International
SAN JUAN
OXFORD
Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Dance Workshop
The Great Hall at Christ Church College
Oxford, England, is home to one of the world’s most renowned
colleges, the University of Oxford. The acclaimed university is a regular
stop for visitors, especially student groups, and one of the most
popular destinations is its Christ Church College.
Founded in 1546 by Henry VII, Christ Church is arguably Oxford’s
most majestic college. Guided tours of the college allow students to
gain greater insights into its rich history, stunning architecture, student
life and close links with “Alice in Wonderland” and “Harry Potter.”
During the walks, which last approximately one hour, groups are led
through the Cathedral Gardens, the Cloisters, the Quad and other
areas of the campus.
Pop culture lovers also will enjoy the visit to the Great Hall. This
majestic room famously provided the inspiration for the dining hall at
Hogwarts in the popular “Harry Potter” films. Visitors also can look
for the Cheshire cat—“Alice in Wonderland” author Lewis Carroll is an
alum—that is carved into one of the chairs within the Great Hall and
see the stunning Alice-themed stained-glass window.
The campus also includes the Christ Church Meadow, a vast area
that offers a tranquil, pastoral feel right in the heart of the city.
Visitors can see a resident herd of longhorn cattle, which still graze in
the meadow.
To learn more, contact Lisa Sjoland of VisitBritain at lisa.sjolund@
visitbritain.org or go to visitbritain.com.
TOP EDUCATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Bodleian Library, the Museum of the History of Science,
Pitt Rivers Museum
TOP RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Oxford Castle Unlocked, Punting with Cherwell Boathouse
TOP LOCAL FESTIVALS
Common People (May 27–28), Cowley Road Carnival (July 2)
According to Vámonos Tours President Jorge Pardo, San Juan,
Puerto Rico, is “one of the most beautiful and walkable cities in the
world.” Pardo founded his tour company in 2002 with a focus on
providing cultural and Spanish immersion tours of his native Puerto
Rico for school groups.
Many Vámonos itineraries feature the island’s capital city and its
calling card attractions: Old San Juan and the San Juan National
Historic Site. As students explore the national park, they can see the
unique architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage site’s castles—San
Felipe del Morro Fort, San Cristobal Fort and Fort San Juan de la
Cruz. One of the signature attractions is Santa Catalina La Fortaleza
Fort and Governor’s Mansion, which is Puerto Rico’s White House.
Another of the company’s immersive programs, an Afro-Puerto
Rican Bomba Dance Workshop, takes place in Piñones, a coastal
village just outside of San Juan. African slaves who were brought to
the town developed a distinctive type of music and dance known as
Bomba, which Pardo says is “like a dialogue between the drums and
the dancer, since the drummer must play a sound that matches the
dancer’s move.
“The workshop is taught by local dance instructors and drum
players who interact with students through dance, culture and music,”
he adds. “Students love it, as it’s fun and easy to dance plus highly
diverse and educational.”
To learn more, contact Jorge Pardo of Vámonos Tours at jorge@
vamonostours.com or go to vamonostours.com.
TOP EDUCATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
The Night Legends and Ghost Tour, Santurce’s Avenida de las
Artes Grafitti Tour
TOP RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
El Yunque Tropical Rainforest, the Amazing Grace Old San Juan
Harbor Tour
TOP LOCAL FESTIVALS
San Sebastian Street Festival (January 2018), Old San Juan’s
Circo Fest (February to March 2018)
NTAonline.com
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