HoW TO CHOOSE AN EDUVACATIONS TRIP
Need Some Help?
Finding the trip that's right for you
is simply a matter of focusing on where to go and
what to do. Follow
these steps below and you'll be almost
there!
How to Find eduVacation's That are Right for You.
- You're ready for step 2 unless you're not
sure about what to do, where
to go, never done a language study
trip, or you just want to
get a better understanding
of the intricacies of language,
arts, sports, and culinary eduVacations.
Look below at "Understanding & Choosing…".
Then return to step 2 and
start exploring ideas.
- Ready to Browse?
Browse by Region or a Traveler Type;
take a look at the special interest
icons in the Browse entries to help target a trip that
matches your interests.
- View the Program
Details for the destinations
you want to learn more about.
- If you
have questions, use the Instant email,
in the Trip Planning Information
section of your selected destination.
- To learn more about a particular city or region,
use the list of Tourism
Offices in our "Insiders" section; "Join" our
Community to have access to this and
other useful information, and to receive
periodic updates on new eduVacations
and specials.
- To give you the best
prices, eduVacations are priced
in our affiliate's currency and charged
on your credit card in
US dollars at the current
exchange rate at
the time of the charge. In
each destination's Trip Planning Information
section you'll
find prices or links to prices
for courses and accommodation.
Look carefully at the price information;
in addition to the course
and accommodation,
there may be other small fees
such as a program registration fee,
airport transfer, and study materials.
- If you'd
like to see a
conversion into
US dollars we provide a link to travelex.com.
- Once you've found something(s)
you like, go to Book
an eduVacation, submit the completed
form, AND get ready for a
great trip!
 Understanding & Choosing Language & Cultural
Immersion eduVacations
- Decide what you want to do and where
you want to do it, and when.
- Decide what type of program
and course is best for you.
- Decide
how you will live there: with a host family, in a
hotel, apartment or residence.
- Decide
when to
start planning.
- Decide
if you want to coordinate it or if you'd like us to
do
it.
Understanding & Choosing Cooking & Wines
eduVacations
Understanding & Choosing
Arts eduVacations
Understanding & Choosing
Sports eduVacations
Understanding & Choosing
Combination eduVacations
UNDERSTANDING & CHOOSING LANGUAGE & CULTURAL IMMERSION
EDUVACATIONS
1. Decide what you want to do and where you want to do it.
To lead us to selecting the right destination,
or 2 or 3, when we coordinate
a client’s trip (Custom
eduVacations), we ask many
questions about language level,
goals, special interests, travel time, preferred setting,
age and more. Here are the
things to think about, the
questions to ask yourself,
to help narrow it down, decide
where to go, and easily personalize
your own trip on-line.
Which language do you want to study and in which country?
Once you know which language you want to study,
the next part is where should
you do it? If you choose French, you can go not only to
France, but also, Switzerland,
a Caribbean island, or Canada.
And for Spanish, you have many options, including Spain,
Mexico, and other Central & South
American countries. For English
choose from England, the U.S., or Canada; for Portuguese
go to Brazil or Portugal;
for German try Germany or
Austria.
Do you have any special interests, like cooking and wines,
arts, or any particular sports?
Sometimes deciding where to go depends on your
interests that you’d like to combine with language
study; we call this a "Combination eduVacation".
For example, if you or your teenaged son or daughter would
like to learn to surf while studying French, then you’d
be looking at Biarritz in France. Do you like the idea of
scuba diving and studying French, then go to the Caribbean;
golf and Spanish, go to Malaga, Spain. To make finding the
right match easier our Browse section uses icons to identify
destinations by major special interest categories: language,
cooking, arts, dance, sports. This should help you target
appropriate destinations. Look closely at the Course list
and at the Cultural & Recreational Activities for specific
program options.
Do you prefer a large or small city, the countryside, a
lakeside mountain setting, seaside, an island?
