Length: 28 Days
2009-2010 Grades: 9,10,11,12
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Discover the natural beauty of Costa Rica on Eco-Quest, then continue to the grand capitals of Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London during a whirlwind tour of Western Europe's treasures on Euro-Quest Western. Spend a full four weeks of summer travel with BBYO Passport.

PART 1 / Eco-Quest Central America

Join teens from around the world and head for the cloud forests of Costa Rica to explore a country rich in bio-diversity, culture and plenty of adventure.

Eco-Quest Central America is a two-week teen travel experience that combines outdoor touring, a Costa Rican approach to sustainable living, and opportunities for peer-to-peer connections with local teens.

• Looking for adventure? Hike on an active volcano, zip-line over a rainforest, snorkel on a tropical beach, raft down a raging river, swim under a waterfall, relax in thermal hotsprings, and go on a night safari. Costa Rica is a stunningly beautiful country that is lush with colorful plants, rare animals, and endless opportunities for outdoors exploration.
• Living in harmony with nature. Although Costa Rica is a very small country, it contains more biodiversity than America or Europe! On Eco-Quest, we will learn about Costa Rica's unique approach to sustainable living. Spend the weekend on a "Costa Rican-style kibbutz", explore an organic coffee plantation, and eat deliciously fresh food at every stop along the way.
• Building cross-cultural connections. Costa Rica is a very friendly country. So friendly, it is one of the only countries in the world with no army at all. Spend an afternoon getting to know fellow teens from a local high school, celebrate Shabbat with the Jewish community of San Jose, and leave your mark through a series of service projects.

As a BBYO Passport experience, Eco-Quest is also an opportunity to explore your Jewish identity through the lens of life in Costa Rica. Delve into the meaning of being "eco-kosher", fulfill the Jewish value of Tikun Olam (fixing the planet), and celebrate two very memorable Shabbats.

PART 2 / Euro-Quest: Western

After your return to the US, fly from NYC to Europe for a whirlwind tour of the grand capitals of Western Europe - Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London. Euro-Quest Western is a two-week teen travel experience that visits world-famous sites like Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum, Buckingham Palace, the Champs-Elysees, and the canals of Amsterdam.

Along the way, we also include off-the-beaten-path experiences – a bicycling tour of windmills in the Dutch countyside, a visit to the Champagne region of France, and solemn reflections at the D-Day landing site on the beaches of Normandy.

As a BBYO Passport experience, Euro-Quest Western is also about connecting with the colorful history of the Jewish People in Europe. We visit centuries-old synagogues, spend a special Shabbat with the Jewish communities of London and Brussels, and confront the devastating effects of the Holocaust at the Anne Frank House and at Fort Breendonk.

Euro-Quest Western is a well-balanced combination of must-see touring, eye-opening Jewish experiences, and a unique opportunity to forge friendships with teens from around the world in the heart of Europe.

Itinerary Snapshot

• WEEK #1 / Cloud Forests & Volcanoes!
  Land in San Jose and get acclimated to Costa Rican society by visiting with a local high school. We then head up to the highlands of the Monteverde cloud forests where we will search for exotic animals and fly high above the canopy forests on a world-renowned zip-line course. From Monteverde we set off for Arenal, a volcano so active that bright red flowing lave is visible most nights. This region of Costa Rica is especially beautiful, and we will explore it on horseback, on foot, and in the water. Our first week caps off with a visit to Ranch Margot, a small Costa Rican agricultural community that can best be described as a "Costa Rican kibbutz". Here we will celebrate a unique Shabbat with yoga, community-building, and well deserved relaxation time.
  
  

• WEEK #2 / Pacific Coast, River Rafting & San Jose
  Our second week in Costa Rica begins descending from the mountains and heading to the Pacific coast where we snorkel, ocean kayak, and enjoy a beautiful sunset over the open ocean. From the Pacific we head back up into the highlands for a white-water rafting adventure on the raging Paquare River and a tour of a local organic coffee plantation. The Eco-Quest experience wraps up where it started in San Jose, Costa Rica's capital. Here we will take part in a service project and spend Shabbat with the local Jewish community and learn about their history and special place in Costa Rican society.
  
  
• WEEK #3 / Holland & Belgium
  Land in Amsterdam and the journey begins in this magical city of criss-crossing canals, the masterpieces of Van Gogh and the home of Anne Frank. In Holland, we also make time to explore the Dutch countryside, and learn how to make traditional cheeses. From Holland we head south to Belgium where we visit the diamond district of Antwerp, stop for a a moving visit at Fort Breendonk, the transit point to Auschwitz. We close out our first week with a relaxing Shabbat in Brussels, the headquarters of NATO, the European Union, and delicious Belgian chocolate!
  
