August 20, 2010
I have just spent a wonderful week with my family in Greece. My 8-year old daughter had said she wanted to see the acropolis and so we fitted in a stop to Athens on our European tour and made her wish come true.
Thanks to ATA’s longstanding partners and dear friends, Eleni and Themis Zachariou, we enjoyed the perfect week – balanced with a fascinating visit to the acropolis in Athens followed by some relaxing days on the island of Aegina close by. I have long known that Eleni is able to impart her knowledge of ancient Greek history with pride and enthusiasm but this time it was wonderful to watch my kids learning. Eleni teaches with grace and her information is conveyed in such a way that it appeals to all ages.
Despite the heat, and it was seriously hot, the children were enthusiastic throughout the tour of the acropolis – that lasted several hours. As we hopped from one patch of shade to another, Eleni interwove the facts about the building of the Parthenon with stories of Greek gods. It was fascinating. When we arrived in the Acropolis Museum for a late lunch my daughter announced ‘ why are we watching this film, Eleni already told us all this!”
From Athens we took a ferry to Aegina, where Eleni and Themis have created a delightful family home in the hills above the port – surrounded by olive groves and pistachio trees (the staple crop of the island). The island of Aegina is hardly frequented by tourists, it is more a retreat for Athenians and is somewhat stuck in time. The port is filled with fishing boats and farmers selling their produce along the quay and lined with tavernas and small shops and stalls, many selling pistachios. Its simplicity is a great attraction.
Apart from unwinding here for a couple of days, it became apparent how the Zachariou family continually strive to create an authentic experience, catering to the individual guests every time and adapting to the season you are visiting. We were taken to the best beaches and given a tour of the Temple of Aphaia; and a pleasure for my foodie family, we were served some delicious Greek food. There is nothing that beats a perfectly ripened tomato seasoned with oregano and olive oil and served with feta cheese. We were treated to many fruits and vegetables from their garden, but we were also taken to some local tavernas that are frequented by Greek friends. It would be hard to imagine a more quintessential Greek experience than sitting on the beach savoring octopus, fried fish and ouzo as the sun went down. We enjoyed every mouthful.
The Zachariou’s skill is not only in treating you to the sights and flavours of Greece but in making you feel a part of it, however brief your stay. Even with my relatively young children we slipped into the Greek way of life (taking a long siesta during the heat of the day and eating out late). On our last night we were fighting with the locals for a table for dinner at a very popular courtyard taverna at 10:30 pm. But it was worth the wait. The garlic sauce served with the fried eggplants was divine.
Eleni also made my children feel comfortable with Greek – teaching them the Greek alphabet and basic phrases. So much so that my children refused to have the volume turned down on the Princess and the Frog DVD they were watching, even if it was in Greek. Listening to the lyrical sounds of the Greek language was all part of the experience.
In one short week my family had been treated to a very authentic introduction to Greece and they could see why I enjoy programming tours to Greece, not least because of the warmth of the Greek friends I work with. Efharisto Eleni and Themis!
Emma Impavido
Senior Program Manager
Academic Travel Abroad
1 Comment | 
Europe | Tagged: academic travel, Athens, Greece, Zachariou | 
Permalink
Posted by academictravel
April 28, 2010
The story of how travel was disrupted in Europe because of the erupting Icelandic volcano is almost a thing of the past now. Most travelers have made it home and transatlantic air travel is pretty much back to normal.
Over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal posed the question, “Is Travel Insurance Worth the Cost?” ( read more here )
This is a timely question, as American travelers are now assessing the unexpected additional costs they incurred. If they were traveling with a group, they are also assessing how their tour provider cared for them while they waited in limbo for the skies to clear and the runways to reopen.
For its part, Academic Travel Abroad kept its tour staff in place in two countries to ride out the delay with travelers, even though the tours had ended. ATA and its partners picked up the cost of some additional hotel nights, meals and additional activities. Travelers, understanding that they would also need to contribute to the costs, made the most of their additional days in London and Amsterdam.
