August 24, 2010 A summer spent traveling with American Collegiate Adventures (ACA) to Seville exposes students to Spain's colorful history, endless activities, and rich culture. Accommodations are in the heart of the city with everything walking distance from the three-star hotel. The student ratio to staff is 8:1.
The summer program consists of weekend traveling and two college courses for up to six credits. Some of the classes include; beginner, intermediate, or advanced level Spanish; Spanish Conversation; Culture & Society; Visual Arts; and International Business. Students entering their junior year of high school can take a SAT prep course. The classes are taught at the University of Seville by Spanish speaking professors with international experience.
After classes, students are free to visit cafés, shops, and historic landmarks. There are also flamenco and salsa lessons; shopping; going to the pool; and culinary tours. After dinner there are cultural shows, bullfights, and intercambio. Students partner with an intercambio participant, which meet weekly to converse in Spanish and allow the native speaker to practice English. Your Spanish fluency is bound to improve on this trip.
There are some must-see places in Seville; the Fine Arts Museum; Archaeological Museum; Santa Cruz and the Jewish Quarters; Alcázar; and Italíca. There is also a fruit and vegetable market with churros with chocolate and a variety of tapas.
On the weekends students travel to a various destinations including; Costa del Sol, which has miles of beautiful beaches and water sports; Granada, which is extremely rich in history and architecture; and the famous Alhambra and the Royal Chapel, which is the resting place of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Students also have a choice to travel between Barcelona (for an additional fee) and trips to Córdoba and Cádiz.
In Barcelona there is the Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, and the Villa Olympica. In Córdoba, students visit the Mezquita, which truly shows off the Roman and Moorish culture. In Cádiz there is an opportunity to relax on the beautiful beach. The town of Cádiz is filled with fabulous restaurants and shops.
The Sophisticated Traveler's Top Destinations
Basque Country, Paris, Venice, St. Petersburg, Siem Reap, & QM2 with Alycia Oliphant
The singular profile of Hermitage of San Juan of Gaztelugatxe Church in Bakio looks solemn from the coast. The hermitage of San Juan stands out on the top of it, where one arrives through a 231-step stairs.
Outside of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Basque Country
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Basque Country
BY ALYCIA OLIPHANT
Visiting the Basque Country is not usually high on most people's vacation list. But once you mention the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, well, that's another story - the "ahhs" and "oohs" are heard. It's considered the most "important' building of the 20th century and it turned a very conservative, sleepy city, Bilbao, into a world class destination. Yet, after viewing the extraordinary experience of the museum's architecture, (it's more of an attraction than the exhibits inside) there is so much more to see and do in the Basque Country, which covers 7 different provinces and spans two countries - Spain and France.
Everything seems different yet there are many similarities to other parts of Europe. Mountains dotted with lush farms and country houses that remind you of Switzerland. A rugged coastline that has great surfing. There is the world famous and fashionable beach resort city of San Sebastian, which appeals to your dining desires as much as touring wishes with it's unique beach and walking promenade that represents a conch shell. Also, the aquarium, the Palacio del Mar, offers underwater walkways allowing a 360 degrees view of sharks, rays and other marine species.
There's an International Jazz Festival held there every July. Pamplona was made world famous by Hemingway for the running of the bulls during the Fiestas de San Fermin, during July 7 - 14. Other attractions include the Gothic Cathedral surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens.
Basque cuisine is perhaps surprisingly one of the best in Europe - it predates both Spanish and French and even some of their cuisines have traits of Basque cuisine. The combination of beach days, art museums, historic attractions and fine cuisine make a visit to this lower-profile part of Spain truly an authentic, compelling vacation experience.
