Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is more than just a buzzword in education today – it should be a crucial part of any school community. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), “SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and ... Read More

While we’ve been spending more time at home, maybe we’ve found ourselves with opportunities to indulge in our favorite aspects of pop culture, or maybe we’re getting caught up on a guilty-pleasure show or podcast. Pop culture is all around us, especially with social media’s prevalence in our... Read More

We are experiencing an unprecedented time of anxiety, uncertainty, and unrest in our country. Educators should take advantage of opportunities to engage difficult conversations with students about the challenging topics that are facing students right now. They are going through a lot and we need to ... Read More

Creating a positive classroom culture is more important now than ever before, as many schools are starting the year virtually. This year, virtual icebreakers are beneficial for both teachers and students in fostering community, helping everyone get to know each other, and exposing students to new pe... Read More

The start of a new school year brings a range of emotions. You’re excited, but maybe a little anxious, you’re energized, but careful to pace yourself, and you’re eager to start, even if you wouldn’t turn down another day of rest. In the middle of a pandemic and great uncertainty, these back-... Read More

One bright spot in this unusual school year was the front row seat the WorldStrides team had to incredible virtual teaching. Several of our amazing Program Leaders planned virtual trips when their students weren’t able to travel. Students at St. Peter’s had planned to go to Washington, D... Read More

Though all Americans are familiar with the Fourth of July, that’s not the only holiday celebrating freedom in the U.S! On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, which was still under confederate control. The army issued an executive decree freeing more than 250,000 enslav... Read More

Each week, the WorldStrides Education team prepares new lessons and activities around a broad, central theme that aims to give teachers, students, and parents new tools and resources that can be useful in the classroom (the new online classroom, that is) and at home. This week, our focus is on curio... Read More

Each week, the WorldStrides Education team prepares new lessons and activities around a broad, central theme that aims to give teachers, students, and parents new tools and resources that can be useful in the classroom (the new online classroom, that is) and at home. This week, our focus is on resou... Read More

Each week, the WorldStrides Education team prepares new lessons and activities around a broad, central theme that aims to give teachers, students, and parents new tools and resources that can be useful in the classroom (the new online classroom, that is) and at home. This week, our focus is on chall... Read More

For the past 5 years, I have traveled for a week in April with my 8th graders with WorldStrides. We alternate between Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, and New York/Boston. This year was supposed to be New York/Boston. How quickly plans can change! I didn’t want my students to miss out on this... Read More

Each week, the WorldStrides Education team prepares new lessons and activities around a broad, central theme that aims to give teachers, students, and parents new tools and resources that can be useful in the classroom (the new online classroom, that is) and at home. This week, our focus is on Legac... Read More

Each week, the WorldStrides Education team prepares new lessons and activities around a broad, central theme that aims to give teachers, students, and parents new tools and resources that can be useful in the classroom (the new online classroom, that is) and at home. This week, our focus is on growt... Read More

Each week, the WorldStrides Education team prepares new lessons and activities around a broad, central theme that aims to give teachers, students, and parents new tools and resources that can be useful in the classroom (the new online classroom, that is) and at home. This week, our focus is on conne... Read More

The WorldStrides Education Team is proud to introduce our new Learn at Home series, a weekly collection of worksheets, ideas, and activities for our teachers, students, and parents who are spending much more time at home and much less time at….well, just about ev... Read More

Our last downloadable monthly calendar of 2019 is here! Download your December calendar now! All of our calendars are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as beautiful photos from our sites, holidays and other special dates. Pick between a science or a history... Read More

The Curriculum & Academics team is proud to introduce a set of resources designed to capitalize on the excitement and anticipation of your upcoming educational travel program to D.C. and prepare your students for the trip. With the help of experienced Program Leader Linda Krajcik, our team devel... Read More

Our downloadable monthly calendar for November is here! All of our calendars are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photos from our sites, holidays and other special dates. Pick between a science or a history version – whichever will suit yo... Read More

I couldn’t possibly make my point with a long, wordy article, so let’s get to it. Whether they know it or not, your students are micro-writing. They’re writing captions for Instagram. They’re writing witty responses on Snapchat. It’s the very foundation of Twitter. And even as emojis chall... Read More

“Endemic” refers to a species that is uniquely found in one part of the world, and that part only! These types of animals are most commonly found in more isolated parts of the globe, like islands, but they can be found in other places too. Our map highlights some of these fascinating exclusive c... Read More

