Length: 14 Days
2009-2010 Grades: 9,10,11,12
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About the Experience

Join us as we travel along the breathtakingly beautiful Mediterranean coast of Italy to the source of Western Civilization. Euro-Quest Mediterranean is a two-week teen travel experience that visits world-famous sites like the Colloseum, the Sistine Chapel, the leaning Tower of Pisa, the canals of Venice, the Vatican, and Michelangelo’s David sculpture.

Along the way, we walk in the footsteps of history in ancient Rome, explore the picturesque Tuscan countryside, hike in the Italian Alps, relax on the Mediterranean coast, and raft in the backcountry of neighboring Slovenia. Of course, we also make time to enjoy the delicious local Italian cuisine.

As a BBYO Passport experience, Euro-Quest Mediterranean is also about connecting with the unique history of the Jewish People in Italy. We visit centuries-old synagogues, spend a special Shabbat with the Jewish communities of Venice and Rome, and learn about the original ghetto of Venice and what it stood for.

Euro-Quest Mediterranean 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 beautiful land.

Itinerary Snapshot

• WEEK #1 / Milan, the Alps & Venice
  Land in Milan and the journey begins in stylish Milan before heading north to the Italian Alps and the Boremeo Palace in the middle of Lake Maggiore. We continue eastwards to Verona - home of Romeo & Juliet - and then on to Venice where we will travel the canals by gondola and spend a special Shabbat in the historic Jewish Ghetto district.
  
  
• WEEK #2 / Florence, Pisa & Rome
  Week two begins with a side trip to neighboring Slovenia where we raft down the Soca River through some of Europe's most beautiful terrain. We then head due south to the Tuscan countryside and onto Florence and Pisa where we will climb a certain leaning tower. We conclude our experience in Rome, a city that is both ancient and stunningly modern, with visits to the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, and much more.

Learn More

• Sample Itinerary
• Trip FAQs
• Program-Wide FAQs
• Trip Video
• Register Now

Summer of Exploration / Connected Experiences

The Euro-Quest Mediterranean experience can be connected seamlessly with BBYO Passport programs in Israel and around the world for a full summer of eye-opening travel. Learn more...

• Euro-Quest Mediterranean + Israel Journey
• Euro-Quest Mediterranean + Western (Continental)
  
  

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 / Departure!
• Depart for Europe in the early evening from Newark
• Spend the night in the sky en route to Europe

DAY #2 / Tuesday / Milan & Lake Maggiore
• Land at Milan’s Malpensa Airport
• City tour of Milan – Italy’s stylish fashion capital
• Travel to the Lake Maggiore in northern Italy
• Boat ride to Bela Island and the stunning Boremeo Palace
• Overnight: Hotel Le Terrazze – Lake Maggiore, Italy

DAY #3 / Wednesday / The Italian Alps & Verona
• Day hike through the green mountains of the Italian Alps
• Travel to Verona - Home of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
• Swoon under the balcony at “Juliet’s House”
• Overnight: Hotel Negrar – Verona, Italy

DAY #4 / Thursday / Venice
• Travel to Venice at the tip of the Adriatic Sea
• Explore the Jewish Ghetto of Venice and visit the Jewish Museum
• Evening Movie – William Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”
• Overnight: Hotel Amadeus – Venice, Italy

DAY #5 / Friday / Mediterranean Beach
• Visit to a traditional Venetian glass-making factory on Murano Island
• Relaxed afternoon on a northern Italian beach
• Shabbat services & dinner with the local Jewish community in Venice
• Overnight: Hotel Amadeus – Venice, Italy

DAY #6 / Saturday / Shabbat in Venice
• Shabbat morning program
• Ride traditional gondolas along the canals of Venice
• Guided tour of Basilica di San Marco and the Ducale Palace
• Evening: Shop in San Marco Piazza – The main hub of Venice
• Overnight: Hotel Amadeus – Venice, Italy

DAY #7 / Sunday / Rafting in Slovenia
• Leave Italy and cross into Slovenia
• Raft down the Soca – One of Europe’s most beautiful rivers
• Boat ride to the Bled Castle in the middle of the glacial Lake Bled
• Bonfire under the stars at Lake Bled
• Overnight: Hotel Bor – Preddvor, Slovenia

DAY #8 / Monday / Italian Countryside
• Cross back into Italy and head southwards to Florence
• Tour of the Ferrari factory in Modena |
• Break for lunch in the colorful city of Bologna
• Evening: Shopping on the Ponte Vecchio – Florence’s "Old Bridge"
• Overnight: Hotel Columbus – Florence, Italy

DAY #9 / Tuesday / Florence, Italy
• Walking tour of Florence – Home to Da Vinci, Michaelangelo & Dante
• Marvel at Michelangelo’s world-famous David sculpture
• Take in the art of the Renaissance masters in the Uffizi Gallery
• Visit to the Grand Synagogue of Florence
• Overnight: Hotel Columbus – Florence, Italy

DAY #10 / Wednesday / Pisa, Italy
• Tour of Pisa and climb up the leaning Tower of Pisa
• Nature walk in the Tuscan countryside
• Travel southwards towards Rome
• Evening: Group night out along Rome’s “Spanish Steps”
• Overnight: Hotel Tempio di Pallade – Rome, Italy