The Louvre Museum
There is a very good reason so many movies, European and Hollywood, are set amidst the Paris scenery and redolent with French ambience. Taking the time to walk the Louvre, the Rodin Museum and the Cluny Museum, you feel like the hours well spent enable you to step back in history and to absorb the art and perhaps feel the city as the artists once did. Cultural choices abound - art galleries, musical concerts, decorative arts, indoor and outdoor sculptures and impressionist art museums, and the haute couture of elegance and style that leads the fashion world. Although there is a long line to go up the Eiffel Tower, it's still a enticing draw to just linger around the Tower's neighborhood and see the sights that surround one of the most recognizable buildings in the modern world. If time is limited, be sure to take a trip in one of the bateaux that meander along the Seine. What's so wonderful about Paris is that it's magnificent anytime of the year due to the sheer wealth of culture, heritage, sight-seeing, shopping, art, fashion and the alluring romance of the city that young and old lovers invariably think of when a special city for that special trip is planned!
The Seine
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PARIS The city of lights. I loved Paris before I even
went and when I arrived, it did not disappoint. Paris was
wonderful, the very first time, as well as my second visit and the many
times that followed. But that first time at the magical city was
almost forty years ago and having gone back recently, it still held its
marvelous charm and timeless appeal. It's a walking city. The wide
expansive avenues that lead all over and often into small very ethnic
neighborhoods - time to walk and stroll is what is really needed to
appreciate the most beautiful city in the world.
VENICE - A remarkable city that's saturated in history and exudes mystery - stunning and incomparable, as well as unique with its canals and architecture. It's a must-see place that deserves and demands at least one visit in one's lifetime. Without cars, its beauty is contained within narrow, winding streets and elegant, small bridges over the canals. You usually walk into a grand piazza with a classic cafe to sit outside and watch the view whether it's people walking by, children playing or beautiful church facades, you feel that you belong. One can ponder life's leisure while sipping an espresso or quaffing a pinot grigio. Also, one should be sure, if time permits, to visit the other islands in the Venice Lagoon - the Lido for a meal at the Excelsior Hotel or a roulette spin at the Casino as though accompanied by a certain British spy; Murano for glass and Burano for lace. Although it may seem shamelessly "touristy", a gondola ride is simply a must for the experience, the photographs, the music and the chance to let time stand a little still while you glide through one of the most famous, incomparable cities across so many centuries. All of Venice is like a living museum, like history awaiting your footsteps to come into it and through it, not via a textbook or a travelogue on cable, but in real life, your life.
Grand Canal
Venice Grand Canal
Peacock Clock in Pavilion Hall of the Hermitage Museum
ST. PETERSBURG - Russia is enormous. It seems so foreign to many jaded travelers that have hit the commonplace in the typical countries. Yet, St. Petersburg has the feel of a European city, but it is different enough that one might think they have accidentally stepped inside of a gilded Imperial Faberge egg. It lies on the Neva River with the imposing Hermitage Museum that is even more impressive than the Louvre, which needs much of your time and attention to absorb the hundreds of glorious artifacts, paintings and bejeweled art. It seems almost like you could be walking with the Czar and Czarina in their timeless, elegant castles. It's so big with so much to stimulate your senses; be sure to have a great guide with you. Ask them to show you the Peacock Clock in the Pavilion Hall (Room 204). This magnificent gold gilded clock is a peacock on a tree branch. If you're with children, be there on a Wednesday at 5:00pm when the "feathers" astoundingly go upright and spread open and the eyes blink. Get there early as the crowds come to enjoy this incredible work of art made by an English clock maker in the 18th century. Russia was a great empire in past centuries and St. Petersburg and the Hermitage are of another age, another sensibility. You'd be journeying through a country unlike any other and a city from another era of wondrous riches and rulers that built monumental structures, accumulated unbelievable wealth and commissioned art that was never duplicated, just as one could not duplicate St. Petersburg anywhere else on the planet.