Do you ever think, “I wonder who was the first person to think of {insert world-changing idea here}….” Like, who created peanut butter (Answer: 3 people get credit for that staple of the modern sandwich)? Or who decided we should all go to school (Answer: Horace Mann is the “Father of the Co... Read More

We know teachers want classroom wall decor that’s colorful, fun, and full of inspiration for your students! We also know that teachers need free classroom resources that are easy-to-print to make it happen. So how can you decorate your classroom on a budget and without spending hours wrestling... Read More

Download our WorldStrides classroom calendars! Each month, we feature a downloadable monthly calendar. They are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photos from our sites, holidays and other special dates. Pick between a science or a history ver... Read More

Warning! Do not read this if you are hungry. We recently created the most delicious map you’ll ever see, because it features all 50 states and what food each state is known for. 34 states have “official” state foods, and most of them have more than a few! So, we decided to learn a bit [&hellip... Read More

Download our WorldStrides classroom calendars! Each month, we feature a downloadable monthly calendar. They are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photos from our sites, holidays and other special dates. Pick between a science or a history ver... Read More

Download our WorldStrides classroom calendars! Each month, we feature a downloadable monthly calendar. They are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photos from our sites, holidays and other special dates. Pick between a science or a history ver... Read More

We asked the members of our Curriculum & Academics team for some remedies It’s near the end of the second semester, there are only a few weeks left, and try as you might, keeping your students’ attention until the last bell of the year seems….Herculean? Been here before? We get it. That’... Read More

Download our WorldStrides classroom calendars! Each month, we feature a downloadable monthly calendar. They are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photos from our sites, holidays and other special dates. Pick between a science or a history ver... Read More

Download our WorldStrides classroom calendars! Each month, we feature a downloadable monthly calendar. They are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photos from our sites, holidays and other special dates. Pick between a Science or a History ver... Read More

Introducing our WorldStrides classroom calendars! Each month, we’ll feature a downloadable monthly calendar. They are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photo from one of our sites and holidays and other special dates. Pick between a Sci... Read More

Introducing our new WorldStrides classroom calendars! Each month, we’ll feature a downloadable monthly calendar. They are packed full of interesting facts from our team of education experts, as well as a beautiful photo from one of our sites and holidays and other special dates. Pick between a... Read More

WorldStrides is thrilled to announce our Smithsonian Institution Insider Access Webinar Series. These information-rich webinars will be a unique chance for educators to hear from some of the top educational experts in the world as they give us an insider look into tools developed by the Smithsonian ... Read More

The WorldStrides 2018 Lesson Plan Contest has come to an end, and we are thrilled to share the spoils with you! Our Curriculum and Academics Team evaluated each submitted lesson plan for instructional integrity and chose winning lesson plans that were so robust that they looked ready to be taught to... Read More

As an educator myself, I am a firm believer that teachers should share. Share stories, share tips and, yes, share lesson plans! If you are here on the WorldStrides website, I have to believe you are a teacher who believes in experiential learning and travel. If so, welcome to a like-minded community... Read More

It’s parent-teacher conference season, and we know you want to make the most of your limited one-on-one time with your child’s teacher. The more prepared you are going in, the more beneficial the meeting will be for you, the teacher, and your kid! You may have a million things on your mind, or y... Read More

Our programs can expose students to many things they do not get to experience in the classroom. This in turn allows teachers to be part of teaching the whole child, and ensure their students move forward to being more well-rounded individuals who are better prepared to succeed outside of school. Le... Read More

The learning process is constantly evolving, and WorldStrides is proud to help transform how students learn on our travel programs. Check out the infographic below that highlights how learning in the classroom is different now than it used to be, and how both of those differ from how students partic... Read More

Let’s face it – apps can make everyday things a LOT easier for us, but with so many to choose from, selecting which ones you will actually use can be overwhelming. We narrowed down the choices to those that are useful in the classroom and the “classroom of the world!” Check out these 8 c... Read More

Summer is here and you know what that means…Marching Band Camp! Band camp is full of tradition and every school has their own unique take on that tradition – whether it’s involving the booster club or welcoming new members, Marching Band Camp sets the tone for the upcoming school year. WorldSt... Read More

Teachers – you did it! Hopefully you are reading this because you made it to summer vacation! Months of freedom and nothing to do are ahead of you (insert eye roll here…) After you’ve returned from your trip where you’ve shown your students the world (check!), summer hopefull... Read More

Memorial Day. Maybe you think of it as the beginning of summer, and time for a barbecue. While that’s all fun and good, it’s important that we don’t forget what the holiday is all about. Here are seven facts about why we really celebrate Memorial Day. Hint: None of them involve hot dogs. The t... Read More

