Posts Tagged ‘Custom Group Tours’

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German Soccer Tours

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Football’s coming home, German-style …. The newly opened “Deutsches Fussballmuseum” in Berlin features about 10,000 exhibits on the history of football (soccer). The museum also highlights the economic and political aspects of Germany’s favourite sport with a focus on its development after the Second World War. Big screens show past football highlights and are also used for live screenings of matches.

Elsewhere in Germany, in a classic Ruhr valley derby, Dortmund has pipped Gelsenkirchen to become the home to the new 30 million euro German National Football Museum, which the German Football Federation (DFB) hopes to open in 2012. The cities of Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen are located just half an hour apart, and their respective principal football clubs, Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04, are bitter rivals. Ordinarily, the two cities’ fans receive just two chances per year – when the club sides play each other – to show true one-upmanship. The decision by the German Football Federation (DFB) to build the new German Football Museum in Dortmund and not in Gelsenkirchen, however, is a bit more permanent!

Whether you’re a fan of soccer, or any other sport, allow us to indulge your passion and design a tour for your club or group. And if you’re a teacher, we can set up matches for school teams too

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Posted in Soccer | 3 Comments »

A Wonderful Discovery in Madrid

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

The city of Madrid has so much to offer that is does not matter how many times you have been there, you can always find something new to explore. One of my favorite lesser known museums to visit or, should I say one that is not on most tour itineraries is the ‘Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas’. This quite but outstanding museum has a variety of collections. One of the specialties is the Chinese porcelain from the Ming and Qing Dynasty. There are also valuable artifacts that include Roman glass and Coptic fabrics, rare coins, and textiles. I was particularly interested in the collection of utensils, pottery and tiles. This is a little gem, and you will be surprised by how much you enjoy your visit.

People come back to Madrid because of all the wonderful museums and sites. Select Travel Service understands that return visitors want to discover those “off the beaten path” places to visit. This museum is just one of many unique experiences we can include in our next group tour to Madrid. Contact us for more information about your customized group itinerary.

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Posted in Art Tours, Educational Tours, Student Tours | No Comments »

Zurich’s Fraumunster Church

Friday, July 24th, 2009

This small Swiss church with historic significance is worthy of a visit for another reason. Though not included on many group tour itineraries, this church once a Benedictine convent (853) was closed at the Reformation and later held services for the Catholic and Protestant worshipers (1833-1844) was renovated in the 20th century.

The renovation is important because, the Frumunster became known not only for its beautiful spire but, also for the exceptional stain glass windows created by two of the world’s most renowned artist.

Giacometti (1940’s) designed a large stained-glass window in the north transept. This beautiful window depicting God and Christ, the eight prophets, the Four Evangelists and ten angles is worthy of much attention. However, it is Marc Chagall’s five stained-glass windows that have become the bigger attraction. The Chagall windows are around 33 feet tall and when the morning light shines through they are most spectacular. A symbolic color scheme, of blue, green, red and orange is used to represent the earth and the heavens. The five windows are titled, the Prophets, Jacob, Zion, Christ and Law. Marc Chagall had a very personal relationship with the city of Zurich and these windows allowed him to express how much he cared.

Even if you are only in Zurich for a short time this church is a must visit. Select will be sure to include the Fraumunster into your tour itinerary. Call us today for more information about unusual places to visit on your custom tour in Switzerland.

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Posted in Art Tours, Educational Tours, History, Switzerland | No Comments »

Visiting Buckingham Palace

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Every summer visitors can experience life like the Queen during the opening of Buckingham Palace. Between late July and the end of September every year the Palace opens its doors to the public. See dresses and jewellery worn by The Queen, and gifts presented to Her Majesty by the people of the Commonwealth will be on display in Queen & Commonwealth: The Royal Tour. The exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth and will evoke some of the most important overseas tours undertaken by Her Majesty during her reign. Select Travel will tailor your visit with along a Royal theme and can include visits to Hampton Court and Windsor Castle during a visit to England.

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Posted in Educational Tours, History, Student Tours | No Comments »

Visiting Wimbledon

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

So what happens at Wimbledon the other 50 weeks of the year? Having spent a day at Wimbledon watching the tennis this week, it strikes us this a great place to visit even when the championships are not on. There is nowhere quite like Wimbledon. It is unique and has an atmosphere all of its own. Even though the modernization of the club is now complete, providing facilities unmatched anywhere in the world, the venue retains its unique sense of history and tradition and everywhere you turn there are reminders of its glorious past.

