Study Abroad and Fall in Love With the Food of Paris

Everybody knows France's reputation for fine food and nowhere is it more apparent than on the streets of Paris. Food lovers who choose to study abroad in Paris will be in a true "foodie's paradise", with the access to the great food the city offers. From shopping in markets to dining in fine restaurants your experience will whatever you make of it.

The Great Food Markets of Paris

Parisians love their food and having wonderful fresh produce on their doorsteps daily is a high priority. Many districts will have their own markets, however the better-known ones are well worth a visit for anyone who comes to study abroad in the city.

One of the biggest is the twice-weekly Marché Bastille, on the Rue Richard Lenoir. It boasts stall after stall of great fish, free-range chicken and local cheeses. Wondrous mounds of fruit, olives and charcuterie are interspersed with stalls selling jewellery, bags and arts and crafts.

Ernest Hemingway wrote about the Marche Mouffetard in his novel, A Moveable Feast, where he described it as a "wonderful, narrow crowded market street" - and it certainly lives up to this description. It's surrounded by atmospheric buildings and is a great place to buy calorie-laden patisserie, paté and seafood. Marche Mouffetard runs into another great market, Marché Monge, so you get two for the price of one! Marché Monge is at the pricier end of the scale and its setting in the leafy Place Monge with its picturesque fountain makes it a great place to shop. If you're lucky you'll get stories with your food purchases, as the beekeeper will be selling his own honey and the fishmonger may regale you with tales of how he caught his fish. Much of the fruit and vegetables are organic and the market is well known for excellent bread.

For great food from other parts of the world the historic market of Marché des Enfants Rouges is well worth a visit for anyone in Paris to study abroad. It is named after the 16th century orphanage that used to be on the site, where the children's red clothes showed that they had been donated by Christian charities. The orphanage closed before the French Revolution but the building remained and was reopened as a market in 2000. Italian, African, Lebanese and Japanese food is among the world foods available and there are many other artisan and organic food stalls. It's a great place to get a takeaway lunch.

The pedestrianized Rue Montorgueil is only half occupied by a market, but don't let that put you off, as it is indeed a foodie's heaven. The market stalls will offer you fruit, vegetables and shellfish but alongside them you will find Charles Chocolatier, where you should sample a hot chocolate. Why not accompany it with a pastry from Stohrer, which is said to be the oldest pastry shop in Paris. Along with the cheese shops, rotisseries and wonderful bakers, this street is a must visit for any budding gourmand on an adventure to study abroad in Paris.

Paris will definitely leave you spoilt for choice for places to indulge your passion for food. Its markets are amongst the best in the world the city is a great place to spend time simply wandering and indulging your senses.

Angela Bowden works for EST (Equity School Travel), the UK's largest educational travel company, providing opportunities to study abroad. EST encompasses a wide range of learning opportunities in worldwide destinations.

How an Educational Tour to Greece Is More Than a Holiday

When the frost builds on the windowsill, the Mediterranean and, in particular, Greece calls. A land of sunshine and glorious islands, it is a haven for holidaymakers seeking a respite from the Northern cold.

But for those with learning on their mind, Greece has broader horizons. It is a land that traces its lineage back to days still admired the world over for their contribution to the education of humanity. Students who visit will find they enjoy Greece as more than just a sunny holiday destination.

Crucible of Classics

Homer, Aristotle, and Plato: even the least erudite of souls will come across these names at least once in their lives. An educational tour of Greece will no doubt focus on helping students live and breathe the stories surrounding the classic authors and figures who can seem to be but fictitious characters in history books and primary sources. The significance of bringing the classics alive by visiting the ruins and museums of Greece lies in the sheer value of wrestling with the ideas and stories created by these men and women.

Home of History

The events that transpired in this small nation during antiquity and beyond were so pivotal, cultures as far away as the Middle East, England and Latin America still study them today. An educational tour of the Parthenon, Corinth or Thessaloniki will hush students with the awe of walking in the footsteps of people who won wars, wrote books, and crafted ideas that form the foundation of their society. To bring this history alive will help impress on them all the more how the history of Greece still lives through its modern influence.

Dreamland for Design

Students on an educational tour of Greece may be primarily interested in the design of caldera beaches and the art of a vermilion sunset, but a visit to the Athens Museum, the site of Delphi, or Nestor's Palace may change their minds. They will be able to appreciate how people who lived and worked without modern day conveniences could craft edifices and artworks of such beauty. In this way, a visit to Greece will no doubt inspire many students to hatch their own designs, as it has inspired many great artists who have visited over the centuries.

Garden of Geography

There is of course a place for relaxing on the Greek islands during any educational tour. In fact, a visit to the small towns, fishing villages and multitude of islands will educate students in the field of geography. The particular volcanic construction of many of the islands and the diversity of sands, stones and geological formations make for a special focus of study. Students can learn about the ecology of the area and the formation of the island chains, while enjoying a lifestyle that will make them forget the existence of frost on windowsills.

Why One Should Visit the Exquisite Costa Rica Beaches

Millions of tourists flock to Costa Rica each year. Beaches in Cost Rica attract visitors from each and every part of the world. Costa Rica is situated the coastlines of the Caribbean and the Pacific. The spectacular beaches are considered as some of the best in world. There are numerous beaches in Costa Rica each one of which boasts its unique features that suit different kinds of vacationers.

The Playa Dominical is considered by surfers as among the best beaches in Costa Rica. It is situated around more than forty km from the Manuel Antonio Park. From here, one can view the great landscape of the Dominical. The landscape contains mangroves, marshes and plantations.

The Manuel Antonio beaches are famous for their horseshoe bays. The stunning views here comprise of exquisite waterfalls and breathtaking hilltops. In addition to the view, one can also indulge in several other activities like diving, snorkeling and surfing. There are other sports available for the adventurous ones.

The Playa Conchal one of those beaches that have very small crushed shells all over the coast which rustle beneath the feet of the visitors as they walk through the coast. Many tourists simply love the feeling of these shells tickling their feet. The beach also offers snorkeling, swimming and fishing.

The Playa Grande Guanacaste is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica which is often visited by tourists with a passion for natural beauty. Another name for this exquisite beach is Playa Grande. One of the distinct features of Playa Grande is that it is a nesting place of the Leatherback turtles. These turtles bury their eggs on the beach and roam the coast in plain sight of the visitors.

If you are seeking one of those beaches that are not crowded with tourists then you should visit the Playa Hermosa. Tourists from Europe and America come here to relax and get a handsome tan.

If you are one of those people who like a well developed beach then you should visit the Playa Tamarindo. It is an expensive laid back beach with luxury hotels and restaurants that serve local as well as international cuisines. One can also indulge in shopping or roam the clean beaches.

Tortuguero is a Costa Rica beach that is flanked by palm trees and canals. The canals are not safe since their current is unpredictable. However, the beauty of this site is uncontested.

A few tourists prefer comparatively under developed beaches like the Manzanillo beach. It is actually a tiny village that is frequented by surfers. One can also indulge in reading under the soothing shade of the almond trees, or simply the tranquil waters.