Travel
Educational Travel at SVA - The World is Our Classroom!
SVA has an incredible educational travel program. We choose travel experiences that help students grow academically, personally, and spiritually. Students, teachers, and families have so much to gain from educational travel. Read below about our upcoming trips and how you and your student can register to join us.
Past Trips
Philadelphia (March 2024)
This Spring Break trip to Philadelphia exposed students to museums, history, and navigating a large city. We started with a World History day at the Penn Museum, and learned about how museums manage their collections as well as ethical issues involved in acquisitions. Our US History day included a visit to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, a walking tour of the historic city center of Philadelphia, and time to explore the Museum of the American Revolution. We saw more of the modern city at City Hall, Reading Terminal Market, and Eastern State Penitentiary. Our final day focused on art, with a day at the Rodin Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art (including the Rocky steps). Throughout the trip, we learned how to navigate public transportation and enjoyed some incredible meals, including a dinner cruise on the Delaware River.
Barcelona to Paris (June 2023)
Madrid, Barcelona, Carcassonne, Provence, Paris
Our time in Madrid included visits to Palacio Real, the Prado Museum, a history tour with a local guide, and a flamenco lesson. In Barcelona, we saw Sagrada Famiglia and Parc Güell (both by the architect Antoni Gaudí), and walked along las Ramblas, then visited the medieval walled city of Carcassonne on our way to Provence. There, we saw the Papal Palace and the Pont du Gard (a Roman aqueduct over a beautiful river). At our final stop, Paris, we spent hours in the Louvre and wandering around Monmartre, took a cruise on the River Seine and a walk on the Champs-Elysees, tried authentic escargot, and climbed the Eiffel Tower.
London, Paris, Rome (June 2022)
London, Paris, Lucerne, Florence, Rome
This trip had all the highlights! In London, we saw Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, the Globe Theater, the Tower of London, and so much more. Then we took the Chunnel to Paris for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Seine river cruise, and Notre Dame. In Lucerne, we visited a chocolate factory, rode cable cars to the top of Mt. Pilatus, saw the Chapel Bridge, and played traditional games at a Swedish couple’s home in the countryside. Our Florence walking tour included art (like Michelangelo’s David), architecture (like the massive dome of the Duomo), and history (the palazzos and piazzas of Florence were home to the Renaissance). And of course we ended in Rome. Between visits to the Vatican and Roman sites like the Colosseum and Forum, we found time to learn about making gelato and stroll the Piazza Navona.
Kingdom by the Sea (June 2019)
Dublin, Lake District, Edinburgh, York, London
We started this trip in Dublin, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College. Of course we stopped by Catherine Macauley’s house on Baggot Street. We took an Irish dancing lesson and learned about the city’s history. Then, we took a ferry to Wales and drove to the English Lake District. Our day there focused on Lake District authors like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. A drive north took us through Gretna Greene to Edinburgh. We learned the history of Hadrian’s Wall, Edinburgh Castle, and Mary Queen of Scots. Further south, we explored the Gothic cathedral and the Shambles, a district where houses and shops jut out over the narrow streets. This trip ended in London, with a very full day of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, the Globe Theater, and so much more.
Highlights of Southern Ireland (June 2018 - Alumnae trip)
Killarney, Waterford, Dublin, Belfast
As soon as our plane landed, we were off to the Cliffs of Moher. The next day, we drove around the Ring of Kerry for more spectacular views. While still in the Killarney area, we visited Limerick, St. John’s Castle, and Killarney Brewing Co. After a stop at Blarney Castle to kiss the stone, we explored Cobh Heritage Centre, and then spent the night in a beautiful old manor house in Waterford. We made our own lunch at Ballyknocken Cookery School, and then continued to Dublin. There, we saw the Ha’Penny Bridge, the Book of Kells at Trinity College, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by a visit to the Jameson Distillery. We saw some neolithic sites including the Hill of Tara, visited the Guinness Brewery, and enjoyed Bloomsday celebrations (a yearly pub crawl to honor James Joyce and Ulysses). And no SVA trip to Dublin would be complete without a trip to Catherine Macauley’s house. Finally, we made a long day trip up to Belfast to see the Giant’s Causeway.