Neva River
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Now here's an experience that takes you back in time -- no modern skyline, no fast foods, and no clerks attempting to rush you away -- but people who are genuine and hotels that are elegant but understated, but nevertheless world-class lodging. When one sees Angkor Wat and its ruins it is like being in the presence of the gods, thrust back deep into the history books. However, with some unusual destinations, it's a bit of hassle to get into the small country that does not endlessly cater to millions of tourists - limited air schedules and bureaucratic processes, but it is worth the effort. The hotels are oasis of tranquility and calm. Of course, try to get to the temple before the eventual crowds build up [which in the present economic climate may not a big concern]. Cambodia is probably one of the most value for the travel dollar -- top-flight lodging, food, wonderful arts and shopping are quite reasonably priced. SImple walking around is easy and comfortable to garner a feel for the unique culture, the often exotic sights, and immerse one's self in a land and people that are very different from the average European or American trip. It's quite extraordinary to see the many monks wearing their saffron color robes, so polite and peaceful. The local people are poor by our benchmarks, but very hospitable and kind to strangers visiting their land and their historical monuments. The hotels have an European flavor and amenities are truly luxurious. Since touring may become strenuous when trying to view the many different temples areas, when we splurged and stayed at one of the 5-star hotels, one could thoroughly enjoy the remarkable spa experience the hotel can offer. We felt it was an extraordinary combination of old world sights, history and new world lodging, when we visited Siem Reap and then combined it with a stopover in exceedingly modern-day Singapore. The contrasts were invigorating going from old Asia to new Asia, on a memorable trip on the other side of the world, a different world from ours.
Angor Wat
Angor Wat
Angor Wat
Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor.
It's six days of nostalgia and glamour without the insistent demands and electronic distractions of our daily wear-and-tear life in the city. All the while, we're smoothly and speedily crossing the Atlantic as though one was back in the Golden Age of Travel, yet on a modern ocean liner that holds the record for the fastest crossing still. The real surprise to many is how affordable the voyage can be, with a range of accommodations to suit almost any budget, which we like the options available having tried different decks and dining choices. It has been a great opportunity for us to gather multiple generations and different family friends together. We have typically found many age appropriate activities for adults and children to meet new friends, pick up new skills. One can enjoy the black tie dinners in some of the dinning areas, or merely indulge in the lavish buffets. On the ship, the dining extravagance and temptations are exactly why we end up in the gym or the spa more than once.
If you ever imagined what it would be like to have more hours in a day, take the crossing westbound, from Southampton, England to New York like we have on several occasions. We like the slower, self-chosen pace of ship-board life and leisure. In our parents' and grandparents' days, they'd always relate how the travel was an enjoyable, major portion of the journey. It was special, not something to be endured until you arrived, fatigued and annoyed, at your destination only to debate the front desk at the hotel over some final frustration. Indeed, sometimes we've had the double fortune of two legendary travel experiences, or special journeys, by taking the Orient Express train from London's Victoria Station to Southampton. So as to duplicate in style and in-person all those mystery novels we've read and movies we've seen that took place on those gorgeous passenger trains from the past with art deco design and served by butlers in tuxedos and white gloves your lunch in your own private passenger suite. Subsequent to leaving The Orient Express carriage car and seemingly leave the early 20th century or late 19th century, and it was then onto dock and up to this magnificent ocean liner of days gone by and movies with Gable and Lombard cavorting on a similar, elegant ocean liner. Once we dock in New York, we'd have a town car waiting or grab a cab (with all our luggage, no extra charge on board the ship) and head home to relish our memories, photographs and special experiences from a journey, not just another vacation. It has always been one of our most memorable trips over the decades of travel, the classic crossing of the ocean as though we were almost royalty, almost a Vanderbilt or Rockefeller taking our time, in style, the trans-Atlantic journey so many generations have desired and treasured.
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Queen Mary 2 Trans-Atlantic Crossing
Modern trips seem
to always take us through yet another airport or three, into another
cookie-cutter hotel. I've had the privilege and joy of many crossings
on the classic cruise liners across the Atlantic. A crossing is not a
cruise - and that's the beginning of the magic that I've delighted in
many times. When one boards the only true ocean liner in the world,
you step into a bygone era of privileged travel and pampered journeys.
