New York City, Philadelphia & 2014 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS Get ready to experience the vibrant cities of New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC! Who has not dreamed of visiting New York City? There is no place like it in the world! A nice walk in Central Park, shopping in the cool and modern neighborhood of Soho, explore the ritzy Upper East Side the possibilities are infinite! Experience the city's international significance at the United Nations and Wall Street. Discover American history at the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy modern NYC culture at a hip hop dance class. Broadway shows, fascinating museums, the electric lights of Times Square and a view of the city from the top of the Empire State Building get ready to explore this city that truly never sleeps! Continuing on to Philadelphia we will see American history come to life! Explore the National Constitution Center, see where the Declaration of Independence was signed even try one of Philly's famous delicacies, the Philly Cheesesteak. Next, we will head to Washington DC the nation's capitol. Here, you will explore the many monuments and memorials in this important city! Enjoy an afternoon on the Smithsonian Museum campus, visit the quaint neighborhood of Georgetown, explore the life of George Washington on his Mt. Vernon estate and more! Get ready for a week of exciting adventures as you explore the heart of America with friends from around the world! Belo USA contact phone numbers: Toll free: 1-877-235.6872-9am to 6pm CST FAX: 1-312-376-3688 E-mail: belo@belousa.com Emergency contact: Toll free: 1-866-314-0608 (Trip Coordinator - 24 hours during trip dates) Operated by:
ATLANTIC New York City Philadelphia Program Departure from: New York City DAY 1 New York, NY - ARRIVALS Welcome to New York City! Arrival Airport: Newark International Airport (EWR) Arrival Time: 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Belo USA staff monitors will meet arriving students at our pre-arranged pick-up points. Emergency contact: 1-855-222-3102 7:00 pm - Get ready to meet your new friends at our first group dinner! (included) 8:00 pm - Student orientation meeting for the trip. Orientation Meeting: Belo USA will give all students the rules and guidelines for the trip during this meeting, as well as the logistical specifics for the trip. The chaperone and the Belo trip coordinator will also be at this meeting so all students will have a chance to meet both of them. This meeting will prepare all students to fully enjoy this fantastic trip safely. DAY 2 New York, NY 9:00 am - Group departure to Manhattan for a City Tour. Get ready to explore New York City! How many times have you seen Central Park in a movie or on TV and wanted to stroll through the amazing tree lined park yourself? Ever heard of 5th Avenue? This is your chance to get to know some of New York City's most iconic places. The tour will explore Harlem, Colombia University, Central Park, and head to 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza! 1:00 pm Lunch (not included). 3:00 pm Visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (included). We will be embarking on an astonishing tour of the Metropolitan Art Museum. This afternoon will be filled with beauty, intrigue, and history: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to simply as "the Met", is one of the world's largest and most important art museums. The main building is located on the eastern edge of Central Park in New York City, along what is known as the Museum Mile. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Scheduled exhibits during our visit include Tibetan Arms and Armor, European Clocks and Watches, modern photography, as well as the Met's vast permanent collection. 5:30 pm - Group Hip Hop Dance Class. What better place to take part in a dance class than the birth place of Hip Hop, New York! Have fun with new friends while learning some cool dance moves. 7:30 pm - Dinner (included) and then free time at the infamous Times Square for shopping and taking in all the sights. The bright lights of Times Square look amazing at night! DAY 3 New York, NY 9:00 am - Are you ready for the view from a 102 story building? Next up is the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, which held the record as the world's tallest building for more than 40 years. What more needs to be said? You can't come to New York and not check out the view from the observation deck. Let's go on up and admire all of Manhattan! 12:00 pm Lunch (not included). 1:30 pm Let's explore another iconic New York landmark Wall Street and the Financial District. We'll take a walking tour to explore one of the world's most important centers of capitalism. We'll also see the site of the World Trade Center and learn more about the impact 9/11 had on this city. Next up is Brooklyn - the most populous and famous of all the boroughs outside of Manhattan. We will see the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1883 and it is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the US - not to mention one of the most famous. We'll have a chance to take in a beautiful view 2
