1. No category

New York City, Washington, D.C. & the Civil
War Battlefields
The Travel Club at The Centre for
Learning@Home is organizing an
April 2017 school trip to New
York, Washington DC, and
Gettysburg. The basic premise of
the Travel Club is that the “World
is our Classroom.” There is no
better way to learn about
globalization,
culture,
nationalism, art, architecture,
history, geography, and sociology,
than to experience the world
firsthand. Yes, we will be visiting the Statute of Liberty pictured above. The Travel
Club is organized and led by me: Allan Brennan- Vice Principal at the Centre for
Learning@Home. I have led seven international school trips prior to this tour. The
number of teacher chaperones will be determined by the number of students traveling.
We will be employing the services of Education First Tours (EF Tours). We will be
traveling over Easter break (April 12, 2017 to April 21, 2017). These dates are
approximate. Students are taken on a first-come-first-serve basis.
The purpose of this brochure is to find out if you are interested. The cost of this tour
for students is $3498.00. This amount
is paid directly to EF Tours. EF Tours
has a wealth of travel experience with
international travel for students.
Students between the ages of 15 and 18
years of age at the time of the tour,
April, 2017, are eligible to participate.
Hotels, travel, and tours are very safe
and are fully insured. See right for a
photo of New York City at night.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 1 of 18
This price includes:








Round-trip – Airfare
Full-time EF Tour Director
Tour Director will lead sightseeing and walking tours
Transportation: Round-trip flight
Deluxe motor coach (bus)
Accommodations: 9 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
Meals: Breakfast and dinner daily
Tips and hotel security
Visits to special attractions with tour guide:
Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, World Trade Center site, home to the 9/11
Memorial, a NYC Broadway Play, Chinatown, Macy’s, NBC Studious Tour, Central Park,
Statute of Liberty, Ellis Island, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour,
United Nations, Broadway Show, Visit to the Smithsonian Museums, Washington Monument,
White House, Arlington National Cemetery, The Library of Congress, Franklin Delano
Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, JFK’s gravesite, US Capitol Building, Supreme
Court, The United States Marine Corps Memorial, Mount Vernon, Manassas National
Battlefield Park - Ranger Walking Tour, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park -Self Guided
with Scavenger Hunt, Antietam National Battlefield Park, Gettysburg Visitor Center, Museum
& Cyclorama Experience, Guided Sightseeing of Gettysburg, Ford’s Theatre and Petersen
House, Legends of Alexandria Tour, US National Archives, Cold Harbor Battle Site in
Richmond, Museum and White House of the Confederacy Combo.
 (10 Days) April 12- April 21 (2017). This date is approximate.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Explore the United States capital of Washington, D.C., Visit New York, the city of
lights including stops at the Statute of Liberty and the site of 9/11. Attend a Broadway
play! See the monuments in Washington which remind us of the massive costs of the
war and the many famous monuments of historical people. Set foot on the Civil War
battlefields of Gettysburg.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 2 of 18
Day 1: April 12 Overnight flight to New York
Arrive in the AM
A licensed guide leads
your sightseeing tour of
New York City. You’ll
explore the mosaic of
Manhattan neighborhoods
that make the city so
unique. Drive through
Greenwich Village, New
York’s eclectic province
of bohemians, immigrants
and students, and pass the
cast-iron architecture of
impossibly trendy SoHo
(from “SOuth of HOuston Street”). And it just might feel as if you’ve left the States
and crossed an ocean as you take in the vibrant life of Chinatown and the personality
of Little Italy. Finish your tour at the World Trade Center site, home to the 9/11
Memorial. (Route and inclusions may change depending on your requests and the
structure of your itinerary). In the evening we will visit the Empire State Building and
Observatory.
Day 2: April 13
Behind the Scenes Macy's Tour. Take a
guided tour of one of the four historic
flagship stores to learn about the magic of
Macy's. The tour will explore Macy's
incredible retailing history and the
architecture unique to the store you're in.
Get insider information on marketing and
merchandising industry secrets. NBC
Studios Tour: Go behind the scenes and
learn the history behind one of television’s most prestigious networks.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 3 of 18
Walking Tour of Central Park
Join your tour director for a tour
through New York’s backyard
playground.
An
843
acre
rectangular oasis in the heart of the
Manhattan jungle, Central Park has
something for everyone. Admire
the 58 hand-carved horses parading
around the Friedsam Memorial
Carousel, brought to the park from
Coney Island. Later, head over to
the boathouse and Tavern on the
Green. Continue through Bethesda Terrace, one of Central Park's best places for people
watching, and find the statue of Alice in Wonderland at the northern end of the
Conservatory.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Explore one of the most extensive art
collections in the world. The Metropolitan
Museum of Art, located in New York City,
is the largest art museum in the United States
and one of the ten largest in the world. This
museum in New York, New York has large
collections of ancient art, including Greek,
Roman and Near Eastern.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 4 of 18
Day 3: April 14
Board your motor coach to
begin your day. Statue of
Liberty and Ellis Island.