Izabella Van Raalte, a long time ATA tour manager, summed up her feelings in a recent e-mail to Senior Program Manager Emma Impavido, who coordinated the company’s response and efforts to re-book travelers quickly with the help of Whitney Kulesz, Director of Travel Services:
“Thank you very much for being such a wonderful support on my recent tour. At all times I felt that I could bank on you 100 % and that you would come through which indeed you did. I looked forward to your daily “check in” phone call. ATA’s response to my request for help in getting hotel rooms at the eleventh hour was amazing. As I already told you it gave me great pleasure to be able to announce that ATA had managed to procure hotel rooms so quickly.
Emma, could you please also thank the whole team involved in back stopping for the great job they did. It takes a team to make a tour a success and I certainly felt as part of one and a great one at that.”
Academic Travel Abroad and its partner organizations actively promote the benefits of travel insurance to customers to protect their investment when the unexpected happens. Those travelers who purchased trip cancellation and delay coverage for their tours will be able to make substantial claims for reimbursement.
While none of us ever imagines ourselves the victim of a travel delay or mishap, the volcanic ash situation has reminded travelers how important it is to pick all of their travel partners wisely—from the tour company that makes the safety and well being of it customers its top priority, to the insurance company that stands by its coverage, and to the travel agent who swiftly and efficiently re-books passengers while airline websites and help lines crash through overuse.
Academic Travel Abroad
1 Comment | Europe, World, travel | Tagged: academic travel, delays, educational travel, Europe, group travel, insurance, partners, travel | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
August 27, 2009
ACADEMIC TRAVEL ABROAD, INC. LAUNCHES NEW SALES DIVISION
Professionals Abroad debuts on September 1, 2009
Washington, DC, September 2009—Academic Travel Abroad, a 59-year old international travel company that has served the country’s elite non-profit organizations, museums, and universities in operating specialized educational and cultural programs, will launch a new sales division on September 1st.
Professionals Abroad will develop and market high quality international professional programs to associations for their members’ career development, continuing education and cultural enrichment. These programs will provide an opportunity for associations to engage in counterpart exchange and international outreach. Dawn Davis, formerly the Executive Director of Citizen Ambassador Program, a division of the People to People Ambassador Program in Spokane, Washington, will lead the Professionals Abroad team. Dawn brings over twenty years of experience with professional delegations to ATA, and maintains strong relationships with many of the country’s largest professional organizations.
ATA has ensured its long term stability through diversification of its portfolio. In 1994, ATA acquired CET Academic Programs, a premier study abroad organization. In 2005, ATA acquired Grandtravel, the originator of travel programs designed exclusively for grandparents and grandchildren. In addition, the company manages the reservation and customer service centers for National Geographic Expeditions, Smithsonian Journeys, and The American Museum of Natural History’s Expeditions, as well as managing the overall AMNH tour program as the Museum’s outsource partner.
“We are delighted to be entering a new market,” said Chase Poffenberger, ATA’s Executive Vice President. “Dawn Davis brings a wealth of energy, creativity and professionalism to the company and we feel fortunate that she will be leading our new division.” While Dawn will reside in Washington State, she will travel to ATA’s offices in Washington, DC regularly and collaborate with ATA’s marketing, programming and customer service teams.
To learn more about this program, contact:
Chase Poffenberger
Executive Vice President
Academic Travel Abroad
Leave a Comment » | World, academic travel, educational travel, travel | Tagged: academic travel, ATA, career development, Chase Poffenberger, Dawn Davis, educational travel, international outreach, professional development, travel abroad, travel professionals | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
August 7, 2009
Even in tough economic times, people are turning to group tours as a reliable way to travel that provides value and peace of mind. Tour operators negotiate group discounts, plan activities with smooth logistics in mind, access unique venues and draw on well-connected contacts in destinations around the globe. With years of experience under their belt, tour operators offer travelers the most value and security for their dollars.
Here are ten pointers from the National Tour Association’s latest newsletter that reinforces why Academic Travel Abroad is proud to be part of this organization of tourism professionals who share our common goals.