New York City (March 2018)
We packed so much into a four day trip! We explored the Whitney Museum and the nearby Highline (museum and walking trail), took a guided tour of Central Park, saw a Broadway show, took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, saw the 9/11 Memorial and visited the museum, explored Chinatown and Little Italy, attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, walked around Rockefeller Center, and took a tour at the Museum of Natural History.
Amadeus (June 2017)
Rome, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague
This tour started in Rome, with a full day of Catholic sites like St. Peter’s Basilica and Castel St. Angelo. The next day focused on Roman history, with visits to the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Circus Maximus, and Palatine Hill. In Florence, we met with a local guide to explore art (like Michelangelo’s David), architecture (like the massive dome of the Duomo), and history (the palazzos and piazzas of Florence were home to the Renaissance). She also took us to Mercato Centrale and taught us to shop for food like Florentines. In Venice, we rode vaporetti and gondolas to get around.We saw the Doge’s Palace and learned the history of the Venetian Empire, as well as the importance of glass blowing and lace making to the city, including demonstrations of both. Our time in Salzburg included St. Jakob’s Church and filming locations from The Sound of Music, plus Mozart’s birthplace and a visit to a salt mine underneath a mountain. In Vienna, we took a chocolate making class, explored Schonbrunn Palace, and learned about the Hapsburg Empire. Our last stop was Prague, with Hradčany Castle and Charles Bridge, the Jewish Ghetto, and a glass workshop.
Upcoming Trips
June 2025 - Italy
Where: Venice, Florence, Rome (optional add-on: Sorrento and Pompeii)
Who is eligible to join: current SVA students in good standing and their immediate family (younger siblings require an accompanying parent or guardian)
Focus: history of Italy and influence on western civilization, Renaissance art, Catholic identity
Trip website: Venice, Florence, and Rome
Trip leader(s): Rebecca Westgate, Helen Eady, Erin Stanley, Ilene Hohnerlein
Contact: rebecca.westgate@svaga.net
June 2026 - Thistle and Shamrock
Where: Killarney, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh
Who is eligible to join: current SVA students in good standing and their immediate family (younger siblings require an accompanying parent or guardian)
Focus: history of Ireland and Scotland, Celtic arts and literature, Catholic heritage
Trip website: Thistle and Shamrock
Trip leader(s): Terri Foote, Sarah Stewart
Contact: teresa.foote@svaga.net
June 2026 - Mother/Daughter* Pilgrimage
Where: Paris, Lourdes, San Sebastian, Montserrat, Barcelona, Madrid, Avila
Who is eligible to join: current SVA students; students in Catholic middle schools who intend to become part of the SVA classes of 2029 or 2030; and *their mothers, grandmothers, aunties, godmothers, Confirmation sponsors, or other women who guide the girls in their faith journeys
Focus: Catholic identity, spiritual reflection, relationships that inform our faith
Trip website: Catholic Highlights of France & Spain
Trip leader(s): Rebecca Westgate
Contact: rebecca.westgate@svaga.net
Student & Teacher Experiences
STUDENTS
Reagan Barnard ‘27
When we were in the market in Vienna I practiced safety and being aware of my surroundings like Mrs. Struck taught me in Health.
Magdalene Dove ‘26
Going to see all of the beautiful churches made me think about how God brought these people together to make something amazing to display His divinity and beauty.
Ayden McKenzie ‘26
The information that I learned at the Museum of the American Revolution is helping me currently because what I learned there can be applied to my APUSH class now. I felt more independent [traveling with teachers and other students], because my family would have come with me everywhere. Instead, I got to venture out on my own.
Penelope Bazelais ‘25
I like the way that with SVA teachers, they have scheduled days and get access to different places, museums, and tour guides whereas my family would just wing it.
Isabel Nowell ‘25
Walking through the famous Sound of Music cathedral was one of the most amazing experiences. It was a quiet break that gave us time to reflect and pray over all that we had been able to do so far in the trip.
Takayla Smith ‘24
My favorite place to visit was Switzerland. It was a great rest place after being in more busy cities such as Paris and London. Going up the mountains in a cable car early in the morning and listening to the cow bells was unreal and definitely left a very vivid memory in my head and ears.
