South High Spartan Band Big Trip 2015 Italy Performance Tour Traveler Meeting March 11, 2015-7:00PM South High Cafe South High Band Boosters www.southhighband.org
Italy Trip 2015 Overview When: Spring Break 2015 Friday, April 3 to Sunday, April 12 Where: Italy - Florence, Lucca, Siena, Rome Who: 143 Travelers - 107 Students, 36 Adults Colosseum What: Performance Tour Concert Band & Jazz Band Concerts Why: Musical Education and Cultural Experience How Much: $3,600 per student, $3,800 per adult Mt Vesuvius Spartan Band Trips - 2011: Austria, 2013: France 2015: Look out Italy, Here come the Spartans! 2
Trip Inclusions & Exclusions Included in Trip Cost Roundtrip Airfare, Economy Class Double Occupancy in Hotel Rooms Private Motor Coach Ground Transportation Breakfast and Dinner each Day (Lunch not included) All Scheduled Sightseeing Fees Not Included Optional Travel Insurance (~$150) Single Room Supplement ($500) Personal Expenses, Souvenirs Sistine Chapel Traveling Money Florence Recommend ~150 Euros in cash for lunches and miscellaneous items Recommend Credit Card for larger purchases Notify your card provider that you will be in Italy from April 4 thru April 12 Currency in Italy is Euros Currently 1 Euro $1.20 3
Required Trip Documents All Travelers Passport valid through July 12, 2015 Holders of non-u.s. passports (ROK, Japan, etc.) must have a valid Green Card or Visa with them to re-enter U.S. Waiver form for damages, liability, and medical treatment at hotels Student Travelers Only Notarized letter of permission to travel for students under age 18 Code of Conduct signed by student and parent Medical information form Color photocopy of student passport for chaperone notebooks Students also need to carry an ID showing their birth date while on tour Drivers License, Copy of Passport ID page, or any picture ID with DOB Look for Trip Updates in your Email and on the Band Website www.southhighband.org 4
Trip Clothing All students are required to purchase a Trip T-Shirt ($20) T-Shirts will be worn on air travel days for added security Adult travelers may also purchase T-Shirts if they wish Concert attire (Tuxedos and Dresses) to be packed in traveler suitcase Jazz Band only students will bring their normal concert attire Boys in both bands can use tuxedo with tie for Jazz concert Wearing modest clothing in Italy is important When visiting the Vatican and churches, ladies must have covered shoulders No short dresses or shorts - Long pants or knee length or longer dresses Boys must have covered shoulders - No sleeveless shirts and No shorts Wear good walking shoes, No flip flops allowed Ladies need to wear shoes that are safe on cobblestone streets Bring a light rain jacket that can be worn over sweatshirt when needed Plan for possible chilly days Wear layers, Pack hat & gloves 5
Luggage and Packing Information 1 checked bag is free, 1 carry-on in overhead bin, 1 small backpack under seat Large instruments will be 2 nd checked luggage item with fee paid by travel agency (Trombone, Baritone, French Horn, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Bass Guitar, Percussion) Checked suitcase should include Pack Light 2 pair jeans, Long sleeve T-shirts, Casual evening attire, No shorts or flip flops Formal Concert attire, Small Instruments (Flute, Clarinet, etc.) Toiletries No liquid containers over 3.4 ounce (100 ml) can be in your carry-on bag or backpack Carry-on luggage Must fit in overhead bin Medium Size Instruments (Trumpet, Alto Sax, Alto & Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Electric Guitar) Small bag/backpack Must fit under seat Passport, Personal items, Electronics Rain gear to wear over clothing (small umbrellas ok) April in Italy Weather: Ave High 65 o, Ave Low 45 o, Rain 40% 6
Trip T-Shirt: Required for All Students Additional airport safety measure on departure and return days T-Shirts will be distributed at Baggage Check-In, April 1 T-Shirt Design by Meera McAdam Thank you! 7