Excerpt from the NTA's "Trip Planner" for August 2009
Leave a Comment » | Tourism, educational travel, group travel, travel | Tagged: academic travel, ATA, educational travel, group travel, Most sense, NTA, Tourism, travel | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
August 3, 2009
A visit to the studio of R.B. Bhaskeran for talks on Modern Art Movements in India
India ranks very high on the “life lists” of many travelers, including the group of museum professionals and ATA staff who set out in early June to learn about India’s booming contemporary art scene, which has its roots in a 5,000 year artistic tradition.
India is “exotic” in a way quite unlike any other place on earth. It was a sensory overload, a spiritual experience, and a mystical, bedazzling riot of colors and activity—all at the same time. Braving India’s summer heat, we were rewarded with virtually tourist-free sights and monuments.
Our exhilarating journey to Chennai, Agra and Delhi provided us with an exciting curriculum in the living arts, as well as an introduction to the India’s most important art movements, archeological treasures, and architectural monuments. For eight days, we had the distinct pleasure of discussing art and culture with painters, dancers, musicians and an extraordinary archeologist. We left India hungry for more, knowing we had just scratched the surface of a rich, multi-layered artistic tradition.
There were so many highlights to cherish on this trip!
First, the artists. Kuntal Desai and R B Bhaskeran in Chennai generously opened their homes to us, giving us a very personal look at their work and inspiration. We also visited several artists’ villages, and a state-sponsored artist studio in Delhi.
Then there were the musicians and dancers, who demonstrated the power of oral tradition in India culture, and sang and played beautiful music on traditional instruments.
And of course, we were awe-struck at the Taj Mahal, where we spent two hours examining this most famous example of Mughal architecture. We also spent time at the temples of Mahabalipuram, built between the 7th and 9th century.
To see a slideshow of our tour, click here
To see a few of our trip videos, click here
Academic Travel Abroad’s website
Leave a Comment » | Asia travel, India, Tourism, World, academic travel, travel | Tagged: academic travel, Agra, Chennai, Delhi, India, Red Fort, Taj Mahal, travel, travel abroad | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
December 3, 2008
At Academic Travel Abroad, the term “travel professionals” only skims the surface of the overseas experience of our staff. Overall, we’ve been fortunate enough to travel to over 99 different countries across the globe, spanning all seven continents. Our most-visited destination is France, with Italy running a close second. England, Germany, Greece and China are not far behind as some of the most frequented destinations. We’ve ventured to these far-away destinations for a multitude or reasons including business, studies, vacationing and places of periodic residence. The diverse travel experiences of our staff helps us ensure that the tours we offer are rewarding, culturally rich and travelers can have their questions answered by someone knowledgeable and experienced with respect to the destination.
Within the Travel Services Department, almost every member of our staff has studied abroad in a variety of countries including: England, Germany, Greece, India, Peru, and Spain. We also speak 3 languages: French, German and Spanish, which makes a walk through the office seem like a visit to the UN. This wealth of knowledge is put to good use as our department assists travelers in preparing for their chosen tours so that their experiences are that much more rewarding.
Hardly a day goes by without a staff member recounting a unique travel experience or having the opportunity to connect with a future traveler on the phone about a past or future adventure abroad. With so many of our staff having been to the countries that we travel to, there is almost always someone around to make a recommendation as to what to do, what to eat, and where to stay.
When these unique qualities and experience are matched with our valued partners like Smithsonian Journeys, National Geographic Expeditions, Yale Alumni Association, American Museum of Natural History, the International Monetary Fund, the Brookings Institute and so many more, the educational and cultural travel experiences we offer are unmatched.
To learn more about our staff and read their individual bios, click here.
Academic Travel Abroad
Check out our Facebook page here
RSS our Twitter feed here!
Read our staff travel blog here
1 Comment | Asia travel, Egypt, Europe, Greece, Mongolia, Tourism, Travel, academic travel, educational travel, travel, travel abroad | Tagged: academic travel, Academic Travel Abroad, Africa, Asia, culture, educational travel, Europe, experiences, globe, overseas, travel, travel aborad, vacations | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
November 10, 2008
Christkindlmarkt (advent market) in front of the town hall of Vienna
Visiting Vienna in December is a way to recapture the feelings and impressions of Christmas I felt as a child. In December darkness falls quite early, but the sparkling lights and magical objects of the Christkindlmarkts and throughout Vienna itself made my eyes widen in excitement and my heart glow in anticipation. December offers the pleasure of coming into a warm Viennese coffee house from chilly outdoors to order an elegant pastry or a delicious Apfelstrudel with one of the many coffee selections offered. Vienna is quite serious about coffee.
