backyard — you can’t go wrong with this collection!”

–Alison Mackie, Client Experience Manager

Where ancient and modern enchant and teach

Tour Highlights Costa Rica: San José, Poás Volcano, Arenal hot springs, Monteverde Reserve (rain and cloud-forests) Ecuador: Capital Quito, Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin Research Station—El Panecillo, Otavalo Market Peru: Machu Picchu, Capital Lima—Larco Museum and Plaza de Armas, Cuzco—the Incan empire, Incan baths

Authentic cuisine: Andean Grill—PERU Laid-back atmosphere with Incan décor.

Friendly staff serve hearty native meals— including alpaca meat! Enjoy Peruvian serenades from bands and singers Convenient hotels: Holiday Inn—SAN JOSÉ Fabulous view of the entire city, this convenient inn is walking distance to the National Theatre, city centre, and craft shops

Puerto Rico: Capital San Juan—El Morro Castle, El Yunque—Caribbean National Forest, Ponce—Seralles Castle, Arecibo Observatory Mexico: Mexico City, Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula—Mérida, Mayan town of Valladolid and archaeological site of Uxmal, Chichen Itza, the largest archaeological zone of the Mayan world

Say hola to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/latinamerica

35

LATIN AMERICA Costa Rica

Day 1 – Fly to San José and meet your Tour Director

LATIN AMERICA 9 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): San José (2), Arenal (2), Monteverde (2), Coastal Puntarenas (2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 2 – Travel to Arenal – Arenal Volcano Day 3 – Lake Arenal kayaking tour – Hanging Bridges Excursion – Hot springs visit Day 4 – Travel to Monteverde – Local school visit – Canopy tour Day 5 – Santa Elena Biological Reserve visit – Plant your own tree – Horseback ride

Arenal(2) Monteverde(2)

Coastal Puntarenas(2)

San José(2 or 3) Sarapiquí River

COSTA RICA

Manuel Antonio

explorica.ca/cos

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,139

Calgary

$3,106

Winnipeg

$3,269

Toronto

$2,961

Halifax

$2,973

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

36

SPOTLIGHTS There are over 121 volcanoes in Costa Rica, and seven active ones.

Poás Volcano has the world’s second widest crater (almost a mile wide). Arenal is one of the 10 most active in the world.

Day 6 – Travel to Coastal Puntarenas – Free time at the beach – Optional: Surfing lesson Day 7 – Guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park Day 8 – Travel to San José via Sarchí – Sarchí craft village visit – Optional: Folklore evening Days 9–10: Extension in Costa Rica Travel home or stay in Costa Rica.

Highlights: Whitewater rafting guided excursion

LATIN AMERICA Day 1 – Travel to San José and meet your Tour Director

Day 6 – Travel to Rincón de la Vieja – Tenorio National Park visit

Day 2 – Travel to Tortuguero – Tortuguero Tour Director-led sightseeing – Caribbean Conservation Corporation Museum visit

Day 7 – Horseback ride – Optional: Canopy Tour

Day 3 – Canal tour – Tortuguero National Park visit – School visit Day 4 – Travel to Sarapiqui – Sarapiqui River kayaking tour – Red-eyed tree frog night walk Day 5 – Travel to Arenal – Optional: Bike ride to Lake Arenal – Hot springs visit

Costa Rica Coast to Coast LATIN AMERICA 9 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 8 – Travel to Guanacaste – Free time on Guanacaste Beach

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

Days 9–10: Extension in Costa Rica Travel home or stay in Costa Rica.

Highlights: Whitewater rafting guided excursion

Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

San José (1), Tortuguero (2), Sarapiqui (1), Arenal (1), Rincón de la Vieja (2), Guanacaste (1)

Rincon de la Vieja(2) Guanacaste (1 or 2)

Sarapiquí(1) Arenal(1)

Tortuguero(2)

San José(1)

COSTA RICA

explorica.ca/crc

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,039

Calgary

$3,022

Winnipeg

$3,169

Toronto

$2,872

Halifax

$2,945

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

37

LATIN AMERICA Costa Rican Highlights

Day 1 – Travel to Liberia and meet your Tour Director – Travel to Rincón de la Vieja

LATIN AMERICA

Day 2 – Optional: Canopy tour – Horseback ride

Day 7 – Free time on Guanacaste Beach

Day 3 – Rincón de La Vieja Volcano Park visit – Travel to Arenal – Hot springs visit

Days 8–9: Extension in Costa Rica Travel home or stay in Costa Rica.

Highlights: Whitewater rafting guided excursion

8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Rincón de la Vieja (2), Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Arenal (1), Monteverde (2), Guanacaste (2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 4 – Lake Arenal kayaking tour – Travel to Monteverde Day 5 – Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve night walk – Santa Elena Biological Reserve visit – Local school visit – Serpentine Museum visit

Liberia(0 or 1) Guanacaste(2)

Rincón de la Vieja(2) Rincón de la Vieja National Park Tenorio Arenal(1) River Monteverde(2)

COSTA RICA

explorica.ca/crh

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,074

Calgary

$3,074

Winnipeg

$3,205

Toronto

$2,918

Halifax

$3,053

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

38

Day 6 – Travel to Guanacaste – Palo Verde boat tour – Transfer to Papagayo Gulf – Free time on Guanacaste Beach

SPOTLIGHTS Small in size, large in biodiversity, Costa Rica has the most dense biodiversity of any country in the world!

LATIN AMERICA Day 1 – Travel to Managua and meet your Tour Director – Travel to Granada Day 2 – Granada guided sightseeing tour: Plaza de la Independencia, Monastery of San Francisco, Church of La Merced, Plazuela de los Leones, Casa de los Tres Mundos – Educational workshop at Café de las Sonrisas – Masaya Market visit – Masaya Volcano Museum visit – Masaya Volcano evening tour Day 3 – Bike ride to El Rayo – Lake Nicaragua Isletas boat tour – Isletas local school visit – Lake Nicaragua Isleta visit – Travel to San Juan del Sur

Day 4 – Canopy tour – San Juan del Sur beach time Day 5 – Travel to Costa Rica: Rincón de la Vieja – Rincón de La Vieja Volcano Park visit

Nicaragua & Costa Rica LATIN AMERICA 9 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 6 – Horseback ride – Hot springs visit

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

Day 7 – Travel to Guanacaste Beach – Visit the craft village of Guaitil

Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

Granada (2), San Juan del Sur (2), Rincón de la Vieja (2), Guanacaste (2)

Day 8 – Palo Verde boat tour Days 9–10: Extension in Costa Rica Travel home or stay in Costa Rica.

Highlights: Whitewater rafting guided excursion

NICARAGUA Managua Granada (2)

Masaya

San Juan del Sur (2) Liberia

Rincón de la Vieja (2) Guanacaste (2 or 3)

COSTA RICA

explorica.ca/ncr

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,342

Calgary

$3,326

Winnipeg

$3,473

Toronto

$3,176

Halifax

$3,249

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

39

LATIN AMERICA Peru: Machu Picchu LATIN AMERICA 7 DAYS | 5 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Lima (2), Cuzco (2), Machu Picchu (1) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Sacred Valley

Machu Picchu(1) Cuzco(2)

explorica.ca/mpu

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,553

Calgary

$3,553

Winnipeg

$3,812

Toronto

$3,464

Halifax

$3,464

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

40

Day 2 – Lima guided sightseeing tour: Government Palace, City Hall, Cathedral of Lima, Miraflores, San Isidro, San Francisco Convent visit – Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology visit Day 3 – Travel to Cuzco – Cuzco guided sightseeing tour: Tambo Mach ay, Qenko, Puca Pucara, Sacsayhuaman Fortress visit

PERU

Lima (3 or 5)

Day 1 – Travel to Lima and meet your Tour Director

Day 4 – Sacred Valley excursion: Ollantaytambo Fortress visit, Pisac Indian Market, Wildlife Sanctuary visit – Train ride to Machu Picchu Day 5 – Sunrise at Machu Picchu – Hike to Intipunku – Transfer back to Cuzco Day 6 – Travel to Lima Days 6–9: Extension in Peru - Make a Difference Travel home or stay in Lima. Highlights: Volunteer at a local school

LATIN AMERICA Day 1 – Travel to Lima and meet your Tour Director Day 2 – Lima guided sightseeing tour: Government Palace, City Hall, Cathedral of Lima, Miraflores, San Isidro, San Francisco Convent visit – Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology visit Day 3 – Travel to Cuzco – Cuzco guided sightseeing tour: Tambo Mach ay, Qenko, Puca Pucara, Sacsayhuaman Fortress visit Day 4 – Sacred Valley excursion: Ollantaytambo Fortress visit, Pisac Indian Market, Wildlife Sanctuary visit

Day 5 – Train ride to Machu Picchu – Explore Machu Picchu – Hike to Intipunku

Peru: Incan Adventure

Day 6 – Machu Picchu free time – Transfer back to Cuzco

LATIN AMERICA

Day 7 – Travel to Puno – Andahuaylillas Chapel guided visit – Raqchi Temple guided visit – Shop at local ceramics market

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Lima (2), Cuzco (2), Sacred Valley (1), Machu Picchu (1), Puno (2), Uros and Taquile Islands Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Cruise to Uros Islands & Taquile Island – Visit with indigenous Uros families – Hike Taquile Island

(1)

Day 9 – Sillustani Temple guided visit – Travel to Lima – Travel home

PERU Lima(2)

Machu Picchu(1) Sacred Valley(1) Cuzco(2)

Day 10 – Return home SPOTLIGHTS Machu Picchu was built around 1450 at the height of the Incan Empire, and abandoned 100 years later due to the Spanish Conquest. It wasn’t until 1911 that it was rediscovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham.

Uros & Taquile Islands Puno(2)

explorica.ca/per

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,287

Calgary

$4,287

Winnipeg

$4,546

Toronto

$4,198

Halifax

$4,198

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

41

LATIN AMERICA Galapagos Island Highlights LATIN AMERICA 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

Day 1 – Travel to Quito and meet your Tour Director

Day 5 – Full-day guided Sierra Negra Volcano hike – Puerto Villamil beach time

Day 2 – Quito guided sightseeing tour: Independence Plaza, Government Palace, San Francisco Church visit, Mitad del Mundo visit

Day 6 – Las Tintoreras visit: See marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins & Sally Lightfoot crabs – Snorkling adventure in Las Tintoreras – Transfer to Santa Cruz Island via boat – Darwin Research Station guided visit

Quito (3), Santa Cruz (2), Isabela (2)

Day 3 – Travel to Santa Cruz – Twin Craters visit – Highlands of the Island visit – View lava tunnels

Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

GALÁPAGOS Santa Cruz(2)

Quito(3)

ECUADOR

Isabela(2)

(1)

explorica.ca/gah

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$5,151

Calgary

$5,151

Winnipeg

$5,256

Toronto

$4,850

Halifax

$4,882

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

42

Day 4 – Transfer to Isabela Island via boat – Wetlands visit: Playa del Amor, estuary tunnels, Wall of Tears visit – Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre guided visit – Flamingo Lake walk

Day 7 – Transfer to Baltra Island via Itabaca Canal – Travel to Quito Day 8 – Travel home Day 9 – Return home

LATIN AMERICA Day 1 – Travel to Belize City and meet your Tour Director Day 2 – Boat ride down the New River to visit Lamanai Ruins Day 3 – Travel to San Ignacio – Canopy tour – Explore River Caves in Cayo District Day 4 – Xunantunich Ruins guided visit – Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve guided visit Day 5 – Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Centre visit – Travel to Ambergris Caye

Day 6 – Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Alley snorkeling tour – Optional: Snuba excursion Day 7 – Travel to Belize City Days 7–8: Extension in Belize Travel home or stay in Ambergris Caye.

Highlights: Ambergris Caye free time

Belize LATIN AMERICA 7 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Belize City (3), San Ignacio (2), Ambergris Caye (1) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

SPOTLIGHTS Did you know? Rainforests cover only 6% of the Earth’s surface but are home to over half the world’s plant and animal species. About 80% of the food we eat and over a quarter of our medicines originally came from rainforests. Unfortunately, at the current rate of deforestation, most rainforests will be gone within the next 40 years.

Ambergris Caye(1 or 2) Belize City(3) San Ignacio(2)

BELIZE

explorica.ca/blz

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,198

Calgary

$3,198

Winnipeg

$3,466

Toronto

$3,114

Halifax

$3,126

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

43

TOUR FRANCE

Educational activity Cover the Canvas Live the artist’s life. Explore line, colour, perspective, and negative space and form, then paint a masterpiece inspired by the beauty of Paris.

44

Bon Appetit Slice, dice, and stir! Savour the French country lifestyle by creating (and eating) traditional Loire Valley cuisine.

Feast on an unforgettable meal in a brasserie tucked away in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Walk the beaches of Normandy and stand on the hallowed ground where Allied soldiers fought and fell for freedom. Visit the warm Mediterranean cities of the French Riviera, speckled with palaces and mansions once inhabited by the formidable Grimaldi family.

Bonjour!

WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “This collection highlights the diversity and depth of the historical, cultural and culinary history within the region. And the locals won’t let you off the hook so easily when it comes to speaking French, so language students get a lot out of these tours. A willingness to be immersed in the culture will serve new and experienced travellers well when exploring the best of France with Explorica.”

–Elyse Solomon, Client Experience Manager

France. Birthplace of elegance and style!