Departure Procedures April 3 Meet at South High, Assemble in Chaperone Groups, Load Luggage Board assigned Buses and depart for LAX At LAX, all travelers enter United/Lufthansa baggage check-in line Show passport at counter check-in to receive boarding pass If you submitted a mileage rewards number, verify the airlines received it After check-in, proceed to security screening with carry-on bags Students stay in chaperone groups or with other adult supervision All travelers meet at assigned Departure Gate Keep your carry-on bags with you at all times Students may not leave gate area without adult supervision After boarding airplane, proceed to your assigned seat Remain seated until seatbelt sign is turned off in flight One time seat switch allowed if done quietly and respectfully During flight Complimentary meals, drinks, video screen on overseas leg Get some rest and be courteous to flight attendants and fellow travelers Remember the Old Saying: Patience is a Virtue 8
Behavior and Courtesy All school rules apply to students while on trip Student behavior contract Curfew will be enforced at hotels Students will have adult supervision at all times Wait for me! Be on time, or you will be left behind! Arrive early to all group departure times All ground travel is on your assigned bus in your chaperone group You are one of 143 fellow travelers Help everybody enjoy a once in a lifetime experience Siena Cathedral We are visitors - Be courteous and respectful to our hosts 9
United Flight Information One-stop flights both directions: Stop in Frankfurt outbound, Munich on return Economy Class: Hot meals, Seatback entertainment system for Overseas Legs For MileagePlus credit, email Jack at jsnow@earthlink.net with your account number Depart Friday, April 3: LAX-EWR-MXP, Depart 7:00AM, Arrive Apr 4 8:00AM Return Sunday, April 12: FCO-IAD-LAX, Depart 11:00AM, Arrive 7:00PM We will meet at South High and be bused to and from LAX Departure day call time at South is 3:00 AM Flight Duration: 16 hrs United Group led by Mr. King, Lufthansa Group led by Coach Niko 10
Lufthansa Flight Information One-stop flights both directions: Stop in Frankfurt outbound, Munich on return Economy Class: Hot meals, Seatback entertainment system for Overseas Legs For Miles & More credit, email Jack at jsnow@earthlink.net with your account number Depart Friday, April 3: LAX-FRA-MXP, Depart 3:00PM, Arrive Apr 4 2:00PM Return Sunday, April 12: FCO-MUC-LAX, Depart 9:00AM, Arrive 4:00PM We will meet at South High and be bused to and from LAX Departure day call time at South is 10:30 AM Flight Duration: 14 hrs Rome is 6,327 miles from Los Angeles & 9 Hours Ahead 11
Hotels and Roommates Hotel rooming lists are complete Two student travelers per room There are a few Triple rooms for Families and Odd Student Numbers Hotel keys will be distributed by Chaperones after arrival at hotels Hotels Information 3 nights in Florence Grand Hotel Mediterraneo 1 night in Siena Mercure Siena Degli Ulivi 4 nights in Rome Crowne Plaza Rome - St. Peter s All Breakfasts Will Be Buffet Style in Hotel 12
Cell Phones and Other Electronics Contact your service provider for options on cell phone use in Italy - Fees apply Smart phones can be authorized to work in Italy Activation and per minute charges (~$1 per minute voice calls) For Dumb phones, most providers have global phone rental options Electrical power and wall outlets in Italy are different Adapters required 220 Volts 50 Hz versus 110 Volts 60 Hz in U.S. 3 round prongs in a row versus U.S. plug All modern electronics chargers can use either Verify your charger label for 100V - 240V, 50/60 Hz Italy Outlet Plug adapters needed to use chargers Available for under $5 All hotels have in-room hair dryers - Leave high watt items at home Adapter All of our hotels have in-room WiFi (not sure if free) - No room charges allowed! While on tour, embrace the opportunity to experience the culture and historic sites Put the electronics away Listen to the Tour Guides, not your Personal Electronic Device 13
