Philosophy
First, we travel as visitors and as learners about the cultures and people. Second, we focus our resources toward cultural and educational experiences such as museums, historical site visits, and environmental immersion activities rather than five-star services. Third, we learn about the locations and historical sites we visit to more fully appreciate their significance in the development of civilization. Fourth, we try to engage local culture as much as possible to enhance our understanding of other worldviews.
Examples of how our trips differ from some commercial tours are that we stay in 3- and 4-star hotels, take public transportation when appropriate, encourage meals in local establishments in small groups, and have some flexibility in scheduling our individual time within a given city. We believe that forming connections with people and culture in their historical context is a key element in educational travel.
What We Expect
We hope that each person will have a spirit of adventure and exploration and active participation in the planned events. We would like our group to experience local food, interact with local people, find an obscure corner of a museum, wander a bit off the beaten path, experience being the only foreigner in a pub. Our best memories often come from the unexpected.
It is important to have a positive attitude. On any trip there are things that will not go as planned, and how we respond to adverse situations is in direct proportion to our enjoyment. It is important to have a respectful attitude toward everyone, which also means being on time for scheduled activities.
In order to be mobile, it is important that we pack light. The less you take, the less you need to move from place to place. Walking is integral to the trip. While we will stay at strategically located hotels, we spend a significant part of the day on our feet.
Finally, we would like people to prepare for the trip with some independent reading or research in their areas of interest. Some may have already been to some of these locations and can add value to our experiences. Some may have particular interest in music, art, history, science, architecture or other areas. We hope that we can all be enriched by shared discussion and experience.
History of Science Tours 