Spring Break 2013 Austria & Spain Trip Participants Needed! 

We require about 20 students for our Spring Break trip.  Interested students are encouraged to see Mr. Luongo ASAP for trip forms and deposit payments!

Next spring break, the opportunity exists for Riverside students to travel abroad to Europe and visit some of the most culturally significant historical, economic and political landmarks in the world. Our trip evolves around our sister school in Vienna, Austria and takes us through some of the most breathtaking landscapes and topography in all of Europe. If you’ve always wanted to sample some of the flavors, experience the warmth and sights of Europe, this is your opportunity.

Our two week trip itinerary has us visiting Spain and all its splendor including Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Granada and Seville. Gothic Cathedrals, soccer matches, the Pablo Picasso Museum and a bull fight are just some of the attractions on the itinerary.

Once through Spain, the trip moves east to Vienna, Austria. Attractions include, the Schoenbrunn Gardens, The Spanish Riding School, The Belvedere Castle, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Natural History Museum, Art History Museum, taking in a Viennese Waltz class and attending a Straus Concert at the Hueber Kursalon. While in Vienna, Riverside students will be hosted by students from , our sister school, in the historic district, District 3. Visiting historical monuments and museums in would make up a part of the tour.

While travelling, students would stay in hotels which include breakfast and dinner. Lunches would have to be purchased separately. The trip fee of $4100 includes air fare, travel insurance, hotel fees, museum and monument entrance fees, tips for guides and transportation by privately charted bus while travelling.

If you are interested in participating on this trip, you can pick up an application form on the European Exchange bulletin board located outside Rm. 124 in the main hallway or in the main office of the school. There will be an information sharing session on Tuesday, June 5th at Riverside, for those interested and getting more information regarding this trip. Application forms can also be downloaded from Mr. Luongo’s share-point site on our school home page.

A passport valid for six months longer than the trip is required and will be kept locked up during our time overseas.  Students will be expected to carry a Valid BC ID card or Driver's License while abroad.  Private purchase of this trip would cost at least $6000 per person.  It is not likely they will ever get a trip this incredible and diverse for such a low price!  It also has the added bonus of building relationships with people their age in Italy so they’ll always have contacts if they want to go back later in life.

Students who participate in this trip are expected to host an exchange student from one of our many European sister schools at some point during their time at Riverside if possible.  This allows us to keep additional hotel costs down as they will then host Riverside students at no cost when we are visiting.

For further details and inquiries, feel free to contact Mr. Luongo at mluongo@sd43.bc.ca or Ms Weir at bweir@sd43.bc.ca.