On the Road!

We are about 475 miles from NC. I won't have a reliable ETA until after our dinner stop. Early signs are hopeful for 10pm. VERY much subject to change at this point.

Second Group Shot of the Day

Day Three Begins!

Our Night Monument Tour Begins

Best Group Shot!

International Studies

NCSIS in front of AU's SIS!

Impromptu Street Shot

Always a trip highlight!

Good night!

Fantastic first day in the books. Rooms checked, so it's time to catch up on last night's lost sleep!

Hotel...here we come!

After 17 hours since we departed, we are nearly at the hotel to catch up on our sleep. Leaving dinner now.

Back on the Road

We are back on the bus end route to dinner and the hotel in Chantilly, VA. Nearly perfect weather for our campus visit!

On your at UVA!

We have arrived in Charlottesville at UVA for lunch and our campus tour!

Early Breakfast in Chattanooga. Heading up 81 to our afternoon stop at UVA...still a very quiet bus!

New Travel Stats by City

Top Ten World Cities for Travelers - Our magnet program has been to #2, #3 TWICE, and tried to get to #8...Who knows where we'll go next!

Landed.

Baggage claim and customs up next!

And...we're off!

See you in Atlanta this afternoon! Looks like we will be on-time!

On plane...again

Seated and ready to depart for our long Atlantic voyage!

Deutschland

On ground in Frankfurt. Have about 90 min here.

On plane

See you in Frankfurt!

Through security

Waiting at gate in Athens.  Boarding in an hour.

On way home!

We are on the bus headed to Athens airport to begin our journey home. Will post again when we are on the plane and in Germany!

Acropolis

We made it to the Parthenon!  So many iconic landmarks on this tour!

Tour Stop #1

Panathainaic Stadium

City Bus Tour

We have dropped off our bags at the hotel and are on the way to meet our guide for the city tour of Athens!

We are up!

Eating breakfast before ship departure! Athens sightseeing here we come!

On island!

Heading up the tram to the village at the top as we speak!

Santorini

As you can see, we are approaching. Definitely breath-taking as advertised!

Ashore!

The Cretin crew!

Crete

We landed earlier this morning and are going to meet after breakfast. Some will go ashore and others will remain on the ship. All looking forward to our last port-of-call, Santorini, later this afternoon.

Good bye, Patmos!

On tender boats heading back to cruise ship. Crete tomorrow and Santorini in the afternoon! All are doing great!!!

Patmos

Our second island today! We have landed and are waiting in the lounge for our tender boat to port!

Monastic Cave

Samos Hike

View is always worth the work.

Samos

Enjoying our relaxing time on the island!

Samos

We are in port and preparing to depart the ship!

Mykonos Group Shot

Land ho!

We have arrived in Mykonos!

We are boarding

Ready to cruise!

Bon Voyage

In line to board the ship! I will let you know when we arrive in Mikenos!

Dinner show Table 3

Dinner show Table 2

Dinner show Table 1

Cruise Info

All of us will be unreachable while we are on the cruise. Our Tour Director let us know that international plans don't apply in maritime situations.  We will be able to communicate via WiFi on some of the islands. I will post whenever we can and remind the students to reach out to you at those times also.

All our doing great and most are currently enjoying a nap on the bus ride back to Athens from Delphi after another great Greek meal!

Poli orea

The whole gang...and our leaders Alex!

Great shot!

Courtesy of our fearless leaders eye for photography...

Delphi

Touring ruins of Oracle of Delphi

Delphi

Promise more group pics soon. Travel day today with free time and our best meal on your for lunch!

Welcome to Athens

In airport

On way to Athens! Checking in for our flight as we speak...

Capri

What an amazing day!

Capri

Simply amazing...

Island mini-cruise

Oh yes, this is where we are...

Capri

We are preparing to board the boat to Capri!  Waiting at the port of Naples.

Afternoon in Rome

All enjoying some shopping before dinner in the city. Early morning departure for a beautiful drive to Sorrento!

Catacombs

Enjoyed a tour of the catacombs outside the city. St. Paul's Basilica up next!

Back at the hotel!

Another amazing day has come to a close. Catacombs and some shopping in Rome tomorrow!

Group Picture #2

St. Peter's Basilica

Full day...

After our long day of beautiful sightseeing, we are enjoying some free time in Vatican City before dinner in Rome with a return to the hotel after.

Vatican

We are preparing to enter the Vatican Mueseum and on to the Sistine Chapel!

Ooh...

We are off!

To the Coliseum, Vatican City, and more!

Good night!

First Group Shot!

Hotel

We have arrived. Dinner at 7:30 local time.

Roma!

Jet lag hasn't stopped us from enjoying a city walking tour. Trevi Fountain/first gelatto, Pantheon, and more.  Back to bus with a trip to hotel/dinner soon. Busy first 24 hours!

Welcome to Italy

We are on the ground in Rome. Our day will soon include a walking tour of the city after we meet our Tour Director Alex!

On plane

Heading on to Rome!  All on board. Departing momentarily. Arivederci!

Landed

Guten Morgen! We are on the ground in Deutschland!

Boarding

We are in line at the gate! Next stop: breakfast in Germany. I will let you know when we land!

Remind App Signup!

Please either text @ncsis to 81010 OR visit remind.com/join/ncsis to join our Remind "class" for updates while on tour!  This is very important for ALL students as they can receive messages via the internet while we have wifi at hotels.  Parents are also encouraged to join!

48 Hours...

I hope you are farther along in your packing than I am! Don't forget to consult your packing list and think of additional things you use every day as you go through your normal routine tomorrow.  We can find most things you would need in Europe, bit not always the exact brand you are used to!

Also, don't forget to text me at the number for my new phone if you haven't already done so!

See you at the International Terminal off of I-75 very soon!

First Day's View!

Welcome to your view the first day we arrive! (Rome from Dome of St. Peter's Basilica)

Money!

Tips for Spending Money Abroad - Please check out this article from nerdwallet last month!  I think it is very appropriate for our travel.  FYI - I order enough currency from my bank for my entire trip (or my best guess) to avoid any repetitive charges.  Bank of America offers competitive rates for customers with no delivery charge if I pick it up at my local branch.  This is pretty standard.

World's Best & Worst Passports

Interesting read regarding the freedom of citizens to travel by country of origin.  Where did the U.S. rank this year?

We are here! Pictures to come this evening!

Both flights are on the ground on-time or early. Beautiful day in Miami!!!

And...we are on our way! Miami flight is boarding, and all students and chaperones are present and excited. I will post a picture from Monkey Bay this afternoon!