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As you continue to prepare and get excited for your trip, chances are, you’ll be visiting a country where you will not know the language. Depending on what country you’ll be visiting (if it’s an international tour), here are a few tips and tricks to get you started on being able to speak the basics and beyond. A bright spot to having a postponed tour is that there is a lot more time to educate yourself and learn as much as you can. Once you learn a language, it will most likely stick with you fo your entire life. How cool is that?

Utilize your local library

As our wonderful libraries begin to open back up (check yours for rules or restrictions), one of the richest resources for learning is at your fingertips. Most libraries offer a multitude of language books from beginner to advanced. If they don’t have the language you’re looking for, there’s a great chance the book can be ordered. The best part is-it’s all free! If you don’t want to visit the library physically, most things can also be borrowed online.

Try a free phone application

In this day and age, many people like to use their phones for a variety of things, including educational tools. Downloading a free language app is a great way to stay closely connected to learning your language of choice. Try Duolingo, for example. Short, daily activities and quizzes can keep you on top of your language learning game. Even using the ubiquitous Google search to find key phrases and often used words is extremely helpful.

Start speaking the language immediately

It’s one thing to read books and study words and phrases, but it’s even more important to start SAYING these things out loud. Become familiar with the pronunciations and using words and phrases correctly. It will help ingrain the language in your brain. Whether you are alone or with peers who will be touring with you, immersing yourself into the language is a sure fire way to help things stick. Setting small weekly goals is also helpful; try focusing on learning several new phrases or ten new words. Speaking of peers…

Enlist the help of friends and peers

Gathering a small group of friends who will be traveling with you who are also interested in learning the language of choice is another great option. This is a wonderful way to keep each other accountable and sharp. Quiz one another on words and phrases. Create games and make learning as fun as you can. If you’re going to Italy, for example, watch an Italian movie with your friends. Turn on the subtitles. See if you can recognize words. Utilize the pause button to listen closely and repeatedly to how things are being pronounced.

These are just a few simple ways to begin your language journey. Not only does learning a language shape us into more of a well-rounded person, you will feel so much more equipped and confident when you visit your chosen country. It will be easier to converse with locals, read signs, menus, etc. Dedicating some time and energy into your language learning project NOW will be make your upcoming trip that much more enjoyable.

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Let your imagination go wild. Dream of such places as the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Swiss Alps, the Colosseum and St. Paul’s Cathedral in Rome, dining at an English Pub, scouring the amazing markets of Florence, the scenery of the Amalfi Coast. These are but a sampling of the true joys awaiting you on your upcoming trip. EA Tours is with you now and will be with you as you depart for your wonderful educational experience. WE WILL TRAVEL AGAIN, VERY SOON AND WE ARE READY!

We know that things are uncertain right now, especially in the world of travel, but we want you to know that we are here for you NOW and ALWAYS.

Travel has forever been at the top of people’s wish list and wants out of life.

• Travel opens us up to new ways of life outside our own.

• Travel brings us joy and moments of bliss.

• Travel lets our taste buds go wild as we sample unique dishes around the world.

• Travel connects us to people who are so different yet at the same time all so familiar.

• Travel is a constant thread being tugged at, and that is all the more true and honest now.

Please tell us you have a serious case of wanderlust also?!

Simply put, all forms of travel are life changing. Travel is such a beautiful thing that we could go on for hours.

That is why we hope you’ll join us and some fellow guest writers as we explore this great, big, and wonderful place we call home all from the comfort of our homes. Each week, we’ll be showcasing recipes, museums, travel destinations, tips, and so much more. We hope you’ll join us!

As we adjust to our new normal, we encourage you to take some time and let your travel imagination go wild. The destinations and experiences are endless. Just remember that what we’re experiencing right now in this fraction of time isn’t permanent. It’s just a flash in our ever changing world.

We will come out of this, and things will return to normal.

We will be better informed. Hopefully with a greater understanding and
appreciation for what was constantly there.

We will yearn for that airplane that whisks us off on a thrilling new adventure.

We will take off for new and invigorating destinations that spark endless
thoughts.

We will land in cities that are familiar and comforting, and grab that cuppa at your favorite tea room in England or the small slice of heaven from your top rated pizza restaurant in Rome.

Until then, please stay safe, stay healthy, and we look forward to traveling with you in the near future,

Kate Barnette And Your EA Tours Team

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To discover and sample dishes from around the world can bring you even closer to the exciting adventure that’s awaiting you! Food, wonderful food – EA Tours encourages you to try this delicious, and very healthy, dish from FRANCE.