Program and capture some breathtaking pictures of the gorgeous NYC skyline. Next we'll head to SoHo for shopping! SoHo is one of the most popular shopping districts in New York City. Filled with both trendy boutiques and brand name stores, get ready for the ultimate shopping experience! 7:30 pm Free time and dinner in one of New York City's most popular ethnic neighborhoods Chinatown. DAY 4 New York, NY 9:00 am We will head to one of the most famous sightseeing locations in the world Liberty Enlightening the World, which you will probably know as the STATUE OF LIBERTY. Lady Liberty stands to welcome all those from far and wide to a new life of opportunity in America. Let's take the ferry to Liberty Island and see the view from within, as well as visit the American Family Immigration History Center at Ellis Island. Prepare your cameras for the amazing skyline pictures of New York City through this historic landmark! 12:00 pm - We will be heading to GRAND CENTRAL STATION for lunch (not included). Although this is still a large working train station, it is also an important historic and famous location in New York. There are plenty of delicious places to grab a bite to eat, or see if you and your friends can find the Whispering Gallery - where the building's design and acoustics can make a whisper turn into a shout! 2:00 pm - We will be visiting the UNITED NATIONS - Established in 1945, the UN is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation between countries around the world. We will be heading to the UN - officially an International Territory inside the United States, where there are 6 official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) all within the island of Manhattan. This should remind everyone a little bit of their home country since every country is represented here! 5:30 pm Dinner (included). 7:30 pm - BROADWAY SHOW. Seeing a Broadway show in New York City is an experience like nothing else! This will truly be a night to remember. DAY 5 New York City, NY to Philadelphia, PA to 9 am Departure to Philadelphia, PA non stop. 106 miles 2 hours 11 am Arrival in Philadelphia free time for lunch at Reading Terminal (not included). 1:00 pm Let's head to the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The National Constitution Center in Historic Philadelphia is America's most interactive history museum. After our visit, we will walk a few blocks to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. 3:00 pm We will begin our tour of Colonial P h i l a d e l p h i a! S t o p s w i l l i n c l u d e : Independence Square, the Liberty Bell, the famous Rocky stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Elfreth's Alley, a historic neighborhood in the heart of Philadelphia. 6:00 pm dinner in Philadelphia (included). 8:00 pm Departure to 141 miles 2 ½ hours 10:30 pm Arrival in Time to get some rest for a big day exploring the nation's capital in the morning! DAY 6 9:00 am Let's head to the heart of America's capital city and visit some of its most famous landmarks. Today we will explore the Memorials of Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson - as well as Arlington Cemetery. We are packing a lot of historic landmarks and famous sights into this day, but they will all be worth it! 1:00 pm - Break for lunch at Crystal City Mall (not included). 3:00 pm Next we'll head to Mount Vernon, home to George Washington, the first president of the United States and a key figure in both the French and Indian war and the American Revolution. Experience the natural beauty and intriguing history of his beloved estate. 6:00 pm We'll end our exploration into the life of Washington with a traditional dinner at the Mt. Vernon Inn (included). DAY 7 9:00 am Let's start the day with a visit to one of the most famous houses in the world, home to the President of the United States the White House! Next we'll head to the Washington Monument to see one of the oldest and most prominent attractions in Washington, D.C. After we'll head toward the Capitol building and Library of Congress. 1:00 pm Break for lunch at Union Station (not included). 3:00 pm Spend the afternoon exploring the impressive campus of the Smithsonian Museums. No matter what your interests, 3
Program there is something here for you, such as the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and Freer Gallery of Art, to name a few. 7:00 pm Dinner and free time in Georgetown (included). DAY 8 - Home Breakfast at the hotel prior to individual departures (included). DEPARTURE DAY: Our staff will be taking groups of departing students to the airport for departures all day. Departures can be at anytime on this day BETWEEN 8 am and 3 pm EST from Dulles International Airport (IAD). Students are not permitted to stay longer than the planned trip. All departing flights must be scheduled for this day. If there are any flight cancellations or delays, we will communicate with the host family. Thanks for traveling with us and we look forward to seeing you very soon! Belo USA Travel Inc. Useful Hints MANDATORY ITEMS: Original Passport - students