Day 5 Contest & Hotel Sneak Peek

So on day 5 we'll be leaving London.  So first I'll give you a sneak peak to our London hotel.

 

 

Answer the questions.  Today's prize will be crepes! 

We will travel from London to Paris via the Eurostar Chunnel.   Go to the website:
1.  How long is the train ride from London to Paris?
2.  To which station will we arrive in Paris?

I do not know what our departure time will be so I'm not sure what activities we will be doing that day.  We will also lose an hour in the time change between London and Paris.  Maybe for dinner we will have flammekueche

 

3.  What is flammekueche?

Hopefully that evening we may be able to travel up the Eiffel Tower and take a boat ride along the river Seine. 

Eiffel Tower 

 

4.  What is the height of the Eiffel Tower?
5.  What is the Eiffel Tower made of?
6.  Who designed the Eiffel Tower?
7.  How many steps from the ground to the platform level?
8.  How many elevators are there?
9.  How much does it cost to go up in the Eiffel Tower?
10.  How old is the Eiffel Tower?
11.  How many lights are on the Eiffel Tower?

River Seine 

 

12.  How can you figure out left bank from right bank?
13.  How many bridges cross the river?
14.  What is the oldest bridge?
15.  What is a section of the pedestrian bank designated as?  Why?

Hopefully after exploring these two attractions we can stop for a late night snack of crepes. If you win, I'll buy yours!!

Day 4 Contest and Overall Trip Info

So now that our dates are confirmed, let me give you a little run-down of our twelve days.

Saturday - Fly from Detroit to London
Sunday - Arrive in London and walking tour
Monday - Sightseeing bus tour of London & Windsor Castle
Tuesday - Free day in London
Wednesday - Eurostar train to Paris, free time in Paris
Thursday - Bus tour of Paris & either afternoon at Versailles or free time in Paris
Friday - Walking tour of Paris, visit the Louvre and Notre Dame, and night train to Madrid
Saturday - Sightseeing tour of Madrid, walking tour of Madrid, visit to the Prado & Royal Palace
Sunday - Day trip to Toledo and free time in Madrid
Monday - AVE train to Barcelona and walking tour of Barcelona
Tuesday - Bus tour of Barcelona, visit to Parque Guell & Sagrada Familia, free time in Barcelona
Wednesday - Return home

So let's return to our quizzes.  Today is an easy one.  Day 4 is our free day in London.  Good news is other than breakfast and dinner we will be able to plan what we want as a group, bad news is anything we do we will have to pay for out of our spending money (including transportation)  We will be able to split into smaller groups for some of the day as well, if necessary.  I know you are all interested in some shopping, but we have all day to fit in some other activities as well.  We won't decide till we are there.  Chances are our tour director will have some ideas too or we may see something on our first 2 days in London.  Here is a compiled list of activities we could do.  Please check them out and let me know your top 3 interests.  First student to respond with a list wins metro fare for the day.

 Abbey Road - Tube fare (Just pay to get there; it's free!)
http://www.abbeyroad.com/crossing


 Churchill War Rooms - $25
http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms


Harry Potter Studio Tour - $45
http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/


Jack the Ripper Tour - $14
http://www.jacktheripperwalk.com/index2.html


London Eye - $25-$30
http://www.londoneye.com/

Regent's Park

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park

 

 

Shakespeare's Globe Theater - Tour $20

Henry IV (Performance) - $20-$50

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

 

 

St. James Park

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/st-jamess-park

 

 

Tate Modern - free

http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern

 

 

Tea - Prices vary

http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/activities/food-and-drink/restaurant/afternoon-tea

 

 

Tower of London - $30-$35

http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/

 

 

 

 

Victoria & Albert Museum - $15

http://www.vam.ac.uk/

 

 

These were all recommendations from my friends.  Check out these websites too for additional ideas.

http://golondon.about.com/od/londonwithchildren/tp/Things-To-Do-In-London-With-Teenagers.htm

http://family.go.com/travel/things-to-do/england/london/for-teens/

http://www.travelmuse.com/articles/london/7-london-sights-for-teens

  

GO!

 

 

 

 

Winner Contest #3!

Ciara is our winner for contest #3! Look for Contest #4 coming soon!

Dia TRES; Londres!

Today's quiz winner will be treated to a English scone!

Day 3 will include sightseeing in London and an excursion to Windsor Castle.  We will probably start our day with a driving tour of London at 9:00am (probably NOT on a double decker bus)  We should make a photo stop at St. Paul's Cathedral.

St Paul's, with its world-famous dome, is an iconic feature of the London skyline. Step inside and you can enjoy the cathedral's awe-inspiring interior, and uncover fascinating stories about its history.  http://www.stpauls.co.uk/

St. Paul's Cathedral

1.  When was the first church built on this site?

2.  How many churches have been built on this site?

3.  When was the current church completed?

4.  Whose funeral was in this church in 1965?

5.  Who was married in this church in 1981?

We will finish our tour at the Changing of the Guard.

 

Changing of the Guard

6.  Where does the changing of the guard take place?

7.  At what time?

 

 

We will then travel to Windsor and have some free time for lunch.  We will then have a guided tour of Windsor castle and St. George's chapel and self guided visit to Queen Mary's Dolls' house and State Apartments.

Use a map website:

8.  How long will the drive be from London to Windsor?

Go to the website for the quote below.