Discovery Updates will be bringing you various wonderful dishes from around the world!

They say a way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. We’d add that it’s the quickest way to learn about a person’s country, too!

Cuisine is a calling card that crosses borders, bridges, cultures and broadens horizons. You can learn a lot from another country’s food and how they prepare it. Whether it’s the ancient origins of the Mediterranean diet, the provincial specifics of different Chinese plates, or the European/North American blending of Canadian snacks- every course has the potential to offer insight into places and cultures.

Don’t take our word for it! Try preparing one of these iconic European dishes at home and prepare to let your taste buds take you on a journey that spans miles in a single bite!

France – Ratatouille

A famous provincial dish from the French coast, using many amazing vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, tomato and onion with red, green and yellow peppers. Ratatouille can be used as a main dish over rice or as a side dish with a meat or fish entree.

  • Healthy, low-fat summer stew
  • The word ratatouille is derived from an Occitan term, ‘ratolha’, plus two French words: Rata-meaning chunky stew; and Touiller-meaning to toss food or stir up.
  • 1877- Cassell’s Dictionary of Cookery introduced the word Ratatouille to the English language.
  • 2007-Disney’s Pixar made the word Ratatouille famous to American culture.

 

Image from The Tasting Table: Classic French Ratatouille Recipe

 

ADDITIONAL RECIPE LINKS:

Classic French Provencal Ratatouille

French Ratatouille Recipe

How To Make Alain Ducasse’s Ratatouille, A French Classic

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Antarctica, simply the name of the only Covid-19 free continent on earth, conjures up visions of icebergs, endless miles of white landscape, glaciers, frozen mountains, an incredible array of wildlife and incredibly cold temperatures. For some, it’s the final stop to be able to claim membership in the 7 Continents Club.

For most, however, it’s simply the pleasure of visiting an astonishing destination void of pollution and the souvenirs left behind by humanity.

From the first moment you enter the waters of the Antarctic and you begin to glimpse the rugged coastline of this pristine continent, you will start to grasp the enormity of where you are. Antarctica is a huge piece of land.

The land mass itself covers 5,100,021 miles (not including the hundreds of surrounding islands) and accounts for 8.9% of the earth’s land. Antarctica, almost 98% solid ice, was finally considered a continent in 1840, and not just a group of isolated islands.

There is no capital city, and, other than some research facilities, not even a single “town.” There are no airport security machines to go through and no passport or immigration official to check documents and passports. You definitely won’t feel crowded in this land of ice, mountains, snow and ocean.

So, undoubtedly the basic questions are: What’s the best route to take to see this magical continent? How long of a trip is your typical Antarctica adventure? What type of clothing should you pack? And of course, how much does it cost? There are a myriad of questions for which you would want to know answers.

As with any trip or adventure that is somewhat exotic (or maybe really exotic, depending on your point of view), there are many, many details. Simply for the ease of enjoying this article, some of the answers will be touched on. But as with any trip of this kind, the more research you do, the better prepared you will be.

How do you get to Antarctica and what’s the best route to take to see this magical continent?

From this writer’s perspective, the best way to get there is by travelling via Argentina then continuing your journey by ship. You can fly from most major US cities nonstop to Buenos Aires. BA (Buenos Aires) is an amazingly beautiful city with numerous great restaurants, very nice hotels plus fun and interesting sightseeing.

You can plan for any number of days in Buenos Aires, either before or after (or both) your Antarctica adventure. There are several “jumping off points” from Argentina to get to Antarctica. One of the most favored is flying from Buenos Aires to the town of Ushuaia where you will board a ship and cross the infamous Drake Passage. Once you’ve crossed Drake’s Passage (approximately a 2 day voyage) your Antarctica adventure begins!

How long of a trip is your typical Antarctica adventure?

The typical Antarctica adventure is anywhere from 5 – 10 days. It all depends on which cruise company you choose to use and the itinerary they offer. This writer and his family chose to travel aboard the MS Midnastol with Hurtigruten, a well-established Norwegian company that is renowned for its Fjord Cruises in Scandinavia as well as its Antarctic Cruises.

For more information about Hurtigruten visit Hurtigruten.com. Hurtigruten has a five star safety rating and has kept their ship, the MS Midnastol, in top-notch condition.

What type of clothing should you pack?

In a few words, WARM, VERY WARM. Layers are best, using long underwear, wool socks, fleece jackets and of course, down-filled outer jackets. Cold weather gloves, as opposed to just standard leather or cloth gloves, are a MUST.