It’s so easy to get about the city from the Hotel de France, located right on the Ringstrasse. You can walk so easily to all the places in Vienna’s first district—or, if you get cold—hop on the streetcar that goes in both directions around the Ring. One shop well worth a visit is The British Bookshop at Weiburggasse 24; it has a wide range of English language books.
Vienna streets lined in Christmas lighting.
Vienna is truly a city of music from Hayden’s elegant quartets to Straus’s lovely waltzes. Mozart is very much present in Vienna—you cannot escape his music or his life story. This Christmas in Vienna program offers one an opportunity to explore and experience Vienna’s fine art and architecture.
This trip offers a full experience of the romance of Vienna and the celebration of Christmas.
Susan Parry
Secretary Treasurer,
Academic Travel Abroad
Click here to learn more about this trip.
RSS our Twitter feed here!
Leave a Comment » | Austria, Europe, Tourism, Travel, academic travel, travel | Tagged: academic travel, Academic Travel Abroad, Austria, Christmas, Christmas travel, educational travel, Europe, European travel, holidays, Smithsonian Journeys, travel, Vienna | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
October 3, 2008
Why you should continue with your travel plans.
If you have been thinking about traveling on an educational tour in 2009, here are a few reasons to not change your plans.
1. Our all-inclusive tours are already priced. On our exciting land programs, there is never any inflation of currency or other costs between the time you commit and the time you travel. This is reassuring, as the value of the dollar has been unpredictable during the last several months.
2. Our educational tours represent great value. If you are a life long learner, you will delight in how intellectually stimulating our tours are. Our itineraries are focused and fun, and offer lots of behind-the-scenes extras that would be hard to set up on your own. We guarantee that you will learn more in less time than on many other tours.
3. We have anticipated the unexpected for you. Our tour staff takes care of all of the details of your vacation so you can focus on learning. Should the unexpected occur—delayed baggage, a lost passport, or a delayed flight—rest assured that your ATA tour manager will take over so that you can stay on schedule with the tour without interruption.
4. You will travel with like-minded people. Many of our travelers say that the people they meet on tour make the experience truly magical. We attract well-traveled men and women who savor the luxury of time to experience a new (or familiar!) destination in depth. They are interested, and interesting!
5. Some of your favorite spots in the world might be more accessible than ever.
It is inevitable that some travelers will defer their plans until a later date. This means that you might be able to avoid crowds at some of the world’s most famous sites.
Please call us at 800-556-7896 to speak to one of our knowledgeable staff about an upcoming tour or visit our website at: www.academic-travel.com!
Chase Poffenberger
RSS our Twitter feed here!
1 Comment | Europe, Tourism, Travel, travel | Tagged: academic travel, Asia travel, bail-out package, economy, Europe travel, investments, time to travel, travel, vacations, why travel | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
September 15, 2008
This is a particularly busy fall for ATA staff! Many of us are traveling to far flung parts of the world to research new itineraries, touch base with key contacts, discover new special touches, and keep abreast of opportunities that will enhance our programs.
Although we conduct an extraordinary amount of research as arm chair travelers from Washington, sometimes there is no substitute for being there. Our investment of time and resources in staff travel makes an impact on the quality of tours we offer around the world.
Research Trips
President Kate Simpson will be heading to Morocco to put the finishing touches on our new itinerary. Senior Program Manager Michelle Korczynski will accompany Chairman David Parry to Ethiopia, a country with resurging interest among ATA’s clients. David is just back from hiking in the Italian Dolomites, where he tested the difficulty of the trails that are planned for next year’s Smithsonian Institution members.
Inspection Trips
Senior Program Managers Chris Roper and Janet Varn will be inspecting new luxury ships in Vietnam and Greece, respectively. We expect to showcase several of these new vessels in our 2010 tours.