The next time you’re at one of the amazing Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. – or reading Smithsonian Magazine, or, really, doing anything with our friends at Smithsonian– take a few minutes to pay some extra attention to the Smithsonian logo. It’s this one:   Simple enough, right... Read More

Welcome to a new school year! We know many music teachers and directors will have a repertoire already set, but if you are in need of programming inspiration or want a reference list for highlighting major musical events occurring throughout the 2017-2018 school year, here are some ideas: Celebrate ... Read More

Across the country, excitement is building for the 2017 solar eclipse. This will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in 38 years! The last one occurred on February 26, 1979, but few people were able to view it as it passed through just five states in the northwest and weather wa... Read More

Augmented Reality has gone from something of the future to a unique and interactive way to engage classrooms like never before. First, what is Augmented Reality? It is a “technology that layers computer-generated enhancements atop an existing reality in order to make it more meaningful through th... Read More

Incorporating technology into the music ensemble classroom has become essential. We have gathered a few of our favorite apps and websites for band, choir, and orchestra directors to put to use in their classrooms this school year. Apps There is a slew of music-based apps to help with skills and fulf... Read More

Technological advancements have been a part of the classroom for years with the adaption of things like desktop computers and overhead projectors, some of the earliest versions of which are now on display in museums. As our use of technology grows by leaps and bounds, here are a few innovative ways ... Read More

It’s the first day of school and everyone is excited about the upcoming school year – and maybe a little nervous too! Start building your classroom community from day one with a back-to-school ice breaker. Download our classroom ice breakers below! Can't see the infographic? Download it ... Read More

Planning a festival should be a fun and rewarding experience. At WorldStrides OnStage, we take care of every single detail so our directors can focus on the most important part – the music! Adjudicated festival performance can feel intimidating, so we talked to several of our adjudicators to get t... Read More

Summer is a time for teachers to relax – and to reflect on the previous year. How successful was your year? We know music directors are always looking for ways to encourage their programs to thrive. With that in mind, we asked accomplished WorldStrides OnStage music directors with experiences rang... Read More

Summer vacation is fast approaching and while students and teachers alike enjoy the break from school, staying engaged when planning an upcoming WorldStrides program, is still important. Here are six ways you can keep students engaged through social media this summer. Facebook Groups Create a Faceb... Read More

Does this scene look familiar? If your musical ensemble started out like this at the beginning of the school year, hopefully you’ve found a way to encourage the Barneys of your group to be more in-tune. If your ensemble is still at the “Barney stage” (so to speak), rest assured, you’re not a... Read More

When it comes to student educational travel, teachers are our most valuable resource. It is the teachers who understand the impact of travel on their students’ lives, and the teacher who begins the process of planning a trip of a lifetime. At WorldStrides, we work hand-in-hand with our teachers to... Read More

So you’ve got a holiday concert on the horizon. You’re not alone! This time of year, cities and town across the country are treated to the voices and instruments guided by dedicated music directors just like you. As you put the final touches on your preparations, don’t forget about these simpl... Read More

The most iconic symbol of Japan is an ancient one – Mt Fuji. This mountain is located at the center of the southern coast, and is Japan’s highest mountain (at 12,388 ft). There is a torii gate at the summit, and over hundreds of thousands of people climb it in warmer weather. However, Mt Fuji [&... Read More

An ancient city, a hand clap, and a lot of locally made cheese. Where are you? The Netherlands, of course – at the Alkmaar Cheese Market. Located in North Holland, Alkmaar is a city that dates back to the 10th century. The town is full of medieval buildings, a beautiful canal, and a central market... Read More

Also known as Uluru, Ayers Rock is an extraordinary place of natural beauty. Located in the southern part of the Northern Territory in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Ayers Rock juts out of the landscape and should not be missed. If you’re fit, climb to the top and be rewarded with spectacular pan... Read More

The Claddagh Ring is a traditional symbol from Ireland. The ring, first made in the 17th century, comes from a small village near Galway, called Claddagh. There are three components to the ring, each of which symbolize something cherished – a crown, hands, and heart. The crown represents loyalty; ... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities:   Why do people travel all the way to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone? Have students use critical thinking to venture a guess and then research to find out. O... Read More

The University of Colima’s Folkloric Ballet is a rich interpretation of Mexican expression, history, and tradition. The University’s Dance Company was founded in 1981 by artist and dancer/choreographer Rafael Zamarripa Castaneda, and has since performed around the world, on average 130+ shows a ... Read More