If you have ancestors like me who immigrated to the U.S. or Canada on
an ocean liner, this experience will also connect you with the
tradition, long ago history and your family's past when they set sail
across the ocean. It's a voyage like no other, not another dash to the
airport in crowded traffic. It inspired me with wonderful enrichment
programs from lectures by famous designers, authors, actors, sports
stars and other experts. Which was on top of the many expected
entertainments and relaxation that can be enjoyed on the legendary
ocean liner I never tire of stepping onto its long decks. Many people
even ask if they'll be bored and the answer is a resounding No! There
are so many activities we choose - try ballroom dancing, take out great
books from the largest library at sea and recline in a chair
overlooking the ocean, dine at the only Todd English restaurant, watch
events, movies in the theater, or gamble at the casino, we'd
participate in athletic activities or spend time at the Canyon Ranch
Spa Club at sea.
Photo courtesy Cunard.
Traveler's Unfulfilled Wish List By Alycia Oliphant
One of my dream trips is to go to Deauville - a rainy town in France that perches on the English Channel along the Normandy coast. I would want to go in September. It would be during the Deauville Film Festival. In France, the Deauville Festival ranks next to the Cannes Film Festival and has been in existence for 34 years (…where have I been!). It seems like a sleepy seaside town. But it has famous horse races, possesses a classy Casino, as well as various events and festivals. Coco Chanel spent her WWI period here working on her fashionable creations. As the world becomes more security conscious, Deauville is an out of the way location that has far less security restrictions and annoyances. It's like being on the scenic English coast, yet with better food and style -- and a bit warmer, too.
Been There, Done That…
I thought my experience might help you decide if you wish to avoid up front "been there, done that" -- the places I've been that were "hot" at the moment, but, in all honesty, from my point of view turn out just not to be worth it. For instance, dare I say – the glitzy location, Dubai. Almost three years ago, I was on my way to Singapore for a business trip. I discovered that taking Emirates Air through Dubai takes far less time than flying from the east coast through the west coast and beyond. I do have to say, that alone seemed worth the trip -- almost a day shorter and the airline is top class – fancy food, diverse in-flight entertainment. They even take photos and give them to you. Since I travel extensively it's hard to say a flight is ever "fun," but this one achieved a pleasant journey even for the jaded. There was even some mischievous fun in trying to guess whom the other passengers were, where they were going, such as a Jewish family with yarmulkes, side curls and modesty-enhancing long skirts which might not have been expected on such an airline. The few travellers I did speak with were typically connecting through to other places like Kabul or other Middle Eastern destinations. The best part was having a choose from a cornucopia of hundreds of movies during the 12-plus hours of flight - mostly Bollywood – intriguing big productions with vibrant colors, passion abounding and eclectic family issues unlike my experiences.
Now, for the country of Dubai once one is off the plane -- yes, it's incredible at first blush. Rich in many ways and vistas like no other place in the world – cobalt blue skies, crystalline waters, and sand like powder. But the place itself was a combination of Miami Beach, Disneyworld and Las Vegas with a crowded Shanghai skyline. It's truly HOT and effectively over stimulates your senses. The hotels are new and gorgeous. If that's all you need are a 5-star (or 7-star hotels in the case of Dubai) hotel and a beach, just to recover from the long flight. But if so, a much shorter flight could have you considering one of the elegant Caribbean resorts. Everything we did was very calculated and very touristy. Ride in land cruisers in the desert, drinks at Burg Al Arab albeit with an extraordinary view of the seacoast, as well as watch snow skiing inside a mall while it was over 100 degrees outside! It was March and the weather was perfect – though extremely hot, but it was calm and dry heat. March may be the best time because of the horse races, which were exciting and very interesting to us novices. The spice and gold shouks were again over-the-top stimulating as were the shopping malls. But, alas, I think you may find very similar merchandise in NYC from Grace's Market to Astoria to Saks Fifth Avenue (of which indeed there is a Saks store in the Dubai mall).