DAY #11 / Thursday / Ancient Rome
• Tour of the Colosseum and the Forum – The heart of ancient Rome
• Cool off sampling local gelato at Trevi Fountain
• Go underground and explore the catacombs of Vigna Randanini
• Evening tour of the Pantheon Temple
• Shabbat with the local Jewish community of Rome
• Overnight: Hotel Tempio di Pallade – Rome, Italy

DAY #12 / Friday / The Vatican
• Walking tour of Vatican City
• Visit to St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel
• Explore Rome’s Jewish Quarter
• Overnight: Hotel Tempio di Pallade – Rome, Italy

DAY #13 / Saturday / Shabbat in Rome
• Shabbat programming at local Rome synagogue
• Lunch with the Jewish community of Rome
• Closing session & review
• Evening: Closing dinner party in Rome
• Overnight: Hotel Tempio di Pallade – Rome, Italy

DAY #14 / Sunday / Ciao Italy!
• Board return flight from Rome
• Arrive back to Newark in the early afternoon

Trip Q & A

This page contains trip-specific FAQ's. For program-wide info, check out the General FAQs page. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Do I need to make arrangements for a visa?

Citizens of the U.S. and Canada may enter Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia for up to three months without visas. Citizens of many other countries receive this courtesy as well. If you are uncertain, please visit the websites for the relevant European countries or contact your local Italian, Croatian and Slovenian consulates. To visit these countries, your passport must be valid for at least three months after departure.

Do I need any immunizations before traveling?

You are not required to have any immunizations or medications to travel to Italy, Croatia or Slovenia. We view these issues as a matter of personal choice for which you should consult a trusted physician at least 4-6 weeks prior to trip departure. The Center for Disease Control recommends that travelers to Croatia and Slovenia receive immunizations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and typhoid as well as have all routine vaccinations up-to-date. For Italy, they recommend immunization for Hepatitis B in addition to routine shots. However, many travelers go to these countries without any special vaccinations. We have provided the official recommendations by the CDC so you are aware, but please consult your physician who can help you to make an informed decision.

Can I make my own flight arrangements?

Although we do not encourage it, participants are allowed to meet the group in Europe and will receive a flight credit accordingly. In such a situation, please contact our office to coordinate your plans with the timing of our group flights.

Do I need to be in good physical shape to enjoy Euro-Quest?

Euro-Quest is designed to appeal to everyone with a basic spirit for adventure. It is primarily a touring program, and physical activity is not the emphasis of this trip. The itineraries are designed so that everyone can participate and enjoy themselves.

I’ve been to Europe before with family. Will I be bored on this trip?

Although there are certain sites the group will tour that may already be familiar to you, is also a very different experience to travel with family than to explore a country with a diverse group of peers, many of whom will likely become close friends in the process. You will have the opportunity to explore historical sites, cultural monuments and artistic landmarks, and also to absorb the bustling activity of present day cities. In addition, you will have a chance to learn about the Jewish experience in Italy, past and present, though visits to memorials and Shabbat celebrations with local communities.

I have friends/family who would like to see me while I’m there. Will there be a chance for that?

Depending on where your friends or family live, there may be an opportunity for them to visit you at your hotel during a Shabbat afternoon or a lightly-programmed evening. Arrangements for such a visit should wait until you get to Europe and discuss the options with your European trip guide.

What is the weather like?

Average temperatures in Italy in June and July are in the mid 70s (°F), although it may go down into the 60s at certain times of day in some locations. Rain is a possibility, so bring a jacket that can handle it, preferably with a hood.

How much clothing will I need to bring? Will there be an opportunity to do laundry? What kind of suitcase do you recommend?

There will not be an opportunity to do laundry, so bring enough basics for the whole two weeks. You should try to pack as light as possible, in a rolling suitcase or duffel, because you will need to be able to transport your own bags between your bus and accommodations at each stop of the trip. You might want to consider buying very cheap packages of underwear and socks that you can discard when they are dirty; then you will have more room for souvenirs on the way back!

Will I need any special equipment to be able to use electrical appliances?

The electrical current in the countries where you will be traveling is 220V-230V. Therefore, unless the charger for your mp3 player or camera says on the label that it works with 220V-230V current, you will need an electrical converter in order to protect the device from damage. Also, the outlets in Europe are a different shape from those in the U.S. (and sometimes from each other), so you will need plug adapters to plug anything in. Converters and adapters can be purchased in most electronics or luggage stores. Remember, anything you bring with you is at your own risk, so we don't recommend bringing items that are extremely valuable to you.

How much spending money is recommended? Should I bring traveler’s checks?

How much money you will need depends mostly on your own shopping plans. All of your programming costs are covered, so you will only need money for snacks, personal souvenirs, laundry, and gifts for family and friends back home. $100 per week should be more than enough. You should not bring travelers’ checks, as you will not have an opportunity to cash them during the trip. Instead, we recommend the Payoneer pre-paid debit card system. (Information will be provided to participants.)

Are scholarships available?

There is a small amount of financial aid available for BBYO members only. Please contact the Passport office for an application.

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