A range of companies provide educational tours of Europe, varying in length, number of countries and interest areas covered. Some tours are geared toward uncovering history, some explore art, some teach the local languages, and still others lean toward ecological aspects. The Road Less Traveled, for example, provides language and service trips, such as a monthlong language immersion in Spain that includes accommodations, transportation and food. The trip begins in Seville, where the program is based, with several excursions to outlying towns and regions. If traveling for high school or university credit, check with your school to see that a tour can be applied to class credit. Tours are held year-round, but plan well in advance to raise money and coordinate with your school schedule.
A multitude of companies provide trip-planning services for educational tours led by teachers. The companies plan every minute detail and even provide tour guides for certain regions. NETC, for example, provides tours of varying lengths and in many countries. Its Three Capital Tour covers destinations in London, Paris and Rome. The company's fee covers transportation, a bilingual tour director and central accommodations.
Backpacking on your own might be the cheapest way to travel in Europe and a good way to cover a lot of ground. Plan a trip around specific sights you want to see and learn about, such as museums, monuments, artifacts or regions. Research cities and sights on the Internet to devise an itinerary that is educational as well as entertaining. Take notes during your travels not only to record your journeys, but in case you have the opportunity to write about your trip for school or university credit.
Some tours are designed to provide comfortable and safe travel for those who are not completely able-bodied. Individuals who are physically limited by age or disability can experience a European educational tour regardless of their limitations. These tour groups are characterized by specific transportation, certain accessible educational sites and special hotels with wheelchair ramps to allow for the greatest comfort and mobility of those on tour. Eldertreks, for example, specializes in taking elderly individuals all over the world, including Eastern Europe and Transylvania. It includes all meals, rooms with private bathrooms, transportation and entrance expenses with its fee. Itineraries are characterized by their leisurely pace through regions and towns by bus.