Tour Highlights Paris: The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Seine River Cruise, Versailles, Montmartre Normandy: D-Day battleground, Canadian Military Cemetery, Landing Museum in Arromanches, Mont St. Michel, Giverny Loire Valley: Chartres Cathedral, Château de Chenonceau and d’Amboise, vineyards Nice: Maison Carée, Roman Arena

Authentic cuisine: La Maison de Verlaine— PARIS. Located in the Latin Quarter beneath the apartment once held by poet Paul Verlaine, you’ll dine on authentic French fare and discuss the “Lost Generation’s” literary legacy.

Convenient hotels: Le Patio Saint Antoine— PARIS. Close to the Bastille district and a short walk to public transportation, this charming garden hotel offers a peaceful haven, right in the heart of the city.

Avignon: Pont du Gard Provence: Lavender fields, Tuscan culture

Say bonjour to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/france

45

FRANCE Paris, City of Light

Day 1 – Travel to Paris

FRANCE

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit

8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (6) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

ENGLAND

Day 4 – Louvre visit – Fragonard s Perfume Museum visit – Seine River cruise – Couscous dinner

London(2) Eurostar Giverny Versailles

Paris(6)

FRANCE Loire Valley

(1)

explorica.ca/pcl

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,478

Calgary

$3,478

Winnipeg

$3,478

Toronto

$3,268

Halifax

$3,404

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

46

Day 3 – Paris & Versailles guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House, Versailles guided excursion

Day 5 – Optional: Loire Valley châteaux excursion – Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau visit, Château d Amboise visit Day 6 – Musée d’Orsay visit – Eiffel Tower ascent – Crêperie dinner – Île de la Cité treasure hunt Day 7 – Optional: Giverny guided excursion (April-November only) – Sacré Coeur visit Days 8–10: Extension to London Travel home or travel to London. Highlights: London city walk, classic fish & chips dinner, London guided sightseeing tour

FRANCE SPOTLIGHTS Arguably the most

famous street in the world, the Avenue de Champs-Élysées has a rich history. At 1.2 miles long, it hosts some of the biggest events in Europe each year: Large military parades on Bastille Day, plus the climactic finish of the Tour de France.

Day 4 – Montmartre Tour Director-led sightseeing – Learn to play pétanque with the locals – Louvre visit Day 5 – Optional: Deauville and Honfleur full-day excursion – Tarte flambée dinner Day 6 – Guided neighbourhood foodie tour – Steak frites dinner

Day 1 – Travel to Paris Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Marais district visit – Crêperie dinner Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Boeuf bourguignon dinner

Insider’s Paris FRANCE 8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (6) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 7 – Père Lachaise Cemetery visit – Canal Saint-Martin Tour Director-led sightseeing – Seine River cruise – Couscous dinner

ENGLAND London(2)

Days 8–10: Extension to London Travel home or travel to London. Highlights: London city walk, classic fish & chips dinner, London guided sightseeing tour

Eurostar Deauville & Honfleur Paris(6)

Versailles

FRANCE (1)

explorica.ca/ipa

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,476

Calgary

$3,476

Winnipeg

$3,476

Toronto

$3,266

Halifax

$3,402

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

47

TOUR BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Cheers!

The U.K. and Ireland—Centuries of tradition and a storied past

Their long history makes the U.K. and Ireland fascinating places to study. The British culture celebrates impeccable manners and tradition, while Scotland and Ireland have endured centuries of ferocious invasion and warfare. From Roman invaders to long lineages of kings and queens, this destination offers a most colourful culture. It’s also a land of windswept moors, meandering rivers, and towering cliffs.

Educational activity

Tour Highlights London: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Hampton Court

Dublin: Dublin General Post Office, Dail Éireann, Trinity Chapel, Book of Kells, Phoenix Park, O’Connell Street

Oxford: Christ Church College

Killarney: Parks, mountains, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel

York: Hadrian’s Wall, Jorvik Viking Museum

Wales: Caernarfon Castle

Stratford: Life and times of Shakespeare

Authentic cuisine: The Sun Tavern—LONDON. Filled with character, this brick-lined 1850s pub features a weathered bar and serves local fare like fish and chips. Located in Covent Garden.

Edinburgh: Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle

Say cheers to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/uk-ireland

48

Convenient hotels: Millennium and Copthorne Chelsea FC—LONDON. Situated on site at the famous Stamford Bridge, home to Chelsea Football Club. Deluxe accommodations, a stone’s throw from Kings Road and The Saatchi Gallery.

Out of Ireland Walk a mile in the shoes of an Irish emigrant. Uncover personal accounts of the circumstances that forced these inhabitants out of the country. Reflect on the feelings you would have felt in their shoes and discover how their departure shaped the history of Ireland.

Scottish Steps Learn the art of Scottish dancing at a social gathering, or Ceilidh, (pronounced “Kay-lay”). Dance to live music as an instructor shows you some traditional steps.

BRITAIN & IRELAND Day 1 – Travel to Shannon Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Killarney Day 3 – Excursion to Ireland s coastal Ring of Kerry – Sheep farm visit (March to October) Day 4 – Travel to Dublin – Visit Blarney Castle Day 5 – Dublin guided sightseeing tour: Phoenix Park, St. Patrick s Cathedral, Trinity College Book of Kells visit – Dublin city walk: O Connell Street, Parnell Square, Henry Street – Optional: Irish folklore evening – Traditional public house dinner

Day 6 – Ferry ride across Irish Sea to Holyhead – Travel to North Wales – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch – Snowdonia National Park

Ireland, Wales & England

Day 7 – Travel to London via Stratford – Anne Hathaway s cottage & Shakespeare s birthplace visit

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

Day 8 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Optional: Windsor Castle guided excursion – Classic fish & chips dinner Days 9–10: Extension in London Travel home or stay in London. Highlights: Stonehenge & Bath guided excursion, West End theatre performance

BRITAIN & IRELAND 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available Shannon, Killarney (2), Ring of Kerry, Dublin (2), Holyhead, North Wales (1), Stratford, London (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

IRELAND

Dublin(2) Holyhead

(1) Shannon

Blarney

g Rin

SPOTLIGHTS Did you know—one of the busiest intersections in London is actually named after a big collar? Piccadill is a large, broad collar of cut-work lace that was fashionable in the late 16th century—a favourite of Queen Elizabeth.

Years later, Piccadilly Circus was so named to honour a large landowner who made a fortune crafting these collars.

of Ker ry

ENGLAND

Killarney(2)

Stratford North Wales(1) WALES Oxford Stonehenge London Bath (2 or 3)

explorica.ca/iwe

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,766

Calgary

$3,766

Winnipeg

$3,762

Toronto

$3,586

Halifax

$3,720

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

49

BRITAIN & IRELAND New York City & London Theatre BRITAIN & IRELAND 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 2 – Ferry boat to Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty – Lower Manhattan guided sightseeing tour: Trinity Church, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial visit – Neighbourhoods city walk: Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, SoHo – Optional: Broadway show

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): New York City (3), London (4) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

NEW YORK New York City(3)

Day 3 – Broadway workshop – Radio City Music Hall guided visit – MoMA visit – Broadway show

ENGLAND (1) London(4)

Eurostar Paris(2)

explorica.ca/nyl

Vancouver

$3,834

Calgary

$3,855

Winnipeg

$3,851

Toronto

$3,703

Halifax

$3,672

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

50

Day 4 – Central Park city walk: Cherry Hill, Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, Delacorte Theatre – Overnight flight to London Day 5 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Classic fish & chips dinner

FRANCE

Spring 2021

Day 1 – Travel to New York City and meet your Tour Director – Midtown city walk: Rockefeller Centre, St. Patrick s Cathedral, Trump Tower, Times Square, Grand Central Station – Empire State Building & Observatory visit

SPOTLIGHTS Valentia, on the rocky

shores of Ireland’s County Kerry, was the eastern terminus of the first transatlantic telegraph cable, which stretched to Newfoundland in 1866. These cables were in operation for over 100 years, linking Europe and America for the first time ever.

Day 6 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Optional: Windsor Castle guided excursion Day 7 – British Museum visit – Globe Theatre interactive workshop – West End theatre performance Day 8 – Optional: Oxford & Stratford excursion – Traditional curry dinner Days 9–11: Extension to Paris Travel home or travel to Paris. Highlights: Paris city walk, dinner in Latin Quarter, Paris guided sightseeing tour, Louvre visit, Seine River cruise

BRITAIN & IRELAND Day 1 – Travel to Dublin Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Dublin city walk: O Connell Street, Parnell Square, Henry Street Day 3 – Dublin guided sightseeing tour: Phoenix Park, St. Patrick s Cathedral, Trinity College Book of Kells visit – Optional: Powerscourt Gardens excursion – Traditional public house dinner Day 4 – Travel to Galway – Knowth excursion

Best of Ireland

Day 7 – Excursion to Ireland s coastal Ring of Kerry – Sheep farm visit (March to October)

9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 8 – Travel to Dublin – Visit Blarney Castle – Optional: Irish Folklore Evening

BRITAIN & IRELAND

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Dublin(3), Galway (2), Ring of Kerry, Killarney (2), Blarney Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Days 9–11: Extension to London Travel home or travel to London. Highlights: London city walk, classic fish & chips dinner, London guided sightseeing tour

(1)

Galway(2)

IRELAND Dublin(3)

ENGLAND

Blarney

g Rin

Day 5 – Galway city walk: Spanish Arch, Quay Street, St. Nicholas Church, Eyre Square – Excursion to Connemara – Visit to Kylemore Abbey

Day 6 – Travel to Killarney via Cliffs of Moher and Limerick

of Ker ry

London(2)

Killarney(2)

explorica.ca/irl

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,652

Calgary

$3,652

Winnipeg

$3,652

Toronto

$3,451

Halifax

$3,586

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

51

BRITAIN & IRELAND Scotland & Ireland

Day 1 – Travel to Edinburgh

BRITAIN & IRELAND

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Edinburgh city walk: Charlotte Square, Alexander Graham Bell­s home, Robert Louis Stevenson­s home, Robert Burns monument

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Edinburgh (2), Trossachs, Highlands (2), Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Glasgow (1), Belfast (1), Dublin (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Highlands(2)

SCOTLAND

Loch Lomond

Glasgow(1)

IRELAND Galway(2)

Day 4 – Travel to Highlands via the Trossachs – Visit Stirling Castle

Trossachs

Glencoe

(1)

Edinburgh(2)

Belfast(1)

g Rin

Blarney

explorica.ca/sci

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,840

Calgary

$3,840

Winnipeg

$3,836

Toronto

$3,658

Halifax

$3,759

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

52

Day 5 – Glencoe and Loch Ness excursion: Visit Loch Ness Monster Exhibition, Culloden Moor Day 6 – Travel to Glasgow via Loch Lomond – Glasgow city walk: Strathclyde University, City Chambers, George Square

Dublin(2 or 3)

Killarney(2) of Ker ry

Day 3 – Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour: Royal Mile, Old Town, Sir Walter Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle visit – Edinburgh guided ghost tour

Day 7 – Ferry to Belfast – Travel along the Antrim Coast – Giant­s Causeway excursion Day 8 – Belfast guided sightseeing tour: Lower Falls, Shankill Road, Belfast murals – Travel to Dublin – Dublin city walk: O­ Connell Street, Parnell Square, Henry Street Day 9 – Dublin guided sightseeing tour: Phoenix Park, St. Patrick­s Cathedral, Trinity College Book of Kells visit – Glasnevin Cemetery Museum visit – Optional: Irish folklore evening – Traditional public house dinner Days 10–15: Extension to Ring of Kerry Travel home or travel to Galway. Highlights: Knowth excursion, Galway city walk, excursion to Connemara, visit to Kylemore Abbey, travel to Killarney via Cliffs of Moher and Limerick, excursion to Ireland­s coastal Ring of Kerry, sheep farm visit (March to October), Blarney Castle

BRITAIN & IRELAND Day 1 – Travel to London Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Classic fish & chips dinner Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Optional: Windsor Castle guided excursion Day 4 – Travel to Bath – Stonehenge visit – Lacock Abbey visit – Chippenham visit

SPOTLIGHTS William Shakespeare is

without a doubt one of the most notable writers in history. Hundreds of his phrases pop up in everyday conversations today— lacklustre, foregone conclusion, in a pickle… the list goes on!

Day 5 – Bath guided sightseeing tour: Pulteney Bridge, Roman Baths visit, Abbey – Travel to Stratford via Oxford – Oxford Tour Director-led sightseeing – Christ s Church visit

London, the Countryside & Edinburgh

Day 6 – Stratford Tour Director-led sightseeing: Anne Hathaway’s Cottage visit, Shakespeare s birthplace visit – Warwick Castle visit

BRITAIN & IRELAND

Day 7 – Travel to Yorkshire – York Tour Director-led sightseeing: York Minster visit

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (2), Stonehenge, Bath (1), Oxford, Stratford (2), Yorkshire (1) Edinburgh (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Glencoe

Day 8 – Travel to Edinburgh via Yorkshire – Alnwick Castle

SCOTLAND Highlands Edinburgh(2)

Glasgow

Day 9 – Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour: Royal Mile, Old Town, Sir Walter Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle visit – See the Elephant House coffee shop – Optional: Scottish folklore show

ENGLAND

Days 10–13: Extension to the Highlands Travel home or travel to Highlands via Stirling. Highlights: Visit Stirling Castle, Glencoe and Loch Ness excursion, Glenfinnin Viaduct & Visitor Centre, Glasgow city walk

Yorkshire(1)

Stratford(2)

Oxford

Bath(1)

London(2)

Stonehenge (1)

explorica.ca/pot

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,789

Calgary

$3,789

Winnipeg

$3,780

Toronto

$3,627

Halifax

$3,726

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

53

BRITAIN & IRELAND London Theatre

Day 1 – Travel to London

BRITAIN & IRELAND

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Classic fish & chips dinner

8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (6) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 3 – London & Windsor guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral, Windsor Castle visit – Covent Garden treasure hunt

ENGLAND (1)

Stratford Oxford London(6) Bath Stonehenge

Day 4 – Tower of London visit – Optional: Thames River cruise & London Eye excursion – West End theatre performance – Traditional curry dinner

Eurostar Paris(2)

FRANCE

explorica.ca/lth

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,523

Calgary

$3,523

Winnipeg

$3,513

Toronto

$3,362

Halifax

$3,495

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

54

Day 5 – Optional: Stonehenge & Bath full-day guided excursion – Stonehenge visit, Guided sightseeing tour of Bath, Pulteney Bridge, Roman Baths visit, Abbey Day 6 – British Museum visit – Globe Theatre interactive workshop – West End theatre performance Day 7 – Optional: Oxford & Stratford guided excursion – Brasenose College visit, the Cotswolds, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage visit, Shakespeare s birthplace visit – Hard Rock Cafe dinner Days 8–10: Extension to Paris Travel home or travel to Paris. Highlights: Paris city walk, dinner in Latin Quarter, Paris guided sightseeing tour, Louvre visit, Seine River cruise

TOUR ITALY

Ciao!