Sometimes this alone is the easiest
way to choose. You may like to split your time doing
2 or 3 destinations:
large city (Madrid), seaside (Malaga),
large city (Barcelona). The destination descriptions
will inform you if it's seaside,
mountain, country, or urban setting.
What kind of climate do you prefer and when will you be
traveling?
During July and August, if you aren’t comfortable
in really hot climates, avoid some of the European cities
that are not coastal, or not in the countryside. The seaside
or mountain towns and cities should be more comfortable.
But again, most schools will have air-conditioned classes,
and you should be able to find a hotel with air conditioning
in major downtown cities, if for example you really want
to be in Seville or Paris in the middle of the summer. If
you have special seasonal sports interests, such as skiing
or boarding, travel in the winter to a mountain destination
where you can combine language study with your sport. Or
if you want to get away from the cold during the winter
pick a warm destination: southern Italy, the Caribbean for
French, Argentina, etc.
How do you choose a trip for a Group of friends, family
or students?
In most of our destinations you can
book your group to be integrated with other participants
or book your
own private dates and programs. We
recommend looking for a destination that seems to
cover the multiple interests
and goals of your group. Send an email
inquiry via the Instant Email in the Trip Planning
Information section of your destination.
If you want to organize a group trip,
but want us to coordinate it, we'd be happy to help.
Learn more by going to Browse,
Groups.
Your budget, is it an issue?
There are several things that relate to the
budget question: group lessons versus private lessons;
the number of lessons per week, regular intensive (15-20
hours/week) versus super-intensive; the accommodations;
and the destination. Take destination, for example, accommodations
in the small alpine city of Annecy will be more economical
than Paris accommodations; similarly Salamanca accommodations
will be less than Madrid.
With regards to accommodation type, staying in a hotel or
solo apartment is more costly than a shared apartment. A
single-room with a host family stay with a couple of meals,
or in a residence, or shared apartment can be very economical.
But remember, in an apartment setting you’ll need
to spend money on preparing meals or eating out; in a residence
if meals aren’t included you will be eating out. One-to-one
lessons will cost more than a group class. And if budget
is important, take advantage of lower late fall, winter,
and early spring airfares to Europe. Or depending on where
you live in the US, getting to Mexico or Canada may be less
expensive than other destinations.
How far do you want to travel?
If you live in the US and have just 1 week for
your vacation, Montreal, the Caribbean,
or Mexico might be more convenient because the time zone
change either
doesn’t exist or is minimal, and the travel time
may be shorter.
How much time do you have?
For busy professionals who only have a week
and want to maximize their time and
still have an enjoyable experience, then a study
in and live in your Teacher’s
Home program is a great idea! For Spanish,
you can do this in Barcelona (see Spanish Tailor-made) or
Seville;
in Italy you can do it in Viterbo (see
the Siena course list); for French you can do it in Bordeaux
or take a
small group total immersion program
in Frontenaud. You can also do group classes even if you
have only 1 week;
but keep in mind that some of the group
class programs have a two week minimum. Under Program Basics & Courses
for each destination, you'll find the "Minimum Stay".
2. Decide what type of program and course is best for you:
private tutor, total immersion, or small group
lessons; for teens only, for 50+ adults
only, for all ages, exam preparation, etc…
What type of program is good for your language level?
If you're a total beginner, a group course or
private lessons (study in and live in your teacher's
home, or one to one lessons and stay in a residence or
apartment) will probably be just right; and you'll learn
a lot!
How much time do you want to spend in class, and do you
need a general course or one with a specialty focus, exam
preparation or business language, etc?
The typical program is 3 to 4 lessons (hours)/day
of class, 5 days per week. Over the years, most of our clients
have elected this. You can usually add on more group class
time or some private lessons after lunch tailored to your
needs and goals; for example, focus on conversational skills,
or business language. On the other hand, keeping afternoons
open allows you to explore, take an art history or cooking
lesson, join organized afternoon activities, and get some
homework done.
In an Examination Prep class you will be trained to pass
internationally recognized diplomas or certificates. Examinations
are often necessary in order to study at a foreign university
or to prove your level of linguistic expertise. Courses
are offered throughout the year just prior to exam dates.
