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

Join us and travel to 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 / 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 #2 / 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
• Program-Wide FAQs
• Trip Video
• Register Now

Summer of Exploration / Connected Experiences

The Euro-Quest Western 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 Western + Israel Journey
• Euro-Quest Western + Eco-Quest Central America
• Euro-Quest Western + Mediterranean (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 / 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 #3 / 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 #4 / 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 #5 / 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 #6 / 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 #7 / 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 #8 / 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 #9 / 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 #10 / 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 #11 / 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 #12 / 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 #13 / 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 #14 / Sunday / Return to New York
• Depart from London in the morning
• 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 the Netherlands, Belgium and France for up to three months without visas, and the United Kingdom for up to six months. Citizens of many other countries receive this courtesy as well. If you are uncertain, please visit the websites for the Embassies of the relevant European countries or contact your local Dutch, Belgian, French, and British consulates. To visit some of these countries, your passport must be valid for at least three months after departure.

Do I need any immunizations before traveling?

The places you will be visiting in Western Europe all have top-rate health care systems. You are not required to have any immunizations or medications to travel to the Netherlands, Belgium, France or the United Kingdom. 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 these countries receive immunizations for Hepatitis B as well as have all routine vaccinations up-to-date. However, many travelers go Western Europe 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, it is a very different experience to travel with family than to explore a country with a diverse group of peers.  In the process you are likely to make very close friends. 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 Western Europe, 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 Western Europe in June and July are in the low-mid 60s (°F), although it is likely to go up into the 70s or even down into the 50s at different times of day in some locations. Rain is a definite 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 Europe is 230V. Therefore, unless the charger for your mp3 player or camera says on the label that it works with 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. Most people find that $100 per week is 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.

Who's Coming?

43 people have signed up so far

Devon D. Kara D. Danielle O. Beth W. Jillian N. Amanda N. Benjamin H. Rachel B. Zachary S. Sara B. Steven K. aleksandr K. Jamie R. Shayna H. Talia L. Haley C. Daniel K. rebecca L. Jessica L. Samantha B. Leigh G. Harrison G. Ryan B. Deanna N. Ellen L. Nancy&Marty T. Eli S. Alyssa R. Justin L. Michelle R. Samantha B. Reagan A. Leah F. Erin S. Katelyn K. Michelle T. Ellery F. Sarah C. Mac H. Morgane S. Michaela M. rachel B. Kenneth M.