Take a ferry to Liberty Island
to marvel at the Statue of
Liberty. Continue on to Ellis
Island, now the site of a
museum chronicling the
history
of
European
immigration.
Brooklyn
Bridge Walking Tour: Once
the longest steel suspension
bridge in the world, the
Brooklyn Bridge was begun
by John A. Roebling and
finished by his son Washington. It takes about 40 minutes to traverse this massive
architectural achievement using the boardwalk shared by pedestrians, in-line skaters
and cyclists. The astounding views make the trek worthwhile; you can see Midtown to
the north, the port to the south and Governor’s Island and Lady Liberty out in the
harbor. Tour of the United Nations. Get an insider’s look at the United Nations and see
the Security Council Chamber and General Assembly Hall. (Subject to private tour
availability) Group Dinner in Midtown Area followed by a Broadway Show. Enjoy
your Broadway show, sure to be an unforgettable theater experience! See Broadway
pictured above.
Day 4: April 15
Smithsonian Museums
Bus transfer from New York to
Washington DC. Visit to the
Smithsonian Museums. Explore
all that the Smithsonian’s
museums have to offer. On
display at the National Air and
Space Museum is the 1903 Wright
Flyer. You can also see the Apollo
11 command module, Columbia, which orbited the moon while Neil Armstrong and
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 5 of 18
Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin first walked on the
surface in 1969. A stroll through the
National Museum of Natural History will
reveal objects as varied as the 45.52-carat
Hope Diamond and dinosaur skeletons. To
satisfy your artistic side, duck into the
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden,
where masterpieces by Andy Warhol,
Willem de Kooning and Pablo Picasso
decorate the halls. Please Note: The museum(s) you
visit may vary. Dinner in Washington, Union
Station
Day 5: April 16
Manassas National Battlefield Park - Ranger
Walking Tour . Harpers Ferry National Historical
Park - Self Guided with Scavenger Hunt.
Antietam National Battlefield Park Antietam
National Battlefield, situated in the rolling
farmland of Maryland. At Antietam Creek’s
juncture with the Potomac, the deadliest single
day of the war took place in 1862, as Union troops
resisted General Lee’s army. Although the war
was far from over following the indecisive
struggle, the strength and resolve of the
Union troops prompted Lincoln to write
the Emancipation Proclamation. Groups
will explore the museum exhibits in the
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 6 of 18
visitor center, view the introductory film, walk the Bloody Lane and drive the
battlefield loop to see the many memorials.
Dinner in Gettysburg
Day 6 April 17
Gettysburg Visitor Center, Museum & Cyclorama Experience
Immerse yourself in the Battle of
Gettysburg
at
the
Cyclorama
Experience. Start by seeing A New
Birth of Freedom, a film that looks at
the life and work of President
Abraham Lincoln, particularly as he
struggled to abolish slavery during the
Civil War. Calling for “a new birth of
freedom”
during
his
famous
Gettysburg
Address,
Lincoln
redefined the course of the United States. Move on to the three-dimensional circular
painting depicting the dramatic charge of the Confederate infantry led by General
George Pickett. Originally created from 1883 to 1884, the giant canvas had become
damaged by decades of neglect before a major $15-million restoration project returned
the masterpiece to the way it was intended to be viewed. The conservation project was
the largest of its kind ever undertaken in North America.
Guided Sightseeing of Gettysburg
A licensed guide leads today’s tour of Gettysburg
National Military Park, where 170,000 fought and
51,000 died during the Civil War’s bloodiest battle in
July 1863. Four months later, President Lincoln
delivered the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln exhorted
Americans to remember the principles of the equality
supported by the Declaration of Independence in the
name of the slain soldiers. And while the speech
remains one of the most famous in American history,
Lincoln remarked after giving the address that it was
a “flat failure.” Learn more about the battle through the extensive collection of Civil
War artifacts and archives at the Museum and Visitor Center.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 7 of 18
Ford’s Theatre and Petersen House
Visit the museum at Ford’s
Theatre, where, on April 14,
1865, John Wilkes Booth
shocked
the
nation
by
assassinating President Lincoln
during a performance of Our
American Cousin. The stricken
president was carried across the
street to the home of tailor William Petersen. At the historically preserved Petersen
House, you’ll see the room where a 23-year-old doctor worked unsuccessfully through
the night to save the mortally wounded president. Dinner • Enjoy your evening meal,
provided by Smithsonian Student Travel.
Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Day 7: April 18
Guided Sightseeing of Washington, DC
Your Tour Director, a DC licensed guide,
introduces you to the sites where national
policies and political reputations are
formed and reformed daily. On the grassy
National Mall, which extends from the
Capitol to the Potomac River, view the
Washington Monument.
Visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Memorial and finish your sightseeing
with a photo stop at the White House, home of every U.S. president except George
Washington.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 8 of 18
The Jefferson Memorial
Photo stop at the Jefferson Memorial
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Trace the history of FDR’s four terms in office
as you move through this monument, which
spans more than seven acres. From the Great
Depression to WWII you’ll see a changing
America and a remarkable president. And it is
the only presidential memorial to also portray a
First Lady.
Photo Stop at Lincoln Memorial
Photo stop at the Lincoln Memorial
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 9 of 18
Arlington National Cemetery
Observe the quiet dignity of Arlington
National Cemetery, the final resting place of
more than 200,000 veterans and their
families. At JFK’s gravesite, you’ll see the
eternal flame that was originally lit by
Jacqueline Kennedy at her husband’s
funeral. You’ll also witness the changing of
the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
The United States Marine Corps Memorial
The cast bronze depiction of Marines raising the flag at
Iwo Jima honors all those who have served in the
Marine Corps since its inception in 1775.
Photo Stop at the Washington Monument
Excursion to Mount Vernon
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 10 of 18
Travel through the Virginia countryside to
Mount Vernon, the lovely retreat
overlooking the Potomac where George
and Martha Washington lived from 1754 to
1799. As you tour the restored Georgian
mansion, you’ll see many symbols of the
owner’s
eminence,
including
Washington’s presidential chair. You’ll
also see the reconstructed slave quarters
and Washington’s tomb, as well as the elegant estate’s 500 acres of grounds and
gardens. Be sure to explore the comprehensive Ford Orientation Center and Donald W.
Reynolds Museum and Education Center. The interactive displays, short films and
high-tech immersive experiences featured in the center depict Washington at three
significant stages in his life.
Dinner in Alexandria followed by the Legends of Alexandria Tour
Join us for a special activity tonight. You may take
a one-hour Legends of Alexandria tour in Old Town,
where an 18th-century costumed guide shows you
the way through the streets by lantern and shares
ghost stories, legends and folklore about the area!
Day 8: April 19
The US Capitol Building Tour & Visitor's Center
Enjoy a docent-led tour of the
U.S. Capitol, the city’s epicenter
and the heart of the American
legislature. George Washington
laid the first cornerstone for the
building in 1793, but the edifice
was set on fire in 1814 when
British troops marched through
the city. Much of the structure
was salvaged, thanks to heavy
rains that quelled the flames, and
the Capitol remains the symbol
of American government today.
You’ll also explore the Visitor Center. This underground facility features an
exhibition gallery, orientation theaters, a 550-seat cafeteria and gift shops.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 11 of 18
The Library of Congress
Marvel at the green-domed Library of
Congress, whose collection of 113 million
items includes a Gutenberg Bible. Note: This
is not a guided tour.
United States Supreme Court
Be awed by the imposing white-marble
Supreme Court building, where the nine
justices of the nation’s highest court convene to
hear oral arguments and rule on cases that
affect the course of law in the United States.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 12 of 18
United States National Archives
This important landmark holds priceless documents that have shaped the history and
politics of the United States. Interactive
components will give you an appreciation for the
role records and archivists play in linking the
past to the future. View all four pages of the
Constitution and the Declaration of
Independence simultaneously in the Charters of
Freedom Rotunda.
Day 9: April 20
Cold Harbor Battle Site
Visit the battlefield site of the long siege at
Cold Harbor in May and June of 1864
which culminated in a Confederate victory
and 15,500 casualties. We move on to the
Richmond National Battlefield Park/Civil
War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works
Museum and White House of the Confederacy Combo
Tour the restored Confederate
“White House” that served as the
home of Jefferson Davis, his wife
Varina and their children during the
war.
Richmond Evening Activity - Ghost Tour
Overnight in Richmond
Day 10: April 21 Depart for Home
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 13 of 18
* Participants are not permitted to consume, purchase,
or possess, alcohol and/or tobacco of any kind*
There are no tour extensions for students. We must depart from
Calgary and return to Calgary together as one group. We will
attend Mass over Easter weekend.
Once again, the purpose of this brochure is to find out if you are interested.
The cost of this tour for students between the ages of 15 and 18 years at the
time of the tour, April, 2017, is $3498.00. Monies are paid directly to EF
Tours.
