Beyond the Beaten Path Tours

Take the paths less traveled

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Beyond the Beaten Path Tours

Traveling with EF isn’t just about going places and seeing things. It’s about discovering the authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path travel destinations that you didn’t even know were on your bucket list. Venture beyond the pages of the typical guidebook to discover hidden gems and little-known spots that connect you and your students to the culture in a way only a local could.

Traveling with EF isn’t just about going places and seeing things. It’s about discovering the authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path travel destinations that you didn’t even know were on your bucket list. Venture beyond the pages of the typical guidebook to discover hidden gems and little-known spots that connect you and your students to the culture in a way only a local could.

Ireland in Depth Travel beyond the major cities to explore Ireland’s natural beauty and local culture.
9 or 11 days View tour
Epic Greece From ancient architecture to legendary leaders, experience Greece’s epic history from an insider’s perspective.
10 or 14 days View tour
Cuisine & Culture in Northern Italy During visits to family farms and small-batch producers, discover how northern Italy serves up world-famous cuisine.
12 days View tour
Cuisine & Culture in Southern Italy Experience southern Italy’s unique culture and enduring flavors on this off-the-beaten-path tour.
10 days View tour
Discover Portugal Marvel at Porto’s bright colors, drink in Lisbon’s dramatic seascapes, and roam the quaint towns of this scenic country.
10 days View tour
Legendary England Explore the famous figures of England, from the Bard to the Beatles.
11 days View tour
Treasures of Thailand Explore Thailand, the land of smiles, by foot, boat, and bike.
11 or 14 days View tour
Experience Panama Spend time with artists in Panama City and farmers in small towns to meet locals and immerse yourself in the culture.
8 or 9 days View tour
Adventure in Belize Trek through the jungle, explore Maya ruins, and snorkel turquoise waters in this historic and wild country.
7 or 8 days View tour
Discover the Dominican Republic Caves to tombs, rafting to pottery making—experience all this untapped island has to offer.
8 days View tour
Expedition to Australia & New Zealand Immerse yourself in unique cultures and charming landscapes as you venture through the Southern Hemisphere.
15 or 18 days View tour
Discover Vietnam From lively markets to laid-back fishing villages, explore Vietnam’s eclectic sights and natural marvels.
10 or 13 days View tour

Here’s what to expect on a Beyond the Beaten Path tour

  • A young woman on an international Service Learning trip for high school students looks into the distance

    Local expertise

    Our global presence means that we offer curated experiences that are authentic to each of our off-the-beaten-path travel destinations.

  • A group of students on a beach work together on a school service trip

    Authentic experiences

    Students dive deeper on our off-the-beaten-path tours, from sampling fresh olive oil at a family farm in Italy to seeing sheepdogs at work in Ireland.

  • A Peruvian woman in traditional garb smiles beside a student on a Service Learning trip

    Self-exploration

    Through meaningful connections with local cultures, students will discover more about the world—and learn more about themselves in the process.

What’s beyond the beaten path?

You never know exactly what you’ll find on an off-the-beaten-path tour. But here’s just one example of the kind of adventure that always awaits.

Tales from our tours


An image of EF Group Leader Natalie sitting in her science classroom after she talked about how traveling with EF provides inspiration for students

Some who wander are found

Despite teaching in a small, rural school, Ryan is a wandering traveler—and he encourages his students to be just as restless.

Photo of an eclectic, colorful, and abstract installation of street art, an example of the cultural experiences students will have when they break free from museums on our off-the-beaten-path tours.

Experience art in your own backyard
Art is limitless. So, this teacher’s street art lesson plan breaks free from a museum’s constraints.

3 minute read

Picture of a mural honoring fado music, which travelers on our off-the-beaten-path tour to Portugal will hear for themselves.

Falling in love with fado
Discover the history of fado music to understand why this 200-year-old sound stays vibrant after all these years.

2 minute read

Aerial view of the colorful foods served by street vendors in Thailand, where tasting the local cuisine is an essential part of our off-the-beaten-path tour.

Sweet, spicy, and savory all over
Often, the best way to experience a culture is to taste it. This Thailand street food photo essay is the next best thing.

4 minute read

How it works

Whether it’s an off-the-beaten-path travel destination on the other side of the world or the city you visit time and again, we make planning a breeze for all your tours and travel. From your biggest, boldest ideas to the teensy, tiny details, we’re with you every step of the way.

  • An icon of a customer service representative wearing a headset

    Building your team

    It starts with your Tour Consultant, an expert on schools in your area who’s laser-focused on you and your students’ growth.

  • An icon of a map pin radiates lines in a circle

    Choosing the perfect tour

    We work with you one-on-one to find the perfect itinerary for the needs of your group.

  • An icon of a flag banner that says travel

    Spreading the word

    When it comes to signing up students and getting them excited, we’ve got plenty of tips.