Holidays Around the World – Winter Edition

Join us as we travel the world during the holiday season! First stop: Europe. See how different European countries, such as Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom celebrate Christmas. From decorations to foods to folkloric characters, there’s a vast array of Christmas traditions across this continent. We will also learn about the pagan holiday, Yule. Yule was a holiday celebrated mostly in northern Europe which had many of its traditions absorbed into Christmas celebrations. Then we head over to the middle east to learn about two different holidays: Hannukah and Ramadan. We learn about the origins of both holidays and head to Israel and Egypt to learn how these respective holidays are celebrated. We then shoot over to India for Diwali! The “Celebration of Lights” is sure to dazzle you with its beautiful colors and traditions, and we will find out the origins of this holiday. We end our journey seeing how New Years is celebrated in different countries across the world. We can’t wait for you to join us!

Holidays discussed:

• Diwali
• Yule
• Christmas
• Ramadan
• Hannukah
• New Year’s Eve celebrations

Countries visited/referenced:

• India
• England
• Germany
• Italy
• Egypt
• Syria
• Indonesia
• Senegal
• Israel
• Japan
• The Philippines
• Ecuador
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates

India Virtual Experience

Join us as we virtually tour the beautiful country of India. We will see three different cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi. Visit the historic Taj Mahal and learn how it came to be. Walk through Chandini Chowk Market and see the items and spices on offer. Learn about Indian wedding customs and experience Bollywood. Get a glimpse into Indian Railway travel. Hear about the lavish Onam Celebration of Kerala. We’ll see all of this and much more!

Tour highlights include:

• India Gate
• Chandini Chowk Market
• Indian Railway
• Taj Mahal
• Indian Weddings
• Bollywood
• Disparity of wealth in Mumbai
• Jewish community of Kerala
• Onam Celebration of Kerala

Saudi Arabia & Bahrain Virtual Experience

This tour covers two fascinating countries: the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia & Bahrain from the Middle-Eastern region. Saudi is one of the most mysterious countries in the world and among the last nations to open its doors to the world of tourism. Students will learn about Arab culture and traditions. Get a glimpse into Saudi Arabia’s ultra-conservative society. Saudi is the largest producer of oil and petroleum in the world – learn about its discovery. Get to know about the Bedouin nomadic history and how a barren desert land turned into one of the richest countries of today with breathtaking skyscrapers touching its skies. Of course, we visit Mecca and learn about the Hajj, the pilgrammage every Muslim must make once in their life.

Next, we’ll take a road trip to the nearby island country of Bahrain, famously known as “The Las Vegas of the Middle East” and “The Pearl City” for its relaxed and liberal society, which is a contrast to Saudi Arabia, and forms an archipelago of fifty small natural islands.

Tour highlights include:

Saudi Arabia

• Customs & traditions
• Saudi clothing & foods
• Glimpse into the royal family
• Islamic Shariah laws practiced in the kingdom
• Mecca and the Hajj
• Riyadh – The capital city
• Camel festival

Bahrain

• Geographical features
• Pearl trade history
• Qalat Al Bahrain
• Tree of life

Senegal and the Slave Trade

The island of Gorée lies off the coast of Senegal, opposite Dakar. Pastel-colored houses sit along quiet cobbled streets, and there are no cars to shatter the calm. This beautiful setting belies the dark history here. From the 15th to the 19th century, it was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast with about 20 million enslaved Africans brought here on their last stop before being shipped to the Americas.

On this virtual tour, we will visit various sites related to the slave trade era, including the House of Slaves where enslaved Africans were marched through the Door of No Return to board the ships that would take them away from their native lands forever. We also visit various landmarks on the island, such as the former governor’s palace and the Fort d’ Estrées. We also hear about the island today, see some art forms that are prevalent on the island, and learn about a prominent girls school on the island.

Please note: though it may go without saying, this virtual tour covers some very serious and disturbing topics. While everyone will learn a great deal, it’s an emotional journey.

Tour highlights include:

• House of Slaves
• Former Governor’s Palace
• Fort d’Estrées
• Former Military Hospital
• Maison D’Education Mariama
• Slave Liberation Statue
• African Renaissance Monument

Virtual Spain Experience

Bienvenidos to the fascinating and passionate country of Spain. We start in the capital, Madrid, and visit the royal palace with its ornate and sumptuous decor. We head over to two famous plazas – Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol – and take a walk around this historic district and see what’s on offer.  We visit the Prado Museum and learn about one of Spain’s most famous paintings. Of course, Spain has one of the most delicious cuisines anywhere, and we go on a tapas crawl in Mercado San Miguel. Bullet trains are a popular way to travel, and we take one down to the Autonomous Community of Andalucia and visit three of its most famous cities: Sevilla, Granada, and Cordoba. We tour the beautiful former mosque of Cordoba, la Mezquita, and learn about Cordoba’s golden era. We visit Spain’s most visited site, the Alhambra,  in Granada, and then head over to Sevilla where we visited the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral and the Alcazar. We end our trip in Barcelona, where we visit several Gaudí sites.

Tour highlights include:

• Madrid
• Royal Palace
• Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol
• Prado Museum
• AVE bullet train
• Cordoba and the Mezquita
• Granada and the Alhambra
• Sevilla and the Alcazar and Cathedral
• Barcelona
• Casa Battló and Casa Mila
• Sagrada Familia
• Tapas Crawl