While in London

Stonehenge, Salisbury and Roman Baths

Sitting on the Salisbury plain, treeless with few buildings around for miles, this site is one of the most awe-inspiring reminders of the past and still today we are not absolutely sure why they were built.  Thought to be an observatory, temple, altar, or maybe a tomb dating back to around 5,000 BC, Stonehenge is the most important pre-historic monument in the British Isles.  The circle of stones is majestic and stands tall, often seen in pictures as one of the wonders of the world.  Our guide will take us through showing the effects of the magnetic fields, giving us time to stop and wonder about the purpose of Stonehenge and take in its impressive stature. We will also visit the town of Salisbury with its amazing examples of architecture from the thirteenth century – namely the gothic style Cathedral which houses an ancient clock – one of the oldest operating mechanisms in the world dating back to1386 AD.

City of Bath

This elegant city, whose name and fame derive from its hot springs, is full of color, style and life.  Bath stands on the River Avon among the hills of England’s west country and reveals some of the most picturesque sights in Europe.  The ancient Celts were the first to inhabit the area and believed that Bath’s hot springs were sacred.  It was the Romans who built the Temple of Minerva in dedication to the goddess Minerva and the famous baths, many of which still exist today in their original grandeur. Bath is known as a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its Roman remains and a wealth of fine Georgian architecture built centuries later around the Roman bath structures.  The extensive remains of the Roman Public Baths and the Temple of Minerva are an incredible site to visit and will transport you back in time. You will also have free time to visit the entire city of Bath itself with its quaint streets, shopping areas and the Jane Austen Centre.  Jane Austen, well-known author of the 19^th century lived 4 years of her life in Bath from 1801-1806 and her knowledge of the City is reflected in her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

Windsor Castle & Hampton Court

Full Day Excursion

The glorious Royal Palace, which is one of the Queen’s official residences, has been inhabited for the past 900 years, and remains a working palace today.  It was William the Conqueror, who chose the site for the castle in Windsor as a fortress high above the River Thames, to protect London from western invaders.  Upon your visit you will have the opportunity to walk around the State Apartments and view the overwhelming splendour and tremendous riches each room in the castle has to offer.  Various works of art and pieces of furniture from the Royal Collection are also on display. Another popular feature within the royal residence is a miniature mansion, better known as Queen Mary’s Doll House, which has every detail imaginable of a real life size castle.  Unfortunately, in 1992 a fire broke out in the castle damaging over 100 rooms. A restoration plan was immediately initiated, and 5 years later the Castle was restored to its former glory with Prince Charles’ input. Much of the restoration was funded by the Queen and with the help of visitors’ entrance fees.

Hampton Court originally belonged to the Archbishop of York, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, who resided there in 1514. When he became Henry VIII’s Lord High Chancellor he began to expand the “manor” in which he was living. Wolsey splurged on the property, building additional rooms and designing lavish interiors. With the expansion of 1000 rooms he had 500 staff members attend to the property. The Manor’s grandeur caught the attention of King Henry’s eye and in 1562 Wolsey was forced to give up Hampton Court as a “gift” to the King. Once Hampton Court became the property of the King, it was necessary to expand the building once again to accommodate Tudor Court making it the King’s favourite manor. Hampton Court remained a royal residence until the death of King George II in 1760.

Much of the palace exits today as it did centuries ago and it is the reigning Queen who now owns the property. Hampton Court is meticulously maintained, with beautiful and unique lavish gardens that surround the palace grounds and famous maze gardens through which you can stroll and find your way out – eventually! Inside the palace where magnificent collections of tapestries, furniture, clocks and paintings are housed, you will have free time to wander in amazement and experience its grandeur.

Oxford University

Half Day Excursion

We will take the day to visit the world famous university grounds of Oxford, situated north of London. This historic location with incredibly designed colleges topped with spectacular spires, tended gardens and grand entrances is built around green park areas and is bustling with museums, bookstores, shops and cafes. Meandering around the colleges of Oxford is the River Cherwell which provides the opportunity to go Punting  - comparable to gondola rides, but you will have to do all the work!

While in Paris

Chateau de Versailles

Half Day Excursion

Once the seat of power from 1682 to 1789, the Chateau de Versailles today remains as an impressive and glorious palace with beautifully kept gardens and a fascinating history - well worth a visit. The Chateau was the final home of King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette before they were taken to Paris during the French Revolution. Originally it was a hunting lodge belonging to his father – and King Louis XIV decided that he wanted to turn it into a palace big enough for his entire court of 6000 people. It took some 30,000 workers and soldiers to complete the structure according to the King’s extravagant tastes that symbolized wealth and power, and this ultimately was financially devastating for the kingdom. Once the Chateau de Versailles was completed it consisted of an enormous palace building with vast gardens and pools. Hundreds of artisans decorated every moulding, cornice, ceiling and door with the most luxurious trimmings, marble and woodcarvings which you will see as you wander through the ‘Grands Appartements’ and the Hall of Mirrors. You will also have the opportunity to stroll through the gardens which are famed for their geometrically aligned terraces, flower beds, tree lined paths, ponds, fountains and numerous statues situated around the grounds, created by only the finest sculptors of the period.

Chartres & Giverny

Full Day Excursion

Chartres is a very quaint and well preserved medieval town located along the River Eure with narrow streets, flower gardens and homes from centuries past. Many of the buildings where trades took place along the riverside still stand today and will give you an idea of what town life must have been like 1000 years ago. Just south of this area is an impressive gothic cathedral from the 13^th century with beautiful stained glass windows  – a masterpiece named Cathédral Notre Dame, and actually built before Notre Dame in Paris. Much of the town along with the original cathedral had been destroyed by fire in the 12^th century but was rebuilt over a very short period of time by locals. After a tour of the cathedral you will have time to wander through the town to explore. 

The home and gardens of Claude Monet – one the most well-known and leading impressionist painters of the 19^th & 20^th century - is now a museum located in the tiny village of Giverny. Here you will experience the breathtaking gardens and lighting that Monet captured in his paintings, together with the Japanese bridge and pond full of water lilies depicted in his painting entitled Nympheas (Water Lilies). Monet was fascinated by the effects light had on surfaces and created a series of paintings of landscapes in very large dimensions – a style which greatly influenced many other artists. The location is stunning to see in the summer!

Saturnia Hot Springs

Half Day Excursion

The village of Saturnia has been known for its natural hot water springs and Roman Baths for centuries. In fact, the the Etruscans documented this area in their tales approximately 2800 years ago. The region of Tuscany is well known for such springs resulting from intense volcanic activity and you will have the chance to soak in one!

The Saturnia springs' flowing waters have created gorges and ravines which meander across the country side and through towns.  The warm waters which flow from the springs in Saturnia end in a beautiful waterfall with pools of water cascading down crater like formations.  Steam rises to the surface at the bottom of the pools of the waterfall making the area seem mystical. We take the afternoon to visit the town and experience  the warm waters in an area once enjoyed by the Ancient Romans - don't forget your bathing suits!

Our programs are enhanced by additional excursions which go beyond the focus of the course and give students the option to explore areas outside of the region in which our programs are located, in a supervised environment with private coaches and guides. Schedules and costs of these excursions are provided to students in March.

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