Having a Weekend Student Adventure in Rome

My son, Andy, runs a successful tour company that offers American students doing a semester abroad educational, economical, and efficient three-day tours for around €200. Andy and his guides lead his “Weekend Student Adventures” in cities all over Europe. While working in Rome this Easter, I got to join his group for an evening.

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Here I am with one of Andy’s typical tour groups: lots of energy…and lots of girls!

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Andy’s Easter tour is his biggest of the year: Three groups (two different weeklong tours, plus a three-day weekend tour) overlap so that everyone can be in Rome for the excitement of Easter.

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Andy has a favorite student-friendly restaurant in Rome (Miscellanea, just behind the Pantheon) where his tour members can enjoy an affordable yet quality Italian meal. With a happy gang this size, Andy needs to stand on a chair to make announcements.

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We took our kids to Europe every year for about 20 years. I didn’t realize Andy was paying much attention. And now, as a 28-year-old entrepreneur, Andy is employing guides all over Europe, developing an amazing website (WSAEurope.com), and giving literally thousands of American students great travel experiences. I am very proud of my son. And when I happen to cross paths with him in Europe and see the hard work and passion he puts into his Weekend Student Adventures, that pride swells.

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Andy’s students (which, on this “Easter in Rome” tour, are mostly from Catholic universities) got up at 6:00 a.m. to line up for the best seats at St. Peter’s Square and see Papa Francesco. This photo was from Palm Sunday (shot from our press vantage point atop the colonnade). Sadly, Easter Sunday in Rome was a morning of pouring rain. And, while our TV crew was completely rained out, being there was a lifelong memory for Andy’s tour members.

Comments

4 Replies to “Having a Weekend Student Adventure in Rome”

  1. So happy for you that your son has become so successful! Why all girls? Guess guys that age aren’t interested in travel?

  2. I’m delighted that Andy is a chip-off-the-old-block.

    Just think how much fun these kids are having while learning about great cities and their culture.

    Ciao,

    Your Tampa Twin

    P.S. Everyone at WEDU was so happy that you wrote.
    Especially me.

  3. How wonderful that your son is offering such student-friendly opportunities to young adults!

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