The town of Avila, Spain (located just west of Madrid), has the best preserved medieval walls in the country (and among the best in Europe), and is the second biggest wall in the world (after the Great Wall of China). These ancient walls were built as a defensive mechanism, but also served to contro... Read More

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most recognized artists in the world. He’s the painter who created Starry Night, Bedroom in Arles, The Yellow House, Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers, and The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles. Van Gogh lived in Arles for a year (1888-1889), where he ... Read More

Did you know that Patagonia, a region in Argentina and Chile, has icebergs (called tempanos, for ice floes, in Spanish)? Indeed, the northern arm of Patagonia has many icebergs. Today we’ll learn about Los Glaciares National Park, where many of these icebergs are located. Los Glaciares National Pa... Read More

At the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland, lie three islands that have influenced the world far more than their diminutive size would suggest. These islands – the Aran Islands – have around 1,200 residents, who speak both Gaelic and English. The islands are Inishmore (Inis Mór Is... Read More

There’s a wall that runs for 73+ miles across northern England, from Wallsend-on-Tyne to Bowness. Called Hadrian’s Wall, it was ordered to be built by Roman Emperor Hadrian in order to protect Roman Britain from the ‘northern barbarians,’ the Picts. The wall today is mostly in ruins, and was... Read More

150 miles away from Nairobi lies a treasure – one that boasts birds and beasts, swamps and history, elephants and Maasai, and the largest free-standing mountain in the world. Where are you? Amboseli National Park, in Kenya. It is one of the best places to see wildlife in the world, and is called L... Read More

Waterton Lakes National Park, in Alberta, Canada, is a triple bonus. Why? It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Biosphere, and an International Peace Park. Add to that some incredible beauty, and you’ve got a destination that is extremely popular. The park was first created in 1895; the name deri... Read More

There’s more to Vienna than the Christmas markets! Vienna is home to one of the largest and most beautiful Imperial Palaces in Europe – Schönbrunn Palace. It was built in 1548, added onto from 1638-1643, and then added onto again later. The palace has over 1,400 rooms – and was the home of th... Read More

Hear the word Santorini, and what do you think? Blues, white buildings, great food – and a volcano? Indeed! Santorini is one of the most famous islands in Greece, and is the largest chunk of a former island that the volcano blew up into smaller islands, forming a caldera. The volcanic eruption was... Read More

Annecy, just south of Geneva, is often known as the Venice of the Savoie (a region in the Rhone-Alps part of France). It’s a beautiful medieval city located on Lake Annecy, and bisected by canals. The town was built around a 14th century Chateau, Annecy Castle. There’s also the Palais d’Isle, ... Read More

Auschwitz – hearing the name sends chills down your spine and sadness in your heart. The horrific Nazi death camp, located in southwest Poland, exterminated prisoners from 1940-1945. Now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Auschwitz is a reminder of the Jewish Holocaust – deaths of more tha... Read More

3/13/2014 Just say the word Gelato and people start smiling. Gelato is Italian ice cream – ice cream with a twist. Unlike ice cream in the USA, Gelato is a softer ice cream with at least 3.5% butterfat (required by law!). Gelato in Italy has many, many flavors – some unlike any you’ve ever tas... Read More

Some of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt are the pyramids, the Avenue of the Sphinxes at Luxor, King Tutankhamen, and the two temples at Abu Simbel. The two temples are the larger Temple of Ramesses II and the smaller Temple of Nefertari, carved out of rock. As with all history, there’s a ... Read More

High in the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range in Costa Rica is an ecological treasure – 26,000 acres of tropical rainforest, called the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. In this cloud forest, there are 6 different ecological zones and an extremely high rate of biodiversity. You can find 2,500+ p... Read More

The Republic of Madagascar is an island off the southeast coast of Africa – the 4th largest island in the world. You probably recognize it from the movies (Madagascar and two sequels), or for their most famous creature, the lemur (there are over 100 species and subspecies of lemur in Magagascar). ... Read More

Granada is the capital city of Granada Province, Andalusia, Spain. Geographically, it’s located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and at the confluence of 4 (!) different rivers. Granada is most famous for the Alhambra, a Moorish Palace that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But there’s... Read More

One of the best medieval walled cities in the world, Dubrovnik, Croatia, is located on the Adriatic Sea, and is a wonder to behold. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located at the very southern end of the Croatian coast, and was founded by Greek sailors looking for a place to stop. Dubrovnik�... Read More