  

• WEEK #4 / France & England
  Travel from Belgium to France via the picturesque countryside of Champagne. In Paris, we explore a city of world treasures, world class shopping, and world famous food. Walk under the Arc De Triumph, stroll along the Champs Elysses, tour the Palace of Versailles, and explore the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci at the Louvre Museum. On our way to England, we break for a solemn visit to the D-Day Normandy landing on Omaha Beach before spending the night at sea crossing the English Channel. Our experience caps off in London with visits to famous sites like Big Ben, the Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a special Shabbat in London meeting with local Jewish teens
  
  

Learn More

• Sample Itinerary
• Trip FAQs (Coming Soon)
• Program-Wide FAQs
• Register Now

How the Connection Works

As a connected experience, participating in this program actually means combining two separate experiences. Participants connecting Eco-Quest Central America with Euro-Quest Western should book their return from Costa Rica to Newark Airport in New Jersey, where they will be met by BBYO Passport staff and supervised overnight at a hotel nearby. They will then return to the airport the next day to meet up with the rest of the Euro-Quest Western group for program orientation and departure. The overnight in the NYC area gives teens a break between travel experiences.

Sample Itinerary

We have provided the following sample itinerary to give you an idea of what this travel experience is all about. Keep in mind that the actual itinerary may vary from the schedule below. That said, this sample itinerary is meant to give you a taste of the overall program. A formal itinerary, including a list of accommodations and phone numbers, will be sent to you 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the program.

DAY #1 / Monday / Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica
Option #1: Meet-up for supervised flight from Atlanta
Option #2: Arrange your own flight – We will meet you at San Jose Airport in Costa Rica
• Evening: Group welcome, snacks & ice breakers at hotel
• Overnight: Hampton Inn Hotel, San Jose

DAY #2 / Tuesday / Above the Cloud Forests
• Meet with high school students at local San Jose-area school
• Travel northwards to the misty cloud forests of Monteverde
• Fly high above the cloud forest canopy at SkyTrek zip-lining course
• Night safari walk in the cloud forest – look out for sloths, monkeys & tarantulas!
• Overnight: Hotel Poco a Poco, Monteverde

DAY #3 / Wednesday / Monteverde Village
• Learn how to make jewelry at a women’s cooperative workshop
• Walk though a colorful butterfly garden
• Hike the Monteverde Biological Reserve and look for exotic toucans & quetzal birds
• Learn about the unique history of Monteverde, founded by Quakers from the U.S.
• Group night out at “Moon Shiva”
• Overnight: Hotel Poco a Poco, Monteverde

DAY #4 / Thursday / Arenal Volcano
• Travel through the central highlands to Lake Arenal
• Lunch at Toad Hall on Lake Arenal
• Hike into Arenal National Park for a stunning view of an active volcano
• Evening: Relax in the hot springs pools at Arenal
• Enjoy a fresh local dinner at the hot springs
• Overnight: La Catarata Eco-Lodge, La Fortuna

DAY #5 / Friday / La Fortuna
• Tour of Don Juan's organic farm
• Hike to the base of the La Fortuna waterfalls and cool-off in the river
• Shopping for local hand crafted goods at Sarcho & Naranjo
• Travel to Rancho Margot near the shores of Lake Arenal
• Take part in a unique Kabbalat Shabbat service overlooking Lake Arenal
• Shabbat dinner at the Ranch
• Overnight: Rancho Margot, Lake Arenal

DAY #6 / Saturday / Rancho Margot
• Shabbat programming & discussion: Being Eco-Kosher
• Learn about Rancho Margot’s unique approach to sustainable living
• Relaxed afternoon at hotel pool
• Overnight: Rancho Margot, Lake Arenal

DAY #7 / Sunday / Ranch Adventures
• Morning yoga class at the Ranch
• Horseback riding in the ranch’s backcountry jungle
• Kayaking on Lake Arenal
• BBQ dinner by the lake
• Overnight: Rancho Margot, Lake Arenal

DAY #8 / Monday / The Pacific Coast
• Travel south and west to the Manuel Antonio region
• Arrive to the Pacific Ocean in the early evening
• Sunset on the beaches of Manuel Antonio
• Hotel Rancho Casa Grande, Manuel Antonio

DAY #9 / Tuesday / Beach Day!
• Snorkeling and ocean kayaking
• Learn how to surf on Costa Rica’s famous waves
• Afternoon nature-walk in local reserve
• Hotel Rancho Casa Grande, Manuel Antonio

DAY #10 / Wednesday / San Jose
• Begin travel back to San Jose
• Tour of San Jose – Costa Rica’s capital city
• Ascend to the top of the Poaz Volcano overlooking San Jose
• Evening: Group dinner at a Kosher Burger King in San Jose!
• Overnight: Hotel El Sesteo, San Jose

DAY #11 / Thursday / Pacuare River
• Travel through Turiallba en route to the Pacuare River
• Begin full day white water rafting experience on the Pacuare River
• Return to San Jose in the evening
• Overnight: Hotel El Sesteo, San Jose

DAY #12 / Friday / Service Project
• Take part in a half-day service project with Habitat-for-Humanity
• Meet with local Jewish teens in San Jose
• Kabbalat Shabbat services at San Jose’s Shaare Zion Congregation
• Eat a festive Shabbat dinner with local Jewish teens from Costa Rica
• Overnight: Hotel El Sesteo, San Jose

