Following the Equator | EF's Educational Travel Blog

Teacher Convention Tour to Iceland

It's a land of amazing natural beauty, of glaciers and geysers, and even of the active Eyjafjallajökull volcano. And qualified EF Group Leaders can experience the best of it firsthand this Thanksgiving on a Teacher Convention Tour to Iceland.

EF Group Leaders will hike the Stakkholtsgja Fissure, snowmobile the Langjökull glacier and visit the Blue Lagoon (above) during a once-in-a-lifetime tour of this natural paradise. They'll also explore Reykjavik and enjoy a drink at the famous Ice Bar.

In recognition of this unique convention destination, we asked EF Tour Director extraordinaire Paul Mattesini—one of the primary proponents of EF's first Iceland convention in 2007—to provide a light-hearted look at the tiny island nation.

Having visited the country a few times, I feel honor bound to share some of the plus points of one of Europe’s truly beautiful countries. So, in no particular order, here are five great things about Iceland:

Staff Spotlight: Paul Mattesini

Starting next week, Paul Mattesini, one of EF’s best-loved tour directors, will begin posting weekly to Following the Equator. Look for his advice and musings on everything travel-related. In anticipation of his blogging debut, a little bit about Paul:


The early years: I was born and raised in the UK. At the age of 15 I took a break from school and traveled throughout Europe for five years, before returning home and completing night-school leading to the University of London, where I studied history.  


EF career path: I joined EF in 1992, and have since led more than 200 tours to 50 countries. I spent a year in Boston working in the Customized Department and I still check most customized itineraries each year. These days, I lead several tours a year, but I also work with product development, designing and adjusting tours, and look after the tour director website.

The EF family: I spent two years managing the London regional office (1999-2001), where I was responsible for allocating tours and hiring and training tour directors. I liked Michelle McHale so much as a new tour director that we married in 2004! We have a 2-year-old daughter, Izzy, and another daughter due April 25th.

Living the good life: Having lived in Spain for a few years, we are now back in rural England with a growing collection of chicken, sheep and rabbits.


Hobbies: Love backgammon, dancing with my daughter, keeping bees and cooking. As the son of an Italian chef, I was cooking from the age of six on.

Favorite sport: Arsenal football (soccer). I was a former season ticket holder, and once bought a flat so I could live less than a mile from the stadium.


Best travel destination: Thailand, without a doubt. I love it.


Favorite tour destination: Iceland was superb. Prague is a favorite city.

Group Leader Spotlight: Carole Miller

High school French and Spanish teacher Carole Miller truly has seen the world with EF. She has traveled everywhere from Australia to Iceland on EF tours and teacher convention tours. After 30 years of teaching at four school districts in Pennsylvania, Carole retired. However, she’s still traveling the world with EF—now with adults.

Carole (pictured with her husband, Jack) shared her thoughts with us about travel's impact on her students, attending teacher convention tours and the value of EF's Global Rewards:

Group Leader Spotlight: Mike O'Neal

Mike O’Neal, a seventh- and eighth-grade social studies teacher from Kirkland, Washington, never wanted to be the type of person who one day would reflect upon his life and say, “Coulda, shoulda.”

When it comes to traveling, he certainly has accomplished that goal. Mike has taken more than a dozen EF tours and traveled on five Teacher Convention Tours. From Kenya to Russia to the Galápagos Islands, Mike has explored six continents with EF!

Mike (pictured above at a Turkish market) took a few minutes to talk about how travel impacts his students, planning and recruiting his tours and watching the pelicans and sharks in the Galápagos:

Travel Tidbits: One long walk

How much does it cost to travel from Bristol, England, to Porbandar, India?

If you're Mark Boyle, the answer (hopefully) is nothing.

The catch is that Boyle is walking—yes, walking—from his British hometown to Gandhi's birthplace without any money.

The 28-year-old former businessman (pictured at left) began the 9,000-mile "pilgrimage" last Wednesday and plans to survive by relying solely on the goodwill of humanity or working for food and a place to rest.

"I've got some sunscreen, a good knife, a spoon, a bandage ... no Visa card, no travellers' cheques, no bank accounts, zero," he told BBC radio. "I won't actually touch money along the way."

Boyle, who also goes by the name Saoirse, estimates he'll cover 15 to 45 miles a day walking through France, Italy, eastern Europe, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. He guesses it will take him two and a half years to arrive in Porbandar, Gandhi's birthplace on India's west coast.

You can follow Boyle on his journey by reading his blog. And, if you happen to spot him along the way, be sure to post your sighting.

Read on for this week's installment of Travel Tidbits.