Exploration Travel for School Groups

Hand-crafted exploration travel for school groups of any size and age – from elementary to high school level.

Explore Up Close hand-crafts each and every travel proposal to fit the needs of your student group. We can create detailed travel itineraries from the most basic and simple idea, or from the most thorough and precise request.

A fully customized itinerary + trip planning services

Explore Up Close Trip Coordinator

Group transportation, multi-night hotel stays, and select group meals

The right blend of on-the-go activities and down time

Opportunities to explore in smaller groups

Active options: walking, hiking, kayaking, and cycling

Immersive experiences that engage your students and create lasting memories

The Iconic Cities

Popular – yes . . . and for a reason. Lots to offer, including famously important stories and culture that are part of America’s “big picture.” Some of our popular itineraries include:

New York – Explore America’s finance and trade kingpin, arts leader, and most visible and symbolic city

Washington, DC – Visit our nation’s political nerve-center, and showcase of national museums and memorials

Boston – From downtown’s Freedom Trail (and Fenway Park) . . . to the literary ferment of Concord, Lexington, and Salem . . . to Plimoth Plantation and Cape Cod

Orlando / Florida – Excursions to the area parks (Harry Potter World, anyone?) . . . or consider exploring America’s oldest city – St. Augustine, and/or the Kennedy Space Center

Southeastern Travel

Why not track down American history, art and culture, nature studies and other sciences right here in the Southeast? Reduce trip costs by logging fewer miles, and paying less for food and lodging. Some of our best Southeastern itineraries include:

African-American History – on location in Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham

Appalachian Explorer Program – From the Titanic Museum and the Dixie Stampede, to nature programs, and a Presidential home

Multi-day programs featuring Charleston, Savannah, Chattanooga, and Atlanta

Colonial and Revolutionary Virginia – the Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown Experience

Nashville – Music City and More: Oak Ridge Science and Energy, Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, and Riverboat magic

Exploring the USA

San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country

New Orleans – The Cultural Gumbo of the Crescent City

San Francisco – Exploring the Pearl of the Pacific

Chicago Style – From Skyscrapers and Prairie Style to the urban melting pot and Wrigley Field

International Travel

Explore Up Close can customize your international itinerary, at a price that leaves the big cookie-cutter companies way behind. Travel with a group of any size to any international destination. 

Some of our favorite itineraries for students include: 

Costa Rica, Quebec (Canada), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and France.