Archive for the ‘Educational Tours’ Category

Scottish Textile Tours

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

Scotland’s connection to fashion runs deep with its history of yarn spinning and fabric manufacture. From Scottish cashmere, Harris Tweed, Argyles and hand knitting to Fair Isle, Paisley and tartan, Scotland’s textile industry has long produced beautiful, unique and traditional fabrics which continue to wow international visitors.   

Alongside this, the great number of Scottish fashion designers are making a mark on the international scene, drawing attention to Scotland extensive fashion and craft works.

To review our full range of programmes to Scotland and across the British Isles for custom groups, please visit our website at www.selecttravel.com

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World Of Shakespeare Exhibition

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

The British Museum will stage a major exhibition in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company. It will revisit William Shakespeare’s stories and tell them anew to London in 2012.

400 years ago, the playhouse dominated society, from the lowliest groundlings to kings and queens. Spanning the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, Shakespeare used the playhouse – an exciting new way to present drama – to showcase his own particular take on history and contemporary cultures from across the world. His influence was huge in his own time and his tales echo down through the ages. The exhibition will provide a unique insight into the emerging role of London as a world city, seen through the lens of Shakespeare’s plays.

Maps, prints, drawings, paintings and tapestries will sit alongside arms and armour, books, coins, medals and much more. These objects will show the world that Shakespeare knew, highlight his importance at the time, and reveal how one man’s work has such a universal appeal. As well as the fantastic range of objects drawn from the British Museum’s collection and across Europe, contemporary performance will also bring Shakespeare’s world to life.  Its all part of the World Shakespeare Festival which is part of London 2012 Festival

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Military History Museum, Dresden

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Located in the German city of Dresden, the Military History Museum has reopened with a totally new look and forward thinking way of presenting its collections.  Deliberately provocative, a new exhibition hall is designe by controversial architect Daniel Libeskind.  The presentations move away from the traditional means of looking at military equipment and campaigns, preferring to draw the visitor into the social roots, effects and nuances of war.  This includes  a multiple senses depiction of the smells and sounds of the WWI trenches.  Another recreats the fear that war brings to both soldiers and civilians with the simulation of bombing campaigns from around the globe including the Hiroshima mushroom cloud.  There is way too much good stuff to detail here.  Sufficient to say, a visit to the museum is a “must see” for an student of military history, young or not so young.   Select Travel has a long list of sample military history itineraries and as always design each one to suit the needs of every group.

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German Emigration Centre Bremerhaven

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

The German Emigration Centre brings to life the story of the seven million people who emigrated by boat from Bremerhaven between 1830 and 1974. More than 90% of the emigrants who sailed from here were headed for the USA and Canada. The route across the North Atlantic became the world’s busiest “bridge to overseas”. At one time, Bremerhaven was the largest emigration port in Europe. Many people failed in the New World, but many made it too. Instead of using information boards and photos, the German Emigration Centre offers visitors a chance to truly experience this period through a combination of education, entertainment, recreation and culinary delights. Using real-life examples, the museum gives visitors an insight into what it was like for people to leave their homes behind and start afresh in America. You get a real sense of history, emotions and the pain of parting. 1,000 personal histories are stored in the archives, and the exhibition focuses on the biographies of around 60 selected emigrants. With elaborate reconstructions and spectacular scenes, the museum tells visitors to this historic location about people’s reasons for leaving, how they survived the cross-Atlantic journey and what happened to them afterwards.

If you have a group that are interested in their European ancestry, or would just like to include a visit to the Emigration Centre, to see what it was like to go through this process all those years ago, then just let Select Travel know and we can design your tour accordingly.

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Gilbert Collection, Victoria & Albert Museum

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

A generous donation and endowment from the Heather Trust has allowed the V&A to re-display the Gilbert Collection, one of the most important collections of works of art ever gifted to Britain. The Collection, previously displayed at Somerset House, was formed over four decades in Los Angeles by the late Sir Arthur Gilbert, a Briton by birth, and his wife Rosalinde. The result of their passion for great craftsmanship, it comprises breath-taking objects in the fields of English and Continental gold and silver, gold snuff-boxes, Italian micro-mosaics, pietre dure from Florence and Rome and enamel portrait miniatures. In each of these fields it is pre-eminent. The collection was given to the nation in 1996, an act of outstanding generosity for which Sir Arthur was awarded his Knighthood. Opening this month – June 2009 – the redisplay of this superb collection will provide an exciting and dramatic complement to the existing Whiteley Silver and Sacred Silver and Stained Glass Galleries. The displays will highlight the virtuoso quality of works in different media, emphasizing their technical achievement. A visit to this collection is an absolute must for any group interested in fine arts, and Select Travel can design wonderful art tours across the UK and Europe.

