2019/2020 Term One: Europe

There’s a reason why so many people use bikes in Oxford! This is one of the best cities in the country for cyclists, with flat terrain, minimal traffic and gorgeous scenery.

Moreover, Oxford University is made up of some 38 colleges, spread all over the city. A bike is the perfect way of getting to see all of these dispersed attractions. Our Bike Tour of Oxford shows you a geographical range of sites that we simply can’t reach when we go on foot. We can be marvelling at Balliol College one minute, and zipping out to the lovely Port Meadow the next! Unsurprisingly, these are some of our favourite tours to give!

Price: $90

Catalonia has some of the most beautiful landscapes that Europe has to offer hidden away in and around the Pyrenees mountains. During a full day trip to the Catalan side of the mountain range (separating France from Spain), you will discover these treasures and they will take your breath away.

Getting an early start, you will travel away from Barcelona to the ancient settlement of Vic for a look at some beautiful renaissance and baroque buildings. Your journey will then take you even further north towards the Pyrenees, passing oak and red pine forests and castles which have been around since before the first millennia.

You will then head to the town of Ripoll, formerly home to the first Count of Barcelona, before moving on to Queralbs, 1,236m above sea level with only 200 inhabitants.

Finally, you will travel the last 6km to your end destination, only accessible by a special railway track which will carry you into Valle de Nuria, surrounded by 7 glacier peaks doing their utmost to hide the almost heavenly valley 2,000 meters above sea level. There you will be able to hike around the lake, explore the valley on trails with different levels of difficulty, or just relax and enjoy the views.

Please bring sunscreen, water, and a jacket for the cooler temperatures at the mountaintop (there may be some snow on the ground!) and wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes. Please bring a picnic lunch and snacks, though there will be places to purchase food. Don’t forget your camera!

Price: $350

Zip around Barcelona on the city’s coolest form of transportation.

Enjoy a 3-hour ride around Barcelona on these brightly – coloured beach cruisers. These fun, jewel-bright bicycles will turn heads as you pedal through the quaint bohemian side streets and the sprawling squares of Barcelona’s charming Gracia neighbourhood.

Whether you want to ride towards the turquoise shoreline or toward the striking Sagrada Familia, you are sure to have an incredible experience.

Price: $95

Come and discover why this tower leans!

We will depart Florence in the morning by train for a visit to the famed Leaning Tower of Pisa, a UNESCO Heritage Site. We travel through the beautiful terrain and landscape of Italy’s Arno Valley.

A guided tour will allow for absorption of the history, art and landscape of the town. Walking through the bright and lively streets and squares of the old town, including Piazza die Miracoli will leave you in amazement! We will climb the tower to see the view from up top and then visit the Cathedral of Pisa afterwards. There will be lots of time for us to take some memorable (and fun!) photos of this unique building, and some free time for shopping before we return to Florence in time for dinner.

NB: Please ensure you are dressed appropriately to enter the cathedral (plastic ponchos are provided to those showing shoulders and midriffs, and wearing too short shorts/skirts). You may wish to take a scarf to cover up.

Price: $195

A gladiator (Latin: gladiator, “swordsman”, from gladius, “sword”) was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their lives and their legal and social standing by appearing in the arena. Most were despised as slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalized, and segregated even in death.

A history lesson combined with an opportunity to find out what it takes to be an ancient Roma gladiator. During a 2 hour session, we learn firsthand from the Historic Group of Rome instructors how to fight wearing a traditional gladiator tunic and belt, with authentic weapons, wooden gladius swords, used by gladiators of ancient Rome. A rare opportunity to learn about ancient Roman history, combined with a great work out! A special certificate of attendance will be issued upon conclusion.

The learning grounds are located not far from the Colosseum, and we will be using public transportation to and from our group hotel.

Price: $295

During this excursion we will visit Knossos, the largest Bronze Age architectural site on Crete and considered Europe’s oldest city.

A stay in Crete is not complete without a visit to the magnificent Palace of Knossos – palace of the powerful King Minos. Many Greek mythological stories are woven around this man – son of the Greek god Zeus and the mortal woman Europa, and this site – such as the myth of the Labyrinth, the Minotaur and that of Daidalos and Ikaros. Our guide will tell us more about this glorious history as we discover the ruins.

Please bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, water and wear a comfortable pair of shoes.

Price: $145

One of the most popular Greek islands, Santorini, known for its beautiful Cycladic architecture and idyllic sunsets.

Board your ferry for the leisurely crossing to Santorini. Upon arrival, visit Oia and explore your new surroundings. A picturesque village known for its white Cycladic buildings and blue domed churches. A perfect place for selfies at the breathtaking view of the volcanic islets, shopping and tasting local food or ice cream. We continue to Fira, the capital town of the island. Free time until we board our return ferry back to Heraklion. Breakfast and dinner on board.

Price: $495