Enlightenment is everywhere

Through the centuries Italy has evoked romance, beauty—and a celebrated zest for life. It has given us the greatest artists, from Michelangelo to da Vinci. The most magnificent civilizations: the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. The most compelling artifacts, from the David statue to the stately Duomo. Make Italy yours: Study art and architecture. Witness the rise and fall of empires. Dine on carbonara and stroll through imposing museums and ancient ruins.

Tour Highlights

Educational activity Venice: St. Mark’s Square, Grand Canal, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs Florence: The Duomo, Ghiberti’s Baptistery Doors, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery Rome: Vatican City—St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine, Colosseum Milàn: La Scala Opera House, “birthplace of the Renaissance”

Authentic cuisine: Ristorante Kori—VENICE In the heart of the city, beside Piazza San Marco, this restaurant serves traditional Venetian dishes, plus Mediterranean fusion cuisine.

Convenient hotels: Hotel Cicerone—ROME 4-star comfort, located in the heart of Rome’s exclusive Prati district. The Vatican, Piazza del Popolo, and the Spanish Steps are all a short way away, along with popular shopping areas.

Tuscany: Assisi, Basilica of St. Francis, Giotto’s frescoes Siena: 17 medieval neighbourhoods, San Gimignano

Cucina Fiorentina You and your friends will make an authentic threecourse Italian meal from scratch, using local produce for your ingredients.

Behind the Carnival Mask Try your hand at crafting your own original carnival mask, in the style of the traditional Venetian festival meant to honour Christian traditions of Easter, Lent, and Ash Wednesday.

Say ciao to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/italy

55

ITALY Best of Italy

Day 1 – Travel to Rome

ITALY

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Florence – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Florence (2), Verona, Venice (2), Assisi (1), Orvieto, Rome (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Venice(2)

Verona

ITALY

Day 4 – Travel to Venice via Verona – Verona Tour Director-led sightseeing: Romeo and Juliet balcony, Verona Arena

Florence(2) Assisi(1) Orvieto Rome(2 or 3) (1)

Pompeii Sorrento(1)

explorica.ca/boi

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,672

Calgary

$3,672

Winnipeg

$3,630

Toronto

$3,469

Halifax

$3,635

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

56

Day 3 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Pisa guided excursion – Baptistery visit, Leaning Tower

Day 5 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration

Day 6 – Travel to Assisi – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit Day 7 – Travel to Rome – Orvieto visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona Day 8 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner Days 9–11: Extension to Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento. Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

ITALY Day 1 – Travel to Milan Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Venice Day 3 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration Day 4 – Travel to Florence – Verona Tour Director-led sightseeing: Romeo and Juliet balcony, Verona Arena – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

SPOTLIGHTS You could say Rome

is a very wet place—in fact, it’s home to hundreds of fountains with the oldest being the Trevi Fountain. Over 85-feet high, its water comes from an aqueduct originally built in 19 B.C. All foreign coins thrown in the fountain are removed and donated to the Red Cross.

Day 5 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Pisa guided excursion – Baptistery visit, Leaning Tower Day 6 – Travel to Rome – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

Italian Highlights ITALY 8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Venice (2), Verona, Florence (2), Assisi, Rome (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Milan

Venice(2)

(1)

Day 7 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner

Verona

ITALY Pisa

Florence(2) Assisi

Days 8–10: Extension to Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento. Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

Rome(2 or 3) Pompeii Sorrento(1)

explorica.ca/ite

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,594

Calgary

$3,594

Winnipeg

$3,552

Toronto

$3,391

Halifax

$3,557

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

57

ITALY Rome & Florence

Day 1 – Travel to Milan

ITALY

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Florence

8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Florence (3), Assisi, Rome (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Milan

ITALY

(1)

Pisa

Rome(3 or 4) Pompeii Sorrento(1)

explorica.ca/raf

Vancouver

$3,556

Calgary

$3,556

Winnipeg

$3,514

Toronto

$3,353

Halifax

$3,519

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

58

Day 7 – Ancient Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Colosseum visit, Forum Romanum visit, Piazza Venezia – Optional: Catacombs & gladiator centre excursion – Authentic trattoria dinner Days 8–10: Extension to Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento. Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

Day 4 – Visit Accademia – Optional: Florentine cooking class

Florence(3) Assisi

Spring 2021

Day 3 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Pisa guided excursion – Baptistery visit, Leaning Tower – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

Day 6 – Vatican City guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit

Day 5 – Travel to Rome via Assisi – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

SPOTLIGHTS Vatican City is the smallest country in the world covering just over 100 acres— that’s 1/8 the size of New York’s Central Park.

It’s also governed by an absolute monarchy, mints its own Euros, prints its own stamps, issues passports, and more.

ITALY Day 1 – Travel to Rome Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona Day 3 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 4 – Travel to Florence – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

Day 5 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Pisa guided excursion – Baptistery visit, Leaning Tower Day 6 – Travel to Venice Day 7 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration

Rome, Florence & Venice ITALY 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Rome (2), Assisi, Florence (2), Venice (2), Verona, Milan (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

ITALY Milan(1 or 2)

Day 8 – Travel via Verona to Milan – Verona Tour Director-led sightseeing: Romeo and Juliet balcony, Verona Arena – Milan Tour Director-led sightseeing: La Scala, Duomo, fashion walk

Venice(2)

Verona

Genoa Cinque Terre

Days 9–11: Extension to Italian Riviera Travel home or travel to Genoa. Highlights: Aquarium visit, Cinque Terre guided excursion

Italian Riviera(1)

Florence(2) Pisa

Assisi

(1)

explorica.ca/rfv

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,677

Calgary

$3,677

Winnipeg

$3,635

Toronto

$3,474

Halifax

$3,640

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

59

Rome(2)

ITALY Italy & Greece

Day 1 – Travel to Milan

ITALY

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Florence – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Florence (1), Rome (2), Sorrento (1), Pompeii, Brindisi, Patras, Delphi (1), Athens (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1) Milan

ITALY

Florence(1)

GREECE

Pompeii

Rome(2) Sorrento(1)

Brindisi

Athens(2)

Delphi(1) Ferry(1)

Patras Cruise(4) Greek Islands

Vancouver

$4,013

Calgary

$4,013

Winnipeg

$3,992

Toronto

$3,818

Halifax

$3,979

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

60

Day 4 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 5 – Travel to Sorrento – Capri & Blue Grotto excursion Day 6 – Travel to the port – Pompeii guided visit – Overnight ferry to Patras

explorica.ca/iag

Spring 2021

Day 3 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante’s House – Travel to Rome

SPOTLIGHTS Zeus is the most potent god

in Greek mythology—ruling over all the other gods! He eventually split this rule with his brothers: Hades became king of the Underworld, Poseidon ruled the sea, and Zeus, the heavens.

Day 7 – Travel to Delphi Day 8 – Delphi guided sightseeing tour: visit Delphi site, Temple of Apollo – Travel to Athens – Greek dinner in Plaka – Plaka treasure hunt Day 9 – Athens guided sightseeing tour: Parthenon, visit Acropolis, Temple of Athena Nike, Omonoia Square, Syntagma Square, 2004 Olympic site – Athens city walk: Plaka district, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch Days 10–14: Extension on an Aegean Cruise Travel home or travel on an Aegean Cruise

TOUR GREECE

Yassou!

A country for the ages, inspired by gods and mythology

Greece compels like no other country, with its haunting antiquities, legends, and mysticism. It’s the home to famous gods and goddesses and the birthplace of democracy. Tour the Athens monuments. Visit mysterious Delphi and its oracle. See Olympia, home of the first Olympic Games. Then bring your visit to an inspiring close with a trek on the coastal road to Corinth.

Tour Highlights Athens: Acropolis Museum, Delphi, Patras Olympia: Home of the first Olympic Games Epidaurus: Historic theatre Mycenae: Lion’s Gate, Royal Citadel Corinth: Saronic Gulf, Ancient marketplaces, temples to Apollo and Aphrodite

Say Yassou to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/italy-greece

Authentic cuisine: O Geros tou Moria— ATHENS. Traditional Greek tavern under the Acropolis in Plaka, a picturesque part of Athens. Live music and traditional Greek cuisine.

Convenient hotels: Hotel Golden Age— ATHENS. A luxury hotel tucked at the feet of the Athens foothills. It’s right next to the Athens Music Hall, an art museum, and Kolonaki, the celebrated shopping area.

Educational activity Moussaka and Sousta Join hands for traditional Greek line dancing. Next, head to the taverna and live like a local. Enjoy Greek culture, cuisine— and a show!

Pick a Patron Which deity will be the patron of your city? Explore the beliefs of ancient Greeks, then delve into the personalities and powers of gods and goddesses to choose the ideal patron to represent your people.

61

GREECE Athens & the Aegean

Day 1 – Travel to Athens

GREECE 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Athens (4), Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion, Santorini, Cape Sounion, Delphi Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Athens city walk: Plaka district, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch Day 3 – Athens guided sightseeing tour: Parthenon, Acropolis, Temple of Athena Nike, Omonoia Square, Syntagma Square, 2004 Olympic site Day 4 – Delphi guided sightseeing tour: Visit Delphi site, Temple of Apollo

ENGLAND London(2)

Day 5 – Depart Athens on four-day Aegean cruise – Visit Mykonos – Cruise overnight to Samos

GREECE

(1)

TURKEY Athens(4) Mykonos

Delphi Cape Sounion Santorini

Samos Patmos

Heraklion

Rhodes Cruise(4)

explorica.ca/ata

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,560

Calgary

$4,373

Winnipeg

$4,530

Toronto

$4,560

Halifax

$4,560

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/11/2021 departure date. Call for details.

62

Day 6 – Visit Samos – Cruise on and visit Patmos – Cruise overnight to Rhodes Day 7 – Visit Rhodes – Cruise overnight to Crete Day 8 – Visit Crete – Cruise on and visit Santorini – Cruise overnight to Athens Day 9 – Arrive in Athens – Cape Sounion guided excursion: Temple of Poseidon Days 10–12: Extension to London Travel home or travel to London. Highlights: London city walk, classic fish & chips dinner, London guided sightseeing tour

GREECE Day 1 – Travel to Athens Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Athens city walk: Plaka district, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch Day 3 – Athens guided sightseeing tour: Parthenon, Acropolis, Temple of Athena Nike, Omonoia Square, Syntagma Square, 2004 Olympic site

Day 4 – Travel to Delphi – Delphi guided sightseeing tour: Visit Delphi site, Temple of Apollo Day 5 – Travel to Tolo via Olympia – Ancient Olympia guided visit Day 6 – Travel to Athens – Mycenae and Epidaurus guided excursion – Corinth Canal – Greek dinner in Plaka – Plaka treasure hunt

Best of Greece GREECE 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Athens (5), Delphi (1), Olympia, Tolo (1), Saronic Gulf Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 7 – Saronic Gulf Cruise full day excursion SPOTLIGHTS Derived from the Greek for “edge” and “city”, the Acropolis was Athens’ primary sanctuary for Athena, the city’s matron deity.

Its most famous structure is the Parthenon, built around 447 B.C.

Day 8 – Cape Sounion guided excursion: Temple of Poseidon

(1)

Days 9–12: Extension on an Aegean Cruise Travel home or travel on an Aegean Cruise

Delphi(1) Olympia

GREECE

Athens(5) Mykonos Tolo(1) Santorini Saronic Gulf

Patmos Cruise(3)

explorica.ca/bog

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,654

Calgary

$3,654

Winnipeg

$3,654

Toronto

$3,467

Halifax

$3,623

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

63

TOUR EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS

Grüetzi!

Boost your takeaways with multicultural discovery

With countless cities to choose from, you can see the best of Europe, your way. Enjoy the baths of Budapest. Hop on a glassroofed canal boat in Amsterdam. Stand where the Battle of the Bulge was fought in the Ardennes forest. Join the colourful chaos and excitement on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas. Wander down Paris’s Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. The options are endless.

WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “Teachers often combine their classes and educational goals to give their students a diverse travel experience. These customizable itineraries offer you and your students the highlight reel of each location while taking a deep dive into your curriculum; from history to science, art and math, there is something for everyone to revel in and enjoy.”

–Emma Levantian, Business Dev. Executive

Say grüetzi to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/eurocombos

64

Educational activity

Authentic cuisine: Café Catalunya— BARCELONA. Centrally located on Plaça de Catalunya, this elegant and cozy restaurant is well known for its paellas and tapas.

