Eurotrip24: Quick Preview

It feels funny, sitting here in front of my computer and beginning another blog series about an upcoming adventure. In just three days, 21 students and 5 adults will take off from Logan Airport and head out on another exciting journey.  Eurotrip24 promises to be an amazing trip too! We have a ton on our itinerary and I am thrilled with how everything has come together so far. For those who are new to my blog, let me introduce myself.

My name is Richard Lavoie. I have been teaching at Saugus High School since the year 2000. I have been fortunate, in those years, to accompany students on some amazing adventures. We've been white water rafting in Maine. We've snorkeled with sharks in Belize. We've shopped in a medina in Morocco. All of these journies, and more, have made my career at SHS one filled with wonderful memories, but my travel story began many years before I was a teacher in Saugus.

My Brother Phil and I in Paris in 1993.

In fact, I was blessed to participate in a foreign exchange program during the summer before my Senior year at Saugus High School. I traveled to France with roughly 25 students. We explored the streets of Paris and wondered at the beauty inside the Louvre. These destinations changed me. I was a typical high school student, but I lacked focus. Going to France, seeing art, feeling independent, and experiencing history where it happened helped shape me into the person I've become. I am eternally indebted to that first taste of the world. It is part of the reason why I lead these trips. I hope to inspire the next generation of travelers. 

Franck, my French brother, reunited in Versailles in 2015. 

Saugus High School began its modern international travel program in London. Mr. Fontanella took a group of students for a week to explore the city and learn about its past. They opened the door for myself, and others, like Senora Morando, Mrs. Alongi, and Mrs. Hoey to take kids to over 25 countries. Hundreds of Saugus High School graduates left our school with an understanding that the world is bigger than the four walls of our schoolhouse. I've often wished we had a certificate program for student travel...one that would be added to a student's diploma and transcript...because it would serve as a symbol of something greater than the regular high school experience. 

The SHS Group in Belize in 2015

For me, the greatest learning of all happens when we are traveling. I adopted a quote from Mark Twain that has accompanied me on all of my SHS journeys. The phrase "One Must Travel to Learn" has truly become part of my identity ever since former librarian Kate Cox (Payne) suggested it to me in 2013. That moniker has been hashtagged on a thousand tweets, and hundreds of blog posts, and it has even become my TikTok identity. Sunday, when we depart, the real-life lessons begin!

So, let's get to it...where are we headed and what previews can I provide?

Most of the readers probably already know our destinations, but for those who are just joining us, we are headed to London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Our trip begins Sunday afternoon with a flight to The Dam. After a short layover, we will land in London on Monday morning. Our tour director, Maria, will be waiting for us at the airport and our adventure will begin immediately. We will be in London for four nights. In those days, there isn't much we won't see! Maria has organized some of my favorites and added some new locations too. We will travel to antiquity to see Stonehenge and to modernity atop the Gardens at 120...and so much more.

Chaperons in France in 2015

After London, we will travel to France for two nights. Our group will see all of the major highlights of that beautiful city. Among them will be several of my favorites such as the Sacre Coeur and the Latin Quarter. Inspired by seeing Les Miserables in London, I am sure our visit to France will be revolutionary. 

We depart for Brussels for one night, but it will be a non-stop journey of discovery. Our group will make some chocolate (testing it along the way) as we explore that city. It will be my first visit since 2001 and I am thrilled to be back. My family has a tradition of trying to spot the Manneken Pis whenever we are there and I will be doing my best to make the pilgrimage when in Brussels. 

The first time I saw an EF Bus in Amsterdam!

Our last city brings us back to Amsterdam for two nights. Maria lives here and has promised a visit like no other. We will experience the Anne Frank house, as well as a Tulip farm and an amazing experience with a clog-making cheesemonger. We may even build time in for a food-tasting scavenger hunt throughout the narrow streets of the Netherlands' capital city. 

I don't want to spoil it before we go...but I think this probably gives you all a taste of what we will see. My next post will most likely be in the air on Sunday night. Until then, good night!

Thanks for reading.

Mr. Lavoie, currently thinking it is time to start packing!