This spectacular tour through Europe incorporates scenic rail travel with an itinerary that transports students through time.
Buses can travel along uninteresting motorways that are built to connect major cities, missing a lot of the interesting scenery in between. European railways often use fast trains by-passing road congestion and reaching long distances faster and with increased safety. They are often more comfortable than buses and take the traveler directly into the town centres. Trains are generally more eco-friendly than buses, as they produce fewer emissions per passenger/km. Rail travel is becoming increasingly attractive again, with concerns over air and road effects on climate change.
This tour, using rail where possible, not only provides a memorable overview of some of Europe's most important and iconic sights, but takes students and their teachers on a trip through time from the ancient world, through the medieval times, and finishing after the Renaissance by visiting the historic sites where it all happened.
Explore sensational cities like Athens, Rome, Florence, and Venice. Discover Pompeii's evocative Roman city and the atmosphere of medieval Siena. See the stunning vistas from the Meteora monasteries in the Greek mountains and the ancient cave dwellings of the third oldest continually inhabited settlement in the world in Matera Italy. Unforgettable experiences await on this adventure through Europe and its enriching history!
School tour specialists providing comprehensive teacher resources
Our teacher toolkit provides the planning resources needed to successfully plan an international school trip. From support with fundraising and communication with parents and students to planning checklists, these resources allow busy teachers to stay on track with the planning process.
Group travel management software
EA uses the latest software to make teachers' lives easier by performing tasks and collating information on their behalf. Instead of teachers chasing up parents for students' passport details, medical information, waiver forms, chasing payments etc, now Educating Adventures will do this on your behalf.
Professional local trip representatives providing 24 hour support
The EA difference is our qualified and experienced team on the ground at each of our featured destinations. Your school tour representative will meet and greet, and work with you to ensure flexibility and provide ongoing support throughout your school tour. Our representatives are selected for their ability to quickly develop a great rapport with teachers and students and because they are passionate about providing excellent service.
Bespoke educational trips, customised to your requirements
EA School Tours have been working with schools for 14 years to facilitate informative and inspiring school tours around the world. In addition to key featured trips to the USA, UK & Europe, NZ, South America and Japan, our experienced team can create bespoke educational travel itineraries for your school. All packages are fully inclusive with flights, accommodation, activities and so much more…
Superior organisation for a stress free experience
EA School Tours provides an unsurpassed level of support to teachers. From the concept to completion of your school tour, your dedicated school travel consultant will work with you to ensure a memorable and safe experience for your students, parents, and teachers. There is a high level of communication required in order to successfully plan an international trip and our team will ensure the planning is on track to deliver an exceptional school trip.
Excellent knowledge of local activities
Your school travel consultant will have intimate knowledge of our featured travel locations and a handful of other exciting travel destinations around the globe. Our committed team have been selected because of their knowledge of international travel, their high level of organisational skills and great service, and their ability to source exciting and educational trip activities to add to your overall school travel experience.
The next step is to let us know that you would like to work with us and we can advise and help you to make this tour a reality. There is no obligation to travel, this step just allows us to make all necessary enquiries and work with our suppliers on organising initial details for your group while you advertise the trip to your school and collect deposits.
Get it right
This itinerary is a starting point. We enjoy this stage, working with teachers to ensure each school group gets the best itinerary at a suitable package price. Sample itineraries act as a framework, with teachers often working with us to personalise them to suit their areas of focus or add on new ideas.
Confirm the trip
To confirm your trip a non-refundable deposit (normally 15% of the package price) is required. Once we have secured the main components of your trip with our suppliers we will send you a confirmation invoice. This will include a remaining payments schedule as agreed with you. Note: international flights are generally only available to be booked 11 months prior to travel.
Price guarantee
We know how difficult it is for teachers to ask parents for more money. Once we have issued a confirmation invoice the price will never change as long as the itinerary does not change and the numbers of travellers remain the same. So the price of the tour will not increase if flights and/or taxes increase or exchange rate changes. Another reason why EA School Tours makes teachers' lives easier!
Students fly to Athens, where exciting experiences await at one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, known as the cradle of Western civilization. Athens is a city steeped in history, philosophy, and ancient wonders like the Acropolis.
When you arrive you will be met by your private transfer, which will first take you on a panoramic tour of the city before bringing you to your accommodation.
Dinner tonight is included.