Bring your appetite!

Convenient hotels: Hôtel Vacances Bleues Villa Modigliani—PARIS. Situated in a prime location, it’s just a stone’s throw from the theatres of the Rue de la Gaité in the Montparnasse des Artistes.

Fáilte Be Irish for a day! Experience firsthand how Irish farmers tend to their land and animals. Learn all about traditional Ireland: speak their native language, dance a jig, or play the bodhran, a traditional Irish drum made from goatskin.

Cover the Canvas Live the artist’s life. Explore line, colour, perspective, and negative space and form, then paint a masterpiece inspired by the beauty of Paris.

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to Madrid

Day 6 – Arrive in Rome in the evening

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit

Day 7 – Ancient Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Colosseum visit, Forum Romanum visit, Piazza Venezia – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona – Authentic trattoria dinner

Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit Day 4 – Full-day transfer via Zaragoza to Barcelona – Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit – Tapas dinner Day 5 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella lunch – Overnight ferry to Rome

Day 8 – Vatican City guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit

Madrid, Barcelona & Rome EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (2), Zaragoza, Barcelona (1), Rome (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 9 - 11: Extension to Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento.

Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

ITALY (1) Zaragoza

Rome(3 or 4)

Barcelona(1)

Madrid(2) Ferry(1)

SPAIN

Sorrento(1)

explorica.ca/mbr

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,780

Calgary

$3,574

Winnipeg

$3,735

Toronto

$3,731

Halifax

$3,780

Pompeii

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/11/2021 departure date. Call for details.

65

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Paris, Provence & Barcelona EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (2), Avignon, Provence (2), Collioure, Barcelona (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Paris(2) Versailles TGV

FRANCE Provence(2)

Avignon

Barcelona(2) Costa Dorada(2)

explorica.ca/ppb

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,711

Calgary

$3,711

Winnipeg

$3,683

Toronto

$3,502

Halifax

$3,648

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

66

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Seine River cruise Day 4 – Travel to Avignon on the TGV – Avignon Tour Director-led sightseeing: See Palais des Papes, Pont d Avignon Day 5 – Provence Tour Director-led sightseeing: Pont du Gard visit, visit Nîmes amphitheatre, Les Baux de Provence

Collioure

SPAIN

Day 1 – Travel to Paris

Day 6 – Travel to Barcelona via Collioure – Tapas dinner Day 7 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner Days 8–10: Extension to Costa Dorada Travel home or travel to Costa Dorada via Sitges. Highlights: Sitges excursion, Costa Dorada beach time, flamenco evening

SPOTLIGHTS Founded in 1134, the University of Salamanca is Spain’s oldest university—3rd oldest in the world. It has hosted Spain’s historical figures through many eras. Today it is a top teaching university for the Spanish language, attracting thousands of students per year.

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to Madrid Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit Day 4 – Optional: El Escorial and Segovia guided excursion – El Escorial visit, Segovia Alcázar visit – Flamenco evening Day 5 – Full-day transfer via Zaragoza to Barcelona – Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit – Tapas dinner

Day 7 – Travel to Paris – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit

Spain & Paris

Day 8 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS):

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available Madrid (3), Zaragoza, Barcelona (2), Paris (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Normandy(2)

Day 9 – Visit Louvre – Seine River cruise – Montmartre Tour Director-led sightseeing: Sacré Coeur, Place du Tertre, Moulin Rouge

Rouen

Paris(3 or 4)

Versailles

FRANCE Train

SPAIN

Days 10–13: Extension to Normandy Travel home or travel to Normandy via Honfleur and Rouen. Highlights: Rouen Tour Director-led sightseeing, Arromanches Museum visit, D-Day beaches

Zaragoza

(1)

Day 6 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner

Barcelona(2)

Madrid(3)

explorica.ca/saf

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,089

Calgary

$4,089

Winnipeg

$4,061

Toronto

$3,880

Halifax

$4,026

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

67

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS London, Paris & Barcelona EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (2), Paris (3), Barcelona (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

ENGLAND

London(2)

(1)

Eurostar Paris(3) Versailles

FRANCE

TGV

Zaragoza Toledo

Madrid(3)

Barcelona(2)

SPAIN

explorica.ca/lps

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,895

Calgary

$3,895

Winnipeg

$3,862

Toronto

$3,710

Halifax

$3,855

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

68

Day 1 – Travel to London Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Classic fish & chips dinner Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Optional: Windsor Castle guided excursion Day 4 – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit Day 5 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Seine River cruise

Day 6 – Louvre visit – Montmartre Tour Director-led sightseeing: Sacré Coeur, Place du Tertre, Moulin Rouge Day 7 – Travel to Barcelona – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Tapas dinner Day 8 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Paella dinner Days 9–12: Extension to Madrid Travel home or travel to Madrid via Zaragoza.

Highlights: Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit, Madrid guided sightseeing tour, Madrid city walk, Prado visit, Toledo guided excursion, flamenco evening

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to Paris Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Seine River cruise Day 4 – Travel to Nice Day 5 – Monaco & Èze Tour Director-led sightseeing: Prince’s Palace, Parfumerie visit in Èze – Nice Tour Director-led sightseeing: Vieux Nice, Promenade des Anglais

Day 7 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Siena guided sightseeing tour – Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Duomo, Church of St. Catherine, Fortezza Medicea

France & Italy EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (2), Côte d Azur (2), Nice, Eze, Monaco, Pisa, Florence (2), Assisi, Rome (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Travel to Rome – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

(1)

Paris(2) Versailles

Day 9 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner

TGV

Côte d’Azur(2)

Days 10–12: Extension to Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento. Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

Monaco Florence(2) Eze Pisa Nice Assisi Siena Rome(2 or 3) Pompeii Sorrento(1)

Day 6 – Travel to Florence – Visit Baptistery and view the Leaning Tower of Pisa – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

explorica.ca/fai

SPOTLIGHTS Adding toppings to bread dates back 7,000 years,

but pizza as we know it today actually originated when Americans introduced tomatoes to Europe in the 16th century.

Europeans actually believed tomatoes were poisonous, but the poor surrounding Naples began adding them to their bread in the 18th century. And so began the origins of pizza.

ITALY

FRANCE

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,035

Calgary

$4,035

Winnipeg

$4,014

Toronto

$3,829

Halifax

$3,979

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

69

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS London & Paris

Day 1 – Travel to London

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Classic fish & chips dinner

8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (3), Paris (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

NETHERLANDS

ENGLAND

Amsterdam(2) London(3)

Windsor

Eurostar

Versailles

Thalys

explorica.ca/lap

Vancouver

$3,548

Calgary

$3,548

Winnipeg

$3,543

Toronto

$3,362

Halifax

$3,496

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

70

Day 4 – Tower of London visit – Hard Rock Cafe dinner – Jack the Ripper evening guided walking tour Day 5 – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Île de la Cité treasure hunt

Paris(3)

FRANCE

Spring 2021

Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Optional: Windsor Castle guided excursion – Curry dinner

SPOTLIGHTS Winston Churchill’s famous career as Prime

Minister and military leader would never have happened if it hadn’t been for his daring escape from a South African prison in 1899. Churchill stumbled upon a British coal mine manager who hid him in a mine shaft for three days before sneaking him out of the country.

Day 6 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Crêperie dinner Day 7 – Louvre visit – Montmartre Tour Director-led sightseeing – Seine River cruise – Eiffel Tower ascent Days 8–10: Extension to the Netherlands Travel home or travel to the Netherlands.

Highlights: Traditional Dutch pannenkoeken dinner, Amsterdam Tour Director-led sightseeing, Rijsttafel dinner

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to London Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Classic fish & chips dinner Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Optional: Windsor Castle guided excursion Day 4 – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Île de la Cité treasure hunt Day 5 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Seine River cruise

Day 6 – Louvre visit – Overnight train to Milan Day 7 – Travel to Florence from Milan – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

London, Paris & Italy EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (2), Paris (2), Milan, Florence (1), Assisi, Rome (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Travel to Rome – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

ENGLAND

London(2) Eurostar

(1)

Day 9 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner

Versailles

Paris(2) Train(1)

FRANCE

Milan

ITALY Florence(1)

Days 10–12: Extension to Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento.

Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

Rome(2 or 3)

Assisi

Sorrento(1)

explorica.ca/lpr

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,075

Calgary

$4,075

Winnipeg

$4,049

Toronto

$3,893

Halifax

$4,042

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

71

Pompeii

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Paris, the Côte d’Azur & Barcelona EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (2), Monaco, Èze, Nice, Côte d Azur (2), Provence (1), Collioure, Barcelona (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

Paris(2) Versailles

FRANCE

Collioure

Zaragoza Toledo

Madrid(2)

TGV Monaco Èze Nice Côte d’Azur(2)

Barcelona(2)

explorica.ca/pcb

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,977

Calgary

$3,977

Winnipeg

$3,949

Toronto

$3,768

Halifax

$3,914

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

72

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Seine River cruise Day 4 – Travel to Nice

Provence(1)

SPAIN

Day 1 – Travel to Paris

Day 5 – Monaco & Èze Tour Director-led sightseeing: Prince’s Palace, Parfumerie visit in Èze – Nice Tour Director-led sightseeing: Vieux Nice, Promenade des Anglais

Day 6 – Travel to Provence – Provence Tour Director-led sightseeing: Avignon, Pont du Gard visit, Visit Nîmes amphitheatre, Les Baux de Provence Day 7 – Travel to Barcelona via Collioure – Tapas dinner Day 8 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner Days 9–12: Extension to Madrid Travel home or travel to Madrid via Zaragoza.

Highlights: Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit, Madrid guided sightseeing tour, Madrid city walk, Prado visit, Toledo guided excursion, flamenco evening

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS SPOTLIGHTS 14,500 tons is a lot of weight to be

leaning to one side, but that’s exactly what Pisa Tower has been doing since 1178, five years after construction began. And over 340 years later, it’s still leaning! The uneven profile is caused by the soft ground around the base of the structure.

Day 1 – Travel to Rome Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona Day 3 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 4 – Travel to Florence – Orvieto visit – Traditional Italian pizza dinner Day 5 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Siena guided sightseeing tour – Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Duomo, Church of St Catherine, Fortezza Medicea

Day 6 – Travel to Côte d A zur via Pisa – Visit Baptistery and view the Leaning Tower of Pisa – Nice Tour Director-led sightseeing: Vieux Nice, Promenade des Anglais Day 7 – Monaco & Èze Tour Director-led sightseeing: Prince s Palace, Parfumerie visit in Èze – Travel to Provence – Pont du Gard visit

Italy, France & Spain EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Rome (2), Orvieto, Florence (2), Pisa, Côte d Azur (1), Nice, Èze, Monaco, Provence (1), Barcelona (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Provence Tour Director-led sightseeing: Visit Nîmes amphitheatre – Travel to Barcelona – Paella dinner Day 9 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Tapas dinner Days 9–12: Extension to Madrid Travel home or travel to Madrid. Highlights: Madrid city walk, Prado visit, Madrid guided sightseeing tour, flamenco evening

FRANCE Provence(1)

Madrid(2)

ITALY

Monaco

Florence(2) Èze Pisa Siena Côte d’Azur(1) Nice Orvieto Rome(2) Barcelona(2)

SPAIN

(1)

explorica.ca/sfi

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,958

Calgary

$3,958

Winnipeg

$3,909

Toronto

$3,753

Halifax

$3,914

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

73

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Rome & Greece

Day 1 – Travel to Rome

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Rome (2), Sorrento (1), Pompeii, Bari, Patras, Olympia, Tolo (1), Athens (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

Day 4 – Travel to Sorrento – Cameo workshop – Pompeii guided excursion

ITALY

Rome(2)

Day 3 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headset: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner

Pompeii

Sorrento(1)

Bari

GREECE

Athens(2 or 3) Delphi Patras Ferry(1) Olympia Tolo(1) Cruise(3) Greek Islands

explorica.ca/rag

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,788

Calgary

$3,788

Winnipeg

$3,767

Toronto

$3,593

Halifax

$3,754

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

74

Day 5 – Travel to the port – Overnight ferry to Patras

Day 6 – Travel to Tolo via Olympia – Ancient Olympia guided visit Day 7 – Travel to Athens – Mycenae and Epidaurus guided excursion – Corinth Canal Day 8 – Athens guided sightseeing tour: Parthenon, Visit Acropolis, Temple of Athena Nike, Omonoia Square, Syntagma Square, 2004 Olympic site – Athens city walk: Plaka district, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch – Greek dinner in Plaka – Plaka treasure hunt Days 9–13: Extension on an Aegean Cruise Travel home or travel on an Aegean Cruise.

Highlights: Delphi guided sightseeing tour

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to London Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Classic fish & chips dinner Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul s Cathedral – Optional: Windsor Castle guided excursion Day 4 – Louvre visit Day 5 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Seine River cruise Day 6 – Travel to Zurich – Zurich Tour Director-led sightseeing – Travel to Lucerne

Day 7 – Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing: Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), River Reuss, Kapellbrücke – Optional: Mt. Pilatus excursion – Traditional Swiss dinner with fondue Day 8 – Travel to Munich – Neuschwanstein Castle visit – Oberammergau excursion Day 9 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz/ Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit – Bavarian bratwurst dinner

London, Paris & the Alps EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (2), Paris (2), Zurich, Lucerne (2), Neuschwanstein, Munich (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

ENGLAND GERMANY

London(2) (1)

Days 10–12: Extension to Vienna Travel home or travel to Vienna via Salzburg. Highlights: Mozart’s birthplace visit, Vienna guided sightseeing tour, Wiener Schnitzel dinner

Eurostar Paris(2)

Versailles

Neuschwanstein TGV

FRANCE

Munich(2)

Zurich

SPOTLIGHTS Greeks have

planted olive trees since ancient times, and they’re still a big business today.