Traveler Safety Tips Stay with your chaperone group do not wander off Use the buddy system never find yourself alone We will always travel on our dedicated private buses We will not be using public transportation at any time Pickpockets exist all over Europe and are very skilled Keep your wallets in buttoned pockets Don t carry purses on your shoulder, use waist pack or travel pouch Watch out for one person distracting you while another person picks your pocket Pickpockets often times work in pairs or use props that cover their hands If you get bumped in a crowd, immediately check that your valuables are still with you Don t engage with a street vendor or let them touch you! Keep an arms length distance from any stranger Vai Via! Student Safety is Our Number One Priority 14
Italian Customs and Laws Italians eat dinner late Dinner usually occurs around 8:00PM Entertainment follows dinner (all of our concerts are in the evening) Italians love cappuccino, but only for breakfast Never ask for cappuccino after 10AM, Espresso is served for later meals Don t ask for butter to put on your breads Dinner rolls and bread are used for dipping in the pasta sauces Where s the butter? Drinks are usually served without ice If you want ice in your drinks, visit another country Don t damage or deface historic sites You will be subject to arrest and fines up to 20,000 Euros Getting suspended will be the least of your problems Respect the Customs and Laws of Italy 15
Latest Itinerary (subject to change) April 3 Fri: Sat: Bus from South High to airport in two groups (United and Lufthansa) Arrive Milan Travel to Florence, Free time with chaperones, Dinner at hotel 3 nights in Florence Sun: Florence Walking tour of Florence, Dinner at Fiorentini, Both Bands Easter Concert Mon: Florence Santa Croce, Free afternoon in Lucca, Concert Band, Return to Florence 1 night in Siena Tue: Siena Accademia, Bus to San Gimignano & Siena, Jazz Band, Dinner at hotel Wed: Rome Morning tour of Siena, Travel to Rome, Check into Hotel, Dinner at Arturo 4 nights in Rome Thu: Rome Guided tour of Vatican museums, St. Peters Square, Dinner at Alfredo Fri: Rome Full day excursion to Pompeii, Evening free time in Rome, Dinner at hotel Sat: Rome Walking tour of Colosseum, Forum, & Pantheon, Dinner at Tanagra (Tenors) April 12 Sun: Early morning wake-up, Bus to airport, Depart Rome for LAX in two flight groups Note: All group breakfast and dinners included, Lunches are on own in chaperoned groups Tour Booklets Will Be Provided to Each Traveler 16
* * * Final Pre-Trip Activity * * * MANDATORY baggage collection event on Wednesday, April 1, in Band Room United Flight Group: 6:00 PM 7: 30 PM Lufthansa Flight Group: 7:30 PM 9:00 PM Please come at different times in your flight group there is no prize for being first Chaperones will measure, weigh, and check in the baggage for their group Baggage tags will be provided for all checked bags and carry-on instruments Coastline Travel Advisors 12373 Lewis St. #201 Garden Grove, CA 92840 1.714.621.1040 John Smith South High School Band 4801 Pacific Coast Highway Torrance, CA 90505 Rock Bus United To Report Found Bag: 1.714.621.1040 Coastline Travel Advisors Did you know - Italy has more masterpiece works of art per square mile than any other country in the world 17
Tour Bus & Chaperone Groups There are 3 Coach Style Tour Buses for all transportation All travelers will have an assigned bus while on tour Rock Bus: Mr. King, Classical Bus: Robinna, Jazz Bus: Niko Chaperone groups on same bus Buses are nearly full No bus switching allowed! All buses equipped with a lavatory Chaperone Groups Coach Andrea Ruof (Head Chaperone) San Gimignano Chaperones: Anthony Bissonnette, Robinna Borrero, Veronica Cuevas, Naher Elramly, Jill Hix, Niko Jasniewicz, Julie Kliszewski, Frank Masi, Anna McAdam, Brian Ogaz, Crystal Raymond Students will meet their chaperones at the end of this meeting Adult travelers will be on the same tour bus and flights as their band student 18
Trip Coordinators If You Have Questions Andrea Ruof (Head Chaperone) andrea.ruof@verizon.net Jack Snowiss jsnow@earthlink.net Tom King call 310-533-4352 x7541 In the coming weeks Details of the tour itinerary will be finalized Trip T-Shirts will be distributed Italy Concert Band rehearsals: Tuesdays, March 17 & 31 from 6-8 PM Lucca Vatican City Trip Information Updates Published in Weekly E-Newsletters 19