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Monet, Giverny France

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Our Director of US Sales, Judee Kaplan reflects on a visit to Giverny, France. Years ago I had the pleasure of discovering a wonderful museum next door to Monet’s beautiful gardens and home in Giverny, The Museum of American Impressionism. It was upon visiting this outstanding museum that I learned Giverny was an American artist’s colony at the turn of the 20th century. American artists came to learn about and explore the new techniques of impressionism. A long lasting connection developed between French and American artists. In 1992, the Terra Foundation for the Arts opened this jewel of a museum. Exhibiting a fine collection of American Impressionist artists, their purpose was to explore the connection between the artist of France and the United States. I was sorry to learn that in 2006 the Terra Foundation ended the relation with the museum and it closed. Because of the importance of being able to display the variety in the impressionist movement the museum has just reopened. In May, 2009 the museum became the Museum of Impressionism Giverny under the control of local authorities and in partnership with the d’Orsay Museum in Paris the mission continues. I look forward to visiting again soon and to be able to enjoy the special collections.

Be sure not to miss including Giverny in your tour to France. What a wonderful day you will have visiting Monet’s famous gardens and home, and to complete your visit the Museum of Impressionism Giverny.

It is specific museum such as this one that the Select Travel Service design team includes in a custom itinerary. Contact us for more information about unusual places to visit.

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St. Gallen Switzerland

Friday, June 19th, 2009

A charming Swiss town off the beaten path between Lake Constance and Appenzell lays St. Gallen. This mini metropolis provides a variety interesting sites to visit. The beautiful Old Town known for the colorfully painted oriel windows dates back to 612 when Irish missionary monk Gallus founded a hermitage.

There are two center pieces in the town; the beautiful and impressive Cathedral and the Abbey Library. The renowned library contains a world class collection of around 140,000 documents, some hand-written and over 1,000 years old. However, it is not just the rare book collection that makes the library an important place to visit. The Rocco hall of the library is believed to be one of the most beautiful in all of Switzerland and I am sure you will agree once you see it.

But, there is more to St. Gallen. The town became prosperous and internationally recognized for embroidery and textiles. The Textile Museum displays the importance of this industry to the town and should be included in your itinerary. You will be impressed with the beautiful pieces on display.

St. Gallen is a little treasure. The old town is traffic-free, so you can relax and wander around. It offers excellent Swiss cuisine (some think even better than the French), easy access to other regions in Switzerland, Germany or Austria, friendly people and beautiful scenery.

Select Travel Service can include a visit to St. Gallen in your group’s custom itinerary and provide you with that memorable off the beaten path experience.

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Bath and Jane Austen

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

The Jane Austen Centre located in the heart of the city of Bath in southwest England, is a permanent exhibition which tells the story of the author’s life experiences in the city, and explores the influence of those experiences on her work. Jane Austen is perhaps the best known and best loved of Bath’s many famous residents and visitors.

She paid two long visits here towards the end of the eighteenth century, and from 1801 to 1806 Bath was her home. Visiting groups can enjoy a walking tour of Jane Austen sights in Bath followed by a traditional English tea at the award-winning Regency Tea Rooms. And now, strictly by appointment, Select Travel groups will now be able to take advantage of the Jane Austen Centre’s extensive costume collection and spend time dressed as a Regency lady or gentleman! A great photo opportunity and a fun activity for fans of the period or those with an interest in drama.

Select Travel has wide experience of Literary tours and will tailor your itinerary to visit sights associated with your own favourite authors.

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ExtraSchicht – The Night of Industrial Culture

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Once a year the Metropolitan Ruhr District (Ruhrgebiet) in Germany celebrates a colourful culture festival: For one night only, the ExtraSchicht festival turns active and former industrial plants into unforgettable stages for performances by international artists. On 27 June 2009, the time has finally come again: More than 160,000 visitors will embark on an exciting journey of discovery and be treated to an impressive taste of what the European Capital of Culture 2010 will offer. The Night of Industrial Culture is characterized by its own special dynamic. Visitors set out on their individual tour through the night, travelling from venue to venue by means of a shuttle bus system that has been specially organized for the event. The ExtraSchicht Ticket entitles guests to admission to all venues as well as free travel with the Metropolitan Ruhr District public transportation system. At the heart of the mobility network and, at the same time, serving as centres of the cultural programme, are the “hubs”. These feature special performances and spectacular final productions after midnight. From 6 pm to 2 am, visitors can explore around 40 venues, enjoy the programme including anything from classic music to hip-hop tunes, street theatre performances or take part in guided tours.

Something that might appeal to groups interested in industrial heritage, the performing arts, or both? This is one way that Select Travel can imaginatively add an extra dimension to your special interest European tour.

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