In this issue:

• Eye On: Mexico City
• CQ Capers: Teachers Only Tour to Ecuador
• Teachers Talk: Gunars Cazers
• Travel Tidbits: Springtime in Europe
• Multicultural Corner: Launch of Surcle & 2008 ACS Trips

EYE ON: Mexico City

As Mexico's significance on the world stage increases, international travelers are taking note. With such a rich history and culture right at our doorstep, Americans owe it to themselves to pay the capitol of Los Estados Unidos de Mexico a visit.

Mexico City is one of the oldest and largest cities in North America. Founded by the Aztecs in 1325 as Tenochtitlan, the city was originally located on an island in the middle of Late Texaco ringed by mountains. For centuries, the inhabitants battled with the lake by draining the water out of the valley, only to have rains flood the city again. Today, Mexico City uses large concrete pipes passing through the mountain ring to ensure adequate drainage - a true feat of human engineering.

The metropolis of Mexico City brims with life 24 hours a day, particularly around El Centro, the neighborhood home to most of Mexico City's cultural heritage. Here you'll find the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the primary pyramid of Tenochtitlan that was destroyed in 1521 by the Spanish Conquistadors, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in the Western Hemisphere. Just around the corner is the National Palace. Built at the end of the 17th Century when the nation was still under Spanish control, the palace serves as the seat of Mexican government. It is also known for its large Diego Rivera murals which depict Mexican history.

Mexico City is home to the third-largest soccer stadium on the planet. It holds 115,000 fans and is the house of Club America, one of the most popular (or hated) soccer clubs in the country. The team has been in the A division since the 1940s and continues to be a dominant force in the sport. Tickets for these popular games only go on sale 2-4 days prior to pitch play, so scoring a few of them is a hard task to accomplish.

The Promenade of Reform is Mexico City's most famous boulevard, connecting the National Palace and Chapultepec Castle. Built in the middle of the 19th Century by Emperor Maximilian and modeled on the grand thoroughfares of Europe, this grandiose strip now serves as a place of rallies and parades in Mexico City. Today, museums, shops, restaurants, public art, and gardens line the promenade and serve as a point of interest for both locals and visitors alike.

Teotihuacán, the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas, is located less than an hour's drive to the northeast of Mexico City and makes a great day trip. Founded over 2000 years ago, the ruins of this city cover about 19 square miles and are loaded with roads, pyramids and the foundations of buildings centuries old. Noticeably absent, however, are military structures of any kind. Teotihuacán was at its cultural height between the years 100 AD and 500 AD, and many signs point to a multiethnic society peacefully incorporating cultures from across Mesoamerica.

One of the most pleasant things about Mexico City is the weather. From average highs of 80 degrees in the summer to 70 degrees in the winter, Mexico City's climate is always "simpatico." Unfortunately, the world's largest metropolitan area has developed quite a pollution problem, making the winter months a bad time to visit since cooler air traps more pollution above the city. But don't worry, the closer you get to spring and summer, the less you'll have to worry about this toxic problem. Besides, what's really the harm in a little ozone with your chips and salsa?

Contact ale@cqtours.com to organize your educational travel program to Mexico City and beyond.

CQ Capers

Teachers Only Tour to Ecuador: June 26 — July 4, 2008

Culture Quest is pleased to debut our Teachers Only Tour Series, designed to give educators an intimate look at contemporary social issues affecting countries around the world. These affordable tours offer teachers a unique opportunity to bring real-world knowledge back to their classrooms.

Join us this summer as we launch our series with a tour to Ecuador. Though Ecuador is the smallest of Andean nations, it brims with wonders fit for a giant: ruins from ancient civilizations, glorious 15th-Century Spanish architecture and majestic Andean peaks. Yet despite these riches, Ecuador is a country plagued by vast economic inequities between social classes.

Explore this phenomenon as you meet representatives from Ecuador's educational, governmental and nonprofit sectors who will shine a light on contemporary social issues facing the country like the housing crisis in Quito, child and animal welfare policies and Latin America's most important indigenous movement. You'll also enjoy a special reception with residents of Ambatillo, a remote Andean village where life has practically been untouched by modernity.