will not be allowed to travel without their passport; Approximately US$ 200.00 for personal expenses during the trip, such as meals, gifts, and others. If you are interested in buying gifts, remember to bring a larger amount; Alarm clock; Lock for luggage. Sweatshirts, layered clothing; Personal products; Sunscreen, sunglasses; Accessories (belt, etc.); Watch; If you bring a credit card, leave a copy with your host family; Any medication you take regularly. C L O T H I N G A N D O T H E R NECESSARY ITEMS: Shorts, Jeans - take a look at the weather before you leave home and decide what you will need to wear; Sandals, sneakers, tennis shoes and/or trekking boots; Swimming suit. T-Shirts; Cap; ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED ITEMS: (Remember to put your name on your belongings!) Camera, memory card and charger; Video Camera and charger; Cell phone and charger; MP3 and/or I-Pod; Flag from your country; Musical instrument you play, etc. 4
Price & Includes PRICE INCLUDES: Transportation during the trip on a charter bus; 4 Nights in New York Area (4 person shared accommodations); 3 Nights in Washington DC Area (4 person shared accommodations); 7 Breakfasts; 7 Dinners; Hip Hop Classes Ticket to the Metropolitan Art Museum; Ticket to the United Nations Tour; Ticket to the Constitution Center in Philadelphia Ticket to a Broadway play; Ticket to Mount Vernon in Washington, D.C. (historic home of President George Washington); City Tours; Local guide; Transfer Airport - Hotel - Airport; Belo USA Coordinator; Belo USA Monitor; Chaperone; 1 Trip T-shirt; 1 Trip DVD. Ticket to the Empire State Building Tour; Ticket to the Statue of Liberty Tour; Hotels NEW YORK CITY: La Quinta Secaucus 350 Lighting Way Secaucus, NJ 070904 Phone: 1-201-863-8700 WASHINGTON, DC: Hilton Garden Inn Dulles North 22400 Flagstaff Plaza Ashburn, VA 20148 Phone: 1-703-723-8989 5
General Conditions 01. English is the official language of this trip. 02. It is not allowed, under any circumstance, for any student to separate from the program during the trip. 03. All students must bring their original passport on the trip, however please leave a copy of your passport with your host family. 04. At the beginning and end of the trip, each student must leave from and go directly to their host community, unless the student has written permission from Exchange Student Organization and their host family. 05. Belo USA Travel Inc. is not responsible for buying any bus, airline and train tickets from the trip's final destination to your host city. It's the student's responsibility to pay for the ticket. 06. Illegal drug use of any kind is prohibited. 07. Stealing of any kind will be severely punished in addition to any possible legal consequences. 08. Purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages is strictly forbidden. 09. Tattoos and body piercings are extremely discouraged and allowed only with the preauthorization of the natural parents and sponsor/local Exchange Student Organization. 10. Our schedules and itineraries must be followed by all students. The trip coordinator reserves the right to make changes in the schedule, when necessary, or if it is in the best interest of the group. 11. Lodging does not cover incidental costs, such as phone calls, mini-bar purchases, etc. If the students decide to use these services, they are responsible for paying these costs. 12. Keep luggage to a minimum. All students will carry and be responsible for their own luggage at all times. The maximum amount allowed is 50 pounds (23 kg) and a carry on bag (small bag or back pack). Remember to keep those items you will need during the day with you on the bus - like ipods, cameras, wallets, etc. 13. Students must be approved by Exchange Student Organization in order to travel. Students who have faced disciplinary action with Exchange Student Organization may be denied approval for participation. 14. All departure/arrival times from/to our activities will be decided by the coordinators, depending on the exact length of each activity. 15. The trip has a limited number of vacancies, which will be filled on a first come first serve basis. 16. There must be at least 35 students signed up to open up the trip. However, there is a possibility for us to open more buses depending on the number of reservations. 17. Belo USA Travel Inc. reserves the right to operate the trip program backwards (i.e., switching the departure city and the arrival city) if needed because of number of students and availability. 18. Swimming: Even if you know how to swim please BE CAREFUL, because you are unfamiliar with the pool/places and are not aware of all potential hazards. 19. Please note that additional expenses are different for each individual. We believe that $25/per day is enough for food, extra entertainment, optional items, etc, but remember to bring additional money if you are planning to buy gifts. Also remember that anything you buy will have to fit into your suitcase in order to get it on the bus and back home. 20. There will be plenty of ATM machines available during the entire course of the trip in case you need more money. 