9.  Where might you like to eat lunch?  What American restaurant can you find?

I thought it might be fun to eat at the Crooked House, but with more searching did not find good reviews.  I guess I'll keep looking.

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years. http://www.windsor.gov.uk/

 

Windsor Castle & State Apartments (check out the video of the beautiful place we'll see)

10.  Who lives at Windsor Castle?

The castle is used for various occasions and ceremonies.  St. George's Hall is where banquets are held.

11.  How many people can be seated at the single State Banquet table?

12.  What is the name of the chapel at Windsor Castle?

We will also see Queen Mary's Dolls' House. 

Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is the largest, most beautiful, and most famous dolls’ house in the world.  http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/queenmarysdollshouse/house.html

 

13.  Who created this masterpiece?

14.  When was it made?

15.  To what scale was it made?

16.  What did you find interesting about it?

We should also have some free time for souvenir shopping before heading back to London for dinner.  While I did not find a required dress code for St. Paul's and St. George's, this would probably be a good day for the girls to not wear shorts, just in case.

1st person with correct answers wins a scone!   How do you answer?

#1 - Comments on the blog are best!

#2 - email me

#3 - If you are really computer disabled :)  turn your answers in at school, but chances are someone will be quicker than you.

 

 

Contest 2: Londres!

So we've flown all night and we've finally arrived in London.  What to expect?  We will have little to no time to freshen up and start touring.  We will be tired, but we've got to just get going and sleep well later.  Our tour director will take us to central London by public transport and lead us on a walking tour of the area.  Here is what we may see.  Learn a little about these places.  The winner of this quiz will receive some caffeine to keep you going (refresco o café, your choice)

 1.  It is very likely we will take the London Underground (subway) to get from our hotel to central London.  What is another name for the London Underground?

Click here to visit the Big Ben website!

2.  Most people refer to the clock tower at Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) as Big Ben, but what does Big Ben actually refer to and what is the actual name of the tower?  

3.  When did Big Ben turn 150 years old?

4.  How tall is the tower (meters or stories)?

5.  What is the diameter of the clock?

6.  How much does the bell weigh?  What note does it make when struck?  How is it struck?

Westminster Abby (check Worship and History)  (quotes are from the website)

7.  Westminster Abbey is "neither a cathedral nor a parish church" so what is it?

8.  What are important royal events that take place here?

9.  Was Prince William married here?   Was his mother, Princess Diana?

10.  Artistically speaking, "the great pavement in front of the High Altar of Westminster Abbey is a unique and remarkable object."  What is it called?  Describe its design.

 

Trafalgar Square

11.  What guards Nelson's column?

12.  Should you climb in the fountains?

13.  Should you feed the pigeons?

14.  How do you get to the bathrooms on the west side of the square (ie what is a "lift")?

 

Piccadilly Circus

 

15.  What is Piccadilly Circus compared to in the US?

16.  What does the name Piccadilly Circus come from?

17.  What does the memorial fountain in the middle honor?

 

Convent Garden

18.  What is it known for?

19.  What can you see here in the piazza?

20.  Why is it called Convent Garden?

After our walking tour, we will have dinner and either walk some more (I'd like to see Piccadilly Circus at night) or return to our hotel for a good nights rest.  On Day 3 we will enjoy more of London!

 

 

 

London!

Our first stop along our trip route in Europe is LONDON! Watch the video below to get a good idea of what London will be like, and look for another contest coming up about the city next week! If we could see the Queen, that would be unforgettable!

RECUERDAN: Our trip meeting is WEDNESDAY the 13th of February right after school! Bring your luggage if you have an idea what you're planning to bring!

Contest #1

CONTEST: Day 1 

On day 1 of our trip we will travel by school bus from Edgerton to Detroit. From Detroit we will fly overnight to London, England. In preparation for day 1 check out these sites about travel rules and going through customs. This is VERY important!

Travel Security
Customs

After traveling all night I'm sure you all will be tired. So the winner of this contest will win a caffienated drink (coffee or pop) during our layover (if we have one) or at our first dinner. Leave your answers as a comment, or email me at lfrey@montpelier-k12.org
The first person to get them all correct WINS!!!!! 

1. What is the 3-1-1 rule for traveling? 
2. What 2 things do you need at security? 
3. What kind of shoes should you wear and why? 
4. Can you pack a box-cutter in your carry-on? 
5. Can you pack scissors in your carry-on? 
6. Where must you pack any batteries? 
7. Can you pack peanut butter in your carry-on? 
8. What is the purpose of customs? 
9. Before landing what infomation will you fill out on a form?  
10. What do you need to have out as you pass through customs? 

 GO!

Let's go to...Paris!

I am so excited to be able to visit Paris, and I hope you are too! What part do you think will be your favorite? I am most excited about the Eiffel Tower! Check out this great video from EF tours to get you excited! :)

Welcome, Bienvenue, Bienvenidos

Welcome, Bienvenue, Bienvenidos to a new group of travelers!!!!! To those of you traveling with us in July 2013 to London, Paris, Madrid & Barcelona, this blog is for you!!! This is where I will post information about our trip. I will keep fundraising info to emails; but this is where you can find travel information (ie the fun stuff) This is where you will also find the quizzes to prep you for each day of travel. I will let you know when I make a new post or you can subscribe to the page and know immediately. Here you will find links and pictures to places we will visit, information about the countries, packing details, etc. Please follow along, this information will be very valuable to our trip. Some days, there will even be prizes! :)