North America Educational tours

North America Educational tours

Tour North America and discover how the New World became the sprawling, culturally diverse civilization it is today. Explore the vast, majestic Alaskan frontier, or follow the footsteps of the U.S. Founding Fathers along the Freedom Trail in historical Boston. Discover why New York is the "City That Never Sleeps," or witness Montréal's winter wonderland of sparkling rooftops and powdery snow. You don’t have to go far to experience diverse cultures: the world’s greatest melting pot is in your own backyard.

Boston & New York

Days: 5

Follow an 18th century costumed guide as he takes you back in history on Boston’s Freedom Trail Tour and get a birds-eye view of the city from the Prudential Building, then head to New York City and ferry to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty.

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Round-trip transportation
• 4 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
• Breakfast daily (except arrival day)
• Dinner daily (except departure day)
• Full-time services of a professional Tour Director
• Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
• Overnight security chaperone
• Tour Diary

Day 1 Hello Boston

•              Meet your tour director
•              Freedom Trail walking tour - Old North Church, Paul Revere's House, Old Granary                    Burial Ground, Boston Common, King's Chapel, Old State House, Faneuil Hall
•              Dinner
•              Prudential Building Skywalk Observatory visit

Day 2 Cambridge & Salem

• Breakfast
• Harvard University walking tour
• Salem city walk - Witch Trial Memorial, Old Burying Point, Pickering Wharf
• Salem Witch Museum visit
• Dinner

Day 3 Boston--New York

• Breakfast
• Boston Duck Boat guided sightseeing tour (seasonal)
• Travel to New York
• Midtown walking tour - Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trump Tower, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal
• Dinner
• Empire State Building & Observatory visit

Day 4 Downtown New York

• Breakfast
• Ferry boat to Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty
• Lower Manhattan guided sightseeing tour
• Trinity Church, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial visit
• Neighborhoods walking tour
• Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, SoHo
• Dinner
• Optional  Broadway show  $75

Day 5 Uptown New York

• Breakfast
• Metropolitan Museum of Art visit
• Central Park walking tour
• Cherry Hill, Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, Delacorte Theater
• Madison & Park Avenues
• Travel home

Music Performance Tours Canada

Music Performance Tours Canada, arranged by "Education World Tour"

All tours can include festivals, high quality clinics and music workshops. The following are just some examples of what we can include in your tour.

Vancouver, BC

Majestic mountains, sparkling ocean, rainforests and beautiful foliage all four seasons make Vancouver one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The Vancouver Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Fly Over Canada and Grouse Mountain are just a few of the sightseeing options to choose from on your tour to Vancouver. Stops at Granville Island and Stanley Park are a must, and a sightseeing tour to include Robson Street, the Olympic Flame, historic Chinatown and Gastown provide extra educational value. Don't forget to include the Vancouver Symphony or a musical theatre production.

Victoria, BC

Historical Victoria with its temperate climate is always a great place to visit any time of year. Enjoy Victoria as the sole destination of your tour, or as an add-on to a tour to Vancouver. The Royal BC Museum is a must, and there is also the IMAX, a tour of the Legislature Buildings, a Ghost Walk and Whale Watching. Other options can include the Butchart Gardens, Canada's oldest Chinatown and Craigdarroch Castle. The Victoria Symphony and musical theatre options are also popular choices.

Vancouver Island, BC

Performances can be combined with the festivals in Port Alberni, Nanaimo or Parksville to make a rewarding tour to perhaps also include Chemainus, Tofino, Comox or add on a trip from Victoria.

Music Retreats

A popular way to focus your group during a 1 or 2 night stay, to include use of the hotel conference rooms with clinicians for mass band and choir workshops, plus break out into master clinics in a full day of quality musical activities. Destinations can include Whistler, Banff, Harrison Hot Springs, Kamloops or one of the many ranches and camps.