There are an estimated 120,000,000 olive trees in Greece; some from the 13th century are still producing olives!

explorica.ca/lpa

Spring 2021

Vienna(2)

Salzburg SWITZ. Lucerne(2)LECH. AUSTRIA

Vancouver

$4,044

Calgary

$4,044

Winnipeg

$4,009

Toronto

$3,857

Halifax

$4,002

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

75

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS France, Switzerland, Austria & Germany EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (2), Bern, Lucerne (2), Liechtenstein, Innsbruck (1), Neuschwanstein, Munich (2), Dachau Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Berlin(2)

GERMANY Train(1)

(1)

Paris(2)

Dachau Munich(2) TGV Neuschwanstein Salzburg Lucerne(2) Innsbruck(1) Bern SWITZ. LIECH.

Versailles

AUSTRIA

FRANCE

explorica.ca/fsg

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,907

Calgary

$3,907

Winnipeg

$3,876

Toronto

$3,695

Halifax

$3,841

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

76

Day 1 – Travel to Paris Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit

Day 6 – Travel to Innsbruck via Liechtenstein – Innsbruck city walk: Golden Roof, Triumphbogen, Olympic site Day 7 – Travel to Munich – Neuschwanstein Castle visit – Oberammergau excursion

Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Seine River cruise

Day 8 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz/ Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit – Bavarian bratwurst dinner

Day 4 – Travel to Bern – Bern Tour Director-led sightseeing – Travel to Lucerne

Days 9–12: Extension to Berlin and Salzburg Travel home or travel to Berlin and Salzburg.

Highlights: Guided excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace visit, Berlin guided sightseeing tour, Checkpoint Charlie Museum visit, Jewish Museum visit, Potsdam excursion

Day 5 – Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing: Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), River Reuss, Kapellbrücke – Optional: Mt. Pilatus excursion – Traditional Swiss dinner with fondue

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to Dubrovnik Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director Day 3 – Dubrovnik guided sightseeing tour: Onofrio s Fountain, medieval city walls, Rector s Palace, Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, Old Pharmacy visit Day 4 – Travel to Split – Split guided sightseeing tour: Diocletian s Palace visit, Peristil Square, St. Duje s Cathedral Day 5 – Travel to Plitvice via Zadar – Zadar old town visit – Sea Organ Day 6 – Plitvice National Park visit – Travel to Ljubljana

SPOTLIGHTS Did you know that Vienna has a zoo—and it’s the world’s oldest, dating back to 1752? The first original snow globe was also invented in Vienna at the end of the 19th century. And, Vienna is also home to the oldest carousel, in Prater Amusement Park.

Croatia, Ljubljana & Venice EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 7 – Ljubljana guided sightseeing tour: Old town, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana Castle visit, Republic Square

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Dubrovnik (2), Split (1), Zadar, Plitvice (1), Ljubljana (2), Trieste, Venice (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Travel to Venice via Trieste

SLOVENIA

Day 9 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration

Trieste

Ljubljana(2)

Venice(2)

ITALY

Plitvice(1) Zadar

Days 10–12: Extension to Rome Travel home or travel to Rome. Highlights: Rome city walk, Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets

CROATIA

Split(1) Dubrovnik(2) Rome(2) (1)

explorica.ca/cro

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,158

Calgary

$4,158

Winnipeg

$4,137

Toronto

$3,938

Halifax

$4,124

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

77

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Iceland Adventure

Day 1 – Travel to Reykjavik

Day 6 – Blue Lagoon visit

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Reykjavik Tour Director-led sightseeing tour: Laugavegur, Bessastaðir, Höfði House, Hallgrímskirkja Church visit – Icelandic Saga Museum visit

Days 7–9: Extension in Iceland Travel home or travel to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Highlights: Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum visit, Viking Sushi Cruise, Snaefellsnes peninsula excursion

7 DAYS | 5 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Reykjavik (3), South Shore (2), Jökulsárlón Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 3 – Travel to the South Shore – Lava Centre visit – Seljalandsfoss waterfall walk – Skogafoss waterfall – Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Day 4 – Skaftafell National Park excursion – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

(1)

Stykkisholmur(1)

ICELAND Jokulsorlon Reykjavik(3 or 4) South Shore(2)

explorica.ca/ice

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,117

Calgary

$4,117

Winnipeg

$4,056

Toronto

$3,907

Halifax

$4,063

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

78

Day 5 – Golden Circle excursion: Thingvellir National Park visit, Great Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur hot springs, Gelato tasting at Efstidalur farm

SPOTLIGHTS Is it a puffin or a penguin?

Although similar in nature, penguins and puffins are distinctly different animals. Penguins can’t fly, puffins can.

Penguins have small beaks, puffins are large relative to their body size.

They’re a common sight in Iceland.

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to Paris Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Crêperie dinner Day 4 – Louvre visit – Seine River cruise – Overnight train to Venice Day 5 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration

Day 6 – Travel to Florence – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Visit Accademia

Paris, Venice, Florence & Rome EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (2), Venice (1), Florence (1), Assisi, Rome (2)

Day 7 – Travel to Rome via Assisi – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner

(1)

Paris(2)

Versailles

FRANCE

Days 9–11: Extension in Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento.

Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

Train(1) Venice(1)

ITALY

Florence(1) Assisi Rome(2 or 3) Pompeii Sorrento(1)

explorica.ca/pvr

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,864

Calgary

$3,864

Winnipeg

$3,843

Toronto

$3,657

Halifax

$3,808

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

79

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Paris & Barcelona

Day 1 – Travel to Paris

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit

8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (3), Barcelona (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

Paris(3) Versailles

FRANCE

TGV

Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Crêperie dinner Day 4 – Louvre visit – Montmartre Tour Director-led sightseeing – Seine River cruise

SPAIN Barcelona(3) Costa Dorada(2)

explorica.ca/pab

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,700

Calgary

$3,700

Winnipeg

$3,672

Toronto

$3,491

Halifax

$3,637

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

80

Day 5 – Travel to Barcelona – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Tapas dinner Day 6 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Paella dinner Day 7 – Optional: Girona and Figueres guided excursion – Visit Salvador Dalí theatre Museum Days 8–10: Extension in Costa Dorada Travel home or travel to Costa Dorada via Sitges. Highlights: Sitges excursion, Costa Dorada beach time, flamenco evening

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS SPOTLIGHTS Pont du Gard was built by the Romans in the 1st century to supply water to the town of Nîmes. This masterpiece is made of about 50,000 tons of limestone; each 6-ton block was perfectly chiseled, hand set, and affixed with iron.

Completely intact today, it is one of the world’s technical masterpieces.

Day 1 – Travel to Madrid Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Flamenco evening

Day 4 – Optional: El Escorial excursion – Prado visit

Madrid & Paris

Day 5 – Fly to Paris – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit

8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS

Day 6 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles – Crêperie dinner

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (3), Paris (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Paris(3) Versailles

FRANCE (1)

Day 7 – Louvre visit – Montmartre Tour Director-led sightseeing – Seine River cruise

El Escorial Toledo

Day 8 – Travel home

Madrid(3)

SPAIN

explorica.ca/map

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,711

Calgary

$3,711

Winnipeg

$3,683

Toronto

$3,502

Halifax

$3,648

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

81

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Spain, Italy & Greece

Day 1 – Travel to Madrid

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 14 DAYS | 12 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Madrid (2), Zaragoza, Barcelona (2), Rome (2), Sorrento (1), Capri, Pompeii, Brindisi, Tolo (1), Patras, Athens (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

ITALY

GREECE Zaragoza Barcelona(2) Rome(2) Pompeii Brindisi Madrid(2) Ferry(1) Capri Toledo Sorento(1) Patras Cruise(3) Ferry(1)

Tolo(1)

Athens(2 or 3)

Greek Islands

explorica.ca/sig

Spring 2021

Day 5 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner Day 6 – Optional: Sitges excursion – Overnight ferry to Rome Day 7 – Arrive in Rome in the evening

Vancouver

$4,763

Calgary

$4,763

Winnipeg

$4,735

Toronto

$4,566

Halifax

$4,723

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

82

Day 3 – Madrid guided sightseeing tour: Calle Mayor, Gran Vía, Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcalá, Columbus Square, Royal Palace visit – Optional: Toledo guided excursion – Toledo Cathedral visit, Church of Santo Tomé, St. Mary’s Synagogue visit – Flamenco evening Day 4 – Full-day transfer via Zaragoza to Barcelona – Basilica of the Virgin of Pilar visit – Tapas dinner

(1)

SPAIN

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Madrid city walk: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España – Prado visit

Day 8 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 9 – Travel to Sorrento – Capri & Blue Grotto excursion Day 10 – Travel to the port – Pompeii guided visit – Overnight ferry to Patras Day 11 – Travel to Tolo via Olympia – Ancient Olympia guided visit Day 12 – Travel to Athens – Mycenae and Epidaurus guided excursion – Corinth Canal – Greek dinner in Plaka Day 13 – Athens guided sightseeing tour: Parthenon, Acropolis, Temple of Athena Nike, Omonoia Square, Syntagma Square, 2004 Olympic site – Athens city walk: Plaka district, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch Days 14–18: Extension on an Aegean Cruise Travel home or travel on an Aegean Cruise.

Highlights: Athens guided sightseeing tour, Athens city walk

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS SPOTLIGHTS Michelangelo’s David was sculpted out of a flawed piece of marble that several other artists had used and abandoned. Lucky for us, Michelangelo was persistent!

At 14'3" tall, its right hand is disproportionately large, which is odd since David was left-handed.

Day 1 – Travel to Rome Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona Day 3 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 4 – Travel to Florence – Orvieto visit – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

Day 5 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Siena guided sightseeing tour – Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Duomo, Church of St. Catherine, Fortezza Medicea

Italy & Spain EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Rome (2), Orvieto, Florence (2), Pisa, Lucca, Barcelona (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 6 – Travel to port via Pisa and Lucca – Visit Baptistery and view the Leaning Tower of Pisa – Lucca visit – Overnight ferry to Barcelona

ITALY

Day 7 – Arrive in Barcelona in the evening

AVE

Day 8 – Barcelona guided sightseeing tour: Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Hill, Park Güell visit – Barcelona city walk: Mercat de la Boquería, Las Ramblas, Columbus Monument – Paella dinner

Madrid(2)

Lucca Florence(2) Pisa Siena Orvieto Ferry(1) Rome(2) Barcelona(2) (1)

SPAIN

Days 9–11: Extension in Madrid Travel home or travel to Madrid. Highlights: Madrid city walk, Prado visit, Madrid guided sightseeing tour, flamenco evening

explorica.ca/ias

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,859

Calgary

$3,859

Winnipeg

$3,810

Toronto

$3,654

Halifax

$3,815

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

83

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Switzerland & Paris

Day 1 – Travel to Zurich

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Zurich (1), Lucerne (2), Interlaken, Geneva (2), Paris (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

Versailles TGV

FRANCE

Zurich(1) Lucerne(2)

Geneva(2)

SWITZ.

Interlaken

explorica.ca/swp

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,006

Calgary

$4,006

Winnipeg

$4,006

Toronto

$3,790

Halifax

$3,940

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

84

Day 3 – Chocolate workshop – Travel to Lucerne – Traditional Swiss dinner with fondue Day 4 – Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing: Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), River Reuss, Kapellbrücke – Optional: Mt. Pilatus excursion Day 5 – Travel to Geneva via Interlaken – The Grindelwald ZipRider

Normandy(2) Paris(2 or 3)

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Zurich Tour Director-led sightseeing: Old Town, quays of Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse

Day 6 – International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum visit – United Nations European Headquarters visit – CERN visit

Day 7 – Travel to Paris – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Visit Louvre – Seine River cruise Day 8 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles Days 9–12: Extension in Normandy Travel home or travel to Normandy via Honfleur and Rouen. Highlights: Rouen Tour Director-led sightseeing, Arromanches Museum visit, D-Day beaches

EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS Day 1 – Travel to Zurich Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Lucerne Day 3 – Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing: Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), River Reuss, Kapellbrücke – Optional: Mt. Pilatus excursion – Traditional Swiss dinner with fondue Day 4 – Travel to Venice via Lake Como

Day 7 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante s House – Optional: Pisa Guided Excursion Day 8 – Travel to Rome – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona

Day 5 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration

Day 9 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner

Day 6 – Travel to Florence via Verona – Verona Tour Director-led sightseeing: Romeo and Juliet balcony, Verona Arena – Traditional Italian pizza dinner

Days 10–12: Extension in Sorrento Travel home or travel to Sorrento.

Highlights: Cameo workshop, Pompeii guided excursion, Capri & Blue Grotto excursion

Switzerland & Italy EUROPEAN COMBINATIONS 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Zurich, Lucerne (2), Lake Como, Venice (2), Florence (2), Assisi, Rome (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

SWITZ.

Zurich Lucerne(2)

Lake Como

ITALY

Venice(2)

Florence(2) Assisi Rome(2 or 3) Sorrento(1)

SPOTLIGHTS Pompeii is a city frozen in time. With

the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D., the city was buried under 20 feet of ash and pumice. The ash served as a preservative, leaving buildings and skeletal remains intact for explorers to unearth in the 18th century. Even today, Mount Vesuvius is considered dangerous!

explorica.ca/sai

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,934

Calgary

$3,934

Winnipeg

$3,913

Toronto

$3,721

Halifax

$3,887

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

85

INTRO TO GERMANY AND CENTRAL EUROPE

GutenTag! Deep history meets modern movement

Germany and Central Europe are unique and important in the European culture and economy. All these countries have colourful histories of imperial reigns, political turmoil, and tumultuous change. They also offer a rich legacy of cultural achievements, including classical music, grand architecture, and incredible cuisine. Choose your focus—Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic.

