Overview

"Study abroad is no longer a luxury for only a privileged few…It is imperative that U.S. students study overseas as a way to prepare themselves to work and compete in the world market…The most critical factor for the success of nations in the new millennium will be a population whose minds are open to the world."
- Dr. Allan E. Goodman, president and CEO of Institute for International Education

Simply put, travel changes lives. In today's global economy, international exposure is an integral part of a complete education. When you travel with your students you give them a precious opportunity to broaden their horizons, step out of their comfort zones, learn, grow, and mature. The travels you take them on will not only show them the world, but will open countless doors of opportunity for them in the future.

But it's not all about the students! Teachers and professors alike tell us they return from their study tours inspired and reinvigorated, bringing new ideas, creativity and enthusiasm to their classrooms and lecture halls. It makes perfect sense, do something for your students, do something for yourself. Why not get started today? There's a lot of ground to cover. After all, it's a big world. Travel it!

Tenon Tours: At Your Service

There are without a doubt, many options when it comes to choosing a tour operator for your student group. So why choose Tenon Tours? Well, we think there are hundreds of reasons, but we’ll narrow it down to just a few... or maybe several:

• Our team of professionals has dedicated their careers to student travel, it’s not just a job for us, it is a lifestyle! Together we have over 50 years of experience in educational and student travel.

• We pride ourselves on providing you with outstanding service and personal attention.We are easy to reach, responsive and flexible.

• We are committed to providing every group with a high quality, memorable and fun travel experience.

• We take the hassle out of travel planning. Leave the details to us and we’ll make it easy!

• All of our study tours are custom designed to suit your individual group's academic focus.

• Most importantly, safety and security are at the forefront of everything we do. We carefully select our partner hotels, transport companies and guides based on our strict quality and safety criteria.

• In addition you and your students are protected under the following policies:
  o $1,000,000 Professional Liability/E&O –Zurich American Insurance Company
  o $50,000 Fidelity Bond – CNA Surety
  o Consumer Traveler Protection Plan – Travel Guard
  o PayPal Credit Merchant Services

College

Customized study tours (from 6 - 30 days).

Short-term study abroad programs have become increasingly popular alternatives for students whose academic, work, family or financial commitments make it impossible to be away from home for an extended period of time. These programs are successful if the academic content and the travel details can come together. Most professors are too busy to handle the details, and most travel companies are not academic experts. So why not combine your expertise and ours to create the most enriching and rewarding short term study abroad program for your students? We’ll handle all of the travel details so that you can focus on your students’ academic experience.
At Tenon Tours we appreciate that each study tour is unique to a professor or course or subject, that's why we don't have a catalog of pre-packaged tours. We know that you will have some very specific requests and needs for your tour so we customize each study tour to the individual professor's specifications.Your personal tour specialist will work with you to design the perfect itinerary to suit your needs and assist you throughout the planning process. In some cases they'll even travel with you!

Here are a few ideas to help get you started:

• Design a study tour. (If this tour is to be offered as part of a course or for course credit, be sure to check with your college or university for approval.)

• Decide when you will travel. Many groups travel during J-Term or Maymester.

• Work with your travel specialist to design an itinerary that meets your needs and travel budget and then start recruiting your students.

• Have a small group ready to go for your customized study tour, but would like to have others join you? While all of our study tours are private, custom tours, we are happy to help you recruit independent travelers or other small groups by advertising your tour along with our group themed trips on our website. Call for details!

• Want something more cultural and social than academic? Think outside the beach! Plan a spring break trip for your students, sport or social club or Greek organization.

High School

Introduce your students to the wonders of travel

Help your students stand out! College admissions professionals agree that students with international experience garner more attention than those with similar academic credentials. Your students will return from their travels, self-confident, mature and globally aware. You’ll return reinvigorated and just as inspired as the kids.

Plan a tour and travel with your students, sports team, club, church group, fellow faculty members and/or members of your community.

Bring history, art and language to life! Design a tour around your academic focus or the common interests of your group.

Below are just a few ideas sorted by academic interest, but the possibilities are endless...

• English / Literature : Travel to the UK and Ireland. From Shakespeare to Burns to Yeats and Keats there is plenty to discover in this part of the world. While you're there, why not catch a show in London's West End?
• History : There is history everywhere you turn in Europe, but if you only have 10 days to travel, you might want to narrow your focus. For example,take your students to Normandy to see where some of the most infamous battles of World War II took place.Visit the American cemetery in Coleville-sur Mer and pay homage to our brave soldiers. If you have more time, add in London and Berlin.
• Art : Journey to London, Paris and Amsterdam. Visit the many museums and galleries in London, learn more about impressionism and Monet and Renoir in Paris, and tour the fascinating Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to view masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. The VanGogh museum is not to be missed on any visit to this beautiful city.
• Science : Learn about renewable energy and conservation efforts in Germany. Visit the Eden Project Biosphere and Darwin's birthplace in London or simply be stunned at the geological diversity of Ireland.
  
• Language : There is no better way to learn a language than to practice it with the locals! Team up with other language teachers and design a multi-country tour...France and Spain perhaps?
• Religion: Make a pilgrimage to Rome and Vatican City. Explore Jewish Heritage in the Eastern Europe with visits to Budapest, Prague and Krakow. Learn more about the Pilgrims and their determination to enjoy religious freedoms on a tour of England and the Netherlands.