What's the fastest way to improve skills? And where
can you do it?
We offer a few especially effective total immersion
options in France,
Italy, Spain, and Germany. Your skills should progress very quickly with
your private tutor/host
when you Study in & Live in Your Teacher's Home. For
Spanish, you can do this in Barcelona
(see Spanish Tailor-made) or Seville; in Italy you can do it in Viterbo
(see the Siena
course list); for French you can do it in Bordeaux or take a small group total immersion program in Frontenaud.
A private
tutor (for you, you and your partner or family)
will go at your pace and tailor the program to your needs
and interests,
including excursions. This can be a unique,
enriching and fantastic experience. It can be scheduled
at your convenience,
and usually entails 3 hours per day (5 days/week),
with the option to add on more lesson time. Over the years,
individuals,
friends and family (of all ages) have done this
for one week (3 hours per day), to as long as 3 weeks. If
you have
a few weeks or more you might want to combine
a Teacher’s
Home eduVacation with one of our group courses.
We suggest the Teacher’s Home experience after the
group course.
And how important is it that you meet an international mix
of people and have more of a multi-cultural experience?
Having language classes in small groups
with foreigners, instead of private lessons, allows
you to make
new friends and learn a lot about other
cultures and countries (and maybe even get some invitations
to visit sometime).
You might try both, a group program
and then a Teacher's Home program, in one trip!
Are you an American undergraduate or graduate student who
needs credits?
Definitely a group course, about 4 lessons per
day, is a great choice. And you can often get 1 credit for
every 1 week (15 to 20 lessons/week); a 3 week summer program
could earn 3 credits. To learn about getting credits, see
our Browse section for Students. An eduVacation is different
than a US-based university study abroad program: the University
program prices will be higher, and you’ll be with
a group of Americans. You may find this slows down the language
acquisition; and it may be more interesting for you to meet
and study with an international student body on an eduVacation.
Is your goal to develop better conversational skills?
Keep in mind, any type of language immersion
eduVacation should help with conversational
skills, as long as you’re willing to try communicating with
others in class and outside of class; the whole country
is your classroom! When you study in and live in your
teacher’s home you can’t hide and you can’t
avoid pushing your conversational skills, plus lessons
are tailored to meet your goals; in a total immersion
program (like French in Frontenaud) during every activity
and at all meals, you are encouraged to practice your
language skills.
What alternatives are there to total immersion to accelerate
your language learning?
Take a standard class of 15 to 20 hours/week.
To accelerate those conversational
skills add-on a couple of private lessons twice a week after
your morning
group
class; stay with a host family, or
take a special interest class in your language, such as
cooking, dance,
art history,
wines, and ask questions; or take skiing
or tennis lessons in your foreign language. Participate
in
organized activities,
like guided visits to art museums,
and regional excursions. There are many ways to have fun,
learn something
else, and
not even realize your developing your
language skills!
Are you a teen, college student, adult, 50 or over adult,
or a family of adults and youth?
For junior high and high school teens there
are special “youth summer programs”. For eduVacations
that are appropriate for teens, see our section for Students
under Browse by Traveler Type. In Italy and other destinations,
16 years old is often the minimum age for adult programs.
But we have had 14 year olds join these programs, too. Some
destinations will allow exceptions; just ask. A teen doing
any of these programs should find this type of experience
will give them a competitive edge on their college applications;
undergrads will improve their graduate school or job applications.
For families, we have some destinations that work very well
(see our recommendations in the Family section, under Browse
by Traveler Type). College-aged students and adults have
the largest selection, just browse by region. But if you're
in need of college credits we recommend that you look at
our list of destinations where credits can be processed;
see the Student section in Browse by Traveler Type.
In most destinations there will be a broad range of ages
and nationalities. Most of our adult clients that are over
50 just join the all ages programs; but keep in mind there
are some destinations that offer special language and culture
programs for adults who are 50 and over, for those who prefer
just the company of their peers. See the Seniors section
under Browse by Traveler Type.
