This is the 320th post of 2008 at Following the Equator, and we decided to commemorate our blog's first full calendar year with a top-10 list of favorite posts.
We had a lot of stories, videos, photos, interviews, tips and perspectives about educational travel. We launched some regular weekly features, including our Tip of the Week and Photo of the Week. We debuted Life on Tour, introduced EF on YouTube and EF on Facebook and promoted the EF Tours group on Flickr (above). And, along the way, we encountered a lot of inspiring travelers.
Following the Equator also was nominated for a Blogger's Choice Award and finished fifth out of 1,177 blogs for Best Travel Blog. Thank you to everyone who supported our blog in 2008 by voting, reading, sharing, commenting and subscribing. We're looking forward to an even more successful 2009.
Six strangers brought together on one educational tour through Switzerland, France and Italy. That's Life on Tour. EF's reality web series produced countless memorable moments, as the student travelers made it up Mount Pilatus, up the Eiffel Tower and up to their elbows making pizza in Rome.
Now that the first season is complete, I watched all 10 episodes again and compiled my list of the most memorable moments of Life on Tour.
Let us know what you think of the list and post your own comments (or even your own list) below. And be sure to cast your vote for your favorite moment in our Life on Tour Poll.
What do you think of the travelers' tearful goodbyes? Which cast members will you miss the most? And what do think of the first season of Life on Tour?
If you missed any episodes, click the links below. Then chat with other Life on Tour fans and cast members on EF Tours' Facebook fan page. Plus, stay tuned for casting information for Season 2 of EF's Life on Tour.
Who had the better prank—the boys or the girls? Was Colter insensitive by repeatedly bringing up EuroTrip at the Vatican? What do you think about Briana's reaction? Chat with other Life on Tour fans and cast members on EF Tours' Facebook fan page.
The season finale of Life on Tour debuts next Tuesday, so be sure to tune in and watch the student travelers say goodbye in Rome.
Pizza as we know it—with a tomato topping—originated in Naples, Italy, in the 18th century, and Neapolitans remain serious about protecting their pizza heritage. In fact, purists believe there are only two types of pizza: marinara and margherita.
Authentic marinara pizza, the original, includes tomato, oregano, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and basil. Margherita pizza is named for Queen Margherita of Savoy, who preferred a pizza that resembled the Italian flag because of its colors—tomato (red), basil leaves (green) and mozzarella (white).
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do." For the Life on Tour cast, that means making authentic Italian pizza. Who do you think has the best technique? What do you think of Briana and Laurent's strategy? Who did you want to see win the competition?
What do you think about Briana's and Brandon's dance moves in the discotheque? Chat with other Life on Tour fans and cast members on EF Tours' Facebook fan page about their final night in Florence. And watch out for the next episode Thursday, when the tour moves to Rome.
Want to see what the Roman Forum or the inside of the Colosseum looked like in A.D. 320? The newest layer of Google Earth will show you—in amazing 3D glory:
Just like Rome has the Trevi Fountain, Florence has Il Porcellino.
Il Porcellino—which is Italian for "piglet"—is a famous bronze fountain of a boar in Florence's Mercato Nuovo. The fountain, originally cast in 1612, has become the Renaissance City's good-luck charm.
Legend says if you roll a coin into the fountain's grate or—better yet—rub the nose of the boar, you will ensure your return to Florence one day. The tradition obviously is popular with tourists, evidenced by Il Porcellino's shiny, polished snout.
The student travelers on Life on Tour have already visited a trio of Europe's most amazing cities in Switzerland, France and Italy. Where would you most want to travel?
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