Irish Life Experience

American and Canadian students are invited to immerse themselves in this unique 25-day cultural and academic program. Students will experience an assortment of classes, workshops, and tours in Waterford, Dublin and Galway. Emphasizing culture, education, travel, and fun, the Irish Life Experience strives to ensure each student's experience is unique and unforgettable.

Applications are being accepted now for our 2010 program which will take place from June 28 through July 22. Applications are accepted until the program is full, but students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as spots are going quick.

Here is what one mother has to say about the program:

“Irish Life Experience has been one of the greatest highlights in the lives of both my two oldest daughters. Both have returned full of wonder about Irish history, geography, culture and lifestyle. They have formed deep and lasting bonds with both the staff and students with whom they shared these experiences. They have returned more mature, wiser, and more self assured; and they are more confident to take on the role of world citizens and travelers.We are already planning for my third daughter to attend in 2012! “

-Cathy D. and Mark S., Aurora, OR - Parents of Lindsey (2006) and Kelsey (2009)

Please visit www.irishlifeexperience.com for more details.

Sample Tours

Looking for inspiration or ideas to design your upcoming study tour? Check out some of the exciting itineraries our groups are planning for 2010!

Ireland and the Literary Revival

Discover some of Ireland’s literary greats (Shaw, Swift, Yeats, Beckett, Joyce to name just a few!) on this study tour designed by a college professor. Highlights of the tour include: visits to the Dublin Writer’s Museum, Shaw Birthplace, James Joyce Museum, Trinity College and the Book of Kells. We’ve also included a performance at the Abbey Theatre and an entertaining (yet educational) Literary Pub Crawl! Your journey through the Irish Literary Revival will take you to Dublin, Sligo, the Aran Islands, Galway and County Wicklow.

Dublin and Belfast

Immerse yourself in two of Ireland's most fascinating cities. In Dublin learn more about this city's troubled past on a guided walking tour focusing on the Easter Rising of 1916 and a visit to Kilmainham Gaol. Highlights also include, St.Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and the Book of Kells. On a free day choose to explore Dublin's literary revival, marvel at it's Georgian architecture, tour the Guiness Storehouse or venture into the countryside on a featured tour of County Wicklow. Transfer to Belfast via Downpatrick where you will discover more about Ireland's patron saint at the Saint Patrick Center. Spend the next several days in Belfast where you will enjoy a black taxi guided tour of Belfast

United Kingdom and Ireland : Past and Present

Designed by a high school teacher in collaboration with Tenon Tours, this itinerary aims to incorporate the best of England, Scotland and Ireland with overnights in London, Stratford, York, Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin. Enjoy traditional; Fish and Chips in London, a visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Edinburgh Castle, Giant’s Causeway and Blarney castle, to name just a few of the highlights planned for this 12-day adventure!

Dublin, London and Paris

Visit three of the world’s most vibrant capital cities on this tour to Ireland, England and France. Tour the capital city of Dublin and learn more about it’s literary past and present as well as Ireland’s troubled history. Journey to London to see Big Ben, Parliament, visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and take a ride on the London Eye. Travel aboard the Eurostar for a quick transfer to the City of Light. Spend the next two days in the beautiful city of Paris. See the Eiffel Tower, visit the Palace of Versailles, take a moonlit cruise along the Seine and sample the world famous French cuisine.

Spain: Art and Architecture

The perfect combination of cities and islands, sightseeing and leisure time. In Barcelona, stroll down las Ramblas, a lively, tree-lined pedestrian zone and visit the colorful and bustling food market, La Boqueria . If architecture is what you are looking for, don’t miss out on the amazing designs of Spanish architect Gaudi, be sure to check out La Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera and Parc Guell . Fly to Mallorca where highlights will include (the beach of course) and La Seu Cathederal and Bellver Castle. Art lovers should not miss the Fundacio Pilar I Joan Miro. The foundation is housed in the artist’s former studio and contains more than 100 paintings. Your journey continues as you board a ferry to la Isla Blanca the White Island, Ibiza. Spend two days exploring the island culture and enjoying the white sandy beaches. Last stop: Madrid, the capital of Spain. There is no shortage of things to do and see in Madrid, Spain’s largest city. For art lovers there is the world famous Prado museum, the Reina Sofia, a modern art museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, located in the Villahermosa Palace. For some truly Spanish cultural experiences, visit Las Ventas, the largest bullring in Spain, see a flamenco show, or simply enjoy some tapas in a traditional taberna.

Athens, Santorini and Mykonos

Journey to ancient (and modern) Athens, and two of the Cyclades islands; Santorini and Mykonos on this 10 day tour to Greece. In Athens, visit the Acropolis and the National Archaeological museum before strolling through the Plaka district for some souvenir shopping and to sample some delicious Greek specialties at a quaint taverna. Board a high speed ferry to the islands for a complete change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Athens. You will visit the beautiful black beaches of Santorini and be amazed by breath taking sunsets. On Mykonos, get lost in the labyrinthine roads of Hora (the old town), built that way to confuse intruders, and see the windmills of Kato Myli, arguably the symbol of this intriguing island.