3. Decide how you will live there: with a host family, in
a hotel, apartment or residence.
Basics about the choice.
We’ve had clients of all ages, 2 years old with her
mom, to 80 years old, successfully stay with host families.
Living with a host family is the ideal total immersion option.
Meals and living arrangements are shared with a family,
and you're speaking their language. Our partners will do
their best to find a good match based on the information
you provide on our booking form. You’ll be asked if
you prefer a family with children, a non-smoking family,
if you have special dietary requirements, your interests
and hobbies, etc.. And by all means, if you arrive and aren’t
happy with the arrangements, our partner can switch you
into another family. But, this is rarely necessary!
If your independence and space are most important, then
you'll be happier in an apartment, residence or hotel. The
Program Details in each destination list Accommodation Choices.
We are gathering a list of "favorite host families,
apartments and hotels" that is available to you once
you've sent in your reservation. Some of our favorite host
families have independent small apartments on-site. So you
can share conversation and time with them at meals, and
have more of your own space. You may find one of these "Favorites" for
your destination and put in a special request with our partner
after you've booked.
Is your goal to develop better conversational skills?
Staying with a host family can push you to practice
your conversational skills.
On the booking form ask for a family that’s interactive;
and if you like being around young children, who do like
to chat, ask for a
family with children.
What is your language level?
This can affect the housing option you elect
if you're a total beginner.
For some beginners the idea of staying with a host family
trying
to communicate sounds
frustrating; for others it
sounds like a fun adventure. How does it sound to you? It
can be
rewarding as you
experience your daily progress.
If you don’t like
the idea, then we suggest
a residence, apartment, or hotel.
And what’s a residence anyway?
Some destinations have housing on-site or very
near the school. You can stay in a single room (or shared,
if you prefer) with a private bath. And in some cases
breakfast is included; in others, all meals could be
included. Some settings might be a country house or a
restored chateau, or a converted downtown building.
What are the apartment options?
Apartments can be very comfortable, full-service
aparthotels (for yourself and companion or family), or
furnished apartments that language students share, or
a solo furnished apartment, or a room in an apartment
with a local. When you choose a single or shared room
in a shared apartment or with a local, our affiliate
selects an apartment-share arrangement for you. And,
if you aren't happy with it, you should talk with them
about it to arrange changes.
Might you prefer a hotel or pension?
If you're trip is short and you do prefer your
independence this is a good alternative;
breakfast can be included. Our affiliate can make the arrangements
or you can do it yourself. Our "favorites" list
includes some hotels, and our hotel
resources will be expanding. Or you can use our autoeurope
service to book
a hotel.
4. Decide when to start planning.
We advise you book as far out as possible. You
don’t have to have your flights figured out at
the time of booking. Give yourself and our partners enough
time to coordinate everything, 6 weeks at a minimum.
But last minute bookings can be done if there is availability.
Booking far in advance gives our partners more to choose
from when trying to meet your special accommodation requests,
and assures availability especially where space is limited.
5. Decide if you want to coordinate
it or if you'd like us to do it.
By planning the trip yourself via our site you’ll
find the best prices available. And our site will give you
guidance. Once you've booked, you'll receive access to a
trip planning section on our site, to direct you through
the planning process toward a rewarding, fun adventure.
If you are just too busy to make all of the arrangements
and appreciate someone taking care of it for you, see Book
a Custom eduVacation. There will be a service fee for us
to coordinate your classes and additional activities, take
care of your payments to the hosts; arrange accommodation,
meals, and airport transfer, and produce a complete pre-trip
package for you. It will save you lots of time and you can
rest assured that an experienced specialist is at work on
your travel plans.
UNDERSTANDING & CHOOSING COOKING & WINES EDUVACATIONS
You’ll find many fun, personalized, small group cooking
and wine courses offered throughout Italy and France for
all levels. Stay in a restored chateau in France, a restored
farmhouse or villa in Italy, or in a small hotel in Florence.