Incidentally, Hurtigruten supplies you with the appropriate boots as well as a Helly Hansen bright red, multi-colored, long, all-weather outer jacket, as a gift. You will also want to take some type of warm woolen hat or head covering as well as a wool/warm scarf.

And of course, how much does it cost?

This question can be a bit tricky because it all depends on what cruise company you choose, what time of year you travel, the type of cabin you reserve – the lower the deck on the ship, generally the less the cabin will cost – pre and post side trips, plus of course you should expect to pay additional for your drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), extra excursions from the ship and perhaps WIFI. Always ASK what is and isn’t included.

Depending on the cruise company, airfare is typically not included. The average cost is around $10,000 per person. The most economical cruises to Antarctica start at just under $5,000 per person for a 6-10 day voyage. For longer itineraries, and depending on your cabin choice, pricing can go as high as $20,000 per person.

What animals and wildlife can you expect to see?

You can expect to see a surprising variety of wildlife during your Antarctic expedition. This extreme landscape is home to leopard seals, crabeater seals, robust sea lions, minke whales, humpback whales and an assortment of birds well designed to withstand the Antarctic chill. Naturally, you will enjoy literally thousands and thousands of penguins, including the emperor, chinstrap and king, who make Antarctica their home.

If you would like to take an educational tour to Antarctica, we can be your tour guide! Fill out our form and get in touch with us so you can start on your own adventure!

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Hi everyone!

Happy Monday! While another start to the week may be here, I hope you’re excited to read our latest post on an outstanding museum. Please enjoy!

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will greatly benefit by stopping by the Newseum located at Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street, N.W. The Newseum is a state of the art dazzling structure in downtown Washington dedicated to the First Amendment to the Constitution and the critical role a free press plays in a democratic republic. The Newseum opened to the public in 2008 to much fanfare and has since accumulated rave reviews from educators, media professionals, leaders in the business of travel and hundreds of thousands of visitors from every corner of the world. Highlights of the building design include a façade featuring a “window on the world” which overlooks Pennsylvania Avenue and the National Mall, simultaneously exhibiting displays for the public to see inside the building. The front of the Newseum features the forty-five words that comprise the First Amendment and are etched into a seven story high tablet of pink marble from the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. The Newseum is intensely interactive and will enhance your next educational trip to Washington, D.C.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. that visit the Newseum will find seven levels of interactive exhibits including fifteen galleries and theaters. Students will marvel at the broadcast antennae which once adorned the top of the World Trade Center. A gallery dedicated to the Berlin Wall contains eight concrete sections, the largest pieces from the original wall found anywhere outside of Germany. Visitors will also have a chance to view every single photograph that won the Pulitizer Prize for the last seventy-five years. TripAdvisor users rated the Newseum as “Traveler’s choice Top 25 Museum in the U.S.” The Newseum also traces the evolution of electronic communication from Marconi’s radio to the Iphone.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will discover the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The Newseum promotes, explains and defends free expression, as well. It would be a terrific destination on your next educational trip to Washington, D.C.

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Hello educational travelers!

Please enjoy our latest blog post, and as you relish in the long weekend take a moment to remember what we’re celebrating. To all service men and women past, present, and future, thank you for your service.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will enjoy a slight diversion from the usually seen sites by stopping at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History. It is located at 1811 R Street and was chartered by an act of Congress in 1958 to document and preserve the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the United States by educating the public to the courage, heroism and sacrifices made by Jewish Americans who served in the armed forces. The museum also works to combat anti-Semitism. Social Studies teachers grappling with how to teach the Holocaust will benefit from visiting here on their next educational tour to Washington, D.C.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will find four permanent exhibitions that anchor the museum: a core exhibit examining the role of Jews in the American military from the Colonial era to today, a Hall of Heroes devoted to Jewish Medal of Honor recipients, and two exhibits dedicated to the memories of individual men, Major General Julius Klein and Captain Joshua L. Goldberg. Besides the permanent exhibits, the museum contains over five thousand artifacts collected from nearly every American military conflict, with the bulk relating to World War II. Students and teachers alike will be moved to tears at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History on their next educational tour to Washington, D.C.

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Hello educational travelers!

I hope you enjoy reading our latest blog post leading up to Veteran’s Day this weekend.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. can take a patriotic trip down Memory Lane at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy. Located at the Washington Navy Yard, 805 Kidder Breese Street SE, the museum was established in 1961 under the administration of President John F. Kennedy, a naval veteran of World War II. It opened to the public in 1963 and is one of fourteen naval museums throughout the country. It is the only one that presents an overview of American naval history. The National Museum of the U.S. Navy collects, preserves, displays, and interprets historic naval artifacts and artwork to inform, educate, and inspire naval personnel and the general public on educational tours to Washington, D.C.

