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As the centerpiece of Tuscany and the undisputed jewel of the Italian Renaissance, Florence, has been etr’s most popular art destination each year for the past 25 years. And, as we have over 100 students exploring Florence this week, we thought we’d share a quartet of images of this brilliant city. Thinking about it, why not provide your students the opportunity of wandering along the same pedestrian alleys as did Michelangelo, Leonardo, Botticelli and even Dante? Passing the same buildings and enjoying the same views as these renown masters will be an inspiration for your students. If you want to learn more about etr’s programs in Italy, please let us know!

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While preparing materials for our upcoming groups exploring Greece, we happened upon etr photos captured at the changing of the guard at the presidential residence and the Parliament. Known for its distinctive uniform and high kicking march, Greece’s Presidential Guard, or Evzone, are more than ceremonial performers. They are all elite members of the Hellenic Army's Infantry Corps charged with protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well the presidential mansion and are deeply rooted in Greece’s modern cultural heritage. Each evzone goes through rigorous training before donning the uniform which includes foustanella, made from over 30 metres of fabric and featuring 400 pleats, and the tsarouchia — 3kg red clogs with black pompoms that have 60 nails on the base to replicate the sound of the Evzone marching to battle. Their unique march can be viewed at the changing of the guard at the presidential palace and in front of the Parliament Building on Syntagma Square. etr has been operating engaging student travel programs to Greece for 27 years. Let us show you around!

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Just in: During a meeting in Yangon of etr Asia-based program leaders, Global Operations Director Andrea Cotting had the opportunity to explore one of the wonders of the religious world, the Shwedagon Pagoda complex and sent along the accompanying photos. Some experts have surmised that the pagoda is 2,600 years old, which would make Shwedagon the oldest pagoda in the world. And though the exact age of the stupa may still be a matter of debate, what is not in question is the unsurpassed beauty and sheer magnificence of the main gold-plated dome, which is topped by a stupa containing over 7,000 diamonds, rubies, topaz and sapphires. As an unparalleled symbol of national identity, Shwedagon Pagoda remains the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site for the people of the Union of Myanmar. For more information on etr’s programs throughout Asia, just drop us a line.

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Though many people head to South Africa for the amazing game viewing, many of our student groups also want to pursue outdoor activities such as dune surfing, sea kayaking and climbing iconic Table Mountain. Take a look! Drop us a line and let us entice you to join us in South Africa!

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Here at etr HQ in Lausanne, we’re all very pleased that two more international school groups have confirmed travelling with us to Cambodia in 2018. Though each group will be following a different etr custom-designed itinerary, both groups will be spending a full day exploring the extensive temple complex of Angkor Wat. The largest religious monument in the world, Angkor began as a Hindu temple to Vishnu and was transformed to a Buddhist temple in the 12th century. The rest, they say, is history. Take a look at images from the Angkor complex including atmospheric Ta Prohm. And if you would like to know more about etr’s student travel programs in Cambodia or one of our six other Asian destination countries, please drop us a line.

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Machu Picchu – destination for international school students | etr tours

Earlier today we changed our cover photo in celebration of our 15th anniversary of operations in Peru. It’s an iconic shot of a llama at the site of the 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu snapped by etr director Greg Godar a decade ago. etr offers international school student groups the exciting opportunity to explore not only Machu Picchu, but all the mystical Inca sites all along the Sacred Valley. Take a look at the accompanying photos and click on link to find our Peru website pages. To learn more, contact etr today. - See more at: http://www.etrtours.com/latin-america/peru/machu-picchu.html#sthash.RyZPbExK.dpuf

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We have just received some photos from a recent etr group exploring Bali. The students, who travelled from an international school in Cairo, participated in a number of activities designed to give an overview of the unique cultural wealth of the island as well as physical endeavors including white water rafting, surfing, yoga, biking and ascending Mt Batur. As accompanying teacher noted, “students had a fantastic time”. See you next year!

Timeline Photos

Spring is coming soon and etr’s Global Operations Director Andrea Cotting happened upon cherry blossoms in Nanjing’s Xuanwuhu Park which showed some colorful evidence of how soon that will be. Take a look! And when will spring be here? Technically speaking, spring in the northern hemisphere is just one week away. Determined by the position of Earth’s orbit in relation to the sun, spring in the northern hemisphere starts when the length of the day is exactly the same as the length of the night…and this equinox will happen on the 20th of March. If you would like to learn more about etr’s student travel programs in China or any of our other 27 destination countries, just send along a message.

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With a mix of narrow waterside lanes, stone bridges, ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasty, and, of course picturesque canals, Xitang is one of the centuries old “water towns” near Shanghai which can be explored on etr’s China offerings. Though there are numerous photogenic and well-preserved water towns found within an hour’s drive of Shanghai, Xitang is the only with langpeng, or sheltered waterside streets, a unique architectural device to aid traders getting goods from their boats directly into canal side shops, despite the weather. History tells of the town’s founding at the confluence of nine rivers over a thousand years ago, but most people will know Xitang for Tom Cruise’s hectic chase scene in MI3. To learn more about etr's student travel opportunities in China, just drop us a line!

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Earlier this month, students on an etr exploration of Tokyo enjoyed a session of traditional Japanese drumming, or taiko, under the tutelage of professional musicians. Literally, taiko means "fat drum," and when hit hard with the bachi (drum stick), taiko can produce sounds exceeding 130 decibels, a sound level that is equivalent with jet airplanes. Outside, such sounds can be heard over a distance of several kilometers which is why one of the early uses of taiko was as a battlefield instrument used to frighten and intimidate the enemy. That aside, recent scientific research has shown that pounding away on a taiko can be mentally refreshing and also helps to energize the brain. All we know is that the visiting students consider our taiko lesson to be one cool activity. Want to learn more about etr's student travel in Japan, just drop us a line!