One of the most beautiful natural features on earth, the Great Blue Hole is an enormous sinkhole located in the middle of Lighthouse Reef, an atoll that is part of Belize. The Great Blue Hole is almost 1,000 feet in diameter, and over 400 feet deep. Formed over thousands of years (including some new... Read More

One of the most famous leadership residences in the world, 10 Downing Street, SW 1, London, England, is home to the British Prime Minister, and therefore, Her Majesty’s Government. There have been 52 Prime Ministers in the history of the United Kingdom, and 10 Downing Street, located in Westminste... Read More

The country of Monaco is a small one, and one of its most famous neighborhoods is Monte Carlo. (Note: it isn’t the capital of Monaco – that honor belongs to the neighborhood of Monaco-Ville, also known as Le Rocher.) Monte Carlo can refer to two things – the ward of Monte Carlo, where the famo... Read More

South of Prague (the capital of the Czech Republic), and nestled in the hills of Bohemia, lies a magical town. Český Krumlov (also known as Krumau) features a castle, many Baroque buildings, the Moldau River (also known as the Vltava River), and an old town square. When you visit, you’ll feel as... Read More

What better place to have the most Parisian of foods than in Paris? But I digress. Have you heard of the French Macaron, the most beloved confection to come out of France? It is composed of two meringue-based cookies (egg whites, ground almonds, sugar) sandwiching a filling (buttercream, ganache, ja... Read More

There is no more festive way to get in the holiday spirit than a visit to an old-world European Christmas market. Vienna’s Christmas Market (also called Christkindlmarkt) is one of the most famous, with traditions going back over 7 centuries! In 1296, Austrian Emperor Albrecht I allowed a December... Read More

Located in Upper Egypt (which really means south of Cairo), Luxor is a city rich in history. It used to be called Thebes, in ancient times (and the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom). Now, Luxor is visited by many archaeologists and thousands of visitors each year. Luxor has been called the wo... Read More

These are small jizo statues at the Hasedera temple in Kamakura, Japan. This famous Buddhist temple houses larger statues, too – including an enormous wooden statue of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy). It’s one of the largest wooden statues in Japan (at 30 feet), and has 11 heads. Jizo sta... Read More

The town of fine towers is located in Siena, Tuscany, Italy. San Gimignano, a walled medieval town, is known for its many towers, of which 14 remain. The historic centre of town (the Piazza della Cisterna) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But let’s skip back a bit, shall we? The village was founde... Read More

The capital (and largest city) in Argentina, Buenos Aires has a mystique that has drawn travelers for ages. The city is located on the Rio de la Plata, and is one of the 20 largest cities in the world. With over 16 million people, you can see why.Buenos Aires is also a cultural capital, known [&hell... Read More

If you’re ever in Cambridge, England, you’ll probably visit Queens’ College. And if you visit Queens’ College, you’ll probably want to cross the River Cam via the Mathematical Bridge. It’s a unique wooden bridge, designed by carpenter and designer William Etheridge and built in 1749 by J... Read More

Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth, is the oldest university in Ireland. Many famous writers graduated from Trinity College, including Jonathan Swift (Gulliver’s Travels), playwright Oscar Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest), playwright Oliver Goldsmith (She Stoops to C... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities:   Oktoberfest is a 16 day long festival. It celebrates German and Bavarian history and culture. Flowers are used to decorate the floats in the parades, similar to the ... Read More

The Maasai are a traditionally nomadic ethnic group that is located in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Numbering less than a million in population, the Maasai are still instantly recognizable around the world, due to their lifestyle, customs, music and dancing, and long distance running. Many ... Read More

Torres del Paine National Park is located in Patagonia, Chile. This park is well known for its amazing diversity – it includes the Andes mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers, valleys, streams, forests, ponds, cascades, waterfalls, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The park is over 242,242 hecta... Read More

An archipelago of nine islands that extend for 370 miles in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, 900+ miles east from Lisbon? What is this? It’s the Azores, home to some of the most stunning scenery you’ll ever experience – and it’s an autonomous region of Portugal. All nine of the island... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities:   The Grand Canal is a major thoroughfare in Venice, important for transporting people and goods around the city. Gondolas were used for that transportation. Learn how... Read More

If asked, could you excavate 1km of soft sandstone and create special grottoes (caves) filled with incredible art? Such was the task given, in the 5th century CE, to the head of the Buddhist church, a monk named Tan Yao and a crew. It took 60 years to carve out 252 grottoes (five by Tan […] Read More