Educational tours to Washington, D.C. will observe permanent and temporary exhibitions commemorating the Navy’s wartime heroes and battles as well as its peacetime contributions in exploration, diplomacy, navigation and humanitarian service. Known for over fifty years as the flagship museum of the U.S. Navy, the National Museum of the U.S. Navy celebrates a legacy of educating the public. In the tradition of its predecessors on the Washington Navy Yard beginning in 1865, the current museum features a collection that dates from 1800 that will awe every educational tour to Washington, D.C.

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Hello educational travelers!

Please enjoy our latest blog post.

Educational middle school trips to Washington, D.C. with one eye on American history and the other on finding things fun and cool for young teenagers will be thrilled to visit the National Headquarters of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812. Located at 1463 Rhode Island Ave. NW the museum is dedicated to the memory of the brave men who fought our nation’s second war for independence between 1812-1815.  The United States Daughters of 1812 was founded by Flora Adams Darling on January 8, 1892, exactly seventy-seven years after the Battle of New Orleans, a huge American victory and the last major battle of the War of 1812. Every eighth grader learns about the significance of Andrew Jackson’s triumph over the British in American history class and will experience the event firsthand on his middle school educational tour to Washington, D.C.

Educational trips to Washington, D.C. which visit the museum will see a three-story brick, Queen Anne style house built in 1884.  For over seventy-five years, dedicated members donated books, historic artifacts, memorabilia and furnished the museum with period furniture.  In 1992 the Society purchased the late Victorian house immediately next door.  The second floor of the new building is an exceptional facility dedicated to the 1783-1815 time period.  Twenty years ago the properties were place on the National Register of Historic Places, always a good starting point for your next middle school trip to Washington, D.C.

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Hello educational travelers!

Please enjoy our latest post.

Middle school trips to Washington, D.C. can be fun and educationally rewarding for both girls and boys with a stop at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, located at 1250 New York Avenue NW.  Founded in 1981 as a private, non-profit museum devoted to the appreciation of female artists, Wallace and Wilhelmina Cole Holladay supplied the core of the paintings and other forms of women’s art from their personal collection. Special exhibitions were also presented. In 1983, the museum purchased an almost eighty thousand square-foot landmark near the White House, a former Masonic Temple, and refurbished it in accordance with the highest design, museum and security standards. It has won numerous architectural awards and is sure to wow even the more difficult classes taking middle school trips to Washington, D.C.

Students and teachers on educational tours to Washington, D.C. will marvel at the greatest collection of art created by women assembled anywhere. Thirty years ago the National Museum of Women in the Arts opened the doors of its permanent location with the inaugural exhibition, American Women Artists from 1830-1930, a definitive survey curated by one of the country’s foremost feminist art historians, Dr. Eleanor Tufts.  There is no other museum like this in the world and will surely dazzle your next educational middle school trip to Washington, D.C.

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Happy Friday educational travelers!

I hope you enjoy reading today’s educational blog post.

Beautiful and historic Saint Augustine, Florida is the oldest continuously occupied European established settlement in the continental United States. It is also the home of the Castillo de San Marcos, a 333 year old military fortress built to defend Spain’s claims in the New World. Students on an educational tour to Saint Augustine can explore the National Monument every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. At the Castillo is a large interior courtyard as well as gun deck. Cannon firings and weapons demonstrations are part of admission price as well as exploration of the many rooms within the fortress. These rooms once held soldiers and prisoners alike.

The Castillo itself took 23 years to build and was built with coquina. Coquina, which derives from the Spanish words “cockle” and “shellfish” is a sedimentary rock which is nearly impenetrable and also fire resistant.  Middle School tours  to Saint Augustine can experience closely what it was like to be a prisoner or soldier within the walls of the fort, and learn about the various (and unsuccessful) attacks on the Castillo. Amazing to think that cannon balls were able to bounce off the fort during many different attacks, not to mention being resistant to fire! Ranger led tours also offer an in depth history of the Spanish fort, which was preserved and declared a National Monument in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge.

America’s history may have been very different if British Forces had been able to take over the Castillo de San Marcos. The fortress is situated on 20.5 acres and offers a rich glimpse into St. Augustine’s history within Florida proving to be the ideal educational tour destination.

Until next time,

Jeff.