Meet Carol, a mathematics teacher & New York bagel fanatic, who’s just as knowledgeable about the world as she is eager to explore it. After venturing to over 30 countries, she’s learned that the surprising and unexpected moments one comes across when traveling are often the most rewarding part of student travel. Along with her upcoming tour to Madrid, Southern Spain & Barcelona with us in the spring, she’ll also be traveling to South Africa with her husband this year!

Favorite destination: It’s so hard to say, but I’d have to go with Machu Picchu in Peru.

Place you most want to visit: Australia

Favorite part of travel: Finding little off-the-beaten-path places that are not part of the tour but are so interesting.

Favorite travel story: I brought the extra pencils from our school’s blood drive to Peru and gave them to the children there. I was standing outside a school giving a pencil each to two little boys who were playing by the curb. The massive gates of the school opened and all the school children realized that I was a bearer of gifts. They surrounded me, jumping to get the pencils. In the meantime, my husband was photographing the entire comical event. I finally threw all the pencils in the air and ran!

Favorite Explorica tour (so far!): We have only been permitted [by the school] to go to Spain, so we have traveled to both the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

My favorite part of the Northern tour was when our tour director took us to an amusement park at the top of the overlook in San Sebastián. The kids spent hours there and had so much fun. I also liked one of the hotels that we stayed in that was between cities on this tour. It resembled a former mansion and it had very large rooms and lots of space where the kids could mingle after dinner. We also realized that the only other people staying at the hotel were part of another Explorica group so the kids challenged each other to a soccer game. The hotel had lots of grass covered property and the kids played soccer for a long time and truly made memories and new friends!

For the Southern tour, I would have to say that Seville was my favorite. We were relocated to a hotel that was very central in the city and we roamed the intimate streets discovering all the city had to offer. I also loved the Flamenco show there.

Best travel tip: Rely on your Tour Director. When a monsoon-like rain washed away our day in San Sebastián in 2012, our Tour Director quickly found a movie theater and we enjoyed seeing “The Lorax” in Spanish. He comes from Barcelona so he was able to take us on an incredible walking tour of that beautiful city. We must have walked for more than 10 miles but no one complained because we were enjoying every minute!

 

World travel: The Carol world tour

Years of traveling have allowed Carol to see some amazing places around the globe.  Whether you want to join her on her next adventure to Spain or follow her lead to South Africa, Explorica can help you find the tour for you!

London & Paris: Math & Science tour Experience the scientific side of these two popular European cities known for their artistic flair! Explore the extravagantly historic city of London before crossing over to France on the high-speed Eurostar to see Paris’ glittering Eiffel Tower.

Peru: Machu Picchu Marvel at the ruins of this 15th century estate built for Incan Emperor Pachacuti. Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas near Cusco and the heights of the ancient trail, Intipunku, that offers a stunning vista of Machu Picchu.

Northern Spain Dance the flamenco and indulge in Spanish cuisine during your visit to the vibrant city of Madrid!  Head north to Burgos to see an impressive Gothic cathedral, explore beautiful beaches in San Sebastián, and dine on local tapas in Barcelona.

Best of Spain Explore the bustling city of Madrid before heading to the sparkling Mediterranean Costa del Sol’s white-sand beaches.  Next you’ll travel North along the coast to wander through the colorful streets of Barcelona!

Australia & New Zealand Fly across the world to explore the wonders of this cultural South Pacific nation.  See the famous Opera House and cruise the iconic Sydney Harbour!