Bladen Community College is offering a European study-tour that will visit London, Paris and Rome next spring. The trip, scheduled for May 27 - June 6, 2004, allows participants to visit places they study during the academic year.

The class is HUM 120: World Cultures and carries three semester hours credit. It may be taken as an audit course. The class meets the first Saturday morning of each month, September through May (excluding December) for information on the history and culture of England, France and Italy, and for practical ways to handle foreign travel. The course may be taken online for those out of the area.

The tour includes three nights in London with visits to Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, the Globe Theatre, Piccadilly Circus, the British Museum, the Tower of London among other things.

Crossing the English Channel by ferry, the group will visit Paris (three nights) to see Notre Dame Cathedral, The Eiffel Tower, Arc d'Triumphe, Champs d'Elysses, Louvre Museum, Sacre Coeur, Musee D'Orsay, the Palace at Versailles, and more. The group will also take an evening cruise along the Seine River.

The group will then take an overnight train to Rome for a two-night stay. During the visit to Rome, the group will see the Collosseum, St. Peter's Cathedral, The Vatican, Circus Maximum, Catacombs, Forum, and other interesting sites. After a half day bus tour with an in-country guide in each city, the group decides on their ininerary.

The cost of the course is included in tuition if one is a full time student, is waived for those 65 or over, and is $135.50 for others.

The cost of the trip is approximately $2,000 (exact cost is based on current rates in October). The trip cost covers transportation (airline, ferry, train, tour bus), accommodations (three- or four-star hotels with porterage, two per room with bath), all breadfasts, three dinners, European tour director, local tour coordinator, pre-trip meetings and materials, and tips.

A meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 23 in the Room 111 of the Parker Building on campus is open to those seeking more information (no obligation). Registration may be completed at that time.

Barbara Morrison, the instructor/tour coordinator, has worked with thirteen tours to western Europe as well as many domestic tours. For further information, contact her at Bladen Community College, 8769-5658 or bmorrison!@bladen.cc.nc.us

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