Space is limited, so contact us at info@cqtours.com for a detailed itinerary and to make a reservation on this unique program.

Teachers Talk

Gunars Cazers

Dear Barbara,

We had a fantastic trip. I am totally thrilled all around.

I was very satisfied with CQ and recommended you to our Spanish teacher who will plan a trip to Spain next year in April. I want to assist her. In addition, my wife, who originally recommended CQ to me, is also thinking about using you in the future if she leads student trips overseas. Our parents and kids loved the trip.

Thanks for everything you did.

Gunars Cazers
The Capitol School

Travel Tidbits

Springtime in Europe

Tulips in Holland

Nothing says springtime in Europe like the Dutch Tulip Festival. During the month of April, tulips bloom throughout the countryside and even in the cities. Botanical gardens are bright with the colors of the rainbow, and the whole country seems to be in a happier mood.

Easter in Rome

There is no holiday in the Christian world as important as Easter, and what better place to experience it than in the historical home of Christendom — the Vatican City? Since Rome is extremely popular during Easter week, expect longer lines and overbooked hotels near the Vatican. But, if you're a practicing Christian or simply fascinated with this centuries-old institution, the crowds and price hikes are well worth it.

Irish Spring

Spring in Ireland has become so famous that it's been blessed with its own brand of soap! The days become longer during this time of year, allowing more time for out-of-towners to see the sights. The daffodils and clovers that cover the Irish countryside create such an artistic masterpiece that the whole country feels lucky. Not to be missed is Dublin's celebration honoring St. Patrick. For five days, the streets are literally painted green, with festivals marking each passing day. At the end of the week, Dublin's downtown boulevards close for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade where bands from all over the world come to perform.

European Cup Championship Game

The most important game in European Club Football is played every spring in front of a sell-out crowd of fans. The Euro 2008 tournament will take place from June 7 — 29 in eight different Swiss and Austrian cities. Thirty-one matches will be played by sixteen teams with the final held in Vienna. If you're a fan of the Beautiful Game and plan to be in Switzerland or Austria this June, better book now!

Madrid's Fiestas de San Isidro

These fiestas last for more than 20 days in May and are dedicated to the patron saint of Madrid, San Isidro. Food and music play an important role in this three-week celebration, and many people dress in the chulo or chulapa costume (Madrid's national dress). But the highlight of these fiestas is the world's most important bullfighting event.

The Vienna Festival

Centuries after Mozart and Beethoven left their mark on Vienna and Western music, the city still hosts one of the most important musical festivals in the world every spring. The Vienna Festival showcase both contemporary and classical music to the world, guaranteeing Vienna's continued relevance in the music scene for years to come.

Contact us today to help you organize a student tour to many of these amazing places.

Multicultural Corner

Launch of Surcle & 2008 ACS Trips

It's been a busy month at Culture Quest's nonprofit sister, the Multicultural Youth eXchange. Here are two of the biggies they've been working on.

Surcle Artist Cooperative In November, MYX launched Surcle, an artist cooperative in Old City, Philadelphia. Surcle serves as both an outlet for lesser-known artists to exhibit their work and a dedicated source of funding for the nonprofit work MYX does. Located in the heart of Philadelphia's Old City gallery district, Surcle is a welcome addition to the local art scene, giving collectors an affordable alternative to the area's more high-priced galleries.

Surcle Artist Cooperative is open on First Fridays and every Saturday and Sunday. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, plush art, jewelry and crafts are all part of the coop's rotating collection. If you're in Philadelphia on the weekends, stop by for a peak and help support MYX and local artists.

Learn more by visiting myspace.com/surcleartistcooperative.

Art of Community Service Planning for MYX's 2008 Art of Community Service trips is almost complete, and registration will soon be open. Be on the look out for more info on summer service trips to the rural Andean village of Ambatillo, located two hours south of Quito, and to Tuba City on Northern Arizona's Navajo Nation, one of the most impoverished areas in our country.

MYX's art-based ACS trips are open to individual high school students and are chaperoned by MYX staff. Students need not have art experience to participate.

Contact info@myxworld.org for more information.

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