Overnight Athens.
Today students visit the famous Acropolis and Archaeological Park on a 2 hour history tour and visit of the surrounding ancient sites like the Ancient Agora, The Roman Agora, the Hephaisteion and Hadrian's Library. They also visit the Acropolis Museum.
Visiting the Acropolis and Ancient Agora in Athens, as well as the Roman Agora, Hephaisteion, and Hadrian's Library, fills the student with awe and reverence as they walk amidst the grandeur of ancient history, immersing themselves in the remnants of past civilizations and gaining a profound appreciation for the cultural and architectural achievements of antiquity.
The Acropolis Museum stands as a modern marvel, artfully showcasing a treasure trove of ancient artifacts and sculptures from the Acropolis, providing a captivating glimpse into Greece's rich archaeological heritage.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Overnight Athens.
Today students will visit the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and learn the skills of a Greek citizen-soldier, known as a Hoplite, in a Greek Warrior Experience.
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is a treasure trove of historical artifacts that offers history students a firsthand glimpse into ancient Greece's rich material culture and a deeper understanding of its historical context, including from the bronze-age Minoan and Mycenean civilizations.
Then students travel into the past and learn how the ancient Greek citizen-soldiers (known as hoplites) warded off Persian invaders with a hands-on battle experience. Students take up replica wooden shields and weapons and delve into the art of phalanx combat techniques as they learn more about the Persian Wars and the soldiers who fought in them. Strategize with your team for the “othismos” clash with the opposing team. A unique, hands-on way to experience ancient Greek history.
Tonight students will take a traditional Greek cooking class and make their own dinners.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Overnight Athens.
Today students will adventure into the mystical mountains of Greece on a scenic rail journey to Kalabaka.
Kalabaka serves as the gateway to the stunning rock formations and monasteries of Meteora, offering students a starting point for exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site the following day.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Overnight Athens.
Today after breakfast students board their private bus for a morning trip to visit the spectacular views from Meteora monasteries.
The Meteora monasteries, perched atop towering rock formations, boast a fascinating history of medieval religious devotion and offer breathtaking panoramic views of the rugged Greek landscape below.
This afternoon take your private bus to Igoumenitsa port and board your overnight ferry to Italy.
Breakfast included.
Overnight ferry to Bari, Italy.
From Bari port, meet your coach for your scenic journey across the Southern Italian countryside, with a stop and walking tour in Matera.
Matera, Italy, beckons visitors with its historic allure and captivating aesthetics, where ancient cave dwellings, dramatic limestone cliffs, and a labyrinth of narrow streets create a living testament to human history and architectural ingenuity. Matera's millennia-long habitation shows evidence of continuous human settlement dating back over 9,000 years, making it one of the world's oldest inhabited cities and a window into the evolution of human civilization.
Continue to your accommodation in Naples.
Dinner included.
Overnight Naples.
This morning after breakfast, meet your bus to visit Pompeii.
A knowledgeable guide will lead students through the ancient city frozen in time, buried by a volcanic eruption in 79AD, bringing the Roman city back to life with Latin inscriptions, stories of daily life, and historical context, allowing them to delve deeper into the fascinating world of this ancient civilisation.
Then students will take a guided visit of the lesser known gem of the south, Paestum. This site demonstrates the links between Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome as its well-preserved Greek ruins, including three stunning Doric temples, sit among the remains of a Roman city, providing a unique opportunity to witness the enduring legacy of ancient Greek colonization in Italy and its cultural significance as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Return to Naples.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Overnight Naples.
After breakfast students take the train to Rome.
Ancient Rome's importance lies in its profound and enduring influence on Western civilization, shaping the foundations of law, governance, engineering, art, and culture, and leaving a lasting legacy that continues to resonate in modern societies today.
On arrival, students will transfer to their accommodation to check in. They will then use their public transport pass to arrive at the centre of Ancient Rome: the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. With their guide, students will take a journey back in time, walking in the footsteps of ancient Romans, witnessing the remnants of once-grand temples, basilicas, and monuments at the Forum, while standing in awe of the Colosseum's majestic amphitheater, igniting their imaginations.
Tonight students will enjoy cooking their own dinner creation at a pizza making class.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Overnight Rome.
Today's theme is Ancient Rome Transformed.- students will see how Ancient Roman sites and styles were preserved and reworked throughout history.
