From the classics to a progressive path forward, dive into Western Europe with Educational Travel Collaborative, L.L.C.

For centuries, the "grand tour" of continental Europe has been de rigueur for aspiring leaders in business, culture, and innovation. While travel (and the continent) have changed since the beginnings of this tradition - the importance of spending time in the many realities offered by this dynamic part of our planet remains unchanged.

A Dynamic Global Leader. A Destination Steeped in History.

Modern Europe fuses the past, the present, and hopes for the future like nowhere else on earth.

Europe - it almost speaks for itself as a destination. For young people, though, the value is particularly profound - visions of countless other ways to live, from Scandinavian democratic socialism to the Mediterranean siesta scene - the multiculturalism of London to the tradition of the French countryside - Europe offers accessible diversity and unrivaled infrastructure and accessibility to travelers looking to broaden their horizons. Let us help you choose from an almost limitless array of options for growth, learning, and transformation!

Spotlight: Mediterranean Europe

Unique Ways of Life

The Mediterranean is the land of the Siesta, of spending more on food and drink per capita than any similarly wealthy region in the world, of flexible working hours and long walks on the coast. Travelers benefit immensely from experiencing culture as rich, proud, and well defined as that of the states of the Med - whether we are talking about Greece, Italy, Spain, or even the south of France. Success has a different definition here, and it is one that is worth embracing. A community defined by family, collegiality, and legacy can be strikingly different than where many young people come from, a difference with potentially transformative value for both individuals and careers.

A Crossroads of Culture and Humanity

The Mediterranian has been Europe's gateway to the world since time immemorial. Trade and conflict with the Phoenicians (Lebanon), Carthage (Tunisia), Alexandria (Egypt), and Istanbul (Turkey) have shaped cities like Marseille, Barcelona, Athens, Catania, and so many more towns and villages. Today, issues surrounding immigration, integration, and shifting economic realities and trade patterns ensure that these cities are no less relevant to the modern world. Those studying development, urban regeneration, immigration, refugee policy, traditional art and manufacturing, public health, economic transitions, and so much more will find projects and passions to engage with throughout the region. Even if your areas of interest are less clearly defined, simply immersing yourself in the culture on offer here will yield massive personal and professional dividends.

Spotlight: Scandinavia

Legendary Natural Assets

Scandinavia's natural wonders need very little introduction - fjords, glaciers, and dramatic coastlines from the region are heavily featured in international film and television, as well as "best in travel" lists. Access to the natural wonderland of Scandinavia is, with a bit of planning, easy and efficient, even using public transportation. Let us help you explore some of Europe's best-preserved wild places.

A Unique Social Experiment

"Social Democracy" is a phrase that has been thrown around a great deal over the past few decades in the US and other Western nations, but Scandinavia is the region in which the ideology was born. While it has its successes and its failures, the reality is that the functioning of the state and its role in the lives of individuals is fundamentally different than in many parts of the world including the US, the UK, and Hong Kong. Future leaders in the fields of education, business, development, entrepreneurship, finance, energy exploitation, sustainability, and more have so much to learn from this part of the world.

Planning Notes

Let Us Take You There

As with any area of the world, there are particular planning notes that you should be aware of when planning your itinerary, and while Europe is more accessible than many of the destinations we work with, there are still a few things we'd suggest you keep in mind as you start thinking through your European epic!

Duration: Balancing Depth and Scope

One of the things we find ourselves supporting aspiring travelers through most often is the adjustment of their expectations around how much they should attempt to see and do in a set amount of time. It is difficult to make a blanket statement about how long to spend in each city or country on this exceptionally diverse continent. That said, we strongly encourage our travelers to steer away from the "new country every three days" model of European travel. The travelers who take the most away from their time in Europe are those who spend some time in the countryside, exploring the regional heritage of the places they visit!

Transportation Options Galore

High-speed rail, low-cost night busses, budget airlines, national flagship carriers, fifth freedom rights and regulations - there are countless ways to get to, from, and around Europe. While this may be a blessing in some senses, it is also one of the biggest sources of headaches for many traveling to the continent. The cheapest ticket may end up costing 3 or 4 times as much as a more expensive option with additional fees added on. Sometimes pre-booking services like checked baggage or meals costs less than a tenth as much in advance as it does once underway. We will unpack this with you and help you make the best choice.

Schengen Visas, Brexit, ETIAS, and Unaffiliated States

In many ways, Europe is the least intimidating place in which we facilitate travel. Still - there is an increasing level of complexity related to travel law and long term time limits spent in various countries and unions. Additionally, those from the US and many other nations now need advance permission through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). We will help you unpack these restrictions and plan your itinerary in such a way as to maintain compliance without limiting your future travel opportunities, or your freedom to travel through the region.

Estimated Costs and Pricing

Every trip is different, tailored to what you want to do and see, and your speed and style of travel. That said, these ballpark figures provide a solid estimate of what all-in costs would look like, including our fees, international airfare, and day to day meals and expenses. Estimates are for one traveler, see our pricing page for more information on small groups, and pricing differences for gap year travelers versus shorter term travel.