If you have to go and see Dubai, which has certain charms and attractions, springtime or the fall are the best times. But bring lots of $$$$. Don't expect a lot of Americans – it is mostly Europeans visit (there are a lot of British ex-pats). Almost all the hotel staff is from outside Dubai. The Dubains own the businesses, which are generally staffed with the foreign workers. Your call, but be aware of the plusses and minuses.
ROME
By Amanda Oliphant
“The problem with Rome,” my friend said, as we walked past the Colosseum and south to her apartment, “is that it’s not a modern city. The public transportation is really shoddy.” This is true. There is a subway in Rome, but it runs primarily for tourists, as the only stops it makes are near the major historical sights. The way Rome is set up, its breathtaking monuments abut with, and are sometimes nestled amongst, the earthy Mediterranean houses and shops. This makes for pleasant surprises. Without even looking for it, I stumbled upon the Pantheon. All the sites are worth seeing. Be warned, though, the Colosseum closes early, or at least it does on Saturdays, and my fellow traveler and I missed out on touring the inside. The most underwhelming site for me was the Vatican (although my two friends studying abroad in Rome agreed that, “the best looking men in Rome are the priests. It’s a little unfair, actually.”). But they did have a lovely display of Egyptian art. The one other museum I went to was the Musei Capitolini, which is absolutely worth the nine euros, especially if you love sculpture. My two favorite sites were the Pantheon and the Fountain of Trevi. Of course, they were both beautiful, but what really made them special for me was how people were engaging with them. That is, they simply were! Plenty of people were at the Fountain of Trevi, mostly tourists, having their picture taken, but it was a nice day and people were sitting around chatting, some kids were playing to the side, hoping around the marble. Then at the Pantheon, my fellow traveler and I walked in on a choir. The pews were filled, and it was perfect. A girl in my art history class last semester complained that when she visited Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, there were too many people there. “But a Basilica is specifically built to hold a large number of people,” I countered. Seeing this place of worship, the Pantheon, being used for worship like any other temple or church, was a treat.
Affordable travel options.
St. John, USVI
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St. John, USVI by Judy Moniz
St. John is the smallest of the three major U. S. Virgin Islands. Typically a St. John day starts with breakfast overlooking Pillsbury Sound watching a sailboat regatta. Then on to the day’s major decision: should we choose a pristine beach (which one of the many?), follow the cairns to Rams Head for spectacular views of the BVIs after walking around the nearby salt lake with its fluffy salt balls skimming along the shore, snorkel at Waterlemon to see the nesting starfish, or perhaps sign up with a dive operator to dive in waters surrounding St. John?
The temperature on island is generally in the 80s, both summer and winter, although the summer can be a tad more humid. Water temperature is low 80s year round. The summer highlight is over the long July 4th, when St. Johnians celebrate Danish Emancipation Day and Carnival with a very colorful parade in Cruz Bay featuring Mocko Jumbies. At the end of February, St. John’s answer to the New York Marathon is held—8 Tuff Miles along Centerline Road.
We like to swim at a different beach each day. Coral and fish vary from beach to beach. With the exception of Trunk Bay, the beaches have no admission fees, and we have been known to beach-hop depending on the weather and surf.
The National Park Service, which owns much of St. John, clears hiking trails that were once the main means of getting around the island and had become overgrown. We enjoy exploring the island on foot. Most recently we hiked past Waterlemon and up the trail to the now dilapidated boys’ home with a spectacular view across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Tortola.