A few minutes away from Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate is another symbol of the Cold War – Checkpoint Charlie. Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous of three checkpoints built at the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. This checkpoint served as a point of entry (or exit) for diplomats and allied forces ... Read More

Did you know that the Sahara Desert extends into Morocco? Indeed, the small town of Merzouga is right on the edge of the Sahara, next to the incredibly beautiful Erg Chebbi Dunes. The Erg Chebbi Dunes are the largest sand dunes in Morocco, and have been featured in several movies (including the Mumm... Read More

Did you ever wonder about the inspiration for Disney castles? Look no further than Alcazar Castle in Segovia, Spain, according to popular opinion. Alcazar is Spanish for castle (so in English, we’re saying Castle Castle!). Located in Segovia, Alcazar Castle was built in the 13th and 14th centuries... Read More

Can you imagine living on a floating island? One that you have to maintain (read: repair) by hand, to bolster the safety of your home? Welcome to the floating islands of the Uros people. Located on Lake Titicaca, in Peru, the floating islands of the Uros are an ingenious way of utilizing natural res... Read More

Budapest is divided by the Danube River. It was formerly three cities (Buda, Obuda, and Pest), which joined in 1873 to form the city now known as the capital of Hungary. The Danube, which passes through ten countries, is an international waterway and has played an important role in the history of th... Read More

Percy Jackson, the Minotaur, The Odyssey, the naming of the Aegean sea, death, voyages, an English poet, and, of course, a Greek god – what do they all have in common? One of the most recognizable spots in Greece – the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, and [&he... Read More

The main church in Florence, Italy, is called the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (also known as the Duomo). This church was started in 1296, and the dome (as brilliantly engineered by Brunelleschi) was completed in 1436. The church is located in the Piaaza del Duomo, and is one of the most recogn... Read More

The Grand Place (Grote Markt in Dutch) is the main square in Brussels, Belgium. It is an enormous square, and the most visible landmark in Brussels. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is surrounded by beautiful buildings. It started at the end of the 11th century, when an open marketplace was s... Read More

The Luxembourg Gardens, run by the French Senate (which is housed nearby in the Luxembourg Palace), is the second-largest park in Paris, and is located in the 6th arrondissement (left bank, near the Sorbonne). The Palace and Gardens were commissioned by Marie de’ Medici (widow of Henry IV) in 1612... Read More

Westminster Abbey in London, also known as the Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, has been the site of 38 coronations of the British monarchy – starting with William the Conquerer in 1066. Although Westminster Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the world’s most popular ... Read More

Download a larger image of Machu Picchu and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities:    Here is a great lesson plan from National Endowment for the Humanities on the Inca Empire on “Couriers of the Empire: Getting your Message Ac... Read More

Nestled in the Highlands of Guatemala is the deepest lake in Central America – Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlan). It is surrounded by volcanoes, and is itself volcanic in origin. Lake Atitlan is a caldera formed from an eruption almost 100,000 years ago. One of the most beautiful lakes in the world, ... Read More

The largest city in Turkey, Istanbul is the heart of the country. It is one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of almost 14 million. The Bosphorus runs right through Istanbul– it’s a strait that is a boundary between Europe and Asia – and thus Istanbul is the only city that ... Read More

Download a larger image of the Passion Facade and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities: This scene is from a much larger carving of the death of Jesus. What is the message of this group of figures? Who has power? Is there more than one fi... Read More

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a country in Central Europe. The city of Prague is over 1,000 years old, and has long been an economic and political center for central Europe and the Holy Roman Empire. The Vltava River runs through Prague, and there are many famous bridges, including th... Read More

The Taj Mahal, located in on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, India, was built as a tomb by the emperor Shah Jahan, for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed between 1631-1648, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by millions of people each year. It is the finest example of [... Read More

Download a larger image of the Arc de Triomphe and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities: The L’Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon as a monument to his successes. Create a timeline that shows the rise, height and fall of Napole... Read More

The Lake of the Hanging Glacier is located in British Columbia, near Invermere in the Purcell Mountains. The Purcell Mountains have several major glacial systems, and the Lake of the Hanging Glacier is located in the Kootenay subrange of the mountains. The Purcell Mountains are themselves a subrange... Read More

Giant Pandas are endangered animals, almost extinct (there are about 1,000 left in the wild, researchers estimate). The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1987 with six Giant Pandas rescued from the wild. Development has limited Giant Pandas to a... Read More