Upcoming Conferences
Direct Marketing Manager Emilia Pawlowski and Smithsonian Service Center Manager Megan Pierce will be attending the National Tour Association’s annual convention in Pittsburgh. ATA is active in the NTA, a trade organization of thousands of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. They will delve into the convention’s “green” theme, bringing back ideas for conservation, both on tour and in our offices. Vice President Chase Poffenberger, Senior Program Manager Janet Varn and President Kate Simpson will attend the World Travel Market in London, a four-day global travel industry event that brings together worldwide buyers and sellers from every sector of the industry. Finally, Chairman David Parry will gather in Cairo with fellow members of the American Tourism Society, a destination marketing organization representing the Baltics, Central Europe, Russia and the Mediterranean, for ATS’ annual meeting.
And In Our Spare Time
Director of Business Development Larry Guillemette is retuning from Norway where he spent his vacation touring Oslo, Bergen and the lovely Norwegian fjords. And Michelle Korczynski will vacation in Columbia later this month and see how the country is living up to its new reputation as the next “up and coming” destination!
What destinations will you be exploring next? Tell us!
Don’t forget to visit us at www.academic-travel.com
RSS our Twitter feed here!
1 Comment | Europe, Tourism, Travel, academic travel, travel | Tagged: academic travel, Academic Travel Abroad, Asia, ATA, destinations, Europe, Norway, travel, travel agents, travel conferences | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
August 29, 2008
I accompanied the National Geographic Expeditions group on the Scotland’s Highlands and Islands program, July 31 – August 10, 2008. From the very beginning, I was awed by the country, the people (our expedition staff in particular!), and this fantastic itinerary. While it’s hard to list every fond memory I have of our time in Scotland, I am eager to share just a few of my favorite highlights:
Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle: The stunning skill of the marchers, musicians, and performers could not have had a better backdrop than this fortress. And we could not have had a better view!
The Lord of the Glens: Our home for seven nights, the ship and her staff were warm and accommodating. From the bagpiper’s welcome to the elaborate haggis presentation during our farewell dinner, no energy was spared by Brian, our hotel manager; John, our captain; or Sandy, our bartender; to make our stay entertaining and comfortable.
Scottish music and dance private performance: While we were docked in Banavie, Cullough, Natalie, and Angus joined us on board to perform classic Scottish piping, dancing, fiddle, and accordion. This group is famous in Scotland for its award-winning shows – we all felt so lucky to have the chance to chat with them about their skills after the performance.
Whisky tasting led by Jim and Stuart: No one knew we had such a wealth of knowledge about the many varieties of single malt whisky on board until Stuart and Jim chose their three favorites to describe, characterize, and sample with us! A whisky beginner myself, it was the perfect introduction (after they added a little water . . .)
NG Expert Jim Russell and Blue Badge Guides Iris Barry and Stuart Cowie: – Between Jim’s lectures on Scottish history, and Iris and Stuart’s ability to bring the battlefield of Culloden or Glencoe to life (in addition to some colorful commentary on Highland sheep and cows!), I was never left wanting for background on anything I was seeing. Or eating.
Natural Beauty: A few members of our group rose early most mornings for a run around the town we had docked in the night prior. The clean, crisp, cool air was a welcome respite from the heat and mugginess we had felt in D.C. for the weeks prior to our departure. With days spent in quaint towns with one-lane roads surrounded by lush, green, rolling hills, it was hard to imagine returning to the hustle and bustle of most of our lives.
There is so much I haven’t mentioned – but I could go on forever. Thanks to all our travelers and staff for a wonderful trip! For more photos from the trip, visit Academic Travel Abroad’s Facebook album HERE – and “friend” us while you’re there!
- Whitney Kulesz
RSS our Twitter feed here!
1 Comment | Europe, Tourism, Travel, academic travel, travel | Tagged: travel, Scotland, Scotland's highlands, National Geographic Expeditions, Edinburgh Castle, Lord of the glens, Europe, academic travel, Academic Travel Abroad, whisky tasting, Glencoe and Culloden battlefields | Permalink
Posted by academictravel