Visitors year round can tour the grounds and visit the award-winning museum that houses the Championship trophies, the talking ‘ghost’ of John McEnroe telling stories about his days at Wimbledon, film footage of some of the greatest games played here, a CGI special effects cinema capturing the science of tennis and an unsurpassed collection of tennis memorabilia featuring racquets and clothing used by past champions including Borg, McEnroe, Navratilova, Graf, the Williams sisters, Sampras, Federer and Nadal.

2009 also marks the opening of the brand new CentreCourt360 exhibition – a remarkable viewing platform designed to offer viewers a full 360 degree interactive view of Centre Court and placing them in the shoes of the players themselves. Discover the technology of the court, the secret behind the ultra-smooth grass surface and what makes Centre Court one of the world’s great sporting theatres.

When planning your next tour with Select Travel, ask us about visiting Wimbledon and other notable sporting venues including Wembley (soccer, football), Twickenham (rugby), Lords (cricket) and other great stadia including Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal football clubs.

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Posted in Soccer, Sports | 1 Comment »

The Cork Butter Museum, Ireland

Monday, July 20th, 2009

Yes, there is a museum about Butter and the Cork Butter Museum is unique. The butter trade in Ireland is one of the country’s great success stories. Butter is Ireland’s most important food export. The museum tells the story of the Butter Trade and how important the international exchange became in the 19th century. The museum describes the major role that the dairy culture had on the commercial, social and domestic life of Ireland.

The visit begins with displays about preserving butter in bogs and the milch cows of medieval Ireland. There are exhibits of butter-making equipment from the traditional craft at home through to the 20th century. There is a gallery about the culture of cattle and dairying in early Ireland. It explains that cows were not just a source for butter and cheese but, that they were also a measure of a person’s wealth and position. Panels provide additional information about the food and society in early Ireland. One of the special items on display is a keg of thousand year old butter.

Another part of the museum is dedicated to the development of the city of Cork and the international trading of the 1700’s. The Cork Butter Exchange developed into the largest butter market in the world. Displayed here is the typical firkin or barrel that was used by the farmer to bring the butter to the exchange. There is another section that describes the development of the international trade of butter and the “butter roads”.

This is a great museum to bring your groups and especially your student groups for an educational experience. Select Travel Service can arrange for special educational programs during your visit. Call us for more information.

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Posted in Culinary | No Comments »

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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Posted in Educational Tours, Switzerland | No Comments »

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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Posted in Educational Tours, Festivals | No Comments »

London Walking Tours

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Walking tours of London with a difference. The past decade has seen east London dramatically transformed. Today, it’s one of London’s most vibrant and multi-layered enclaves. Big money projects sit alongside traditional family businesses, while Londoners of a thousand ethnicities share the same neighbourhood with recent migrants. A walking tour of East London is an explosion of scenes and sights. From magnificent 18th century townhouses and Victorian terraces to stand-out art galleries and über-cool spaces. And because this is London’s creative hub, we can introduce you to up-and-coming fashion designers, artists and designer-makers and their work. For food lovers there is plenty to experience too, as we visit stores and markets selling foodstuffs from across the globe. The East End Hip walking tour is an eclectic experience for visitors looking to discover the hidden streets in one of London’s most vibrant areas. This is just one example of how Select Travel Service can tailor your tour to your market – we have the ideas and contacts that make all the difference!

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Palais Garnier Paris

Friday, May 15th, 2009

Enjoy a visit to the Palais Garnier in Paris. The unrivalled décor and richness of architecture is second to none. Built at the end of the 19th century, this world-famous palace of marble and gold has a spectacular grand staircase and foyers richly decorated with paintings and sculptures which makes it a living art theatre. The magnificent room where the productions take place is decorated in red and gold and its ceiling was painted by Marc Chagall in 1964 with scenes of world renowned performances.

Allow Select Travel to enhance your visit to Paris. A professional guide will take you around this fantastic venue and will relate its historical and social aspects as well as its architectural splendour and its artistic life. The visit includes the library museum, the Rotonda and Glacier Gallery, the Grand Foyer and the theatre itself.

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Posted in Art Tours, Dance, Performing Arts, Student Tours, Theatre | No Comments »

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