By signing up for Explorica’s Monthly Automated Plan, which automatically debits your checking account each month, Julian was entered to go on his trip for free – and won!

For more information on our payment plans and methods, visit our FAQ page.

And keep checking our website for more contest announcements and for more chances to win some amazing prizes.

Watch the “Language is Key” video.

If you have any great stories or content your group has made, send it to us, and we’ll post it online!

See how we give you the tools, and work with you every step of the way to create an educational tour that opens minds, fosters new ideas, and provides first-hand experiences of classroom lessons.

• Check out the video we made just for you:

Check them out here:

http://www.explorica.com/student-photo-contest

http://www.explorica.com/teacher-photo-contest

Thank you to all of those who submitted entries, as we had some fantastic images. All of the entries can be viewed on Flickr.

Check out which images were chosen and what they won!

Teachers, this is a great chance to both encourage your students’ creativity, and to share the memories of your tour with everyone.

Check out all the details here. We look forward to seeing your students’ work!

Our aim with these My Favorite: posts is to give our well-traveled Explorica employees a chance to share some of their favorite travel experiences with all of you.

This week’s my favorite comes from Senior Program Consultant Aimee Chevalier.  Take it away, Aimee…

My absolute favorite hike (so far) is undoubtedly through the five villages known as the Cinque Terre in the Liguria region of Italy along the Italian Riviera.   I’ve had to opportunity to visit this area twice, and I know that I will return again.   The quaint towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are connected by trains, boats, and gorgeous seaside walking trails.

You can hike the entire coast through all five villages – which takes about five hours – or you can simply travel from one town to the next.   Some sections are an easy stroll, while others are more challenging.  No matter which path you choose, you’ll come across glorious views of cliffsides which drop dramatically down to the turquoise sea lapping against the rocks.  You also walk through vineyards and olive orchards, and be prepared to make some new friends along the way.

When I was traveling and living in Italy as a volunteer on organic farms, my fellow travelers and  I had the opportunity to stay with a woman who had just built herself a house in Levanto, a town just north of the Cinque Terre, on the cliffs about 60 feet above the sea.  We were building terraced gardens which crawled down the side of the mountain toward the sea during the day, and we ate dinner every night outside on top of the cliffs while listening to the water breaking against shore below.  What a life!

Every week, Explorations will offer all you inveterate travelers a travel tip from one of our expert Program Consultants.

This week’s travel tip is from Program Consultant Aimee Chevalier, and it’s a good one for

One of the most exciting (well, sort of) aspects of travel is that you have to expect the unexpected….. in terms of weather.  You also do not have the luxury of your walk-in closet, your washer and dryer, and multiple wardrobe changes a day.  So, you have to pack smart and mix and match your clothing items.

When I travel I make sure that every single clothing item that I bring goes with everything else in my one suitcase, and I stick to solid colors.   That way there’s no outfit planning before you depart, and you can just go with the flow once you’re there.   Your clothing has to comfortable yet versatile.  You have to be prepared for possibly scorching hot days and chilly nights as well as being able to go from day to evening – because who wants to waste valuable sightseeing time worrying about what they’re wearing?

I absolutely love European style .  This past summer I found myself oohing and ahhing over many a Parisian girl’s outfit.  So, take some cues from the locals while you’re traveling, and maybe try something a bit different with your style!

One of our main goals with Explorations is to give everyone an opportunity to meet the fine folks who work at Explorica to help teachers take their students on educational tours across the globe.

This week’s featured Program Consultant is Aimee Chevalier.  Here’s some of our favorite excerpts from our recent interview with her:

Where did you grow up?

New Bedford, MA

Where did you go to college?

University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Where have you traveled?

Ireland, Scotland, England, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France.  Going to Costa Rica this year!

Which Explorica tours have you taken?

France and Germany

Favorite band, movie, and/or book…

Classic movies from my childhood remain my favorites - like the Wizard of Oz.  My all-time favorite music is probably the Motown sounds of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye.

If you could be any animal, which animal would you be?

I’ll have to say a cat.  Who wouldn’t want to nap in the sun all day long?

Favorite breakfast cereal?

Kashi with rice milk and blueberries.  Only the healthy stuff for me.

If you could live anywhere else in the entire world, where would that be and why?

Italia.  I’m enamored with the language and the land.

What do you like to do when you’re not helping teachers plan fantastic tours?

I go out dancing whenever I can.  I love to let loose!

Who was your favorite teacher growing up, and why?

I was absolutely in love with every one of my elementary school teachers - so much so that I would get nauseous when I had a substitute.

I was kind of a sensitive kid…

Is white chocolate really chocolate?

It IS made from cocoa butter.  The chips are a fabulous addition to a dark chocolate walnut brownie.

Your last name’s Chevalier.  What’s that all about?

It’s pretty French.  It means “knight”.  Isn’t that awesome!?  I think my future spouse should take MY last name.

I’ve noticed you’re quite the epicurean.  What’s the most exotic dish you’ve recently concocted?

I love to make sushi maki rolls, which most people find interesting.  They are so easy!  Fresh tuna, ripe avocado, plenty of wasabi.  Simple and delicious.

Fair to say that you really like scarves?

Haha.  I love wearing scarves…in all types of weather.  They are so cozy, and they make them for all seasons –even summer!