Matterhorn (also known as Monte Cervino in Italian and Mont Cervin in French) is a 4,478 meter high mountain in the Pennine/Valais Alps, bordering Switzerland and Italy. It is the tenth highest peak in the Alps, and has four distinct steep pyramid-type faces. The closest town is Zermatt. The Matterh... Read More

Download a larger image of the lavender fields in France. Share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and activities: Lavender has been used since the time of early Egypt, when it was part of the embalming process. What are some other uses for lavender throughout history? L... Read More

History comes alive at the Forbidden City, in the center of Beijing, China. The Forbidden City (called Gu Gong, in Chinese) was the home of 24 emperors, and was the center of politics from the Ming Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty – about 500 years, ending in 1912 with the abdication of Puyi, the ... Read More

Claude Monet, the founder of French Impressionist painting, is one of the most popular artists in the world. He lived from 1840-1926, and spent much of his life in Giverny, France – about 50 miles northwest of Paris. He purchased a property there in 1883, and it became the focus of much of his art... Read More

Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon), Switzerland’s most famous castle, is also known as the Water Castle on Lake Geneva. The Castle was built on a rocky island, which helped early owners (including the Counts of Savoy who owned the Castle for almost 400 years) control the flow of goods and passage... Read More

Imagine yourself in Ancient Greece (540 BC, to be exact), about halfway between Athens and Sparta. You’re in Corinth, site of the newly rebuilt Temple of Apollo, replacing one built in 625. The city of Corinth was occupied from around 6500 BC, and was founded by Corinthos, a descendant of the god ... Read More

The Romans were brilliant builders, and with their inventions, changed the world. Such is the case with Roman Aqueducts, which channeled water from distant water sources into cities. These aqueducts supplied water for the whole town – fountains, baths, toilets (!), and households. The genius part ... Read More

The Cliffs of Moher are an extraordinary natural formation of sheer cliffs dropping down into the Atlantic Ocean – and Ireland’s most visited attraction. The Cliffs are located on the west coast of County Clare; the nearest town is Doolin. The Cliffs rise up 214 meters, at their highest point, a... Read More

Iceland is an extraordinary destination – an island of few trees, with natural hot springs, and cold geothermal crevasses amidst tectonic plates, the largest national park in Europe, glaciers, a Golden Circle, and a Blue Lagoon. Iceland is located at the very top of Europe, on the Mid-At... Read More

The Eden Project, located in Cornwall, England, is one of the world’s largest biomes, and is an incredible resource to educate the world about our environment. The Eden Project was fully opened in 2001, on the site of an old clay pit near St. Austell, Cornwall. It boasts two main biome enclosures,... Read More

Constructed in 1791, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II as a grand gesture, to represent peace. It is the most well-known landmark in Berlin (and Germany), and now serves as a symbol of the reunification of East and West Berlin. It is a former ci... Read More

The Andean Condor is the only member of the genus Vultur, is the largest flying bird in the world, and is recognized as a national symbol for many South American countries, including Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. The Andean Condor is near extinction, due to loss of its habi... Read More

The Great Wall of China is the longest manmade structure in the world. It was built across China from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD, and is more than 20,000km long! The Great Wall is much more than a wall – it includes the walls, watch towers, shelters, horse tracks, fortresses, and [&... Read More

As keynote speaker at the first annual WorldStrides Capstone Global Education Summit, David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, impressed the importance of travel in his own growth as a businessman and philanthropist. The dinner crowd of 65 was rapt as they listened to Rubenstein... Read More

In the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, there is the site of an ancient Mayan civilization, called Chichen Itza. This city was built here around 750 AD, close to two cenotes (deep water-filled sinkholes), which were used for religious sacrifices . At the ruins of Chichen Itza, now a UNESCO World Heritage ... Read More

In the center of Athens is a very important public area, called Syntagma Square. It is also known as Constitution Square, since the Parliament Building is located there. There is also a beautiful garden, with a beautiful marble fountain in the center, and many benches upon which to rest and take a b... Read More

Have you ever seen a live volcano? Head to Costa Rica! The Volcan Poas (Poas Volcano) is located in Poas Volcano National Park. In this photo, you can see one of the two crater lakes that Volcan Poas boasts. This lake is called Laguna Caliente (hot lagoon!), and is one of the world’s most acidic [... Read More

If you’ve been to Vienna, Austria, you will recognize this symbol of the city. St. Stephen’s Cathedral, located at the heart of Vienna in the Stephansplatz (Stephen’s Plaza), is the home church of the Roman Catholic church in Vienna. It is enormous, has a colorful roof, and is filled with beau... Read More

