Düsseldorf Germany

Walking Tours, Castles, Fashion Museums and Rhine River Cruises

Düsseldorf is the cosmopolitan capital of North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany`s state with the country`s largest population. The city has close to 600,000 inhabitants and is known for its old quarter – Altstadt – with nightlife and buildings which date back to the 16^th century. Here, you can taste the famous Altbier – a dark beer.

From the old town it is just a small walk to the spectacular Rhine River, which passes through Düsseldorf on its way to the Northern Sea. You can stroll on the Rheinuferpromenade, a beautiful walkway along the river, which has become a playground for locals over the past few years, particularly in the summer months. You will find nice cafés and restaurants along the way, so just sit down, sip a coffee and enjoy the view, including the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower), Düsseldorf`s highest building at 240 meters.

 Walking along the Rheinuferpromenade you will reach the harbor area with its spectacular architecture. All these buildings have been constructed over the past 20 years. Three fancy buildings designed by architectural icon Frank Gehry have become new landmarks of this booming city.

In the evening, the harbor area – Medienhafen - is one of the most popular places to go out for a good dinner, a drink and maybe to a club. You will find many trendy places to hang out and spectacular view of the river.

Düsseldorf and Beyond Itineraries

Ruhr Region Neanderthal Museum, Mettmann, 18 miles; Zollverein World Heritage site, Essen, 30 miles; Light Art Center, the only light art museum in the world, Unna, 65 miles; Gasometer Oberhausen (obsolete gas holder turned cultural, event and exhibit space, Oberhausen, 30 miles; Landscape Park Duisburg North, an industrial site turned green oasis, 29 miles. Halde Hoheward Observatory, Recklinghausen, 43 miles.

Nearby Cities Cologne: Cathedral, Chocolate Museum, Roman ruins, 30 miles; Bonn: Beethoven heritage, museums, art, 47 miles

Other Destinations Aachen, 62 miles; Amsterdam, 150 miles; Brussels, 143 miles; Luxembourg, 150 miles; Paris, 340 miles; Munich, 394 miles; Berlin, 381 miles

As Germany`s fashion capital, don`t miss a walk over the famous Königsallee, a 1 Km long boulevard with many of the top international brands such as Armani, Gucci and Prada. You will also find two high-end shopping malls (Sevens and Kö-Galerie) on this beautiful boulevard.

Museums Düsseldorf houses and produces some of best contemporary art in the world. Several of the world’s best known artists have their roots here; among them Andreas Gursky, Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Jörg Immendorff, all graduates and faculty of the city’s renowned Art Academy.

In total, there are 100 galleries and 17 world renowned museums in Düsseldorf, including K20 and K21 (showing 20^th and 21^st century art, respectively). K21 is also a masterpiece in terms of architecture. Built on a historic site in the style of an Italian palazzo between 1876 and 1880, it was extensively damaged during the war and rebuilt between 1947 and 1949. K21 is part of the Kunstsammlung NRW, the art collection of North-Rhine-Westphalia. With a glass roof presenting a great view of the city, the museum hosts a very stylish and trendy bar/restaurant.

Benrath Castle is a beautiful baroque castle with a huge park leading to the Rhine River in the South of the city. Sometimes there are outdoor concerts during the summer season. Another very historic site is Kaiserswerth in the North – this is the most ancient part of the city with a 12^th century castle ruin. Take one of the river cruises from the Schlossturm in the old town – it takes you straight to Kaiserswerth.

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Rotterdam Netherlands

Maritime Museums Walking Parks and Boat Tours

 Original and fascinating professional guided walking tours. The heart of the second-largest city in the Netherlands lies inside a triangle of main roads. This inner city can easily be explored on foot within this triangle. The relatively short distances make a walk along beautiful and interesting sights and exceptional museums, the perfect way to discover Rotterdam.

City Tours daily walking tours in the mornings, afternoons and during the evenings. Explore Rotterdam, including a guided visit to the St. Lawrence Church, the White House, Erasmus, City Hall, St. Lawrence Church and the Lijnbaan, Europe's first pedestrian shopping streets and much more! After the walking tour, you could take a boat tour along the harbor.

The Museum Quarter from Sonneveld House, adjacent to the Dutch Architecture Institute, you stroll through the peaceful museum park to the stately Westersingel, containing the works of great sculptors such as Rodin and Shapiro and Gallery van Waning, located in a historic patrician house.

The Historic Maritime Quarter & Harbor Museum located on the Nieuwe Maas, a stately 19^th Century neighborhood. On the 'Veerhaven' you can see many traditional seagoing sailboats and yachts, there are no barriers such as bridges or locks making the harbor ideal for sailing ships. Then you will travel by water-taxi to the Harbor Museum in Leuvehaven and its collection of authentic and still working ships, port equipment and engines covering the period 1850-1970.

Parks Tour a fascinating walk through "The Park" on the Maas starts at the Norwegian Seaman's Church Sjømannskirken, located on the Westzeedijk then enter ´Schoonoord´, a 300 year old garden. The tour ends at the Euromast - the tallest observation tower in the Netherlands.

