A group of Portola High School students and teachers accompanied by surrounding area community members spent 17 days traveling through eight European countries this July.
The trip was organized by teacher Amanda Osburn and chaperones Tania and Daryl Hutchins and has been in the works since March of 2020. While the group members have shifted over time due to COVID. The destinations did not. The travelers included 13 area youth, three generations from Downieville, parents, and a couple interested community members--including a PHS alumna.
The "Traveling Tigers," as the group calls themselves, took off early on July 4. They had an eight-hour layover in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so EF Tours treated the travelers to a tour of the city. Arriving in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Holland) the morning of July 5th 10 hours ahead of their families at home, the Traveling Tigers began their European adventure. Over the next 16 days, the voyagers toured through Amsterdam and surrounding areas; Munich and Heidelberg, Germany; Innsbruck, Austra; Venice and Verona, Italy; Lucerne, Switzerland; Dijon and Paris, France; London, England; and Edinburgh, Scotland. The group visited canals and castles, mountains and monuments, and palaces and popular places. They ate local cuisine and encountered culture. The group took planes, trains, and automobiles all across Europe, collecting souvenirs and experiences that will impact them for a lifetime.
The Traveling Tigers returned to the United States, arriving late in the night of July 20th with unforgettable memories in tow. Osburn says that she will start organizing the next adventure this fall to travel summer of 2025.
Story and photos submitted by Amanda Osburn.
The trip was organized by teacher Amanda Osburn and chaperones Tania and Daryl Hutchins and has been in the works since March of 2020. While the group members have shifted over time due to COVID. The destinations did not. The travelers included 13 area youth, three generations from Downieville, parents, and a couple interested community members--including a PHS alumna.
The "Traveling Tigers," as the group calls themselves, took off early on July 4. They had an eight-hour layover in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so EF Tours treated the travelers to a tour of the city. Arriving in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Holland) the morning of July 5th 10 hours ahead of their families at home, the Traveling Tigers began their European adventure. Over the next 16 days, the voyagers toured through Amsterdam and surrounding areas; Munich and Heidelberg, Germany; Innsbruck, Austra; Venice and Verona, Italy; Lucerne, Switzerland; Dijon and Paris, France; London, England; and Edinburgh, Scotland. The group visited canals and castles, mountains and monuments, and palaces and popular places. They ate local cuisine and encountered culture. The group took planes, trains, and automobiles all across Europe, collecting souvenirs and experiences that will impact them for a lifetime.
The Traveling Tigers returned to the United States, arriving late in the night of July 20th with unforgettable memories in tow. Osburn says that she will start organizing the next adventure this fall to travel summer of 2025.
Story and photos submitted by Amanda Osburn.
The photo in front of Westminster Abbey in London is the group dressed in purple to represent PHS. BACK Row, Left to Right: Gabriel Najera, Kristy Folsom, Barbara Seley, Preston Wilson, Mariah Zavala, Hannah Hadenfeldt, Stacy Hoyos, Jade Kennedy, Sierra Hoyos, Wendy Bergstrom, Daryl Hutchins, Tania Hutchins, Amanda Osburn, Alexander Schug, Angelica Preckwinkle, Lilliana Thurman, and Ella Garcia. FRONT Row, Left to Right: Evelyn Schug, Sierra Folsom, Alexas Drolet, Aurora Osburn, Julia Murray, and Kayla Morgan.
in front of the ancient Roman amphitheater in Verona, Italy. Here are the names (BACK Row, Left to Right: Tania Hutchins, Evelyn Schug, Daryl Hutchins, Wendy Bergstrom, Kristy Folsom, Stacy Hoyos, Barbara Seley, Hannah Hadenfeldt, Kayla Morgan, Angelica Preckwinkle, Mariah Zavala, Preston Wilson, Gabriel Najera, Alexas Drolet, Amanda Osburn, Ella Garcia, Alexander Schug. FRONT Row, Left to Right: Sierra Hoyos, Sierra Folsom, Aurora Osburn, Julia Murray, Jade Kennedy, and Lilliana Thurman.)
On top of Mt. Pilatus near Lucerne, Switzerland, Left to Right: Aurora Osburn, Alexas Drolet, Preston Wilson, and Hannah Hadenfeldt.
Photo inside a running wind mill in Zaanse Schans, Netherlands: Kayla Morgan and Gabriel Najera.
in front of the Seine River in Paris, France Left to Right: Lilliana Thurman, Mariah Zavala, Aurora Osburn, Julia Murray, Alexas Drolet, Jade Kennedy, and Preston Wilson.
In front of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Netherlands is Evelyn and Ella Garcia.