Then dig deeper into the treasures of famous cities like Berlin, Munich, Prague, Budapest, and more.

Educational activity WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “If you’re looking for a cultural experience that is off the beaten path, the Central Europe collection will be perfect for you.

Experienced group leaders who are looking for a new adventure often turn to cities like Innsbruck and Lucerne for ecological adventures with snowcapped mountains and picturesque rivers.”

–Charles Ryan, Product Coordinator

Say guten tag to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/centraleurope

86

Authentic cuisine: Wirtshaus Rechthaler Hof—MUNICH. Just a stone’s throw from the local railway station, this cozy restaurant offers homemade cuisine, featuring Bavarian delicacies—loved by locals and travellers alike.

Convenient hotels: Berlin Mark Hotel—BERLIN. In the heart of the city, this stylish hotel is two minutes from the Kurfürstendamm shopping district and four minutes from the Uhlandstraße underground station.

Debate the Great Meet six influential figures from Germany’s history.

Join a debate and argue their accomplishments to decide who is the greatest German.

Bask in Bavarian Arts Discover the links between traditional dance and Bavarian history. Listen to and learn Bavarian music while participating in ancient folklore storytelling. You’ll also learn (and demonstrate) a variety of traditional dance steps as taught by local experts.

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE Day 1 – Travel to Frankfurt Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Rothenburg – Rothenburg Tour Director-led sightseeing: Marktplatz Day 3 – Travel via Romantic Road to Munich – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit Day 4 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz’s Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Bavarian bratwurst dinner

Day 7 – Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing: Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), River Reuss, Kapellbrücke – Optional: Mt. Pilatus excursion – Traditional Swiss dinner with fondue Day 8 – Travel to Heidelberg via the Black Forest – Cuckoo clock demonstration – Heidelberg Tour Director-led sightseeing: Heidelberg Castle & Heidelberg Tun barrel visit, University, Marktplatz Day 9 - 11: Extension in Rhineland Travel home or travel to Rhineland via Cologne. Highlights: Cologne Cathedral visit, Rhine cruise from Koblenz to Rudesheim

Germany, Switzerland, Austria GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Frankfurt, Rothenburg (1), Munich (2), Dachau, Neuschwanstein, Innsbruck (1), Lucerne (2), Heidelberg (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1) Cologne

GERMANY Frankfurt

Rhineland(2) Heidelberg(1)

Day 5 – Travel to Innsbruck via Neuschwanstein – Neuschwanstein Castle visit – Oberammergau excursion

Rothenburg(1) Dachau

Day 6 – Innsbruck city walk: Golden Roof, Triumphbogen, Olympic site – Travel to Lucerne via Liechtenstein

Lucerne(2)

Vaduz

SWITZ.

Munich(2)

Neuschwanstein

LIECH.

Innsbruck(1)

explorica.ca/gsa

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,566

Calgary

$3,566

Winnipeg

$3,505

Toronto

$3,353

Halifax

$3,510

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

87

AUSTRIA

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE Central European Cities GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Berlin (2), Dresden, Prague (2), Krakow (2), Budapest (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1) Berlin(2)

Potsdam

POLAND

Prague(2) CZECH REPUBLIC

Krakow(2)

Vienna(2)

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY Budapest(2)

explorica.ca/cec

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,787

Calgary

$3,787

Winnipeg

$3,746

Toronto

$3,550

Halifax

$3,741

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

88

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Berlin city walk: Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Hackesche Höfe, Nikolai Quarter, Museum Island Day 3 – Berlin guided sightseeing tour: Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Victory Column – Checkpoint Charlie Museum visit – Optional: Potsdam excursion – Neues Palais guided visit, Sanssouci Palace gardens, the Russian Colony – Alexanderplatz treasure hunt Day 4 – Transfer via Dresden to Prague – Visit Zwinger Museum

Dresden

GERMANY

Day 1 – Travel to Berlin

Day 5 – Prague guided sightseeing tour: Hradcany (Prague Castle), visit St. Vitus Cathedral – Prague city walk: Charles Bridge, Mala Strana, Old Town Square, Jewish Quarter Day 6 – Travel to Kraków – Auschwitz Concentration Camp & Memorial guided visit

Day 7 – Krakow guided sightseeing tour: Wawel Hill, Wawel Castle & Cathedral, medieval Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary s Basilica, Jewish Quarter – Optional: Wieliczka Salt Mine excursion – Traditional Polish dinner Day 8 – Travel to Budapest Day 9 – Budapest guided sightseeing tour: Castle Hill, Royal Palace, Hungarian Parliament, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion – Optional: Danube River cruise – Goulash dinner Days 10–12: Extension in Vienna Travel home or travel to Vienna via Gyor.

Highlights: Vienna guided sightseeing tour, Wiener Schnitzel dinner

SPOTLIGHTS German is Europe’s most spoken language. Unlike many others, it applies three genders to nouns: male, female, and neuter. It also has the most compound words. The first printed book was written in German.

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE Day 1 – Travel to Budapest Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Budapest city walk Day 3 – Budapest guided sightseeing tour: Castle Hill, Royal Palace, Hungarian Parliament, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion – Optional: Danube River cruise Day 4 – Travel to Vienna – Vienna city walk Day 5 – Vienna guided sightseeing tour: Visit Schönbrunn Palace, Parliament, Ringstraße, Hofburg, Opera House, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral – Optional: Mozart Concert Day 6 – Travel to Prague via Cesky Krumlov – Cesky Krumlov city walk

Day 7 – Prague guided sightseeing tour: Hradcany (Prague Castle), visit St. Vitus Cathedral – Prague city walk: Charles Bridge, Mala Strana, Old Town Square, Jewish Quarter

Budapest, Vienna, Prague & Munich

Day 8 – Travel to Munich via Dachau – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 9 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz’s Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Optional: Neuschwanstein Castle visit – Bavarian bratwurst dinner

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Budapest (2), Vienna (2), Cesky Krumlov, Prague (2), Munich (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Berlin(2)

Days 10–12: Extension in Berlin Travel home or travel to Berlin. Highlights: Berlin city walk, Berlin guided sightseeing tour, Checkpoint Charlie Museum visit

GERMANY Prague(2)

CZECH REPUBLIC

Cesky Krumlov

Dachau Munich(2)

Vienna(2)

HUNGARY

AUSTRIA

Budapest(2)

(1)

explorica.ca/bvm

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,742

Calgary

$3,742

Winnipeg

$3,701

Toronto

$3,505

Halifax

$3,696

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

89

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE Germany, Switzerland & Italy

Day 1 – Travel to Frankfurt Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Rothenburg – Rothenburg Tour Director-led sightseeing: Marktplatz

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Frankfurt, Rothenburg (1), Neuschwanstein, Munich (2), Dachau, Innsbruck, Venice (2), Verona, Lucerne (2), Heidelberg (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

GERMANY (1) Paris(2)

Frankfurt

Heidelberg(1)

Dachau Munich(2) Neuschwanstein Innsbruck AUSTRIA Lucerne(2)

SWITZ.

Verona

ITALY

Venice(2)

explorica.ca/gsi

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,748

Calgary

$3,748

Winnipeg

$3,687

Toronto

$3,536

Halifax

$3,692

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

90

Day 4 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz’s Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit – Bavarian bratwurst dinner Day 5 – Travel via Innsbruck to Venice

Rothenburg(1 )

Train

FRANCE

Day 3 – Travel to Munich – Neuschwanstein Castle visit

Day 6 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration Day 7 – Full-day transfer via Verona to Lucerne – Verona Tour Director-led sightseeing: Romeo and Juliet balcony, Verona Arena Day 8 – Lucerne Tour Director-led sightseeing: Löwendenkmal (Lion Monument), River Reuss, Kapellbrücke – Optional: Mt. Pilatus excursion – Traditional Swiss dinner with fondue Day 9 – Travel to Heidelberg via the Black Forest – Cuckoo clock demonstration – Heidelberg Tour Director-led sightseeing: Heidelberg Castle & Heidelberg Tun barrel visit, University, Marktplatz Days 10–12: Extension in Paris Travel home or travel to Paris. Highlights: Paris city walk, Paris guided sightseeing tour, Louvre visit, Seine River cruise

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE SPOTLIGHTS The Rhine River is the second

longest in Central and Western Europe. It flows through nine countries and creates borders between Germany, Switzerland, and France. Vital throughout history, it has many castles and fortifications on its banks.

Day 1 – Travel to Berlin Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Berlin city walk: Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Hackesche Höfe, Nikolai Quarter, Museum Island Day 3 – Berlin guided sightseeing tour: Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Victory Column – Checkpoint Charlie Museum visit – Optional: Potsdam excursion – Neues Palais guided visit, Sanssouci Palace gardens, the Russian Colony Day 4 – Transfer via Dresden to Prague – Visit Zwinger Museum

Day 5 – Prague guided sightseeing tour: Hradcany (Prague Castle), visit St. Vitus Cathedral – Prague city walk: Charles Bridge, Mala Strana, Old Town Square, Jewish Quarter

Berlin, Prague & Munich

Day 6 – Travel to Munich via Nuremberg – Nuremberg city walk

9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 7 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz’s Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit – Bavarian bratwurst dinner

GERMANY & CENTRAL EUROPE

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Berlin (2), Dresden, Prague (2), Nuremberg, Munich (3), Dachau, Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

Potsdam

GERMANY

Day 8 – Neuschwanstein Castle visit – Oberammergau excursion

Dresden

Nuremberg

Days 9–11: Extension in Vienna Travel home or travel to Vienna via Salzburg. Highlights: Mozart’s birthplace visit, Vienna guided sightseeing tour, Wiener Schnitzel dinner

Dachau Neuschwanstein Oberammergau

Berlin(2)

Prague(2)

CZECH REPUBLIC

Munich(3)

Vienna(2)

AUSTRIA

explorica.ca/bpm

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,747

Calgary

$3,747

Winnipeg

$3,686

Toronto

$3,535

Halifax

$3,691

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

91

INTRO TO ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

G’day...Ni Hao! Shining a spotlight on the other side of the world

Help your students connect with Asia! Visit China, Korea, and Japan.

See firsthand the centuries-old traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Appreciate the staggering pace of change and emerging industrial power centres. Or, take your students Down Under! Explore New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture. Marvel at its natural beauty and wildlife. Tour through Christchurch, Mount Cook, and Queenstown. From snowmobiling to harbour cruises to downtown Sydney, Australia, this is a truly fascinating trip!

Authentic cuisine: Chibo Sonezaki—OSAKA Conveniently located, this bustling restaurant gets great reviews for its Japanese specialties and fast service. The menu also shows English translations for dining convenience.

Convenient hotels: Tiantan Hotel—BEIJING Delivering four-star comfort and located in the centre of Beijing, this hotel is convenient to the Imperial Palace and Red Bridge, plus wonderful shopping areas like the Silk Market.

Say Ni Hao to the perfect tour at explorica.ca/gofarther

92

Educational activity Cook Chinese Cuisine Create an authentic Chinese dish as professional chefs guide you through a traditional recipe.

Kia Ora Immerse yourself in the culture of the Maori, New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian people. Enjoy a full cultural evening complete with an authentic meal and an enthralling performance by the Maori.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC Day 1 – Travel to Tokyo Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director Day 3 – Tokyo guided sightseeing tour: Sensō-ji Temple visit, Imperial Palace East Garden, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku District visit – Shibuya Crossing – Tempura dinner

Day 7 – Nara excursion: Nara Park, Tōdai-ji Temple, Kasuga Grand Shrine – Kyoto guided sightseeing tour: Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) visit, Fushimi Inari Taisha visit – Travel by bus to Osaka Day 8 - 10: Extension in Hiroshima and Miyajima Travel home or travel to Hiroshima.

Highlights: Hiroshima guided sightseeing tour, Yakisoba dinner, Miyajima excursion

Japan Highlights ASIA & THE PACIFIC 8 DAYS | 6 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Tokyo (2), Hakone (1), Takayama (1), Kyoto (2), Osaka Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 4 – Travel to Hakone by bus – Hakone excursion: Lake Ashi cruise, Mount Komagatake – Overnight in a Ryokan

(1)

Day 5 – Travel to Matsumoto by bus – Matsumoto Castle visit

Takayama(1) Tokyo(2) Bullet Train Kyoto(2) Hakone(1) Hiroshima(2) Osaka

Day 6 – Takayama guided sightseeing tour: Morning Market visit, Old City visit – Shirakawa Village visit – Travel to Kyoto by bus

explorica.ca/jpn

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,079

Calgary

$4,260

Winnipeg

$4,260

Toronto

$4,217

Halifax

$4,375

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

93

ASIA & THE PACIFIC Beijing, Xi’an & Shanghai

Day 1 – Travel to Beijing Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director

ASIA & THE PACIFIC 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Beijing (3), Xi an (1), Shanghai (2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

Great Wall

Day 4 – Chinese doctor visit – Travel to Great Wall of China – Ming Tombs visit – Peking duck dinner

Beijing(3) Train(1)

Day 5 – Temple of Heaven visit – Beijing Zoo pandas visit – Hutong tour – Overnight train to Xi an

Xi’an(1)

CHINA

Shanghai(2)

Hong Kong(2)

explorica.ca/chi

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,425

Calgary

$3,656

Winnipeg

$3,656

Toronto

$3,677

Halifax

$3,677

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

94

Day 3 – Tai chi exercise – Beijing guided sightseeing tour: Tiananmen Square visit, Forbidden City visit, Jingshan Mountain, Summer Palace visit, National Stadium (Bird s Nest), National Aquatic Centre (Water Cube), jade and pearl factory visit, local tea house visit – Optional: Kung fu show

Day 6 – Xi an guided sightseeing tour: Terracotta Warriors Museum visit, Huaqing Palace visit, hot springs visit, Banpo Village Ruins & Museum visit – Xi an city walk: Ancient City Wall, Greater Wild Goose Pagoda visit – Optional: Tang Dynasty singing and dancing show Day 7 – Travel to Shanghai – High-speed Shanghai Maglev Train transfer – Shanghai residential quarter walk: Residential quarters, local families visit Day 8 – Shanghai guided sightseeing tour: Yu Yuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple visit, silk factory visit – Shanghai city walk: Bund, Children s Palace, Nanjing Road – Acrobatic show Days 9–11: Extension to Hong Kong Travel home or travel to Hong Kong.