Kelowna and the Interior

Kelowna has much to offer with optional sights that can include activities such as ten pin bowling, the H20 Waterpark with it's flowrider, laser tag or mini golf at a local amusement park. We can include educational visits and tours of orchards, cheese factories, and wineries. A fun way to learn about Kelowna is to take part in our Scavenger Hunt!

Ask us about other innovative and educational inclusions in Kelowna, Armstrong, Revelstoke and Kamloops. Three Valley Gap is a great overnight stay with its "famous" barbecue and Ghost Town tour!

Edmonton

Not only is the West Edmonton Mall the place to shop, but there are also many activities and educational learning opportunities - the Water Park, Galaxyland, ice skating, mini golf, ten pin bowling, Rope Quest and the Marine Life Show are all options. Also include one of the many Education Programmes available there.

Other Edmonton highlights include the Royal Alberta Museum, Telus World of Science and IMAX, Fort Edmonton, the Muttart Conservatory, a tour of the Legislature (with Scavenger Hunt) or the University of Alberta campus. Popular evening activities can also include the symphony or a dinner theatre musical show.

Calgary

Sights can include the Calgary Tower, Telus World of Science, Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park Calgary, Calgary Olympic Park and Glenbow Museum. Calgary Philharmonic, musicals and dinner theatres are great evening options, or you may wish to go and see the Calgary Flames play hockey! Calgary is conveniently located close to Red Deer, Drumheller and Banff making it an ideal city to combine with other destinations.

Banff

You may wish to travel to Banff to attend a festival or retreat or combine it with a trip to Calgary. Banff is the gateway to the Rockies and we can include some unique guided tours such as Johnston's Canyon or a Traditional Living Skills class. Well known sights include the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, Whyte Museum, and the Banff Hot Springs. You may wish to add a day trip to Lake Louise and/or the Athabasca Glacier, or a day's skiing.

Alberta Highlights Tour

Our suggested tour includes Edmonton, the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, and Banff. You may wish to add some other highlights such as Calgary and Red Deer.

Winnipeg

Known for its friendly and welcoming spirit, Winnipeg is a diverse multicultural city with a rich and varied history. An aboriginal trading centre prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Winnipeg was at the heart of the country's fur trade and instrumental in developing Canada's gateway to the west. Include a visit to Fort Garry or Fort Gibraltar to learn more about the trading history. Assiniboine Park Zoo has a world class polar bear educational experience Journey to Churchill and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a must. The Forks and The Exchange are historically fun to explore and for more arts and culture visit the Manitoba Museum, the Winnipeg Art Gallery or enjoy a performance by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonic Choir or Jazz Orchestra.

Toronto

Canada's largest city and Cultural Capital why not include sights such as the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Toronto Science Centre, Eaton's Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Nathan Philips Square, Broadway Musicals and Plays.

Combine with a tour to Niagara Falls and historical and picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake

Ottawa

Our Nation's Capital has much to offer with sights that include historical, political and cultural experiences such as the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Hall, Museum of Civilization, Canadian War Museum, Museum of Nature, Science Museum, Royal Canadian Mint, The National Gallery. Cruise or skate on the Rideau Canal, cruise the Ottawa River. Visit The National Arts Centre with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Montreal

Montral is an enriching and versatile place for people of all ages. English. European and North American.Old and modern High tech and haute cuisine just a few examples of Montral's dual nature.

On its own or combined with a tour to Ottawa there is much to see and do in Montreal. Old Montreal and Notre Dame Basilica, the Biodome, the Montreal Tower at Olympic Park, Mont Royal Park and St. Joseph's Oratory, Schulich School of Music at McGill University for a clinic and/or tour.

Quebec City

The oldest city in North America, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Quebec City is picturesque and historic! Experience a walking tour of Old Quebec, the Maple Syrup Museum, the Citadel, Martel Towers, the Plains of Abraham, the Copper Museum, Ste. Anne de Beaupre Basilica, visit a Sugar Shack or the Huron Village. Cruise on the St. Lawrence and see Montmorency Falls. Combined with Montreal or on its own Quebec City offers a great French Canadian cultural exchange.

Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada has important historical significance as the first landing place of our forefathers, plus unique landscapes and scenery! Remember that it's best to aim for May or later when traveling here as a lot of the attractions are closed for the winter months and the snow can stay later than the rest of Canada.

Halifax is well known for the Citadel Historic Site, Pier 21 and the Maritime Museum which houses Titanic relics. Also tour to Lunenburg and see the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic with a stop in Peggy's Cove. The drive to Prince Edward Island crosses the Confederation Bridge which is the longest in the world crossing ice covered water! Multi media displays at Founders Hall celebrate the development of Canada. You can take a backstage tour of the Confederation Centre of the Arts where the Anne of Green Gables play is staged each summer season and travel to Cavendish to visit Anne of Green Gables House. The Bay of Fundy has the world's highest tides. While in St John it may be possible to visit the Old City Market and visit the New Brunswick Museum, Canada's oldest continuing museum. Try a lobster dinner or a traditional "kitchen party".

Students Benefit From Educational trips

How Do Students Benefit From Educational trips?

Educational trips can give students exposure to places they might not otherwise visit.

Many schools, camps and institutions offer Educational trips for students to spend several hours or days outside of the classroom. Educational trips range from local visits to civic offices or businesses to international excursions, complete with overnight stays. Whatever their scope, Educational trips can offer many advantages to the students who take them.

 
Perspective

Part of how students benefit from Educational trips is by gaining new perspectives on the world. This is especially true for more extensive Educational trips where students travel farther away from home. By coming into direct contact with a different environment or even a new culture or language, students can better understand their place in the community and develop an openness to differences in others.

Variety

Educational trips also function to put some variety into otherwise regimented lesson plans. Instead of spending every day in the classroom, students get to learn in a new environment with new instructors. Educational trips also may give students a chance to interact with students from other schools as they learn together or participate in group activities.

Learning Styles

Educational trips will often cater to more than one learning style, making them excellent teaching tools for certain students. Classroom lectures apply primarily to audio learners, who learn best by listening. Visual learners can benefit from visual aids, which exist in the classroom, but are much more frequent during a Educational  trip. Finally, for tactile learners, Educational trips offer an uncommon opportunity to perform hands-on learning.

Classroom Supplement

It's important for instructors and school administrators to choose Educational trips that augment existing lesson plans and synchronize with classroom learning. A Educational  trip that teachers choose for these reasons can serve to illustrate difficult concepts or extend the general natural of a classroom lesson by giving more specific information. The specialists who lead school groups on Educational trips also may be able to provide professional insight from advanced study or direct experience that teachers could never provide alone.

Reward

Before a Educational  trip even takes place, it can begin to produce benefits for students. By not allowing students with behavioral or academic problems to participate in a Educational  trip, teachers can encourage good behavior and motivate students to work hard with the prospect of a Educational  trip looming as a reward. Even the most informative Educational trips usually have an element of recreation, making them a time to unwind for all students.

What is an educational tour

What is an educational tour

Educational trips are important in many ways.

Going on a Educational  trip means more than simply leaving the school grounds. Educational trips should always have a major educational element, but the impact of Educational trips can extend much further. The importance of Educational trips includes giving students the chance to build closer bonds with their classmates, experience new environments and enjoy a day away from the classroom

New Sights

When students and teachers are together outside the classroom, new educational environments and experiences are possible. Students may have the opportunity to observe many things that are not available at school, including exotic wildlife, rare plants and maybe even the stars if the Educational  trip is to a planetarium. Discussing the Educational  trip beforehand is wise because it allows students to know what they will experience during their time away from school

Bonding

Getting away from the everyday atmosphere of the classroom gives students an opportunity to spend time with each other in a new environment. They may be able to connect on more of a personal level without the structure of the normal school day. Students may be able to spend much of the Educational  trip day in small groups, observing, chatting and learning about each other. Having a Educational  trip in the early part of the term is wise, since it will allow students to bond with classmates they may not know very well.

