Europe lies on the western edge of Eurasia’s massive supercontinent and has long been recognized as an economic and cultural power. Explore this heritage through trips like Best of Ireland.
Classical students can explore Rome’s rich past at Pompeii, preserved after an eruption in 79 AD by volcanic ash deposits, before touring battlefields where World War One took place, such as Ypres and Flanders.
Rome & Pompeii
Pompeii, Italy’s best-known archaeological treasure, is an invaluable experience for history lovers. Here you can walk along its well-preserved streets of Roman city life as you uncover remnants of buildings destroyed by an explosion in 79 AD.
Minor signs of life remain in ruins, including evidence of Pompeii’s fast food restaurants, where containers held quick meals for hungry customers. There’s also evidence of ancient graffiti messages giving insight into Roman society.
Pompeii boasts some exquisitely preserved plaster casts depicting the final moments of those killed in Mount Vesuvius’ catastrophic eruption and its Roman Theater (once used for gladiator games). Climb up Mount Vesuvius for breathtaking vistas! A visit to Pompeii should not be missed!
Berlin & Checkpoint Charlie
The Berlin Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie can be an attraction that divides opinion, as visitors generally seem divided on merit. On TripAdvisor, reviews vary significantly, with some finding it too touristy while others finding its wide selection of artifacts helps tell its tale of this historical period.
At the heart of the city lies one of the iconic symbols of the Cold War – a border crossing. This area has featured in multiple spy thrillers, such as Octopussy to The Spy Who Came In From the Cold, and was famously the site of an intense standoff between American and Soviet tanks only 300 feet (100 meters) apart on October 22, 1961. Today, however, its former state gives an experience similar to Cold War Disneyland, with actors dressed up as American soldiers outside a guardhouse where visitors can have their passports stamped for a small fee.
World War I
At first, Europe seemed headed toward peace after Napoleon’s fall; however, complex personalities, rivalries, and colonialism led to a war, ultimately claiming over 65 million lives worldwide.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Austrian nationalist Gavrilo Prinz of Austria-Hungary on April 28, 1914, set off World War I. All great powers entered the war within weeks after Germany invaded and besieged Russia, and German submarines sunk the Lusitania.
The Western Front became embroiled in trench warfare for over four years until November 1918, when it finally ended with a general armistice. Gain insight into this tragic conflict through tours of France or Belgium’s World War I battlefields; visit places such as Arras, Ypres, The Somme, Passchendaele, and Hill 60 for firsthand life experiences on WWI front lines.
Greece
As the birthplace of Western civilization, Greece boasts an expansive past and culture that have mesmerized travelers for millennia. Today, Greece remains a stunning country filled with stunning beaches and iconic landmarks like the Acropolis in Athens or the Palace of Knossos on Crete; our educational Greece tours bring back time as visitors discover this ancient land’s ancient relics and cultural artifacts.
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens was established in the 19th century and featured five permanent collections: sculpture, metalwork, prehistoric antiquities, vases and minor arts, and Egyptian and Cypriot art. Our educational Greece tours frequently visit this landmark museum – considered one of Europe’s premier archaeological institutions and boasting one of its most significant collections of Greek artifacts.
Greece (aka Hellas) occupies the southern portion of Europe’s Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe and boasts thousands of islands across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Ancient Greece was famous for its long history of civilized society and rich mythology featuring gods, mortals, and demigods.