Highlights: Hong Kong guided sightseeing tour

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Day 4 – Thoi Son Island visit – Mekong River jungle cruise Day 5 – Travel to Siem Reap – Tonlé Sap Lake cruise – Floating villages visit – Phnom Bakheng Hill – View sunset at Angkor Wat

Day 7 – Travel to Bangkok via Poipet and Aranyaprathet

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Day 8 – Bangkok guided sightseeing tour: Grand Palace visit, Emerald Buddha visit, Temple of Dawn, Wat Pho – Chao Phraya River dinner cruise

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Ho Chi Minh (3), Siem Reap (2), Angkor Wat, Bangkok (3), Kanchanaburi (1) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 9 – Travel to Kanchanaburi via Nakhon Pathom – Phra Pathom Chedi visit – Kanchanaburi guided sightseeing tour: War Cemetery visit, Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, the River Kwai bridge Days 10–12: Extension to Hua Hin Travel home or travel to Hua Hin. Highlights: Khao Wang Palace visit, beach day

(1)

THAILAND Kanchanaburi(1) Khao Luang Caves Hua Hin

Bangkok(3 or 4)

Angkor Wat

Siem Reap(2)

M

Day 3 – Vietnam War Cu Chi Tunnels visit – Ho Chi Minh City guided sightseeing tour: War Remnants Museum visit, Reunification Palace, Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, City Hall

Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand

CAMBODIA Ho Chi Minh(3)

explorica.ca/vct

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,275

Calgary

$4,220

Winnipeg

$4,210

Toronto

$3,964

Halifax

$3,951

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

95

TNA

Day 2 – Arrive late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 – Meet your Tour Director

Day 6 – Angkor Wat guided sightseeing tour – Angkor Thom visit – Ta Prohm Temple visit – Bayon Temple visit – Old Market visit

VIE

Day 1 – Travel to Ho Chi Minh

ASIA & THE PACIFIC Delhi, Jaipur & Agra

Day 1 – Travel to Delhi Day 2 – Arrive late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 – Meet your Tour Director

ASIA & THE PACIFIC 11 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Delhi (2), Jaipur (2), Ranthambore(2), Bharatpur, Agra(2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except on Day 1, 11 and 14)

(1)

(1)

(1)

NEPAL Delhi(2) Jaipur(2)

Agra(2) Bharatpur

Kathmandu(3)

Train

Ranthambore(2)

INDIA

explorica.ca/ind

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,851

Calgary

$3,851

Winnipeg

$3,790

Toronto

$3,641

Halifax

$3,797

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

96

Day 6 – Travel to Ranthambore – Ranthambore National Park evening safari Day 7 – Ranthambore National Park visit

Day 3 – Old Delhi guided sightseeing tour: Jama Masjid Mosque, Lal Quila (Red Fort) visit, Raj Ghat and the site of Mahatma Gandhi s cremation – New Delhi guided sightseeing tour: Connaught Place, Humayun s Tomb, Janpath Market – Sound and light show

Day 8 – Travel to Bharatpur by train – Travel to Agra – Mother Teresa s Charity Mission visit

Day 4 – Travel to Jaipur – Local market guided visit – Yoga lesson

Day 10 – School visit – Travel to Delhi

Day 5 – Amber Fort excursion – Palace of the Winds visit – Jaipur guided sightseeing tour – City Palace visit – Mubarak Mahal textile museum – Folk evening

Day 9 – Taj Mahal visit at dawn – Agra Fort visit – Agra Wildlife SOS visit

Days 10–14: Extension to Kathmandu Travel home or travel to Kathmandu.

Highlights: Kathmandu guided sightseeing tour, Swayambhunath Stupa visit, Patan excursion, Native Tibetan camp visit, hike to Changu, Changunarayan Temple visit, meet local craftsmen in Pottery Square

ASIA & THE PACIFIC Day 1 – Travel to Auckland Day 2 – Lose a day as you cross the International Date Line Day 3 – Meet your Tour Director – Travel to Rotorua Day 4 – Rotorua guided sightseeing tour: Māori Cultural Centre visit, visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Skyline Gondola ride on Mt. Ngongotaha – Visit Agrodome – Māori Hāngi feast Day 5 – Travel to Auckland via Waitomo – Visit Waitomo Caves – Visit Glowworm Grotto

Day 7 – Sydney guided sightseeing tour: Darling Harbour, the Gap, visit Opera House – Bondi Beach excursion – Optional: Surf lesson on Bondi Beach

Australia & New Zealand

Day 8 – Sydney city walk: The Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens, Mrs. Macquarie s Point – Sydney Harbour cruise

10 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available

Day 9 – Optional: Blue Mountains & Wildlife Sanctuary full-day excursion

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Auckland (1), Rotorua (2), Sydney (4) Buffet-style breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner (4 meals included)

Days 10–14: Extension to Cairns Travel home or travel to Cairns. Highlights: Cairns guided sightseeing tour, Palm Cove half-day excursion, Great Barrier Reef full-day excursion, Cairns free day

Cairns(3) Great Barrier Reef

AUSTRALIA

Day 6 – Auckland guided sightseeing tour: Visit War Memorial Museum, Visit Tarlton s Underwater World – Travel to Sydney

(2) Auckland(1)

Sydney(4)

Rotorua(2)

SPOTLIGHTS Taumatawhakatangihangaoauauotameteatu

NEW ZEALAND

ripukakapikimaungahoronukupo-kaiwhenuakitanatahu, is the longest town name found in any English-speaking country. It may take you longer to say it than to explore this small coastal town!

explorica.ca/anc

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$5,205

Calgary

$5,328

Winnipeg

$5,527

Toronto

$5,402

Halifax

$5,422

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

97

MAKE A DIFFERENCE Travel with a special kind of purpose

Gain life-enriching lessons in philanthropy by teaching local school children, creating sustainable gardens in developing nations and studying the ecology of an exotic corner of the globe. Become part of a greater good that benefits the indigenous peoples of each region and, most importantly, makes a difference.

WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “I tell my students at the beginning of every year that I want them to be able to look back on their lives and say, ‘It was important that I was here because I made a difference in the world.’

That’s one of the very many reasons why I took my students on WorldStrides Explorica’s Make A Difference Tour to Morocco. We worked side-byside with the people of a Berber village and I saw my students stop being tourists in a strange land and start connecting in a deeply meaningful way.

On the last night we sat on our hotel balcony, reflecting on the work we had accomplished and the friendships we had built. It was one of the greatest moments of all of our lives; not one of us will ever forget it.”

–Jeffrey R., WorldStrides Explorica group leader

You can make a difference at explorica.ca/difference

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE Day 1 – Travel to Bangkok Day 2 – Arrive late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 Day 3 – Meet your Tour Director – Bangkok city walk – Bangkok bicycle tour – Travel to Sing Buri Day 4 – Sing Buri community volunteer program

Day 8 – Buddhist monastery visit – Introduction to Buddhism – Buddhist monk cultural exchange – Overnight in a traditional Buddhist monastery Day 9 – Travel to Bangkok – Market and palace tour Day 10 – Travel home

Thailand THAILAND 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Bangkok (2), Sing Buri (3), Wang Thong (1), Wang Nam Khiao (2) Breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 5 – Sing Buri community volunteer program – Traditional dancing & “thank you” dinner

Wang Thong(1)

THAILAND

Day 6 – Travel to Wang Thong – Elephant sanctuary volunteer project

Sing Buri(3)

Wang Nam Khiao(2)

Bangkok(2)

Day 7 – Travel to Wang Nam Khiao – Overnight in a traditional Buddhist monastery

(1)

explorica.ca/thv

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$4,266

Calgary

$4,212

Winnipeg

$4,200

Toronto

$3,955

Halifax

$3,941

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

99

We have partnered with Camps International to be the exclusive provider of Camps programs in North America! With the support of the Camps teams on the ground, WorldStrides Explorica students will live and work with these communities, so they can empower themselves and generate their own income. Our groups will also contribute in numerous ways to protecting the environment and conserving wildlife.

Find out more at explorica.ca/makeadifference

Camps in South America: Ecuador, Peru Over 50% of the rural communities in the highlands live below the poverty line. WorldStrides Explorica groups will therefore be combatting high malnutrition levels, building greenhouses and educating on nutrition. Planting trees by the thousands, we will also be caring for the environment in this uniquely biodiverse part of the world.

Other program highlights for our students: – Trek to World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu – Meet tribes in the Amazon Rainforest – Explore the world-famous Galapagos Islands – Visit Lake Titicaca: highest navigable lake on earth – Dance with the local Quechua communities

100

Camps in Central America: Costa Rica Costa Rica is a fairly small country, but it is still one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world.

Visitors can explore the Pacific or Caribbean coasts, volcanoes, and rainforests and encounter countless species of mammal, insect, reptile, and bird. While the environment is impressive, there is much more to tempt visitors to Costa Rica. Adventure awaits around every corner, and the unique culture of La Pura Vida beckons through food, music, and art.

Other program highlights for our students: – Visit the beaches of Guanacaste – Explore the natural beauty and biodiversity – Discover an array of species – Interact with the local communities

Camps in East Africa: Tanzania 51% of the population lives in poverty, so with the support of Camps team in East Africa, WorldStrides Explorica student travellers will be directly bettering the lives of the communities they are living and working with. In Africa, the sense of community is inspiring and the natural beauty overwhelming.

Other program highlights for our students: – Climb Kilimanjaro – Go on a big game safari – Play football with the local children – Cook chapattis with local women – Watch a red African sunset over the savannah

Camps in Southeast Asia: Borneo, Cambodia The people of this region have had a troubled past; the kindness and positivity of even the poorest communities is overwhelming. Attendance of secondary school is frighteningly low and deforestation rates are high. WorldStrides Explorica students engaged in projects in this region will be focused on improving education infrastructure and combatting deforestation.

Other program highlights for our students: – Visit the mystical temples of Angkor Wat – Cruise through the jungle on a boat at sunset – Sleep in a hammock deep in the jungle – Teach English to an eager class of children – Scuba dive in the crystal clear waters

101

CANADIAN HISTORY Bring history to life for your students

Experience the legendary battlefields that made our nation great and visit the final resting places of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. From Vimy to Normandy, each itinerary is crafted to support your curriculum and school board standards and includes unique immersive activities to bring history to life for your students.

WorldStrides Explorica pro tip “Educational travel brings a realism to the lesson that doesn’t happen when reading facts in a textbook. You can’t get the same level of understanding any other way— being there gives purpose and meaning to the history. When we come back from a tour, the enthusiasm my students carry with them is contagious. I can practically see the ripples of energy they create flow throughout the entire school. They get the other students excited about what they saw and what they learned. For me, this is huge; the past is alive in my students and that is what being a history teacher is all about.”

–Phil C., WorldStrides Explorica group leader

Relive history with the perfect tour

explorica.ca/history

102

CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Milan Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director and travel to Venice Day 3 – Venice guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark s Basilica, Doge s Palace visit, glass-blowing demonstration Day 4 – Travel to Florence via Bologna – Traditional Italian pizza dinner Day 5 – Florence guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo visit, leather workshop, Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Dante’s House – Optional: Pisa guided excursion – Baptistery visit, Leaning Tower

Day 8 – Travel to Rome via Monte Cassino – Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery – Monte Cassino Monument visit – Piana delle Orme Museum visit Day 9 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner

Venice, Florence, Ortona and Rome CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Venice (2), Florence (2), Ortona (2), Rome (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 10 – 14 - Extension in Sicily Travel home or travel to Naples via Pompeii.

