This past summer, we had some inflexible commitments at home, so we took only weekend vacations around the US. I felt like it was worth reporting what we thought and how travel within the United States compared in terms of family bonding. We started with a trip to Watercolor, Florida, one of the classic family beach spots along the Gulf… Read more →
Author: erudite
The Ballestas Islands — Peru’s Mini Galapagos
When Jamil and I decided to head south to the Nazca Lines, one optional add-on was a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. Tourism sites boasted about the natural wonders of the Ballestas and the beauty of the surrounding beaches, and I figured it would, if nothing else, give us a glimpse of something different. And it WAS different; it… Read more →
A day trip south of Lima
For as long as I can remember, the mysterious images etched into the Peruvian desert sand have tantalized my imagination. No one knows how or why they were made, not to mention why 2,000 years later, the winds have yet to cover them. The Nazca figures are only 4-5 cm deep. Think about Rome or Istanbul, where the old cities… Read more →
An Educational Trip – Athens and Its Environs
Exploring Athens and Its Environs: When discussing educational travel, I can’t imagine a better destination than Athens and its surroundings. Why? Because it’s the cultural center of the Western world. While much of the world stagnated in barbarian practices, living in mud huts and clawing for survival, the Greeks strolled in the warm rays of the Mediterranean sun and dwelled… Read more →
An Educational Trip – Naples Day 2
Second Day in Naples We had a choice: save 250 euros and go by public train, or cough up the cash and go in a private car. We chose the latter. Even though we love color and local flavor, we just didn’t have time to screw around with countless stops on a regional, commuter train. If we had booked a… Read more →
An Educational Trip – Naples Day 1
First day in Naples We took an early train out of Rome. Well, for us it was early. We departed at 10:35, sharp. I had many reservations about this Naples stay. I didn’t want to visit Naples at all. The rumors were bad: Naples was not only rough but also ugly. A useless stop on a well-planned tour of Europe’s… Read more →
An Educational Trip – Celebrating New Year’s in Athens
New Year’s in Athens After spending two separate New Year’s Eve celebrations in Athens, I feel somewhat able to offer advice for how to ring in the event. First, you should note that the city is lively on New Year’s Eve, but it’s not insane. It’s not like trying to book the impossibly sought-after reservation in New York City or… Read more →
An Educational Trip – Day Trip to Delphi
A Day Trip to Delphi Many Americans have read the Oedipus myth – the one where the man kills his father and marries his mother in an attempt to outrun fate? Or, perhaps you’ve heard of the legendary King Croesus, the richest man in the world, who could not decide whether or not to fight the Persians? No? Then, maybe… Read more →
An Educational Trip – Japan and South Korea
Ten days in Japan: Many families we work with ask for our advice on educational travel to Europe and South America; after all, those continents have a familiar feel, and they don’t seem too far away. Some of our clients want to travel to Africa, but usually on safaris. We really aren’t into safaris, no matter how many people tell… Read more →
An Educational Trip in Italy – Rome and Venice
Part 2 The Italian adventure continued… on to Rome and Venice When we started planning our trip to Rome, a student of mine stopped me and said I had to call the tour guide she had. She couldn’t remember the guide’s name, but she gave me this one tell-tale detail: the guide was Italian but grew up in Fort Worth,… Read more →