After breakfast, students and teachers make their way to the majestic Pantheon. They will encounter a 2,000-year-old architectural marvel that stands as a testament to ancient Rome's engineering prowess, dedicated to the worship of Roman gods. The internal transformation of the Pantheon from an ancient Roman temple dedicated to various gods to a Roman Catholic church in the 7th century AD further solidified its historical significance, preserving its architectural grandeur and allowing it to continue as a place of worship for over a millennium.
Visit the nearby famous Trevi Fountain, with a historical significance that lies in its embodiment of Roman Baroque art and architecture. The revival and reinterpretation of ancient Roman architectural and artistic elements played a significant role in shaping the distinctive style of Roman Baroque architecture and art of the 17th century, bridging the gap between the classical past and the vibrant creativity of the Baroque period.
Next, visit the Castel Sant'Angelo. The Castel Sant'Angelo, originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, bears witness to its fascinating history, transforming over the centuries from a Roman tomb to a fortress and eventually serving as a significant Roman Catholic site, as it became a papal residence and a fortified refuge for popes during times of crisis. Inside students can explore a rich array of historical artifacts, art, and architecture, including ancient Roman statues, Renaissance frescoes, and papal apartments, while ascending to the rooftop terrace for panoramic views of Rome's iconic landmarks and the Tiber River.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Overnight Rome.
This morning after breakfast, students will catch the train to Florence.
Florence, often called the "Cradle of the Renaissance," is an alluring Italian city renowned for its stunning art and architecture, including masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Here students will be experiencing a living history of the Renaissance period, where every corner of the city tells a story of artistic brilliance, intellectual innovation, and cultural reawakening.
After checking in, meet your guide for the day tour of the historic city centre and many of its historic landmarks. Visit and learn the history of the stunning Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Medici-Riccardi Palace, Santa Croce Basilica, the Uffizi Gallery and La Specola Museum.
This evening students will take a cooking class to make their own Florence specialty: spinach and ricotta-filled ravioli, a popular pasta dish, often served with a simple tomato or butter and sage sauce.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Overnight Florence.
After breakfast, students will either take the train directly to Siena or the train to San Gimignano via a private shuttle from Poggibonsi station.
Students have experienced the ancient world of big monuments and vast empires, and then the artistic Renaissance, recalling the culture and thirst for knowledge of the past. Sandwiched in between was the medieval period, and teachers can choose one of two well preserved examples of this period today.
San Gimignano is a village famous for its well-preserved medieval towers that dominate its skyline, earning it the nickname "Medieval Manhattan." Students can explore the historic town center, stroll through its charming streets, and admire the medieval architecture. The town is also known for its artisan shops and beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside, as well as being featured in the popular Assassin's Creed 2 video game (along with Florence and Venice). Stone streets, walls and towers evoke the unforgettable atmospheric of this medieval gem in the Tuscan countryside. Enjoy a historic walking tour of the town.
Siena, on the other hand, is a full medieval city. Known for its rich history, well-preserved architecture, and unique character, Siena offers visitors a captivating blend of art, culture, and tradition. A historic walking tour will includes visits to iconic landmarks such as Piazza del Campo, the Siena Cathedral, and the Palazzo Pubblico, along with exploration of charming medieval streets, artisan shops, and insights into local traditions.
Whether teachers choose the smaller atmospheric village or the more monumental medieval city, students will experience authentic medieval sites.
Return to Florence for dinner.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Overnight Florence.
After breakfast, students will board their train to the famous unique canal city of Venice.
This independent state existed for centuries and had a powerful maritime empire in the Mediterranean, controlling various territories and trade routes. The heyday of the Venetian Republic, which lasted from the late Middle Ages to well beyond the height of its territorial expansion and power during the 15th and 16th centuries, saw it control significant territories in the eastern Mediterranean, including parts of present-day Italy, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and Cyprus, making it one of the most influential maritime empires in the region. The Venetian Republic's government was characterized by a complex system of checks and balances, with power divided among a Doge, a council of nobles known as the Great Council, and various governmental bodies, which contributed to its stability and longevity.
Students will check in and then have time to explore this pedestrianised city at their teacher's leisure.
Breakfast and dinner included.
Overnight Venice.
Today the students will meet their transfer to the airport before returning home.
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Athens, Greece 
TBC
