Here's a glimpse of the journeys we've taken with the youth in our community so far.  

Costa Rica and Panama
2024
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Italy, France and Spain 2023
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Adventure in Belize
2022

Ancient ruins and amazing reefs blend together in an environmental wonderland of jungles and coastline. Belize is Central America's eco-frontier, a young nation with ancient roots that welcomes you with diverse ecosystems and wildlife, as well as different languages and cultures. Our travelers discovered the mysteries of the Maya civilization, zip lined through lush jungles and snorkeled in the crystal-clear Caribbean.

Berlin, Prague and the Alps 2022
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Castles, bridges, dancing, hiking in the highest peaks!
We explored this region of dramatic history and spectacular beauty, starting in Berlin, Germany, with Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall remains; or rather, the living gallery of mural art that is the Wall now. We heard incredible stories of tragedy, resilience and courage from the people who lived it. We discovered the welcoming and open hearts of the German people, and learned about the regional differences (and friendly rivalries!) between Berliners and Bavarians.
We moved on to Prague, one of the most picturesque cities of the world, and enjoyed the dancing and food at the Czech Folklore evening. We discovered that John Lennon was there before us, spreading the message of a unified people. On to Munich, and the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial…our students were remarkably thoughtful, respectful and deeply touched by this experience. Enjoyable time in Marianplatz lightened our hearts, and then we headed to Neuschwanstein Castle, Liechtenstein, and Lucerne, our gateway to the great Lake and our journey up the mountains. Walt Disney has other artists to thank! The Neuschwanstein Castle and the stories of Leopold were unforgettable, truly amazing. No photos allowed though, sorry!
Our stop in Lucerne was magical. The Alps are a whole dimension larger than our Rockies - we hiked and breathed the clean air, and rode trams, cog railways, and boats across the lake. Peaceful indeed, which was a world away from the heat and crowds of Paris! Paris is unlike anywhere else, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Louvre, and exploring the neighborhoods. This was our first big tour after being grounded for 2 years, and we were thrilled to be back on the road.

This tour was our first truly non-Western cultural exploration. The students immediately bonded with our Tour Director Rie; she was so warm and welcoming, and showed us the best of Japan.
We started in Tokyo, where we visited Asakusa Temple, and went shopping in Harajuku. We got to see the amazing variety of styles and creative creations in dress and food! So many choices to make. We also got a real sense of how the ancient cultures and belief systems in Japan, Shinto and Buddhism, still play a critical role in the everyday lives of the Japanese. Even with the skyscrapers and state of the art technology, people go to the neighborhood shrines and temples to keep the rhythm of spirituality in their lives.
We then headed on to a traditional Ryokan lodging, with views of the sacred Fuji-san. There the students experienced their first Onsen, hot springs pools, and learned how wonderful hot water can be to soak in after a long day!
We experienced the beauty of the land and lakes as we cruised over Lake Ashi, and climbed Mt. Komagatake, seeing the old shrines there to the mountain gods. Then on to Kyoto, the original royal and religious center of Japan. Silk Kimonos, Golden Pavilion, and the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine gave us plenty to see. We climbed the mountain through a thousand red Tori Gates (at least!) at the Inari Shrine (the god of rice cultivation), accompanied by Kitsune, the fox messenger of Inari.
Then my personal favorite, Nara - with the oldest Buddhist temple in the nation. And all the sacred deer! They can be a little pushy for their deer crackers…they know how to work a crowd.
Our trip came to the last major stop in Hiroshima. We listened as bomb survivors told us about the nuclear weapons impact on their city and country, and gave us a message of peace looking toward the future. The Peace Museum was full of Japanese students learning about their own past as well as us tourists. The island of Miyajima showed a glimpse of a more tropical Japan, with shrines built on beaches and mountain…and even more ice cream choices than ever!