High atop a rocky hill in Athens is an ancient complex called the Acropolis. It has a long and storied history, but was officially built upon in the 5th century BCE, as coordinated by Perikles. He was one of the most influential statesmen in the history of Athens. Upon the Acropolis (which means hig... Read More

Mont Saint Michel is one of the most beautiful – and visited – places in France. It is a solid granite island, holding tight against the highest tides in Europe. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is home to an ancient monastery and a small town. Visitors access the island via a causeway d... Read More

Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi completely changed the face of architecture in Spain – and the world. He focused his energy on creating organic, natural structures that surprise and delight the viewer. His most famous building is Sagrada Familia, a cathedral in Barcelona. But the Casa Milá is pret... Read More

The Incans live in the Andes Mountains of Peru. They are famous for their incredibly colorful, detailed textiles, made from alpaca fiber and sheep wool. And, each village that makes textiles has its own patterns and traditions – some over 2000 years old. Download a larger image and share the ... Read More

Dublin: the city of literature – and the capital of Ireland. Famous authors such as William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, James Joyce, J.M. Synge, Maeve Binchy, and Roddy Doyle are all from Dublin. In such a literary town as this, word... Read More

Trafalgar Square is the heart of London! It is the largest square in London, and has been a popular gathering place through the ages. It was redeveloped in 1812 by John Nash, as appointed by the Prince Regent (later King George IV), and was finished in the 1840s by architect Sir Charles Barry. It is... Read More

The Neptune Fountain (Fontana del Nettuno) is one of the most famous fountains in Rome, and is located on the Piazza Navona. There is another fountain with the same name, in the Piazza del Popolo! First built with only a basin (which lasted for hundreds of years), the fountain was finished in 1878, ... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities:   Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America. National Geographic defines a lakeas a body of water surrounded by land. How many different kinds of lakes can yo... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities:   Share this video with your class explaining some facts and history about the Eiffel Tower. The architect who designed the Eiffel Tower also designed another significant ... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities: As discussed in last week’s Teach Through Educational Travel: The Olympics! Part One – the slogan for the Olympics is “Swifter, Higher Stronger”. It seems that ever... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities:   The definition of a motto is “a short sentence or phrase that captures the beliefs and ideals of an individual, a family or an institution.” The current motto of... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities: There are three types of Greek columns: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Which type is this? How is it similar or different from the others? There are many buildings in Washing... Read More

Download a larger image and share the photo of Kio Towers with your class, then try these discussion questions and classroom activities: This plaza with the towers behind is called “The Gateway to Europe”. What adjectives come to mind as you look at this “gateway”? What do you expect on... Read More

Download a larger image of the New Cathedral in Salamanca, Spain. Share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and activities: Listen to this chant while imagining hearing it in this space. Imagine being a peasant, standing during the service, listening to this music. What ... Read More

Download a larger image of this statue in Barcelona’s Olympic Village. Share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and activities: This statue is part of the Olympic Village in Barcelona, Spain. Visit the Olympic website to investigate. Make a map showing other locations ... Read More

Download a larger image from the ruins of Pompeii, Italy. Share the photo with your class, then try these discussion questions and activities: Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E., burying the city of Pompeii, Italy. Pompeii was part of the Roman Empire. What was life like at the time for Roman citize... Read More

Download a larger image of the London Eye in England and share the photo with your class. Then discuss the following: You have been given the task of attracting more tourists to your city or state. What are the important aspects of your city that you want to highlight? Design an amusement park type ... Read More

Download a larger image of Stonehenge in England and share the photo with your class. Then discuss the following: Stonehenge was built at around the same time as the pyramids at Giza, over 4,000 years ago. What other ancient sites were built around that time? What was the purpose of each? Compare an... Read More

Download a larger image of Mont St. Michel in Normandy, France. Share the photo with your class and then discuss the following: What are the challenges and benefits of living on an island? If you were building a town on a small island, what would you include? What would you avoid? Imagine that ... Read More

Download a larger image of Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany and share the photo with your class. Then discuss the following: Neuschwanstein Castle was built by Ludwig II, King of Bavaria in tribute to Richard Wagner. Play some Wagnerian music. Make sketches as you listen. What images does t... Read More

Download a larger image of the astronomical clock and share the photo with your class. Then discuss the following: This is one of the oldest mechanical clocks in the world. Imagine life without any clocks. Make a list of all of the ways that you have depended on a clock today. The clock kept track [... Read More