Lauren Colby ‘23
Walking out of the tube station in London on our very first day and immediately seeing the statue of Boudica [is a favorite memory]! Also, being a Latin student I found everything in Rome to be SO interesting. I remember talking with Bridget and both of us saying how surreal it was that we were visiting all of these different places where things we had been learning about for three years had taken place.
Ashley Reynolds ‘22
My favorite place we visited on our SVA trip was Switzerland because of its storybook beauty and because of an authentic dinner experience we had with a host family where the food was amazing.
Taylor Schwarz ’18
Exploring the Vatican was so interesting. It's so different to learn about something in a classroom than to experience it. My faith became more alive being in the place where a lot of it began and continues today.
Virginia Maxwell ’18
Traveling with a school group is a great way to have a firm basis on international travel. It set me up on how to navigate an airport by myself, and to know what other countries are like and gave me a glimpse of places I would want to go back to.
Cierra Wood ’18
I feel that traveling helped me gain more independence because I was exploring a city away from my parents. But I also knew my teachers were around if I needed them.
Anna Price ’17
I loved going to St Patrick’s Cathedral [in NYC] for Mass on Sunday. It was beautiful. I prayed and lit a candle in memory of my Grammie who passed away 6 years ago. The last time I went into that cathedral was with her, so the Mass we attended there was very special to me.
Mackenzie O’Hayer ’17
Students should definitely travel!!! You learn so so so much outside of school books and classes taught. You can learn about your likes and dislikes, about what a place has to offer, what new people are like, how they act in their daily lives. It truly is amazing. After our trip to NYC, I feel comfortable enough to go back and possibly even figure it out on my own!
Cassidy Rahn ’16
Visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC helped make the Holocaust real for me. I will never forget emotions that we all shared as a group on that day.
Alana Lanser ‘18
The Bodies Exhibit in Atlanta was really cool. I took AP Biology last year, and it really helped me understand some of the things we studied.
TEACHERS
Rebecca Westgate ’00 (Latin, Foreign Language Dept. Chair)
When I meet a group of travelers at the Savannah airport, they're a mixture of excited and nervous. When they return home at the end of a trip, they're full of enthusiasm, interested in the world around them, and more confident in themselves than ever before. I absolutely love the personal growth I see in each student who travels with me.
Terri Foote (Art Dept. Chair)
I love sharing travel with students. It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know them outside of school. Many of us are experiencing these places for the very first time. It’s a wonderful learning experience for all of us and gives you a different perspective than where we live on a daily basis.
Karye Moreau “Coach K” (Health, Rec Games, Marketing)
My favorite part of traveling with students is getting to share the first time they experience a new culture and watching the “ah ha” moments. One of my students thought that her host family was being rude to her, and the words they were saying were “I love you!” She learned about understanding different languages.
Carmela Aliffi (former Art Dept. Chair)
I love travel. I love sharing travel with my students. I love teaching students “to see”, to experience other cultures , to taste new things, to see new places, to bring art to life, to bring history to life, to communicate in another language, to communicate through art, to be prompt and prepared, to pack light, to carry what you pack, to read a subway map, to look out for yourself and to look out for each other. I love to watch students mature through the independence travel provides as they become citizens of the world and the world becomes just a little smaller.
Donna Antonucci (Science)
I took seniors on an Atlanta field trip for almost a decade, and every trip brings back students with greater cultural and ecological awareness. The fellowship and memories that are fostered between our Seniors in their shared discoveries are priceless.
Sarah Stewart (Health, Volleyball and Soccer Coach, Asst. Athletic Director)
[The school] trip was a once in a lifetime trip. The experiences, the food, the friendships that are formed, and the memories made are priceless. If I could go and do it all over again I would in a heartbeat. This opportunity will be something I talk about for the rest of my life and I know the students will too. At first I thought traveling with the students would be difficult, little did I know, it would be so wonderful and create so many amazing relationships.
Educational Travel Scholarships
If you would like to donate to our scholarship fund to help make these experiences more accessible for deserving students, simply write “travel scholarship” on the memo line of your donation check to SVA or in the notes section of the online donation form.