Informal Learning Environment

Educational trips provide valuable educational opportunities away from the classroom, without using textbooks and other tools used in a normal school setting. Students on Educational trips can often learn while having fun in a more informal environment. If the Educational  trip destination has staff members who do hands-on teaching with visiting students -- such as at a science center or historical museum -- the children will be excited to learn from someone new

Fun

No matter how much students learn during a Educational  trip, their favorite memories may be based on their enjoyment of the day. Getting away from school for a day or even half a day is always exciting for students, and Educational trips are always highly anticipated. Students will have fun with their friends and they also may return to the classroom with a renewed focus on their schoolwork.

The Bodhi Tree

The Bodhi Tree ("Tree of Awakening," also known as the Bo Tree) in Bodhgaya is a direct descendent of the tree under which Siddharta Gautama is attained enlightenment.

After 49 days of meditation, it was here that Siddharta Guatama became the Buddha, the "Enlightened One."

Bodhi Tree is located about 100 km from Patna. Buddha achieved enlightenment under this tree and hence it is a pilgrim center for Buddhists who hail from all parts of the world. The place where it is situated has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  On your visit to Bodhi Tree, you will find Maha Bodhi Temple, which is sacred to those who follow Buddhism. The architecture of the temple goes to show the richness and grace of Indian architecture.

History of Bodhi Tree

According to Buddhist tradition, Siddharta Gautama finally abandoned years of rigorous fasting and asceticism by accepting milk and honey from a young woman. He then sat down beneath the Bodhi Tree and vowed not to move until he attained enlightenment.

After 49 days of concentrated meditation and several battles with Mara (illusion), Siddharta became the Buddha, the "Enlightened One." The Buddha remained seated in meditation for a week after his enlightenment, then practiced walking meditation nearby for another week.

What to See at Bodhi Tree

The Bodhi Tree is known to botanists as Ficus religiosa (holy fig), a species of fig in the Moraceae family. The leaves of the tree are somewhat unusual, being cordate in shape with a distinctive extended (or caudate) tip.

The Bodhi Tree that exists today is not the exact one that shaded the Buddha's meditation 2,500 years ago, but it may well be a direct descendent.

In the 3rd century BC, Emperor Asoka's daughter Sanghamitta brought a branch of the Bodhi Tree to Sri Lanka and planted it in Anuradhapura, where it still grows today. According to one tradition, Asoka's wife destroyed the original Bodhi Tree out of jealousy over the time the emperor spent there.

Other accounts have the tree destroyed in the 7th century. But most reports agree that the original tree was destroyed and replanted using a shoot from the Sri Lanka tree.

The path the Buddha walked after his enlightenment is marked by Chankramanar, the "Jewel Walk," lined with 19 lotuses and located on the north side of the Mahabodhi Temple.

In the third week, the Buddha contemplated the Bodhi Tree from a site nearby, which is marked by the Animeschalochana Stupa.

Pawapuri

Pawapuri the most sacred place of the Jains -----

Pawapuri was at this place that Lord Mahavira, the twenty fourth Tirthankar attained “Nirvana” or eternal salvation from the cycle of death and birth in the year 527 BC. The Pictures shows the “Charan Paduka” housed in Jal Mandir, one of the 5 main temples in Pawapuri. It marks the spot where the mortal remains of the Lord Mahavira was creamated.

Pawapuri is situated in Bihar, India and its proximity to the capital city, Patna makes it approachable to pilgrims and tourists alike. It is situated on the Patna-Ranchi road and can be approached either from Nawadah or Bihar Sharif.

During ancient times about 2600 year ago, Pawapuri was the part of Magadha Kingdom and was called “Madyama Pawa” or “Apawapuri”, Ajatshatru, the son of King Shrenik who was one of the greatest disciples of Lord Mahavira was the King of Magadh during the lifetime of Mahavir. During the reign of Ajatshatru King Hastipal was the King of Pawapuri. When Lord Mahavira came to Pawapuri he stayed in King Hastipal’s “Rajikshala”.

