Master Your First Impressions
 

Research continues to show that most people decide whether or not they like you within the first seven seconds of meeting you. Knowing this, you can take advantage to make huge gains in your likeability. Are you greeting your guests one at a time when they arrive? Are you making eye contact and nodding? Do you have a firm handshake? Are your first five minutes the best five minutes on the entire tour? If not, then change it! Too often tour leaders waste those precious first moments with dry logistics, explanatory dialogue or unenergetic descriptions. - Excerpt from Be a Better Guide

Scholastica Travel News
 

Destination Updates
 

Atlanta

• ZooAtlanta opened an all new African Savanna on August 8, 2019. Learn more. 

Boston

• New! Blue Man Group "Backstage on the Stage” school matinees offer a 1-hour specially curated Blue Man Group performance followed by a special 30 minute program.  The program covers the history of Blue Man Group, an exploration of what happens behind the scenes, and a Q&A session. 

Chicago

• New! Blue Man Group "Backstage on the Stage” school matinees offer a 1-hour specially curated Blue Man Group performance followed by a special 30 minute program.  The program covers the history of Blue Man Group, an exploration of what happens behind the scenes, and a Q&A session.

Gatlinburg

• Wildnerness Resorts and Waterparks broke ground this month on a massive new 50-acre waterpark scheduled to open summer 2020. Learn more about Soaky Mountain Waterpark. 

New York City

• New! Blue Man Group "Backstage on the Stage” school matinees offer a 1-hour specially curated Blue Man Group performance followed by a special 30 minute program.  The program covers the history of Blue Man Group, an exploration of what happens behind the scenes, and a Q&A session. 

Philadelphia

• Franklin Square debuted its renovated fountain and new fountain show on Wednesday, July 31. Free fountain show performances run daily during select times. Learn more.
• Fashion District Philadelphia opens September 19 in the heart of Philly. Learn more. 

Washington D.C.

• The U.S. Army announced that the National Museum of the United States Army will open to the public on June 4, 2020. Admission to the Museum will be free of charge, though tickets must be requested through an online reservation system for a specific date and time. Learn more. 
• The Washington Monument reopened this month after being closed for three years. The monument was closed to modernize the elevatorthat takes visitors to the 500-foot observation level. Learn more. 
• Saturday, September 28 is Capitol Hill Day. This day marks the 200th anniversary of Congress' return to the Capitol after its burning. Programs, art projects, and special tours will take place. Learn more.
• The National Park Service and United States Secret Service began construction on a new White House fence in early July 2019.  The current 6 feet 6 inch tall fence will be replaced by an approximately 13 feet tall fence with wider and stronger fence posts. Learn more. 
• Have you ever wondered what the National Mall looked like in the early days of Washington, D.C.? Now you can find out! Time Looper has placed an augmented reality window inside the Lockkeeper's House. Step inside and step back into the history of the house.  Take a look!

Featured Resource
 

Top of the Rock App

Make the NYC skyline come to life with the 360 degree viewfinder. Use the viewfinder feature to learn about the city’s architecture, historical and cultural landmarks, neighborhoods, and more. Use the wayfinding feature to locate and map to shops, restaurants, restrooms, and even works of art throughout the center.

 

Mazie Periatt reviewed Scholastica Travel Inc. — 5 star  

Let me begin by sharing.  I have not traveled in over 20 years!  Last year, after a family member visited from the UK, I decided I would love to return the visit the following year.  I had this conversation with my friends at work, and it was suggested that I contact Scholastica Travel, and specifically Consultant Nancy Peksa.  My destination in the UK was Bristol, not an easy one from Pittsburgh.  I had some questions and Nancy fielded all with professional precision.  She found flights and times that worked for me and we booked my maiden UK voyage.  The flights were the best and everything went off without a hitch!

I'm now planning a second trip in August to Bristol, then onto Edinburgh, Scotland, back to Bristol, then returning to Pittsburgh.  Nancy did all the flights and hotel accommodations.  I have every confidence that this trip will be as splendid as the first.

Thank you, Scholastica Travel, and especially Nancy for her indepth knowledge of the travel industry and first class customer service.  I will definately be a repeat customer and definately recommend Scholastica Travel.