DAY #13: Saturday / Shabbat in San Jose
• Shabbat programming at Shaare Zion Congregation
• Shabbat lunch at hotel
• Relaxed afternoon at hotel pool
• Evening: Farewell dinner party in San Jose
• Overnight: Hotel El Sesteo, San Jose

DAY #14 / Sunday / Travel to New York
• Fly to New York City from Costa Rica
• Meet up with other Euro-Quest Western teens
• Overnight: Holiday Inn, Newark Airport

DAY #15 / Monday / Depart for Europe
• Icebreakers and orientation at Newark Airport
• Depart in the early evening and spend the night in the sky en route to Europe

DAY #16 / Tuesday / Welcome to Europe!
• Land at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam in the morning
• Tour of traditional Dutch windmills
• Learn about Dutch cheese-making techniques at Clara Maria Farm
• Bicycle tour of the Dutch countryside
• Bowling activity & icebreakers in Amsterdam
• Overnight: Holiday Inn Ijmuiden – Amsterdam, Netherlands

DAY #17 / Wednesday / Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Orientation city tour of Amsterdam
• Explore the Jewish Museum and the “Portuguese Synagogue”
• Lunch and shopping time in Leidseplein Square
• Anne Frank House – Visit to the site of her hiding and diary entries
• Van Gogh Museum – View the masterpieces in his native Amsterdam
• Group night out strolling through the Leidseplein Square
• Overnight: Holiday Inn Ijmuiden – Amsterdam, Netherlands

DAY #18 / Thursday / Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Begin travel from Netherlands to Belgium
• Walking tour of Antwerp old city center and Jewish quarter
• Diamantmuseum – Learn all about diamonds in Europe’s diamond center
• Fort Breendonk – Transit point to Auschwitz for Belgian Jews during the Holocaust
• Arrive to Brussels in the early evening
• Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel – Brussels, Belgium

DAY #19 / Friday / Brussels, Belgium
• Visit to Belgiums’ Museum of Cocoa & Chocolate
• Lunch and shopping at “Grand Place” – The central square of Brussels
• Walk by the famous “Manneken Pis” fountain sculpture
• Visit to the European Union and NATO headquarters in Brussels
• Shabbat services at the Great Synagogue of Brussels
• Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel – Brussels, Belgium

DAY #20 / Saturday / Brussels, Belgium
• Shabbat programming and lunch
• Walking tour of Brussels and relaxed afternoon at the hotel pool
• Evening: Group night out at Hard Rock Café
• Overnight: Crowne Plaza Hotel – Brussels, Belgium

DAY #21 / Sunday / Travel to France
• Begin travel from Netherlands to Belgium
• Drive through the Champagne region of France towards Paris
• Tour of Paris’ stunning Notre Dame Cathedral
• Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower!
• Evening: Cruise down the River Seine for view of Paris at sunset
• Overnight: Holiday Inn Roissy – Paris, France

DAY #22 / Monday / Paris, France
• Shopping along the Champs Elysees
• Walk under the Arc de Triomphe in downtown Paris
• View Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre Museum
• Overnight: Holiday Inn Roissy – Paris, France

DAY #23 / Tuesday / Paris, France
• Walking tour of the Paris Jewish Quarter
• Visit to the “Vel' d'Hiv Round-Up” Memorial
• Meet with a survivor and learn about the Nazi occupation of Paris
• Explore the palace of Versailles – Home to French Royalty and Mary Antoinette
• Overnight: Holiday Inn Roissy – Paris, France

DAY #24 / Wednesday / Normandy, France
• Head north through the countryside towards the English Channel
• Recount the D-Day Landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy
• Spend a solemn moment at Normandy’s U.S. military cemetery
• Visit to Caen’s Peace Museum
• Enjoy a memorable sunset on the Normandy Beaches
• Board ferry for overnight ferry bound for England
• Overnight: At sea on the English Channel

DAY #25 / Thursday / London, England
• Arrive at Portsmouth, England
• Begin travel northwards to London
• Witness the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace
• Stroll through London's Hyde Park
• Visit to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben
• Evening out at Piccadilly Circus
• Overnight: Hilton London Olympia Hotel – London, England

DAY #26 / Friday / London, England
• Relive the air raids on London in Churchill’s Imperial War Room
• Tour of the Tower of London – View the royal crown jewels
• Attend a local Shakespeare theater production
• Shabbat services & dinner with the local Jewish community
• Overnight: Hilton London Olympia Hotel – London, England

DAY #27 / Saturday / Shabbat in London
• Shabbat program in London • Relaxed afternoon and program wrap-up
• Final closing dinner and group night out in London
• Overnight: Hilton London Olympia Hotel – London, England

DAY #28 / Sunday / Return to New York
• Depart from London in the morning
• Arrive back to Newark in the early afternoon

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