Information regarding EF Tour’s Booking Conditions, EF’s All Inclusive
Protection Plan (which each participant receives as part of their tour fees),
and Release and Agreement can be found at the following EF Tours web link.
Please read the financial, registration, and insurance details at this link prior
to signing up for this trip. As well, EF’s Booking Conditions, this EF Tours
web link includes information regarding cancelations, refunds, insurance,
and payment schedule etc. Please visit link at:
http://www.eftours.ca/eliterature/eng_booking-conditions_2017.pdf
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 14 of 18
Need More Information
I am happy to talk with you if you have any questions. If you would like to
discuss our trip, please contact me, Mr. Allan Brennan, at one of the
following contacts:
To e-mail me in First Class just type Mr. Brennan into the To box
From a Telus, Hotmail, Shaw, or other non-First Class account
you can send e-mails to: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Phone me at: (403) 938-8046 ext. 291
1-800-659-1945 (ext. 291)
Fax: (403) 938-8070
Mr. Allan Brennan
Vice Principal
St. Paul's Academy/ Centre for Learning@Home
Sign up instructions on next page
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 15 of 18
If you are interested in signing up for this CFL student
trip adventure, you can enroll two different ways:
1) You can complete the registration process online by doing
the following:
Go to: www.eftours.ca/1596439FS
Click on Enroll Now and complete the online registration form.
The tour number is: 1596439FS
2) Or, you can phone in your registration to EF Tours @ 1-800-2632806 (Quote tour # 1596439FS).
Please be advised that you will need a deposit of at least
$199.00 to officially register and thus secure a seat on this trip. If
you like, you can organize a monthly payment plan with EF Tours.
Please ask them for details when you phone. Applicants are taken on
a first-come-first-serve basis. 
Tour fees program price: $3498.00
Two EF Tours videos related to our trip.
 Washington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0xNY8o
Mq4
 New York:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reOo4Ga3Rd0&feature=iv
&src_vid=BB0xNY8oMq4&annotation_id=annotation_249339
4449
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 16 of 18
Student and Parent Testimonials from previous trips.
The entire process of making the trip a reality
was very rewarding for my son: Saving the
money, the planning and the researching. In
planning the Italy and France trip in 2013 Al
Brennan was extremely comforting for the
parents and participants. He walked us through
every step of the way and left no stone unturned
when it came to answering our questions or
concerns.
I was a little worried about my son being in a
new element with unfamiliar faces, but this trip
proved to be more than we bargained for. Our
son blossomed and met many like-minded
children with similar interests. He came home
knowing that outside of school, there's this
whole world of possibilities.
We are looking forward to the next trip, and
won't hesitate to send our other child traveling
in this safe and caring environment.
Thanks do much for offering this service!
I loved the tour. I have always wanted to
travel to Italy and Greece and I’m really
glad I did this with you, Mr. Brennan.
Greece was amazing but Rome was my
favourite. The food was excellent and the
sights were perfect. None of this could
have been possible without out and your
amazing teachers that introduced all of
this to me. I made some great friends on
this trip and our guide was great too. I
would definitely recommend it.
Our son participated in the 2015 “Canada and the
World Wars” (Germany, The Netherlands, and
France) trip to Europe and he absolutely had an
amazing time. … He had never been away from
home before and we were a bit concerned, but
there was no need to be. The safety and security
of my son was well looked after by all the staff and
EF Tours. Mr. Brennan did an incredible job of
planning and preparing before the trip and in
keeping parents advised of everything that was
going on. Then, during the trip, Mr. Brennan sent
an email each day. Our son had fun and met many
new friends that we know he will keep in contact
with. Further, although he did not really know
anyone prior to going, he had fun. What more
could we want? We highly recommend these EF
Tours and of course the ones planned and
executed by Mr. Brennan and the staff at CFL.
I wanted to let you know how much my
daughter enjoyed her trip to Costa Rica. I
would like to thank you for giving me the
confidence in you to trust you, Mr. Brennan,
with one of the two people I love the most.
I knew that my daughter was in very capable
hands. I knew that you would ensure her
safety and that is exactly what happened.
My daughter learned a lot… EF Tours is a
fabulous organization and makes certain the
students are taken care, and you, my friend,
have proved that the students are actually
cared for…
I would like to thank you in assisting my
daughter in making life long memories in a
very positive experience.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 17 of 18
A typical Deluxe Motor Coach used by EF Tours below.
Mr. H. Allan Brennan
EF Tour #: 1596439FS
1-800-659-1945 ext. 291
e-mail: albrennan@redeemer.ab.ca
Page 18 of 18