European Explorer Short Program

Divided by the Berlin wall in 1961, Berlin has had a tumultuous history. The fall of the wall and the city’s reunification in 1989 heralded the start of a creative and cultural regeneration which continues today. Berlin is a hub of creativity, industry and culture. The city expertly melds its difficult history with a new modern outlook. It’s easy to understand why Berlin is one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations.
While in Berlin, you will have the opportunity to check out the city’s most iconic historical locations and explore the lesser known hotspots of Germany’s capital city.
The Classics:
The Berlin Wall and more specifically Checkpoint Charlie were the physical and ideological border that defined a generation of Berliners and infamous crossing point from East to West Berlin during the Cold War era.
The Brandenburg Gate was built in the 18th century when the city was part of Prussia to represent the entrance to the city. It was appropriated by Nazis during World War II and badly damaged during the Allied bombardment of the city. After the fall of the Berlin Wall the east and west governments worked together to restore it and it now stands as a symbol of peace and reunification.
The Reichstag Building is Germany’s national parliament building. It was severely damaged by fire during World War II. When Berlin became Germany’s new capital city this 19th century building was fantastically restored with an amazing modern addition which you will tour and hopefully parliament will be sitting on that day and you can have a peek at all the political heavyweights through the glass ceiling.
Off the Beaten Track:
Refugee Voices Tour is a powerful, controversial and moving tour of Berlin’s city centre as told by Syrian refugee guides. This tour speaks of Syria's own secret police, government repression, and natives fleeing for safer destinations, drawing parallels between modern day Syria and 1930s Germany. Following the tour, our Syrian friends will host us for a traditional dinner and conversation at their home.
The Swimming Pool in the Spree is a harboured barge that functions as a swimming pool with unique panoramic view of the river Spree, the Oberbaumbrücke and Berlin’s iconic TV tower. Besides bathing, the beach area around the Badeschiff has become an urban recreational area and a focal point of urban culture and entertainment for many Berliners at any time of the day.
The Urban Garden in Berlin is self-described as “a piece of nature in a concrete jungle”. You will visit the artisan cafes in these city centre organic gardens where trendy Berliners like to hangout.
The Prinzipal Bar allows you to drink in the past in this real life 1920s speakeasy. The Prinzipal Bar is typical of pre-war Germany and has become an underground icon of Berlin in recent years.

A thousand shades of terracotta, hundreds of spires reaching for the blue sky, colourful baroque buildings leading from one medieval town square to another, the sound of church bells ringing out as they’ve done for hundreds of years. Prague is a bohemian fairy tale.
Our visit to the capital city of the Czech Republic will be a dive into the past. You will visit the old town square, tour the Prague Castle and enjoy the show that’s been going on since 1402 at the medieval astronomical clock.
We will also speak with locals about Prague’s recent history and the Prague Spring movement and the velvet revolution in 1989 as the former Soviet Union collapsed.
Of course, no time in Prague is complete without a visit to a beer hall for a tasty dish of Vep'o knedlo zelo (roasted pork)

Salzburg is a magnificent city of antiquity and grandeur nestled on the Salzach River in the Austrian Alps. Its cobble stoned streets, lined with medieval and baroque buildings and surrounded by snow-capped alpine peaks makes this city impossibly picturesque, as if it’s sprung straight from a fairy tale.
The city centre (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) is one of the best-preserved old town centres in all of Europe and feels very much like a fairy-tale setting.
You will tour the enchanting city and the surrounding countryside, exploring the striking 1,000-year-old Salzburg Fortress and learning about its significance in Austrian history, touring the Old Town Centre, cruising the Salzach River by power-boat, admiring the ornate intricacy of St. Peter’s Abbey and visiting one of Austria’s best outdoor markets.

Zell am See is a small Austrian town located on Lake Zell, in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Surrounded on all sides by towering, forested and snow-capped mountains, Zell am See is a place of great natural beauty and a mecca for outdoor adventure.
The town offers excellent alpine hiking, water-sports on the lake and rural Austrian culture. There are many excellent cafés, traditional beer halls and shops in the area.
We will be staying in a traditional, mountainside, Austrian chalet close to the town centre and the start of mountain trails. We’ll cycle around the lake, stopping in the nearby villages to explore castles and learning about the local history, we will tour the infamous ‘Eagles Nest’ located nearby, learn about Austria’s role in WWII and enjoy easy hikes in the mountains and gorges that surround Zell am See.

Built on over 100 small islands, Venice is home to more beautiful canals, Gothic Palaces, Basilicas and impressive architecture than just about any other European City.
We will be staying at the Generator Hostel right on the water’s edge in the city centre of Venice. This smartly converted 18th century public library comes with amazing views of the city and plenty of other like-minded travellers to socialize with.
While in Venice we will be discussing the issue of climate change and the impending threat to Venice as sea-levels rise. You will have the opportunity to compare the Venetian approach to the issue as compared to other European cities you’ve visited on the program.
Our time in Venice will also include walking tours giving you an overview of Venetian history, a day-trip to the nearby island city of Burano to take in its amazing sights and culinary delights. You will be able to have lots of delicious meals, plenty of free time for you to get lost in the amazing labyrinth that is Venice and take a trip to Venetians’ favourite outdoor market for lovely fresh foods. You will also take part in our very own ‘Venice Challenge’.

Imagine for a moment Germany – castles in the alps, lederhosen, picturesque beer gardens and raucous outdoor markets. Palaces, medieval churches, lush parks and rivers steeped in history. What you are imagining is Munich, Germany’s most scenic, charming and culturally rich city.
Known amongst Europeans for its ‘good living’ Munich is truly one of Europe’s iconic cities and a place where people know how to how to have fun!
While in the Bavarian capital we will tour one of Europe’s most impressive and ornate royal residences, Nymphenburg Palace. Built in 1664 as a summer residence for Bavarian Kings, the palace is still inhabited by the head of the Wittelsbach family, Franz von Bayern.
Of course no trip to Munich would be complete without a visit to the Viktualienmarkt, a vibrant and culturally rich outdoor market full of traditional Bavarian fare (think beer, sausages and giant pretzels!) and great people watching.
We’ll enjoy group meals in informal, beer gardens and we learn about the fascinating history and culture of Bavarian beer garden’s.
To top things off we will also explore the cities popular English Gardens and allow our students some free time to explore the old town centre before making our way to Berlin by train.

Bolzano is known as the roof of Italy and is the gateway to the magnificent Dolomites mountains whose jagged, snow-capped peaks overlook the lush vineyards and dramatic valleys that surround the city.
The mighty Dolomites have long provided the Tyrol region with a natural isolation, preserving the traditional culture unique to the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. While in Bolzano we will soak up some of Europe’s most beautiful alpine and pastoral scenery, enjoy learning local history with our guides and take the cable car to the top of the mountains where we will enjoy one of Europe’s most unique train journey’s on the Treno del Renon (a light gage train built in 1907 to link rural alpine villages in the Tyrol).

Verona is one of Itlay’s hidden gems. This bastion of Veneto culture demonstrates the Northeast of Italy’s love of the architecture, wine, music, cinema, theatre and of course food!
From Roman amphitheatres, to the medieval town centre, to Renaissance art and architecture, Verona has it all. We will tour the cities old town centre, explore a 16th Century royal palace and meander through one of Italy’s finest royal gardens while in Verona.
Delicious meals and excellent local wines in some of our favourite restaurants in Verona will be a highlight for many!