Delfshaven a historic area with over 600 years of history, it was the base Dutch East India Company; the Pilgrim Fathers departed from it wharfs in July 1620. Formerly the seaport of Delft, it is now a Rotterdam borough, a trendy area with restaurants, galleries and the city’s only brewery.

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Croatia Student Travel and Learning Experiences

Week Long Itineraries in March April May June and September

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. The first recorded appearance of the name Zagreb dates back to 1094, at which time the city existed as two different city centers: the smaller, eastern Kaptol, inhabited mainly by clergy and housing the Zagreb Cathedral, and the larger, western Gradec, inhabited by farmers and merchants. They were united in 1851.

More on Zagreb Area Activities:

The Central Wastewater Treatment Plant – CWWTZ - and related infrastructure. The CWWTZ project is the first concession for a wastewater treatment plant in Croatia enabling the City of Zagreb to be in compliance with European Union environmental standards in the field of environmental and water protection.

KONČAR a leading regional manufacturer of equipment and plants for generation, transmission and distribution of electric energy as well as applications for transport and other industries.

The Zagreb Technical Museum with exhibits of historic aircraft, cars, machinery and equipment.

Kraš and the largest manufacturer of confectionery products in South-Eastern Europe.

Stari Puntijar, dinner, wine cellar and wine tasting experience. Family owned for over 160 years.

Meet with 5^th Gymnasium high school students; faculty and students often visit the United States and participate in competitions with US and international schools.

Krško Nuclear Power Plant in nearby Slovenia and the Museums of Krapina-Zagorje Province More

The Cest is d' best festival the first street festival in Zagreb, established in 1997. It takes place in June

Smiljan Zadar and Split Highlights: Lika region and the Nikola Tesla Museum. Points of interest in Zadar: the Roman Forum, medieval remains and beautiful churches in Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque style. Picturesque squares and stone paved streets with cafes and shops. Also, the Sea Organ on Petar Kresimir IV embankment.

Dubrovnik is one of the most attractive destinations in the Mediterranean. A visit to the old town includes: the Cathedral, Orlando’s Column – the symbol of freedom and independence of Dubrovnik, Sponza palace, the Dominican monastery, Rector’s palace, a Franciscan monastery with the old pharmacy - established by the monks in 1317, the first in Europe. Lots of places for quiet walks and, nearby, Dubrovnik's famed beaches. More on Dubrovnik

Rastoke - Plitvice Lakes Stopover in a picturesque place called Rastoke - with its watermills run by a waterfall named Fairy's Hair. The Plitvice Lakes - 16 magnificent lakes embroidered with hundreds of wonderful white waterfalls in the midst of forests situated in the mountainous Lika region of Croatia - are part of UNESCO's list of World natural heritage. Walk along pathways and wooden bridges across the lakes and around waterfalls. A boat will take you to the other shore of the lake and the train station.

The Istria and Dalmatia Coasts

Krka National Park – Šibenik A pleasant bus drive along the coast toward the Krka river national park with numerous cascades and waterfalls. Walk along pathways and wooden bridges, visit old stone houses with watermills, weaving machines and some traditional crafts. There is also the first hydropower plant in Europe with generators designed by the great inventor Nikola Tesla. Walking around Skradinski’s typical Dalmatian streets you will see the 15^th century cathedral and the church of St. Michael, the ancient patron saint of the town.

Pula Brijuni National Park Rijeka and Krk Island

Punat boat excursion, swimming and lunch on board.

Biserujka Cave aka Vitezićeva Cave. The lowest point of the cave was measured at -13 meters, and the bottom of the cave is only 30 meters above the sea level. The cave extends beneath the surface and its overlay never exceeds 6 to 8 meters. Bone fragments of a cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) were found in the cave.  In the deeper part of the cave variations of microclimatic parameters are minor; soil and air temperature is about 15.0° C with relative humidity of about 95%, which makes the cave environment quite enjoyable.

The International Fair in Medevial Šibenik in on September 5 and 6

Trogir-Solin-Split A stop in Trogir includes the monastery and church of St. Lawrence with the famous portal carved by master Radovan in the 13^th century, the  Kamerlengo fortress and, nearby, the 15^th century round tower. On the way to Split, Roman Salona/Solin, one of the most important Roman and early Christian localities. Tour the forum with the 1^st century theatre, temples, the town walls, old Christian cemetery Kapljuc with the remainders of basilicas from the 4^th century. In Split, the palace and its cellars, Peristil, the inner yard with colonnades, the cathedral and its famous bell tower, the Golden gate and the monument to Grgur Ninski.

Kornati Park A  full day boat excursion to the most popular Adriatic archipelago and the southern cliffs that rise vertically above the sea up to 90 m. Kornati Archipelago will inspire you with its numerous bays, small fishing villages and crystal clear waters.

Skradin A romantic Mediterranean town with narrow paved streets, passages, vaults and stairs with stucco houses dating from the 18^th and 19^th century in the manner typical of Venice and areas under her influence. On the streets of Skradin you will find the pleasant atmosphere of a small Dalmatian town, especially during the festival of klapa (a capella singing typical of the Croatian Adriatic Coast) or during the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. More on Istria and Dalmatia

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