This was our first tour Down Under, and an entirely new continent for almost all of us. Thanks to our amazing young Tour Director Justin, we learned a great deal about the Indigenous People of Australia, and our days were filled with experiences of nature and science. We began our journey in Sydney. It was winter; but so green and pleasant to us Colorado folk!  We jam-packed whale watching, a harbor tour, the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Zoo and Aquarium and more into an active three days.  Then, on to warmer climates and the Gold Coast! At Moreton Island, we went off on a 4 wheel drive exploration of this sand island, learning about the plants and geographic forces at work. We snorkeled, swam, and kayaked, enjoying welcome beach time.  Heading north, we sailed out to the Whitsunday Islands aboard a large catamaran, and snorkeled the first taste of the Great Barrier Reef complex. On our way again, we stopped at the tropical rain forest area in Kuranda, and saw a completely different ecology and culture. The Tjapukai Aboriginal Park hosts taught the kids to throw boomerangs and spears, and explained the ancient culture through dance and language.  Justin has us well prepared with a deeper understanding of the history of the Aboriginal People in Australia. Our journey took us finally to Cairns, the sparkling harbor town and gateway to our Great Barrier Reef day. Yes, the reef is everything we dreamed...and in our area, the damage from warming sea water was not severe. The students got to see what so many of us treasure...the stunning beauty and complexity of sea life, first hand. In Australia, each day was an adventure, each better than the one before.

You can never step into the same river twice. Going back to Ireland was such a joy, seeing some of our old favorite places and finding new ones. Beaumaris Castle in Wales was ours to roam, and learn to build. We were lucky to have the craft fair going on; we learned about owls, bought handmade quality gifts, and chatted with the locals. In Edinburgh, we got a hilarious history tour from Alexander, as we explored the twists and turns of this fascinating city. A trip to Edinburgh Castle was perfect for a rainy day (the only rain we had on this tour!). In England proper, we stayed in the countryside for Stonehenge, Old Sarum and Salisbury for some truly ancient history in the open air.  Windsor gave us a whole day of extensive exploration of the Castle and grounds, including St. George's Chapel. One might have heard there was a wedding there recently. Again, never enough time... looks like we'll have to go back!

If only we had more time. Greece may not be a huge country in size, but its depth of history and variety of experiences and environments had us all wishing for more time here. In Mykonos, we were enchanted by the maze of streets, the flowers and the magical light of white-washed Greece. Samos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini each showed us a slightly different Greece. The waves of cultures of the millennia flavored each island in its own way. We learned about olives, the Church, how to ride a donkey up a steep hill, and about the kindness of the Greek people. In Athens we learned why we smash plates at a celebration... life is to be lived in joy, and material goods are nothing compared to friends and family.

This Family Tour gave us ample time for outdoor adventure. We "kicked the wall" on Galway beach, found family links in the church tombstones, and indulged in the best pies ever made. In Connemara, we found ponies, gorse, marble, and learned about peat while breathing in the clean Atlantic air. We hiked to Muckross Abbey ruins (above) and rode in Jaunty Carts around the lake.  Killarney National Park was lush with waterfalls and endless trails. Garnish Island allowed us to greet the seals, (or Silkies!) and Dublin brought us back to civilization in refreshing ways.

Cities of Europe:  London, Paris, Venice and Rome

We learned how to "Mind the Gap!" along with the depth of history in London. In Paris, we explored the Louvre and the Tuileries, and everyone found their favorite works of art. Notre Dame Cathedral, a river cruise along the Seine, and those Nutella crepes at the Eiffel Tower... each delight better than the last. Venice - our favorite place to wander. We explored the quiet courtyards and small streets leading to the sea, the shops, the churches, and learned first-hand about Venetian Glass.
And Rome - what a walkable city. We stood on the top of Hadrian's Castle, toured the glories of the Vatican, and relaxed in St. Peter's Square as we planned our next gelato destination. We ended our tour at the coast in Sorrento, and spent a beautiful blue sky day on the Island of Capri, where lemon slushies rule. A day swimming in the clear water of the Mediterranean formed wonderful memories.