21. Please bring all cash in US dollars. 22. If you are not comfortable traveling with cash, Traveler's Checks are a safer option. Most banks in the US can provide you with Traveler's Checks, which are accepted at most commercial locations. 23. Travel expenses from your host city to the trip's departing airport are not included in the program fee. 24. If you take any regular medication, make sure to bring enough for the trip's duration. Also, please bring a copy of the prescription in case you might need it (just to be safe.) 25. Since we will be outside, please be careful and use lotion/sunscreen. 26. If any student's conduct is considered harmful to the rest of the students, or if any student breaks any of the program rules, he or she can be sent back to their host community immediately, assuming all extra costs, to his or her host city/family. Additionally, any violation of the rules and any students removed from the program will be reported to Exchange Student Organization. 27. All prices are in US dollars. In case of payment by international wire transfer, the dollar/euro/your local currency exchange rate to be considered for conversion will be the one listed by Chase Bank / JP Morgan on the day that the payment arrives in the USA. 28. All other optional activities that may be offered during student's free time are considered extra costs, and are not included in the overall trip price. 29. Belo USA Travel Inc. is not responsible for the cost of the student's travel expenses from his/her host city to the departure point and back. 30. Lost & Found: all the students' items found during the trip will be sent to Belo USA's office and kept for 60 days after the end of the trip. Any student who has lost something must send us an e-mail with the description of the item within 60 days of the end of the trip. Postage to return the item to any student is the student's responsibility. 31. All students who take part in this trip grant image use rights to Belo USA to produce a Trip VIDEO, as well as use of photos from the trip on our website and program materials. 32. Trip DVDs will be mailed to the students within six months of the completion of the trip. Belo USA will contact students for their current addresses when the DVDs are ready. 33. In case of DVD malfunction, please return it to Belo USA and a new DVD will be mailed within 15 days of receipt. 34. Please make any comments or complaints regarding the trip in writing (via email or standard letter) to Belo USA Travel within 30 days of the end of the trip to ensure Belo USA a chance to respond. All contracts with Belo officially end 30 days after the trip and Belo USA, the tour operator, is therefore relinquished of any responsibility. 35. Once any student requests the description of any of the trip's programs organized by Belo USA Travel Inc., the client declares to know and to agree with all the terms of this General Conditions, that can be found in our trip program or on our web site. Cancellation and Refund Policy: 36. In case we do not achieve the minimum number of participants needed, Belo USA Travel Inc. reserves the right to cancel the trip or to transfer the date and/or to offer other options of tours as well, according to the clients wish. If this occurs, all payments already made will be returned in full. 37. If the student chooses to leave the program or is sent home for breaking any program rules, he/she will pay a penalty according to the date of his written order to cancel the tour, read below: * Cancelled more than 30 days before the beginning of the trip: 10% of the trip's price. * Cancelled between 29 and 21 days before the beginning of the trip: 20% of the trip's price. * Cancelled between 20 and 7 days before the beginning of the trip: 40% of the trip's price. * Cancelled between 6 days or less before the beginning of the trip: 100% of the trip's price. - If a student cancels his or her trip, any payments previously made cannot be transferred to another student or host sibling. 38. Any student who leaves the trip during the program, for any reason, will not receive any refund. 39. A request for reimbursement due to trip cancellation because of an early return of the exchange student to his/her original country, must be made to Belo USA Travel Inc. at least seven (7) days in advance of the program trip's departure. After initial request, reimbursement will be made to a U.S. bank account and the penalties will be applied according to the cancellation and refund policy above. If the student does not follow the deadline established by the program, making it necessary for us to proceed with the reimbursement through International Wire Transfer, all taxes and bank fees will be the client's responsibility. - In case of early return of the student from the trip or to his/her original country, cost of return ticket is the student's responsibility. 40. Any cancellations or withdrawals must be made in writing via letter, fax or email by the tour's participant to Belo USA Travel Inc. 41. Belo USA Travel is not responsible for any reimbursements or change fees associated with flight or travel arrangements. Operated by: 6