EUROPE 2019
Mr.Wilson and Mr.O'Hearon planned an eleven day excursion for 41 students from New Germany Rural High School that started in Barcelona and finished in Amsterdam. Along the way students made stops in Paris, Vimy Ridge, Arras and Ypres. Along the way students have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history, discover the culture and language of four different countries, and discover themselves as they become independent travellers in the global community.
THANK YOU
I feel that after two and half years of planning, and eleven exciting days I should thank some people for helping me have the experience of a lifetime. First, I have to start with Mr. Michael Wilson, one of the best teachers I have ever met. His passion for history was so evident on this trip as he wanted students to walk in the footsteps of history. To listen to him teach, or as one of the students said "talking the knowledge", from the base of Vimy Ridge as he explained the history to our tour director and bus driver was one of the most inspiring moments I have ever had. Planning this trip with him was a pleasure and I couldn't imagine doing it with a better man. Secondly, I would thank the administrators that supported us through this process, especially Jennifer McMullen who went with us on this experience. Not once did I ever not feel supported by her and I know that our students had a chance to see the amazing educator and person that is throughout the trip, especially when she got taken off a plane to remain behind with them. Thirdly, I would like to thank the adults that came on this trip with us. Terri, Kelly, Scotty, Dale, Shenan, Kent and Angie, you were amazing to travel with and your energy was incredible. Thank you for all your assistance with every step of the trip and for making it a memorable one for our students. I enjoyed getting time to get to know all of you better. Finally, I would like to thank the students who went on this trip with us. I enjoyed every moment with all of you and was grateful that you were brave enough to go on this adventure. My hope for all of you is that it isn't the last time that you travel and that the world has opened up to you. You are unique and amazing individuals who have so much to offer this small world and I can't wait to see what amazing things you accomplish. Thank you all for putting up with my OCD, my early morning wake up calls and my check ins at the end of the day. It is and has been my pleasure to be your teacher so thank you all for the amazing memories.
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1:
- Board the overnight flight from Halifax to Barcelona DAY 2: - Arrive in Barcelona - Walking tour of Las Ramblas and visit La Boqueria - Overnight stay in Barcelona DAY 3: - Guided sightseeing of Barcelona, including Park Guell, Montjuic Hall, and La Sagrada Familia - Visit Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona - See the Magic Fountain Light Show - Overnight stay in Barcelona DAY 4: - Take the TGV (high speed train) from Barcelona to Paris - Arrive in Paris - Walking tour of the Opera District of Paris - Overnight stay in Paris DAY 5: - Guided sightseeing of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, etc. - Visit Notre Dame Cathedral - Visit the Louvre Museum - Evening walking tour of Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur - Overnight stay in Paris DAY 6: - Guided tour of Versailles - Visit the Musée d'Orsay - Ascend Montparnasse and see Paris from up high - Seine River cruise - Overnight stay in Paris |
DAY 7:
- Travel to Vimy Ridge Region - Visit the Vimy Ridge Historic Site - Visit Arras for lunch - Overnight stay in Roubaix DAY 8: - Travel to Ypres in Belgium - Visit the In Flanders Field Museum and the Cloth Hall Belfrey - Visit Tyne Cot and Langemarck cemeteries - Attend the Menin Gate Ceremony - Overnight in Ypres DAY 9: - Travel to Amsterdam - Stop at Bergen-Op-Zoom to pay our respects to Canadian soldiers - Canal Cruise to see the sites of Amsterdam - Overnight stay in Amsterdam DAY 10: - Guided sightseeing of Amsterdam, see the Dam Square, Nieuwekerk, Begijnhof, etc. - Visit the Anne Frank House - Visit the Van Gogh Museum - Overnight stay in Amsterdam DAY 11: - Depart for home |