College Travel
The Impact Of Traveling Abroad, Part 1
By Gail Ingram | EF Group Leader Today is the first day of school for my students and the beginning of a new school year for group leaders means that it’s time to recruit for our tours. When I speak to parents about the tours, I will often use my own children to illustrate the impact of Read more…
My favorite lunch in Florence
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director In late December, I am leading a London, Paris, Florence and Rome tour, which means a very welcome return to Florence. I love Florence, wonderful city, love taking groups there. Our groups visit Leonardo’s Leather Works and Walter’s Silver Emporium as part of the guided city tour, to Read more…
Things to see and do in Amsterdam
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director If you are headed to Amsterdam on an EF tour any time soon, then here are a few things you might want to try during your free time. Museumsplein This square is where you will find the Rijksmuseum (above), the largest museum in the Netherlands, with more than Read more…
The Best City In Britain
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director The Guardian newspaper in England recently published its annual travel awards, voted by readers. Most voters are British, so it is always interesting to see which place gets the “Favourite UK City” award. This year, for the 11th year in a row, the winner is … (mental drum Read more…
Viewing Europe from above, Part II
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director Last week, we took a look at some impressive views of London, Paris and Rome. Here are a few more suggested spots around Europe where you can enjoy some great views over the cities on your educational tours—most of them free to visit! In Barcelona, your guided tour Read more…
Viewing Europe from above, Part I
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director Getting a great view over a city doesn’t always have to cost. Here are a few suggestions on places to visit in three of the most popular cities that EF Educational Tours takes student travelers. For just a few dollars and some decent legwork, you can be well Read more…
Hundertwasserhaus
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director One of the great stops for me on a guided city tour is the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna. It is normally the last stop of the morning before the tour ends near the Opera. Having already visited the Schönbrunn Palace and seen many of the grand Baroque buildings of Read more…
Happy birthday, Alexander von Humboldt
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director Today—September 14—is the birthday of Alexander von Humboldt (or, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt to his parents). Born in 1769, his numerous travels led to European fame and future glory as the face on a 1960s East German banknote (Marx got to be on the 100). Read more…
Tour director favorite: A walk in Rome
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director Here’s a good walk in Rome. You can do it either way round, the places tend not to move. It’s only 1½ miles as well. Begin in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. With the church and square behind you, walk along via della Conciliazione. Not much to Read more…
The Joys of Studying Abroad
By Paul Mattesini | EF Tour Director I have what is politely called a chequered educational background. Dropped out of school at 15, ended up at night school a few years later (after a lot of travelling), fell into university in London, became an EF Tour Director, then went back to university to do Read more…