Take regional excursions, visits to markets, wineries and
chateaux; learn about wines, prepare and enjoy delicious
meals! For wine aficionados, we offer a complete 3 or 6
day course in Bordeaux taught in English, French or German.
All culinary courses are taught by talented professionals
of assorted nationalities. Most destinations are one week
in length. The exceptions are Siena and Florence, where
you can immerse yourself in cooking for as long as you like!
You'll arrive on your own and meet up with other participants
when the program begins. In some destinations you stay together
with the host and participants in one location. You may
be based out of a restored villa or farmhouse, chalet, or
chateau. In a couple of destinations, like Florence and
Siena, you may choose from several accommodation options.
In Siena, the courses may be taught in Italian. The Program
Details for each destination will tell you if it's taught
in Italian, what the accommodation arrangements are or what
your choices are (if any), and the duration of the course.
You'll also get a feel for the setting, small city, large
city, countryside, etc.
As you browse through the Italy and France lists look for
the icon that indicates cooking & wines at a given destination.
Then you can look at the Program Detail for more background
about the structure of the program and accommodation. In
some destinations where language is the primary activity,
cooking and wines is offered as a secondary course; in this
case the cooking lessons will be less frequent and be taught
in the language you're studying. Some destinations have
immersion in culinary arts only, and others have language
immersion as well as culinary immersion. And you can combine
the two into one vacation.
Prices will vary, and there is something for all budgets,
levels and ages. In addition to amateur courses in Siena,
you'll also find culinary courses for credit and for professionals.
We've had participants as young as 16 participate in the
program in Florence. In general, all ages, from 16 on up,
are welcome in the culinary courses. Usually you plan to
arrive on a Sunday and classes start on Monday and run through
Friday, and you depart on a Saturday.
We advise you book as far out as possible. Booking far in
advance gives our partners more to choose from when trying
to meet your special accommodation requests, and assures
availability especially where space is limited. You don’t
have to have your flights figured out at the time of booking.
Last minute bookings can be done if there is availability.
By planning the trip yourself via our site you’ll
find the best prices available. And our site will give you
guidance. Once you've booked, you'll receive access to a
trip planning section on our site, to direct you through
the planning process toward a rewarding, fun adventure.
If you are just too busy to make all of the arrangements
and appreciate someone taking care of it for you, see Book
a Custom eduVacation. There will be a service fee for us
to coordinate your classes and additional activities, take
care of your payments to the hosts; arrange accommodation,
meals, and airport transfer, and produce a complete pre-trip
package for you. It will save you lots of time and you can
rest assured that an experienced specialist is at work on
your travel plans.
UNDERSTANDING & CHOOSING ARTS EDUVACATIONS
Across the globe from the US to Europe
(France, Italy, Spain), Latin America, and Asia, you'll
find an assortment
of fine arts eduVacations. Painting,
drawing, watercolor, photography, ceramics, jewelry-making,
are among the many
arts to choose from. All arts courses
are taught by talented professional artists of assorted
nationalities.
Arts courses vary from one week in length to one month (see
Florence), and are suitable for all levels. If you need
college credits, Florence would be the best destination
for you.
You'll arrive on your own and meet up with other participants
when the program begins. In some destinations you stay together
with the host and participants in one location. You may
be based out of a restored villa or farmhouse, chalet, or
chateau. In other destinations, like Florence, you may choose
from several accommodation options. The Program Details
for each destination will tell you what the accommodation
arrangements are or what your choices are (if any). You'll
also get a feel for the setting, small city, large city,
countryside, etc. In drawing, painting, watercolor and photography
programs you'll spend a lot of time outdoors in picturesque
places.
As you browse through the regional lists, look for the icon
that indicates arts at a given destination. Then you can
look at the Program Detail for more background about the
structure of the program and accommodation. In some destinations
where language is the primary activity, arts courses are
offered as a secondary course; in this case, the arts course
will be taught in the language you are studying. Some destinations
have immersion in arts only, and others have language immersion
as well as arts immersion (Florence, for example). And you
can combine the two into one vacation.
