Summer plans

Some of you may know that this will be the 3rd summer I've taken high school students overseas. This year, we leave July 7th for England, Ireland, and Wales! I've been to England, but not Ireland or Wales...so I'm excited... 62 more days. We'll be gone 20 days. Look at some of the places we'll visit...

This itinerary is called "Celtic Discovery."

London, England

• Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
• Explore the infamous Tower of London and learn its fascinating history as fortress, residence, prison, and home of Britain's Crown Jewels.
• Cruise the River Thames taking in many of London’s famous sights.
• Attend a performance of one of London’s most popular shows.
• Meet a current or former Member of Parliament. Dress to impress and bring your questions.
• Ride on the London Eye, the largest observation wheel in the world.

Wiltshire, England

• Investigate the mysterious site of Stonehenge.

Bath, England

• Visit the town of Bath, home of Britain’s only natural hot spring.

Blaenavon, Wales

• In this town that played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution, venture 300 feet underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face of the Big Pit.

Cardiff, Wales

• Explore Cardiff Castle, a remarkable structure whose history spans nearly 2000 years.

Waterford, Ireland

• Observe all stages of the crystal-manufacturing process, including the highly skilled crafts of glass blowing and engraving.

Sneem, Ireland

• Meet your home stay family and spend a couple days with them.
• Learn to play an Irish tune on the tin whistle, and learn some Irish dances.

Killarney, Ireland

• Ride through the dramatic mountain pass of the Gap of Dunloe in a horse-drawn jaunting car.
• Take a breathtaking cruise across one of the tranquil 'black' lakes.

Blarney, Ireland

• Climb the steps at Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone.
• Walk across the street from Blarney Castle to examine Blarney’s famous Woollen Mill, where you will find Irish arts, crafts, and linens.

County Clare, Ireland

• Explore the limestone caves of Ailwee and stand above the wild Atlantic on the magnificent Cliffs of Moher.

Dublin, Ireland

• See such famous landmarks as St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park, Trinity College, and O’Connell Street.

Bangor, Wales

• Challenge yourself in workshops designed to help you develop leadership skills, set personal goals, and step outside your comfort zone.
• Continue to the Craflwyn Environmental Education Center and take part in two major environmental projects.

Conway, Wales

• Encounter the most famous fortress in the “granite ring”, Conwy Castle.

Chester, England

• Walk around the city of Chester, first settled by the Romans in 79 AD.

Warwick, England

• Go back to the Middle Ages at Warwick Castle and get a taste of how people then lived, worked, and played in one of Europe's great fortresses.
• Adventure through Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare.