Page 1 of 13 Tour #: 2083399NV Italy: Rome To Sicily The Travel Club at The Centre for Learning @ HOME is organizing an April, 2019, school trip to Italy (Rome to Sicily). The basic premise of the Travel Club is that the World is our Classroom. There is no better way to learn about globalization, culture, nationalism, art, architecture, geography, sociology, faith, and history than to experience the world firsthand. Yes, we will be visiting the Vatican, pictured here. This will be the ninth time I have personally led international tours for the Centre for Learning@HOME. The number of teacher chaperones will be determined by the number of students traveling. We will be employing the services of Education First Tours (EF Tours) and will be traveling over Easter break (April 17, 2019 to April 26, 2019). Grade 9 to 12 students are taken on a firstcome-first-serve basis. The purpose of this document is to provide details regarding this trip so you can make an informed decision whether or not you would like to join us. The cost of this tour for students is $3834.00. This amount is paid directly to EF Tours and includes all gratuities and EF Tours Global Protection Insurance Plan as well as a host of other items. See page 12 for a detailed list called Everything you Get. EF Tours has a wealth of travel experience with international travel for students. Students between the ages of 15 and 18 years of age at the time of the tour, April, 2019, are eligible to participate. Hotels, travel, and tours are very safe and are fully insured. See above for a photo of the Roman Forum.
Page 2 of 13 This price includes: Round-trip Airfare 7 Overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms 1 night cabin accommodation on ferry Complete breakfast and dinner daily Full-time bilingual Tour Guide 6 extra sightseeing tours led by licensed local specialist guides Tips/Gratuities Deluxe Motor Coach (bus) Baggage Fees (students can take one checked bag and one carry-on). I will send each student an EF Tours backpack Italy: Rome to Sicily (10 Days) See page 12 for a detailed list called Everything you Get.
Page 3 of 13 Day-by-Day Itinerary FROM ROME TO SICILY / TOUR SCHEDULE April 17- April 26 (2019) Day 1: Overnight flight to Rome Day 2: Arrive in Rome Transfer from the airport to our hotel. Our licensed guide leads our sightseeing tour in Rome before having our dinner. Trevi Fountain Day 3: Sightseeing of Rome Visit Colosseum Visit Roman Forum Morning: Depart from the hotel and pick up the local specialist guide for a tour of the Vatican. The tour will include a walk through the Vatican Museums to reach the Sistine Chapel at the end and a visit to St. Peter s Basilica. Time is given afterwards for lunch and to explore Vatican City. The statute of Augustus (left) is displayed in the Vatican Museums. Afternoon: Transfer by bus from the Vatican to the Roman Colosseum for a guided visit followed by a guided walk through the Roman Forum pictured on page one of this document.
Page 4 of 13 Our group will have the opportunity to take a walking tour from the Spanish Steps or the Trevi Fountain to the Piazza Navona via the Pantheon (picture below right). After our afternoon of sightseeing in Rome we will have dinner at a local restaurant. Day 4: Transfer to Sorrento Region via Capri Sightseeing Depart the hotel and transfer to Naples. Take ferry to Capri where our group will take a boat tour with guided commentary (1hr 30mins). I have done this boat tour before. It is really remarkable! There are plenty of opportunities to take scenic photographs of the island. Guide leads group up into Capri Town via funicular (5mins) and will give a walking tour across the island to the "Garden of Augustus" where there are great views down on the Faraglioni Rocks. Afternoon: After this the group will have time for lunch and shopping. Return to the marina where you will take a ferry back to the mainland. Evening: Dinner is at the hotel.
Page 5 of 13 Day 5: Transfer to Villa San Giovanni Ferry to Messina Transfer to the Taormina Region Evening: Check-in and dinner at the hotel. Morning: Depart early from the hotel for transfer to San Giovanni (pictured at left). Afternoon: The group will stop at a motorway service station for lunch near the end of the transfer to Messina. Take a 30 minute ferry to Messina and then transfer to Taormina. Day 6: Taormina Sightseeing Morning: Depart the hotel and meet the guide for a walking tour of Taormina including a visit to the Greek theatre (above). Afternoon: Time for lunch and local touring in Taormina for the afternoon as pictured below.
Page 6 of 13 Day 7: Savoca and Forza d Agro Morning: Depart hotel for bus transfer to Savoca and Forza d Agro (villages from The Godfather ). Time to explore in Taormina for the afternoon. Evening: Dinner is at the hotel. Day 8: Transfer to Palermo Palermo Sightseeing Night Ferry to Naples Morning: Depart hotel and transfer to Palermo. Afternoon: Time for an early lunch, and then meet our specialist guide for a sightseeing tour of Palermo. The group will drive 15 min to Monreale to visit the cathedral there and have a panoramic tour of Palermo. Our group will have time to explore the area before taking the night ferry to Naples. Please make sure to pack a small bag that can be used overnight while your suitcase is stored underneath. Evening: Dinner is served buffet-style on board the night ferry.
Page 7 of 13 Day 9: Arrive in Naples Pompeii Sightseeing Morning: Have breakfast on board the ferry before disembarking in Naples. Board bus for transfer to Pompeii. Meet the local specialist guide for walking tour of the ruins. After the tour the group has some time to wander the ruins and have lunch. There may also be time for a cameo demonstration. Afternoon: Transfer to Rome. Transfer to Rome Evening: Check-in at the hotel and dinner. As the hotel is centrally-located in Rome we will have time with our tour guide to sightsee in the city of Rome.
Page 8 of 13 Day 10: Transfer to Rome airport * Participants are not permitted to consume, purchase, or possess, alcohol and/or tobacco of any kind* There are no tour extensions for students. We must depart from Calgary and return to Calgary together as one group. We will attend Mass over Easter weekend. The cost of this tour for students between the ages of 15 and 18 years at the time of the tour, April, 2019, is $$3834.00. Interest free payments can be made directly to EF Tours. Information regarding EF Tour s Booking Conditions, EF s Global Travel Protection Plan (which each participant receives as part of their tour fees), and Release and Agreement can be found at the following EF Tours web links. Please read the financial, registration, and insurance details at these links prior to signing up for this trip. The updated information on our Global Travel Protection Plan Insurance: https://www.eftours.ca/help-centre/safety/travel-coverage EF s Booki ng Conditions: This EF Tours web link includes information regarding cancellations, refunds, insurance, and payment schedule etc. Please visit link at: Booking Conditions: https://www.eftours.ca/eliterature/eng-booking-conditions_f2018.pdf Help Centre: https://www.eftours.ca/help-centre
Page 9 of 13 Need Need More Information I am happy to talk with you if you have any questions. If you would like to discuss our trip, please contact me,, at one of the following contacts: To e-mail me in First Class just type Mr. Brennan into the To box From a Telus, Hotmail, Shaw, or other non-first Class account you can send e-mails to: Phone me at: (403) 938-8046 ext. 5304 1-800-659-1945 (ext. 5304) Vice Principal Centre for Learning@HOME Sign up instructions on next page
Page 10 of 13 If you are interested in signing up for this CFL student trip adventure, you can enroll two different ways: 1) You can complete the registration process online by doing the following: Go to: https://www.eftours.ca/tour-website/2083399nv Click on Enroll Now tab and complete the online registration form. The tour number is: 2083399nv 2) Or, you can phone in your registration to EF Tours @ 1-800-263-2806 (Quote tour # 2083399nv). Please be advised that you will need a deposit of at least $199.00 to officially register and thus secure a seat on this trip. If you like, you can organize an interest free automatic monthly payment plan with EF Tours. Please ask them for details when you phone. Applicants are taken on a first-come-first-serve basis. Centre for Learning@HOME School Trips led by include: 1. Switzerland, Germany, Italy (2005) 2. England & France (2006) 3. Greece & Italy (2007) 4. Italy, Croatia, Medjugori (2009) 5. Costa Rica (2011) 6. France, the Riviera, & Italy (2013) 7. Germany, France, & the Netherlands (2015) 8. New York, Washington, & Gettysburg (2017) 9. Italy (2019)
Page 11 of 13 What to expect on your Overnight Ferry Example of ferry EF uses overnight ferries on many of our Mediterranean tours as they are a fast and convenient mode of transportation between countries. The overnight ferry ensures that your group maximizes time by allowing you to travel a long distance while you sleep. Overnight ferries can be a very unique experience so here are a few points that you can use to set your expectations. Our group will have cabins with bunk beds and private bathrooms. Students of the same gender will be in rooms with bunk beds. Dinner and breakfast will be provided on board. Examples of the amenities you might find on your ferry include gift shops and restaurant. A typical coach Bus used by EF Tours e-mail:
Airfare & transportation: Your flights covered. Buses, trains, cruise ships, ferries and subways covered. We take care of getting you around so you can enjoy the ride. Hotels: Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination. Meals: Traditional breakfasts and dinners bring local flavours to life as part of your tour experience. Lunches are left for you to discover new favourite dishes of your own. Entrances: Sistine Chapel; St.Peter s Basilica; Colosseum; Roman Forum; Capri boat cruise; Greek Theater; Palermo Cathedral; Cathedral of Monreale; Pompeii Roman Ruins; With extension: Duomo Full-time Tour Director: Your dedicated Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics. Expert Local Guides: Your expert local guides add cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours. weshare Personalized Learning: Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project. Continuous Support: Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way from recruiting and enrolling travellers to planning and managing your tour. 24-hour Emergency Service: Travellers and their families can count on EF s dedicated emergency service team. Worldwide Presence: EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we re there too. The Centre for Learning
Student and Parent Testimonials from Previous Trips: The entire process of making the trip a reality was very rewarding for my son: Saving the money, the planning and the researching. In planning the Italy and France trip in 2013 Al Brennan was extremely comforting for the parents and participants. He walked us through every step of the way and left no stone unturned when it came to answering our questions or concerns. I was a little worried about my son being in a new element with unfamiliar faces, but this trip proved to be more than we bargained for. Our son blossomed and met many like-minded children with similar interests. He came home knowing that outside of school, there's this whole world of possibilities. Third child! Third trip! Not to mention the new friendships developed with a students from all over Alberta. Some that become lifelong friendships filled with amazing memories. Maureen L. I wanted to let you know how much my daughter enjoyed her trip to Costa Rica. I would like to thank you for giving me the confidence in you to trust you, Mr. Brennan, with one of the two people I love the most. I knew that my daughter was in very capable hands. I knew that you would ensure her safety and that is exactly what happened. My daughter learned a lot EF Tours is a fabulous organization and makes certain the students are taken care, and you, my friend, have proved that the students are actually cared for I would like to thank you in assisting my daughter in making life long memories in a very positive experience. I loved the tour. I have always wanted to travel to Italy and Greece and I m really glad I did this with you, Mr. Brennan. Greece was amazing but Rome was my favourite. The food was excellent and the sights were perfect. None of this could have been possible without out and your amazing teachers that introduced all of this to me. I made some great friends on this trip and our guide was great too. I would definitely recommend it. The Centre for Learning