Got the travel bug? Consider these cool getaways

Sometimes, when the travel bug strikes, the only cure is to pack your bags and go. But where to? Here is a list of favorite spots from across the globe. This list includes the most popular places, but we know we can’t include everything, so don't worry if your favorite spot didn't make the cut. Whatever destination you choose, just do this: Dream … and go!


Paris
Year after year, the magnetic city of lights draws new travelers to its Eiffel Tower, the Louver, and Notre Dame. So rich in culture. So many unforgettable memories to be made.

Barcelona
Barcelona is one of those unique places that has most everything, from an engaging culture of siestas, Spanish guitar and tapas to an outrageous landscapes.

London
Bursting with a multiplicity of things to do—touring the Tower of London circling ‘round London Eye, to the Queen outside Buckingham Palace, or enjoying fish'n'chip. Something for everybody.

Washington, D.C.
The country's capital is filled with a huge number of postcard-worthy monuments and buildings. The White House and the Lincoln Memorial are here, and so much more.

What are your summer travel plans?

Simple tips for going green when you travel

Discovery Student Adventures is committed to preserving resources on our trips. With this in mind, we’d like to provide you with some tips to protect the environment and cultures of the places you visit—whether you’re traveling with us, or on your own. Read on for responsible tips to become a sustainable (green) traveler.

Get involved in the local culture and its traditions. Learn and respect the region’s way of life to protect the areas you visit.
Save water during your trip: Tell hotel staff you don’t need linens changed every day, take short showers, don’t leave water running while brushing your teeth.
Save energy: Turn off all lights and appliances, turn down heat or air conditioning when not in your room.
Use environmentally friendly products to generate less waste. For example, try not to use plastic bags; try instead to use reusable bags. Avoid using environmentally hazardous products. Choose recyclable products.
Avoid feeding wild animals. Food processed for human consumption contains ingredients that may cause health problems and make them dependent on food.

Keeping cool in the heat

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related issues. We are not invincible when it comes to exposing ourselves to heat. This is especially true for summer travelers who may be headed to a climate that’s much warmer than they’re acclimated to. To help prevent heat-related distress, follow these simple tips.


Allow time for heat acclimatization. Gradually increase the duration or intensity of physical activity prior to travel. This process can take up to 14 days to complete.
Take breaks. Be sure to include adequate rest between activities.
Hydrate. Drink plenty of water before, during and after outdoor activities.
Know when to rest. If you’re feeling the symptoms of the heat, listen to your body and slow down.

How do you plan to beat the heat this summer?

31 years later: remembering an angry volcano

When Mount St. Helens exploded into life on May 18, 1980, it was one of the greatest eruptions ever recorded in North America. Superheated ash, gas and lava devastated the surrounding area and claimed many lives. Since then, scientists have been closely monitoring activity around the volcano, waiting for disaster to strike again. So, what other volcanoes around the world have etched their place in history?


World's largest volcanoes
1. Mount Mazama, Crater Lake, Oregon—Over 6,000 years ago Mount Mazama erupted. Before the explosion the mountain was 12,000 feet high; when it was over it had been replaced by a 1,900-foot deep crater. Crater Lake, famed for its intense blue waters, was made a National Park in 1902.
2. Mount Etna, Sicily—Although Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, its renown comes from its role in Greek legends. According to Greco-Roman mythology, the giants—the enemies of the gods—were buried beneath Mount Etna. In their efforts to break free, the Giants caused frequent earthquakes around the mountain.
3. Mount Vesuvius, Italy—Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D. covered the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserving them for generations to come. The volcano is still active and has had several eruptions—the most deadly being in 1631.
4. Mount Tambora, Indonesia—The largest eruption during the last two centuries, as well as the deadliest volcano in recorded history, Mount Tambora exploded April 10-11, 1815. It killed an estimated 92,000 people. Almost 80,000 of the victims died of starvation brought on by the agricultural devastation in the volcano's wake.
5. Mount Krakatau, Indonesia—On August 27, 1883, Mount Krakatau exploded with such force that it was heard in Australia, over 2,000 miles away. The force of the eruption triggered a series of tsunamis that reached the Hawaiian islands and the coast of South America, killing more than 36,000 people.
Do you recall what you were doing when St.Helens blew its top?

Human “wings” no longer science fiction

Imagine getting up in the morning, strapping on a super-powered jetpack and whisking yourself into the sky and away to your work, school, or play. No traffic lights. No speed limits. No tailgaters. It may not be as far-fetched as you think. A Swiss man recently brought humans a step closer to flying like birds when he soared over the Grand Canyon with a jetpack at speeds of up to 190 mph. That got us thinking. What aerial views could you capture on a Discovery Student Adventure if equipped with a jetpack? We dreamed some up.

Picture these 5 jetpack vistas
Bird’s-eye view of a Costa Rican rainforest. Sure, you can take in some awesome views on a zipline, but this gives a whole new meaning to “insanely cool adventure.”
Rising above the Eiffel Tower. We take you to the top of this iconic landmark, but with wings, you don’t have to scale hundreds of stairs for the awesome views of Paris.
Soaring over the Washington Monument. No crick in your neck from gazing skyward. Just be sure to steer clear of the no-fly zone around the White House.
Peering into the crater of Mt. Vesuvius. Hiking this active volcano on a Discovery Student Adventure in Italy is one thing. Looking down its throat would be simply magic.
Going beyond the Andean Highlands Ecuador. Towering an invigorating altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level, the air at the summit is thin. Better just cruise the perimeter.

Where in the world would you fly to?

Pack smart for your summer adventure

Summer’s rapidly approaching and for a majority of Americans, that means vacation time. It’s estimated that nearly 60 percent of us will travel in the coming months, up from 51 percent last summer. Most travelers over pack and spend their vacation lugging around clothes and other items that are never used. For 5 smart packing tips, read on.



1. Tightly roll your clothes, don’t fold. This will save space and minimize wrinkles.
2. Pack shoes first, along the edges of your bag; then pack clothes to form a bottom layer.
3. Pack your lightest clothing on top.
4. Pack toiletries last for easy access.
5. Pack light. If in doubt, you probably won’t need it. Leave it behind.

Where will your summer travels take you?

How much rain can a cloud hold? We'll see ...

Why do some clouds produce lots of rain, while others do not? By flying an aircraft into rain clouds, NASA scientists are on a mission to find out. The mission will reveal the inner workings of rainmaking clouds and is unprecedented in scope, said mission team members. Scientists will combine data gathered by instruments on the ground with measurements taken by high-tech instruments installed on aircraft flying above and into rain clouds. The data should further the team's goal of forecasting and measuring rainfall from satellites. What's your favorite rainy day activity? Board games? Movies? A good book?

Celebrate educators during Teacher Appreciation Week May 2-6, 2011

If you appreciate the knowledge you have acquired over the years thanks to your teachers, Teacher Appreciation Week is a great time to show your gratitude. Dedicated to the celebration of our favorite educators worldwide, Teacher Appreciation Week is not only a way for students to celebrate their teachers, but also for people to learn more about teaching as a profession and its merits worldwide since teaching is done differently in each country. Teacher Appreciation Week allows teachers to discover why their teaching is appreciated. Tell us about your favorite teacher!