There are five main temples in Pawapuri – the Jal Mandir,the Gaon Mandir,the Samosaran,the New Samosaran and another temple built by Bibi Mehetab Kumari. Apart from these temples there is a Digamber Mandir near Jal mandir.

Jal mandir as the name suggests is a temple in the middle of a lake blooming with lotuses. The main deity of the beautiful temple is a very old “Charan Paduka” of Lord Mahavira. It marks the spot where the mortal remains of Lord Mahavira was cremated. It is believed that this temple was built by King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Lord Mahavira.

Jal Mandir is built in the shape of “Vimana” and there is a stone bridge about 600 feet in length across it from the bank to the temple.

According to the legend, the concourse of the people who attended the funeral ceremony of Lord Mahavira , was so large that the mere act of their taking a pinch of ashes created such a big hollow over the place that it transformed into present tank.

The sheer beauty , along with the peace and tranquility of this temple is a treat to the eyes of the visitors.

 Pawapuri or Pavapuri also called Apapuri is a prominent Sidha Ksetra Jaina Tirtha situated 8 kms from Bihar Sarif and 31 kilometres from   Rajgir. By road it is 87 kilometres  from  Patna. It is located on Bahktiapur  Rajgir railway line. Buses and taxies also run from Rajgir to Pawapri.

  History

  During ancient times about 2600 year ago, Pawapuri was the part of Magadha Kingdom and was called "Madyama Pawa" or "Apawapuri", Ajatshatru, the son of King Shrenik who was one of the greatest disciples of Lord Mahavira was the King of Magadh during the lifetime of Mahavir. During the reign of Ajatshatru King Hastipal was the King of Pawapuri. When Lord Mahavira came to Pawapuri he stayed in King Hastipal's "Rajikshala".

 Having attained omniscience (Kevala- nana) on the bank of Rju-kula and after preaching the principle of Jainism through his divine voice (divya-dhvani), Lord Mahavira toured over different areas of the country and propounded the religious doctrines. Afterwards he reached Pavapuri and seated himself on a clan or pure slab of stone in a park studded with many ponds. He did not move out for two days; and plunged in pure meditation (sukla- dhyana). He quitted the mortal coil and became a Siddha in the last quarter of the night of the 14th day of the black half of the month of Kartika.

There are five main temples in Pawapuri - the Jal Mandir, the Gaon Mandir, the Samosaran, the New Samosaran and another temple built by Bibi Mehetab Kumari. Apart from these temples there is a Digambar Jain Mandir near Jal mandir.

 The Gaon mandir or the village temple marks the spot where Lord Mahavira breathed his last. It is said that this temple was built by King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Lord Mahavira.

  Jal mandir is a temple in the middle of a lake blooming with lotuses. The main deity of the beautiful temple is a very old "Charan Paduka" of Lord Mahavira. It marks the spot where the mortal remains of Lord Mahavira was cremated. It is believed that this temple was built by King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Lord Mahavira. Jal Mandir is built in the shape of "Vimana" and there is a stone bridge about 600 feet in length across it from the bank to the temple.

 Lord Mahavira attained nirvana in a park, near Pavapuri, round about which there were many pounds or lakes.  At present the site of the nirvana of Mahavira is accepted near Bihar-Sherif where a magnificent Jain temple stands in the centre of a big lake. This is accepted as the tirtha-ksetra on all hands. Both the sects, Digambra and Svetambra, have voluntarily accepted this place as the spot of the nirvana of Mahavira. A marble temple, the Jalmandir, was later built in  the middle of the tank, where Lord.  Mahavira attained salvation.  Another beautiful Jain temple of white marble called Samosharan is located at this place. Bhagwawan Mahavira had delivered his sermon here. The best time time to visit Pawapuri is between October and March.