Prices will vary, and there is something for all budgets.
We've had participants as young as 16 participate in the
program in Calvisson in Southern France; we've had younger
teens attend this program with a parent. Usually you plan
to arrive on a Sunday and classes start on Monday and run
through Friday, and you depart on a Saturday.
We advise you book as far out as possible. Booking far in
advance gives our partners more to choose from when trying
to meet your special accommodation requests, and assures
availability especially where space is limited. You don’t
have to have your flights figured out at the time of booking.
Last minute bookings can be done if there is availability.
By planning the trip yourself via our site you’ll
find the best prices available. And our site will give you
guidance. Once you've booked, you'll receive access to a
trip planning section on our site, to direct you through
the planning process toward a rewarding, fun adventure.
If you are just too busy to make all of the arrangements
and appreciate someone taking care of it for you, see Book
a Custom eduVacation. There will be a service fee for us
to coordinate your classes and additional activities, take
care of your payments to the hosts; arrange accommodation,
meals, and airport transfer, and produce a complete pre-trip
package for you. It will save you lots of time and you can
rest assured that an experienced specialist is at work on
your travel plans.
UNDERSTANDING & CHOOSING SPORTS EDUVACATIONS
Join our outstanding tour operators;
they'll share their expertise and enthusiasm as they
immerse you
in their sport and destination. At
this point we offer biking and hiking tours, and motorcycle
training tours for experienced
riders. The variety of sports and destinations
will be expanding.
Biking and hiking tours are for all levels. Search through
the listings to pinpoint the tour that's right for you based
on your skill level; the Program Details for the cycling
and hiking trips will indicate what level the tour route
is suitable for.
By booking the trip via our site you’ll find the best
prices available. And our site will give you guidance. Once
you've booked, you'll receive access to a trip planning
section to direct you through the planning process toward
a rewarding, fun adventure.
UNDERSTANDING & CHOOSING COMBINATION
EDUVACATIONS
Consider combining sports, arts, and language
programs in one place or different
destinations. With the
diversity on our site the options are
endless!
To boost your language skills combine sports, or culinary
or fine arts with language lessons. Entries in the Browse
section feature icons that indicate activity categories:
language, sports, arts, cooking, and dance. Use these icons
to identify the locations that combine your interests in
one destination. You’ll find that each site has something
unique to offer. For instance, in the Alps combine skiing
with French; on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe combine
French instruction with sailing or scuba diving. Work on
your Spanish while learning to dance the flamenco or play
classical guitar or golf in southern Spain. Horseback riding,
tennis, yoga, opera, cooking and wines, painting, mountain
biking, golf; salsa, flamenco or tango; plus theater, film
and music festivals; bicycling and walking tours in Italy,
Spain, and Portugal; and many more activities can be added
to language. In the Program Details for each destination,
the Course lists and the Recreational Activities sections
will give you for the possibilities.
Use the same icons to help you create
a Combination eduVacations in different cities
or countries. For example, in Spain spend
a couple of weeks in the south and a couple
of weeks in Madrid to experience the uniqueness
of the two regions and their highlights.
Or explore different countries and activities.
For instance, take a cooking course in France,
go to Austria for German and skiing, then
to Italy for Italian. Mix-n-match as you
wish!
By planning the trip yourself via our site you’ll
find the best prices available. And our site will give you
guidance. Once you've booked, you'll receive access to a
trip planning section on our site, to direct you through
the planning process toward a rewarding, fun adventure.
If you are just too busy to make all of the arrangements
and appreciate someone taking care of it for you, see Book
a Custom eduVacation. There will be a service fee for us
to coordinate your classes and additional activities, take
care of your payments to the hosts; arrange accommodation,
meals, and airport transfer, and produce a complete pre-trip
package for you. It will save you lots of time and you can
rest assured that an experienced specialist is at work on
your travel plans.
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