Past Trips
Over the years the Canada and World Studies Department has travelled throughout Europe, Costa Rica, and to the Mamoth Caves. Throughout our travels, over 250 students have been able to experience new cultures, enhance their learning, and grow as individuals. Here are the highlights of our travels:
London, Paris and the Alps - 2015
We will started our tour in London, visiting iconic spots such as Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, and Tower Bridge. Our next stop was Paris, the city of lights, where we experienced the Champs-Elysee, Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower. Then traveled through the Swiss Alps to the Lucern region and took the gondola up 10,000 feet to the top of Mt Titlus. We ended our tour in Munich where the old world meets modern. Students were also taken on an unforgettable tour of the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau.
Berlin to Budapest - 2013
This year we traveled through Eastern Europe. Starting in Berlin, Germany, students saw a history that spanned from the Roman Empire to the Cold War. We then traveled to the Czech Republic, exploring the beautiful city of Prague and visiting eerie 'bone church.' Students then headed to Poland where they were moved by their time at Auschwitz Concentration Camp before heading to the old city of Krakow. We ended our tour in Hungary, exploring the city on the beautiful Danube - Budapest.
Return to Vimy Ridge - 2012
We began our travels in London, England which was capped off with a ride on the London Eye for spectacular views of the city. Next we headed to France where students took part in ceremonis celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. After we visted Paris seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees. Travelling through Belgium we stopped in the beautiful medieval city of Bruges on the way to the Netherlands. Our trip ended with a tour of Amsterdam, including the famous canals and Anne Frank's house.
Costa Rica - 2012, 2010, 2006
We started our adventure in the capital of San Jose taking in museums and a Folk Lore evening. Heading into country our group stopped to help build a local school and plant trees in the rain forest. Our expedition through the jungle took us to active volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, and was highlighted by a tree top trek and zipline. The tour ended at Manuel Antonio National Park where we on a river tour to find crocodiles, and interacted with mackaws and sea turtles.
Mammoth Caves, Kentucky - 2013, 2012, 2011, 2014
After a long drive, we started our tour in Cave City where we visited the caving museum and the hidden cave. A hike through the Mammoth Caves National Park rewarded us with views of the Green River valley and the hilly country of southern Kentucky. The highlight of the trip was the 'Wild Cave Tour' which consisted of six hours of extreme caving 350 feet below ground. With only a lamp on our heads for light we began our spelunking exploration of the magical subterranean world. We even had lunch at the underground restaurant.
Paris to Barcelona - 2011
Our travels began in the city of lights, Paris. Here we visited Notre Dame, climbed the Arc de Triomphe, and viewed art in the Louvre. We then travelled to the south of France by high-speed train to Provence taking in an ancient Roman aquaducts and coliseum. Travelling along the Mediterranean Coast to Spain, we stop in beautiful seaside towns such as Collioure. Barcelona offered the busy street market of Las Ramblas and the unique arcitecture of Gaudi's Sangradi Familia and Parque Guell.
Best of Italy - 2010
We started in the canal filled city of Venice to see Gondolas, St Mark's Square, and Doge's Palace. Florence, the city that started the Renaissance, is our next stop where we visited Il Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Piazza della Signoria. On the way to Rome our trip stopped to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Assisi Basilica. While in the Rome we visited the Sistine Chapel, the Colossuem, and St Peter's Basilica. We were also able to see the ruins of Pompeii and climb Mt Vesuvius.
Ireland, Wales and England - 2009
Starting in the green hills of Ireland we travelled the coastal Ring of Kerry and kissed the Blarney Stone before heading to Dublin. Here students visited St Patrick's Cathedral and saw the Book of Kells atTrinity College. After the ferry ride to Wales we travelled through Snowdonia National Park. Students stopped at Stratford, Bath and Stonehenge while making our way through England. Once in London, we visited the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and took in a West End theatre performance.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland - 2007
Starting in the Austrian capital Vienna, we viewed the Hapsburg Palace and St Stephen's Cathedral. Travelling via Salsburg, we headed to the Bavarian city of Munich with sites such as the Marienplatz and Hofbrauhaus. While in Germany, students also explored fairytale inspired Neushwanstein Castle and the Nazi Concentration Camp in Dachau. Our travel ended in Lucerne, Switzerland with a walk across the Chapel Bridge, a visit to the Lion Monument, and a gondola ride up Mt Pilatus.
Remembering Vimy - 2007
Beginning in London, students saw iconic sites such as Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and Westminster Abbey. We visited the Imperial War Museum and were able to watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Heading to northern France via Dover, students walked on Juno Beach before partaking in the 90th anniversary and memorial rededication ceremony at Vimy Ridge. Our trip ended in Paris with a climbing of the Eiffel Tower and a visit to the arts district of Montmartre.