International
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PARIS
TOKYO
Musée d’Orsay
There are many things to love about Paris—the history, the food, the
beautiful monuments—but high on any list of the French capital’s allure
would be its enduringly vibrant arts scene.
“Paris is the world’s capital of art, and the Musée d’Orsay is at
the center of it all,” said Pierre-Yves Mazeaud of French Incoming.
“We propose a variety of trails to teachers and students, each
one illustrating a different facet about the Musée d’Orsay’s wealth
of artwork—from painting to decorative art to sculpture and
photography.”
The attraction’s education team provides a range of activities to help
students explore the museum’s collections and give teachers options
to match programs with curriculum. Museum docents lead specialized
guided tours that examine 10 or more works relevant to the theme
chosen by the group.
“The museum’s educational objectives complement those of
schools, colleges and universities, but go way beyond just giving
students a collection of facts and reference points linked to the
program,” Mazeaud added.
To learn more, contact Pierre-Yves Mazeaud of French Incoming at
[email protected], or visit french-incoming.com.
Tokyo’s Akihabara District
“Perhaps more so than anywhere else in the world, tradition has met
the modern world, and both thrive in Tokyo,” said Mike Roberts of
Samurai Tours, a Denver-based company that specializes in tours to
Japan. “We seek to go places and do things in the city that most tour
groups can’t even dream of.”
One of the company’s sightseeing tours, the Akihabara “Otaku”
Walking Tour, has found an audience with younger travelers. This
three-hour walk, which takes participants through Tokyo’s Akihabara
District, is led by a licensed English-speaking guide. This area is
known for its high concentration of electronics stores and, in recent
years, has become a hotspot for manga and anime enthusiasts.
During the tour, the group visits a store dedicated to all things robot,
goes to the largest electronics retailer in Akihabara and stops at three
shops specializing in manga and anime collectibles. Students also
learn about the city’s unique vending machine culture, where people
can purchase a wide array of food items, toys and electronics.
To learn more, contact Mike Roberts of Samurai Tours at mike@
samuraitours.com, or visit samuraitours.com.
TOP EDUCATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
The Louvre, La Villette Science Park & IMAX,
the Museum of Natural History
TOP EDUCATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
The Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, Mori Tower/Mori Art Museum
TOP RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Asterix Park, The Eiffel Tower
TOP RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Ueno Park, Rikugien Garden, Takeshita Dori
TOP LOCAL FESTIVAL
Paris Plage on the Seine River (August)
TOP LOCAL FESTIVAL
Awa Dance Festival (Aug. 12–15)
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