Traveling to St. John is easy. There are non-stop flights from JFK to St. Thomas. From there it’s a ferry boat ride to St. John—20 minutes from Red Hook or 45 minutes on the downtown ferry from Charlotte Amalie. Accommodations are available from very high end to very affordable—resorts, villas, condominiums and campgrounds. There are a number of good restaurants on island, although we tend to eat mostly at home—the food markets are well stocked and shopping for greens at Josephine’s in Coral Bay is a must for the perfect dinner at home.
St. John is a wonderful getaway at any time of year—near enough for a long weekend or even better for a longer stay!
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The Forgotten Travel Secret
For those that are die-hard readers of the New York Time's “Frugal Traveler” you may notice that most trips that are taken off season typically have less tourists, better prices and more congenial locals.
However, there is the less attractive weather, the widespread closures of museums, restaurants and other highlights shut down which add up to you don't necessarily have such a great trip for less $$$. Not to nitpick or simply disagree, but let's look at a vacation that may answer many needs during the traditional off-season period for many high-profile locales. Consider the following benefits:
- Multi-generational travel for all ages and interests; - Competitive fares with added significant supplemental benefits; - Inclusive pricing whenever possible; - Elegant surroundings and diverse shopping, dining and entertainment; - Carefree visit to several destinations/countries during a single trip; and, - Visits occur during off-, soft- or high-season.
There really is only one vacation that encompasses all of the above – sailing on a cruise. Unlike so many other destinations not always positively affected by the downturn economy, cruise lines have come to the rescue in so many beneficial ways to make it one of the premier choices, from attractive pricing to compelling entertainment and relaxation.
Consider that when you book a cruise, it has onboard programs designed to cater to not just different tastes but to different ages. Most ships have youth directors that handle different age groups with specific programs to entertain and let the young ones meet new friends and acquaintances. It opens up a unique and special world to young people or active mature people of all ages. At the end of the day after everyone has enjoyed themselves it is time to get together for dinner and discuss their diverse adventures – so as to have no one having bended to the needs of others.
Fares are lower than they ever were. The industry grew unprecedentedly over the last decade and need to fill those beds to continue to pay for the many new magnificent ships. Many are truly resorts or spas afloat and sailing at sea with multiple categories that let the cruise lines provide offers that vary by cabin type - an offer of upgrades, free shore excursions, free air, etc. may come your way. These enticing offers are often great value when you consider an ever mounting itemized bill of a land tour vs. a cruise. The cruise will always offer a substantial cost advantage but it's important to keep in mind that the onboard experience is the true highlight, too.
For instance, take into consideration on a European cruise you'll experience six more cities or ports than a on a comparable land vacation. You unpack only once for the entire trip. In many instances you might also enjoy the luxury of your own private balcony. Some cruise lines are more like resorts at sea (i.e., onboard spas, wine tasting, culinary lessons) and others are like country clubs (i.e., small ships catering to like minded clientele). The choices are so varied, with a little research you'll find your ship and your locations based on your individual needs.
There is a full range of entertainment and activities at your fingertips each day and night - from fitness classes and enrichment programs like photography, to fabulous Broadway style production shows and latest movie releases to enjoy in plush, intimate theatres.
All of the costs are generally in US dollars, from included features, onboard expenses, pre- or onboard purchased sightseeing tours or private car arrangements, as well as transfers and airfare - no need to deal with foreign currencies that fluctuate daily. Based on research the cruise lines have under taken, cruise ships provide great value to their passengers with the same "basics" reflecting up a potential 40% savings versus the same approach on an independent land tour.
With investments hit by market volatility, business facing tighter credit, and foreclosures still rising, it seems that people will be inclined to cut back on travel or look for less expensive options - a cruise may be the optimal, all around solution! Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises.
American single dollars can come in handy while traveling abroad.
Travel Tips
Exchange currency at a major bank before departing, additonal fees may apply.
American currency is highly regarded and accepted around the world. Bringing along $20. in singles may come in handy if you run out of local money, banks are closed or there is not an ATM readily available. As well American dollars can be used for tipping and bargaining in foreign markets.
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