Highlights: Pompeii guided excursion, Palermo guided sightseeing tour, Agrigento guided sightseeing tour, Piazza Armerina, Agira Canadian War Cemetery, Taormina guided sightseeing tour

(1) Milan

ITALY

Venice(2) Florence(2) Ortona(2) Rome(2) Naples Ferry(1)

Day 6 – Travel to Ortona via Assisi – St. Francis of Assisi Basilica visit

Palermo

Taormina(2) Catania

Agrigento(1)

Day 7 – Ortona Tour Director-led sightseeing tour – Private Remembrance Ceremony at Moro Cemetery – Ortona War Museum

explorica.ca/ita

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,656

Calgary

$3,656

Winnipeg

$3,614

Toronto

$3,453

Halifax

$3,619

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

103

CANADIAN HISTORY Normandy to Cassino CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (2), Normandy (1), Milan, Rome (3), Monte Cassino (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Normandy(1) Paris(2) (1) Versailles Train(1)

FRANCE

Milan Train Rome(3) Monte Cassino(1)

explorica.ca/nac

Vancouver

$3,826

Calgary

$3,826

Winnipeg

$3,805

Toronto

$3,620

Halifax

$3,770

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

104

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles Day 4 – Travel to Normandy via Dieppe – D-Day beaches – Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery visit

ITALY

Spring 2021

Day 1 – Travel to Paris

Day 5 – Arromanches Museum visit – Juno Beach Centre visit – Travel to Paris – Overnight train to Milan

Day 6 – Transfer by train to Rome from Milan – Rome city walk: Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona Day 7 – Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visit, St. Peter’s Basilica visit, Colosseum visit, Piazza Venezia, Forum Romanum visit – Authentic trattoria dinner Day 8 – Travel to Monte Cassino via Pontecorve – Canadian Monument visit – Pantheon Day 9 – Monte Cassino Monument visit – Piana delle Orme Museum visit – Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery – Monte Cassino Abbey visit – Travel to Rome Day 10 – Travel home

CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Paris Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit Day 3 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles Day 4 – Travel to Flanders via Vimy Ridge – Vimy Ridge Guided Sightseeing Tour – Beaumont Hamel visit Day 5 – Passchendaele Canadian Memorial Park – Talbot House Museum – St. Julien Memorial – In Flanders Fields Museum visit – Attend Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate Day 6 – Wellington Quarry visit – Travel to Normandy via Dieppe – Canadian Cemetery visit – Dieppe Canadian landing beach visit

Day 7 – Arromanches Museum visit – Juno Beach Centre visit Day 8 – Batterie de Merville – Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery visit Day 9 – Travel to Paris via Rouen – Rouen Tour Director-led sightseeing – Visit Rouen Cathedral, Old Clock – Seine River cruise

D-Day Paris, Vimy & Normandy CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Paris (3), Vimy, Flanders (2), Normandy (3), Rouen Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Days 10–13: Extension in Berlin Travel home or travel to Berlin. Highlights: Musée d’Orsay, Berlin guided sightseeing tour, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Sachsenhausen excursion, Jewish Museum, Potsdam excursion

Berlin(3) GERMANY

SPOTLIGHTS One of the earliest

forms of entertainment was the Gladiator Games, dating back to the 1st century B.C. Gladiators were armed combatants who entertained audiences as they battled each other, wild animals, or condemned criminals. Although most were slaves sentenced to death, they were celebrated and valued as entertainers—and even commemorated through art.

BELGIUM Flanders(2)

y(3) and m r No Rouen

(1)

Vimy

Train

Paris(3)

Versailles

FRANCE

explorica.ca/pvn

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,744

Calgary

$3,744

Winnipeg

$3,744

Toronto

$3,534

Halifax

$3,669

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

105

CANADIAN HISTORY D-Day Netherlands & France CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Amsterdam (2), Ypres, Flanders (2), Vimy, Dieppe, Normandy (2), Paris (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

(1)

NETHERLANDS Amsterdam(2)

London(2)

Ypres

Dieppe Normandy(2)

BELGIUM Flanders(2) Vimy

FRANCE

Day 3 – Amsterdam Tour Director-led sightseeing: Canal guided cruise, Diamond factory visit, Anne Frank House visit – Jewish Historical Museum visit – Traditional Dutch pannenkoeken dinner Day 4 – Travel to the Flanders region via Arnhem – John Frost Bridge photo stop – Liberation Museum visit – Groesbeek Cemetery visit Day 5 – Passchendaele Canadian Memorial Park – Talbot House Museum – St. Julien Memorial – In Flanders Fields Museum visit – Attend Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate

Day 7 – Juno Beach Centre visit – Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery visit – D-Day beaches

explorica.ca/naf

Vancouver

$3,638

Calgary

$3,638

Winnipeg

$3,638

Toronto

$3,422

Halifax

$3,563

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

106

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director

Day 6 – Vimy Ridge guided visit – Vimy Tunnels visit – Vimy Trenches visit – Travel to Normandy via Dieppe – Dieppe Tour Director-led sightseeing

Paris(2)

Spring 2021

Day 1 – Travel to Amsterdam

Day 8 – Arromanches Museum visit – Batterie de Merville – Travel to Paris – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral visit, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit Day 9 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion – State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles Days 10–12: Extension in London Travel home or travel to London.

Highlights: London city walk, classic fish & chips dinner, London guided sightseeing tour, Imperial War Museum visit, Cabinet War Rooms with Churchill Museum visit

SPOTLIGHTS The Allied Invasion of Normandy

during World War II is the largest seaborne invasion in history. In total, over 2 million Allied troops, 54 thousand military vehicles, and 570k tons of supplies landed on the beaches of Normandy. An estimated 225 thousand soldiers were killed during the course of battle.

CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to London Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – London city walk: Thames River, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery visit, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho – Cabinet War Rooms with Churchill Museum visit – Classic fish & chips dinner Day 3 – London guided sightseeing tour: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, St. Paul's Cathedral – Imperial War Museum visit Day 4 – Eurostar Chunnel crossing – Paris city walk: Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral, Île St. Louis, Latin Quarter visit – Louvre visit Day 5 – Paris guided sightseeing tour: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, École Militaire, Les Invalides, Conciergerie, Tuileries Garden

visit, Place Vendôme, Opera House – Optional: Versailles guided excursion: State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles

D-Day London & France

Day 6 – Travel to Normandy – Dieppe Tour Director-led sightseeing – Museum for Peace

CANADIAN HISTORY

Day 7 – Arromanches Museum visit – Juno Beach Centre & Park visit – Batterie de Merville

10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): London (2), Paris (3), Dieppe, Normandy (2), Lille (1), Vimy (1) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 8 – Beny-sur-Mer Canadian Military Cemetery visit – Travel to Lille Day 9 – Travel to Vimy Ridge – Vimy Ridge Memorial visit: Vimy Trenches visit, Vimy Tunnels visit, Memorial Museum visit – Wellington Quarry visit – Travel to Paris

ENGLAND

(1)

London(2) Vimy(1)

Normandy(3)

Day 10 – Travel home

Paris(2)

FRANCE

explorica.ca/lfa

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,607

Calgary

$3,607

Winnipeg

$3,602

Toronto

$3,421

Halifax

$3,556

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

107

Lille(1)

CANADIAN HISTORY Central European History CANADIAN HISTORY 10 DAYS | 8 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Berlin (2), Warsaw (2), Kraków (2), Prague (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Day 1 – Travel to Berlin Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Berlin city walk: Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Hackesche Höfe, Nikolai Quarter, Museum Island Day 3 – Berlin guided sightseeing tour: Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Victory Column – Checkpoint Charlie Museum visit – Jewish Museum visit Day 4 – Travel to Warsaw – Warsaw city walk

Train

Berlin(2)

Warsaw(2)

POLAND

GERMANY CZECH REPUBLIC Prague(2) Nuremberg

Krakow(2)

Munich(2)

explorica.ca/ceh

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,731

Calgary

$3,731

Winnipeg

$3,701

Toronto

$3,532

Halifax

$3,688

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

108

Day 5 – Warsaw guided sightseeing tour – Old ghetto visit – Museum of Warsaw Uprising visit – Jewish Institute – Pawiak Prison Visit

Day 6 – Travel to Kraków – Kraków guided sightseeing tour: Wawel Hill, Wawel Castle & Cathedral, Medieval Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, Jewish Quarter Day 7 – Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum guided excursion – Traditional Polish dinner Day 8 – Travel to Prague – Prague city walk: Charles Bridge, Mala Strana, Old Town Square, Jewish Quarter Day 9 – Prague guided sightseeing tour: Hradcany (Prague Castle), Visit St. Vitus Cathedral – KGB museum Days 10–12: Extension in Munich Travel home or travel to Munich via Nuremberg. Highlights: World War II Art Bunker guided tour, Nuremberg Trial site, Munich guided sightseeing tour, Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial

CANADIAN HISTORY Day 1 – Travel to Berlin Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director – Berlin city walk: Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Hackesche Höfe, Nikolai Quarter, Museum Island Day 3 – Berlin guided sightseeing tour: Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Victory Column – The Story of Berlin visit – DDR Museum visit Day 4 – Travel to Dresden via Leipzig – Leipzig guided sightseeing tour: Augustus Square, Old Town Hall, St. Thomas Church – Museum of Military History visit

Day 7 – Travel to Munich – Dachau Concentration Camp & Memorial visit Day 8 – Munich guided sightseeing tour: Residenz, Nymphenburg Palace Gardens, Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, BMW Headquarters visit, Olympic site of 1972, Frauenkirche, Neues Rathaus, Marienplatz/ Glockenspiel, Hofbräuhaus – Bavarian bratwurst dinner

Germany: WWII History CANADIAN HISTORY 9 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | Extension available CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Berlin (2), Leipzig, Dresden (1), Nuremberg (1), Munich (3) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Dinner daily (except departure day)

Days 9–11: Extension in Vienna Travel home or travel to Vienna via Berchtesgaden. Highlights: Eagle's Nest Excursion, Vienna guided sightseeing tour, Jewish Museum, Wiener Schnitzel dinner

(1) Berlin(2) Leipzig

Day 5 – Dresden guided sightseeing tour: Frauenkirche, Bruhlsche Terrasse, Furstenzug – Travel to Nuremberg – Nuremberg city walk

Dresden(1)

GERMANY Nuremberg(2)

Day 6 – War Crimes Trial Museum visit – Nazi Party Rally Grounds visit – Documentation Centre visit

Vienna(2)

Munich(2) Berchtesgaden

explorica.ca/geh

Spring 2021

Vancouver

$3,639

Calgary

$3,639

Winnipeg

$3,578

Toronto

$3,426

Halifax

$3,583

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 3/10/2021 departure date. Call for details.

109

AUSTRIA

CANADIAN HISTORY

Day 1 – Travel to Hong Kong

Canadian History: Battle of Hong Kong CANADIAN HISTORY 11 DAYS | 9 NIGHTS | Tour must depart 12/5/2021 CITIES VISITED (NIGHT STAYS): Hong Kong (3), Shanghai (2), Xi'an (1), Beijing (2) Full European breakfast daily (except arrival day) Lunch daily Dinner daily (except departure day)

Train(1) Xi’an(1) Shanghai(2)

CHINA

Day 4 – Hong Kong guided battlefield tour Day 5 – Fly to Shanghai – High-speed Shanghai Maglev Train transfer – Shanghai residential quarter walk: Residential quarters, local families visit

Day 8 – Xi'an guided sightseeing tour: Terracotta Warriors Museum visit, Huaqing Palace visit, hot springs visit, Banpo Village Ruins & Museum visit – Overnight train to Beijing Day 9 – Tai chi exercise – Beijing guided sightseeing tour: Tiananmen Square visit, Forbidden City visit, Jingshan Mountain, Summer Palace visit, National Stadium (Bird's Nest), National Aquatic Center (Water Cube), jade and pearl factory visit, local tea house visit – Optional: kung fu show Day 10 – Beijing Zoo pandas visit – Great Wall of China visit – Ming Tombs visit – Local tea house visit – Peking duck dinner Day 11 – Travel home

(1) Hong Kong(3)

explorica.ca/bhk

Vancouver

$4,253

Calgary

$4,489

Winnipeg

$4,489

Toronto

$4,438

Halifax

$4,438

Prices available from all Canadian airports. Prices in table are based on 12/5/2021 departure date. Call for details.

110

Day 3 – Hong Kong guided sightseeing tour: Star Ferry ride across Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, Victoria Peak, Tai Po Man Mo Temple visit, Repulse Bay, Stanley Market

Day 6 – Shanghai guided sightseeing tour: Yu Yuan Garden, Chenghuagmiao Bazaar, Jade Buddha Temple visit, Oriental Pearl Tower visit, Shanghai museum visit, Bund – Shanghai city walk: Bund, Children's Palace, Nanjing Road, Jade Buddha Temple visit – Acrobatic show

Beijing(2)

Dec 5, 2021

Day 2 – Meet your Tour Director

Day 7 – Fly to Xian – Xi'an city walk: Ancient City Wall, Greater Wild Goose Pagoda visit – Optional: Tang Dynasty singing and dancing show

“We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong.”

A letter from our General Manager

- James, Student

Dear Traveller, There’s an endless world to explore outside of your classroom, and we are excited to help you and your students to experience it!

At WorldStrides Explorica, we take educational travel – every part of it – to the highest levels of eye-opening discovery, quality learning, and genuine enthusiasm.

From the support of our team of seasoned travel consultants to our ability to customize an itinerary that’s perfect for your group, our goal is simple: to be your trusted partner and exceed your expectations for safety, security, quality, price, and overall peace of mind.

Most of our tours span 10 days, but the memories they create? They last forever.

That’s why our emphasis on a superior planning process is our highest priority, from our first phone call to the day you and your group return. It all starts with listening to you. Where you want to go, what you want to do, how your students will learn along the way – this is where our partnership begins.

And since we’ve joined the WorldStrides family, we can deliver even more travel options, with even greater support and flexibility, across the globe. As you look through these pages, you’ll see just what I mean – we’ve never had more programs than we do now, and this makes our entire team immensely proud.

Trip after trip, year after year, we are always improving, innovating, and increasing our ability to give you and your students the tools and resources you need to feel the excitement of new places.

Here’s to you, your students, and future adventures in educational travel!

Cordially,

David Conklin General Manager, CPA, CA WorldStrides Explorica

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2020/2021

3080 Yonge Street Suite 5052, Toronto, ON M4N 3N1

Experiences that Enlighten

Hello! Yassou! Bonjour! Ni Hao! Cheers! Grüetzi! G'day! ¡Hola! Ciao! Guten Tag!

The experience is everything

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explorica.ca

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